asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware of the difficulty experienced by pit-head bath committees in obtaining the written consent of all the workmen at the collieries to the deduction of the necessary sums to maintain the baths; and if he will consider providing the same legal basis for the deduction of pit-head bath contributions as applies to deductions under the Check Weight Act.

My right hon. Friend is aware that there has been difficulty of this kind in some cases. He has already consulted the appropriate Joint National Committee of the two sides of the industry as to the remedy; and the question of an amendment of the law along the lines indicated is one of the matters he will consider with the Committee.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what protests he has received in his Department against the policy of curtailing supplies of coal to consumers in certain districts because of stoppages of work; and, in view of the resentment the general public feel over the matter, will he modify his policy in this respect.

My right hon. Friend is aware that consumers in some regions have complained of the hardship caused by the particular shortage of supplies in their own district, but he has received no direct protest as to the unfairness of any special restrictions imposed by my Department in consequence of stoppages at collieries. It is not a question of policy, but an unavoidable necessity, that the effect of such stoppages should be borne largely in the districts normally served by the coalfields concerned, since supplies in total are far short of the requirements, and any diversion of supplies would put a further strain on planned transport programmes which barely suffice to maintain war priority and essential public services.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the quantity of coal sent from Scotland to England during the first six months of 1944 and the quantity of English coal sent to Scotland in the same period.

I regret that it would not be in the public interest to publish the figures.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if instructions can be given that steam coal for threshing purposes may be stocked up by farmers between now and the commencement of threshing operations, in quantities at least equal to the tonnages consumed for the last harvest, in view of the present prospects of the crops.

The supply of coal to farmers for agricultural operations, including threshing, is controlled by my Regional Organisation having regard to the estimated requirements of the individual farmer. In any case of doubt or difficulty the advice of the County War Agricultural Executive Committee is sought. The adoption of my hon. Friend's suggestion would not ensure that proper account was taken of changes in individual circumstances since last summer.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the average weekly output of saleable coal for the two four-week periods ended 13th May and 10th June, 1944.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend gave on 9th May to the hon. Member for Bosworth (Sir W. Edge) and to the statement which I made during the Debate last Thursday.

asked the Prime Minister if he will recommend the striking of a 1939–44 civil star in recognition of the part in the Battle of Britain played by the people of London and the fortitude they have shown in resisting enemy action.

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the shortage of books for schools and technical purposes; and whether he will consider a more adequate supply of paper for these publications.

Owing to the shortage of paper the supply available for books is strictly limited. But I am doing my best to give educational books a substan- tial share of the reserve of paper at my disposal, and I am keeping in close touch with my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Education, on this question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that in the case of a person recently released from the Services whose clothing coupons have been stolen or lost before such person has acquired a civilian outfit, no provision is made for further coupons; and whether he will take steps to remedy same.

No, Sir. Persons released from the Forces whose coupons are stolen or lost are treated in the same way as other civilians. If my hon. and learned Friend has any particular case in mind, I should be very glad to look into it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is now in a position to make a statement on the result of his inquiries into the desirability of revising the existing basis of motorcar taxation.

I am not yet in a position to make a statement. The views of organisations representative of the motor vehicle manufacturers and distributors have been received and are under examination.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that not more than one in 20 farms in the county of Denbigh have an electric supply; whether he has any scheme in view to remedy this deficiency; and when the work will be commenced.

Owing to the great shortage of labour and materials, my right hon. Friend regrets that extensions of electricity supply have had to be restricted. In the case of farms where the application for a supply of electricity is certified by the County War Agricultural Executive Committee as being urgently necessary, every effort is made by the local electricity undertaking concerned to give the supply. The development of electricity supplies in rural areas is an important aspect of the general problem of improvement of electricity services for the country as a whole, and is under consideration by the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the imprisonment of labourers and imposition of heavy fines in Mauritius for withholding labour in a trade dispute, steps are being taken to bring trade union law and industrial relations practice and enactment into line with observances in other parts of the Colonial Empire.

I understand that certain persons have been imprisoned, in default of fine, for breaches of Section 22 of the Industrial Association Ordinance, 1938, which, as amended, provides that a strike is illegal if it takes place before the expiration of the period of ten days from the date on which the industrial dispute, to which the strike relates, was referred to the Conciliation Board. I am satisfied that under existing circumstances this provision is justified. The Government of Mauritius, however, is fully conscious of the need for the improvement of industrial relations in the Colony and the development of trade unionism on proper lines. This process has been started by the Department of Labour and will be assisted by the proposed establishment of a system of Industrial Courts which is intended to provide machinery for the prompt hearing of complaints and as far as possible to dispose of disputes without actual litigation. The process will, I hope, be further accelerated when I succeed in my present efforts to secure the services of a suitable person to visit Mauritius to advise on trade union methods and procedure.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the average percentage increase in the cost of maintenance work on agricultural estates in Scotland since June 1939.

