asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the numerous serious accidents to shipyard workers, many of which could be obviated, he will cause to be freely distributed in the shipyards the handbook "Ships and Slips," which shows by letterpress and illustrations how many of these accidents occur and could be avoided?

When this booklet was produced last year sample copies were sent to shipbuilding firms and others, including trade unions. A number of firms have bought supplies for distribution, copies are still being sold, and further sales are being encouraged.

asked the Minister of Labour the circumstances which called for the issue of Statutory Rule and Order No. 1075 of 1943, which amended seven Essential Work Orders and the Control of Employment Order of 1943?

The circumstances which called for the Statutory Rule and Order to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers are set out in the explanatory note to that Order, of which I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy.

asked the Minister of Labour what organisations were asked to send representatives to the meeting at the Albert Hall on 28th September?

Over 400 organisations were invited to send representatives. I am arranging for a list to be placed in the Library.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the cost to the National Exchequer of the conference recently held between Members of the Cabinet and the 6,000 women representing certain women's organisations throughout the country?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for South Croydon (Sir H. Williams) to-day.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he has under consideration for giving instructions for the simplification of wages awards so that they may be comprehensible to workpeople?

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to awards of the National Arbitration Tribunal. The tribunal is an independent body and I have no power to give instructions on any matter affecting the questions which come before them. I may point out, however, 400 awards have been issued and only in a few cases have questions of interpretation been raised, in spite of the fact that industrial wage systems are often extremely complicated.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the case of Miss Hedgcock, a 20-year old employee of a firm of insurance brokers at Amersham who, for six months, has endeavoured to secure her release so that she may take up nursing or join the Forces; and what is the reason for her continued deferment in employment where the maximum number of hours never exceeds 36 per week, and where the employees are free each week-end from 5 p.m. on Fridays until 11 a.m. on Mondays?

I am having inquiries made into this case and will write to my hon. Friend

asked the Minister of Labour whether any progress has been made with his proposals for alleviating the shortage of domestic help in private households where there are special circumstances such as confinement and sickness?

I would ask my hon. Friend to await a general statement which I hope to make shortly.

asked the Minister of Labour how many women have been transferred from Wales to work in factories in the Midlands, specifying, if possible, the various towns?

The number of women of registration age who were transferred from Wales to the Midlands between 16th May, 1942, and 4th September, 1943, was 902. These figures do not include women called up to the Women's Auxiliary Services. It would not be in the national interest to supply information as to the individual towns to which these women were transferred.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are being taken, or contemplated, to enable women and girls transferred from Wales to work in factories in England to keep in touch with Welsh life?

In the places mainly concerned, my Department has secured the co-operation of the local Welsh societies and a joint representative of these societies has been specially appointed to act as liaison officer between them and the women and girls transferred from Wales. Wherever possible the arrangements for contact are initiated by the girls being met on arrival by a representative of the local society. In addition, welfare officers at the factories concerned have been asked to pay particular attention to incoming Welsh girls and leaders of workers' clubs have been encouraged to arrange special Welsh evenings and events.

asked the Minister of Production whether he is aware that the North-East of England has been deprived of the normal building of factories compared with the developments in other parts of the country; and whether any steps are being taken to deal with this matter?

I am aware that the resources of the North-East of England have not been as fully used as those of some other parts of the country for war production purposes. It is the policy of the Government to locate new production in this and other under-loaded regions as opportunity offers, but at the present stage of our production programme only a relatively small number of new factories are being built.

asked the Minister of Production how many factories have been completed in Northern Ireland during the past six months; how many workers are now employed therein; how many factories are in course of erection; and what is the likely number of workers to whom they will give employment?

I regret that I am unable to publish the figures requested by my hon. Friend but I shall be happy to bring up to date for his private information those given him six months ago by my right hon. Friend.

asked the Home Secretary what evidence he has that recent strikes have been the result of subversive propaganda by persons hostile to this country with a view to impeding the British national war effort?

Persons who are hostile to the war effort are so few in number and their influence is so small that it would be misleading to suggest that strikes have been the result of their propaganda. A close watch is, however, being kept on the activities of such persons including any attempts they make to foment industrial unrest.

asked the Minister of Labour the names, addresses, occupations and respective ages of those who compose the Man-Power Board for the Bolton area?

The names of the members of the Bolton District Man-Power Board are:—Mr. A. J. Fryer (Chairman), Mr. A. J. Alpe, Mr. W. S. Paris, Mr. M. E. Stuttard and Miss H. M. Shannon.The three last mentioned officers are temporary civil servants who were recruited from outside the Civil Service when the Man-Power Board was established. The remaining two are permanent civil servants. One is aged 42, another 49 and the remainder over 50. The address of the District Man-Power Office is:—Knowsley House, Knowsley Road, Bolton.

asked the Minister of Labour the total figures, up to the last available date, of prosecutions and imprisonment, separately, instigated by his Department for offences that were not punishable before the outbreak of war, men and women, respectively?

Up to 31st August, 1943, the total number of workers prosecuted in England and Wales for the offences mentioned in the Question was:

Men	…	…	14,072
Women	…	…	3,067

Of these, 1,255 men and 199 women were sentenced to imprisonment.

asked the Home Secretary who authorised the prosecution of eight part-time Civil Defence workers who were fined £5 at Doncaster on 11th September last, for wearing during off-duty hours free issue Civil Defence trousers and boots; whether he will review the papers and the circumstances associated with each case with a view to remitting these fines; and consider a drastic reduction in the permitted maximum penalties imposed under the terms of the Order?

