asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that in fixing works prices and profit margins and omitting control of selling prices under Orders Nos. S.R. & O. 1943, 1338 and 1339, there is likely to be a variation in prices of hardware and hollow-ware to the public, up to 25 per cent., thereby causing dissatisfaction among members of the public and eventually penalising retail traders who regularly buy through wholesale channels; and whether he will take action to prevent this?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will fix retail prices for enamel hollow-ware applicable to small traders and multiple firms alike?

Variations in the retail prices of hollow-ware were normal in peace-time and could only now be eliminated either by allowing the larger retailers who buy direct from manufacturers to take a very much bigger margin of profit, or by permitting manufacturers to charge much higher prices when selling to such retailers. Neither alternative would be in the public interest.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that 50,000 to 60,000 pairs of footwear are lying idle in a certain port in the absence of the owner who is serving in the Army as a clerk; that this footwear has to be classified, valued, etc., under the instructions of the Department; that the owner cannot get release from the Army to attend to this work because the Department will not recommend his release; what steps he proposes to secure the release of the owner or, alternatively, how this stock of footwear will become available to the public?

I am aware that a quantity of footwear which has been removed from premises damaged by enemy action in the port referred to is awaiting assessment in connection with a war risks claim. A representative of the Board of Trade and an assessor who wished to inspect the damage were recently refused access to the building in which the goods were stored, and, pursuant to the conditions of the policy, the claimants have now been required to give them access to the premises in order that the damage may be assessed. As at present advised, my right hon. Friend does not consider it necessary to ask for, the release of the managing director from the Forces.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the Surplus Textiles Corporation, created under the auspices of his Department to control the sale of Government surplus textiles, contains only London merchants and no representatives of other important textile centres in the country?

The membership of the Surplus Textiles Corporation is open to textile merchants from any part of the country. The council of the corporation is not yet complete and will include representatives of other textile centres as well as of London.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the disabilities of the colonial service in Kenya; and whether effective steps are being taken for the consideration of the problems raised in communications with the Governor?

Yes, Sir, my right hon. and gallant Friend has received more than one communication from the local Civil Service association. A committee to examine the present terms and conditions attached to appointments in the Kenya European Civil Service was appointed earlier this year and its report is expected to be available very shortly. The matters raised by the association will then be dealt with in the light of the committee's recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether consideration can now be given to the termination of the detention of the officers and committee of the Kikuyu Central Association and other societies associated with it?

Ten of the men concerned have now been released to their homes. The remaining cases will continue to be reviewed at regular intervals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total money gifts, loans and other grants and contributions by the Colonial Empire to the war effort by Britain?

Apart from the contributions of some Colonial Governments towards the cost of their local military forces, the total contribution of the Colonial Empire towards the prosecution of the war now amounts in round figures to £48,000,000 made up as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received any recent report from the Yellow Fever Research Institute at Entebbe, Uganda, on the control of disease in East Africa; and whether he can indicate the success of the work done to prevent yellow fever among military personnel?

Co-ordination of research on yellow fever in Africa is centred in the Yellow Fever Research Institute at Entebbe, Uganda, which is a unit of the International Health Division of the Rockefeller Foundation. The staff of the Institute has carried out immunity test surveys of groups of persons in Uganda, Northern Rhodesia, Kenya, Tanganyika Territory, the Sudan, the Belgian Congo, Somalia and Eritrea, and the results have been circulated to the Governments concerned. Research on possible reservoir hosts of yellow fever virus and on aedes and other potential mosquito vectors of yellow fever is being continued. The executive work of the control of yellow fever is the responsibility of the Colonial Governments and the Service authorities who are advised by and receive copies of the reports of the Director of the Institute and the London Inter-departmental Control Committee. The various control measures which have been introduced are designed particularly to prevent the possibility of an outbreak of yellow fever such as occurred in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan in 1940–41. It is satisfactory to relate that no case of yellow fever among military personnel in East Africa has occurred.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any recent inquiries have been instigated by the Government in Northern Rhodesia into the problem of stabilisation of African labour in the Copperbelt; and whether any recommendations have been made?

Yes, Sir, an officer was appointed by the Governor of Northern Rhodesia in 1942 to conduct a survey to ascertain the extent of detribalisation among African workers on the Copperbelt. So far as I am aware, his investigations are not yet complete.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are being taken to supply recruits to replace members of the W.L.A. who leave the service by reason of health, expectant motherhood and for other reasons?

