asked the Minister of Labour whether all the members of the welfare staff of his Department have undergone training in welfare work and under what circumstances?

The members of the welfare staff had not all had specific training in welfare work before their entry to my Department, but all were specially chosen by impartial selection panels who regarded them as qualified by previous experience and personality to perform satisfactorily the duties appropriate to welfare officers in my Department.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works how many hotels have been taken over by the Government in London; what was the bedroom accommodation of such hotels; and for what they are being used?

I am informed that the number of hotels taken over by Government Departments in London is 51, containing in all about 5,700 bedrooms. These hotels are used as hostels by the American Red Cross, the Defence Services, Canadian Auxiliary Services and British Seamen, as Service accommodation, and to house Gibraltar evacuees. Three of the hotels are used as offices for Service and other Departments. Forty hotels were vacant when taken over.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he will now consider requisitioning large empty houses for Government purposes and release blocks of flats for ordinary housing requirements?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him on the subject on the 20th January last. The possibility of utilising large houses is continually borne in mind. As regards London in particular, apart from other considerations, the present shortage of building labour does not admit of extensive works of adaptation or repair, which would be necessary for a more general use of large houses.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department how many people are employed in this country in his Department?

The number of staff at present employed in this country in my Department is 116. The number lately authorised is 130. The pre-war complement was 423.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the difficulties of many rural district councils, as in the Vale of Pewsey, Wiltshire, because of the shortage of experienced thatchers to do essential repairs to council and other houses; and whether he will take steps to retain sufficient of these skilled workers in each district?

I have no reason to suppose that present arrangements regarding deferment of calling up of roof-thatchers have reduced the number of skilled workers in rural areas. As regards the Vale of Pewsey, I understand that skilled thatching work is concentrated in the members of three families, none of whom has been withdrawn either for military service or for transfer elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the advisability of allowing sergeant-majors and troop quarter-master sergeants in Home Guard H.A.A. batteries to wear the badges of their rank in order that they can be distinguished from the other sergeants?

There is no sergeant-major or troop quarter-master sergeant in a Home Guard H.A.A. troop. There is a colour sergeant and a sergeant and they wear the appropriate badges. Where there are two or more troops, a battery headquarters is formed and this has on its establishment a company sergeant-major and a company quarter-master sergeant. They also wear the appropriate badges.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his Department is able to release a guest house of the Holiday Fellowship in North Wales in view of the little use made by the authorities and the neglected condition into which it is falling?

The house to which it is believed my hon. Friend refers was requisitioned on 3rd June, 1940, and from that date until August of this year was in constant use. Since October it has again been occupied and is likely to remain occupied for some months. The possibility of derequisitioning it when it is no longer required for its present purpose will be examined when the time comes. I am informed that the house is in a satisfactory state of repair. It has not been painted outside but I regret that this can not be done here or in many other requisitioned properties until labour and materials are available.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many officers, experienced in Middle East warfare, were sent to India to give lectures of instructions; how far the response to their efforts was satisfactory; whether these officers are still in India; and whether, when their services are no longer required in India, they will be sent back to their regiments?

There is no general scheme whereby officers go to India from the Middle East specifically to give lectures. Officers are transferred to India from time to time to meet the needs of the Army there, and their experience in battle is available and of value to the troops. The answer to the last part of the Question depends in each case on the individual particulars of the officer concerned and on Service requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the recent strike of dockers at the Royal Albeit Docks, London, soldiers stationed at Leyton were brought in daily to act as dockers in the unloading of ships; whether these service units consisted of volunteers for this work; whether volunteers were called for; and to what extent soldiers recruited and enlisted under the Compulsory Service Acts have been compelled to perform civil strike-breaking duties?

Troops are not employed for the purpose of breaking strikes. They have occasionally during the war been employed in place of civilian workers solely for purposes essential to the conduct of military operations or for performing services vital to the life of the community. The military units sent to the Royal Albert Docks on the occasion referred to in the Question were performing such duties. The answer to the second and third parts of the Question is "No, Sir."

asked the Secretary of State for War whether adequate arrangements were made by the military authorities for the feeding of the soldiers called on to work as dockers in the recent Royal Albert Dock strike; whether he is aware that on Sunday, 31st October, an inadequate mid-day meal of small sandwiches was provided and that on the following morning the soldiers ordered to undertake these duties had to march to the docks from their headquarters without any breakfast; and whether he will take steps to prevent a recurrence of such incidents?

