asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will consider the desirability of extending C.E.M.A. activities outside this country in order that they may serve our Forces and civilians overseas?

The activities of C.E.M.A. were originally envisaged as applying to Great Britain alone, and this limitation has hitherto been strictly observed. I will, however, investigate the possibility of their extension overseas in so far as the resources of the Council may permit. My hon. Friend will appreciate that any such extension would involve consultation and co-operation with other Government Departments and with the British Council.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware of an increase in the number of classes containing over 50 children; and what is he proposing to do about it?

For the country as a whole no recent figures are available, but there is reason to believe that in some districts there has been an increase in the number of these over-large classes. The problem is partly one of accommodation, but mainly one of the distribution of teaching staffs. The repair of damaged schools and the provision, where practicable, of prefabricated buildings, are providing additional accommodation where that is required, and I am sending the hon. Member copies of circulars which explain what is being done to secure re-distribution of teaching staffs.

asked the President of the Board of Education what machinery exists for earmarking potential teachers who at the moment are serving in the Forces?

The arrangements I have in mind for recruiting potential teachers among the Forces involve personal contact between suitable persons acting on behalf of the Board and serving men and women. The Service Departments have indicated their readiness to give me all possible facilities to this end as soon as circumstances permit. In the meantime, special correspondence courses are being arranged under the Army Education Scheme for those desiring to prepare themselves for entry into the teaching profession.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware of the deep feeling on behalf of the voluntary schools at the limitation of the grant of 50 per cent. contained in the White Paper on Educational Reconstruction; and what further steps he is taking to get agreement that will give a measure of satisfaction to the voluntary schools?

Such representations as have been received in the sense indicated in the Question come mainly from one section of voluntary schools. I have received other indications that the proposal is a considerable advance on anything previously offered. The Government are in touch with denominational and other interests and are sparing no pains to reach a true understanding of the position.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many youth organisers are now being employed by local education authorities; how many are being assisted by authorities in conjunction with voluntary bodies; how many organisers of young farmers are being employed or assisted by such authorities; now many drama organisers are so employed; and what is the total budget for these purposes on which his Department pays grant-aid?

The number of youth service organisers employed by local education authorities is about 200. I am unable to state how many of these are employed jointly by authorities and voluntary organisations, though I am aware that such appointments have been made in a few instances. Twenty-five organisers of Young Farmers' Clubs are employed by the National Federation with the aid of direct grant from the Board, and 11 (including two appointments about to be made) are employed by local authorities. Drama organisers are known to be employed in the areas of at least 14 counties and county boroughs, either by the local education authority in association with the joint committee for Drama of the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust, or under other arrangements. The information asked for in the last part of the Question is not readily available and could not be given without special inquiries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any further relaxation has been effected during the last three months with regard to restriction on the export of British branded goods; and whether, in view of the unfortunate consequences which result from the loss of goodwill for such goods in overseas markets, he will take steps to seek further facilities for export at the earliest opportunity?

I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend refers to proprietary medicines. Since my right hon. Friend replied to his Question on 25th May last, arrangements have been made under which reasonable quantities of these goods may be exported to the Middle East through the normal channels of trade. The traders concerned have been told.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take to prevent the further rapid deterioration of stocks of rubber-lined and rubberised raincoats and mackintoshes now in the hands of traders, who cannot sell them because of their high coupon value; and will he consider making this class of garment available to the public for a lesser number of coupons?

Stocks of civilian rubber-proofed garments are substantial but not excessive in relation to present and prospective demands for them. In the circumstances, my right hon. Friend is satisfied that he would not be justified in making a general reduction in coupon values.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the amount of British-woven cloth exported to the United States of America in each of the years 1938 to 1942; and the names of the firms in this country now receiving permits for such exports;(2) whether he has considered the proposal of the United States National Trimmings Association to transfer their Army cloth to Canada pound for pound, if his Department would permit the export of British woollens to the United States of America; and whether he proposes to accept this offer?

