asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps should be taken by a registered war charity to secure supplies of sports gear for distribution to men and women in His Majesty's Services, having regard to the provisions of the Emergency Powers (Defence) Sports Gear Order (S.R. & O., No. 908, of 1943)?

Bulk allocations of equipment for priority sports are made to the Service Departments who are entirely responsible for the distribution of supplies among all units of the Services. Supplies are strictly limited, and I regret that separate allocations cannot be made to any war charity. Registered war charities can assist men and women in the Ser- vices by offering to reimburse units for equipment that they may be authorised to purchase.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that existing clothing restrictions affect small bespoke tailoring craftsmen and firms more seriously than the large clothing wholesalers; and, since the former lose, approximately, three coupons on each man's suit they make, whilst the latter make, approximately, two coupons per suit, what steps he proposes to take to provide greater equality and to prevent the forcing out of business of individual craftsmen and firms, the quality of whose work is a trade asset to this country?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which was given to my hon. Friend the Member for the Abbey Division (Sir H. Webbe) on 4th May. No evidence has since been produced which would support the suggestion in my hon. and gallant Friend's Question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the comparative output per head, by way of index numbers or other convenient basis, in the coalmining industry and the iron and steel foundries industry for the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States of America for the three years before the war and for the period since the war?

As regards coalmining, I would refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power. Owing to differences in classification, I am unable to give any comparison for iron and steel foundries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any figures to show the respective shares of wages in the value of the net output of industry in Britain, Germany and the United States of America before, and since the war, respectively?

No information is available for any year since the outbreak of war. The following figures for the factory trades are given in the respective censuses of production.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in order to stop black-market activities and overcharging, he will institute compulsory registration of wholesalers and so control the channels through which commodities must pass and help to find those who are now setting up themselves as wholesalers, in the same way as control is exercised over those desirous of opening retail shops under the Location of Business Order?

No, Sir. I do not wish to introduce more restrictions on trade than are really necessary in the national interest; and I am not satisfied that compulsory registration of wholesalers is necessary in order to stop black-market activities and overcharging.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that most of the complaints which are recommended for prosecution by regional price regulation committees are not proceeded with because either the invoices for the goods cannot be found as they have been used for salvage by the alleged offenders or the invoices are lacking in some particulars, the description of the goods, the date of the sale, or the name and address of the suppliers; and whether he will ensure that wider publicity is given to the provisions of the Invoices Order and a more rigorous attitude taken towards infringements of the Orders by the Central Advisory Committee?

I am not aware that most of the cases recommended for prosecution by the local price regulation committees cannot be proceeded with for the reasons stated in the Question. I know that difficulties of the kind described by my hon. Friend have sometimes arisen, but I am satisfied that wherever possible prosecutions are instituted at the request of the Central Price Regulation Committee for infringement of the obligation to preserve invoices imposed on traders by the Price Controlled Goods (Invoices) Order, 1943.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the criticisms which are prevalent of the existing Patent Laws; and, in view of the dangers to the future prosperity of this country of the restrictive practices alleged to be followed by patent holders, whether he will consider setting up a departmental committee or a Royal Commission to inquire into these practices and to make recommendations as to the reform of the Patent Laws generally?

My right hon. Friend is aware that there is some criticism of the Patent Laws, but it is doubtful whether this criticism pays full regard to the remedies already provided against the abuse of restrictive practices. He will be glad to examine specific instances in which it may be alleged that patent holders are adopting such measures, but in present circumstances the comprehensive inquiry suggested by my hon. Friend would not be justified.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider setting up a Departmental Committee or Royal Commission to inquire into the cost and methods of retail distribution generally, with special reference to the small trader?

No, Sir. The Retail Trade Committee has reported on certain aspects of the retail trade, and costs are the subject of constant reviews by the Central Price Regulation Committee. An inquiry of the kind proposed by my hon. Friend would not therefore be justified.

asked the Minister of Information how many of his films are classed as non-theatrical and will therefore only be shown at factories and villages; and whether, in view of the general interest of many of these, he will arrange for their exhibition to the ordinary cinema-going public?

There is no fixed number of Ministry films classed as non-theatrical. A good many of our films are shown both in the cinemas and on the non-theatrical circuits, and this seems to me the best and most economical way of combining the two methods of distribution.

asked the Minister of Information whether the official propagandist films of his Department are supplied without charge to colonial cinemas?

Ministry of Information short films are supplied to Colonial Governments free of charge. In respect of feature-length films, however, the Governments are asked to try to obtain from the local cinemas a percentage rental on takings.

asked the Minister of Information what representations he proposes to make with regard to the banning of the "Sunday Dispatch" in Eire by the Irish censor; and will he make it clear that such interference with the liberty of the British Press is resented in this country?

My right hon. Friend is not proposing to make any representations. The Ministry of Information is not concerned with the actions of the Eire censor.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many applicants have been refused sanction to appeal to the pensions appeal tribunals since their setting up was made known to pensioners and ex-Service men?

No applicant has been or could be refused sanction to appeal to the pensions appeal tribunal on any issue which is now appealable under the Act.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the fact that the two sons of Mrs. S. P. Watt, of 127, Lonsborough Road, Southsea, were killed by aircraft belonging to the Royal Air Force, any compensation can be given to his mother for the loss of the younger son, D. M. Watt; and, failing this, can some grant be given towards the education of the younger children, in view of the financial support which Mr. D. M. Watt had previously been giving?

I am looking into this case and I will write to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Attorney General what is the position with regard to the setting up of pensions appeal tribunals, the names of members and the date when adjudication will begin?

My Noble Friend the Lord Chancellor has been proceeding with the selection of members of the tribunals, and proposes to publish the list of names very shortly. The tribunals will be ready to discharge their functions when sufficient time has been given to appellants to prepare their cases in support of their notices of appeal; but they will have no jurisdiction to hear an appeal until a new Royal Warrant has been made and issued.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is prepared to reconsider the existing regulation whereby the service of boys with the Royal Navy does not count for pension purposes until they reach the age of 18, bearing in mind that a boy on active service, when going into battle, takes as great risks as older men?

