asked the Secretary of State for War why no explanatory memoranda were attached to the Protected Areas Orders (S.R. & 0., Nos. 792 and 793, of 1944), in order to make it clear without reference to other documents what effect these orders, respectively, had.

I gave the House an explanation of the effect of these Orders in answer to Questions by several hon. Members on 11th July, the day before the Orders were made. But I agree that such an explanation does not necessarily obviate the need for an explanatory note on the instrument itself, and I have arranged for such a note to be added to any similar Orders which it may be necessary to issue from time to time from my Department, whether or not a separate oral explanation is given.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are taken to trace persons who leave essential work in evacuation areas without the consent of the National Service officer; and what action is taken when they are found in other parts of the country.

The normal procedure to trace such persons is being operated, but in view of the numbers involved precedence is being given to the more important classes of case. Steps are then taken to ensure that these persons are used to the best advantage in the national interest. I should add that numbers of such persons are voluntarily reporting at our local offices in the reception areas.

asked the Minister of Health the latest available figures of the evacuees to Wales and Scotland, respectively.

Approximately 30,000 evacuees have been evacuated in organised parties to Wales. Up to the present none has been evacuated to Scotland.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what arrangements he has made in areas where evacuees are billeted on householders and where extra rooms are being used to augment the monthly coal ration or, alternatively, whether he can provide evacuees with a separate ration of coal.

I have instructed Local Fuel Overseers to give sympathetic consideration to applications for extra fuel for evacuees, particularly in respect of premises without gas and electricity. Local Fuel Overseers are already empowered to deal with such applications, and I have asked them to keep in close touch with billeting officers in order to ensure that any difficulties which may arise are promptly brought to their notice.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is yet in a position to state the number of casualties suffered by British and Indian Forces in the Burma campaign.

Between 1st January and 30th June 5,918 officers and other ranks had been killed in the course of the campaign in Burma, 19,916 had been wounded and 2,594 were missing. These figures include casualties suffered by British, Indian and West African Forces.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether periods of compassionate leave up to seven days on account of enemy action count against a soldier's normal eligibility for leave or against the unit's percentage leave allotment.

Generally speaking, the answer to both parts of the Question is "No, Sir."

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Forces in the Middle East find the cigarettes which are issued free as distasteful as the V cigarettes which were previously issued; and whether he Will take steps to supply free cigarettes of the same brands as those which are supplied in N.A.A.F.I. for payment.

The cigarettes in free issue throughout the Middle East are, since the middle of June, proprietary brands made in the United Kingdom to a specification in no way inferior, and in some ways superior, to that of the cigarettes purchasable by the public here. Such cigarettes are similar in type, make and tobacco content to those sold by N.A.A.F.I.

asked the Secretary of State for War under what conditions the full allowance is paid for step-children to wives who have divorced their husbands and retain such children.

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to the case of another rank who has married a woman with children of her own by a husband whom she has divorced. In this case, provided the children are being brought up in the soldier's household or are maintained at the expense of the soldier elsewhere, the soldier may claim family allowance in respect of those children and it will be paid to the wife. Certain details of this arrangement are still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he will inquire into the circumstances, of which he has been informed, under which 14562590, Gunner D. G. Cooper was transferred at frequent intervals from one regiment to another; and why he was transferred, at short notice, to duties for which he had not been adequately trained;(2) why the parents of 14562590 Gunner D. G. Cooper have received no official notification from his Department of any casualty despite the fact that in a letter to the parents dated 24th June and received by them on 18th July, this soldier's company commander sympathises with them on the death of their son in action in Normandy on 10th June.

