asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that 15 girls in the A.T.S., acting as postal workers, billeted at 53, Henry Road, Nottingham, until recently had no recreation room and have only three chairs in that now provided; that there is no hot water available; that they may not be supplied with hot water for hot water bottles; that the rooms are not heated; that most have contracted influenza but the military hospital being full the girls have had to wrap themselves in blankets to keep warm; that the bedding and clothes are continually damp; and whether he will make immediate inquiries into these complaints?

From preliminary inquiries which have been made into this case it appears that this is one of a number of requisitioned houses used for accommodating auxiliaries in Nottingham. It has its own recreation room, but owing to the shortage of the necessary stores it has only recently been possible to furnish it fully. There has been a breakdown in the hot water system and new boilers are being fitted. Meanwhile arrangements have been made for auxiliaries to attend the public baths and the fire in the recreation room is available for heating water for hot water bottles. The medical officer who regularly inspects the quarters has never reported any dampness and it has not been considered that fires in the bedrooms are necessary. In November one out of seven of the auxiliaries in this company reported sick with influenza and colds. This figure compares favourably with those of the other three A.T.S. companies working under similar conditions. All auxiliaries receive immediate medical attention, and an extra sick bay to accommodate the overflow from the military hospital was opened. The epidemic has now subsided and there is no further need for extra accommodation.

asked the Secretary of State for War, in view of the fact that the R.N. and R.A.F. are already wearing the ribbon of the 1939–43 star, when the corresponding permission will be issued to the Army to do the same?

The final and complete instructions about the issue of this star must await the decisions which will be taken as a result of the forthcoming Debate on these matters. As this Debate cannot be held until after the Recess, interim instructions covering the issue of the Star ribbon in cases which are not in doubt will shortly be issued.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider making arrangements for an interchange of Russian and British officers, staff and regimental, during the remaining period of the war, so that each might give to and receive from the other knowledge of each others methods and professional activities?

The necessary machinery and facilities for a full and free exchange of information on military subjects is in existence through the Soviet Military Mission in this country and the British Military Mission in the Soviet Union. Such steps as are possible are being taken to arrange visits by Soviet officers to British theatres of operations and vice versa in order to improve the knowledge of each other's methods. Soviet officers have recently visited the Front in Italy, and it is hoped that our Mission in Moscow will be given similar facilities in due course.

asked the Minister of Food whether he has considered a telegram from the President of the National Union of Small Shopkeepers; and what steps he is taking to comply with the request that instructions be given food distributors to grant substitute rations to all grocers who have had butter and lard confiscated by health inspectors for food analysis since rationing became necessary?

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir." With regard to the second part of the Question, a retailer may obtain from the food office such authorisation to obtain butter and lard as he may need for the legitimate conduct of his business. I understand that a formal receipt by way of coupons or otherwise is now given by health inspectors when they take rationed foods in the course of their duties.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that invalids and aged persons applying for extra milk are required to submit a medical certificate each month for which doctors charge 1s. each; and will he consider extending the period to three months or making other arrangements to lessen the hardship?

The length of time for which medical certificates are valid for priority milk varies according to the medical condition of the patient. The periods vary from one week in the case of active workers temporarily incapacitated for work to an indefinite period in the case of diabetics and are in accordance with the recommendations of the Food Rationing (Special Diets) Advisory Committee of the Medical Research Council and my right hon. Friend would not feel justified in extending them. The charge made by doctors is a matter for settlement between doctor and patient. I understand that in cases of hardship many doctors forgo fees.

asked the Minister of Food whether there is any allocation of suet to butchers; how are their supplies arranged; and do they get sufficient to enable each registered customer to have an occasional supply?

There is no specific allocation of raw suet to butchers, but a certain amount is available in the form of the kidney knob attached to carcases of home-killed meat. Only in areas which are supplied mainly with home-killed meat is it possible for registered customers for meat to have a small supply of raw suet at infrequent intervals.

asked the Minister of Food what is the prescribed composition of balancer meal for domestic poultry; whether he is aware that the quality varies from district to district and has deteriorated; and whether he will take steps to standarise and improve it?

