asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider whether some special badge can be issued by his Department to be displayed by small traders whose businesses, having been closed owing to war conditions, have been reopened after the war under licence from his Department, so that members of the public, desiring to help such traders to re-establish their businesses, might be encouraged to trade with them.

I sympathise with my hon. Friend's object, but I do not think that this particular suggestion would be practicable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the effect of rationing on children's clothing and footwear and subsequent shortage, he will consider issuing coupons valid for children only.

Such a restriction would cause great difficulty to the parents of other children who wear adult sizes in clothing or footwear. It would also be very troublesome to enforce. My information is that most parents willingly give up coupons for the benefit of their children.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that the supply of household utensils in the South-East of England is adequate and compares equitably with that in other areas.

I am doing everything possible to maintain and, where practicable, to increase the production of household utensils, but the labour and manufacturing capacity available is strictly limited. South-East England is getting its fair share of the supplies.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what requests he has received from the Scottish Farmers' Union or other public body that tenant farmers should have the right to burn heather on their farms as owner occupiers; what objections he has to their having such rights; and whether he will take steps to expedite consideration of this matter.

Recent representations by the National Farmers' Union of Scotland have been limited to a request that tenant farmers should be given a greater measure of freedom to burn heather on their farms. At present any dispute as to place, extent and manner of a proposed muirburning between proprietor and tenant can be referred to the Agricultural Executive Committee for the District. The Committee's decision is final. The view that the present regulations give adequate rights of burning to tenant farmers is substantially accepted in the recently published report of the Committee on Hill Sheep Farming in Scotland. But following a recent meeting with the Executive of the National Farmers' Union specimen forms of notice to make muirburn have been drafted and supplies sent to the National Farmers' Union and other interests affected.Captain Ramsay asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what penalty is at present incurred by farmers who burn heather in larger areas and in different places from those given in the notice to proprietors as laid down in Defence Regulation 63B.

A tenant of agricultural land who burns heather on areas outwith those specified by him in the notice given to his proprietor in accordance with Defence Regulation 63B would render himself liable on conviction, of an offence against the Regulation to the penalties set forth in Defence Regulation 92 that is—

(a) on summary conviction, liability to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to a fine not exceeding £100, or to both such imprisonment and such fine; or

(b) on conviction on indictment, liability to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine not exceeding £500, or to both such imprisonment and such fine.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the composition of the Scientific Advisory Committee; and whether it is proposed to reorganise this Committee by increasing the number of scientists, as contrasted with medical men, upon it.

As regards the first part of the Question I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave on 17th December, 1943, to the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, East (Mr. A. Edwards). I am considering the suggestion in the second part of the Question; but my present view is that it would be better to continue the existing arrangement whereby the Committee can co-opt any person, scientist or other whose expert knowledge would be of assistance in connection with any particular remit that is being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the infantile mortality rate for Scotland for 1943; and the latest comparable rates for Iceland, New Zealand, New York and Chicago.

The infant mortality rate for Scotland for 1943 was 65 per 1,000 live births.The latest figures available for the other places are:

New Zealand (1942: Europeans)	29
New York City (1940)	35
Chicago (1940)	29
Iceland (1936: Rate calculated by U.S.A.)	48

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many Scottish hospitals have air-conditioning in any wards; how many have electrically-heated ambulances; and how many have incubators for premature infants.

I regret that all the information asked is not in my possession but, according to the information I have, one maternity hospital has air-conditioning for the infants' wards; most ambulances are heated electrically or otherwise, and most maternity hospitals have incubators for safeguarding premature and ailing babies against changes in temperature.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how far the effect of the provisions of the Parliament (Elections and Meeting) Act, 1943, has been to divert the work of compiling registers from compilers who have undertaken this duty in the past; and if he will take steps to ensure that they are re-employed or compensated for the loss of regular, and in many cases long standing, work which carried fees and superannuation rights.