From a report on the arrangements for feeding and transporting these soldiers it appears that my hon. Friend is misinformed. The arrangements made were adequate and on the whole worked satisfactorily. On one day one of the carts bringing rations to these men lost its way and some of the men had to wait until 2 o'clock for their mid-day meal. On 31st October and 1st November the troops had their breakfast as usual and were then taken to the docks by lorry. They took with them a haversack ration of large spam sandwiches, bread and cheese, doughnuts and cakes and they were given hot tea and cocoa at the docks. They had a hot dinner when they returned in the evening.

asked the Secretary of State for War on how many occasions in this war soldiers have been used to perform civil work during strikes, whether authorised or unauthorised; what is the procedure when soldiers refuse to perform these duties; whether military penal records are available of any punishments imposed on soldiers for declining to do this type of work; and whether in every case soldiers have been tried in military courts and allowed opportunities for adequate defence?

I understand that the answer to the first part of the Question is 13. Soldiers who disobey lawful commands are dealt with in accordance with the normal procedure under military law; no special records are kept of punishments awarded for such offences distinguishing between the different kinds of occasion of disobedience. Offences against the Army Act are dealt with in accordance with the provisions of that Act and the rules of procedure made there-under. I am not aware of any case where the accused was not given adequate opportunities for his defence.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the proportion of officer posts in relation to lower military posts among the R.A.P.C. in home pay offices; what is the proportion of civilian officer posts to lower civilian posts in the same establishments; and whether active steps are being taken to provide better prospects for civilian personnel?

The proportion of "officer" posts to other posts in Pay Offices at home is 1 to 12.8. The proportion of military officers to other ranks (including A.T.S.) in Pay Offices is 1 to 10.36. The proportion of civilian officers to lower civilian posts is 1 to 269; the civilian officers are all established Civil Servants and their proportion to established men in lower posts is 1 to 11.5. I would like to emphasise that whereas the R.A.P.C. officers have been selected for officer duties and with a view to service wherever they may be required, the majority of civilians appointed for temporary service during the war have been engaged to carry out the ordinary routine work. Nevertheless the question of providing better prospects for civilian personnel is under active consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that work similar to that done by the R.A.P.C. for the Army is, in the case of the R.A.F., performed by civilians; and whether he will investigate the possibility of using civilians for this work in the case of the War Department, thus saving money and releasing military personnel for more active duty?

I understand that the payment of allowances to families and dependants of R.A.F. personnel is centralized in an office staffed by civilians, but the pay, accounts are maintained by a mixed staff of R.A.F., W.A.A.F. and some civilians. A considerable number of civilians are already employed in Army Pay Offices and I have no objection to their employment in greater numbers. The possibility of replacing soldiers and A.T.S. by civilians is in fact being investigated at the moment but I must point out that the extent to which this may be possible is determined by the general man-power situation, especially the demands for manpower of other forms of national service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what date was the decision taken in London for the reformation and recruitment of the West Indian regiments; when the communication was made to the Governors of the West Indian Colonies; how many battalions it is proposed to enlist this year; and whether each Colony will be asked to raise a battalion having regard to the present labour shortage for agricultural work in many islands?

I have been asked to reply. Two major changes affecting the local forces of the West Indian Colonies have been made. In October, 1942, the responsibility for these forces was transferred, as a war measure, from the Colonial Office to the War Office. With the consent of the Colonial Governments concerned, all the local forces of Jamaica, Bahamas, British Honduras, Leeward Islands, Windward Islands, Trinidad, Barbados and British Guiana have been grouped into the North Caribbean Force and the South Caribbean Force with effect from 1st July of this year in the case of the former and 1st April in the case of the latter. I regret that it would not be in the public interest to say how many battalions will be raised and in which areas they will be raised. The Governors concerned were fully consulted throughout on these measures which are necessary in view of the military importance of the West Indian Colonies to the United Nations. I am advised that the raising of these Forces will not materially affect the labour available for agriculture in those Colonies where there is a shortage of agricultural labour.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what steps have been taken to remove Penarth toll-gate and make it a free highway; is he aware that it is a great public inconvenience and unnecessary waste of petrol; and why this toll-gate is necessary in Glamorgan?