To meet variations in the supply position from time to time and as between one district and another, the formula to which National Poultry Balancer Meal must be produced prescribes maximum and minimum quantities of various ingredients. To ensure a satisfactory standard of quality for the purpose for which the meal is produced the finished product may not, however, contain more than 9 per cent. of fibre or less than 20 per cent. of albuminoids. I am not aware that the quality of the product varies considerably or that the meal has deteriorated and my right hon. Friend is satisfied that within the limits imposed by a variable supply position it is reasonably standard and is suitable for the purpose for which it is produced.

asked the Minister of Labour why the Report of the National Conference of Women, called by His Majesty's Government on 28th September, contains replies to so small a percentage of the questions asked; and who decided which of the questions asked should be answered?

Room has been found in the report for as many answers as possible in view of necessary limitations on the amount of paper. They were selected by the Departments responsible on the principle that the answers in the report should cover the topics on which the most numerous questions had been asked. In the case of my Department the answers cover points raised in some 300 questions. Questions not answered in the report have been dealt with by individual answer to the questioner where identifying particulars were given.

asked the Minister of Labour why it took more than two months to produce the Report of the speeches and of the questions and answers at the National Conference of Women on 28th September, having regard to the fact that the report of a day's Sitting in the House of Commons is available in war-time within 15 hours?

A report of the speeches was issued to the Press on the evening of the Conference. The printed report involved a good deal of additional work, including the sorting of the large number of questions which had been handed in and the preparation of adequate answers. I did not feel justified in giving the degree of priority to this work or to the actual printing, which would have been necessary for earlier publication.

asked the Minister of Labour how many young persons between the ages of 14 and 16 are employed for more than 44 hours per week in occupations covered by the Factories Acts?

I regret that statistics are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Mr. T. Sharp, of 22, Harpfield Road, Trent Vale, Stoke-on-Trent, has completed 53 years' service, starting at eight years of age on half time; that he was head roller for 43 years at the Skelton Steel Works, during which time he was never absent or late; that he was dismissed through a difference of opinion; and, in view of the man's record, will he see that he is reinstated or given suitable employment as soon as possible?

As explained in my letter of 25th September to my hon. Friend, Mr. Sharp was dismissed from his employment at the Shelton Iron, Steel and Coal Co., Ltd., because of a dispute with the manager about the staffing of the rolling mill. Mr. Sharp exercised his right of appeal, but the local appeal board recommended that he should not be reinstated. In view of Mr. Sharp's long service with the firm, despite two breaks of three and 14 years respectively, an approach was made to them, but no arrangement proved to be possible, because of a history of difficulty with this employee and the effects on discipline in the mill. I regret therefore that the question of reinstatement cannot be pursued. Mr. Sharp is now in employment to which he was submitted at his own request.

asked the Home Secretary whether the inmates of prisons are still engaged in war work; and whether their activities in that direction will be recognised at Christmas time?

I am pleased to say that practically the whole of the prison population are now taking their share in making a really valuable contribution to the war effort by the production of a wide range of articles for the Service and other Government Departments. In my view, therefore, it would be invidious to select any particular class of war work for special recognition.

asked the Minister of Health whether continuous research is being made into the cause and treatment of arthritis; and whether tests have been or are being made of the efficacy of electrically-activated ergosterol?

These questions continue to receive the active attention of the Empire Rheumatism Council whose last report was published in December, 1942. The development of research into the difficult and baffling question of causation is restricted by the lack of any promising fresh line of approach. New methods of treatment are tried out as they become available. I am not aware of any tests that have been or are being made in this country of the efficacy of electrically-activated ergosterol, but I am making inquiries as to the position in the United States.

asked the Minister of Health what action he is taking following the request from the Tuberculosis Association that recognition should be given to the importance of immunisation against tuberculosis?

