asked the President of the Board of Trade why he will not grant to members of the Girls' Training Corps the same concessions in regard to coupons as are made to members of the youth detachments of the British Red Cross Society?

Members of the Girls' Training Corps are in the same position as members of the Junior Red Cross, who receive no coupon concessions for their uniforms.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the valuable work being done by the Girls' Training Corps and that this particular type of girl find if most difficult to provide themselves with uniform, and will he look into the matter again?

I have looked into it from that point of view, and I have answered Questions on the subject before, and I have also been in contact with hon. Members of this House on the matter. The position is very simple. There are certain organisations, of which the Girls' Training Corps is one, which are not sponsored by any of the Service Departments. Other examples are the Boy Scouts and the Girl Guides. I fully recognise the valuable work they are doing, but the civilian ration is insufficient for any further concession to be made now, and I must continue to decline to make an exception, much as I value the work of these organisations.

Is not that reply equivalent to saying that the proper method of approach by the Girls' Training Corps is to one of the Service Departments in order to get recognition?

I have not said that. I am trustee for the civil population, and I am making as fair a distribution as I can to carry out that obligation. The Service Departments have their own proper organisation for the purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is prepared to release sufficient cloth to the Services to permit other ranks in suitable cases to purchase pyjamas or to grant coupons with the same object?

The supply of cloth for civilian clothing is barely sufficient to meet the present civilian ration, and I regret that it would be quite impossible for me, out of the civilian allocation, either to authorise the issue of coupons to other ranks for pyjamas or to spare cloth for an issue by the Services.

Is it not the case that this distinction between officers and other ranks is a false social distinction in the Services? Would the Minister take up again with the Service Ministers the question as to whether the allocation of clothing given by him to the Services does not permit the issue of pyjamas on a limited scale to other ranks?

I am anxious that the responsibility should be rightly adjusted in this matter. My responsibility is to the civil population. The allocation of materials to the Services is made, not by me, but by the Minister of Production, who has to hold the balance as evenly as he can between civilians on the one hand and the Services on the other. What the Services choose to make a Service issue is a matter for the Service Ministers. The decision is theirs as to what issues from the quartermaster's stores they will make. My concern is with the civilian population.

There is no scarcity of raw materials. The difficulty is in regard to the supply of labour to manufacture the raw material into finished products. Surely the Minister knows—

The hon. Member is giving information, not asking for it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how the computation of a person's needs is assessed in cases where clothing ration books are declared lost or when an application for a duplicate supply of clothing coupons is being considered?

Lost coupons are replaced only where exceptional need for clothing is proved or where the loss is due to causes outside the owner's control. In the former case, coupons are issued to bring up the applicant's stock of clothing to a minimum essential level. In the latter case, replacement depends upon the un-expired part of the rationing period.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that explanation, may I ask whether that includes inspection of an applicant's wardrobe? Is it not a strange policy, in contrast to that of the Ministry of Food, which does not even check up reserve stocks in a pantry, that his Department should check up on wardrobes?

We have to be very careful with the limited supplies available. My answers continually return to the same point. There is only a limited supply of clothing material available, and we must be careful to see that where coupons are lost—although we are most anxious to meet all the reasonable needs of-those concerned—we do not over-issue. The ration, which is based on the minimum essential needs, is quite generous; it is more than four times the ordinary basic ration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare whether further consideration will now be given to the possibility of sanctioning a limited scheme for controlled food relief for supplying dried milk and vitamins to young children and nursing mothers in certain European countries now under German occupation, in view of the fact that the wheat ration has now been increased by the German authorities and the danger of diversion of food to Germany consequently lessened?

This subject was fully discussed in the House on 8th July, and I have nothing to add to what I said on that occasion.

Has not the information been given by my hon. Friend subsequent to that Debate and does not that materially alter the situation?

