asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the case of officers who are down-graded after having served in a higher rank over a long period, he will arrange, when military employment in their old rank cannot be provided, to supplement their pay by the amount needed to avoid financial loss.

When an officer has served for a sufficient time in any rank he cannot drop more than one step in rank and this to a large extent safeguards him against an excessive drop in pay. It would not be justifiable to give an officer the pay of a higher rank when he is employed in a lower rank.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask whether he appreciates the very real hardship that results to an officer who has held his rank for a long period of time and then, on account of an alteration of war establishment, goes to a lower rank and suffers financial loss?

It is not so much because of alteration of war establishment as of transfers between different arms of the Service. I think I know the case which my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind.

In view of the great discomfort caused to officers by misunderstanding among their friends, who think that they have done something inefficient or disgraceful when they lose rank, could not some form of honorary title be devised which would clearly indicate that they had not been down-graded for any reason within their own control?

I will consider that suggestion, but not with any very great degree of hope.

asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent his Department has found it necessary to guide or advise the editors or staffs of Army newspapers, particularly Eighth Army "News" and "Crusader," and will he assure the House that it is still Government policy to allow the utmost freedom to those responsible for the production of such publications.

Little editorial guidance or advice has so far been necessary. Various inquiries from editors have been answered and much information exchanged with them about their supplies of home news and other material. The answer to the last part of the Question is "Yes, Sir," so long as this is compatible with the status of an official Army newspaper.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, following representations which have been made to him, arrangements have yet been made to enable members of the Forces to marry British subjects within the area covered by the Central Mediterranean Force.

The Commander of the Force reported about a month ago that he was going to issue the necessary instructions. I have not heard whether he has yet actually done so.

asked the Secretary of State for War who is responsible for a recent issue of an order to the A.T.S. forbidding its members to speak with coloured American soldiers except in the presence of a white though no such restriction is imposed in the case of white American soldiers; and will be undertake the removal of this official recognition of the colour bar.

I am not aware that any such order has been issued.

If I send the right hon. Gentleman a copy of this order, will he go further into the matter?

Yes, and I shall be very grateful if the hon. Member will tell me how he got hold of it, too.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that on Sunday, 30th January, officers and men of a certain company of the Home Guard were obliged, at a place of which he has been informed, to enter a gas chamber filled with D.M. gas, and there to take off their masks for two minutes, with the result that the whole company was affected by vomiting, retching and sickness; what purpose is served by practices of this kind; and whether he will cause them to cease.

I understand that the training in question was of a form which is common to the whole Army and was conducted in strict accordance with the Regulations on the subject. It would be undesirable to omit this training, the purpose of which is to enable troops to recognise this type of gas and to give them confidence in the anti-gas equipment with which they are issued. I understand that only one man out of 63 complained of ill effects.

In view of what the right hon. Gentleman has said, would be consider shooting British soldiers in order to teach them that bullets are lethal?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, except in the case of battle injuries requiring immediate treatment, the civilian practice of obtaining written consent to an operation is followed before a soldier undergoes an operation.

The oral consent of the soldier is always obtained before an operation is performed on him unless he is too ill to give or refuse consent. In the case of soldiers under 18, the consent of the parent or guardians is obtained in addition, if this is possible.

Is it not desirable that a written consent should be obtained?

I do not think that it is practicable, and in any case, though I should hesitate to differ from the hon. Member upon a question of fact, I think that his idea that the practice of obtaining written consent is universal in civil life, is not correct.

asked the Secretary of Slate for War whether he is aware that certain people, including married women, in connection with R.E.M.E. were transferred from one workplace to another; that some classes of workpeople are compensated for the extra expense incurred while others only get compensation for one week of the extra expense; and will he explain the reason for this difference in treatment when all undergo the same inconvenience.