After the completion of his primary training this man was posted to the Royal Artillery, where he spent eight months. Then, owing to the shortage of infantrymen, he was transferred to an infantry regiment. He trained as an infantryman for five months. In the course of this period he was attached to another infantry regiment in a reinforcement and training division. It is possible that this was necessary because he was then insufficiently trained. He went to Normandy in a reinforcement draft and was posted to one of the infantry regiments there. These transfers are avoided whenever possible, but hon. Members will appreciate that with the best will in the world it is impossible to keep pools of reinforcements in every operational theatre large enough to ensure that a soldier shall only be posted to a unit of his own regiment. It is probable that when he met his death two days later he was employed on duties akin to the gunner duties with which he was already familiar and I cannot accept the statement that he was inadequately trained.The official notification of the death of this soldier in action was sent to his next-of-kin on 27th July. This delay resulted from the fact that his documents had not reached the authorities administering his new regiment at the time the casualty notifications were received by them. It was consequently necessary to make inquiries to establish the soldier's correct details before transmitting the notification of death to his next-of-kin. Even so, however, I am not satisfied that these inquiries were made as quickly as they might have been, and I am having further investigations made into the case. I very much regret the delay and the distress which it has caused the soldier's relatives.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that many soldiers who have been in India for upwards of five years have received malarial preventive treatment by way of quinine, mepacrine, etc., and this, with climate effect and winged pests, has caused skin sores to develop which are incurable in India; and will he take steps to have such men transferred to a climate where malarial treatment is unnecessary.

Yes, Sir. These problems are familiar to the Army medical authorities. Arrangements exist for treating these cases in India and also for transferring from India such men as become medically unfit to serve there. The arrangements for bringing home men who have been overseas for five years apply to India and most of these men have by now left for this country.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in order to raise the standard of efficiency of Home Guard instructors, he will consider making arrangements for selected Home Guard officers, possibly on the basis of one per battalion, to gain experience of modern warfare by sending them on an instructional tour with troops in Normandy.

The suggestion made by the hon. Member will be borne in mind, but he will appreciate that it is necessary to restrict visits to the front in Normandy to those whose presence is absolutely essential.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many aliens in the last three years have become members of No. 1 company and No. 2 company, of a unit of which he has been informed, and how many have been granted promotion or recommended for commissions; and whether in this matter discrimination is shown against aliens on the grounds of nationality.

Owing to changes of organisation in the course of the last three years it is not possible to say how many of the aliens in this unit have served in the two companies mentioned by the hon. Member. Sixty-nine aliens have been posted to this unit in the last three years and 39 have been posted away. Seven have been promoted to non-commissioned officer rank and seven have been recommended to appear before Selection Boards for consideration for commissions. There are now 30 aliens in the unit, of whom six are non-commissioned officers. The answer to the last part of the Question is "No, Sir."

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can give an assurance that, in selecting troops for service in the Far East, at the end of the European war, if it should finish first, he will, as far as possible, avoid making use of men who have already been separated from their wives and families for a substantial period of time by service overseas.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Heywood and Radcliffe (Mr. Wootton-Davies) on 28th July.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has considered the letter from a sapper in the R.E.'s, which has been brought to his notice, alleging that skilled and experienced Engineers are continuously employed digging latrines for Italian prisoners of war; and will he take immediate steps to compel the Italians to deal with their own sanitation and allow British R.E.'s to fulfil tasks more in keeping with the traditions of their corps.

The duties of the Royal Engineers include the planning and construction of prisoner of war camps. Prisoner of war labour is used if it is available and in the particular case to which the hon. Member has drawn my attention I assume that it was not available. I am, however, making inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has inquired into the strike of Italian prisoners in Lincolnshire because farmers were unable to give them a hot lunch at their work in the fields; is he aware that these prisoners refused the same sandwich ration as their British guards; and what action he is taking to deal with the prisoners concerned.

This strike originated in a demand by the prisoners for the return of their camp leader who had been transferred elsewhere. They were sentenced to 28 days' detention and 15 days on a punishment diet.

asked the Secretary of State for War the average daily menu of Italian prisoners of war in rural areas.

In accordance with the provisions of the Geneva Convention, Italian prisoners of war in prisoner of war camps receive the following daily rations:

		oz.
Meat, fresh or frozen	…	2 4/7
Margarine	…	6/7
Cooking fat (lard or dripping)	…	2/7
Bacon	…	4/7
Bread	…	10
Flour	…	2
Rice	…	3/7
Catmeal	…	1 6/7
Offal or sausage, beef	…	1 5/7
Cheese	…	3/7
Cake	…	4/7
Jam	…	4/7
Dried fruit	…	6/7
Coffee	…	1 ½
Sugar	…	1 1/7
Milk, condensed (British or Dominion)	…	3
Potatoes	…	32
Dried vegetables	…	4/7
Fresh vegetables	…	5 5/7
Salt	…	3/8

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport the present position with regard to the erection of a Forth road bridge near Queensferry; and what site has been chosen.