The responsibility for freeing the Penarth Road from tolls rests with the competent highway authorities, with whom my Noble Friend is prepared to consider any proposals they may wish to submit.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government will concert with the Government of China in providing the maximum of post-war economic assistance desired by the Chungking authorities?

I have been asked to reply. His Majesty's Government fully recognise the importance in world economy of a prosperous China. In any arrangement which it may be possible to make for providing post-war economic assistance to countries in need of it the requirements of China will not be overlooked.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet come to any decision about permitting Albion Works at Bilston to have a sun-ray lamp?

As my hon. Friend is now aware, assurances have recently been given by the firm that the treatment by means of ultra-violet rays at these works will be under adequate supervision. In these circumstances, my Department has recommended the Board of Trade to issue a licence to purchase the necessary apparatus and I understand that it has now been issued.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether, in any plans for London, he will secure that space be provided for a planetarium?

It will be for the planning authority in the first instance to consider whether they will allocate land for this purpose. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will bring his suggestion to their notice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will reconsider the refusal of his Department to extend the benefit of the National Milk Scheme to those expectant mothers living in so-called catering establishments which take in officially billeted persons whereas the same mothers if living at home would benefit under the scheme; what are the reasons for this refusal; and whether billetors are expected to provide at least the needed minimum daily pint of milk out of their weekly remuneration of 21s.?

The position of expectant mothers residing in premises licensed as catering establishments has recently been re-examined and it is hoped shortly to introduce arrangements to enable eligible beneficiaries living in such establishments to obtain the financial benefits of the National Milk Scheme.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the distribution of imported turkeys from Eire is to be restricted to 11 large towns; and whether he will arrange a more equitable system whereby provincial towns can share in the allocation of these turkeys?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made to-day in reference to the Questions from the hon. Members for West Edinburgh (Lieut.-Commander Hutchison), and Reigate (Mr. Touche).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that there has been deterioration of potato crops in the North of England owing to the laxity of his Department in collecting potatoes sold under contract; and whether he is prepared to pay the price contracted for for such crops?

Investigations are proceeding into cases where it is alleged that my Department has not implemented the terms of potato purchase contracts and that deterioration has resulted, with a view to settlements being made with the growers on the basis of the value of the potatoes at the time of inspection for purchase.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what is the wartime legislation under which very large prices are charged to manufacturers using raw materials of which the State has a monopoly so that the profits derived from the sales can be devoted to subsidising other products; and whether the consequent high prices to the consumer are taken into consideration in arrangements of this nature?

My Noble Friend does not derive from wartime or any other legislation the power to sell the commodities which he has bought. I know of no case in which my Department are charging "very large prices" to manufacturers or other buyers. In this connection I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given by my predecessor on 29th July, 1941, to the hon. Member for Moss Side (Mr. R. Duckworth), If, however, my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind and will send me particulars I will make inquiries and communicate with him.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the present annual gross return of the Land Tax first levied in 1798?

The net receipt of the Land Tax is approximately £500,000 a year, the actual figure for the year ended 31st March, 1943, being £528,704. If, however, my hon. Friend is referring to the "unredeemed quota," i.e. the gross quota, fixed in 1798, less the amount redeemed and exonerated since that date, but before deducting the exemptions, abatements and remissions, the present annual figure is about £800,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of Income Tax and Sur-Tax payable for the financial years 1937–38, 1938–39, 1939–40, 1940–41, 1941–42 and 1942–43?

The total Income Tax payable in respect of assessments made in the years 1937–38 to 1942–43 inclusive is- estimated as follows:

			£000's
1937–38	…	…	296,041
1938–39	…	…	330,831
1939–40	…	…	403,040
1940–41	…	…	603,000
1941–42	…	…	960,000
1942–43	…	…	1,125,000

The total Sur-tax payable in respect of assessments so far made for the years 1937–38 to 1942–43 is estimated as follows:

			£000's
1937–38	…	…	66,023
1938–39	…	…	72,175
1939–40	…	…	78,920
1940–41	…	…	76,111
1941–42	…	…	73,715
1942–43	…	…	not yet known

Further Sur-Tax assessment may be made up to six years after the end of the year of assessment, so that the figures given above are not yet complete.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider allowing old age pensioners to use spare clothing coupons for the purchase of tobacco at reduced rates, since numbers of these are unable to pay the tobacco tax?

