asked the Minister of Labour how many ballottees have refused to enter the coalmining industry; how many have been prosecuted for refusing; and how many of them have been imprisoned.

I have no exact figure of the number of ballottees who have refused to enter coal-mining. Up to 31st May, there had been 285 failures to comply with directions to undergo training, but this total, no doubt, included a certain number of cases in which there were good reasons, such as sickness, for not complying immediately. Up to the same date, 135 ballottees had been prosecuted for failing to comply with directions either to coalmining training or to a working colliery. Of these, 32 were sentenced to imprisonment, but within a few days 19 of these were released, on promising to comply with their directions.

In view of the reluctance of some courts to convict in cases like this, because the boys prefer to enter the Forces rather than the mines, and in view also of the fact that the High Court of Justice in New Zealand has recently decided that compulsions like this are akin to the serfdom of the Middle Ages, will not my right hon. Friend reconsider his policy?

No, Sir. Some things in the Middle Ages were worth preserving.

Has the right hon. Gentleman completed his inquiries into the case of my constituent who wanted to go coalmining when directed, but was arrested by the Secretary of State for War?

Does my right hon. Friend know how many young men there are in the mines who desired to go into the Forces but were not allowed to go?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the position of injured workmen in the mining industry when certified fit for suitable light employment and when work is not found by the employer the workman is being released from the industry by National Service officers; that in those cases where release has been refused, or a period of time elapses before release is granted, payment of the guaranteed wages has been refused under the Essential Work (Mining Industry) Orders, on the grounds that the injured workman is not fit for his usual employment; and will he take steps to remedy this position.

I am aware that there have been a few cases where hardship has arisen in the circumstances described in the Question, and I am considering what steps can be taken to avoid such cases arising in future.

Cannot my right hon. Friend take some steps through the National Service Officers to prevent employers obtaining the release of these injured workmen, and by that means getting rid of their liability in respect of compensation and rehabilitation or a return to work?

My hon. Friend will appreciate that I really act in this business as an agent for the Minister of Fuel and Power, but I will go into it with him and see what can be done.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is satisfied that when miners are released from the industry on medical grounds it is made sufficiently clear whether the release is temporary or permanent; whether he is aware many of these miners have now been called to the services; and will he take steps to ensure that when both the employer and the employee are satisfied as to the man's fitness to render a useful service in the mining industry and a job can be found, such person will not be called to the Forces.

A miner who is not permanently unfit for coalmining, may be transferred temporarily to other employment under a definite and clearly explained arrangement with him and his previous and prospective employers for him to return to coal-mining when fit. Such cases are kept under review, and a man would not be called up to the Forces, if coal-mining employment for which he was medically fit were available. If my hon. Friend knows of any cases of miners who are only temporarily unfit being called up to the Forces, I should be glad to have particulars in order that I may make inquiry.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that I have myself had several cases before his Department where miners are not satisfied that they are permanently unfit; and would it not be a very good thing to make the fullest use of these men with coalmining experience?

I was not aware of that.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that a miner who has been doing high-grade work but who, owing to an accident, is unfit to do that work, could still do useful work on a lower grade?

Again I would point out that the question of the placing of the men is a matter for the Minister of Fuel and Power, but I will take this question up, equally with the one I answered just now, and look into it.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will arrange to make available to Members a supply of the pamphlet "The Story of Britain's Mobilisation for War."

I am informed that copies of this publication are available to Members, on application to the Stationery Office on the usual form.

Having regard to the fact that the information contained in this pamphlet has frequently been refused to the House on security grounds, why is it now published in pamphlet form available to the public?

There is nothing in the pamphlet that has been refused to the House on security grounds.

Does the right hon. Gentleman remember the Questions I have asked about the total number of people employed?

No Minister, however good his memory, could remember all the questions the hon. Member asks.

Does the right hon. Gentleman remember his own answers?

asked the Minister of Labour in what industries, in addition to coalmining, have the wages paid per unit of output increased by more than 100 per cent. between 1939 and 1943.

I regret that statistics giving this information are not available. I should add, that my information does not confirm my hon. Friend's suggestion that wages per unit of output in coalmining, have increased by more than 100 per cent. in the period mentioned.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I extracted that information on the day on which I wrote the Question, from the "Ministry of Labour Gazette," of which he is the editor-in-chief?

