asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that numbers of girls working as engineers are earning only the standard wage of £2 10s. per week and that, after paying lodgings they are finding difficulties in making ends meet; that feeling exists at the delays in the calling of a conference to consider this and other problems; and whether he will take steps to hasten a favourable settlement on a basis more nearly approaching equal pay for equal work.

I am aware that for the first few weeks of her employment, before she can become sufficiently proficient to secure a higher level of earnings, a girl living in lodgings away from home may, in certain circumstances, need assistance. It was for this reason that I recently increased the settling-in grants, to which I referred in the statement I made on 2nd December in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson). As regards the second and third parts of the Question, I understand that discussions are proceeding between the employers and the trade unions regarding women's pay. In accordance with the Government's policy, this is a matter for the industry to settle.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that these girls have been settled in, that that is the standard wage in the district, and that the girls are not only having economic difficulty, but find cause for considerable irritation in suggestions that they are making large amounts of money at munitions, when, as a matter of fact, they can hardly pay for their own keep?

I cannot be responsible for irresponsible suggestions made by people in the country about munitions wages. I have always refuted them in this House.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will consider setting up pools of domestic servants, in villages and suitable areas, in order that the available workers in the category may not be competed for by those who can afford it but shared by the aged and infirm and the dependants of those in the Services who find themselves in a position of dire necessity.

As I explained in the answer which I have to the hon. Member for East Middlesbrough (Mr. A. Edwards) on 20th April, my policy is to give the highest priority in the supply of domestic workers to households where the lack of domestic help is causing exceptional hardship. My local offices will welcome any offers of help from women who may be able to give full-or part-time help in this way and will ensure that they are put in touch with households needing help.

In view of the fact that there are serious inequalities in this domestic servant situation up and down the country, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that there should be some sort of need test before an excessive number of servants is allowed for households; or has he considered a census of domestic servants?

I have investigated hundreds of cases, but the needs of domestic life vary and I have been reluctant to try to reduce the domestic life of this country to a regimentation. I am working very hard to produce a state of affairs which will put domestic help on an organised basis, but it is a very difficult problem.

Will the Minister, in order to assist to solve this problem, make attendance at domestic science schools compulsory for the somewhat helpless females of the higher income class?

In order to ventilate this matter and bring further information to the right hon. Gentleman, I beg to give notice that I shall raise it on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the case, particulars of which have been sent to him, of a household of two with four boys usually at school, where there were in March eight indoor servants; and whether, in view of the present shortage of domestic help, he intends to take any action.

I have just received the particulars from my hon. Friend and am having inquiries made.

Can my right hon. Friend, at the same time, cause inquiry to be made in regard to a large number of other cases, of which I have particulars, in other parts of the country and even in his own constituency; and may I ask him whether, in view of the circumstances, he cannot find some reasonable means of dealing with this use of our man and woman-power throughout the country?

I will look into it, but I would be particularly intrigued at finding anybody in my constituency with eight servants.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of man-hours which have been lost to the nation through strike action; and the number of man-hours which have been lost through the action of employers suspending workpeople for alleged offences.

Estimates of the amount of working-time lost on account of stoppages due to trade disputes are given in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette," copies of which are in the Library. I am not in possession of the information asked for in the second part of the Question.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the stoppages or loss of man-hours due to suspensions are now substantial; and is he not aware that many of these suspensions take place for most trivial reasons?

The number of suspensions which have taken place in this war is infinitesimal.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in a factory, details of which I will supply him, workpeople are suspended for eating their sandwiches at work, when it takes 20 minutes out of half-an-hour's break to go to the canteen?

If the hon. Member will send me particulars, I will look into the case, but very often I have tried to get work-people to take an hour's break instead of half-an-hour and they have refused, because it puts half-an-hour on the day. I am adverse, on health grounds, to people eating in the factory, under unsatisfactory conditions.

asked the Minister of Labour whether persons not restricted in finding employment who have accepted employment with employers, who are not restricted to engagement through the Ministry, are compelled to identify the medium through which such employment was obtained.

I am advised that persons registered under the Registration for Employment Order may be legally required to give this information if asked by my Department.

Will it not be time enough to ask for this identification when it is discovered that one or both of the parties are within the scope of the Restriction on Engagement Order?

If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind which will allow me to test it out as to whether they have been going outside the Order, I will look into it. A general question has been put to me and I have given a general answer in accordance with the law.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he proposes to take advantage of the presence of the Dominion Prime Ministers to discuss the question of the interchange of teachers between Britain and the Dominions.