I regret that I cannot see my way to adopt this suggestion. Requests for special facilities for the supply of cheap tobacco to old age pensioners were considered by my predecessor, who found the practical difficulties too great, and I am unable to reverse this conclusion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that no decision upon the question of the amount of compensation to be paid by the War Damage Commission in respect of memorials in burial yards destroyed or damaged by enemy action is to be given under the present arrangements until the end of the war; that in the absence of any such decision persons who are interested in restoring such memorials are in doubt as to their future position; whether he will arrange for a decision upon this subject to be announced at an early date and, if necessary, for facilities for insurance for such memorials to be made available to those who desire to restore them?

It has not been practicable to arrange for the separate insurance on a voluntary basis of memorials in burial yards. The Treasury has, however, given a direction enabling the War Damage Commission to pay for the general restoration of memorials damaged by enemy action the parts or materials of which are available on the site and which do not require extensive repair; and in the case of destroyed memorials, to pay for a plain substitute where this is deemed suitable. As in prevailing circumstances it would be undesirable to employ materials, labour and transport for the purpose of putting up substitute memorials at the present time, it was considered better not to make any public announcement on the subject.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that communications sent to the War Damage Commission notifying damage to property by aerial attack in two boroughs, of which he has been informed, are sometimes not even acknowledged; that in the second borough some houses, with glass windows smashed, are left unihabitable and without repair or refitment of the windows by the L.A. agents for the War Damage Commission; and whether steps can be taken in that area to accelerate necessary repairs so that the houses can be made fit for reoccupation?

In reply to the first part of the Question, it is the normal practice of the Commission to issue claim forms immediately on receipt of notifications of war damage. There is no general exception to this practice in the two boroughs of which he has informed me. In reply to the second and third parts, the War Damage Commission is not responsible for having repairs done but for payment of their proper cost when done. I have passed the information sent to me by my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, who is looking into the matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the anti-Semitic propaganda carried on by the Medical Policy Association, London; and whether, in view of their effect on the war effort of this country, he has considered the desirability of a prosecution?

I have seen the first bulletin issued by this association which I assume my hon. Friend has in mind. This document appears to introduce, quite gratuitously, certain arguments which may be regarded as having an anti-Semitic bias, but it affords no ground for prosecution or for any other action on my part.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that Dr. Basil Steele, of Regents Park, employed by the Post Office on medical duties, is the secretary of an anti-Semitic organisation known as the Medical Policy Association; that his father, Dr. Russell V. Steele, practising at the same address, is a local Post Office medical officer, whose duties involve attendance on a capitation agreement to postal employees in his district; and whether, in view of the anti-Semitic views of these two doctors, he will consider allowing Jewish Post Office employees to make alternative medical arrangements?

Dr. Basil Steele is not employed by the Post Office, but assists his brother, Dr. Russell V. Steele, a general practitioner who has been a local Post Office medical officer for nearly 20 years. I have no reason to think that Dr. Russell V. Steele allows whatever political views he may hold to interfere with the proper discharge of his professional duties, and I am not prepared to limit his Post Office duties in the manner suggested by the hon. Member. As regards my hon. Friend's description of the Medical Policy Association, of which Dr. Basil Steele is stated to be the Secretary, I would refer him to the reply given today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the declared policy of His Majesty's Government that no discrimination should be made on the ground of colour in the British Empire, he will give instructions to Governors of Colonies that officials of the Government ought not to join clubs which impose colour bar?

I am in full sympathy with the motives prompting the hon. Member's Question. As stated in this House on l9th November, 1941, it is the present policy of His Majesty's Government to do all in their power to secure equal treatment, irrespective of colour, for all British subjects of the Colonial Empire. I am, however, quite clear that it would not be proper for me to intervene in the manner suggested. Clubs are not normally subject to governmental control in the matter of their membership regulations, and the singling out of Government officials in the way suggested would almost certainly be regarded as an unjustifiable intrusion by an employer on the private affairs of his employees, and would not necessarily influence any clubs concerned to change their practice.