Has the right hon. Gentleman found any evidence that big wages in coalmining have induced the hon. Member for South Croydon (Sir H. Williams), or any of his friends, to apply for a job?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can make a statement as to the employment of young persons in such work as boiler-scaling and the cleaning of bilges on ships in port.

Yes, Sir. I am glad to be able to inform the House that, under the auspices of the Factory Department, an agreement has recently been concluded among the principal organisations of employers and trades unions concerned, under which, among various measures for the protection and welfare of older workers, it has been agreed that firms engaged in scaling, scurfing or cleaning boilers (including combustion chambers and smoke boxes), or in cleaning oil-fuel tanks or bilges in a ship, should not employ persons under 18 in such work. The agreement applies to ships which have been commissioned, and have been in service, whether they are in a dock, harbour or canal, or in a regular shipbuilding yard. I should add, that any work of this kind done by the master or crew of a ship, is excluded from the Factories Act, and the agreement does not cover it.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the annual increase of population in India and the low standard of agricultural production over that continent threatening recurrence of famine, he has taken any steps to appoint personnel and set up departments under the Central Government of India which will draw up a plan of land reform and agricultural and scientific development in food production.

The matters referred to by the hon. Member are primarily within the Provincial sphere. For co-ordination purposes however the Department of Education, Health and Lands has long existed at the Centre and has the assistance of the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research and the Nutritional Research Laboratory. A Food Department was set up in 1942. Land reform, agricultural improvement and scientific research are among the problems which the new Mem- ber of the Governor-General's Executive Council for Planning and Development will have to consider.

Do I understand from that reply that the responsibility in a matter of this kind rests mainly with the Provincial Governments? Do not the Central Government recognise the urgency of raising the standard of agriculture in India, and do they not take full responsibility for taking the initiative in this matter?

All that is covered by the answer I have given.

asked the Secretary of State for India what percentage of British forces serving in India and adjacent commands have been issued with A.F. B2626 or its equivalent.

The Indian reprint of Form B2626 is expected to be available very shortly for all British forces in the Indian Command and South East Asia Command. The administrative arrangements for the distribution of the form have already been made.

Why has there been this delay in issuing this form to the large number of British troops in India? Will my right hon. Friend take steps, as the Service Ministers are doing, to find out the progress that has been made in registering Service men overseas?

The matter has been handled directly through the Service Ministries concerned. The troops in question are spread over a continent, and the necessary forms have been printed as well as circulated in India. I do not think that there has been unreasonable delay.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that British soldiers serving in India who were exempt from Income Tax in this country have to pay Income Tax to the Indian Government; and will he consult with the Indian Government with a view to removing what is considered to be a decided hardship.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Bellen- ger) on 26th October, 1943, and to two earlier replies which I gave on this subject on 13th May and 3rd June, 1943. I am sending him copies of these. Since then, the position of British Army personnel has been improved, both by the raising of the Income Tax exemption limit from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 2,000 per annum, and by the grant of a special allowance to junior married officers. These measures have gone a considerable way to remove or compensate for the difference to which the hon. Member refers.

As my right hon. Friend has given me earlier information on this matter, will it be possible to publish in HANSARD the information he is sending to my hon. Friend or to send me a copy?

I will do that with pleasure.

asked the Secretary of State for India what is the rate of duty on tobacco, beer and spirits charged in India for goods imported for the British and American forces, respectively.

In accordance with the general policy of His Majesty's Government, which also applies in this country, goods, including beer and tobacco, which are imported into India by the United States Government for the use of American troops are exempted from duty. Owing to shipping difficulties the great bulk of supplies of tobacco, and beer for consumers for the much larger number of British troops in India are drawn from Indian sources. For such of the articles mentioned by my hon. Friend as are imported the rates of duty are those laid down in the Indian Customs Schedule. As details are complex I will circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is it not most extraordinary that there should be discrimination between British and American troops in India in regard to the duty paid on their tobacco going into the country, and will my right hon. Friend ask the Indian Government to see if some way can be found to equalise the burden between the two?

