asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider exempting from the mines ballot those who wish to volunteer for service in the commandos, parachute battalions or as glider pilots.

No, Sir. As I indicated in the course of a reply to my right hon. Friend on 25th May, I am not prepared to extend the present list of exceptions. Moreover, I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War that it would not be practicable to earmark volunteers for these duties at the pre-enlistment stage, as the men are not selected until after they have received preliminary training in the Army, and have been specially tested.

Could my right hon. Friend say why it is that fighter pilots in the Air Force are exempted? Surely they have to be specially selected and have to go through a period of training in the same way.

I am afraid that I cannot answer that question; but I must emphasise that I cannot change this method of exemption at this late stage of the war.

Are there many of these boys refusing to go to the mines now?

No.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will amend the clause in the Essential Work Order so that employees dismissed for alleged misconduct should be brought before the members of the Joint Production Committee for a definite decision, along the lines resolved recently at a meeting of the shop stewards committee of Messrs. Riley (Coventry), Limited, a copy of which has been sent him by the hon. Member for Nuneaton.

No, Sir. Under the Essential Work Order a worker dismissed for serious misconduct has the right of appeal to a local appeal board consisting of a representative of employers, a representative of workers and an independent chairman. The facts do not warrant the implication in the communication sent to me, that this procedure is being used in favour of the employers. It is an agreed procedure and I see no reason for making any change.

Does my right hon. Friend remember that for some two or three months now, he and I have been in correspondence about another case concerning a motor works, where the same kind of feeling existed? May I also ask my right hon. Friend whether he will make inquiries into the feelings of the workers in the Coventry area about this matter?

Yes, Sir, but when a man wins he never complains. When he happens to lose, he does complain.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is aware of the case, particulars of which I sent him, in which the man concerned won twice, and in which the right hon. Gentleman and his National Service officer refused to make the employer carry out even the appeal board's recommendation?

There may have been good reasons for it.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will give particulars of the work being done by works relations centres, the number formed, objects and success attained.

As the answer is rather long I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for India if His Majesty's Government will come to an arrangement with the Government of the U.S.A. with a view to shipping being supplied for the shipment of grain to India.

Under the Combined Shipping Adjustment Board procedure, the shipping available to the United Nations, whether belonging to ourselves, the United States or our other Allies is already pooled in the light of all requirements. As was recently announced in India, very substantial shipments of foodgrains have been and are being made to India.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the American statement that grain could be sent from America if we could supply the shipping? Does that denote some difficulty that could be cleared up after closer inquiry?

No, Sir. There is no question of clearing up. Our Ministry of War Transport and the American War Shipping Administration are, naturally in close touch as to the best allocation of shipping for all the many requirements of the Allies.

Is grain being taken by our ships to India just now?

It is taken from the ports most convenient, by the routes most economical of shipping, to India.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he can state the terms of the proposals associated with Mr. Rajagopalachari and Mr. Gandhi and communicated to Mr. Jinnah.

The hon. Member will have seen the terms of the proposals referred to as published in the Press of 10th July. They were not communicated directly to Government.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries in order that Members of this House might be informed of these very promising proposals, in view of the possibility of forming the basis of some fresh attempt to solve the deadlock?

I understand that these proposals did not end in any agreement.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman give every encouragement to steps towards agreement?

We have always made it clear that we would welcome any agreement between the leading communities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the reason for paragraph (a) of the Order in Council, dated 29th June, 1944 (S.R. & O. No. 741, of 1944), which provides for the revocation of paragraph (2a) of Regulation 7, which empowers the Secretary of State to prohibit the possession by any person of apparatus capable of transmitting signals to the enemy.

Experience has shown that this paragraph is no longer needed and that any necessary restrictions can be effected by the use of the general powers conferred by Defence Regulation 40.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will reconsider the question of issuing boots to part-time wardens.