Pensions for disablement are on the same basic scale for men and boys and they have a common scale of invaliding gratuities: it is only, therefore, for "long service" pensions that service rendered before the age of 18 does not count. The existing rule on this subject is common to all three Fighting Services and is designed in the case of naval personnel to give a pension at the age of 40, or on completion of 22 years' adult service, if later. Risk in action has no relation to eligibility for a long service pension and indeed this risk is shared by many men who have no prospect of such a pension. I accordingly see no reason for altering the long established rule on this question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether officers and ratings in the Royal Naval Reserve and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve receive the same opportunities for promotion during service, and on retirement, as are available to officers and ratings of the Royal Navy?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works why, when he is denuding railings and small gates from around houses, churches and other buildings, he is not removing the considerable quantity of steel girders in Fountain Street, Manchester, which have been standing there for some years in preparation for extending the premises of Messrs. Lewis, the general providers?

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the completely erected steel frame of a seven storey building. My Minister's policy is, if possible, to avoid taking such structures for scrap. The labour which has been expended on them can be turned to good account when the buildings are completed after the war and make their contribution to the rehabilitation of trade and industry.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he is aware that during the coming winter months a large quantity of highly specialised plant, with its accompanying labour, will be released from the construction of aerodromes and similar essential war work; and what provision is being made for the absorption of this plant and labour in the construction of arterial roads and the essential preparation of sites for housing development?

Whilst there are, from time to time, changes in the incidence of the Government building programme, it is not anticipated that any labour will become redundant within the next few months. Any excavating plant which becomes available will be used in the winning of outcrop coal and other essential work.

asked the Minister of Production the number of war factories opened in the London industrial area, including Greater London, since 1940; and the total number of workers employed in such factories?

I regret that the figures of the numbers of workers employed in such factories are not readily available; nor, in any case, do I think that it would be in the national interest to disclose either the number of workers employed, or the number of factories opened in the London industrial area since 1940 for which the hon. Member asks.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport, in view of the service rendered by the railway companies and railway workers during the war, whether it is the intention of the Government to adopt some method of expressing, on behalf of the country, the general appreciation of these services?

My Noble Friend and I have on several occasions expressed the gratitude of H.M. Government to the railway managements and the railway workers for the great services they have rendered to the country during the war. I am grateful to my hon. Friend for this opportunity of doing so once more.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, when vacancies occur in the ranks of the Women's Royal Naval Service, Auxiliary Territorial Service or Women's Auxiliary Air Force, he will, despite the decision to stop recruiting for these services, give sympathetic consideration to the plea that members of the Girls Training Corps with 12 months' service should receive priority of enrolment?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave yesterday to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Ilford (Mr. Hutchinson).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he can give the House any information about measures proposed for the preservation of the remains of Hadrian's Wall?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday, in which I stated that the attention of my Ministry has been called to recent damage to the wall caused by quarrying in the Greenhead area. My Noble Friend has therefore issued a preservation order which will restrict the working of this quarry so as to cause no further damage. The other active quarry in the district will cease by the end of 1944 and will be worked, in the meantime, in conformity with the wishes of my archaeological advisers. There is another area in respect of which negotiations are in progress for the prevention of quarrying. The remainder of the monument in the quarrying area is being protected by a preservation scheme which has just been confirmed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether his attention has been drawn to the refusal of his Ministry to allow the small quantity of timber required to repair for re-occupation two key agricultural cottages at Wroxham, Norfolk; and whether he will allow more latitude in cases of this nature in view of the urgent need for accommodation for agricultural workers?

The facts of this case are as follow. An application for the reinstatement of these two cottages was received on 7th August last. The proposal was examined to ensure that the timber applied for was necessary on war-time standards of construction, and a licence was issued on 23rd August. A certificate for the purchase of the necessary timber was issued at the same time.

asked the Minister of Production whether he will meet the urgent demand for the erection of new houses and the renovation of older ones to make them habitable in Northern Ireland by releasing the necessary building material for that purpose, more especially as tradesmen are available for the work?

Proposals have been put before me by the Northern Ireland Government for the erection of new houses to meet certain special needs in Northern Ireland and I have agreed in principle to the allocation of the essential materials required for this purpose in accordance with war-time specifications. The details are under consideration by the Government of Northern Ireland. So far as the reconditioning of houses damaged by enemy action is concerned, supplies have already been made available for all such repairs as have been approved.

asked the Minister of Production (1) what would be the saving in man-power and material if the production of all British tanks, other than those suitable for operation in the field, were discontinued;(2) whether, in view of the large supplies of efficient American tanks now regularly arriving in this country, he will, in order to obtain the maximum economy in the use of the resources of the United Nations, discontinue the production of such British tanks as will not be battle-worthy when built, or are inferior in performance and specification to American tanks of a similar class now in large scale production?

Production of medium tanks in this country is being concentrated on new types and on the adaptation of earlier types to new uses. The tank programmes of the two countries are arranged in consultation between the authorities on both sides of the Atlantic. Continuous consideration is given in both cases, to any opportunity for saving manpower and material.

asked the Minister of Production what ratio the number of American tanks over 20 tons in weight received here during June, July and August bears to the number of battle-worthy tanks over 20 tons in weight produced here during the same period?

I fear that I cannot give the figures for which my hon. Friend asks, since they might be of value to the enemy.

asked the Minister of Supply to what extent the production is being continued of types of tank which it is no longer proposed to use in action against the enemy?

No tanks are being produced of a type which it is not intended to use in action or for essential training of troops.

asked the Minister of Supply whether the A27 tank has now completed its tests and has been passed operationally fit?

It would not be in the public interest to publish information of this kind about new types of equipment.

asked the Minister of Supply how many unbattleworthy tanks have been produced in this country since the beginning of the war?

I regret I cannot give any figure in reply to my hon. Friend's Question. The criterion of "battle-worthiness" is one of degree and differs with the constantly rising standards of armament, armour and reliability which we have from time to time set ourselves.

asked the Minister of Supply what is the present composition of the Tank Board; and whether he is satisfied with the designs which have emanated from the Board during the past year?

asked the Minister of Supply what changes have been made in the Tank Board during the Recess; and for what reasons?