Particulars of exports of wool piecegoods to the United States for 1938–39 are given in Volume III of the Annual Statement of Trade for 1939; and particulars for 1940 will be found in the corresponding volume for that year. No later particulars have been published. No new production for export to the United States is now allowed except handwoven tweed. All exporters who exported handwoven tweed to the United States in the eighteen months ended July this year are receiving an export allocation. No such proposal as that to which my hon. Friend refers has been received, and in any case my right hon. Friend could only entertain a proposal of this kind coming from official sources.

asked the Minister of Health what steps have been, or are being, taken in consultation with the Dominions and Colonies and with the United States of America, to ensure that machinery is available to come into complete operation to cope immediately with any world-wide epidemic at the instant of occurrence?

Arrangements for the exchange of epidemiological information are in operation between this country, the Dominions and Colonies, the United States of America, and Allied and neutral countries. The International Sanitary Conventions governing quarantine and other precautions are still being observed by all these countries, and their working has been adapted to war-time conditions and advances in preventive medicine. As regards the risks of epidemics in liberated countries and in the immediate post-war period, I understand that this is among the matters which will receive closest attention from the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied there are sufficient nurses available at the County Mental Hospital, Gloucestershire?

England and Wales.
Diphtheria.
			Notifications.	Deaths all ages.	Death rate under age of 15 per million population.
1923	…	…	40,009	2,722	243
1942	…	…	41,404	1,826	192

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the fever group of the Society of Medical Officers of Health in its memorandum issued in August last stated that in doubtful cases of diphtheria the London County Council is prepared to issue instructions that diphtheria observation will be accepted

No, Sir, but I am afraid that this is not the only hospital suffering from a shortage of staff. I understand that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service is doing all that is possible to assist in the filling of vacancies.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the case of an insured patient on whom £2,300 has been spent for drugs prescribed by doctors; whether there is any limit to the expense that may be incurred for drugs prescribed by doctors under the National Health Insurance; and how many similar cases have involved exceptional expenditure?

I am aware of the case in question. There is no limit to the expense which may be incurred for drugs which are necessary for the proper treatment of an insured person. I believe the sum involved in this case is quite exceptional, though there have been a number of cases in which drugs to the value of several hundreds of pounds have been supplied for an insured person.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of diphtheria were notified in 1923 and 1942; how many deaths from diphtheria were registered in those two years; and what was the death rate from diphtheria per 1,000,000 living under 15 years of age in those two years?

The information for which my hon. Friend asks is as follows:as an adequate diagnosis for admission of such cases to its hospitals; whether the suggestion that it will be simple to arrange with the Registrar-General for regular revision of notifications based on the final diagnosis has been approved by his Department; whether he is aware that the error in diagnosis in diphtheria in London is about 35 per cent.; and what method will be adopted to ensure fair comparison of the statistics after revision of notifications with the records of former years?

I am looking into the matters to which my hon. Friend refers, and will communicate with him as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of small-pox were notified in 1939, 1940, 1941 and 1942, and whether there were any fatal cases of small-pox registered in those years; and, if so, what were their ages?

The information for which my hon. Friend asks is as follows:

England and Wales.
Smallpox.
			Notifications.	Deaths.
1939	…	…	1	Nil
1940	…	…	1	Nil
1941	…	…	Nil	Nil
1942	…	…	7	Nil

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities in Wales grant financial assistance to tuberculosis patients who are considered hopeless or are suffering from non-pulmonary tuberculosis; and to what extent?

I am obtaining this information, and will send it on to my hon. Friend as quickly as possible.

England and Wales.
	1941.	1942.
Deaths classed to vaccinia	1 (female 9 weeks)	nil
vaccination	2 (male 5 months, female 5 months).	nil
Post-vaccinal encephalitis.	3 (males 19 and 29 years, female 2 years).	12 (Males: 2 months, 6 years, 12 years, 18 years, 19 years, 20 years, 28 years 29 years.
		Females: 4 months, 2 years, 16 years, 29 years.
In addition there was 1 death in 1942 certified as due to post-vaccinal encephalitis but subsequently revealed by post mortem to have been due to tubercular meningitis and classified accordingly.

asked the Minister of Health how many medical appliances known as the "iron lung" are in use in Great Britain; and on how many occasions have they been used in the first nine months of the present year?

I am not in possession of the information for which my hon. Friend asks, and to obtain it would necessitate a widespread inquiry which I should not feel justified in undertaking at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health what percentage of infants born was vaccinated in 1938, 1939, 1940 and 1941, and what percentage was exempted from vaccination.