These proceedings were taken by the West Riding County Council under Defence Regulation 29B (1A). The men had disobeyed an order not to wear uniforms and boots, which they had received free of cost and without surrendering coupons, except for Civil Defence duty. As a result the articles were either useless or in a very bad condition. It is for the Court to decide what is the appropriate penalty in any particular case and I have found nothing in these cases which would justify me in recommending any remission of the fines imposed. As regards the last part of the Question, I do not consider that the maximum penalties of one month's imprisonment or a fine of £10, or both, can be regarded as excessive.

asked the Home Secretary why members of a certain N.F.S. training school, of which he has been informed, have to perform a continuous duty system of a fortnight on with a promise of two days off at the end of the course, whereas he has laid down for the service in general a uniform system of duty comprising 48 hours on and 24 hours off?

The 48/24 hours duty system would not be a practicable arrangement for a residential training school. The arrangements at these schools provide, however, that, in addition to the leave at the end of the course mentioned in the Question, leave shall be granted each week-end, and short leave every evening or alternate evening. These arrangements are subject to the necessary minimum of appliances being manned and available, because these schools also serve the purposes of reserve stations.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the advisability of issuing a simplified and abridged statement of the explanatory memorandum on the Fire Guard Regulations for the use of fire-guards and others interested?

Arrangements were made at the time of the issue of the explanatory memorandum for the publication of a series of short leaflets written as far as possible in non-technical language dealing with various aspects of the new Orders. Ten of these leaflets have now been issued.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Regional Commissioner has declined to regard the township of Westhoughton as a non-prescribed area for fire-watching purposes against the wishes of the local authority; and if he will explain how this decision was arrived at when townships of a similar size and location have been so designated?

The area of this authority was prescribed for fire guard purposes over two years ago by a direction issued by the Regional Commissioner in whose discretion the matter rests. I understand that he has recently considered a request by the local authority that their area should cease to be prescribed but that after full consideration he informed the authority that he was not prepared to accede to their request. It would not be in the public interest to go into detail.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt by motorists who use the regulation headlights at the glare from the lights known as the Hartley headlights; that these headlights are considered by the general public to be a source of danger, particularly when motor cars using them are going up hill and enemy aeroplanes are in the vicinity; and whether he will take action in this matter?

There is no "regulation headlight." Any mask may be used that complies with Article 17 of the Lighting Restriction Order; but glare is liable to be produced by any type of mask whenever faulty adjustment allows light to be thrown above the horizontal. Where the regulations are fully complied with there is little difference between the various types, and I see no reason to differentiate for or against any particular make.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will take into consideration the desirability of an increase in the number of women police in the Metropolitan Police area in view of objectionable conduct which occurs in parks and other public places, and with the prevention of which policewomen are specially competent to deal?

I am in entire agreement with my hon. Friend as to the desirability of making full use of the services of women police in the Metropolitan Police District for the special purposes to which he refers, but the limiting factor in the present man-power situation is of course the scarcity of women with the right qualifications. So far as existing resources permit, special attention is being given to parks and other open places.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will reconsider the financial provisions of the Rural Workers (Housing) Act, in order to bring them into line with present day costs of repairs and building?

asked the Minister of Health whether he can now make any statement in regard to the Housing (Rural Workers) Acts and the need to bring the terms into relationship with present day costs and conditions?

The operations of the Housing (Rural Workers) Acts are among the matters which are at present being reviewed by the Rural Housing Sub-committee of my Central Housing Advisory Committee under the chairmanship of Sir Arthur Hobhouse. I am expecting the report of this sub-committee before Christmas.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state, by counties, the progress made with the erection of the 3,000 houses for rural workers?

As the statement is long and detailed, I will send a copy to my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give an assurance that all public authorities concerned, especially in the port areas, have now submitted for his approval plans for their most urgent rehousing needs in the early post-war period?

I have now received proposals for a preliminary housing programme from 974 of the 1,470 housing authorities in England and Wales. More proposals are being submitted daily as preliminary difficulties are settled with the local authorities concerned. The proposals already submitted cover practically all the large ports and other large towns.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give any figures showing what progress has been made by local authorities since 1st April in the repair of enemy-damaged houses and flats and the aggregate cost of same; and whether he is satisfied with the speed of the progress that is being made in this direction?

Between 1st April and 31st August first-aid repairs were carried out by local authorities to all houses damaged by enemy action, and during that period more extended repairs were carried out to 111,400 houses. The progress made by local authorities in this work can, I think, be regarded as highly praiseworthy. The cost of these repairs cannot readily be stated but during the past six months claims from local authorities for the reimbursement of the costs of repairs have been certified by my Department to the War Damage Commission amounting to approximately £9,500,000, a figure which of course includes the cost of repairs carried out during previous periods.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that it is the frequent practice of officials of local authorities verbally to de-requisition houses without giving any notice to the owner; and whether he will consider giving at least one month's notice in the case of dwelling-house property and three months in the case of industrial, commercial and agricultural holdings?

I have recently joined with my right hon. Friends the Minister of Home Security and the Secretary of State for Scotland in issuing a circular letter of instruction to local authorities on the procedure to be adopted in releasing premises from requisition. The longest possible notice of impending release is to be given to the owner and to the dispossessed occupier, or in case of doubt to the person to whom compensation rental under Section 2 (i) (a) of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, is paid, and claim forms under the Act are to be supplied at the same time.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will reconsider his decision that men serving in the Forces are not to be allowed to recover their homes if the courts think that the occupying tenant should retain possession; and whether he is aware that such a decision will cause much dissatisfaction among men in the Services?