When a transfer of this kind has to take place, the allowances provided to meet the necessary extra expense of the move are paid indefinitely to married men, or single men with equivalent domestic responsibilities, if they do not move their families or dependants to the new station. It is considered that a single man can find lodgings at his new station at no greater expense than at the old one and the allowance is normally paid in such circumstances for one week only. As a rule a married woman is in the same position in this respect as a single man and is treated accordingly, but the case of a married woman who takes accommodation for herself at her new station and has commitments at her old station is dealt with on the lines of the rules for married men.

Will my right hon. Friend take into consideration that it is not easy, in these days, to transfer from one lodgings to another within a week, especially in an area that is fully occupied?

I should be very glad if my hon. Friend would give me particulars of the case in question, in order that I may look into the matter on the basis of a concrete case and not a generalised case.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the map of the Russian battlefield, issued by the A.B.C.A. (Map Review No. 27) gives no indication of the lines which the U.S.S.R. regards as her frontiers, showing only the pre-1938 line; and whether he will direct the Bureau to show impartiality between our Ally and those who are hostile to her by adding her frontier to such maps.

As a rule A.B.C.A. prints only pre-war frontiers in its Map Review and it draws attention to this fact. In Map Review No. 31 issued in January a special explanatory map was published showing the pre-war Polish frontier, the frontier agreed between the Germans and the Soviet Union in September, 1939, and the Curzon Line.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that up-to-date information, I wonder if he would bring the House of Commons Library more up to dale than Map Review No. 27?

I am sorry. I did not know we were behindhand. I will send the later one.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will cause a survey to be made of those provincial towns and cities which do not permit any public entertainment on Sundays and where large numbers of British and Allied troops are centred and, wherever necessary, will he utilise his requisitioning powers to ensure that theatre performances and cinema shows on Sundays are available exclusively for men and women of the Fighting Services.

While sympathising with my hon. Friend's intention I regret that this use of requisitioning powers would be inappropriate.

Has not such an experiment been tried for the past 18 months in Belfast, with success; has not the Lord's Day Observance Society said, quite definitely, that they will not oppose or discourage such a scheme; and will the right hon. Gentleman extend the Belfast experiment to Great Britain?

I do not personally think that the extension of the Belfast experiment would be justifiable, in face of the view taken by this House in a contrary sense.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are places where permission has been given for shows on Sunday, but where owing to difficulties of one kind or another, no entertainment is available for the troops? Will he not do something in the matter?

This is a matter in which the House has the remedy in its own hands.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his attention has been called to the difficulty farmers in the North-East of Scotland are experiencing in getting delivery of their orders for lime; and what steps he proposes to take to expedite delivery.

I understand from local inquiry that while adequate supplies of shell sand and waste lime are available in the north-eastern area, there has been some delay in deliveries of ground limestone. Supplies of ground limestone are being sent in from other areas. If the hon. Member will provide me with details of any particular cases of unsatisfied demand, I will see whether I can do anything to assist. I should add that a new limestone grinding plant will shortly be erected with State aid at Dufftown, Banffshire, the output of which will, it is hoped, materially assist deliveries in the north-eastern area.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I ask will his Department in future see that there is not so much delay? As he asks for special cases, is he aware that in one case I know of, the delay was as much as six months, and delivery took place last week after my Question appeared on the Paper?

There are questions of delay incurred, but every effort is being made, as the hon. Member is aware, to meet them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can make a statement in regard to the provision of prefabricated houses for Scotland pending the conclusion of hostilities.

The whole question of the provision of prefabricated houses is being urgently investigated by my right hon. Friends the Minister of Works and the Minister of Health, and myself. I hope to make a statement after the completion of a prototype prefabricated house for emergency use which is at present being erected for the Ministry of Works.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any information as to when this statement will be made?

I understand that a prototype house will be completed and available for inspection by April.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that he does not copy those bungaloid abominations which have been erected in England?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the high prices being demanded for the purchase of dwelling-houses in Scotland, he will take immediate steps to put an end to this form of profiteering.