I am aware that the Tuberculosis Association has been giving attention to the subject to which the hon. lady refers. She is doubtless aware that the problem of immunisation against tuberculosis is still surrounded by numerous difficulties but I am arranging for my officers to discuss the whole matter with representatives of the Association.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any statement to make on the complaint made by Queen Charlotte's Maternity Hospital of delay in completing the nurses' home now used for storing furniture for bombed-out families?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the nurses' home at Queen Charlotte's Hospital is still used by a local authority to warehouse bombed furniture and the nurses compelled to use hospital beds that would otherwise be used for maternity cases; and whether he will expedite the clearance of this home?

At the outbreak of war the nurses' home at Queen Charlotte's Hospital was still a shell and building work was discontinued. In September, 1941, the shell was requisitioned for the storage of furniture from bombed houses, with the consent of the hospital. Pressure on the hospital's beds increased, and after discussion it was agreed that an effort should be made to carry on the building of the nurses' home in spite of war-time difficulties in order to free the beds in the Hospital now occupied by nurses. Agreement was reached in regard to the disposal of the furniture and it was decided in August last that plans should be got out for the completion of the major part of the home. These plans, which will involve the use of large amounts of controlled materials were submitted to my Department only on the 29th November and are now being considered.

asked the Minister of Health will he give figures of the suspects notified under Regulation 33B as suffering from venereal disease and those known to have been brought under treatment through action taken by the appropriate public health authorities?

Up to 30th June, 1943, the latest date for which figures are available, the number of persons who were reported as alleged sources of venereal infection by two or more persons under treatment, which is necessary for the operation of Regulation 33B, was 110; and by the same date 71 of these had been brought under treatment by local authorities. About 220 other persons, out of approximately 1,780 in respect of whom only one report reached medical officers of health (and who were not, therefore, subject to action under the Regulation), were induced to undertake treatment when informally approached as a result of the single report.

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to make provision for industrial workers who are showing signs of war strain and who, although not suffering from any serious illness requiring admission to hospital, would benefit by a spell of recuperative treatment under medical supervision?

My Department has been in consultation with the Ministry of Labour and National Service on this matter for some time, and I have decided, with the willing co-operation of the War Organisation of the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John, to arrange for workers in the condition described by my hon. Friend to be admitted to a number of country houses hitherto used by that Organisation as auxiliary hospitals, but which are not at present needed for that purpose. The War Organisation is now engaged in selecting accommodation which is available and suitable, geographically and otherwise, for this new use, and I feel sure that I can count on the owners of the selected houses for their help in promoting the success of the scheme so directly connected with our war effort. Bodies other than the War Organisation which have centres affording similar facilities may participate in the scheme. My hon. Friend will appreciate that the project is an experiment in a new field of social medicine and that the provision must necessarily be on a modest scale in the first instance, as the number of centres available is obviously limited. The intention is that individual workers will be selected by co-operative action on the part of their own doctors, their employers' medical officers and the medical staff of my Department, and the detailed arrangements are being worked out by my officers in collaboration with those of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service. The course of treatment, which will normally last for two weeks and sometimes rather longer, will consist of physical exercises, indoor and outdoor occupations and organised games and excursions, all carefully graded according to the condition of the individuals and conducted on lines as far removed as possible from what is usually called the hospital atmosphere. The object is not only to prevent further impairment of the worker's health, but to tone him up, physically and mentally, so that he may return to his normal life with renewed vigour and efficiency.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the thefts of coupons from Government offices, he will warn civil servants in all Departments of the need for greater care in the protection of State property?

Security arrangements within Departments are the responsibility of the head of the Department concerned, subject to such central co-ordination and advice as may from time to time appear appropriate. While I will certainly bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind, I am not aware that there is any general laxity as regards the care of Government property.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to what extent and in what circumstances the Liverpool district is regarded as a suitable reception area for evacuated civil servants despite the damage by enemy action and the difficulties in obtaining accommodation and transport?