No new recruiting can be permitted at present. Vacancies arising from any cause must therefore be filled, so far as necessary and practicable, by rearrangement of the work of existing members.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why he has given directions that war agricultural executive committees are not to have direct communication with Members of Parliament?

County war agricultural executive committees are appointed by me and are carrying out my instructions as my agents with powers which have been conferred on me by Parliament and which I have delegated to them. I am responsible to Parliament for their work. Members of Parliament have direct access to me on any matter concerning the work of my Department or my agents, and I am always ready to give careful consideration to any point they may wish to raise. I am responsible to Parliament for the work of my agents and experience has, I think, shown that it is very desirable that Members of Parliament should raise points with me and not direct with my agents.

asked the Minister of Pensions what categories of persons under his administration are subject to a test of needs; the numbers approximately; and what would be the estimated cost if a pension of 30s. per week were granted per individual unconditionally to all dependants and others in these categories?

The grant of a pension to parents and certain other dependants of deceased members of the Forces, Merchant Navy, Civil Defence Services, and of civilians who die from war injuries, is subject to a test of needs. I regret that the records of my Department do not enable me to give the further information asked for by the hon. Member, but obviously the cost of a flat rate of pension of 30s. per week would be very large.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the terms of the new Royal Warrant, respecting onus of proof and benefit of the doubt, can be extended to apply equally to all ex-service men and women of all wars?

There is clearly a difference so far as reasonable doubt is concerned between claims which arise immediately after service and those which come up many years later. In practice there is no onus of proof in any strict sense because in all cases the Ministry gives every help in bringing out facts favourable to the claimant.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will expedite the settlement of pension claims by sick and wounded returned prisoners of war?

My right hon. Friend is making special arrangements which he hopes will enable him to settle any pension claim before Service pay ceases.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that poultry dealers at Evesham are selling turkeys at £5 each, geese at £2 10s. each and fowl at £1 17s. each; and what action he intends taking about the matter?

I am not aware of the sales referred to but I am having inquiries made, and shall be glad if my hon. Friend will let me have such information as is in his possession.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food how much jam made by women's institutes was allowed to be sold to the public through retail grocers; and whether, as it is normally much purer than the ordinary manufactured jam, he will give effect to the general desire of the public to be allowed to purchase it?

Preliminary estimates indicate that out of a total production of about 600 tons of jams and jellies made by Women's Institutes in 1943, 540 tons will have been sold to retail grocers for supply as part of the domestic preserves ration. While my Noble Friend is anxious to encourage as wide a distribution as possible of this jam, the comparatively small quantities available together with the need to economise in transport make it impracticable to ensure that all grocers receive a share of it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to a complaint of Kent butchers that home-killed beef costs them more than in other areas; and what is the reason for discrimination?

Yes, Sir, I am aware that Kent butchers have complained that they are penalised by having their beef charged to them at quarter prices. I am advised that there is no substance in the complaint. Beef is weighed and charged in quarters wherever facilities exist in order to save unnecesary handling, and the quarter prices are calculated to give the butcher a fair margin of profit. Weighing in sides is practised where it is not possible to weigh in quarters and there is no reason to think that butchers who are charged at the side price, which is the straight average of the quarter prices, gain any advantage. At some depots in the South-Eastern area until recently the side price was charged although the beef was weighed in quarters. This practice was irregular and has been stopped.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is satisfied, having regard to the present shortage of teachers, that non-mobile teachers, for example, married women with children, are given the opportunity to teach near their homes; and whether he will consider recommending local education authorities and others to make use of the services of such persons?

As my hon. and gallant Friend will see from the Board's Circulars 1591 and 1626, copies of which I am sending him, the Board have urged upon local education authorities the importance of making the fullest possible use of all available sources of teaching power, including the employment of married women in schools near their homes. I have no reason to think that these suggestions are not being followed.

asked the Home Secretary the purpose of the Alien Restriction (Palestinian Citizens) Order (S.R. & O., No. 1399, of 1943), which states certain Palestinian citizens are to be deemed aliens for part but not the whole of the Aliens Order, 1920?