The information for which my hon. Friend asks is as follows:

England and Wales.
Percentage of infants born who were
		Vaccinated.	Exempted from Vaccination (conscientious objections).
1938	…	34·0	50·9
1939	…	32·1	48·9
1940	…	31·5	45·5
1941	…	35·0	41·7

asked the Minister of Health how many deaths from vaccinia, vaccination, post-vaccinal encephalitis or other complications of vaccination were recorded in the years 1941 and 1942; and what were the ages of the victims?

The information desired by my hon. Friend is as follows:

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the difficulty in obtaining domestic assistance in cases of sickness and accidents, especially in case where members of households are absent on service, he will consider extending the existing arrangements under which local authorities are authorised to provide home helps, in maternity cases, to all case of sickness and accidents?

It is within the discretion of the local Welfare Authorities to make the service to which my hon. and learned Friend refers available to such cases affecting the welfare of mothers and young children as local circumstances may suggest. As my hon. and learned Friend will be aware, the main limitation on the scope of the service is imposed by the number of women who are at the present time available for the wide range of domestic work in public services as a whole. I am at present considering the matter in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that estate agents in London suburbs are now demanding payment of sums of money up to £5 before giving any information to potential clients who may wish to inspect empty houses with a view to tenancy; that this fee is intended to protect the owner against the risk of information being given which may lead to requisitioning by the local authority; and whether he will take steps to stop this practice?

I am not aware of the practice to which my hon. Friend refers, but I shall be glad to see any information on the matter which he may care to send me. I would remind him, however, that the object of the present arrangements is to ensure, whether by action taken by the owner or tenant, or by requisitioning, that all empty houses are occupied.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in Russia 25,000 farm cottages are to be built in the Smolensk area before winter; and is he aware of the methods used to attain such swift construction?

I have seen a statement to this effect in the Press. As regards the second part of the Question, the answer is "No, Sir," but I am making inquiries and will communicate in due course with my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to state the number of local authorities in the county of Durham that have submitted housing schemes to be proceeded with at the end of the war?

Of the 40 local authorities in Durham 39 have already submitted housing programmes to be proceeded with at the end of the war. I am in communication with the remaining authority.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to state the number of local authorities in the county of Durham that have purchased land for housing schemes to be proceeded with at the end of the war?

Thirty-two of the 39 local authorities which have submitted programmes already hold housing sites covering 1,216 acres and propose to purchase a further 370 acres. I have not yet received details from the remaining seven authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will ascertain as soon as possible, through the Protecting Power, the camps in Germany to which prisoners moved from Italy have been sent, in order that these men may be supplied with warm clothing, since they were forced to leave most of their kit behind in Italy?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend on 2nd November. Both the Protecting Power and the International Red Cross Committee are obtaining all relevant information about the prisoners transferred from Italy as soon as possible and the International Red Cross Committee are taking the necessary action to despatch all necessary supplies, including clothing and underclothing.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will expedite the replacement of the 11,000 parcels which were lost on the Portuguese steamer "Padua," so that our prisoners of war may not suffer by their deprivation?

I am happy to say that owing to the reserve of food parcels established by the foresight of the British Red Cross at Geneva our prisoners of war will not suffer in this respect from the regrettable loss of this ship. Steps have already been taken to charter other tonnage for carrying parcels for prisoners of war between Lisbon and Marseilles. This will compensate for the loss of the "Padua."

asked the Minister of Labour why it was necessary to pay £1,036,000 in unemployment benefit and unemployment allowances during the 13 weeks ended 25th September, 1943, having regard to his power to direct persons to employment?

Notwithstanding my powers of direction which are always exercised wherever any advantage would accrue to the war effort, there are week by week a number of workers whose short spell of unemployment between one job and another is covered by payment of unemployment benefit to which they are entitled and have contributed. There is also a residium of persons for whom it is very difficult to find employment adapted to their capacity and they have to be maintained.

asked the Minister of Labour under what authority a cadet of the Merchant Navy who is granted a third month's leave ashore to complete his studies for the second mate's certificate examination receives benefit as an unemployed person, whereas he is, in fact, fully occupied in his studies?