This matter has not been discussed in detail with the Dominion Prime Ministers in view of their very full programme, but my hon. and gallant Friend may be sure that the question of the interchange of teachers with the Dominions is being actively pursued.

asked the President of the Board of Education what plans are in existence or being prepared to provide the best technical education for youths who left the textile industry for the services.

I assume that my hon. Friend has in mind technical education for the textile industry. Courses of training for men and women returning from the services and other forms of war work are under consideration as regards the cotton industry by the technical training subcommittee of the recruitment and training committee of the Cotton Board, and as regards the woollen industry by the appropriate committees of the Yorkshire Council for Further Education. The Board of Education are in touch with the work of these various committees through His Majesty's Inspectors.

asked the President of the Board of Education if, in the plans he is now making for the future, he has considered using the buildings on aerodromes, which include residences, classrooms', halls, gymnasiums, swimming baths, squash courts, tennis courts and playing grounds, when they are no longer. required for whole time use by the R.A.F.

Yes, Sir, and my Department is in touch with the Air Ministry and the Ministry of Town and Country Planning.

asked the President of the Board of Education for how many school-children is provision not yet made by local education authorities for dinners at school.

The number of departments of public elementary schools for whose pupils no school meals are available is approximately 11,000 out of 28,000, but a large amount of new provision is under construction. Only a small number of secondary schools are without facilities. I am proposing very shortly to present a return showing the percentage of children taking school meals on a day in February, 194.4.

May I ask my hon. Friend how long it will be, at the present rate of progress, before provision is made for all school-children? Will he give, in the OFFICIAL REPORT, a list of the authorities that are not taking action to provide school meals?

I could not give an answer to the first part of that supplementary question without notice. While one authority differs from another as to progress, we are very favourably impressed with the efforts being made by most of the local education authorities to get on with this work.

May I ask my hon. Friend whether the Government are prepared to make it obligatory to provide meals for children in schools? I have been advocating this for many years.

My hon. Friend will have observed that the Education Bill now before Parliament strengthens considerably both our powers and those of the local education authorities.

Has the fact that 1100 out of 28,000 school-children have not had provision made for them really created a satisfactory impression on the Board?

No, Sir, but one has to realise that a substantial number of local education authorities are in areas where the children live very near the schools and where—I think, regrettably—there has been no great demand on the part of the parents for school meals.

asked the President of the Board of Education what has been the response to the invitation to 16-year-old boys and girls following their registration to attend interviews as regards joining youth or pre-Service organisations or attending evening continuation classes; and whether a satisfactory number has joined one or other of the various youth organisations.

The latest returns available show that of the young people who registered in August, October and November of last year 146,854 were invited to interview and 98,654 responded. The response has varied according to local circumstances and, not unnaturally, has been less favourable in scattered and rural areas. As regards the second part of the Question, while I am unable to give a total figure, I am advised that since registration was started the membership of the youth organisations has shown an appreciable increase.

asked the Minister of Health when the Report of the Committee on Housing, presided over by Sir Felix Pole, is likely to be published.

I am arranging for this Report to be published as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent his estimate of the construction of 100,000 houses in the first year after the war includes the product of private enterprise.

The estimate is based on the total figures of men and materials likely to be available. On the Question as to the part to be played by private enterprise, I am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for North Kensington (Captain Duncan) on 3oth March, of which I am sending him a copy.

Can we be assured that the right hon. and learned Gentleman will safeguard the interests of private enterprise?

Certainly, Sir.

Will the Minister bear in mind that all the people of this country will want houses, no matter from which class they come?

I will bear in mind what my hon. Friend has said.

Does the Minister realise that that was precisely the answer I expected from him?

Is the statement in the Question correct? Has the right hon. and learned Gentleman said that 100,000 houses will be constructed in the first year, or commenced in the first year?

The Question is, I think, quite correct in that it refers to an estimate of the construction of 100,000 houses. The estimate was that, in the first year, there would be 100,000 houses built, or building.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that temporary pre-fabricated steel houses are not intended for use in rural centres of population where there are no supplies of electricity or gas and piped water available, he will give the utmost priority for all building supplies necessary to meet the urgent need for homes in such areas as soon as such supplies become available.

I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the housing needs of rural areas are constantly in mind, arid will receive every consideration. I would, however, remind him that the services to which he refers are already available in many rural villages, and piped water supplies will be further extended as a result of measures before this House.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman indicate whether there is any special provision for these areas in his mind over and above the general policy of the Government in regard to urban areas?