The ban on the issue of boots to part-time wardens was not imposed until last August, and those in the service before that date have in most cases received boots and been allowed to retain them. Part-time wardens who now transfer to whole-time paid service thereby become eligible for an issue of boots if they were previously without them. I regret that the national footwear situation does not permit of issues being again authorised to part-time personnel; but they are eligible for compensation in money and coupons for any damage sustained on duty to their own footwear.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why it was considered necessary by the Government to insist on the Bethnal Green shelter case being held in camera.

On the information before me at the time the proceedings began, I felt bound to take the view that it would be contrary to the public interest that the case should be heard otherwise than in camera. I regret that, for a similar reason, I do not feel able to indi- cate the specific grounds on which that decision was based.

Is it not a fact that this incident took place over 18 months ago, and that the borough council have made it quite clear that there was no suggestion of panic? Does my right hon. Friend not realise the bad impression that it makes to interfere with publicity in the courts, particularly in a neighbourhood where many people have suffered bereavement?

I understand the point of view of my right hon. Friend. It would have involved the full discussion of a large amount of detail of what happens at either an air-raid incident or an incident connected with possible air-raid incidents. If that detail were published it would be information useful to the enemy. On balance, I came to the conclusion that it ought not to be published. The learned judge, however, gave his judgment in public, and, to that extent, the public has been informed. I noticed that my right hon. Friend accused me in the Press of hushing up the case. [Interruption.] That is the headline, and that is what he is reported to have said. He knows me well enough to know that I would not hush up a case.

Is not this only another example of that passion for secrecy, without which we contrived to win the last war in less time than this one?

My hon. and gallant Friend, not for the first time in his life, is quite wrong.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give a definite assurance that the intention was not to protect the people mainly responsible?

I assure the hon. Member that there was no wish whatever to protect anybody who might have been criticised if the affair had been public—not in the least. I think that this House knows me well enough to know that I do not protect people if they are guilty of inefficiency or of wrong conduct.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions have been given to Civil Defence authorities, wardens and the general public on the best preventive measures for the protection of windows from the effect of bomb blast.

Instructions as to the best methods of protecting windows against blast have been given in official publications from time to time during the war. Up to date advice framed in the light of the present situation as regards the supply of materials was given wide publicity by the Press last week-end.

In view of what the Prime Minister has said in regard to the number of casualties from flying glass, can the right hon. Gentleman say if there is an adequate stock of this material, and if the lessons of the blitz of 1940–41 have given us any new material which can be used? Will he take some steps through the B.B.C. to state the exact measures which should be taken with regard to blast?

My impression is that the B.B.C. did broadcast the Ministry of Home Security's advice. Responsibility for the supply of substitute material is a matter for the Minister of Works, and I understand that my Noble Friend is accelerating the supply of the substitute material.

Will my right hon. Friend consider using the cinemas of the country, particularly in the South of England, to explain to people the precautions they should take with regard to the flying bomb?

I will certainly consider that. We do give advice from time to time, but it must be remembered that the people in Southern England and London have an extensive experience of bombing, and my impression is that they are fairly sensible, and know how to take care of themselves as much as they can.

Will my right hon. Friend state whose duty it is to have windows replaced when they have been blasted out?

That is a question of first aid repairs, which is a matter on which the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Works co-operate.

Is there any prospect of more protective wire netting for the protection of windows against blast?

It is no good asking me about materials. That question must be addressed to the Minister of Works.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider issuing instructions to employers of small works regarding arrangements for the protection of their employees on the sounding of an air-raid alert.

Advice to managements and workers about the protection afforded by specialised warning signals is contained in a pamphlet "Front Line Again," which is being issued to large and small factories alike in target areas. The original advice as to the suitable type of emergency protection in factories has been kept up to date in the periodical issues of the Industrial Bulletins.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether instructions have now been given for a uniform system of air-raid warnings where there are a number of factories in the same close area.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet devised any general visual signal to indicate the immediate approach of flying bombs and thereby show people in the streets unable to hear their noise that it is time to seek shelter.