The information to which my hon. Friend refers is information I gave in an answer a week or two ago to the effect that following an improved harvest in most European countries there had been a general increase in rations, particularly in the bread ration. I do not, however, think that that in any way affects the blockade policy of His Majesty's Government.

Will not that remove any incentive to the Germans to divert supplies?

No. If my hon. Friend will look again at the answer I gave, he will see that I said that in the case of Poland, at any rate, improved crops would almost certainly lead to increased requisitioning on the part of the enemy.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare to what extent the shipments of food, as increased since April and July last, satisfy the requests made by the Swedish-Swiss Commission controlling relief work in Greece?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers which I gave on 13th July and 14th October to my hon. Friend the Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère).

Has there been any expression of opinion by the Commission since that time? Could the hon. Member not give an approximate percentage as to the amount supplied in response to these requests?

I made it clear in my earlier answers that we had met most of the requests which had been made to us by the Commission. There was one particular request for stock-fish which for various reasons we were unable to meet, but the other requests the Commission made have been met or are still under consideration.

Are those still under consideration likely to be met in full in the near future?

That, I could not say.

asked the Parmentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare what shipments were permitted by His Majesty's Government to pass through the blockade to Poland during the early months of the war; when were they suspended and for what reasons; whether he can give details of the operations before and after that date of the American Commission for Polish Relief, Incorporated; and whether this work was hindered or interfered with by the enemy?

Between November, 1939, and May, 1940, His Majesty's Government permitted the despatch to Poland through the blockade of relief supplies to a total value of 1,000,000 dollars. These included wheat, flour, milk, clothing and medical supplies, and were shipped through Italian ports. The shipments were discontinued when Italy entered the war and His Majesty's Government were informed by the Polish Embassy on 7th June, 1940, that the Germans had withdrawn all offers to facilitate relief in Poland. I have no details of the operation of the American Commission for Polish Relief and I am, therefore, unable to say how far its work was hindered or interfered with by the enemy.

Would it not be possible for my hon. Friend to make inquiries to see whether any interference was exercised?

In any case I think the experience of that Commission is quite irrelevant to the problem of food relief through the blockade. As far as I remember, the headquarters of that Commission were in Berlin, there was no adequate neutral staff to supervise distribution in Poland, and after Italy entered the war the supplies that were distributed were not brought in through the blockade but were purchased inside the blockade area. In addition the Commission were under no obligation and had no duty to protect Polish domestic produce, and therefore it seems to me that the experience of those days is no particular guide to the problem of relief to-day.

But does my hon. Friend not admit that there is some relevance between one matter and the other?

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to introduce civil affairs administration in due course to all allied countries at present overrun by Germany?

This question seems to me to be premature. Full information will be given to the House should our operations prosper in any particular new theatre.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare whether he can give any information as to the amount of war indemnities and other exactions levied on the occupied countries in Europe by the Axis Governments since the date of occupation and during the last 12 months, respectively?

Up to 30th September, 1943, the total amounts levied on the occupied countries in Europe by the Axis Governments, whether by way of occupation costs or other charges is estimated at over £3,200,000,000. This is taking the mark at 13⅓ to the pound. In addition, the balances of exports received by Germany but paid for only in blocked marks are estimated at £1,300,000,000, making a total of £4,500,000,000 for financial levies. The present annual rate of such levies is estimated at nearly £1,200,000,000, while balances of exports paid for only in blocked marks are increasing at the rate of £500,000,000 a year. Thus the present annual rate of all financial levies is about £1,700,000,000. No allowance has been made in these figures for losses suffered by the U.S.S.R. nor for loot, nor for any destruction to property or injury to persons. It is not possible to give any estimate of these items. In the case of the U.S.S.R. they have certainly been very high, since no direct financial exactions appear to have been levied and the rate of pure loot has been correspondingly higher. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table covering the various countries.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered the possibility of instituting a leave service from Italy to the United Kingdom which will allow long service men with the Eighth Army a brief reunion with their families?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether arrangements have now been completed by which all men who have served continuously overseas for six years will be sent home by the end of this year?