Liverpool is not a Civil Service reception area in the sense that Departments were evacuated there for reasons of safety. Certain Departments of a war-time character were located there on the outbreak of war because suitable office accommodation was available together with billets for the staff called upon to take up residence in the city. The staff concerned number approximately 3,000.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, with a view to helping beginners in the study of the Russian language, he will take steps to encourage the publication of elementary Russian readers with vocabulary annotations and translation and elementary Russian grammars based on modern scientific methods, so as to remedy the present lack of such readers and grammars and lessen the initial difficulties of learning this language?

I should be very glad to do what I can to encourage the study of Russian in appropriate circumstances. The Board do not, however, prescribe text-books nor have they any means of contributing financially towards their publication. My hon. Friend will appreciate that the teaching of this subject is still on a small scale, and I think it is reasonable to assume that, as the demand grows, publishers will be more ready to meet it. Meantime, according to my information, certain text-books suitable for use in schools exist, though there may be difficulty owing to war restrictions in obtaining them in sufficient quantities.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the Sheffield Education Committee has in its primary schools 240 classes with more than 50 children in each, covering one quarter of the entire primary school population; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this state of overcrowding?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. The local education authority have this matter under active consideration with a view to taking appropriate action to reduce the number of large classes which have resulted from war damage and other difficulties of staffing and accommodation.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will ensure that youths of ability conscripted by the ballot for coalmining, who show aptitude for it and desire to make it their career, shall receive the education and training to fit them in due course to occupy responsible positions in the industry?

It is my intention that all possible facilities shall be provided for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many young persons between the ages of 14 and 16 are employed in the mining industry below ground?

The number of boys between the ages of 14 and 16 years employed below ground at mines under the Coal Mines Act, 1911, was 8,803 at mid-December, 1942. Figures for 1943 are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that, arising from the classification of residential flats as commercial premises, all supplies of coal have been cut off from many flats and, in consequence, those residential flats, unable to use coke by reason of being equipped with automatic stokers, will be without any form of heating until their equipment can be converted; and will he give instructions that this embargo on the supplies of normal fuel will be postponed until a more suitable time of the year.

The increasing stringency of the coal situation is such that I cannot any longer justify the supply of valuable graded coal for purely heating purposes in non-industrial establishments; supplies are accordingly being withdrawn and the consumers concerned advised to make arrangements to use coke. In the particular case which my hon. Friend has raised in his letter, our officers are making efforts to see that supplies are available to a sufficient extent to enable the consumer, together with the stock he holds, to carry on until any necessary modifications to his equipment have been made to enable him to use coke. In all such cases consumers would be well advised at once to get in touch with the manufacturers of their heating equipment and secure their assistance in making any necessary modifications as quickly as possible. There is no possibility of maintaining graded coal supplies for any appreciable period.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many tons of coal were not produced during November, 1943, owing to the shortage of railway coal wagons at the pit head?

Colliery returns show that for the four weeks ended 27th November, 1943, approximately 50,000 tons were not produced owing to loss of working time caused by shortage of wagons at the pit-head.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what arrangements will be made to compensate the experienced miner under whose personal supervision the men without previous experience of coalmining work will be directed?

In the case of the supervising mineworkers who are paid day wages no compensation arrangements are necessary; the question of compensating workmen engaged on supervision who are paid on piece rates is at present the subject of discussion with the industry.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware there are numbers of men in the Services who have worked in the mines who are unable to be considered for release owing to managers of coalmines not asking for their release; and will he consider this aspect as an experienced mineworker would have more immediate effect in the production of coal than those who are balloted in without previous experience?