Section 13 (3) of the Parliament (Elections and Meeting) Act provides that an electoral registration officer may delegate to a Town Clerk or Clerk to a District Council, in their capacity as "Proper Officers," electoral registration functions analogous to those which, under the Representation of the People Act, 1918, could have been delegated to a person designated by the local authority. The same section provides that the Council concerned shall supply the Proper Officer with such staff as he may require for the discharge of his duties under the Act. It will be open, therefore, to local authorities to provide Proper Officers with the services of persons who were previously designated officers in the work of sorting and arranging electoral material, and subsequently compiling electors' lists. Alternatively, it would be possible for an electoral registration officer or a Proper Officer to make independent arrangements with such persons if they were willing to act. I have drawn the attention of those concerned to the advantages of employing persons with this specialised knowledge. The superannuation position of persons who were previously designated officers is safeguarded by Section 2 of the Local Elections and Register of Electors (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1943, which in effect gives an option to such a person either to continue to pay superannuation contributions in respect of remuneration which they had received in the last standard year prior to the suspension of electoral registration in 1939, or on the amount of remuneration received in any year under the 1943 Act, if this is greater than the amount received in the standard year.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, if he will give in the form of a table the basic rates of pay and allowances, each separately, and the variations duo to the theatre of operations in which the officer is serving and the conditions under which he is living, namely, whether ashore or on board ship, of all officers of or below the rank of commander, both R.N., R.N.R. and R.N.V.R.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the Appendix to the Navy list published for December, 1943, copy of which is in the Library, which contains the information asked for in considerable detail. In addition to the allowances shown therein, officers serving on shore at expensive places abroad may also receive a Colonial allowance which is tax free and varies according to the local cost of living.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if there have been any increases or decreases and, if so, of what nature, of the net pay and allowances of naval officers of and below the rank of commander since September, 1939.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for East Fulham (Mr. Astor) on 17th December.

Edwards asked the Minister of Agriculture how many members of Welsh agricultural war executive committees have sons employed by the committees on which they sit; and if he is aware that this situation is causing comment in Welsh farming circles.

County War Agricultural Executive Committees are responsible for the appointment of their own staff other than executive officers. I am only aware of one instance in Wales where a near relative of a Committee member has been appointed to a junior post with that Committee. In this case the man has recently been discharged from the Army on medical grounds. I am not aware of any comment or criticism on this matter in Welsh farming circles.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the average amount of British capital invested abroad for each of the 10 years 1930 to 1939.

No accurate figures of British capital invested abroad during the years 1930 to 1939 are available. A rough indication of the amounts involved can be derived from the annual statements, compiled by the Midland Bank, of new overseas issues offered on the London market. The sums stated below were not necessarily all subscribed by British investors, nor do they cover sums invested abroad in personal adventures in private business, or realised in liquidating such adventures.

				£ millions
1930	…	…	…	109
1931	…	…	…	46
1932	…	…	…	29
1933	…	…	…	38
1934	…	…	…	43
1935	…	…	…	21
1936	…	…	…	26
1937	…	…	…	32
1938	…	…	…	25
1939	…	…	…	23

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what were the main recommendations of the Government Wages Committee for Palestine; what steps have been taken to implement these recommendations; and whether the Government proposes to set up conciliation machinery, industrial boards for fixing minimum wages, and a proper system of apprenticeship, as recommended in this Report.

I have been asked to reply. The Committee made recommendations for a scale of cost of living allowances, which have been accepted by the Government, and have formed the basis of awards since they were published in March, 1943. The Committee also drew attention to certain principles for labour administration, including the matters mentioned by the hon. Member. The High Commissioner for Palestine has stated that the legislation necessary to give effect to such measures is under active consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether members of the N.F.S. are allowed, in addition to their duties, to carry on a retail business.

A member of the National Fire Service is free to undertake outside work (other than paid firewatching) or to assist in a business or profession of his own when he is off duty, provided that the work does not prejudice his efficiency as a fireman or prevent him from carrying out any duties for which he may be liable.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons, men and women, that have been transferred from the county of Durham to other areas for the production of munitions and for war purposes generally since 1940.

I reget that the information is not readily available.

asked the Minister without Portfolio if he has received the Interim Report of the Welsh Advisory Council on Post-war Reconstruction; what Government Department or Departments will be responsible for considering the Report; and when will it be published.

I received the Report at the end of last week and arrangements are being made for it to be printed. I cannot yet say when copies will be available. The recommendations in the Report concern a considerable number of Departments; but I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by enumerating them at this stage.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware of the position in the coalfields in consequence of the failure of coalowners to implement the recent wage award to miners; and what steps he is taking to remedy the situation.