A person attending a course of training or instruction is normally unable to satisfy the third statutory condition for the receipt of unemployment benefit, which requires that he shall be "capable and available for work." Section 24 (2) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1935, however, provides that

"an insured contributor shall not be deemed to have failed to fulfil the third Statutory Condition by reason only that he is attending at an authorised course or at a training course or course of instruction approved by the Minister in his case."

Attendance at courses of training in the case of officers and ratings of the Mercantile Marine who are studying for the Ministry of War Transport certificates are approved under this Section where leave has been granted and the applicants are not in receipt of reserve pool pay.

asked the Minister of Labour why the Ministry of Labour Gazette now contains so little information; and why the October issue of 1943 contained only 12 pages as compared with 46 pages in tire issue of October, 1918?

There has been some reduction in the volume of statistics and other information available for publication but the principal reason is in order to save paper.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider regulating the hours and wages of employees in the N.A.A.F.I. canteens, in view of the fact, as the case recently given to him demonstrates, young girls directed to this employment are expected to work over 80 hours per week for a wage of £1 1s.?

I am making inquiries in the case about which the hon. Member has written to me, and I will also consider whether any action of a general nature on my part is called for.

asked the Home Secretary how many refugees have been admitted to this country as within the three new categories of individuals eligible for special consideration, namely, parents of persons serving in His Majesty's or Allied Forces or the Mercantile Marine, persons of non-Allied nationality acceptable for His Majesty's Forces, and parents of children under 16 years of age who came here unaccompanied, respectively?

Between the beginning of July and the end of October the total number of refugees who arrived here was over 4,000, of whom many came without visas. The number of visas specially authorised under the three categories to which my hon. Friend refers was quite small, namely, 24, 18 and 10 respectively. Without lengthy searching of records I cannot say how many of these persons have actually arrived here. So far as I am aware, no application under these categories has been refused.

asked the Attorney-General when the remaining independent pensions appeal tribunals will be set up?

The tribunals for England and Wales are set up by my Noble Friend the Lord Chancellor; those for Scotland by the Lord President of the Court of Session; and those for Northern Ireland by the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland. The number of tribunals which operate at any one time depends upon the number of appeals which are at that time ready to be heard. Cases are now being made ready for hearing at an ever increasing rate, and in addition to the tribunal already sitting in London, further tribunals will sit in London and in Manchester within the next fortnight. Other tribunals will be sitting at the large provincial centres in England and Wales early in the new year. Arrangements for the tribunal in Scotland have already been completed, and the arrangements for the Northern Ireland tribunal will be completed shortly.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that on 22nd October it was reported to the Abingdon Borough Council that under the new Fire Guard Regulations the compulsory scheme had cost £1,247 and that the estimated cost for the coming year would be £4,060, whilst in addition the appointment of a fire guard officer and staff would account for another £1,000 whereas the former voluntary fire guard system had cost £55; whether he is satisfied that for a town the size of Abingdon these expenses are justifiable; and what is the estimated cost of his scheme for the United Kingdom?

My hon. Friend is misinformed. The cost of Abingdon's fire guard organisation for the year ended September, 1943, was £1,052 and the estimated cost for the current year is £892. Both these figures are exclusive of expenditure on subsistence allowance for fire guards at business premises for which the local authority is the agent of my Department. The fire guard organisation at Abingdon has been agreed upon between the Regional Commissioner and the local authority and I am satisfied that it is no more than adequate. The total cost of the fire guard organisation of local authorities in England and Wales under the revised scheme will, it is estimated, amount to about £1½ millions per annum. This must be regarded as a premium for insurance against the heavy risks of enemy destruction of property of great value in itself and to the war effort.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of changes in the world situation in the last two years, he has any statement to make in regard to the policy laid down in the lend-lease White Paper of 10th September, 1941?

Yes, Sir. In view of the changes in the world situation since September, 1941, including the offer announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to furnish raw materials and foodstuffs to the United States as reciprocal aid, His Majesty's Government consider that the unilateral undertaking contained in this White Paper should be replaced by a new statement. His Majesty's Government and the United States Government are now engaged in negotiations as to the form which a new joint and reciprocal declaration should take.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the reason for limiting supplies of coal to consumers of 13 cwts, for nine weeks at a time, when retailers are having their allocations cut down to 1 cwt. per household per week?