This matter is being examined.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he will be in a position to make a statement on it?

I am not sure. I do not like to promise when I am not quite sure but I might be able to do so in a week's time, or just possibly before then. There are a lot of arguments both ways. If I may say so, I think that the House and the Press would be wise not to try and rush us into a decision, until we have all the details worked out.

On a point of Order. My Question No. 18 is in no respect similar to the Question which the right hon. Gentleman has answered. I have asked that some general visual signal should be given to the people in the streets who cannot hear the sound of approaching bombs—people walking about in the streets.

I have said that that is under consideration.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider appointing a specific fire-watcher on the highest building in each street or neighbourhood in charge of a flagstaff who would give indication to the people in the neighbourhood of the street?

The hon. and gallant Member will be aware that if there was to be a fire-watcher on every high building, in every street or vicinity, a considerable man-power problem would arise, and the war effort would be affected.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is considerable variation in the warning in the London area, as for example the difference, say, between the House air raid warning of "Imminent danger" and that at Waterloo Station? It is quite possible to become confused as a result of these variations. Why should it take another week to deal with a simple matter of that kind?

If my hon. Friend were in office he would find that things are not so simple as he thinks they are when he sits on that bench. I quite agree he has mentioned a relevant factor in the matter. I am favourably disposed towards it, but I have to consider what warning should be given and how it is to be operated, or how far it can be reliable. If this is done I hope that hon. Members will not put down Questions to the Minister of Home Security wanting to know why a warning was inaccurate, because it is not possible to get universal reliability. My hon. Friend's point is a perfectly fair one and is engaging urgent attention.

I do not want to indulge in any carping criticism, but may I put this to my right hon. Friend? Is it not the case that the Government were aware of the possibility of these events emerging, and surely a matter of this kind might have received prior consideration?

The Government were aware that a new weapon was coming, but exactly what the nature of the new weapon was, what its performance would be, and so on, was not known to the Government. For anyone to argue that the Government could have had every detail ready to deal with a new weapon that had not arrived is unreasonable. I venture to claim, not with modesty but with complete boastfulness, that the readiness of the Civil Defence service to meet this menace has been remarkable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can say who, or what organisation, is principally responsible for allocating tickets for the deep shelters; whether any steps were taken to ascertain if bombed-out people in rest centres required shelter accommodation; and whether there are still bunks available in all the shelters for families who may be bombed out and require sleeping quarters.

As I explained in the answers which I gave on 13th July to Questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Kennington (Mr. Wilmot), tickets for the substantial residue of accommodation remaining, after the transfer of the existing tube station population, are made available to appropriate local authorities, who have undertaken the responsibility for distributing them to individual residents in their areas. Local authorities have been instructed that the tickets are intended for persons without adequate shelter, preference being given to those who have lost their homes. The procedure adopted is to invite applications by a notice posted outside the local authority's offices, and this applies equally to occupants of rest centres.

Is the Home Secretary aware that some local authorities issued all the tickets that were given to them originally, and that they have no tickets available for people who need them now? What is to happen to these people? Were the original tickets issued altogether, and is there any chance of people who have been, or may be, bombed out getting into the shelters?

I am much obliged to the hon. Member for not referring to the local authority. If he will let me have particulars, I will see what I can do about it. There have been imperfections on the part of some local authorities, but one has to be generous. I will see what can be done.

How many deep shelters are there, and are they all opened?

I think that that has been announced, but I forget the exact particulars at the moment. The programme is going along all right.

Will the right hon. Gentleman have them all opened as soon as he can?

Yes, as soon as I can.

Is there any prospect of any of these shelters being opened by day, to allow people on night work to get some sleep?