I append the names of the members of the Tank Board. It will be seen from this list that Mr. C. D. Gibb, C.B.E., has, in virtue of his appointment as Director-General for the Research and Development of Armoured Fighting Vehicles, become a member of the Tank Board. Tank designs do not emanate from the Tank Board but from the appropriate design section of the Ministry of Supply in co-operation with the manufacturers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) whether, in view of the fact that the depot retained in Nidderdale has been found by the Committee of Inquiry to be incapable of handling the milk supply of the area consigned to it by his Department, and that the inquiry has shown a very unsatisfactory state of affairs, he will reopen the depot at Darley in order that milk produced in this area may be properly distributed in a state fit for the liquid market;(2) what advice his Department received, before the Committee of Inquiry was set up and from what source that advice came, as to the capabilities and efficiency of the milk depot at Birst-with;(3) the opinion of the Committee of Inquiry as to the technical efficiency of the remaining milk depot in Nidderdale?

The decision to divert supplies from the Darley depot to the Birstwith depot was taken by my Department in the light of a report obtained from its local milk supply and transport officers. The investigation to which my hon. Friend refers established that neither the Darley depot nor the Birstwith depot was adequately equipped to handle milk for the liquid market and that if it was practicable to do so milk produced in the area should be delivered direct by road to the consuming centre without passing through a depot. The whole position has been accordingly reviewed in the light of this recommendation and I hope that a decision will be reached in the course of a few days.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) whether he is aware that, owing to the breakdown of distribution and the absence of any organisation capable of dealing with large supplies, the Scottish herring fleet had to be tied up for a considerable period during the summer fishing; and what steps he has taken to remedy the position;(2) whether he is aware that there is a considerable unsatisfied demand for cured herring; and whether he will revise the present schedule of prices in view of the fact that curers are unable to make a profit if they pay more than £2 10s. a cran for herring at the port of landing;(3) whether, with a view to facilitating the distribution of herring, he will revise the present allocation lists of buyers, and permit the free movement of herring for processing throughout the country?

I am aware that the herring fishing vessels in the Moray Firth and Firth of Clyde did not go to sea on a number of nights during the summer fishing. In the Moray Firth area the large quantity actually landed fully supplied the demand of the market at the ports and there are no restrictions on sales by coastal merchants or processors. The quality of the Firth of Clyde herring rendered them suitable for only a limited market. My Noble Friend is meanwhile unaware of any unsatisfied demand for cured herring in this country, but in order to provide a higher return to the fishermen he has recently increased the prices for cured herring. He is also making a survey in order to ascertain what further steps can be taken to stimulate the market for herring in all forms. Carriage in general is paid by my Department on herring dispatched for processing when this does not involve an excessive use of transport.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has investigated the complaints of rudeness and inattention made by a pregnant woman who was made to wait in the medical queue by the officials at the Oxford food office on 4th August from 1.45 p.m. to 3.15 p.m.; and with what result?

A full investigation has been made into the allegations of rudeness and inattention at the Oxford food office and a letter of explanation has already been sent to my hon. Friend and to the lady concerned. The prolonged period during which the complainant had to wait is very much regretted. So far as can at present be discovered, it was due to the lack of experienced staff in the food office. The investigation showed, however, that the organisation of the Oxford food office is below standard. A further review is to be carried out in the near future. Meanwhile action is being taken to secure a service to the public both courteous and efficient.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food how much money has accrued to the Treasury as a result of the rationalisation of milk?

Figures showing the precise details of saving due to the rationalisation of retail deliveries of milk are not yet available. A substantial saving, partly due to the effects of rationalisation, is already being made and is being used to reduce the subsidy which is defrayed from the accounts of my Department.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can give an assurance that small retailers are given fair quantities of unrationed or points goods; that no favour is shown to multiple shops; and that the practice of displaying large quantities of unrationed or points goods towards the end of the registration period is discouraged by his Department?

Immediately before the points scheme came into operation a fair share of the available supplies of goods coming into the scheme was allocated to all types of retailer. The quantity which any retailer has been able to obtain since has depended upon the volume of points he has received from his customers and the nature of his own purchases. As regards unrationed foods, in so far as my Department exercises control of distribution it arranges for allocations to be made on the basis of past trade, modified to take account of changes of population and regardless of the type of shop. In reply to the last part of the Question my Noble Friend has discouraged all practices on the part of shopkeepers which are designed to induce customers to change their registration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why the Minister of Food recently announced that British Restaurants will continue after the war, having regard to his assurance on 12th January, 1942, to a deputation from the catering industry that he did not anticipate the continued existence of British Restaurants after the emergency?

So far as I am aware the only statement of Government policy as to the position of British Restaurants after the war was given in a reply by my predecessor to the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) on 22nd January, 1942 [OFFICIAL REPORT, Vol. 377, cols. 434–435]. The opinions expressed by my Noble Friend on 12th January, 1942, and on 4th July, 1943, are both consistent with that statement of policy.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in arranging for the sale of main-crop potatoes in Northern Ireland, he will fix the same price for them as will be paid in Britain, otherwise the farmers will suffer serious loss and so be discouraged from growing the supply of potatoes so urgently required to-day?

Discussions are now proceeding on the price to be fixed for main-crop potatoes grown in Northern Ireland, and careful consideration is being given to the representations of Northern Ireland growers. In regard to the relative price of Northern Ireland potatoes, I would refer my hon. Friend to the latter part of the reply I gave him on 30th June.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in allocating shipping space in vessels sailing from Portugal to Great Britain, he will consider providing space for the supply of olive oil, which is practically unobtainable in this country, as a part of the reservation recently made for the shipment of wine from Spain and Portugal?

Unfortunately my hon. Friend's suggestion is impracticable as Portugal is short of oils and fats and has not an exportable surplus. The Spanish Government has prohibited the export of olive oil from Spain.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why his Ministry refused the request of the Colne Valley Chamber of Trade that the public should be informed, through the Press or the British Broadcasting Corporation, that, although consumers are entitled to spend all their points on dried fruits if available, actually only a small allocation on each registered sugar customer is made monthly to grocers?