(1) asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he can give any information about the effect on tenants of premises in a certain district of the land being taken for the use of the American Army;

I have been asked to reply. The use of the area referred to will involve the evacuation of all occupiers of premises within the area and the cessation of all farming for a period. The land, houses and other premises in the district are being taken over for combined operations training with the firing of live ammunition with weapons of all types. The Government Departments concerned are aware of the sacrifices which these proposals will impose on the civil population and the decision has only been taken after the most careful consideration. Such a serious disturbance in the lives of so many people must inevitably arouse discontent but every effort will be made to reduce the inconveniences and sacrifices involved.

asked the Home Secretary what classes of persons have been given power under Regulation 88c to arrest without warrant any person whom they have reasonable ground for suspecting to have committed any of the offences specified; to what extent this power of arrest has been used; and whether he is satisfied that at the present time this exceptional power is necessary?

This Regulation empowers any constable, any member of H.M. Forces for the purpose of carrying out his duty as such, and any person authorised by the Secretary of State to arrest without warrant any person whom he has reasonable ground for suspecting to have committed any of the offences specified in the Second Schedule to the regulations. So far as I am aware, no persons have been specially authorised to act under this Regulation. The police are well aware that the powers thus conferred on them are to be used only when really necessary for war purposes, and the circumstances in which they may be exercised by members of the Armed Forces have been carefully defined by official instructions. The answer to the last part of the Question is in the affirmative.

asked the Home Secretary why National Service officers have been given power of arrest without warrant under Regulation 88c; whether they are sworn in as special constables; what other exceptional powers have been granted to them under any Defence Regulation; to what extent these powers have been used; and whether he is satisfied that at the present time such exceptional power is necessary?

No powers under Regulation 88c have been conferred on National Service officers, nor are they sworn in as special constables. Under Regulation 84AA a National Service officer, when acting in accordance with the regulation as an operational area defence officer, is empowered to arrest without warrant any person whom he has reasonable ground for suspecting to have committed an offence against that regulation. The Regulation has not yet been brought into operation, but I am satisfied that the exceptional power above described should continue to be held in reserve.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the percentage of absenteeism of the coal-face workers and overall for the year ended 30th June, 1943, with corresponding figures for the year ended 30th June, 1942?

The percentages of absenteeism in the year ended 30th June, 1943, were 14.3 per cent. at the coal face, and 11.4 per cent. for all workers employed., Comparable figures for the previous year are not available in my Ministry, but statistics supplied by courtesy of the Mining Association record the absenteeism as 12.1 per cent. at the coal face and 9.8 per cent. overall.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will reconsider the present allocation of coal to housewives in charge of working-class houses as with no alternative fuel it is impossible to fulfil their requirements in respect of cooking, washing and baths upon 16lbs. of coal per day?

As I endeavoured to explain to my hon. Friend in reply to his Question on 9th November, there is no specific allocation or ration of coal for each household. In order that my hon. Friend may better appreciate the system of control in force, I append a more detailed description of it. I can, however, hold out no hope of a more liberal supply of coal to the domestic market. Indeed, in face of the fall in output per man and losses due to strikes, coupled with an increase in requirements particularly for operational purposes, it may prove impossible to maintain supplies at the current level. Should further cuts become necessary I should, of course, do my best to ensure that they were borne equitably by all classes of the community; but the position is so serious that all may be called upon to make some sacrifice.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power upon what basis is coal allocated to Government and local government offices and respective Departments throughout the country?

With the assistance of the Ministry of Works, supplies for Government Offices are programmed in the same way as supplies to industry on the basis of minimum requirements and a high proportion of coke, anthracite or other alternative fuels in place of coal. Local government offices, like private houses and the other premises mentioned in my reply to my hon. Friend's Question on 9th November, are controlled premises within the meaning of the Coal Distribution Order, 1943. These offices are being further controlled by being brought within the general system of supply programmes.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of shifts worked per wage earner per week in the year ended 30th June, 1943, with corresponding figures for the year ended 30th June, 1942?

The average number of shifts worked per wage-earner per week in the coalmining industry was 5.24 in the year ended 30th June, 1943, compared with 5.38 in the year ended 30th June, 1942.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps are being taken to increase the number of veterinary practitioners for the inspection and supervision of dairy herds; and whether he will provide greatly-increased scholarship facilities at the veterinary colleges and universities?

The Secretary of State for Scotland and I have asked the Committee on Veterinary Education, whose first report was published in 1938, to review the recommendations they then made in view of the need now clearly shown for an increased number of veterinary surgeons and for the provision of the best possible training for the profession; and we hope shortly to receive a report from that Committee. I shall be in a better position to make a statement on the matters raised in my hon. Friend's Question when I have had an opportunity of considering the Committee's recommendations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will take further steps this winter to encourage county war agricultural committees to hold instructional classes in thatching in districts, such as the Pewsey Vale, Wiltshire, where the rural district council reports a shortage of skilled thatchers for essential repairs to farm workers' cottages and farm buildings?