I have made no decision such as that referred to by my hon. Friend who is, I am sure, aware that I have no power to override orders made by the courts under the Rent Restrictions Acts. If my hon. Friend has in mind houses requisitioned by local authorities, I would refer him to the answer I gave on the 23rd September to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Penrith and Cockermouth (Lieut.-Colonel Dower), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the desirability of having models made of the vari- ous types of working-class houses which it is proposed to build after the war and exhibit them to the public, as most people are unable to understand paper plans but could better appreciate the amenities of a house if shown a good scale model?

I am at present awaiting the report of the sub-committee of my Central Housing Advisory Committee which is considering the design of postwar dwellings under the chairmanship of Lord Dudley. When this report has been received I will certainly consider the question of making models for public exhibition in the light of the sub-committee's advice. I agree that an exhibition of this kind, at the right time, might be of considerable value.

asked the Minister of Health what was the cost of the two houses recently erected at Hildenborough, Kent; how does this compare with the cost of similar houses previous to the war; and what was the net profit made by the builders?

The finished building cost of the two houses at Hildenborough is £1,666. Local authorities rarely let contracts for the erection of houses in such small numbers before the war, but judging by average prices two similar houses might reasonably be assumed to have cost £1,036. I have no factual information as to the contractors' profits on house building either now or before the war.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses erected in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, respectively, since the outbreak of war?

The number of houses completed in Great Britain since the outbreak of the war is 172,588, most of which were started before the war. I am advised that the number completed in Northern Ireland is 626, all of which were started before the war.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will authorise the Rhondda urban authority to grant one of the houses kept empty for emergency purposes at the request of the Ministry of Home Security, to house a discharged soldier, his wife and three children, who at present have, all five, to sleep in one room?

If my hon. Friend will give me further particulars I will gladly look into the matter.

asked the Minister of Health, in connection with house construction generally, the estimated percentage of labour costs and materials cost, respectively?

Before the war, the figures obtained from local authority direct labour schemes confirmed the general opinion that of the total cost of labour and materials in house construction, labour represented approximately 40 per cent. and materials 60 per cent. Sufficient data are not available on which to base an estimate of the present proportions. As stated by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister in reply to a Question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Wellingborough (Wing-Commander James) on 13th July last, the whole question of building costs is being examined by a newly established costing section of the Ministry of Works.

asked the Minister of Health whether any decision has been reached regarding preference being given by housing authorities to applicants for accommodation as between families bombed out of their homes and families of homeless ex-service men; and, if not, is it the intention of the Ministry to advise local authorities against showing preference to one class or the other, but to judge all applications on their merits?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Maid-stone (Mr. Bossom) on 6th May last of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health at what intervals his advisers consider it necessary to photograph people by mass radiology in order to be satisfied that they show no early traces of tuberculosis?

Signs may pass from the radiologically imperceptible to the perceptible state in the interval between two examinations however short the interval, and no frequency of examination can give complete security. The practical question now and for some time to come must be how to make best use of the resources available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now able to make a statement regarding the recommendation of the Select Committee on National Expenditure for maternity allowances to women engaged in industry?

I regret I am not yet able to make a further statement. I am considering the question with my colleagues and I will make a statement as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health when the White Paper on the Government's proposals for a National Health Service will be available?

I have nothing to add to the reply which was given by my right hon. Friend the Minister without Portfolio on 21st September last.

asked the Minister of Health whether, before publishing the promised White Paper on Health Services, he will afford opportunity to the Committee appointed at his request to represent the medical profession to discuss these services, not on the basis of any preconceived plan, but from the ground in accordance with the undertaking given by him in these terms in March, 1943, which has not hitherto been kept, and the continued breach of which has caused resentment in the medical profession?

I cannot accept my hon. Friend's version of what has so far taken place. I intend to adhere to the procedure which I announced at the outset, and which I explained to my hon. Friend in my reply to his Question on 26th May last.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the physician who is head of the Physical Medicine Department of the Royal Free Hospital and of its branch evacuated to Arlesey has been refused any petrol allowance for his weekly visits to Arlesey on the ground that he is not employed by the Ministry of Health having preferred to give his services without remuneration; that both remuneration and travelling expenses were refused to the doctor who acted as visiting locum tenens during his holiday; and whether this matter can be reconsidered?

I am informed that an allowance of petrol has been granted to the physician referred to by my hon. Friend for his visits to Arlesey. On the related question of payment for the use of his car and on the matters referred to in the second part of the Question, it appears that there has been some misunderstanding, and I am having further inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Health whether deaths are registered as due to tonsillitis; and, if so, how many were recorded in England and Wales during the last five years?

Tonsillitis is not separately identified in the international list of causes of death adopted as the basis of classification in this country; but deaths therefrom are included and constitute the major portion of those under the heads "septic sore throat" or "other diseases of the pharynx and tonsils" in respect of which specific mention of tonsils or tonsillectomy is made in the death certificate. The numbers of such deaths registered in England and Wales in the four years 1939 to 1942 were 512, 478, 386 and 404 respectively. The information is not available for years prior to 1939.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of diphtheria have occurred since 1st July at Seaham Harbour; whether any sanitary defects had been complained of in the houses from which the cases were removed; and have such defects been remedied?

It will be necessary to make local inquiries to obtain the particulars for which my hon. Friend asks and I will communicate with him as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that statements advocating diphtheria immunisation, issued with official sanction, include statistical erorrs, such as calculating the attack rate of diphtheria in the immunised and unimmunised on populations of immunised and unimmunised children as at the end of 1942 while the cases on which the rate was calculated occurred over a period of two years during which the numbers of immunised and unimmunised constantly changed, the latter being reduced and the former increased; and whether he will get a statistical expert to calculate the attack rates on populations as they are at the time of the diphtheria cases and taking into consideration the other factors that may affect these rates?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the explanation regarding statistics about diphtheria immunisation contained in the summary report of the Ministry of Health for the year ended 31st March, 1943 (Cmd. 6468).