Thirteen cwts, is the maximum quantity permitted to be acquired in November and December by consumers in the north, the corresponding quantity in the south being 10 cwts. These maxima were fixed in agreement with the Merchants' Consultative Committee and the consumers' sub-committee of the National Coal Board, and the allocations to merchants were also agreed with the former committee. For a full statement of the reasons why the maximum permitted quantities are above the average quantity available per consumer I would refer my hon. Friend to the

				Output per shift at the coalface.		Output per shift overall.
				1941/2.	1942/3.	1941/2.	1942/3.
				Tons.	Tons.	Tons.	Tons.
September Quarter	…	…	…	2·95	2·81	1·06	1·02
December Quarter	…	…	…	2·93	2·90	1·06	1·06
January Quarter	…	…	…	2·88	2·88	1·04	1·05
June Quarter	…	…	…	2·85	2·85	1·03	1·04

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many recorded cases there are in the last six months of strippers in the Scottish coalmines leaving their work early without cleaning their places and filling a much larger proportion of dirt than in pre-war days?

The number of strippers reported in the last six months for the reasons stated is 112; 86 warning letters have been issued and 19 cases have been recommended for prosecution. Seven cases are still under consideration.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps are being taken in Scotland to put a stop to the practice of strippers in the coalmines deliberately reducing their stent or face stop to that of the lowest producer?

On receipt of a report in Scotland that strippers are deliberately reducing output a member of the Labour Director's staff interviews the management and the trade union representatives of the men concerned. Thereafter he normally inspects the working place and discusses with the men the reasons for reduced output. Such a procedure has in many cases led to satisfactory results. When the reduction in output is wilful and persistent those responsible are recommended for prosecution under the appropriate section of the Essential Work Order.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the output per man-shift worked at the coal face and over all for each quarter in the year ended 30th June, 1943, with corresponding figures for the year ended 30th June, 1942?

The answer is as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that Purchase Tax is now being levied on anti-distemper serum for dogs; and whether, as no levy is made on serum for farm animals, he will abolish this tax in view of the invaluable work done by dogs in farm work, vermin destruction, and food production?

Anti-distemper serum for dogs is chargeable with Purchase Tax at the rate of 16 ⅔ per cent. of the wholesale value. The veterinary preparations exempted from tax are those used for the control of diseases of livestock of economic importance and I am not prepared to extend the exemption to cover dogs distemper remedies.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether it is the usual practice to demand payment of Death Duties from a husband on a deceased wife's savings without first inquiring whether the money saved was derived from the housekeeping allowance, in which case the savings are the husband's property and not subject to tax;(2) whether those husbands who have paid Death Duty on a deceased wife's savings which were derived from the housekeeping allowance will, on application, have the tax so paid refunded?

As the Attorney-General explained to my hon. Friend in reply to her Question on 3rd November last, the ownership of a deceased wife's savings from the housekeeping allowance depends on the facts of the particular case. The Inland Revenue affidavit leading to probate would not usually refer to such savings and there would therefore be no ground for an inquiry such as my hon. Friend has in mind. If it were proved that duty had been paid in error out of the wife's estate on any property belonging to the husband, the Inland Revenue Department would entertain an application for repayment.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has yet completed his survey of the women employed in Government Departments with a view to ascertaining whether they are appropriately employed in respect of their age group; whether they are usefully employed in respect of their capacity and whether they are fully employed in respect of their numbers; and, if so, with what result?

Responsibility for ensuring that all staff employed by Government Departments are usefully and fully employed rests with the individual Ministers. The appropriateness of employing in Departments women in certain age groups is kept under constant review by my right hon. Friend in consultation with the Minister of Labour; and in the result, many thousands of young women have been released from the Civil Service for the Armed Forces and for war industry. That process is continuing.

asked the Prime Minister whether any special training of the Civil Service in economics is contemplated for post-war requirements?

I have been asked to reply. I can make no statement about the training of the Civil Service until I have the report of the Committee which is considering the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government, in conjunction with the Allied Governments, will be prepared to consider offering a substantial reward for the capture or destruction of Nazi leaders?

I agree with my hon. Friend that no means should be neglected to ensure the capture and punishment of the guilty Nazi leaders and other war criminals. But I hope that the measures that are now being worked out in collaboration with the Allied Governments concerned will make unnecessary the offer of pecuniary or other inducements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the present position with regard to the Franchise Commission in British Guiana; and when indications of progress may be expected?