My Noble Friend does not think it opportune to come to a conclusion upon the alternative sites for a road bridge across the Firth of Forth in present circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action is being taken to stimulate interest in, and knowledge of, the science of nutrition in Scottish schools.

Opportunities are afforded for the teaching of nutrition through the curricula of day school domestic science classes and continuation classes and through the school meals service and school gardening. In addition, the competitions held in the last two years in the cooking of Scots primary products, in which a total of 33,000 pupils competed, and which I hope to see developed in the future, have certainly resulted in a wider dissemination of knowledge on the importance of nutrition.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in arranging contracts for work in connection with the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Schemes, he will see that the Board make it a condition that in no case shall more than 10 per cent. of the labour force involved be Irish.

The placing of contracts is a matter for the Board. I certainly hope that the labour employed in the carrying out of the Board's schemes will be recruited so far as possible in Scotland.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware that the Timber Control Committee propose to requisition more timber from estate owners in Scotland for 1945; that in many instances estates have been largely denuded of timber; that owners now desire to have some say regarding the disposal of what is left; and if he will make a pronouncement of the future policy of the Government in this respect.

I am aware that the valuable contribution made by Scottish landowners to the war effort has involved heavy inroads into their standing timber. It is, however, still necessary to rely largely on our home timber resources in all parts of the United Kingdom. As regards the third part of the Question, a Scottish Landowners' Consultative Committee was appointed some months ago to advise how the damage to woodlands in Scotland could be reduced without endangering essential supplies.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the total capital outlay, up to the date of the surplus of £1,055, in respect of the taken over property of Torosay; if the profit represents cash profit or appreciation on valuation; if it was arrived at after deduction of tax at the full rate and the other outgoings that fall upon a private proprietor; if all management expenses are included; how much labour has been sent to the estate; and what was the mortality, actual and percentage, among the sheep stocks during the last winter.

In the period from date of taking possession of Torosay Deer Forest in June, 1941, down to Martinmas, 1943, the total capital outlay has been £8,960, comprising £965 for buildings, fences, drainage, etc., £7,917 for rive stock and £78 for tools and other working equipment. The surplus of £1,055 shown in the trading account for the period to Martinmas, 1943, takes account of both cash profit and appreciation in valuation of live stock. Allowance is also made for depreciation on buildings and other capital improvements and on machinery and tools. The surplus does not make any allowance for Income Tax or Surtax, but it does make full allowance for rent and rates. All management expenses in Mull are included, but nothing is charged for services at departmental headquarters. No labour has been directed to the estate; all labour has been obtained locally.The verified mortality among the stock which occurred between clipping time in November, 1943, and clipping in July, 1944, is 564 sheep or 14·8 per cent. of the stock on the forest; a further 182 sheep or 4·8 per cent. are unaccounted for but it is thought that some, if not many of these sheep, may yet come in for clipping. It is not yet, however, possible to indicate the revenue or the profits for this year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to ensure that the owner of a house destroyed by enemy action and in respect of which he has an admitted claim under the War Damage Insurance legislation for its value may be granted if, in necessitous circumstances, an immediate payment of the whole, or part, of what will ultimately be paid to him.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers on this subject which I gave to my Noble Friend the Member for the Sutton Division of Plymouth (Viscountess Astor) on 19th October last and to the hon. Member for the Scarborough and Whitby Division (Mr. Spearman) on 7th December last.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he will ascertain from the Dominions the number of cases in which court allowances to ex-wives in this country have been reduced for the benefit of divorced husbands who live in the said Dominions.

My Noble Friend will ask the Dominion Governments whether this information is available.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether satisfactory progress is being made with salvage operations at Cherbourg; and what tonnage of shipping was scuttled by the Nazis before their surrender.

Satisfactory progress is being made. Final figures for the tonnage of shipping scuttled before surrender are not available.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has any statement to make about the political and economic future of Newfoundland.