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of diphtheria were recorded in immunised children between January, 1940, and 3oth June 1943; and how many fatal cases were recorded in the immunised in 1942 and the first six months of 1943?

Returns from local authorities in England and Wales for periods between 1st January, 1940, and 30th June, 1943, show that among approximately 107,000 children who were notified during those periods as suffering from diphtheria approximately 9,500 in the aggregate had completed the course of immunisation. The returns for the year 1942 show that among approximately 1,530 children known by local authorities to have died from diphtheria in that period 41 had completed the course of immunisation. The corresponding provisional figures for the first six months of 1943 are 600 and 21.

asked the Minister of Health whether the responsible authority for any hospital is entitled to obtain possession of the pension book and payments due to a pensioner who has entered the institution for treatment?

No, Sir. The pensioner is free to appoint any person whom he chooses to draw the pension on his behalf.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will inquire of the Glamorgan County Council and its public assistance committee the nature of the advice issued to relieving officers when dealing with patients, who are also in receipt of old age and contributory pensions, when entering any hospital under their control?

I will make inquiries and communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health what steps have been taken by his Department to arrange for facilities for the collection of house refuse and salvage in the area covered by the rural district council of Gloucester?

The collection of house refuse is the responsibility of the local authority. I understand that the Gloucester rural district council have made representations to my Regional Officers regarding the threatened loss of a key man. I am making inquiries on this matter and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether legislation is in preparation to implement the recommendations of the Uthwatt Report; and, if so, when it is likely to be introduced?

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether His Majesty's Government have reached any decisions arising out of the reports of the Scott and Uthwatt Committees?

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he is now in a position to state his policy upon the recommendations of the Uthwatt Committee?

I would refer the hon. Members to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for East Birkenhead (Mr. Graham White) on 21st September, 1943, of which I am sending them copies: I have nothing at present to add to that answer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the improved position in the Mediterranean, an opportunity will be offered to Gibraltarians evacuated to Great Britain to return home as and when shipping becomes available?

I am sure that the House will have every sympathy with the desire of these people to return to their homes, and I am, of course, aware of the shortage of accommodation in London. But I fear that the situation is not such as to permit of any arrangements being made for the Gibraltarians to return at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the proposal of the Labour Commissioner in Nyasaland for the establishment of a legal minimum wage for workers on the tobacco plantations has been accepted by the Nyasaland Government; and what are the wages now being paid to tobacco workers on the plantations in Nyasaland?

My right hon. and gallant Friend has no recent information on these points: and the Governor is being asked for a report. A communication will be sent to the hon. Member when this has been received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that Africans in Northern Rhodesia are unorganised and have no legitimate method of securing the redress of grievances or engaging in collective bargaining, he will take steps to establish a reasonable minimum wage?

Representative organisations through which African workers may put forward their grievances have been established and are being developed in the industrial areas of Northern Rhodesia, while the Labour Department maintains touch with labour throughout the territory and makes representations on their behalf whenever necessary. Under the conditions of employment and Northern Rhodesia Arbitration Order, 1940, made under the Emergency Powers Regulations, 1939, machinery is provided for settling disputes in trades and industries essential to the prosecution of the war and representatives of African interests have been appointed to the panels set up under the Order. The question of introducing a legal minimum wage is under investigation by the Government of Northern Rhodesia.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction amongst Jamaican labourers in the United States of America who state they have suffered discrimination at the hands of local shopkeepers, and have been paid less than the prevailing wage-rate, thus violating agreements to the contrary; and whether he will make representations to the United States authorities with the view of ending such conditions?

My right hon. and gallant Friend is aware that there was dissatisfaction amongst some of the Jamaican labourers employed in certain parts of the United States soon after their arrival there. The complaints were investigated and remedied and, according to a report made in the middle of August, conditions were satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any further information regarding the duties of Mr. Charles P. Taft who has been appointed head of all United States rehabilitation work for the East Indies and Malaya?

I understand that Mr. Taft has been appointed by the State Department as chairman of the area committee for the co-ordination of planning of United States agencies in providing assistance in the economic rehabilitation of the East Indies and chairman of a similar committee for Malaya.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give favourable consideration to applying a substantial portion of the money now lapsing to the Treasury annually under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act to the purchase of suitable land in the Colonies with a view to relieving the land hunger which exists in many of the Colonies?

My right hon. and gallant Friend is very willing to give consideration to any applications for assistance from the Colonial Development and Welfare Vote towards schemes of land settlement in the Colonies. Several such applications have already been approved and others are at present under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for India what action he proposes to take about the resolution forwarded to him by the Methodist Church of the Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury district based on information from missionaries in India?

I have noted the resolution referred to. I am confident that the new Viceroy will do his utmost to promote a better understanding between the communities but the prospects of a solution of India's political problem depend mainly upon the attitude of the political leaders.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give the House any information about the Japanese broadcasts offering to send food to India?

I am aware that such broadcasts have been made by the Japanese for propaganda purposes. I am not prepared to give publicity to their contents.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will make a further statement respecting famine conditions in India; how much rice and grain has been imported; whether the Government of India, in conjunction with Provincial Governments or governors, will take over all existing basic food stocks; whether a proportion of Army Reserve foodstuffs have been released; and, approximately, the present death rate through hunger in the affected areas?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made on Tuesday last. It is not practicable in Indian conditions to requisition all stocks of foodgrains. Some stocks have already been released from Army reserves. Reliable statistics of mortality are not available, but I understand that the deaths in Bengal are estimated at about 1,000 a week including Calcutta but may be higher.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the serious conditions approaching famine in Bengal and other parts of India, he will suggest to the Government of India the appointment of officials experienced in famine administration, with power to take the steps necessary in the interests of the population?