It is well known that the object of the points scheme is to regulate the distribution of foodstuffs in short supply while permitting freedom of choice within the scheme. Both the supply of and demand for individual items vary substantially from month to month. Any consumer is free to spend all his points on any one article within the scheme, but if the concentration of demand resulted in the supply being inadequate the pointage would be raised until equilibrium was obtained. The case of dried fruit is no different from that of any other pointed foodstuff and my Noble Friend sees no occasion for taking the steps mentioned in my hon. Friend's Question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the corrigendum slip in connection with the Emergency Powers (Defence) Food (Points Rationing) Order (S.R. & 0., No. 1,006 of 1943) was issued for the purpose of amending the Order, or because the Order, as published, differed from the Order as signed?

A corrigendum slip in connection with this Order was issued because the Order as published differed from the Order as signed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what is the significance of the fruit content descriptions applied by jam makers to their products; whether any measures are taken to guarantee the accuracy of these descriptions; and, if not, whether he will consider requiring from the owners of all jam factories a statutory declaration of the percentage of fruit and sugar contained in their jams?

The descriptions and standards for jam are at present governed by the terms of the Jam and Marmalade (Maximum Prices) Order, S.R. & O. No. 2482 of 1942, as amended. The adherence of manufacturers to these standards, which include minimum fruit and soluble solids contents, is checked from time to time by the analysis of samples taken by officers of my Department and of other public authorities.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will take over the control and administration of hotels and other catering establishments attempting to impose a colour bar or showing any racial discrimination among their customers?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health what is the proportion of hospital accommodation to the total population, respectively, for England and Wales, giving, separately, the special provision for tubercular cases?

According to such information as is at my right hon. Friend's disposal, the number of staffed beds in general hospitals in England and Wales is about 9 per 1,000 of population. These figures exclude sanatoria, mental and isolation hospitals, and private institutions. Beds specifically reserved for tuberculosis cases represent about.7 per 1,000 of population for England and.9 per 1,000 for Wales.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will explain in the forthcoming White Paper that the scope of the discussions he has been conducting with the representative committee set up by certain professional organisations to consider with him future medical practice was limited throughout by the stipulation that negotiations must be based on the acceptance of the decision taken by the Cabinet that a unified health service covering 100 per cent. of the population would be instituted, and that its local administration would be in the hands of local authorities under the ultimate control of a Minister who would be responsible to Parliament?

While I cannot accept all the implications of the Question, I agree that the proposed White Paper reviewing this subject should make clear what preliminary steps (including discussions with the medical profession and others) had already been taken, and in what circumstances.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the resolution respecting local government reorganisation passed by the Essex County Council on 31st August; what similar resolutions he has received from other local authorities; and what steps are being taken to meet the grievances therein expressed and to satisfy local authorities that they will be fully consulted respecting Government proposals affecting local government?

Yes, Sir, and my right hon. Friend has had under consideration resolutions in the same terms from a number of other authorities. With regard to the last part of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to-day by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to my hon. Friends the Members for Evesham (Mr. De la Bére) and New Forest and Christchurch (Major Mills).

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the resolutions adopted by the Essex County Council on the 30th August, 1943, with reference to the transfer to the central Government of responsibilities entrusted to local authorities; and whether, in view of the apprehension felt by this council and by local authorities throughout the country on this subject, it is proposed to take any action, by way of inquiry, consultation or otherwise, in relation to the matters with which the resolution is concerned?

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the answer which I have given to-day in reply to Questions on this subject.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he can make any statement with reference to the recent case at Nottingham of a youth who refused to accept a direction to undertake mine work; whether any report on his physical fitness preceded the direction to work underground; whether any appeal was entered against the decision of the justices; what undertaking was received from the youth during his period of custody and upon what representations; and whether he can approximate the number of man hours and volume of coal lost in consequence of the strike that ensued?

Sidney Page, a surface worker, aged 18, employed at Newstead Colliery, was interviewed on 25th June by officers of my Ministry and on their advice was given on 9th July a direction from the Minister of Labour and National Service to work underground. He appealed against the direction, but his appeal was turned down by the local appeal board on 23rd July and he was issued with another direction on 26th July. He failed to obey the direction and he was interviewed on 9th August by my Regional Controller. Since he still refused to go underground a summons was issued on 30th August and on 8th September he was prosecuted and sentenced to one month's imprisonment. Neither at the interview on 25th June nor when he was served with a direction did he plead ill-health as a reason for not accepting underground employment, and he was therefore not given a medical examination to which an objection on the ground of health would have entitled him, He did not appeal against the decision of the magistrates. While imprisoned he was visited on two occasions; first by the managing director of the colliery and by the senior checkweighman at a neighbouring colliery, who is a visiting justice to the prison; secondly by the same two men and by a prominent official of the Nottinghamshire Miners' Federated Union. On the second visit he made a written declaration that of his own free will he desired to go underground when required to do so. Approximately 107,000 tons of coal were lost owing to the stoppage in the Nottinghamshire coalfield.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what has been the response so far to the appeal of the Minister of Labour and himself for volunteers to enter the coalmining industry as a career?

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service is obtaining figures concerning the number of volunteers. These will be made public as soon as they are available.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why he requires a permit to be obtained for the installation of an electric stove in the upper part of premises which possess a gas stove on the ground floor?

In present circumstances in order to conserve materials and man-power it has been necessary to arrange that supplies of electricity should only be given and electrical appliances should only be installed where they are clearly required either for, or in connection with, the war effort, or for domestic or other purposes where serious and exceptional hardship would result if supplies were not provided. If my hon. Friend will send me details of any case which he has in mind, I shall be glad to have it investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many education authorities in Scotland make a charge for the supply of school books, and how many supply these at the ratepayers' expense; and whether it is proposed to secure uniformity by insisting that text and exercise books shall be provided at the public expense so that elementary education in Scotland may indeed be free?

According to the latest information available, thirteen education authorities in Scotland make a charge for the supply of school books and stationery except in necessitous cases. The remaining twenty-two authorities supply books and stationery free of charge to all non-fee-paying primary pupils in schools under their management. The question of providing text and exercise books at public expense in the primary divisions of all non-fee-paying schools will receive attention in connection with the review of educational provision in Scotland which is now being undertaken, and my right hon. Friend will carefully consider any recommendations that are made with regard to it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the tenant of Bankend Farm, Cumnock, Ayrshire, has received notice to quit from the proprietors, Mountjoy, Limited; and, in view of the fact that the tenant is an excellent farmer and that the farm is to be let to tenants who have already three farms and are less efficient farmers than the present tenant; whether he intends taking any action to prevent the change taking place to the detriment of food production?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. My right hon. Friend in view of the hon. Member's representations sent a senior officer of the Department of Agriculture to make inquiries, but there is nothing in his report which would warrant any intervention under the law. My right hon. Friend has only powers of intervention under the Defence Regulations if it can be shown that a change in tenancy will be detrimental to food production. This was not borne out by the report he received.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that considerable quantities of herring were recently dumped into the sea on the Ayr- shire coast; and whether he has any explanation to offer regarding this wastage?