I am making inquiries from the Keeper of the Sasines Register in which title deeds are recorded to see whether there is any evidence of such increases as would warrant legislation. I understand, however, that, as stated in my reply to the hon. Member for West Lothian (Mr. Mathers) on 2nd February, 1943, such increases as have taken place in the selling price of houses refer mainly to houses which are sold for occupation by the purchasers but I should welcome any information the hon. Member has in his possession.

If and when the right hon. Gentleman obtains the information he requires—which I gather he has not—will he take definite steps to put an end to this gross profiteering?

What action may be taken will, of course, depend upon the information. It may be more desirable that the matter should be dealt with in the Budget.

Why should there be such sales of houses in the existing situation in Scotland? Does the Minister not consider it his responsibility to requisition all houses in Scotland and allocate them to the best advantage of the people?

When the right hon. Gentleman has the information, will be consult with the Ministry of Health so that similar action may be taken in this country?

Certainly. Any action taken by the Government in Scotland in a matter of this kind would require to be taken in consultation with other Ministers.

If that information is given to the House, will the right hon. Gentleman, in that statement, also give the reasons for the increase?

I cannot say what would be the reasons for the increase in every particular case.

Is not the increase largely due to the high wages which are being paid and why do the Government not support high wages?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of married couples with three or more of a family who have applied, and are still waiting, for four- and five-apartment corporation houses in Glasgow.

I am informed that the particulars desired are not meanwhile available but will be forthcoming soon in respect of houseless and overcrowded families whose applications for houses have recently been made to the Corporation and are now being classified. I will let my hon. Friend have the information as soon as I receive it.

When my right hon. Friend does receive that information, will he publish it in the OFFICIAL REPORT?

I think I had better wait until I get the information.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that information of this kind would be useful to all Members of Parliament representing Scottish constituencies?

Steps might be taken to see that that is done.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that this interference with the prerogative of local authorities should not be encouraged?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of four- and five-apartment corporation houses in Glasgow let to, and occupied by, only one person, the number occupied by only two persons, and the number of five-apartment houses occupied by only a married couple and one child, respectively.

I regret that the particulars desired by my hon. Friend are not available. Their preparation would involve issuing a questionnaire to over 54,000 corporation tenants and I hardly feel justified in asking the corporation to do this, particularly at the present time.

In view of the fact that there are married couples in Glasgow—thousands of them—with three or more of a family, waiting for four- or five-apartment houses, if I draw my right hon. Friend's attention to the fact that such houses, particularly non-subsidised houses, are being let to single persons with no responsibilities, will he take the necessary action?

Action is being taken in another direction. For example, the corporation are proposing now to use part of their allocation of houses for the erection of hostel accommodation, and to use that hostel accommodation for single persons.

May I repeat my question. If I draw my right hon. Friend's attention to instances of four- and five-apartment non-subsidised houses being let at the present time to single persons, will he take the necessary steps to stop this practice?

I will certainly be glad of information—

Will the right hon. Gentleman do anything?

Certainly—if the hon. Member will allow me to complete my answer—I will be glad of information and will take whatever steps are within my power in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of land purchases of 100 acres or more made in Scotland during the past nine months.

The total for all Scotland is 378. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table giving the figures by counties.

Does that mean 378 purchases?

Yes, Sir.

Has my right hon. Friend any plan about future house-building in Scotland that will overcome the difficulty of dealing with those recent purchases of land in Scotland?

I should like to have more adequate notice of that question, but, speaking generally, the answer is in the affirmative.

Will my right hon. Friend consider introducing a thoroughgoing tax on site values in Scotland, which will put the matter right?

That is not within my power.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any plans for the introduction of both water and drainage in the areas where these houses are going to be built?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether the promised machinery from the U.S.A. has now been installed in the mining industry; and is he satisfied with the speed of the introduction of machinery and new methods.