That is under consideration. I am afraid there are some difficulties because cleaning and so on have to be done, but I have not closed my mind on the point.

asked the Minister of Health the procedure under which elderly people and others resident in evacuable areas, being within the categories now allowed access to protected areas, may obtain permission to enter such areas by private arrangement for the purpose of staying with relatives or otherwise.

asked the Minister of Health what steps need be taken by mothers with children of school age, infirm, aged, invalid and blind persons who desire to go to banned areas other than those recently exempted, under private arrangement schemes.

Persons within the categories which are given general permission to enter the protected areas are not required to obtain special permits for that purpose, but, if challenged, have to satisfy the Police in those areas that they come within the permitted classes. Persons of the priority classes under the Government Evacuation Scheme who require financial assistance in the form of free vouchers and billeting allowances should apply to the Local Authority in the evacuable area for vouchers and billeting certificates.

asked the Minister of Health what action he proposes to take to avoid parties of evacuated women and children being stranded at their destination; whether, in particular, he has inquired into the case of the group of children about whom particulars have been sent to him; and whether he intends immediately to requisition all houses in reception areas and in any part of the country where the whole or part of such houses can be used for accommodating evacuees.

I have no evidence of parties of evacuated women and children being stranded at their destinations. It is often impossible, and generally undesirable, to billet a large party of evacuees on the day of their arrival, and it is a common practice to provide overnight accommodation in Rest Centres and other suitable buildings until billeting can be completed. I have made inquiries regarding the reception of the group of children about whom my hon. Friend wrote to me, and I am sending him all the information I have been able to obtain. Local authorities in the reception areas have power to requisition any unoccupied properties for the purpose of housing evacuees, and I am also taking steps to secure for this purpose a large number of houses and other properties which are being released by other Departments who no longer require them.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that, in this particular case, on the evidence of two people who accompanied the children to their destination, there was no adequate preparation at all, and that they would have been stranded had it not been for the splendid offices of the Pioneer Corps and the A.T.S.?

The evidence, even of two witnesses, is not always completely accurate. I have given the facts, about which I understand there is a measure of difference, and I hope my hon. Friend will consider those facts.

Will the Minister accept a statement made by these two people if I send it to him to-day?

I will most certainly receive it and consider it, but I could not accept it as accurate if it was in conflict with other evidence I have received.

asked the Minister of Health if he has any statement to make regarding the evacuation of women and children from London; and whether their reception in the safe areas has been satisfactory.

Since 2nd July, over 170,000 women and children have been evacuated from London in organised parties. Considering the large numbers involved and the speed of the operation, it has been effected with a smoothness that reflects credit on all concerned. Some difficulties have inevitably occurred, but the reception in the safer areas has on the whole been very satisfactory. I am glad to have this opportunity of paying tribute to the billeting authorities, and to the very large number of householders who have willingly agreed to receive evacuees. An operation of this size cannot, of course, be successfully accomplished without the good will and co-operation of all, including the evacuees themselves. I would especially urge upon those who have been evacuated to safer areas that they should remain there.

On a point of Order. May I ask for your Ruling, Mr. Speaker? Here we have information, which may or may not be of comfort to the enemy, that 170,000 people have been evacuated. Where are we in this matter? Are we to have a secret meeting upstairs and not——

It is not a point of Order for me, but a matter for the discretion of the Minister concerned.

In view of the publicity given in the Press to the few cases in which difficulties have arisen, would it be fair to say what the percentage is of those cases in which difficulties arose, in relation to the general numbers happily evacuated?

I have indicated that, in the great majority of cases, reception has been willing, and all that I could wish for.

Since the figures have been disclosed for London, is there any objection to the figures being given for individual areas, in view of the fact that the Croydon Press last Saturday gave the full figures for Croydon?

It is certainly very improper that details for all places should be given, because it gives the enemy advice as to how to direct their fire. The general figure of 170,000 evacuated from London would have no effect other than to disappoint the enemy, who would have expected more. A very great deal of this matter can be talked about. There are, however, particular points you do not want to talk about, and most people can see those points for themselves.