In the districts in Bengal affected by scarcity verging on famine the district officers have been directed by the Governor to put aside other duties and use all their energies in dealing with these distressing conditions. Every district officer has at his disposal, besides his own local knowledge, the special experience embodied in the Famine Code and I have no doubt that the services of any available officials with special experience are being utilised.

asked the Secretary of State for India the measures that have already been taken to deal with the famine situation in Bengal; and whether he can give an assurance that adequate supplies of food are now reaching India?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made in the House on Tuesday.

asked the Secretary of State for India to what extent there has been an increase in recent years in the number of rent receivers and in the number of landless labourers in Bengal; and to what extent it is estimated that the defects in the land system bear on the maldistribution of food and famine there?

I have no information of the number of rent receivers and landless labourers respectively in Bengal. None of the appreciations I have received in regard to Bengal has suggested the circumstances indicated as one of the causes contributory to the present trouble.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will give particulars of the communication from Mr. Gandhi or any Congress leader received by the Viceroy, Sir Reginald Maxwell, or the Government of India, respecting the Congress resolution of 8th August, 1942; and whether any suggestion has been made from Congress sources that civil disobedience will not be embarked upon in the existing circumstances?

With regard to any correspondence which may have passed with Mr. Gandhi since his fast I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave the hon. Member on 29th July. The same applies to communications from other Congress leaders in detention. As regards the latter part of the Question no such suggestion has been received from any of the detained Congress leaders.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will make a statement on the actual legal position arising from recent judgments by the Federal and other courts in India, either invalidating or questioning the legality of certain ordinances issued by the Viceroy?

The Question relates to two ordinances. One is the Special Criminal Courts Ordinance of 1942 which the Federal Court, upholding the views of the Calcutta High Court, declared last June to be ultra vires. The Governor-General, therefore, made a fresh ordinance, repealing that of 1942 but confirming the validity and the continuance in force of all sentences already passed under it subject to such rights of appeal and revision as would have been available had they been passed at trials held in accordance with the ordinary criminal procedure code, and providing further, in so far as pending cases were concerned, for the disposal of such cases in accordance with the provisions of that code. The other ordinance is that which was made by the Governor-General last April in view of the Federal Court's decision that the Central Government had exceeded the powers conferred on it by the Defence of India Act in making Defence of India Rule 26, and that all orders made under the rule were accordingly invalid. The new ordinance, which purported to amend the above Act and to confirm the validity of orders duly made thereunder, was itself subsequently attacked in various High Courts and, though other High Courts upheld its validity, the Calcutta High Court in fact held that it was ultra vires. On appeal, however, the Federal Court, while declining to pronounce definitely on the validity of the ordinance as a whole, decided that save in certain cases where the provisions of Rule 26 were held not to have been strictly complied with the orders made had been validly confirmed by the ordinance.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether Sir F. Leith Ross and his colleagues have completed their work on the international marketing of commodities; and, if so, when their report will be published?

Preliminary studies of primary products entering into world trade have been in progress as part of the preparatory work for the examination of post-war commodity problems. These studies are not intended for publication, but for use by His Majesty's Government in any international discussions which may take place on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will introduce legislation to enable interest to be paid up to the date of settlement upon payments in respect of war damage under Section 85 of the War Damage Act, 1943, in cases where payment is made in order to avoid undue hardship at a date earlier than that to be prescribed by the Treasury for the general settlement of such claims?

It would not be practicable at the present time to deal with the matter raised by my hon. and learned Friend, but I will see that his suggestion is noted with a view to further consideration should opportunity arise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the Government's policy on the principle on which regional committees, acting under the Location of Retail Businesses Order, should deal with applications for opening shops received from disabled ex-service men as, at present, the committees' reports are not sufficiently detailed to enable them to form an adequate opinion as to the consumer need test?

As my hon. Friend is aware, licences under the Location of Retail Businesses Order to open shops are ordinarily granted only when it is clear that the proposed shop is required to meet the essential needs of the public in the area concerned. Local price regulation committees have been instructed to waive this test in the case of invalided ex-service men who wish to return to their former businesses. While it would not be justifiable to disregard the test of consumer need, local licensing committees have also been asked to give special consideration to other discharged and disabled ex-service men in cases where it can be shown that suitable wage-earning employment is not available.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many cases he has reviewed for pensions under the new Royal Warrant; and what number of them have succeeded in their claims?

The review under the White Paper of a large number of claims previously rejected is proceeding as quickly as possible. Interim figures, however, would not accurately convey the effect of the changes in the conditions of entitlement and I should prefer, with the permission of hon. Members, to give the House more representative data at a later stage.

asked the Minister of Pensions why he has refused a pension to the widow of Second-Lieutenant E. F. S. Dodd, who served in the last war when he was severely wounded and had to undergo 12 operations, was called up again in September 1942, passed fit for service and told he was as fit as a man of 25 years of age, then contracted influenza which turned to pleurisy and died of cancer on 24th February, 1943; and will he reconsider his decision and grant a pension to Mrs. Dodd who has to provide also for a young daughter?

I am looking into the case referred to by the hon. Member in the light of his latest letter to me, and I will write to him about it.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the concession of an allowance for wives where the marriage has taken place after the disability will be granted in all cases?