I am not aware of any refusal to implement the recent award on the part of the colliery owners, by whom its binding nature has already been publicly recognised. As in the case of previous awards, however, a short time must elapse before payments can be made to take account of the new minima, but this does not affect the date from which the additional payments will accrue.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the total loss in output of coal through the unofficial stoppages of work since the Porter award.

It is estimated that 276,000 tons of coal were lost owing to disputes during the two weeks following the publication of the recent Porter Award, and for the week ended 13th February the provisional figure is 65,000 tons.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what terms were agreed between the I.C.I and the Government when the oil-from-coal plant was erected at Billingham; and to what extent a commercial risk was involved.

In July, 1933, the Government announced their intention of introducing legislation to give a guaranteed preference on home-produced motor spirit over a period of years, and, on this undertaking being given, Imperial Chemical Industries, Limited, decided to proceed with the erection of this plant. A commercial risk was undoubtedly involved, as the process was new to this country. The risk was taken by Imperial Chemical Industries.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will publish the monthly figures of voluntary absenteeism in the coalmines.

I am considering the publication of such figures, but cannot make any definite statement at present.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware of the difficulty experienced by old people living in flats on the top floors of buildings in collecting their coal; that as much as 2S. 6d. is demanded in some instances to deliver the coal upstairs; and if he will make arrangements for help to be given to old people in the delivery of their coal.

I fully appreciate the difficulties referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend. It would, however, be impracticable to devise a special scheme for deliveries of coal to old people, whose needs, in my opinion, are in any case met, so far as is practicable, by the arrangements for deliveries to small consumers about which I made a statement in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster (Mr. E. Walkden) on 25th January. As regards the second part of the Question, the prices which may be charged for coal are regulated by the Retail Coal Prices Order. Any cases of over-charge or of failure of the delivery arrangements referred to should be reported to the Local Fuel Overseer.

asked the Minister of Health what were the infant mortality rates for England, Wales and London for the years 1941, 1942 and 194; and when full statistics will be available for these years.

The infant mortality rates asked for are as follow:Deaths of infants under one year of age per 1,000 related live births.

			England	Wales	London
1941	…	…	59	70	58
1942	…	…	50	58	51
1943*	…	…	49	51	49
* Provisional.

As regards the publication of the full statistical tabulation I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 18th January to his previous Question on this subject.

asked the Minister of Health if his advisers have yet come to any decision as to the most satisfactory period of time between the taking of mass radiographs in order to detect tuberculosis.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my predecessor's reply to his Question on 14th October last.

asked the Minister of Health how many extra beds have been allotted to meet the increased numbers of tuberculosis patients discovered by mass radiology in Wales; and if he is satisfied that the number is adequate.

It is not proposed that Tuberculosis Authorities should assign a quota of beds specifically to cases discovered through mass radiography. The proportion of persons examined by this method who are found to be tuberculous and to require institutional treatment is very small, and the mass radiography unit now operating in Wales should cause no substantial extra demand on sanatorium beds for some time to come. I am aware that tuberculosis accommodation in Wales, and in other parts of the country, falls short of what is desirable: as my hon. Friend is aware, problems of building and staff are at present serious but 240 additional beds for tuberculosis have been provided in Wales in the last 18 months.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can now make a statement as to the Government's intentions in regard to the payment of married women during maternity leave.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 3rd February to the hon. Member for Oxford (Mr. Hoģģ).

asked the Minister of Information whether, in view of the difficulty experienced in showing Russian war films on a commercial war basis, he will investigate the possibility, in the interests of Allied unity, of arranging for their display otherwise.

The Ministry of Information is always ready to arrange for suitable Russian short films to be shown on its non-theatrical circuit, and a number of them has been shown in this way. But it is impossible to show by this means any film running for more than thirty minutes.

asked the Minister of Information by what authority letters sent by civilians from one part of the United Kingdom to another are opened and examined by the censor.

The censorship of inland mails is carried out under the Royal Prerogative. An announcement was made on 17th July, 1942, to the effect that, in the interests of operational security, censorship might be applied from time to time to communications from areas in the neighbourhood of ports, aerodromes and other localities of operational importance.

I want to raise a question on this Motion—

The hon. Member cannot debate this Motion; it would be against our Standing Orders.Question put, and agreed to.