I am advised that costs of maintenance on agricultural estates in Scotland have increased by from about 70 per cent. to 75 per cent. since June 1939.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the shortage of potatoes in East Africa; why potatoes do not keep well in the Colony; and what progress is being made with dehydrating them.

I have seen a Press report of a potato shortage in Kenya, but I have had no official reports of such a shortage in East Africa. Potato storage presents special difficulties in tropical climates owing to high temperatures. Two dehydration plants for vegetables, including potatoes, are working in Kenya, but the bulk of the produce goes at present to the Army. I am bringing my hon. Friend's Question to the notice of the Governors in East Africa.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that some ratings serving in an L.C.T., of which he has been advised of the number, have received no letters since D day, although letters to them have been posted c/o G.P.O., London; and will he take the necessary action to speed up delivery of mail to the L.C.T. flotilla.

Difficulties over despatch of mails to warships and landing craft engaged in current operations which were due largely to the necessary increase of security measures, have been given the most active attention of the Admiralty and of the General Post Office. All possible measures have been taken to strengthen the staff employed upon the work, including the loan of Naval ratings, and other detailed remedial measures have been put into effect. I am glad to say that there has already been a great improvement in the speed with which mails are reaching the ships, and can assure my hon. Friend that the closest watch is being kept to see that everything possible is done to secure further improvement.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether dockyard workmen, who are prisoners of war in Japanese hands at Hong Kong or Singapore, are receiving any payment from the Admiralty; and, if married, whether any weekly or monthly payment is paid to their wives.

Dockyard workmen who fell into enemy hands at Hong Kong and Singapore are, while they are presumed to be alive and in enemy hands, credited, as an ex gratia arrangement, with their net wages. The Admiralty is charged with the administration of these credits on behalf of the men detained, and in the exercise of this special regard is paid by the Admiralty both to the needs of dependants and to the necessity of conserving as much as possible of the employee's wages against his return. Regular payments are being made to wives on this basis.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether his attention has been drawn to the greater frequency of cancer of the stomach and rectum in young men in the Services than in civil life; whether these affections are classified as originating in, or aggravated by, war service and rank for pension; and whether he will institute an inquiry into the cause of this increased incidence;(2) whether his attention has been drawn to the report of a surgeon major-general, who has had four years' experience during the present war of surgical procedures in the Fighting Services; that in the treatment of burns different methods, some of them antiquated, are being used in the three Services; and, in view of the importance of correct early treatment of burns and their frequency, he will cause an inquiry to be made into the present position.

Sir. I have referred these Questions to the military, naval and air authorities concerned with the health of His Majesty's Forces, and if desired, arrangements could be made for the hon. Member to have an opportunity of discussing the matter with them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Criminal Justice Bill is to be reintroduced into Parliament this Session.

I regret that I am not at present in a position to add anything to the reply which I gave on 6th April to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Fulham East (Mr. Astor) and of which I have sent my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in future, he will arrange that in civilian casualty lists from the results of enemy action those injured by bombing are referred to as wounded in civil action.

I appreciate my hon. Friend's suggestion, but the term used in the monthly casualty lists since 1940—"injured and detained in hospital"—is a more accurate description, and I do not think there would be any advantage in making the suggested change now.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will instruct officers commanding units to exercise more care with the routing of posted personnel in order to avoid unnecessary breaking of journeys overnight and involving personnel in needless discomfort and fatigue.

I have no reason to believe that Commanding Officers are unaware of their responsibilities in this matter or fail to carry them out so far as the exigencies of the Service and the present difficulties of travel permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that satisfactory arrangements are not made to inform officers commissioned from the ranks that they may exercise the option of contracting out of the National Health Insurance Scheme in spite of the fact that a serving officer is entitled to no benefits other than maternity benefit, and if he will remedy this.

I am satisfied that as a general rule the option is brought to the notice of officers to whom it applies when they are commissioned. If my hon. and gallant Friend knows of individual cases where this has not been done I shall be glad to look into them. I should also perhaps remind my hon. and gallant Friend that 1s. 1d. of the weekly contribution of 1s. 5d. made by an officer is in respect of pension rights. The remaining 4d. not only confers maternity benefit but also rights to health insurance benefits which, subject to certain conditions, continue for 18 months after he has left the Forces.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the number of men who have been discharged on the ground that the State has no further use for their services; and whether this fact is recorded on their identity cards.

I regret that it would not be in the public interest to give these figures. The cause of discharge is entered on the soldier's discharge certificate but does not appear on his national registration identity card.

asked the Secretary of State for War what proportion of men trained at pre-war O.C.T.U and at O.C.T.U. has been rejected in each year since the start of the war; and whether it is possible for any of these decisions to be reviewed.

