asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether any positive scheme for the reorganisation of coal transport by rail has been put into operation during the war?

The rail transport of coal has been reorganised in several ways during the war. On the one hand, full train and block load working of coal traffic from collieries has been developed to a considerable extent and will be still further developed, while as regards the directional flow of coal, constant attention is paid, when formulating supply programmes, to the avoidance of unnecessary long or cross-hauls.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether his attention has been drawn to cases of hardship caused to people of small means by the requirement that road transport should not be used for furniture removals in excess of a distance of 60 miles, when rail transport is readily available; and what steps he is taking to remedy this grievance?

Yes, Sir. The question of charges for furniture removals is being examined in conjunction with the Central Price Regulation Committee. In the meantime, regional transport commissioners will permit the use of road transport for furniture removals over 60 miles, where they are satisfied that the removal is a necessary one, that the difference between the charges by road and rail respectively is substantial, and that, having regard to the means of the applicant, the extra difference in charge would involve hardship. Arrangements can be made for removal by rail through any removal contractor having the necessary facilities.

asked the Minister of Production what material licences have been given to the firm of British Celanese to proceed with the construction of plant for the manufacture of synthetic rubber; whether this firm has produced specimens of synthetic rubber which justify large scale production; and whether any exchange of information has taken place between this firm and the United States of America and the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics, where large scale production of synthetic rubber is already being carried on, with a view to incorporating the best methods as ascertained in practice?

The firm has been given licences for such quantities of steel, iron and timber as are necessary for such work as can be undertaken at once. The firm, which has had considerable experience of chemical manufacture, is financing the project itself, and is also entirely responsible for the technical side of the work. The Synthetic Rubber Committee and my scientific advisers had not the information regarding the project that would have been necessary to enable them to advise me on its technical aspects and I do not know to what extent the firm has supplemented its technical knowledge with information obtained from other countries.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that under a Government scheme of workmen's compensation framed in 1913 in substitution for the provisions of the Workmen's Compensation Acts, cost of living bonuses are being appropriated in relief of compensation for injury; that cost of living bonuses are not an increase in actual earnings and that any injured workman who under these conditions has the amount of compensation awarded to him reduced is suffering a loss not contemplated by the framers of the Government scheme and contrary to the spirit of the Workmen's Compensation Acts; and whether he will take action to remedy this injustice?

I wrote to my hon. Friend on 24th November explaining fully the position in regard to these old cases. In view of the decisions of Parliament in regard to the retrospective application of recent amending Workmen's Compensation legislation, I am afraid that there is no action I can take in the matter.