I cannot give further details at the moment with regard to the Government's plan for rural housing, but I hope to do so at a comparatively early date.

asked the Minister of Health the number of permits required before a building costing approximately £100,000 can be built in London and the average length of time it takes to obtain these permits.

The administration of the building law in London has been vested by Parliament in the London County Council. It seems likely that the reply to my hon. Friend's Question might vary according to the form of construction and to the use to be made of the particular building. I shall be glad to make inquiries regarding any building or class of building which my hon. Friend may have in mind.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that it will take about a year to get the permits to rebuild all the major buildings in the City of London? Is he further aware that in another town or city of similar size, the same thing could be done in a month or six weeks to-day?

No, Sir, I am not aware of that, but I have invited my hon. Friend to give any examples of the difficulties of the kind he has indicated.

Any responsible architect will give my right hon. and learned Friend all the information he wants.

That is why I have asked my hon. Friend to do so.

asked the Minister of Health whether, as the model building by-laws issued under the Public Health Act, 1936, did not contemplate the construction of many different types of prefabricated houses now being erected, he will modify the model building by-laws to make the adoption of these new forms of construction legal.

The clauses in the model by-laws were framed so as to permit of all reasonable forms of construction, but if it is found that any of them are unduly restrictive, I will gladly look into the matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether matters of research affecting new forms of construction are carried out under the jurisdiction of his Ministry.

No, Sir. As stated by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Production in the House in November last, the technique of construction is a matter for my noble Friend the Minister of Works.

Does not my right hon. and learned Friend think that if the Minister of Works is making this investigation, he should not be the one to make the regulations after the buildings are erected under this form of construction?

I shall endeavour to perform my duty in that respect.

Is the medical side of the Ministry of Health consulted in regard to these prefabricated houses?

Every relevant branch of my Department has been in the closest touch with the Minister of Works in connection with the prefabricated houses.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give an assurance that under the proposed National Health Scheme no doctor will be called upon to divulge the illnesses of patients to a third party, except in a court of law, in accordance with the tradition of medical practice.

There is no intention of departing, in this respect, from the familiar principles which have hitherto governed the doctor-patient relationship.

In view of the fact that the illnesses of nearly all of us will be known to the Ministry of Health, could not those facts be used by a Government Department for its own secret purposes, contrary to the ancient tradition of privacy which has always existed between doctor and patient?

My hon. Friend has referred to something that could be done. I have said that there is no intention of departing from the present practice.

asked the Minister of Health if he has now framed rules for certification of sickness by doctors under the proposed National Health Scheme, or whether he proposes to leave such certification to a doctor's free and unfettered professional opinion in accordance with the tradition of medical practice.

The answer to the first part of the Question is, "No, Sir," and to the second part that the form and method of medical certification is one of many questions which I hope to discuss in due course with the profession's representatives.

In view of the fact that the White Paper, of necessity, involves rules, for certification which must again involve penalties on the doctor, are not these rules directed to ensure the increased productivity of the patient rather than his health and happiness? Do they not prepare the way for the mobility and direction of labour when the war is over?

No. Sir. The purpose of certification is to give those entitled to insurance benefits the evidence which they need.

Will the Minister still keep as stiff a back on this matter as he kept last night at Croydon?

asked the Minister of Health if he proposes to consult the Mental Hospitals' Association before introducing legislation affecting the mental health services of the country.

Yes, Sir.

Has the right hon. and learned Gentleman any intention of introducing any legislation, and if so, when?

I do not quite understand the supplementary question.

It refers to the Question on the Paper to which my right hon. and learned Friend has just replied "Yes." Will he, before introducing legislation affecting the mental health services of the country, consult the Mental Hospitals Association?

I answered that question, and I answered one last week on the extent to which the law with regard to mental health would be included or would not be included in the legislation arising from the White Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for India what reply has been given to the reprsentations made by a large number of Indian editors to Lord Wavell respecting the political situation.

I understand that the signatories were asked to await the Viceroy's then impending address to the Indian Legislature which was delivered on 17th February.

Has the Minister appreciated that these editors represent various schools of political thought, and that their representations should be taken into account?

Yes, Sir, and the Viceroy did so.

Has the Minister observed reports in the Press indicating that there is a change of feeling in India due to the temporary release of Mr. Gandhi, and that indication has also been given that Mr. Gandhi is willing to meet members of the Moslem party? Is it not. possible, in these favourable circumstances, to make a new approach to a solution of the problem in India?