About 6 per cent. of the candidates accepted for pre-O.C.T.U. and O.C.T.U. training since the beginning of the war have been rejected and returned to their units The percentages year by year are, I regret, not readily available. Since October, 1942, candidates who have been rejected for reasons other than a serious breach of discipline have been seen by a special War Office Selection Board and have only been returned to their units if they are not considered suitable for further cadet training for some other Arm. All such candidates are, however, eligible to be reconsidered for further officer training after a period of three months.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a soldier of whose name he has been informed has been sent overseas again although he has been out of this country for over four years, two of which he was a prisoner of war; whether it is usual to send a man to the front in cases such as this; and what is the position of these men if taken prisoner again.

This man was a prisoner in Italy who rejoined the Allied Forces after the Italian armistice. I have no reason to believe that he was not retained in this country for the usual period of six months before being sent overseas again in accordance with the policy which I out-lied in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Clay Cross (Mr. Neal) on 24th May. The answer to the third part of the Question is that the man is in no way prejudiced by reason of the fact that he has previously been taken prisoner.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether parcels containing boiled sweets or other articles of food may now be despatched to men of the British Army in Normandy.

Under a Board of Trade Regulation parcels containing confectionery (including boiled sweets) or other articles of food may not be sent to troops overseas. This ruling applies to parcels for the British Liberation Army in Normandy.

asked the Secretary of State for War under what circumstances nine German nurses who were captured in Normandy were returned to the German lines; and whether, in all cases where British nurses have been captured by the Germans, they have been returned with equal promptitude and under the same conditions.

The nurses referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend were, I understand, personnel of the International Red Cross. No general instructions have been issued about the return to the enemy of such personnel. In this case they were returned on the authority of the local commander. No British nurses have so far been captured in Normandy.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in view of the improved supply position of penicillin, he will arrange for small quantities to be sent to Allied doctors in Germany for healing wounded Allied soldiers.

Small quantities of penicillin are being sent through the agency of the British Red Cross Society to selected medical officers for the treatment of specified patients in hospitals in enemy countries where our prisoners are.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give an assurance that German prisoners of war will not be transferred from camps in Southern England to areas unaffected by flying bombs.

Existing arrangements for the accommodation of German prisoners of war, which in all cases fully comply with the Geneva Convention, will not be altered because of the flying bombs launched by the Germans on Southern England.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any authenticated details of British prisoners of war, other than the case of the 50 airmen, who have been shot by the enemy since their capture.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for East Rhondda (Mr. Mainwaring) on 3rd August. Since then, in addition to the 50 airmen referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend, 33 further such deaths have been reported from Germany. In 27 cases the men are alleged to have been shot while they were attempting to escape. Inquiry is made through the Protecting Power as soon as information of the violent death of a prisoner of war is received and, whenever appropriate, the strongest protests are made through the Protecting Power. Such protests have been made in these 33 cases, and, of course, an account of them is being kept for reference to the War Criminals Commission when the war is over.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economis Warfare whether it is still the case that imports of foodstuffs from Axis-controlled sources into Greece have exceeded in quantity exports of foodstuffs from that country since the German occupation.

Under the terms of the Greek Relief Scheme the German Government are under an obligation to send food to Greece sufficient to compensate for any exports of foodstuffs from Greece to Germany and for any foodstuffs requisitioned by German troops. During the period from 1st September, 1943, until 29th February, 1944, which is the latest for which I have precise information, German imports into Greece for Greek civilians (other than Greek workers directly employed by the German authorities) slightly exceeded the combined total of exports to Germany and of requisitions. If, however, account is taken of the food wantonly destroyed by the German forces, allegedly as reprisals for Greek guerilla activities, these imports from Germany fall far short of the total of foodstuffs of which the Germans have deprived the Greek population. I must make it quite clear that for this and other reasons His Majesty's Government are by no means satisfied with the way in which the conditions of the Greek relief scheme are being observed by the occupying authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Air which R.A.F. Command in this country has the highest percentage of personal subscribers to the R.A.F. Benevolent Fund and which Command has the lowest percentage; and whether, for the purposes of accurate accounting, any organisation exists to check all available figures.

As I informed the hon. Member on 13th June, records of the number of R.A.F. subscribers are not maintained in the Air Ministry or by the Fund. As regards the second part of the Question, payments are made through R.A.F. non-public or public accounts and are subject to audit.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the position of the negotiations for issuing French currency for allied use in France.

Discussions on this subject are making favourable progress, but at present I cannot add anything to the answer which I gave on this subject to the hon. Member for Birkenhead on 11th July.