Some American mining machinery has now been received, and production units are operating or about to start operations at 14 pits. Efforts are being made to accelerate delivery of further equipment.

What is the percentage of mines now equipped with this modern machinery?

It depends on what my hon. Friend has in mind. If he means how many have been mechanised, about 65 per cent.; but if it is a question of the American machinery, that is, of course, a much smaller percentage.

What is the reason for the apparent delay in the introduction of this machinery?

There has been no delay, but my hon. Friend will realise that the machinery has had to be obtained from America.

In introducing this machinery will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman have regard to the widely different geological conditions existing here, and will the safety of the men be considered?

Before deciding on the introduction of these machines from America the most careful inquiries were made, and the safety of our own people was taken into consideration.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is investigating the practicability of the underground gasification of coalmines and of abandoned mines; if so, when does he expect to be able to consider the results; is the experience of Russia being considered; and can he state the extent to which they have applied the policy of underground gasification.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Heywood and Radcliffe (Mr. Wootton-Davies) on 8th February.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps are being taken to bring about the complete scientific utilisation of coal with a development of industry to extract the maximum by-products.

During the war marked progress has been made, particularly through the work of the Fuel Efficiency Committee, in increasing the efficiency with which coal is utilised. At the same time, a considerable increase has been achieved in the completeness of the extraction of important by-products from gas and coal tar. I am fully aware of the importance of developing a national fuel policy designed to ensure that the maximum possible advantage to the nation is extracted from our coal. A considerable volume of research work, which should contribute to this end, is in progress by the Fuel Research Station and the research associations of the fuel industries, and plans are being made for the expansion of this work. The whole subject is being actively studied by my Ministry.

Is the Minister satisfied that the Ministry and others concerned are treating this matter with the urgency that the situation demands, and, in view of the need for an enormous increase in our economic production immediately on the termination of hostilities, are steps being taken to see that this important industry is used for that purpose?

I can assure my hon. Friend that I personally regard this as a matter of very great urgency. I think the hon. Gentleman would probably be a little surprised at the progress made during the war. I assure him that I regard it as one of the most important matters with which we have to deal.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether the average increase of 3s. per ton in the price of coal recently authorised by him is intended to be an average over the output of each colliery or an average over the output of the whole industry.

Over the output of the whole industry.

. That may have the effect that some collieries will be very adversely affected and some will do very well?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many miners have had to cease work at the mines in the past six months in consequence of being certified under the silicosis and pneumoconiosis Orders; whether he is aware of the concern felt at the increase in the number of men so certified; and what steps are being taken to prevent the increase of this disease among miners.

The number of workmen who have been certified by the medical boards for total or partial suspension in the six months ended 31st December is 819. It does not follow, however, that all these men have left the industry, and it would be necessary to make detailed inquiries to obtain precise details. I am aware of, and share to the full, the concern which is felt about the increase in these numbers, but the increase is due almost entirely to the extension of the compensation scheme last July, which brought sufferers from pneumoconiosis within its scope. A number of expert committees, in addition to my own specialist inspectors, have the prevention of those diseases constantly under review, and, on their advice, I have made an Order conferring upon the inspectorate the power to require appliances to be installed for the suppression or extraction of airborne dust below ground. This Order applies to South Wales, and came into operation on the 1st January.

May I cite one case? In my own constituency 350 men are waiting to go before the board. Will the Minister consider steps to increase the effort to combat this disease, and will he, particularly, see that what is being done is explained to the people concerned?

I shall be very glad to do that. There is nobody more anxious than I to see every possible method of dealing with this disease used.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend consider the use of mass radiology?

I will look into that.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power for the year 1943 or for the first 11 months thereof, the number of shifts per wage-earner per week worked in the coal industry.