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend finds on inquiry that during the summer season herrings were thrown back into the sea on the Ayrshire coast on one occasion in June. The quantity involved was 180 crans, or 1 per cent. of the total landings in the area during the season. He is informed that the herrings in question were small immature fish which were already in bad condition when the market opened at 6.30 a.m. My right hon. Friend is informed that the Minister of Food is reviewing the whole position in order to see what further arrangements can be made to facilitate the marketing of herrings.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport, what is the present position in respect of the construction of a road bridge over the Forth, near Queensferry; has the site been officially approved; and is it Government policy to go on with the project whenever conditions make this possible?

My Noble Friend has come to no decision about the construction of a road bridge across the Forth nor has any site for such a bridge been as yet approved. As my hon. Friend is aware, authorising legislation would be required.

asked the Minister of Supply what canteen facilities it is proposed to provide for the staff of the Armament Training Centre; and when it is anticipated that these facilities will be available?

New working accommodation is being provided for the staff of the Advanced Armament Training Course within easy reach of the Armament Design Department's canteen. It is expected that this accommodation will be available in about three months' time.

asked the Minister of Supply why, under the pro- visions of the Emergency Powers (Defence) Manufacturer Articles (Twist Drills) Order (S.R. & O. No. 1171 of 1943), it is provided that the quota for licences should be the same for all firms irrespective of the volume of business transacted by them?

This Order imposes control by licence over the placing of orders for twist drills but leaves free from control firms with small requirements. The quota limits the number of drills which any firm may order without licence but does not limit the number for which orders can be placed under licence. Applications for licences will be dealt with according to the needs of each firm.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he intends requisitioning the considerable amount of timber at present used for hoardings all over the country; and what is the estimated quantity available?

While no precise estimate of total quantity can be given, a careful test examination has shown that the amount of usable timber that could be obtained by the removal of hoardings would not justify the expenditure of labour and effort involved.

asked the Minister of Supply what steps he has taken to control the wood-working industry of this country; and what are the precise terms of the instructions given to his directorate for that purpose and whether such instructions provide for safeguarding the demands which will be made upon the industry at the cessation of hostilities for the mass production of houses?

The functions of the directorate are to co-ordinate demands on the wood-working industry and to arrange with the Government Departments concerned that their orders shall be placed in such a way as to secure the best use of the industry's resources and to release surplus labour for essential war purposes. The directorate is assisted by an advisory trade panel and an inter-departmental committee. The latter includes representatives of the Health Departments and the Ministry of Works, who have in mind the needs of post-war housing.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that a request by the staff side of his departmental Whitley Council for the setting up of a Committee of Inquiry into the employment of Service personnel in Ministry of Supply establishments has been refused; and whether, in view of the necessity for avoiding the use of military personnel on duties which might be performed by women or over-age civilians, thereby setting military personnel free for military duties, he will consider the setting up of such a committee?

It is the policy of the Ministry that military personnel shall not be employed in posts which can properly be filled by civilians and for which suitably qualified civilians are available. It is not considered necessary to set up the machinery of a joint Committee of, Inquiry, but the Official Side of the Departmental Whitley Council have already expressed their willingness to consider any specific cases in which it may be alleged that the declared policy of the Department has not been followed.

asked the Minister of Supply on what principles licences are granted to paint manufacturers under the provisions of the Control of Paint, etc. (No. 3) Order, 1942 (S.R. & O. No. 2074 of 1942); and what redress any paint manufacturer has who is refused a licence?

Licences have been issued to all paint manufacturers with the exception of a few who, so long as they do not exceed their past consumption of materials, do not come within the ambit of the Order.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many British and American bombers, respectively, were lost over Germany and Northern Europe during each of the months July and August; and whether he will give the respective totals for the eight months ending 31st August?

One hundred and ninety-five British and 108 American bomber aircraft operating from this country were reported lost over Germany and Northern Europe during July. The comparable figures for August were 306 British and 100 American. The totals for the eight months ended August 31st are 1,651 British and 447 American.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is in a position to make any statement as to how many British prisoners of war in Malaya have been removed to Japan; and whether he has any information regarding the general treatment of prisoners of war by the Japanese?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any statement to make as to the position of British prisoners of war in Japanese hands?

Official notification of transfer to Japan has been received in respect of less than 600 of the 16,300 prisoners of war of the United Kingdom and Australia who have been notified as being interned in Malaya. The total number of British prisoners of war now in Japan is believed to be about 7–8,000 and this includes a substantial number of men captured in Java and Hong Kong. His Majesty's Governments have also made inquiries regarding the broadcast report that prisoners of war were being transferred in large numbers from Borneo and Malaya to Japan. A reply has now been received stating that the report was grossly exaggerated and that there is no indication at present that further transfers are contemplated. As regards treatment, information remains incomplete owing to the continued refusal by the Japanese Government to permit visits to camps in those occupied territories in which the bulk of our prisoners of war are detained. As has been previously stated this refusal constitutes a flagrant breach of the provision of International Law and of the Prisoners of War Convention with which the Japanese Government agreed to comply.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any information as to British prisoners of war having escaped from Italy into Switzerland; and whether any names have yet been received from the Swiss Government?

The reply to the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's Question was given yesterday by my right hon. Friend. A few names have so far been received and the next-of-kin have been informed.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether experiments have been made in appointing Africans as platoon commanders in native forces; and whether such a scheme has justified its extension?

Yes, Sir. African platoon commanders have been employed with success in the East African Colonial Infantry battalions for just over a year. It is considered, however, that an extension of this policy should not be undertaken until further experience has been gained of its operation.

asked the Postmaster-General the circumstances in which letters may be forwarded to Government Departments without a postage stamp?