The position has already been explained in the Statement of Policy which I made in this House on behalf of His Majesty's Government on 2nd December last. In that statement, which was reaffirmed by my Noble Friend in another place on 3rd May last, His Majesty's Government announced their intention that as soon as practicable after the end of the war in Europe, machinery should be provided for enabling the Newfoundland people to examine the future of the Island and to express their considered views as to the form of Government they desire, having regard to the financial and economic conditions prevailing at the time. Consultation has been proceeding with the Commission of Government as to the best form of machinery to set up with this object, and it is the intention of my Noble Friend to discuss this point with some of the Commissioners who are now in this country for the purpose.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether members of the W.L.A. under the age of 19 are permitted to be billeted off farms; and, if so, whether there is any supervision of their moral welfare.

Any employed member of the Women's Land Army who cannot be accommodated on the farm is housed either in a hostel or in a village billet. The warden of a Land Army hostel is generally responsible for the supervision and welfare of the hostel residents. Before a Land Army member is placed in a private billet, the suitability of the billeting arrangements is taken into consideration. Every member is visited at regular intervals by a local Land Army representative who is available to give help and advice in any personal difficulty.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider issuing steel helmets, on loan from Northern regions, to farm workers and others normally working far from shelter in Southern England, including schoolboys and other volunteer harvest workers.

Adequate supplies of civilian steel helmets are available in the areas to which the hon. Member refers. Employers can purchase them for their workers at a cost of 5s. 6d. each, by applying to their local authority, and a number of local distributing depots were set up for this purpose three years ago. The depots will be kept fully stocked. By arrangement with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries helmets are also being made available for temporary issue, where necessary, to volunteer harvest workers, including schoolboys.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any progress is being made with scientific reduction of the plague of insects affecting edible vegetables.

Progress in combating these pests has continued to be made as a result of various measures, including research on methods of control, the provision of advice and demonstrations to growers, the supply of spraying machines and other equipment, and the operation of a scheme for the official approval of certain insecticides of known value.

asked the Minister of Food whether any special provision is made this year to ensure a reasonable supply of beer to harvest workers.

Yes Sir. Brewers have been asked to maintain deliveries of beer to agricultural districts and so far as possible to augment the supplies to the districts where Agricultural Volunteer Camps are established.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can give any information in connection with the 600,000 coupons stolen from the Ministry of Labour office in the City of London; and if anyone has been arrested.

The loss of clothing coupons from the City of London Employment Exchange is at present being investigated by the police. I am informed that no arrest has yet been made.

asked the Prime Minister if he will consider inviting a representative unit of the Russian Army to visit this country so that the British people may afford a welcome to them and show their appreciation of their achievements on the Eastern front and the part they have played in the concerted Allied offensive as planned at the Teheran conference.

I do not think that this time of full battle is suitable for suggesting such a visit.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Army Order, dated 31st May, 1944, concerning the increase of certain Service pensions, will have the result that all officers of the rank of colonel or above will continue to draw their pre-war rates of pension at the reduced scale to that originally granted; why this discrimination is exercised against these senior officers who feel with their juniors the effect of a rise in the cost of living; and whether he will have the matter inquired into or some explanation given as to why a concession has been fixed at the rate of £600 a year or less.

The terms of the Royal Warrant in question are similar to those of the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1944. The specific limitation to which my hon. Friend refers was debated in the course of the Committee stage of the Bill on 18th April of this year, and I would refer him to the statement then made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if he will give for each of the last five years the number of fatal and non-fatal accidents on the roads of this country.

The figures for which my hon. Friend has asked were given in the OFFICIAL REPORT for 24th May, 1944, in answer to a Question which was put to me by my hon. Friend the Member for Rothwell (Mr. Brooks).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether any steps are being taken to provide training for boys for engine-room and stokehold duties in the Merchant Navy.

There are schools for the training for firemen and trimmers at London, Glasgow, Liverpool, Cardiff and Newcastle, but youths under 18 are debarred by the provisions of the Merchant Shipping (International Labour Conventions) Act, 1925, from undertaking these duties on board ship, and entry into the schools is accordingly restricted to youths of 18 and over.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether boys who obtain the equivalent of a first-class Wallasey pass at the preparatory course for deck boys, recently established by Leith Nautical College, will be able to enter the Merchant Navy on the same specially favourable terms as boys who obtain a first-class pass at Wallasey.

