asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that many people have been unable to obtain any oranges from the first and second allocations; and if he will make provision to ensure that they obtain supplies in priority out of the forthcoming third allocation.

I am aware that some people have not obtained their share of oranges out of the recent allocations, and in areas where this has mainly happened steps have been taken to increase the quantity available.

asked the Minister of Food whether, as the regulations imposed by his Department are preventing the conversion of waste applies into unfermented apple juice, he will consider revising them.

The regulations of my Department do not prevent the conversion of waste apples into unfermented apple juice, and I see no necessity for revising them. The sale of unfermented apple juice is unrestricted provided it complies with the definition in the Soft Drinks Order. Production is nominally limited, but the quantity which may be made exceeds the former output of the established firms and is equal to the maximum capacity of their plant. One firm which did not previously make this product has sought to prepare and sell an apple juice drink that does not conform to the definition of unfermented apple juice in the Order. They will be enabled to dispose of their stock; but not to undertake further production at the present time. The fruit they proposed to obtain for the purpose from an apple packing station will not be wasted. There are alternative buyers available, including an existing producer of unfermented apple juice falling within the above-mentioned definition.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will make a statement on the position regarding the sale of ice-cream substitutes which are being manufactured on a large scale in England, whereas in Northern Ireland the manufacture of such substitutes is forbidden.

I am not aware that ice-cream substitutes are being manufactured on a large scale in England. The Order governing their manufacture and sale applies equally in England as in Northern Ireland.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will immediately consult with the Minister of Agriculture in Northern Ireland with a view to the modification of the Ice Cream (Prohibition) Order in Northern Ireland, where the position regarding the quantity of milk available is different from that in Great Britain; whether he will consider the position of ice-cream traders in Northern Ireland, whose businesses have been closed down owing to the operation of this Order, whereas, in England, the machinery of such traders has been utilised for more essential purposes; and whether he is aware that no action has been taken in Northern Ireland to provide alternative usage for idle machinery and no compensation awarded to manufacturers deprived of their means of livelihood.

I have at present nothing to add to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Down (Dr. Little) on 19th January.

asked the Secretary of State for War if steps are taken to inform units on the Italian front of the destruction of mail by enemy action; and whether non-arrival of mail known to be sent to units and to individuals is investigated.

The Army Postal authorities in this country notify commands abroad of losses of mail. I do not know whether units in Italy are informed by their command headquarters, but inquiry is being made into this. My hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that investigations can only be made into the loss of individual items of mail following the receipt of specific inquiries with dates of posting.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that there is a strong desire on the part of women in Malta to serve, as do Palestinians and Cypriots, in the women's Services both in local and foreign service; and will he make the necessary arrangements.

This question has not been overlooked. Until recently it was considered that women in Malta could render better service in Malta, and not in the women's Services, but the question is now being re-examined.

asked the Minister of Supply if he can give the reason for the discrepancy, referred to in the Report of the Select Committee on National Expenditure, between the estimated cost of £300,000 and the actual cost of £1,600,000 on a magnesium plant; and what disciplinary action is contemplated.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the discussion of this case by the Public Accounts Committee at paragraphs 7914 to 7924 of the Proceedings published on 10th November, 1942. The facts briefly are that in 1940, in order to meet a critical position, immediate steps had to be taken to provide new sources of magnesia production, and substantial risks had to be incurred with the develop- ment of a new and untried process. Modifications and additions to the original scheme, during construction of the plant, were such that the initial estimates of cost proved to be quite inapplicable. I am satisfied that every effort was made to keep expenditure to a minimum.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will give for the December quarters of 1943 and 1942, respectively, and for the year 1943, the average number of shifts worked per wage earner per week in the coalmining industry.

The average number of shifts worked per wage-earner on colliery books per week was 5·35 in the December quarter of 1942, 5.11 in the December quarter of 1943 and 5.12 in the year 1943. It should be remembered that these figures take account of time lost by wage-earners absent owing to accident, sickness, etc., for the whole of any complete week, while the phrase "wage-earners on colliery books" includes some 60,000 men not effectively employed owing to these causes.

asked the Minister of Information what steps are taken to concert the broadcasts in German to the German public by British, American and Russian broadcasting authorities so as to convey to the Germans a clear picture of the policy of the United Nations towards the enemy after an Allied victory and to dispel the Nazi propaganda as to the consequences of an Allied victory.

A great deal is being done, but, of course, detailed co-ordination of the many millions of words spoken to Germany over the radios of the United States, the U.S.S.R. and this country would be impracticable. The broadcasts take their tone from the joint policy decisions made by the Three Powers, notably those reached at Moscow and Teheren.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now able to give further information regarding his intention of providing additional assistance to the growers of citrus fruit in Palestine.

No, Sir. I am still in telegraphic communication with the High Commissioner with regard to the proposals to which I referred in my reply to the hon. Member on 15th March.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that Cadet J. Wharton, of 2087 Squadron, A.T.C., Manchester, who fell over a plank as he was leaving a hall where a parade had taken place and suffered a fracture of the wrist has been refused any form of compensation or an ex-gratia payment for his injuries; and whether, in such circumstances, he will exercise his powers to recognise personal injuries on terms not less favourable than those provided by the Workmen's Compensation Act.

It is only when a Cadet is regarded as having suffered injury attributable to the special risks of A.T.C. duty that ex-gratia payments may be made by way of compensation. I am advised that the accident to which the hon. Member refers does not fall within this definition, as the Cadet was not, in fact, on duty at the time the accident occurred.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in connection with the Report on the work of the League of Nations, 1943, and the special reference to the work in the economic field of post-war reconstruction, he can state what is the actual collaboration of the League with international humanitarian effort.

The social and humanitarian activities of the League of Nations have been continued so far as possible both through its own services and through the various technical and special organisations constituted under its aegis. The Secretariat has also been called upon for advice in connection with new organisations, such as the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, in the planning of which the United Nations are engaged.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he can make any statement regarding the future of the 243 miles of canal which the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company is proposing to close as being useless for navigation.

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to the canals mentioned in the London Midland and Scottish Railway (Canals) Bill now before Parliament. This Bill is awaiting Second Reading in another place; if it is sent to a Select Committee, it may be the subject of a Report by my Noble Friend. In the circumstances, I have no statement to make on the subject of the Bill at the present stage.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether, having regard to the fact that the L.P.T.B. has, for 10 consecutive years, failed to meet its obligations in respect of the C Stock, he is prepared to introduce amending legislation.

No, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if he will state the remuneration of each of the members of the L.P.T.B.

Following is the information desired:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what daily wages are paid to youths in Borstal institutions who voluntarily engage in farm work.

Youths in Borstal Institutions are employed on farm work under the War Agricultural Executive Committees' schemes. Such work is not voluntary but is the work which the youths are required to do as part of their training. The payments made to the youths are accordingly related to the normal earnings schemes in force in all prisons and Borstal Institutions and they are credited with earnings at the rate of is. 6d. a week for satisfactory work. In addition, credit is given at the rate of ½d. an hour for work in excess of eight hours a day or after mid-day on Saturday. The farmers by whom the youths are employed pay the Prison Commissioners the full local rate of wages in force for agricultural labourers.