Such shipping as can be made available for Moving troops for reasons other than operational requirements and sickness is being used to bring back to the home establishment men who have been overseas for many years, and, as I said in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on 12th October, I hope that most of those men who have been abroad for six years and more will be brought back to this country by the end of this year. These arrangements rightly have the first call on our shipping resources. A short leave system, which implies bringing a considerable number of men to this country and then sending them back, is at present, I regret, entirely beyond our means.

When we can get large numbers of troops into Italy why should it be so difficult to get small numbers out? And will the right hon. Gentleman consider moving leave troops in small craft to Tunisia and thence by fast ship to a West of England port?

Every conceivable consideration in the matter has been taken into account and conned over very carefully.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that convoys which have reached this country in the last three or four weeks have been partly made up of completely empty liners?

Perhaps the hon. Member will give me particulars. I do not know the movements of every ship.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, so far as my experience goes, we, who have numbers of men in the 50th Division, can only get leave for them by application to the War Office? Would it not be far better for the Minister to make some form of quota whereby men could be taken regularly, not because they have written to their Members, but according to length of service?

asked the Secretary of State for War if, their other qualifications being satisfactory, Members of Parliament are debarred from serving in A.M.G.O.T.?

No, Sir. They will be considered on their merits.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that an hon. and gallant Friend of his was debarred on this ground from joining the staff of A.M.G.O.T.?

I should be glad if the hon. Member would give me the case to which he refers. To the best of my knowledge he is misinformed.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether it is the function of A.M.G.O.T. to administer recaptured Allied territory, such as Corsica, as well as former enemy territory; and whether officers of French and other nationalities are included in its personnel in appropriate circumstances;

The initials "A.M.G.O.T." apply only to the Military Government which has been set up in Italy, Sicily, and Sardinia and will not apply to such civil affairs organisations as may have to be set up elsewhere. The operation for the recapture of Corsica was undertaken by French Forces, and the administration of the island is being undertaken by the French National Committee of Liberation.

asked the Secretary of State for War what qualifications are required of applicants for employment with A.M.G.O.T.; and whether direct commissions are granted to suitable candidates?

The qualifications of civilian applicants for employment in Civil Affairs, of which A.M.G.O.T. is but a part, are integrity, administrative or technical experience, linguistic or territorial knowledge and physical fitness which would enable the applicant to undertake employment as a Civil Affairs staff officer under the difficult conditions following an invasion. Direct commissions are granted to a limited number of suitable civilian applicants normally between the ages of 38 and 55, who then undergo a period of Civil Affairs training.

Can my right hon. Friend say how many commissions have been granted?

Not without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a design for a new type of headgear has been approved; whether a design, based on the Norwegian skiing cap has been considered in this connection; and if any of the new type have yet been issued to the Army?

A new beret type cap has been approved which will replace the present field service cap, as soon as stocks of this cap are exhausted, in units not already wearing berets or other special head-dresses. A cap resembling the Norwegian skiing cap has been introduced for troops engaged in, or training for, fighting in snow.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that numbers of soldiers dislike this very form of cap because it Has no peak to protect their eyes from the dazzling sunlight?

I imagine that one of the reasons for the two types of headdress which have recently been in vogue is that a cap with a peak cannot be carried in a kit bag.

Will my right hon. Friend press on with replacement of the service caps as soon as possible, in view of the fact that they are unpractical, extremely ugly and are often worn on the back of the Head and pushing down one ear?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will amend the regulations governing the award of the Territorial Decoration so that commissioned service in the R.A.F.V.R. in a unit of the A.T.C. may count for the award of this decoration?

I am not sure that I understand what are the grounds on which this change is advocated. Perhaps my hon. and learned Friend will write to me saying exactly what he has in mind, and I will look into the matter.

Is not the service that these officers give substantially identical with that given by Territorial officers in peace-time, and should not there be some modest recognition of it?