The proposal of the Leith Nautical College to start a preliminary course for deck boys in September has only been brought to my notice recently. I am arranging for the position to be investigated by one of the Ministry's Surveyors and will then communicate further with my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state to the nearest million pounds how the net National Debt was divided as between floating debt, other internal debt and exiernal debt on 3rst March of each year beginning with 1939 and on 2nd September, 1939; and whether he will also state under each heading as for 31st March what amount was held by Government Departments, excluding Funding Loan and Victory Bonds tendered for Death Duties which, though held by the National Debt Commissioners, are excluded from the figures of the net National Debt.

(1) Particulars of the National Debt at 31st March of each year are given in the Annual Finance Accounts. Figures for 2nd September, 1939, and 31st March, 1944, are as follows:

		2nd Sept., 1939.	31st March, 1944.
		£ millions.	£ millions.
Floating Debt	…	1,167	4,933
Other Internal Debt	…	6,202	13,374
External Debt	…	1,032	1,288
		8,401	19,595

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will arrange to circulate, with the White Paper on Social Security, a statement by the Government actuary on the financial provisions.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made as regards the inquiry on hydro-carbon oil duties.

My right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power and I have now appointed a Committee with the following terms of reference:

"To consider and report upon:

(a) the effect of the hydro-carbon oil duties on the supply of raw materials to, and the development of, the chemical industry in this country so far as the use of hydro-carbons and their derivatives is concerned.

(b) the extent to which any change in those duties would affect industries engaged in the production of similar products from coal."

The Chairman of the Committee will be Sir Amos Ayre, and the other members, three in number, will be Sir John Fox, Mr A. S. Macharg and Sir Robert Robinson.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the persons holding established posts in the executive class of the Civil Service entered through the second class division or executive class examinations by promotion from the clerical class and by any other means, respectively.

I assume that my hon. Friend has in mind established officers holding executive posts. I regret that this information is not available without a special inquiry, which would involve Departments in a great deal of labour and which I do not think could be justified in present circumstances. I can, however, inform my hon. Friend that the total number of established officers in the general executive class at 1st April, 1944, was approximately 7,000, with a further 15,500 in departmental classes of executive type; and that some 1,700 officers entered the executive class by the open competitions held in the years between the two wars.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the welfare officers of his Department have investigated the case of Mrs. R. Howie, the wife of Petty-Officer W. A. Howie, who is unable to obtain suitable accommodation although engaged upon war work; and, if so, with what results.

The Admiralty Family Welfare Section at Portsmouth has investigated the case of Mrs. Howie and arranged hospital accommodation for her at the time of her confinement. Steps were also taken to try to secure alternative accommodation for her. I am glad to learn that suitable accommodation has now been found.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why volunteers from the N.F.S. for service overseas are refused acceptance unless certified as having been successfully vaccinated within the last 12 months; why a limit of 12 months has been fixed when most authorities claim that vaccination protects for at least five years; and why members of the N.F.S. cannot have the same right to object to vaccination and still serve overseas as is possessed by all members of the armed forces, whether conscripts or volunteers.

In the notice issued to the National Fire Service calling for volunteers for the overseas contingent it was stated as one of the conditions of acceptance that "unless certified as having been successfully vaccinated within the last 12 months, they will be required to be vaccinated before being posted to the Contingent." This condition did not exclude any volunteer who was willing to undergo vaccination, even if he had not been previously vaccinated within the specified period. I am aware that views differ as to the period of protection afforded by successful vaccination, but I see no reason to take exception to the terms of the condition in this respect, which were prescribed at the request of the War Office. Whatever may be the position in the Armed Forces, I do not think it can properly be compared with that in the National Fire Service Overseas Continent, which consists entirely of men who have volunteered to serve abroad on conditions which were stated in advance.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works how the total estimated cost of the Portal bungalow is distributed as between cost of erection, cost of the building and cost of the fittings, as exhibited.

The full details of the estimated cost of the Emergency Factory Made House will be given in the course of to-day's Debate.The figures asked for by my hon. Friend are:

asked the Minister of Health the total amount of housing subsidies payable in the last year for which the figures are available both by the Government and by local authorities under the various housing Acts.