All letters to Government Departments should be fully pre-paid at the ordinary rates of postage unless an envelope or label or reply form bearing the "official paid" design has been provided for the purpose of a reply by the Department concerned.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that air-mail letters from India are now taking three months in transit; and whether he will take steps to improve this arrangement?

I am aware that air mail letters from India which are sent partly by air and partly by sea {as distinct from light-weight air letters, which are sent entirely by air), have been subject to delays, for reasons over which the Post Office has no control, but the altered position in the Mediterranean should shortly lead to a substantial improvement in transit time.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the advisability of issuing airgraph forms with embossed stamps carrying pre-payment?

The question of issuing airgraph forms printed with stamps in pre-payment of the airgraph fee is already under consideration. A number of technical considerations are involved but I hope it will be possible to reach a decision shortly.

asked the Postmaster-General the approximate number of postcards from prisoners of war in the Far East which were destroyed in the recent plane disaster in Ireland; how many were salvaged; whether any control is exercised over the identity of the senders; and what steps are being taken to notify the senders that their missives have not reached their destinations?

About 26,000 cards and letters from British prisoners of war in the Far East were destroyed and about 11,000 were salvaged. I regret that, as there are no means of identifying, the senders of the correspondence which was destroyed, it is not possible to notify the senders that their letters did not reach their destination.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Inland Revenue authorities have formed any reliable estimate of the number of workers both industrial and non-industrial who still escape the payment of Income Tax owing to their moving about intentionally to avoid taxation, and to the slowness of the Inland Revenue authorities in formulating assessments in their cases?

An employee does not escape payment of Income Tax by changing his employment, though in certain circumstances a delay in collection may result.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether a means test is applied to any pensioners except old age and contributory pensioners?

Yes, Sir. There are certain classes of case in which pensions or allowances, for example, to dependants of persons who have died or been disabled after service in the Armed Forces or in other circumstances in which the State accepts responsibility, are payable on a discretionary basis, and where the need or means of the applicant are among the factors taken into account. My hon. Friend no doubt appreciates that no means test is applied to a contributory pensioner unless he applies for a supplementary pension.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that old age pensioners who have accepted war work have their 10s. pension taken into account when assessing them for Income Tax; and will he take steps to secure that this shall be exempted as is done in some other pension cases?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Huntingdonshire (Dr. Peters) on 8th July.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will give an undertaking that ex-Service men of the present war shall have preference for all post-war Government jobs, as was given for those of the 1914–8 war?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for Lonsdale (Sir I. Fraser) yesterday.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many men and women under 30 years of age were employed on the clerical staffs of Government Departments on 1st September, 1943?

I regret that owing to the suspension at the outbreak of the war of the Civil Service census, the desired information is not available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he can give any figures of the demand for reservations made by various Government Departments for railway sleeping accommodation on trains in this country also visits to the United States of America; and what steps he takes to satisfy himself that these journeys are really necessary?

In the first six months of this year, my Department reserved just over 78,000 sleeping berths. A small number, less than 2 per cent. of the total, were reserved for Members of Parliament. All the rest were reserved at the request of Government Departments. A Government Department which sponsors an application must satisfy itself that the journey is on urgent business of national importance and that it must necessarily be made at night. Applications for passage by sea must be similarly sponsored by the appropriate Government Department.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he will have inquiry made into the staffing arrangements of the Directorate General of Aircraft Production Factories to ascertain the extent to which the staffs of this directorate have increased since its formation; how many of the persons who have resigned have done so through having insufficient work to do; and to what extent the continued deferment of persons of military age remaining in this department is necessary?

The Directorate General of Aircraft Production Factories was transferred from the Ministry of Aircraft Production to the Ministry of Works on 1st March, 1943. I understand that since its creation in May, 1940, the increase of staff has been as closely as possible related to the growth of work due to the requirements of the Aircraft Production Programme. During 1942 a full examination of the staffing and organisation was made by the Organisation and Methods Branch of the Ministry of Aircraft Production in conjunction with a Treasury representative and a representative of Industry and in the result the number of staff employed was generally considered as reasonable. The Minister of Works, however, is having the position reviewed again. Of the persons who have resigned during the last three years, three gave as one of their reasons an insufficiency of work. The continued deferment from Military Service of certain technical staff will also be reviewed.

asked the Minister of Information why the Postal and Telegraph Censorship Department has been separated from the Ministry of Information?

The Postal and Telegraph Censorship has come to be an organisation with many complicated responsibilities, and it was considered that it would be more conveniently administered as a Department separate from the Ministry of Information under a Director-General directly responsible to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether sympathetic consideration will be given after the war to the return to liberated France of the French merchant shipping we are now using for the allied war effort?

At the time of the general requisitioning in July, 1940, of the French ships required for continued service in the war effort, H.M. Government in the United Kingdom publicly promised that these ships would be returned to France after the war and this promise, of course, holds good.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether any steps are being taken to ensure that substantial quantities of stone for building and roads are being amassed for post-war requirements?

The present supply of labour for the quarries is only enough to meet the current demand for stone. There should, however, be no difficulty in meeting post-war requirements, if, as we may hope, the necessary labour, transport and plant are available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether the corrigendum slip issued in connection with the Emergency Powers (Defence) Road Vehicles and Drivers Order (S.R. & O. No. 1055 of 1943), was issued for the purpose of amending the Order or because the Order as published differed from the Order as signed?

Unfortunately, when this Order was printed, my officers failed to detect an error of reference in the typewritten material which was sent to the printer. The corrigendum slip was issued in order to correct this error, and to bring the published Order into accord with the Order as it was signed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport why it became necessary to attach a corrigendum slip to the Emergency Powers (Defence) Road Vehicles and Drivers Order (S.R. & O. No. 1055 of 1943), and when it was available to the public?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for South-East Essex (Flight-Lieutenant Raikes).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he can make any statement in regard to recent resignations of officers of the Mechanised Transport Corps; and whether any reorganisation of this Corps is contemplated?

The internal organisation and discipline of the Mechanised Transport Corps is a matter for the council of that Corps. I am therefore not in a position to make any statement in regard to the matters raised by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what progress has been made since last December by his consultation with the Minister of Fuel and Power on further measures of rationalisation of coal distribution; and in how many. towns local schemes are in operation, in active preparation, or have been abandoned since last December, respectively?