I have already drawn the attention of county war agricultural executive committees to the importance of taking steps to increase the number of skilled thatchers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what alterations have been made since 9th October, 1941, in the procedure of war agricultural executive committees in cases where they propose to terminate a farmer's tenancy, with special reference to the documents supplied to him and identifying the Statutory Rules and Orders or departmental instructions making such alterations?

The only alteration in procedure since I made a statement to the House on the date mentioned is that war agricultural executive committees have been instructed to supply to any farmer whom they propose to dispossess from his holding a written statement of the grounds for the proposed action. These are departmental instructions and no statutory rule or order is involved.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why the W.L.A. refuse to accept new entrants who have had previous experience of work on the land?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my reply given on 4th February last to my hon. Friends the Members for Louth (Lieut.-Colonel Heneage) and East Islington (Mrs. Cazalet Keir), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total administrative cost to the country of the W.L.A., including under separate headings, headquarters, county headquarters and other organisations charged with the welfare side of the W.L.A.?

The administrative cost of the Women's Land Army in England and Wales borne on my Department's Votes from the date of its inception in 1939 until 30th September, 1943, is £346,500 made up as follows:

	£
Headquarters staff	38,500
County Headquarters	300,000
Y.W.C.A. (Administration of hostels)	8,000
	£346,500

In addition to the above the cost of stationery (£15,500) has been borne on the Vote of H.M.S.O., and the cost of rent, rates and taxes, etc., in respect of the county headquarters (£31,600) has been borne on the Vote of the Ministry of Works.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he hopes to be in a position to announce a post-war policy for agriculture?

I regret that I can give no indication at the present time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in accordance with the pledge given in 1940, he will give figures to prove that the increased prices chargeable for agricultural produce bear a close relationship to the unavoidable increase in the cost of production since that time?

Full account has been taken, on each occasion since 1940 when prices of agricultural produce have been reviewed, of changes in costs of production, and I am quite satisfied that prices have been maintained at a general level sufficient to provide farmers with a reasonable return for their work and enterprise, after meeting costs of production.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will give the recruitment figures or the proportionate numbers for the R.A.F. from Eire and Northern Ireland, respectively, since the beginning of the present European war?

I regret that the required information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that prices such as 3s. 6d. for a tin of fruit and 2s. 6d. for a tin of milk are charged in canteens to members of the R.A.F. with the Middle East Forces; whether he is satisfied that such prices are justified; and whether he will take action to have them reduced?

I am advised that the prices charged in N.A.A.F.I. canteens in the Middle East for the commodities mentioned are substantially less than those quoted. I have no details of the prices charged at canteens operated by other organisations or, in advanced areas, operated by units, but if the hon. Member has any particular case in mind and will let me have details I will make further inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) the number of agricultural and sporting estates in the Highlands of Scotland which have changed hands since the outbreak of war;(2) the number of agricultural and sporting estates in the Highlands of Scotland that have changed hands more than once since the outbreak of war;(3) how many agricultural and sporting estates in the Highlands of Scotland have been bought since the outbreak of war by the same purchaser?

According to information obtained from the Register of Sasines the number of agricultural and sporting estates in the Highlands which have been sold since the outbreak of war is 74. Six of these estates, either in whole or in part, have susbsequently been re-sold on at least one occasion. Two purchasers have acquired four and three estates respectively.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the considerable numbers of public telephones situate at the London railway termini which are not in working order; and whether, in view of the great inconvenience caused, he will arrange for more adequate inspection and for the carrying out of necessary repairs?

It is unfortunately difficult at times to arrange for the speedy restoration of service at telephone call boxes at the London railway termini. This is due in the main to the frequency with which the equipment is subjected to willful damage coupled with the depletion owing to war needs of the skilled repair staff. I appreciate the inconvenience which is occasioned by delay in this regard and the matter will continue to receive special attention. At the railway termini in London it is already the practice to inspect call offices about three times a week.

asked the Postmaster-General when the new second half of the Post Office telephone book for London is to be issued to subscribers?

Distribution began on 1st November and should be completed by the 23rd.