According to my latest information the chairman of the Commission was hoping to secure the signature of the Report at a very early date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement regarding the progress being made by the Franchise Commission in Trinidad, showing what the recommendations are and what action is likely to take place?

I understand that the Franchise Committee in Trinidad is likely to present its Report very shortly. Until it is presented I am unable to make any statement as to its recommendations or the action likely to be taken on them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now received copies of the Report on future agricultural development in Trinidad, recently presented to the Governor by the Stock-dale Commission; and, if so, whether a copy can be placed in the Library of the House?

The hon. Member no doubt refers to the Report of the Agricultural Policy Committee of Trinidad, of which the agricultural adviser to Sir Frank Stockdale was chairman. Part 1 of the Report has now been published and I have made arrangements for placing a copy in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the forthcoming elections in Kenya the question of direct representation of Africans on the Council will be considered; and is he aware that Kenya Africans have recently revived their demand for direct representation on the Legislature?

The possibility of direct representation of Africans in the legislatures in East Africa, when the practical difficulties can be overcome, has previously received consideration at various times. A memorandum on the subject signed by certain Africans in Kenya was sent to me by post during my recent visit to East Africa. I have asked the Governor to furnish me with his observations upon it and I now await his reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what powers are being taken by the Government of Kenya for the compulsory acquisition of agricultural land outside the native reserves; and whether he will cause such acquisition to be deferred until the inadequacy of land in the native reserves is dealt with satisfactorily?

The Government of Kenya proposes to take powers to reacquire for settlement purposes agricultural land in the highlands which has previously been alienated to private ownership but which has not been fully utilised. The question of land to satisfy the economic requirements of Africans in Kenya was dealt with by the Land Commission of 1934 whose recommendations were accepted by His Majesty's Government. The Kenya Government has now prepared comprehensive plans for soil conservation, provision of water supplies, tsetse fly reclamation and other measures, which will provide new areas for occupation by Africans. I am satisfied that the Government's proposals viewed as a whole take into account the needs of both Africans and non-Africans and I see no reason for asking the Governor to defer action on the re-acquisition of undeveloped land in the highlands which forms one part only of a carefully co-ordinated development programme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent, in addition to direct subsidies, European farmers in Kenya are guaranteed high prices for maize, pyrethrum and other crops; and what are the sums involved?

Under the Increased Production of Crops Ordinance, 1942, in addition to guaranteeing a minimum return per acre for certain crops, the Government may fix guaranteed prices for produce, subject to disposal in accordance with the orders of the Government. Guaranteed prices, which are scaled according to quality, were fixed for crops of maize, wheat and rye planted during the year 1942, but I have no information yet as to any additions for 1943. Particulars of the sums involved are not available. I will, however, ask the Governor of Kenya for the information and will communicate it to the hon. Member in due course. In respect of other crops, e.g., pyrethrum, flax, sisal, coffee, cotton, cottonseed, groundnuts and copra, purchase at fixed prices has been guaranteed by His Majesty's Government. The sums involved depend upon the quantities made available for export. These commodities include several produced largely if not exclusively by Africans.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that many of the workers at a certain Royal Ordnance factory are dissatisfied with new hours of employment which compels them to work part-time or for 12 hours on end, whereas others in the same factory are working on regular eight-hour shifts; and will he take steps to abolish part-time employment except in cases where the workers concerned cannot work full time for domestic or other reasons?

The hours of work to which my hon. Friend refers apply only to part of one shop in the factory. This is a purely temporary arrangement and is at this moment under review.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food who were the experts and interests opposed to pasteurisation of milk who were consulted by the Ministry of Food before the recent White Paper was issued?

When the Government policy for improving the quality of milk was under discussion, many interests asked for an opportunity to place their case before my Department. Those interests were given full opportunity to set out their point of view, either in writing or at a meeting. No organisation specifically claiming to represent anti-pasteurisers asked to have an opportunity of submitting its views but private individuals and trade organisations, such as the National Federation of Producer-Retailers, made representations against pasteurisation on various grounds. These were fully considered.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the basis on which the price of Northern Ireland potatoes is fixed; and why this price is considerably lower, in most instances, than that paid for British potatoes?