Arising out of that reply, can the right hon. Gentleman explain how it can possibly give any information to the enemy to say how many people have gone from a particular area, in view of the fact that there is no allotment of evacuees to areas, and that the whole of London and certain parts of the adjacent counties are evacuee areas?

If you took a particular borough and said there had been a very large figure of evacuees from that place, it would show that there had been some damage.

Cannot the enemy ascertain that a particular borough has been attacked by reading the death notices in "The Times" and other papers?

There are not so very many death notices in "The Times."

asked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied with the progress of the existing scheme for evacuating mothers and children and billeting them upon a voluntary basis; and whether further measures are contemplated in order to expedite the arrangements for allocating accommodation after the arrival at the reception areas.

The reply to the first part of this Question is "Yes, Sir." All billeting authorities have compulsory powers, if they find it necessary to use them. As regards the second part of the Question, if my hon. Friend has in mind the practice of keeping evacuees, on arrival in reception areas, in rest centres for one or two nights before they are billeted, this procedure has the advantage of enabling the billeting authority to assess the needs of the party and to billet upon a properly selective basis. There are objections to billeting the evacuees straight from the train after a long journey and towards the end of the day.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman bear in mind that, where there have been difficulties, some of them have been because his Department sent the wrong figure to the local authorities in evacuation areas, and will he see to that?

If the hon. Member will bring any such case to my attention, of course I will look into it.

Will my right hon. and learned Friend make it clear whether it is or is not the fact that these people leave areas not necessarily because they have been bombed but because they think they are going to be bombed?

asked the President of the Board of Education if the instruction on the duties of citizenship that it is proposed should be given in schools will include a consideration of the duty of the citizen to defend international law; and if he will give an assurance that these instructions will be debated in Parliament before they are issued.

In accordance with an assurance given in another place, I propose to seek the advice of the central advisory councils, to be set up under Clause 4 of the Education Bill, on the content and methods of instruction in the duties of citizenship. The hon. Member will be aware that Clause 5 of the Bill provides for the inclusion in the Minister's annual report of an account of the proceedings of the councils.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will encourage local education authorities to make provision in the instruments of management of council schools for the opportunity to be given to individual citizens who are not members of the education authorities to serve as managers, in accordance with the method successfully used for many years under the London County Council.

It is the general practice of county local education authorities to appoint as managers of council schools persons who are not members of the authority. Under the provisions of the Bill, all local education authorities, and not only county authorities, will be required to appoint managers of county primary schools. I do not doubt that, in making such appointments, county boroughs will in this respect follow the well-established practice of county authorities.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that some very large authorities appoint only the education committee as managers, and that that excludes practically all other persons from this valuable service? Will he bear that in mind?

Yes; and I hope that things will turn out as my answer describes.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the general misgiving about the White Paper proposals on a National Health Service, expressed in recent months by many local authorities, voluntary hospital associations and the medical and allied professions, he will postpone the introduction of legislation pending further discussion in the House, or until after a General Election.

I do not think that there is any general desire—or that it is the wish of the House—that we should depart from the procedure previously announced; which assumes a stage of full discussion with the professional and other organisations concerned, followed by the submission of legislative proposals.

Will my right hon. and learned Friend not reconsider this perfectly reasonable request? Does he appreciate that the only country in the world that has succeeded in establishing a whole-time State service is Russia? And has he any evidence whatever that the people of this country desire this great change in their traditional relationship with the family doctor?

There are three parts to that supplementary. To the first, the answer is: "No, Sir"; to the third, the answer is: "Yes, Sir"; and the second I am unable to answer.

asked the Minister of Health why, notwithstanding written requests to the Ministry, dated 23rd June and 6th July, from the Tamworth Rural District Council, they had not received by 12th July W.B.A. priority and symbol number and priority certificates in respect of controlled materials to enable them to proceed with the Kingsbury Water Supply Scheme, the recommended tenders for which were approved by the Ministry by letter dated 13th June; and whether, having regard to the continued hardship caused in Kingsbury, he will investigate the delay.