The Government's policy in regard to this question was fully explained in the Debate on the White Paper (Command 6459), and I have nothing to add to the views then expressed.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the amount of composition paid by the Bank of England under the Bank Charter Act, 1844, and the Bankers Composition Act, 1856, to other banks for the years 1939, 1940, 1941 and 1942, in consideration of the discontinuance of the issue of notes by these banks?

The amounts were £2,709 for the year 1939 and £1,709 for each of the years 1940, 1941 and 1942.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will take steps to ensure that Section 37 of the Finance Act, 1942, relating to the return of a percentage of Excess Profits Tax in the form of post-war credit, subject to certain conditions affecting shareholders, applies equally to individuals running their own concerns and particularly to farmers where the question of shareholders does not arise?

Section 37 of the Finance Act, 1942, has effect as respects every person who has paid any Excess Profits Tax for any of the periods in respect of which the tax is chargeable at the rate of 100 per cent., and applies to individuals (including farmers) trading on their own account or in partnership as well as to limited companies.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the sums

Provision made in Civil Estimates 1940–1943, for certain groups of services.
	1940.	1941.	1942.	1943.
	£000	£000	£000	£000
Unemployment Insurance and Assistance	53,730	43,530	35,170	33,455
Education, including Teachers' Pensions	61,759	64,445	67,797	70,253
Housing Subsidies	18,775	18,781	18,443	18,528
National Health Insurance and Grants to certain Health Services	7,571	8,186	9,874	10,328
Old Age and Contributory Pensions, including Supplementary Pensions	88,020	105,591	112,535	120,755

The above table does not include a number of miscellaneous items specifically related to the war and financed from the Vote of Credit, such as the national milk scheme, evacuation of mothers and children, allowances to patients suffering from tuberculosis, day nurseries for the children of munition workers, etc.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he is contemplating the setting up of machinery with power to divert the savings of the people to finance immediate post-war essentials, such as new housing and clearing off the four years' arrears of repairs and maintenance of property generally;(2) how the 4,000,000 houses which are required to be built within 10 years of the end of the war and which will cost, approximately, £3,000,000,000, are to be financed, in view of the fact that the people's savings in peace-time have been estimated at £300,000,000, when the annual national income did not exceed £5,300,000,000?

I cannot at present forecast what measures may be required after the war to ensure due provision, including any necessary priorities, for essential works of reconstruction and development in regard either to finance or to physical resources. My hon. Friend may, however, rest assured that these matters are being carefully studied.

Opinions may vary as to what constitutes a purely social purpose, but I append a statement showing the provision made in Civil Estimates for certain groups of services in each of the years 1940-1943.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has given consideration to the terms of the resolution passed at two conferences in Cowdenbeath and Leven, and forwarded to him by the hon. Member for West Fife, regarding increased old age pensions and the abolition of the means test; and what statement he has to make of the steps he is prepared to take on this matter?

I have considered this resolution. The matters to which it relates are under consideration by the Government in connection with the Beveridge Report.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what annual increase of cost to the State is involved by reason of the transfer by the banks of £750,000,000 from Treasury deposit receipts to 2½ per cent. and 3 per cent. Government loans?

I assume my hon. Friend refers to the figures given by my predecessor on l0th July last to my hon. Friend the Member for Chislehurst (Sir W. Smithers), showing that in the three years ended 30th June, 1943, subscriptions of £215,000,000 to 3 per cent. Savings Bonds and of £523,000,000 to 2½ per cent. National War Bonds were covered by repayments of Treasury Deposit Receipts before maturity. The difference between the annual interest charge on these Bonds and that on the same amounts if reinvested each six months in Treasury Deposit Receipts at 1⅛ per cent. is £11,300,000. My hon. Friend will, however, appreciate that it cannot be assumed that all these moneys, if held to maturity, would then have been re-lent in the form of Treasury Deposit Receipts. I would also remind him that subscriptions covered by encashments of Treasury Deposit Receipts include subscriptions on behalf of the banks' customers as well as those on the banks' own account.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether consideration is being given to allowing deduction of accountants' fees before arriving at the net taxable income, in view of the advantage to the Treasury as well as the taxpayer that the amount subject to taxation should he accurate?

I am afraid that I could not adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the approximate average rate of interest to the Government of borrowing on Treasury bills during the last war and the approximate average rate during the present war?

About 4¼ per cent. during the last war and about 1 per cent. during the present war.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the unavoidable expenditure of blind people, he will consider the granting of greater relief to all those Income Tax payers by increasing their personal allowance or by other means?

I regret that I cannot see my way to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will agree to apply to local government and other similarly placed officers and salaried staffs the same system of paying taxes and forgiveness of arrears at time of death, or resignation on reaching pensionable age, as is proposed in the pay-as-you-earn scheme in the Wage Earners' Income Tax Bill?

I shall be referring to the scope of the proposals embodied in this Bill in moving the Second Reading to-day.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement regarding British relations with Italy, especially in respect of Italian prisoners of war in this country and their present status?

As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the declaration issued yesterday after the Italian declaration of war on Germany, on behalf of the Governments of the United Kingdom, the United States and the Soviet Union, to which I have nothing to add. The status of Italian prisoners of war in Allied hands is receiving careful consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give particulars of the casualties sustained by the Armed Forces of the British Empire between 3rd September, 1942, and 2nd September, 1943?