If that were the situation I am sure the Viceroy would take advantage of it.

asked the Secretary of State for India who is responsible for the censorship of private letters in India; and whether he is satisfied that letters are not censored on any other grounds than that of military security.

Responsibility for the postal and telegraphic censorship of correspondence entering or leaving India has been entrusted by the Government of India to the Commander-in-Chief, India. It is exercised on grounds of military security in the broad sense of the term, that is to say, in the general interests of national defence or public safety. The Indian Censorship Regulations are based on those of the United Kingdom and, follow the guiding principles of the latter. Some variation in the application of general rules by individual censors is inevitable, but censors are instructed to apply the rules with common sense and liberality.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there have been cases where purely political or administrative matters, which have nothing to do with military security, have been censored? Will he send to the censors a reminder of the Government's pledge that only matters of military security, in the strict sense, are to be subject to censorship?

I think a broad reminder in that sense was sent out to the censors by the Commander-in-Chief. Censors, like all of us, are sometimes fallible.

May we take it that anybody writing from India to this country has the right and complete opportunity to express his views about this House and about the Minister?

asked the Secretary of State for India what standards of price and service are required of contractors in India for canteens and clubs for His Majesty's Forces; who is responsible for inspection to see that these standards are maintained; and what action is taken when conditions are unsatisfactory.

The Indian Canteen Stores Department, which is an official Department of the Government of India, maintains district Managers and Supervisors to inspect and control canteens and assist Commanding Officers of units in the maintenance of proper standards of service by the individual contractors. The latter can be engaged, dismissed or penalised by the Officer Commanding subject to the general supervision and control of the Canteen Stores Department. Prices are controlled by the Board of Administration of the Department and compare very favourably with civil market prices in India.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that every officer and man who comes back from India complains about the standard of service which the Army is getting in those canteens; and will he take steps to strengthen this inspectorate, and insist on a higher standard of service?

I think all this is kept fully in view by the Department.

But are any steps to be talon about it? Are the Department doing anything about it?

I will consult the Government of India on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the fact that officers and men of the Indian Army are not covered by the scheme for the repatriation of British Army personnel who have served continuously for long periods overseas and in view of the hardship imposed upon such officers and men who have served in the East for many years, he is making arrangements for the granting of leave at home for such personnel; and when the granting of such leave will commence.

Yes, Sir. Arrangements have already been made on a limited scale and I hope that in the present year it will be possible to increase considerably the the number of British officers and men of he Indian Army to whom home leave can be granted.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether figures respecting deaths from starvation, malnutrition and epidemics outside of Bengal are now available.

I will ask the Government of India whether recorded statistics of mortality during 1943 are yet available for Provinces other than Bengal.

Do I understand that when the particulars are secured they will be circulated to the House?

These are matters for the Provincial Governments in India. The hon. Member's Question is very wide, and gives no indication either of place or date.

Would the Minister see that the figures are high enough, in order to satisfy the hon. Member for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen)?

Would it not be of some value to secure these figures?

Yes, Sir, but all these are matters within the competence of the Governments of India. There is an element of self-government in India.

On a point of Order. Is it in Order, Mr. Speaker, for the hon. Member for Southampton (Dr. Russell Thomas) to suggest that another hon. Member wishes to see a great increase in human mortality?

I did not quite hear what the hon. Member for Southampton (Dr. Russell Thomas) said, but it would not be in Order for an hon. Member to make such a reflection.

May I assure you, Mr. Speaker, that the imputation was quite clear, and that being so, ought not the hon. Member to withdraw it?

Is it not the case that if some of the doctors on the other side of the House were sent to India the figures would be much higher?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the correspondence that took place between Mr. Gandhi and the Governor-General can now be released, or if there is any objection to its publication by Mr. Gandhi.

Correspondence between Mr. Gandhi and the Governor-General prior to Mr. Gandhi's fast has already been published. I am not aware of any intention to publish subsequent letters, but the matter would in any case be one for the Governor-General and his Council to decide.

As the matter has been brought up before, and as permission to publish the letters has not been given, would it not be wise, in the altered circumstances, for us to find out from the correspondence what took place?

If the hon. Member will study the answer I have given, he will find that it also answers his supplementary question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is considering using aerodromes and their buildings, no longer required by the R.A.F. for whole time use after the cessation of hostilities, for agricultural colleges and farm institutes and for other educational and instructional purposes.

The possibilities indicated by my hon. Friend are not being overlooked.