The basis for fixing the price of potatoes, whether grown in Northern Ireland or Great Britain, is to add to the pre-war price of each variety and class an amount representing subsequent increases in cost of production per ton of potatoes. The pre-war differences in prices in different areas in the United Kingdom have therefore been maintained.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what is the present loss to the taxpayer per head of cattle and sheep, respectively, killed under control?

The policy of the Government is to pay farmers a fair price for their produce having regard to present costs of production. On the other hand, the prices at which foodstuffs are sold by my Department are restricted by the de- cision to stabilise the cost of living. Consequently a subsidy is paid by my Department in the case of several home-grown agricultural products, including livestock. This subsidy, representing the difference between buying price, together with the costs from the point of purchase at the collecting centre to the time of delivery at the retail shops, and the selling price is estimated to be equivalent for the year 1943–44 to £7 8s. 3d. per head for cattle and to 18s. 6d. for sheep.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can take any action to facilitate a supply of agricultural labour for threshing and other essential farm work on a farm situated within the perimeter of an R.A.F. station, of which particulars have been supplied, where the R.A.F. cannot supply any labour and the Italian prisoners of war, offered by the W.A.E.C., are not permitted by the R.A.F. to work within a quarter of a mile of the perimeter?

While there are difficulties about obtaining labour on this farm on account of its situation, the county war agricultural executive committee have supplied seasonal help on several occasions, and R.A.F. personnel have also been employed. Seven men supplied by the committee are at present working on the farm. In addition, the farmer has applied for two members of the Women's Land Army for regular employment, and it is hoped that these will be available shortly. If the farmer will keep in touch with the committee they will do their best to supply labour when he needs it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will take into account when fixing the ploughing quota for the South Wales area the experience of farmers in failing to harvest a large proportion of their crops on account of the heavy rainfall?

I can assure the hon. Member that factors such as heavy rainfall, which have a naturally limiting effect on successful corn growing, are taken into account in assessing quotas of priority cereal crops which farmers are required to produce. In districts of heavy rainfall my demands for ploughing are directed primarily to increasing livestock and winter milk production and to making livestock self-supporting. Although some oats must be grown, farmers in such districts are urged to devote more of their tillage to forage crops and leys and to extend direct re-seeding.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the acreage of land involved in the dispossession of tenants of farmland in a certain district due to taking it over for the American Army?

It would not, I think, be in the public interest to publish these figures.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will, when deciding post-war agricultural policy with the various interests concerned, keep in mind the claims of those men now in the Forces who wish to adopt agriculture or horticulture as a means of livelihood when they return to civil life?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Agriculture which counties have taken advantage of the temporary suspension of Section 5 of the Prevention of Damage by Rabbits Act, 1939, which enables steel spring traps to be set in the open?

According to my present information, out of 61 county war agricultural executive committees in England and Wales, 36 have issued authorities for open trapping. I will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend when my inquiries are complete.

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether it is the intention of the Government to present a White Paper on their decision relating to the Beveridge Report; and when such White Paper will be issued?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave to Questions by my hon. Friends the Members for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) and East Birkenhead (Mr. Graham White) on 2rst September. I am not yet in a position to give a date for the issue of the proposed White Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether men of the R.A.F. on discharge or release are allowed to purchase their civilian clothes from whatever tradesman they please or whether they are directed to go to selected shops?

Airmen who, on discharge or release, are entitled to receive civilian clothing, have the choice of being issued with a civilian suit and cap, or of drawing a cash allowance. Issues in kind are made from Service stocks provided the airman is of stock size and sufficient time is available. In the comparatively few cases where this cannot be none the airman is provided with a suit and cap at public expense from a local outfitter. If the cash allowance is drawn the airman is at liberty to spend it where he chooses.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare Whether the Belgian and Greek Governments at present domiciled in this country concur in the policy now being followed by His Majesty's Government in regard to shipments of food into Belgium and Greece?

The Greek Government are in constant communication with His Majesty's Government regarding the operation of the relief scheme. I should not feel justified, however, in revealing the nature of such communications which are, of course, confidential. The general attitude of the Belgian Government was set out in a speech made by M. Pierlot on 19th March, and published in the Press.