I will see what can be done about publishing casualties from time to time. A long interval will, however, have to elapse after the date covered by the return. The enemy do not give us any similar accurate or truthful facilities. The Dominions have to be consulted and I cannot make any promise now.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the advertisements in the newspapers asking those familiar with specified alien applicants for British naturalisation to send in full details of the information they possess to the Home Office; and whether, as such advertisements give the impression that it is possible during the war to take out naturalisation papers, he will give wide publicity to the suspension of applications for naturalisation, except in exceptional cases, during the war period and thus save the waste of time, money and labour caused through the continuous insertion of these advertisements?

I entirely agree that the publication of newspaper notices by persons whose applications for naturalisation cannot be considered at the present time is undesirable; such notices are wasteful and misleading. With a view to checking the practice I arranged some months ago for the insertion in the forms which applicants have to obtain of a notification that an advertisement should not be inserted in the Press until the applicant is told by the Home Secretary that he is prepared to consider the application. I hope that further publicity may be given to the matter by my hon. and gallant Friend's Question and this reply.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the decision of his Department that letters admitting an offence are not tantamount to a plea of guilty, he is satisfied that there is no unnecessary travel, waste of time or increase of costs involved in compelling the police-court attendance of the persons concerned?

A circular letter from my Department to clerks to justices dated 13th May, 1943, of which I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend, suggested to magistrates various ways in which economy in the time of the police and other witnesses might be effected within the framework of the existing law. The letter pointed out that a plea of guilty cannot be admitted by means of a letter to the court. This was not a decision of my Department but a statement of the existing legal position.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is proposed to revive, as regards the Departments concerned, the pre-war practice of holding comprehensive selection boards to appraise the relative merits of all members of the S Class of civil servants, with a view to the selection of the best of them for promotion?

Following the recommendation recently made by the Civil Service Arbitration Tribunal, that the pre-war practice of holding comprehensive selection boards to appraise the relative merits for promotion of all members of the S Class might be revived, all Departments have been asked to reconsider this question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, in what circumstances an administrative principal who received an allowance of £100 for special duties in another Department, is continuing to receive that allowance on transfer to his Department, in view of the fact that the duties he now performs are the ordinary duties of the administrative class in this department?

The officer in question receives the allowance referred to as he will—in addition to his normal duties—he required to deputise for the Director of the Division in which he is serving during the latter's periodical absences abroad on official duties.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works what is the present policy of his Department with regard to the installation of fluorescent lighting in Government Departments for use in rooms where clerical work has to be carried out continuously in artificial light; in what proportion of such rooms it is already installed; and what expert advice has been obtained as to whether fluorescent lighting is beneficial or harmful to the human eye?

Fluorescent lighting is extensively used both in this country and in the United States of America to secure evenly distributed illumination over a wide area with the minimum of glare, and it is accordingly the policy of the Ministry to provide this lighting in rooms from which daylight is excluded and where important war work is being carried on. Such lighting has been installed in practically all cases in which these conditions obtain. I am not aware of any grounds for suggesting that the light is deleterious to the human eye, provided proper precautions are taken to prevent flicker, but if the hon. Member has any information to the contrary, I shall be glad to receive it.

asked the Minister of Production the total number of newspapers that the 11½ per cent. increase in newsprint will make available for circulation; whether he was consulted and authorised this increase; and what were the reasons advanced for the expansion of this industry at this period of the war?

The total number of newspapers that will be available after the recent increase in the supply of paper is about 19 millions day, an increase of about 2,000,000 a day. This increase was authorised by my right hon. Friend, to meet the heavy demand for newspapers, particularly for the Forces.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will discontinue the Army practice of counting as privilege leave the whole or part of compassionate leave granted to soldiers for the purpose of attending the funerals of near relatives?

It is essential that not more than 10 per cent. of the men in a unit should be away at one time. Under the present system the grant of seven days' compassionate leave to a man does not cancel his next period of privilege leave but it postpones it. He does in effect receive more leave in a given period than. a man who is not granted compassionate leave. My hon. Friend's proposal would result in postponing the leave of other men and I do not consider its adoption would be justified?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there is any shortage of blood donors'?

I am glad to say that the response of volunteers for this vital service continues to be satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many annuities are at present being paid under Article 659 of the Royal Warrant; and what are the ranks of the officers receiving them?

The answer to the first part of the Question is 203. The ranks of the recipients range from captain to general. Two matrons-in-chief are also receiving these annuities.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether commissioned service in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, as an officer of the Air Training Corps, is accepted as qualifying service for the award of the Territorial Decoration?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the privileges conferred on Members by the military pass issued to them in July, 1940, and, in particular, whether it enables Members to move freely in all regulated areas; and as the regional commissioners do not seem to be aware of the existence of this pass, will he inform them of its exact value to the holders?

As my predecessor indicated to the House on 9th July, 1940, the military passes to which my hon. Friend refers were issued to Members in order to enable them to reach the House from their homes or constituencies in the event of an emergency which might have involved the blocking of roads or railways. They were not intended to, and do not, in fact, give Members right of access to places which are subject to special restrictions. I fully recognise, however, that it is necessary that Members for constituencies in which military restrictions have been imposed should have facilities for access to their constituencies, and it has accordingly been arranged that whenever such restrictions are imposed a special permit will be sent to every Member of Parliament whose access to his constituency is in any way affected by the restrictions.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has received any information regarding the number of cases of typhus fever that have occurred amongst the troops in Africa and Sicily; and whether any typhoid fever cases have been reported from these areas?

During the last typhus season in North Africa there were 20 cases of this fever among British troops, of which six were fatal. Operations in Sicily occurred in the summer months and no cases have been reported from this area during the period. Some 3o cases of typhoid fever have been reported from North Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can state the present position with respect to soldiers who were prisoners of war in Italy; the number released; how many have been sent to Germany; and the number still unaccounted for?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friends the Members for Stockport (Wing-Commander Hulbert) and Plaistow (Mr. Thorne) on 12th October.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied, after the experience of the past harvest, that increased cereal production is the best policy of cropping for the upland farmers of Wales; and whether he will now consider the production of new and better grass as an alternative?