As I have previously explained to the House, the War Office have sent to me the names of men eligible for release who are known to them as ex-miners and releases are proceeding. In addition, collieries are applying to my Ministry for the release of other men with previous underground experience and these cases are being sent to the War Office for consideration. It is essential that my Ministry should have an offer of underground employment from a particular colliery before the War Office is approached. Any man not barred by the age limitations who wishes to be considered should ask his commanding officer whether there are any military reasons to prevent his release and, if not, approach the colliery at which he wishes to work underground. I fully appreciate the value of experienced miners and an arrangement has recently been made with the War Office under which men of any age in medical category "C" who have had previous underground experience can be considered for release. The War Office have advised all units and any soldier in medical category "C" who wishes to be considered should follow the procedure I have described. Some men in category "C" may not be physically fit to work underground, but it is hoped to secure the release of a number of experienced men who are capable of useful work.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works what steps he has taken to obtain plant that can be utilised for the production of outcrop coal?

All large excavating machinery scheduled to be manufactured in this country is being allocated, so far as possible, to opencast coal production. In addition arrangements have been made recently with the United States Government for the supply of a large quantity of plant, which it is hoped will be available for operation next summer.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can now summarise and issue a statement on the steps taken up to date to prepare a Scottish industrial scheme for inclusion in the Government's promised reconstruction plan?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply—of which I am sending him a copy—given by the Secretary of State to a Question by the hon. Member for Dumbarton Burghs (Mr. Kirkwood) on 23rd November. The Scottish Council on Industry, working in close contact with the Scottish Council of State, is considering the special problems of Scottish industry, and I am sending to my hon. Friend copies of the reports which it has issued from time to time summarising what has been done to ensure that the industrial position of Scotland is fully safeguarded.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has yet received the report of the Sub-Committee of the Taylor Committee which has been considering rates of pay and conditions of service of nurses employed in mental hospitals and institutions in Scotland?

Yes, Sir. Copies of the report are available in the Vote Office today. I am considering the report and the action to be taken on it in consultation with my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Labour and National Service, and I hope to make a further announcement shortly.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he has any statement to make on the recent prosecution under the Defence Regulations against Colonel Haig, of Ramarnie, Fife?

When this prosecution was ordered there was evidence which justified a charge of giving false information recklessly. Owing to an unfortunate error the complaint charged giving such information with intent to deceive. I regret that this occurred. There was nothing to justify an allegation of intent to deceive. Information which became available later indicated that the circumstances in which the false information was given did not justify a charge of recklessness and the complaint was therefore withdrawn.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of advances made to date in the form of Treasury deposit receipts and the amounts of such advances transferred to other forms of war loans, with the respective cost per £100 to the State for the respective borrowings?

The amount of Treasury deposit receipts outstanding on 11th December, 1943, was £1,372,000,000. Interest is paid on Treasury Deposit Receipts at the rate of 1⅛ per cent. The amounts of subscriptions to war loans covered by repayments of Treasury Deposit Receipts before maturity in the period 1st July, 1940 (the date on which Treasury Deposit Receipts were first issued to the banks), to 11th December, 1943, were:

Amount.	Security.	Rate of Interest.
£ms.		Per cent.
231	Savings Bonds	3
589	National War Bonds	2½
409	Tax Reserve Certificates	1 free of tax
22	Post Office Issues of Defence Bonds, Savings Bonds and National War Bonds.	3 and 2½

In giving these figures, I would repeat the observations which I made when I gave a similar comparison on 14th October last in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for East Willesden (Mr. Hammersley); namely (1) it cannot be assumed that all these moneys, if held to maturity, would then have been re-lent in the form of Treasury deposit receipts, and (2) subscriptions covered by encashments of Treasury Deposit Receipts include subscriptions on behalf of the banks' customers as well as those on the banks' own account.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is proposed to authorise a further issue of stock by the Coal Commission?

Yes, Sir. With the approval of the Minister of Fuel and Power and of the Treasury, the Coal Commission have to-day issued to the National Debt Commissioners £36,500,000 3 per cent. Coal Commission Guaranteed Stock 1980–2016. The price of issue is £97 10s. 0d. per cent. and the Stock is guaranteed by the Treasury under Section 29 of the Coal Act, 1938.