By an Order in Council made on 24th September last all British protected persons, including Palestinian citizens, were exempted from certain provisions of Part II of the Aliens Order, 1920, such as those requiring registration with the police and restricting entry into protected areas. That Order in Council also exempted British protected persons from the landing and deportation provisions of the 1920 Order. But Palestinians, who possess a separate citizenship under the law of that country, are in a different category as regards right of entry to the United Kingdom and deportation, and the Direction to which my hon. Friend refers was accordingly made to continue the application to them of the provisions of the 1920 Order in these two respects. The restrictions thus retained in the case of Palestinians in this country correspond with those imposed on British subjects by Palestinian law in respect of admission to and residence in that country.

asked the Minister of Health the number of hospitals dealing with maternity cases who are equipped with gas and oxygen anæsthetic appliances and the number which are not?

The records of my Department show that 47 local supervising authorities in England and Wales have provided the apparatus, in some cases for domiciliary use. Of the 88 emergency maternity homes under the Government evacuation scheme 60 have been supplied with machines for the administration of gas and air anæsthesia. I have no information as to the provision of this equipment in voluntary hospitals.

asked the Minister of Health how many doctors represented the medical profession in the recent negotiations in regard to the future of medical practice; and how many of these act or acted as members of any advisory or other committees or in any collective or individual capacity in connection with his or any other Department?

A representative committee of 42 members was selected by the British Medical Association in collaboration with the Royal Colleges. My information does not enable me to answer the last part of the Question exhaustively, but of the 42 representatives chosen by the profession, 10 are also members of my medical advisory committee and I am aware of an additional three representatives who assist my Department as members of advisory committees or in an individual capacity.

asked the Minister of Health what further steps he has taken to arrange for the collection of house refuse and salvage in the area covered by the rural district council of Gloucester?

As my hon. Friend will be aware, the collection of house refuse is the responsibility of the local authority. I am informed fiat the key man whose loss was threatened will not be withdrawn until a substitute has been provided.

asked the Minister of Health his reasons for approving the appointment by the Barnard Castle Rural District Council of a temporary sanitary inspector who does not hold the required certificate under the sanitary officers' regulations; and whether, in view of the difficulty in obtaining qualified sanitary inspectors, he will consider securing the release of those officers engaged on Civil Defence duties as a preferable alternative to the employment of unqualified men?

I am looking into the circumstances of this case and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the shortage in institutional accommodation for imbeciles and mental defectives; and whether he proposes to do anything to remedy this state of affairs?

Yes, Sir. I am well aware of the shortage of accommodation for these cases, but I regret that the scarcity of materials and labour makes it impracticable to provide the requisite new accommodation at the present time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether the statement in the Emergency Powers (Defence) Railways (Transport of Seed Potatoes) Order (S.R. & O., No. 1334, of 1943) that it is made by the Minister of War Transport, is to be taken to mean that it was personally approved by him, or that it was signed by an assistant secretary under a general authority granted by him?

The statement to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers is to be taken to mean that the Direction has been duly issued and is one for which my Noble Friend is responsible. In the case referred to I approved the Direction before its issue.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that when wives are deserted by their husbands their application for the issue of allowances through stoppages from their husbands' pay are considered by the appropriate military authorities with the least possible delay since, otherwise, the

asked the Minister of Health the total number of houses erected for dwelling purposes in England, Scotland and Wales since September, 1939, giving the number completed in each year?

The information is contained in the following tabular statement:wives may have little or nothing on which to live?

There has recently been a change in the machinery for dealing with these cases which will, I hope, expedite their settlement. But the hon. Member will appreciate that certain inquiries must be made in order to comply with statutory requirements and these inevitably take a little time. The possibility of further expediting the settlement in these cases is being examined.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that there have been delays of four months in the delivery of home mail to members of the Merchant Navy in the Central Mediterranean; and whether he will expedite postal facilities?

There has unfortunately been delay in the delivery of some of the mails sent to members of the Merchant Navy in the Central Mediterranean. It will be appreciated that during periods of intense operational activity such as have been and are still taking place in the area concerned the move- ments of ships are frequent and at very short notice. Under such conditions it is most difficult to arrange for mails to reach the vessels. Owing to the volume of mail traffic and the uncertainty of the movements of ships congestion occurred at the mail distributing centres. These centres are not under my control but I understand that active steps have been taken to improve the situation and to reduce to a minimum the risk of delay in future.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the recent relaxation of certain regulations respecting the use of motor-cars, he is prepared to sanction the reinstallation of wireless sets in motor-cars?