A good deal has been done since last December to rationalise the delivery of coal for domestic consumption. In general, throughout the country, coal merchants are only allowed a given quantity of motor fuel per ton of coal delivered. In most urban areas, and in many rural districts, deliveries around each depot have been zoned. Schemes for mare drastic rationalisation are in force in at least 26 places; similar schemes are under consideration elsewhere.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport why the Emergency Powers (Defence) Regulated Areas Order (S.R. & O., No. 968 of 1943), which was signed on 13th July and came into operation on 10th July, was not available in the Library of the House of Commons until 31st July?

Immediately this Order was made, duplicated copies were sent to all the authorities concerned. The Order, however, was only sent for printing some days later. Prints were placed in the Library of the House of Commons as soon as they were available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that during August Bank Holiday there was great congestion of passenger travel in many parts of the country; and whether the decision not to run extra trains was one made by the Ministry of War Transport or by the main line railways?

The decision to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers was made by my Noble Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will inform the House of the number of accidents to employees of the railway companies of this country for which compensation has been paid, including all grades of those engaged in the manipulation of traffic, repair and construction of vehicles, and maintainence and repair of buildings, for the year ended 31st July, 1943, or the period nearest this date: and what percentage were in receipt of compensation for 13 weeks or more?

During the year ended 31st July, 1943, there were 35,637 accidents, involving injury to an employee of the main line railway companies or the London Passenger Transport Board. In 7.9 per cent. of the cases, compensation was paid for a period of 13 weeks or more.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether, having 12 months experience of the combined leave pass and railway ticket, he will extend to all Service and civilian travel on Government account the use of a form of warrant valid as a ticket?

The use of Service warrants in place of railway tickets by members of His Majesty's Armed Forces has worked well. In consultation with the Railway Executive Committee and the other Government Departments concerned, I am now actively considering whether it can be further extended. I will inform my hon. Friend when a decision has been made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what is the purpose of allowing an increase in the charges of the Man- chester Ship Canal, in view of the fact that practically the whole amount will be paid directly or indirectly by the Government and in view of the serious effect on the general price structure of such action?

The recent increase in the charges on the Manchester Ship Canal did not bring the new charges above the statutory maxima allowed by Parliament: it did not, therefore, require the authority of my Noble Friend. Indeed, he could only have prevented the increase by making an Order under the Defence Regulations: such an Order could only have been made for the purposes which the Regulations prescribe. The Canal Company submitted to him the statement of their financial position, on which their proposals for increased charges were based. After a careful examination of this statement, my Noble Friend decided that he would not be justified in making a restrictive order. He is, however, keeping the matter under review.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is now in a position to state the results of his re-examination of the possibility of amending the Maritime Board Agreement, so that payment of compensation may be made retrospectively from the beginning of the war to the next-of-kin of seamen who have lost their lives in respect of loss of kit?

The agreement made by the National Maritime Board concerning compensation for loss of effects covers cases of loss by marine risk. Like other agreements made by the Board it was freely negotiated by representatives of the officers and seamen of the Merchant Navy, and representatives of the owners. It is not the practice of His Majesty's Government to intervene in such negotiations. Agreements of this kind are not retrospective in effect, save in exceptional cases, and then only for a short period.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport (1) whether it has yet been de- cided to impose a coupon system on the men of the Merchant Navy in order that they may obtain warm comforts:(2) what additional man-power will be required by his Department in order to carry out the coupon system for the distribution of comforts to the Merchant Navy:(3) whether he is satisfied that the adoption of a coupon system in order that the men of the Merchant Navy may obtain warm comforts is a satisfactory one and one which will be in the interests of the men?

The question of a coupon system for comforts for the Merchant Navy is at present being discussed by my Noble Friend and my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, who are bearing in mind the representations which my hon. and gallant Friend has made. I will let him know their decision, as soon as it has been made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware of the anxiety felt amongst British subjects who have proceeded to North America because of circumstances arising out of the war, as to the likelihood of their being able to return to the United Kingdom within a reasonable time after the cessation of hostilities: and whether he is considering means of transport for these people?

Yes, Sir. I am aware that United Kingdom subjects now in North America are anxious lest there should be a long delay before they can return to this country after the war: and I am grateful to my hon. Friend for this opportunity of making a statement on the subject. His Majesty's Government have a specific obligation to provide for the return to the United Kingdom of children evacuated under the Children's Overseas Reception Board Scheme. That obligation they hope to fulfil within a short time after hostilities in Europe have ceased. They hope also to bring home all other United Kingdom subjects who desire to return, within a reasonably short time after the end of hostilities in Europe. I add that this must not be interpreted as a guarantee that passages can be provided within any given time limit for any or all who desire them. I also add that so long as the war in Europe continues, we must do everything in our power to relieve the strain on the Allied Navies and on our merchant seamen by only providing passages for those whose journeys are essential in the national interest.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now make a statement on the degree of recognition which it is practicable to accord to the French National Committee and on the international status and position of the French forces fighting against the Axis?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by the Prime Minister on this subject yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will inquire info the case of a Baluchi woman and child who were amongst those exposed for sale in the slave market in Mecca: and whether he will bring all possible pressure to bear on the appropriate authorities in Mecca to have the market closed and to ensure that in future no British subject, African or Indian, of either sex is sold as a slave there?

I have caused inquiries to be made of the Saudi Arabian Government and I am assured that no British protected person or child has been sold as a slave in Mecca. As regards the general question, His Majesty's Government have made every possible effort to suppress the slave traffic in the Persian Gulf which before this war had greatly diminished. But owing to disturbed conditions on the South Persian coast in the last two years there has unfortunately been a slight recrudescence of the smuggling of slaves to the Arabian coast. In the autumn of 1942 I therefore invited the co-operation of the Saudi Arabian Government in putting a stop to this traffic. I was assured that they would take all possible steps to prevent the smuggling of slaves from overseas into their territory, which was contrary not only to Islamic law but also to the laws passed by the Saudi Arabian Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present position in regard to the discussions which have been proceeding over the adoption of some existing or artificial language as the normal medium for international communications, treaties, &c.; and has the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics been a party to, consulted on, or informed of these discussions?