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the result of the court of inquiry held into the circumstances relating to the death of a soldier at Fort Darland detention barracks?

The proceedings and findings of the military court of inquiry set up as a result of this case have been received, and the findings will be considered in conjunction with the report of the inquiry of which Mr. Justice Oliver was chairman.

Will the House have an opportunity of becoming acquainted with the Report?

I am certainly prepared in due course to make a statement to the House on the findings and the action taken.

In that case, could the right hon. Gentleman say what would be the position of hon. Members of this House who gave evidence before that inquiry, since it was held in camera?

Not without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a proposed scheme for the taking over of cinema entertainment overseas now under the consideration of his Department is already being partially operated; whether it is in accordance with War Office procedure to put schemes of this kind into operation before final decisions are taken; and whether he will issue instructions immediately to stop the inauguration of this scheme until the other services concerned have given their decision and until the Entertainments Board specially set up by the Government to deal with such matters and upon which all three fighting services are represented has been convened to consider and report thereon?

The operation of mobile cinemas has generally been accepted as an Army responsibility and additional Army cinema units have been sent overseas to operate in new theatres of operations. I am not aware that any action has been taken by the Army overseas to take over E.N.S.A. units or to inaugurate a new system. As I said in a reply to my hon. Friend last Tuesday, the future development of cinema entertainment for the Forces overseas is at present under consideration.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask whether he would care to examine positive evidence, including cables from North Africa, of action that has been taken either with his approval or with his knowledge; and why is it that he has set aside the Entertainments Board which was set up by the Cabinet to deal with major policy in these matters?

I have not set aside the Entertainments Board at all. I am prepared to consider any improvements which my hon. Friend can suggest to me, and I will answer the letter of the Chairman of the Entertainments Board, of which he has knowledge, in a very few days.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether anything can be done to secure fuller and swifter information regarding the prisoners of war in Japanese hands and the deaths which have occurred in the Japanese prison camps; and the number of men who have died in these camps?

We have repeatedly pressed the Japanese Government to give us the names of prisoners in their hands and other information regarding them. We shall continue to do so, but as my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, we must in the last resort depend on the willingness of the Japanese Government to discharge the obligations commonly accepted by civilised nations. They have hitherto shown a lack of disposition to do so. The total number of deaths of United Kingdom prisoners of war reported by the Japanese is 1,232.

In view of the high mortality in Japanese prisoner of war camps, will my right hon. Friend consider asking the International Red Cross to see whether it is possible for them to report on the situation?

That has been done many times, and the Protecting Power is fully aware of our views on the subject. Constant representations and inquiries have been made in Tokio.

Have the Japanese been informed that they will be held personally responsible for this contravention of the Geneva Convention and the ill-treatment of our prisoners of war?

A general warning has been given over and over again by the Prime Minister, but I am not quite clear whether this specific charge was included in his warning. I will refresh my memory about that.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a number of mothers got an intimation at the beginning of June that their sons were prisoners of war in Japanese hands? They have written the regulation 25 words to the address given, but not on one occasion have they received a line of any kind from the boys who are prisoners.

I am afraid that is very nearly the universal experience.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements exist whereby officers who become prisoners of war can have sent out to them articles of uniform and kit which they may have left behind on capture?

I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate some details of these arrangements in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will my right hon. Friend also circulate information to the next-of-kin of prisoners of war?

I will certainly consider that.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many R.A.F. personnel were included in the recent exchange of wounded prisoners of war?

Information from the Protecting Power shows that 73 R.A.F. personnel embarked in the repatriation ships.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the resolution submitted to him by the conference of local authorities in the industrial areas of the West of Scotland, urging the formulation immediately of a programme for the provision of temporary housing accommodation; and whether he is now in a position to make any statement?

I have received the resolution and have agreed, at the request of the Conference, to meet a deputation to discuss its terms. I am meeting the deputation on 29th October.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what qualifications for appointment as chairman of the Hydro-Electricity Board are possessed by the Earl of Airlie; and what experience he has had in industry in general and hydroelectricity in particular?