I regret that I am not at present able to add anything to the answer given by my right hon. Friend on 26th May.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether volunteers for mining, when they commence work at the pits, will be permitted to exercise their own discretion as to whether they do or do not become members of a trade union?

No statutory obligation to be a member of a trade union is laid upon any coal miner in this country. Men volunteering for coalmining, however, are expected to conform to the conditions laid down in agreements made between employers and workmen in the various districts.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will introduce legislation to maintain the Miners' Welfare Fund levy at 1d. per ton in view of the fact that it will otherwise fall to id next year?

The matter has been the subject of discussions with the Miners' Welfare Commission and negotiations are still in progress with representative bodies of the industry. When these have been concluded I shall make a statement.

asked the Home Secretary whether, when juvenile courts receive and consider the reports of schoolmasters and mistresses on the conduct of delinquents, the parents of the latter are informed of their nature and permitted to criticise if they so desire?

By the Summary Jurisdiction (Children and Young Persons) Rules, 1933, which govern procedure in the juvenile courts, the court is required to inform the parent, if present, of the substance of any report on the conduct of a child or young person which is likely to affect its decision regarding the manner in which he should be dealt with. If the parent desires to question any material part of the information, facilities must be given and, if necessary, the proceedings must be adjourned, for further evidence to be produced.

asked the Home Secretary what steps he proposes to take with regard to juvenile courts in this country with reference to the recent decision by the Lord Chief Justice and two other judges?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made in the House to-day in reply to similar Questions on this subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will provide an opportunity for Members of Parliament to inspect the Sword of Stalingrad before it is sent to Russia?

The time likely to be available for the exhibition of the Sword to the public is extremely limited, and we are anxious to use it in such a way as will enable the Sword to be seen as widely and by as many people as possible. This involves complicated arrangements with which I should be reluctant to interfere. As has already been announced, it is the intention that the Sword should be on exhibition in Westminster Abbey on 29th, 30th and 31st of this month. I will endeavour to arrange for special facilities to be given for hon. Members to see it there.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, since prisoners of war are classed as non-residents in Great Britain, they are entitled to receive certain relief in Income Tax?

As a non-resident in the United Kingdom, a prisoner of war is not liable to Income Tax on income from sources outside this country and is entitled to a proportion of the personal allowances which he would have received if he had been resident, the proportion being that which his United Kingdom income liable to tax (including his Service Pay) bears to his total income from all sources. If he has no income other than income liable to United Kingdom Income Tax, he is entitled to the full personal allowances as if he were resident here.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what would be the additional financial burden to the State, when account is taken of the fact that the surplus profit of the railways above an agreed sum reverts to the State, of giving Members of Parliament for the duration of the war passes between London and their constituencies; and will he indicate how the amount is arrived at?

The current estimates provide for an expenditure of £35,000 for Members' travelling facilities. The approximate cost of providing Members with the additional travel facilities that would be offered by a permanent pass between London and their constituencies would be £67,000. Under the present financial arrangements between the railway companies and the Government, the provision of such extra facilities would not place any additional burden on the Exchequer. A system of permanent passes would, however, give travelling facilities in excess of those authorised by Parliament and would prevent any check being kept to ensure that the moneys provided by Parliament were expended solely for the purpose for which they were voted.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider in the next Budget waiving the condition under which persons with small capital, say £2,000, are now assessed for old age pension purposes at the specified rates on investment, the object of such exemption being to encourage thrift?

The future of noncontributory old age pensions, to which the condition referred to applies, is under consideration by His Majesty's Government in connection with the Beveridge Report as part of the wider question of old age pensions. I cannot anticipate the conclusions which may be reached.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give an undertaking, on behalf of His Majesty's Government, that Great Britain will in no circumstances return to the gold standard or relinquish the right to vary the gold value of the £1 sterling in accordance with the national interests?

These points are covered by the assurances already given that no commitment in this field will be entered into without previous Debate in this House.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a disciplinary inquiry into the conduct of a senior inspector of taxes, an inspector of taxes and a tax officer, higher grade, was held by the Board of Inland Revenue between 10th and 17th August, 1943; why no decision has yet been reached on the result of this investigation; how he justifies such delay having regard to the gravity of the charges brought against these officers and the issues which are at stake when a verdict is reached; and when a decision is likely to be reached?

I understand that the committee of inquiry in this case has reported and that their report is now under the consideration of the Board of Inland Revenue.