The situation is not extraordinary because there is a similar situation in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for India what further steps he has taken to provide in N.A.A.F.I. canteens in India meals for British soldiers who now have to pay high prices to private contractors much in excess of the cost of meals in Britain.

In India the place of N.A.A.F.I. is taken by Canteen Services (India). This organisation is not run by individual contractors on a profit-making basis, but is administered by a Board of Control through a Canteen Directorate and is financed by the Government of India. Prices are fixed by the Quartermaster-General in India in the case of every item except fresh perishables and raw materials required for the tea and supper trade, prices of which are fixed by the local commanders in conformity with those ruling in the vicinity. In view of the widespread misapprehension which prevails on the subject I wish to emphasise that contractors have no say whatever in policy, fixation of prices, or procurement of stores, and are merely the retail distributors of the Canteen Services (India) in non-operational areas.

Is the Minister aware that it costs the soldier 5s. 3d. a day as against a maximum of 2s. 6d. in this country, and why should there be that difference?

I do not think that that is the case. Some articles may be dearer, but others are substantially cheaper.

Is it not a fact that the prices in these canteens are higher than those in American canteens, and why should the British soldier with a lower rate of pay be made to pay more than the American soldier who has a higher rate?

I am not aware of that fact, but I shall be glad to look into it.

In order that we can find out whether our troops are paying more in India than in this country, would my right hon. Friend be prepared to publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the prices charged in India?

I will look into that.

asked the Secretary of State for India to what industrial and other organisations the Government of India are giving or have agreed to give subsidies or financial assistance; what are the specific amounts; and under what conditions this is granted.

If the hon. Member would help me by making the object of his Question somewhat more explicit, I could make inquiries from the Government of India.

Is it really necessary to make it more explicit? Surely the right hon. Gentleman can find out what moneys are paid to voluntary and private organisations of an industrial or similar character? Is that outside the knowledge of the India Office?

Yes, Sir. The Government of India are responsible for the affairs of a continent and for a vast administration. They may be paying out subventions in various directions of which I would naturally not be informed.

Can I take it that subventions of a substantial character are being paid out to various organisations?

I am willing to make any inquiry if my hon. Friend will give me an indication of the directions in which he would like me to make inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the freedom now enjoyed by Mr. Gandhi, and the political contacts he has made since his release, the present detention of Congress leaders is likely to be reconsidered; and how many Congress leaders and members now remain in detention.

The release of Mr. Gandhi, which was ordered solely for reasons of health, has no bearing on the continued detention of the Congress leaders. The number of persons remaining in detention on 1st May was, 3,508.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that, whatever may have been the motive for releasing Mr. Gandhi, he is politically free and is making political contacts; and that, as apparently no harm has been done by his release, others less important should also be released?

That is a matter of opinion.

In view of what I have said, should not the whole question be reconsidered at an early date?

I do consider all these matters.

Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman has a completely shut mind in this matter and is not prepared to consider the whole question anew?

Not at this moment.

Is it not the case that while the right hon. Gentleman knows the facts, his questioners do not?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he proposes to enforce upon unwilling authorities the policy laid down in Home Security Circular No. 73/1944 that a member of a local authority should not be both a member of the emergency committee and a controller or sub-controller, paid or unpaid;

All the regional commissioners were consulted before the issue of this circular and I have advised local authorities to refer to them when they are in doubt whether changes are necessary in their arrangements to bring them into reasonable conformity with the terms of the circular. The regional commissioners are in a position to advise them, and I have little evidence at present of general unwillingness on the part of local authorities to accept that advice. Indeed, Press reports suggest that many authorities have already welcomed the guidance given. I should be reluctant to make any statement at this stage which seemed to imply that local authorities in general were not in agreement with the principles enunciated or that any compulsion should be necessary on my part. But I do attach importance in principle to a distinction being drawn between a member of a policy-making and directing local authority committee on the one hand and an executive officer responsible to the committee on the other.

If a local authority satisfied the regional commissioner that a change was undesirable, he would not insist upon the change taking place?

I do not wish to commit myself to that extent. A local authority is perfectly free to make representations, and if there is an exceptional case it will be considered.