The provisional figure of the average number of shifts worked per wage-earner per week during the year 1943 is 5.13.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how the tonnage of coal produced, number of miners employed and total of wages paid in the first six months of 1943, compare with the figures for the first six months of 1942, immediately preceding the introduction of Government control.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Twickenham (Mr. Keeling) on 8th February last.

As that answer contained a very large number of figures, will my right hon. and gallant Friend answer the Question on the Paper?

No, Sir, because it is exactly the same as the Question which my hon. Friend asked last week.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he proposes to publish a Report of the evidence submitted to the National Arbitration Tribunal under the chairmanship of Lord Porter which dealt with the appeal for an increase in wages in the coalmining industry.

No, Sir. This evidence is not in my possession since the National Reference Tribunal, under the Chairmanship of Lord Porter, is an independent body, established after agreement between both sides of the coalmining industry, as part of the National Conciliation Scheme for the coalmining industry.

In view of the dissatisfaction aroused by this award, were any of my right hon. and gallant Friend's officials consulted before the Board announced its award? If so, would it not be better to issue a report?

It would not be in my power to do so. This is an independent Tribunal, and it is not a matter for me.

Did my right hon. and gallant Friend's Department offer any advice to the Tribunal before the award was made?

Officials of my Department were asked by the Tribunal for certain advice, and they gave it.

Does not that mean that the Ministry must take a very large part of the responsibility for the findings of this Board?

Certainly not. There were other people who gave their advice as well. The Ministry give the advice they are asked for, and they take no responsibility for what use is made of it.

Is not the moral of both the Greene and the Porter awards that it does not follow that an eminent lawyer is the right person to preside over such a tribunal?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the short-leg utility socks are practically unsaleable so long as coupons have to be surrendered for them; and will he make them coupon-free to enable traders to dispose of their stocks.

Some millions of pairs of these socks are being sold each month. The answer to both parts of the Question is, therefore, No, Sir.

Will my right hon. Friend have further investigations made, particularly among small shopkeepers, to see whether these socks are saleable; and if the information justifies it, will he consider revising his answer?

My answer is perfectly correct. It is that some millions of pairs of socks are sold each month. That is not what I should call being practically unsaleable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the agreement recently concluded with the French envisages the liberation of French funds in Great Britain.

No, Sir. The Financial Agreement recently concluded with the French Committee of National Liberation does not deal with this subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider some reduction in the horse-power tax in the case of motor-cars whose owners are allowed a small ration of petrol on the grounds of invalidity.

Will the Minister not see whether it is not practicable? Is he not aware that the charge is sometimes as much as a shilling a mile, which is a heavy burden on these invalids?

There are practical difficulties. Some people are given an allowance, not only because they are invalids, but for other reasons, and it is impracticable to distinguish between them so far as taxation is concerned.

But does the Minister of Fuel and Power know why he has done it?

We cannot assess how much of it is in respect of invalidity.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total Budget deficit accumulated since the outbreak of war and to what extent this has been financed by the banks.

The total Budget deficit from the beginning of the war to the 31st January, 1944, was £10,900 millions. My right hon. Friend regrets it is not possible to give a total figure for the various forms of Government securities taken up by the banks.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an estimate, if not the actual figures, as to what volume of war finance is carried by the banking system?

I can tell the hon. Member that the total amount outstanding and due to the banks on Treasury Deposit Receipts amounted to £1,380,000,000 on 31st January.

If I put a question down, will the Minister tell me the amount of new money created by the banks since the war started?

I do not think so.

Do you know what it is? [An HON. MEMBER: "Do you?"]—Yes, about £2,000,000,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in connection with his forthcoming Budget, he will consider abolishing the Regulation under which members of the Armed Forces are allowed to purchase only 40 cigarettes weekly, less the past two tax increases, of which 20 must be of cheap brands.

My right hon. Friend regrets that he cannot increase the quantities of cigarettes and tobacco which may be purchased by members of His Majesty's Forces in their canteens at the prices prevailing before the Budget of 1942.

If not, why not?