The period since 13th June has been fully occupied in securing necessary consents to the use of money, labour, and materials for this project. Certain essential financial particulars were not received from the council until 24th June, and a suggestion for variation in the type of materials was made by the Council, in a later letter dated 6th July. Loan sanction and W.B.A. priority were sent to the Council on 15th July, and the contract symbol number and licences for controlled materials have since been issued.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the maternity ward at the Kettering General Hospital is shortly to be closed on account of shortage of staff, and; owing to the shortage of maternity beds in this area, what steps he proposes to take to prevent the closing of this ward.

The general shortage of midwives makes it necessary to use to the fullest advantage all that are available. A small unit of seven beds, such as that at Kettering, does not secure the most effective use of staff. Nevertheless, my officers, in co-operation with those of the Ministry of Labour and National Service, have made special efforts to keep the ward open. I understand that sufficient staff has now been secured for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to ensure that a rated occupier of a house rendered uninhabitable through enemy action shall not continue legally liable to pay the rates on the said house during such uninhabitability merely on the ground that his furniture has not been removed from the said house.

The legal liability to the payment of rates can be altered only by amending legislation, for which, as at present advised, I do not think I should be justified in asking the House. In November, 1940, a Circular, of which I am sending my hon. and learned Friend a copy, was issued from the Ministry of Health with a view to meeting the circumstances then arising from enemy action, in London and elsewhere, and I see no reason to doubt that rating authorities will be able and willing similarly to meet the needs of the present situation.

Could not the right hon. and learned Gentleman make provision under Defence Regulations, as this involves great hardship?

No, Sir. I am advised not with regard to legal liability for rates. But I will send my hon. Friend also the Circular to which I have referred.

Will the Minister tell the rating authorities that they ought not to enforce payment of rates when the people cannot move their furniture owing to lack of facilities for transport and storage?

Perhaps my hon. and learned Friend will consider the terms of the Circular that was issued and discuss the matter with me if he considers it necessary.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can make a statement on when it is proposed to start supplying prefabricated houses to Tyneside, in view of the serious overcrowding.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now able to make any statement on the policy of the Government regarding the use to be made by local authorities of factory-manufactured houses.

I would refer my hon. Friends to the statement by the Deputy Prime Minister yesterday.

Will the Minister make a statement on the general priority of allocation?

I think the hon. Lady is probably aware that it was announced yesterday that there will be discussions and legislation in regard to this matter before the House rises. That will be a convenient opportunity for a statement on the subject.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the continued rise in the price of house property; and, in view of the shortage of houses, will he take steps to control the sale price.

This matter is under examination, and I shall make a statement as soon as I am in a position to do so.

Will the Minister bear in mind that it has been under examination for a very long time, and that the position is urgent and unsatisfactory?

I am sure the hon. Lady appreciates that it is a question of quite exceptional difficulty.

asked the Minister of Health whether, on account of the shortage of houses and the fluctuating standards upon which many rural houses were scheduled for clearance or demolition before the war, he will instruct local authorities to include all such houses in the comprehensive survey which he recently ordered and include in the Government's proposals for the amendment of the Housing (Rural Workers) Acts, power to revoke a clearance or demolition Order in respect of any house which the survey shows can be reconditioned.

No, Sir. For some itme after building can be resumed, efforts will have to be concentrated on the building of new houses rather than on slum clearance, and many unfit houses may, unfortunately, have to continue in occupation for some time. But the houses to which my hon. Friend refers have all been found, after careful consideration, to be unfit for habitation and incapable of being brought up to a proper standard for any expense their owners were willing to incur, and I should not be justified in suggesting action which might perpetuate bad housing conditions for longer than may be necessary.