Is it not far more important that regional commissioners and their deputies should not be prospective Labour candidates for constituencies?

There has never been an embargo upon a regional commissioner being either a Member of Parliament or a candidate, and I must say I think it is a little wrong on the part of my hon. Friend to single out one political party?

The right hon. Gentleman says that I am wrong; will he explain in what respect?

In picking on one political party.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any special instructions have been issued to local authorities for fire-watching at churches.

Under the Fire Guard Orders issued last year, the same provision was made for fire prevention at churches as for business premises and the instructions issued to local authorities cover both classes of premises.

As church fires generally occur in the roof, could not my right hon. Friend see that something in the nature of a permanent ladder is fixed in churches, so that the fire hose could be made to reach the roof? Frequently, when fire occurs, there is nothing which can carry the hose up to the roof to stop the burning.

I will keep that point in mind. I think that is usually provided for.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the total expenditure, capital and annual, upon school education in England and Wales envisaged under the Education Bill now before Parliament.

The total annual expenditure estimated to fall on public funds, including the cost of the reforms envisaged in the Education Bill, is shown in Table II of the Financial Memorandum attached to the Bill as presented to Parliament. As regards the estimated additional capital expenditure referable to the reforms, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Chippenham (Mr. Eccles) on 1st February, a copy of which I am sending him. The annual charges on this capital expenditure are included in the figures given in the Tables in the Financial Memorandum.

Do the figures the right hon. Gentleman has given provide for any substantial increase in the salaries of teachers?

They provide for an increase in the salaries of teachers. Whether an increase is substantial or not varies very much, according to the point of view of the recipient or the giver.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the amount of expenditure upon school education in England and Wales provided from scources other than Governmental, central or local.

Up-to-date information is not available. The latest Return of Expenditure on the Public Social Services (Cmd. 5906) shows that in 1936–37 the total receipts, other than receipts from rates and taxes, in respect of services falling under the Education Acts amounted to £7,999,000. This figure is exclusive of the receipts by way of fees and endowments in schools and institutions not provided by local education authorities. These, in the case of aided and direct grant secondary schools, which represent a very large part of such receipts, amounted in 1936–37 to rather over £2,000,000. The Board have no corresponding information in regard to independent schools.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he can give an estimate, however rough, of the cost to the country involved in persons between the ages of 14 and 16 years being excluded from productive employment.

I am afraid that I cannot give the desired estimate, as there are no statistics relating to the earnings of young people of 14 and 15 separately from the earnings of other age-groups.

asked the President of the Board of Education, in connection with the road casualties for April, numbering over 10,000, of which fatalities to children numbered approximately five a day, what are the precise measures which have been taken by his Department to secure that the head teachers of all schools throughout the country are impressing upon the children in their schools the serious dangers of lack of care in crossing highways and generally explaining the rules of the road.

I am sending my hon. Friend copies of four official documents in which my Department have drawn the attention of authorities to the need for including road safety training as a definite and regular part of the curriculum in all schools. A new film on road safety produced by the Ministry of Information in collaboration with the Ministry of War Transport and the Board of Education specially for showing to children has recently been made available to local education authorities.

Does not all this relate to post-war training? When five children are being killed every day surely some special request should be made now to local education authorities throughout the country that, each day, for say a couple of months, the head teacher should draw the attention of the children on assembly at the school to the great danger of road accidents?

May I say to my hon. Friend that, to my knowledge, frequent reference is made to this matter in schools, and all kinds of practical demonstrations and exercises are given, but I venture to say that if the same thing were said every day for two months, long before the end of the first month the children would be paying attention to something other than the words of the teacher.

Is it not the case that the real problem in connection with road fatalities to children is the urgent need for an extension of playing fields for the children, and does that not raise the question of taking over the land?

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the number of deaths from pulmonary and non-pulmonary tuberculosis, and the number of cases notified, in England and Wales and in Scotland during 1943, giving the sexes separately; will he give the comparable figures for 1938 to 1942; and whether any age-groups have been especially affected in any increases that may have taken place recently.

As the reply involves a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the Minister be good enough to publish what is called the Annual Report of his Department, which would contain these statistics?

The statistics asked for will be in HANSARD to-morrow.