A Cabinet Committee has been set up to study and report upon Basic English, but deliberations have not reached a stage where other Governments can usefully be consulted. Discussions have also taken place among the Allied Governments and the French National Committee on the desirability of introducing a world language.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that dehydrated banana flakes are being prepared in Brazil: and whether any steps have been taken by the Government to establish plant for this purpose in the West Indies?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is aware of the developments in Brazil and elsewhere of which full particulars have already been communicated to the Governor of Jamaica. Dried bananas have not so far been placed on the United Kingdom Import Programme. In the absence of means of export from the West Indies, the present position is that practically the entire local production is being consumed on the spot. There is, therefore, no present case for the establishment of plant in the West Indies, but my right hon. Friend will keep in touch with developments with a view to their possible application there.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what decisions the Government has taken on the Barlow, Scott and Uthwatt Reports?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given yesterday by my right hon. Friend to the hon, Member for East Birkenhead (Mr. Graham White) of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he is now in a position to announce the Government's policy with regard to the proposals of the Uthwatt, Scott and Barlow Reports?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for East Birkenhead (Mr. Graham White) of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the prevalence of rose bay willow herb this season: whether he will consider certifying this as a noxious weed: and what steps he is prepared to recommend to eradicate the plant?

I am advised that the rose bay willow herb is more in evidence this year, probably because of increased timber felling. It is often one of the first weeds to occupy the ground after trees have been cut down, particularly in places where forest waste has been burnt. Since it spreads by means of seeds or suckers and runners it should be cut over as fast as it grows. I have no power to certify this weed as a noxious weed but County War Agricultural Executive Committees have power, under Defence Regulations, to give directions for its destruction where it is injurious to food production.

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been drawn to the breakdown of procedure under the Poor Persons Rules: and whether he is in a position to make any statement as to Government policy thereon?

I am unable to accept my hon. Friend's suggestion that the procedure under the Poor Persons Rules has broken down. From 1st January, 1942, as regards the Army, and from later dates as regards the Royal Air Force and Navy, there has been a most substantial extension of the system for the purpose of giving assistance in litigation to persons in the Fighting Forces of specified ranks. This has resulted in a great increase in the number of applicants for certificates to sue as poor persons, while at the same time the number of solicitors available to conduct civilian cases has been greatly reduced by the claims of the Fighting Forces and other forms of national service. Inevitably some delays have ensued. In spite of this, however, the exertions of the Law Society are proceeding satisfactorily and substantial progress is being made. The policy of His Majesty's Government is to encourage and so far as possible assist the development of the system in every practicable way.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will ensure that the reconstruction programme will include the provision of free legal aid for the poor?

The system established under the Poor Persons Rules engages the constant attention of my Noble and learned Friend, who has for some time been in consultation with the Law Society on the subject. Modifications and extensions of that system have been brought into operation during the war, and it may be expected that further developments of the system will be necessary.

asked the Attorney-General whether it is intended that all contracts made since the commencement of the war with Germany, unless otherwise stated therein, will be frustrated on the signing of the armistice or of the peace?

I am not aware what type of contract my hon. Friend has in mind. Broadly speaking, a contract is only frustrated by an event if that event makes impossible to carry it out. If parties desire that their contractual obligation should close on the signing of an armistice or of the peace, they can of course so provide.

asked the Attorney-General why the Supreme Court, England, Procedure Order (S.R. & O., No. 1054/ L20, of 1943), includes in the definition "Member of the Armed Forces of the Crown," a member of the Women's Royal Naval Service, who does not carry arms, while excluding a member of the Home Guard, who carries arms: and why in this Order the words, "His Majesty's Forces," are replaced by "The Armed Forces of the Crown "?

The procedure provided by these Rules of Court forms part of the general scheme for affording legal aid to whole-time members of the Forces. The scheme does not therefore apply to the Home Guard and they are excluded from the Rules. The expression "Armed Forces of the Crown" is that used in the Women's Forces Regulations and is used here as the Rules apply not only to men, but to all the various types of women's services provided for in the Women's Forces Regulations 1941 as amended. Those Regulations do not apply to the Women's Royal Naval Service, and they have therefore to be expressly included in the Rules.

asked the Home Secretary whether the public can be permitted to remove sandbags from the front of their houses in view of the small relative value these now possess in fire fighting?

Experience has shown that sandbags are unsuitable for dealing with the new types of incendiary bomb except in special circumstances—e.g. in hospital wards where drastic action may be necessary to avoid loss of life. Sandbags may, therefore, now be removed from the front of houses.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether the restoration of daylight to the Library of this House is to be extended to the Chamber?

To restore daylight to the Chamber it would be necessary to remove the absorbent tiles which have been fixed in the windows to improve the acoustics. The National Physical Laboratory recommended this scheme after an exhaustive investigation and the consideration of all possible alternatives and I am advised that it would not be possible to provide natural lighting to the Chamber without detriment to the acoustics.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works how many licences have been granted to private persons to carry out repairs to war-damaged homes or shops at a cost of over £100?

Between the 1st January, 1942, when war damage repairs became subject to the licensing regulations, and the 9th September, 1943, 16,939 licences have been granted to private persons and companies to carry out repairs to war damaged homes and shops at a cost of over £100. Of the total of 16,939 licences, 15,291 were granted for houses and 1,648 for shops.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is in a position to make a further statement with regard to the arrangements for the relief of famine conditions in India and, in particular, with regard to the conditions in urban areas?

Besides the measures taken for the improvement of the food position over India as a whole, rationing plans are already in operation in Bombay City and some other large towns. They are to be extended to a total of some 70 such towns including Calcutta, where rationing is expected to be in operation in November. Relief measures are in operation in Calcutta and over parts of Bengal. I hope to make a fuller statement on the subject within the next few days.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare whether he is now able to make a further statement as to the Govern- ment's policy as regards the feeding of people in the occupied countries?

My hon. Friend will recall that this subject was fully discussed in the Debate on 8th July. I have no further statement to make.

asked the Prime Minister why the handing over of Mussolini to the Allies was not made a condition of the granting of an armistice to Italy?

I dealt with this point yesterday.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can arrange for some suitable honour to be awarded to members of the Women's Land Army for meritorious service?