The production of new and better grass on upland farms in Wales, concurrently with the maintenance of the existing tillage area and of a sufficiency of cereals for winter stock feeding on individual farms, is an essential feature of agricultural policy. I do not anticipate that it will be necessary to ask for any further general increase of cereals on such farms.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what percentage of the harvest has been carried and what lessons have been learned in regard to the utilisation of outside labour?

Over most of the country, including the main corn growing districts, the whole of the corn harvest has been carried in good condition, but in the north and west of England and in Wales some proportion of the crop—small in most cases—is still out. This is due almost entirely to weather conditions and not to shortage of labour. While the major part of the important potato and sugar beet harvests has still to be gathered it would be premature to make any statement about the lessons that have been learned in regard to the utilisation of outside labour. My Department will, however, be receiving reports from county war agricultural executive committees about the organisation of labour in their counties this year, and these will be studied and discussed with the committees so that we may again profit from the year's experience.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, to facilitate rural housing, he will encourage the use of cycles by agricultural labourers, even to the extent of subsidising production of machines and making supply to such labourers a matter of priority?

I am not aware that those agricultural workers who need bicycles to reach their place of work are unable to obtain them under existing arrangements. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade informs me that sufficient bicycles are being manufactured for essential purposes. The trade are aware that priority should be given to orders placed by agricultural and other essential workers. If my hon. and gallant Friend knows of any cases of difficulty and will let me have particulars I will look into them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that it is left to private charity to provide adequate treatment for the needs of the W.L.A. in cases where they are involved in illness or accident; and whether he will take steps to alter this unsuitable and inequitable method of dealing with these essential workers?

No, Sir. Members of the Women's Land Army are not dependent upon private charity in case of illness of accident. The position as regards sickness benefit and compensation in case of accident was explained in the reply to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Taunton on 12th October, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that over l00 packs of hounds are arranging to carry on hunting during the coming season involving large expenditure of money, special food for the dogs and time of personnel; that damage to crops and fences is entailed and, since this constitutes a squandering of national resources, if he will take steps to prohibit all such activities for the duration of the war?

I am satisfied that the prohibition of hunting is not necessary in the national interest.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider and grant a concession to the sightless that local authorities be authorised to disregard the 10s. pension under the contributory scheme when account is taken for assessment of personal grants?

No, Sir. The amount of financial assistance to be granted to a blind person is already within the discretion of the local authority, subject only to the qualification that they must disregard certain specified resources.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland at what date the Scottish Legal Insurance Company ceased to provide dental treatment for its health-insured members, and when such payment is likely to be renewed to them?

The Scottish Legal Health Assurance approved society has been unable to provide any benefits supplementary to the statutory benefits since July, 1931, as the statutory valuations have shown that no surplus funds were available for the purpose. I regret that it is not possible to say when the provision of dental benefit by this Society can be resumed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food for what reason millers are required to incorporate ¾ per cent. of dried milk in the flour they produce; whether he can state the difference between the ordinary wholesale price of dried milk and the price at which it is supplied to the millers and approximately the annual cost to the Exchequer of the subsidy involved; and will he consider discontinuing this practice in order that more dried milk may be available to housewives and confectioners?

As regards the first part of the Question the fortification of flour with dried milk was introduced as an important means of ensuring that valuable nutrients reached persons needing them most. As regards the second part of the Question the dried milk is charged to controlled millers at substantially the same price as that paid by wholesale distributors. The effect of the inclusion of dried milk in flour on the basis of present quantities is to increase the amount of the flour subsidy by approximately £1,,000,000 per annum. The answer to the last part of the Question is "No, Sir."

asked the Minister of Supply what percentage of Government heavy clothing contracts were placed in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, respectively, for 1943 to the nearest available date; and whether he will consider increasing the number of such contracts in Scotland in the near future?

With regard to contracts placed so far this year by the Ministry of Supply, the percentages are—England, 84; Scotland, 8; Northern Ireland, 7 ½; Wales, ½. Owing to the decrease in Service clothing requirements, it is unlikely that the number of contracts placed in Scotland by the Ministry of Supply can be increased, but I will look further into the matter and communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare whether a decision has now been reached with regard to the request sent by the Neutral Commission in Greece, in June last, for certain special milk foods; what quantities it is proposed to authorise on receipt of a favourable reply; and what supplementary requests have been received from Greece since July last; and whether increased supplies of food have been sent?

As regards the first and second parts of the Question, the request for special milk foods was received in April. It has not yet been possible to despatch the particular type of food asked for, but, as I informed my hon. Friend on 5th August, an equivalent quantity of pablum, a food suitable for consumption by children, has been sent. The request received from the Commission in June proved to be for 260 tons of powdered milk or 600 tons of condensed milk monthly. It was decided to authorise monthly shipments from July of approximately 300 tons of condensed milk and 300 tons of evaporated milk. As regards the third and fourth parts of the Question, the Commission has asked for a consignment of low fat soya flour for experimental purposes, and this is being sent from the United States. No other supplementary requests have been received from the Commission since July, and the programme of supplies remains otherwise unchanged.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in the case of university students intending to pursue an honours course, and now prevented from so doing, opportunities will be afforded them to complete the course after the end of the war?

Financial assistance will be available to enable such students to resume their studies, under the conditions outlined in the pamphlet describing the Government's Further Education and Training Scheme, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.