Is it not a fact that many of these houses were condemned on surveys that were quite inadequate, and would it not be advisable to keep these houses, in view of the great shortage that will exist?

I have indicated that it will not be likely, immediately after the war, that we can do away with these houses.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the irritation among people living under overcrowded conditions at the sight of residential accommodation being used for storage purposes; and whether he will modify the terms of Circular 2845 in such a way as to permit local authorities to requisition residential premises used for storage purposes only.

I cannot give any general authorisation to requisition in such circumstances, but there is no reason why the local authority should not approach the owner or occupier to investigate the possibilities of storing the contents elsewhere. I would remind my hon. Friend, however, that storage accommodation is limited, and authorisation or licence by the appropriate Government Department is necessary for the use of premises for the purpose of storage.

asked the Minister of Health why, in view of the fact that many of the groups formed under circular 14/44 consist of over six local authorities, that each local authority has to prepare its own specification and that the sites within the groups are often scattered, it has been decided that it is more economical for these sites to be prepared by firms who can work on a large scale.

One of the advantages of this scheme is that it makes it unnecessary for each member of a group to prepare a separate specification. The Question is, therefore, in part, based on a misapprehension, but I may add that the Government remain of the opinion that this method is the most economical both in money and in labour.

asked the Minister of Health whether the policy outlined in circular 14/44, according to which it is considered more economical for building sites to be prepared by large firms under comparatively large contracts, will be extended to the building of post-war houses.

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Agriculture in what circumstances county war agricultural executive committees are empowered to issue certificates to farmers authorising or supporting proceedings for possession of houses occupied by farm workers.

Under the Rent Restrictions Acts, as modified by Defence Regulations, a County War Agricultural Executive Committee is empowered to issue to a landlord a certificate that a person for whose occupation a dwelling-house is required is, or is to be, employed on work necessary for the proper working of an agricultural holding. But the Committee must withhold the certificate if it is satisfied that the sitting tenant is employed by some person other than the landlord on work necessary for the proper working of a holding, and that the production of food will be better promoted by the occupation of the house by the sitting tenant than by the person for whose occupation it is required.

Would the right hon. Gentleman clarify the position a little? He stated that the certificate may be granted to the landlord. Does that mean that the farmer who is not himself a landlord, but a tenant farmer, can be granted the certificate in such circumstances?

I think the answer is "Yes," but I would like to see the question actually on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will indicate his policy as regards the re-seeding of land which has been ploughed out under the war-time ploughing campaign and reseeded to new leys, in view of the widespread increase of weeds attributable to the bad seed mixtures which are now being applied in many districts; and whether he will issue instructional advice on these matters.

The suggestion in the first part of the Question is not borne out by any information in my possession. As regards the last part, instructions have been issued.

Has the right hon. Gentleman ever seriously considered how very small is the information which is in his possession on this matter?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that many of the seed mixtures which have been sold in recent years contained a very large percentage of docks and Yorkshire fog?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will indicate the source from which the new capital for farming development will be made available to farmers for development in the years immediately following the conclusion of hostilities; and whether he will give an assurance that the necessary capital required will be forthcoming.

I would refer my hon. Friend to Clause 2 of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which provides for credit facilities to agriculture at a favourable rate of interest for capital development through the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation and the Scottish Agricultural Securities Corporation on the security of agricultural land. For short-term credit, farmers should be able to rely mainly on the banks.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any estimate or calculation of the amount of capital required for farming development per acre after the war? Has he gone into this matter very thoroughly? I am really not satisfied with the answer, and I hope to have an opportunity to express myself most vigorously.

asked the Minister of Agriculture with what bodies he is consulting on poultry produce prices and if any association which is representative of the specialised poultry industry is included.

I am not at present consulting any bodies on poultry produce prices.

Arising out of that answer, which I was quite unable to hear, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that the specialised poultry keepers have their own organisation, and whether he is consulting with that organisation?

Yes, Sir, but not about poultry produce prices.