Other members of the Board possess specialist qualifications of the kind referred to in the Question. The Chairman of the Board was invited to serve because of his wide administrative experience, which includes the posts of Chairman of the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board, Chairman of the British Legion in Scotland, and Deputy Regional Commissioner for Civil Defence in Scotland. In these and other posts he has served with conspicuous ability, and, in the opinion of my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power and myself, we were fortunate in securing his services.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he has told me that this noble gentleman has no industrial experience at all?

No, Sir, that was not my answer.

Would my right hon. Friend send this gentleman a copy of "Our Noble Families"?

In view of the Minister's well known and very low opinion of "our noble families," would he not have done better to choose someone who understood the business?

This gentleman was appointed for his administrative capacity.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has now considered the question of providing more adequate security of tenure during the war for tenant farmers; and what action he proposes to take in this matter?

The Defence Regulations already provide that all notices to quit must be timeously intimated to the agricultural executive committee for the district so that the committee may be in a position to act in the interests of food production, if necessary by requisitioning. The Regulations further provide that where land has been sold since 3rd September, 1939, no notice to quit is effective unless the Secretary of State gives his consent in writing. There have been very few complaints reaching the Department of Agriculture of cases which are outwith the protection of the Defence Regulations and the agricultural executive committees, but if the National Farmers' Union is able to collate and submit any evidence justifying further legislative proposals, immediate consideration will be given to it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the existing Regulations do not give adequate protection, and is he suggesting that because only a few have been evicted up to date no duty devolves upon him to see that others do not suffer a similar fate? Will he not reconsider this matter?

I have said that I am in touch with the National Farmers' Union in Scotland who have been asked for particulars of any evidence that might justify action.

Does the Minister not think the time has now arrived to take the land out of the hands of the landowners and give it over to the State?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has now received the Report from the Hetherington Committee on post-war hospital problems; whether he has considered the proposals and is in a position to state if he proposes to introduce legislation to this House at an early date?

The Report was published on 13th October, and as I informed the hon. Member for Greenock (Mr. McNeil) on that date, the Government are considering its recommendations in formulating their proposals for a new National Health Service. It is the Government's intention, in advance of proposing legislation on the subject, to lay a White Paper as a basis of discussion and negotiation.

May I ask when that White Paper is likely to be laid on the Table?

I think at an early date, but I could not pledge myself to an exact date.

Since the problem referred to is rather different in Scotland from what it is in other parts of the United Kingdom, will the right hon. Gentleman see that we have a separate Debate on Scottish health organisation?

That is not a question which I can answer.

Is this Report available to the House?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether in any scheme for industrial reorganisation the claims of the Scottish light-castings industry will be considered, particularly where a change over from cast-iron to alternative methods of production are contemplated?

Yes, Sir. The Scottish Council on Industry have under consideration the position of the Scottish light-castings industry, and I am in close touch in the matter with my right hon. Friends the Minister of Supply and the President of the Board of Trade and with the other Ministers concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can give the names of the various persons or syndicates who at one time or another since Whitsunday 1942 have held the Balmacaan estate?

As the answer is rather long, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate the particulars available in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

What were the reasons for this number of transfers within such a short time, and was there any difference in the prices when this land was being transeferred from one party to another?

The answer to the last part of that Supplementary Question will be found in the figures which will be published in the OFFICIAL REPORT. There is no very obvious agricultural interest observable in these transactions.

As to the so-called agricultural interests, is not this a ramp in land in the Highlands of Scotland?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that during this war investment incomes have tended to fall rather than to rise; and that many owners of investment incomes are entirely dependent on same, having small total incomes and being, through age or other reason, incapable of earning; and, as earned incomes have meanwhile increased and are still increasing, on what grounds he justifies imposing a higher rate of tax on investment than on earned income in such, or any other, cases?