The amounts of the Government subsidies under the various Housing Acts paid in the year 1943–44 were as follows:

			£
1919 Act	…	…	4,947,169
1923 Act	…	…	2,439,273
1924 Act	…	…	4,422,182
1926 Act	…	…	77,990
1936 Act	…	…	2,865,014
1938 Act	…	…	645,974
Total	…	…	£15,397,602

The amounts paid in any year represent advances for the year and balances in respect of previous years. Precise figures of amounts payable in respect of the year are not available. Particulars of amounts paid or payable by local authorities are not available.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the doubts which have arisen with regard to the right of local government officers who have left the service of local authorities in order to serve in the Armed Forces or otherwise undertake war service to the benefit of the compensation clauses in certain recent legislation, it is the intention of the Government to take steps to ensure that all former local government officers now on war service will be entitled to the benefit of these clauses.

I have been asked to reply. It is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation dealing with this matter.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in view of the recent Government statement about the desirability of making accommodation available for evacuees, he will take steps to remove his Department to the Metropolis.

My hon. Friend will be glad to learn that the action he recommends was taken over two years ago.

asked the Minister of Labour what progress has been made in the direction of instituting a national domestic service with resultant improved conditions and status.

As my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary informed the House on 4th May, arrangements were made for an examination of all the proposals and suggestions which have reached me on the subject of the organisation of private domestic employment after the war. I am now working an the results of this examination with a view to formulating practical proposals.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, after £100 has already been expended on war damage repairs without licence within 12 months and fresh war damage occurs, his Regulations permit further repairs to be carried out without licence.

I have been asked to reply. Where the first aid repairs are carried out by the local authority—and these constitute the great majority of cases—no licence is required. Where, however, they are carried out by a private individual, Defence Regulation 56A requires that a licence shall be obtained beforehand unless the work is done in circumstances of emergency which rendered it impracticable to obtain a licence. I can assure the hon. Member that in all such cases the Ministry of Works will put a broad interpretation on what constitutes "circumstances of emergency," if they are informed as soon as practicable of the work that has been put in hand.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production if he can make any statement with regard to the payment of qualified women flight engineers of the A.T.A. on the same basis as male flight engineers.

As from 1st August fully qualified women flight engineers of the Air Transport Auxiliary will receive the same rates of pay, rank for rank, as men similarly employed.

asked the Postmaster General whether he has now considered the case of C. H. Sless, 128, South Portland Street, Glasgow, who was discharged on medical grounds from the R.A.F., and has been refused permission to be trained as a wireless operator as his parents were born in Russia; and, as this lad's brother has served as an engineer in the Merchant Navy and been awarded the M.B.E. and the D.S.C., will he reconsider this decision.

My right hon. Friend has written to my hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can now state who has been appointed to succeed Lord Harlech as High Commissioner in South Africa.

My Noble Friend is not yet in a position to make an announcement.

asked the Minister of Food whether he can now state the number of retail food shops that have been opened in Scotland by co-operative societies and other firms controlling multiple shops since the outbreak of war; and how many of these are in premises previously occupied by independent traders.

asked the Minister of Food whether he can now state the number of retail food shops that have been opened in England and Wales by co-operative societies and other firms controlling multiple shops since the outbreak of war; and how many of these are in premises previously occupied by independent traders.

Yes, Sir. The following table contains the information:

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, having regard to the considerable increase in the numbers of men who are being certified as disabled by pneumoconiosis, he will make a statement of the steps now being taken to prevent this disease; and at how many collieries effective preventive measures have been adopted.

Measures are being taken to prevent pneumoconiosis chiefly by using water to suppress the dust that is the cause of the disease. In the coal faces, the most effective measure so far developed is usually the application of water—in quantity which, to avoid other dangers, must be carefully controlled —either by infusion under pressure through boreholes into the coal before it is worked, or by "wet cutting," in which a jet of water is directed on to the picks as the coal-cutting machine works along the face. These two methods have been largely developed and applied in South Wales, where approximately 41,921 yards of coalface are being so treated, about 15,975 yards by wet-cutting and 25,946 yards by water infusion. Special arrangements have been made to ensure to the collieries on a high priority basis the large quantities of water piping required. In hard heading work the older methods of wet drilling or collecting the dust produced by dry-drilling continue to be employed, and mist sprays are used to suppress dust caused by blasting.I am glad of this opportunity of paying tribute to the fine work in South Wales of the joint committee of owners and workmen's representatives and the two Divisional Inspectors, which is doing all in its power to speed progress and improve the methods.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the demand for short wall coal cutting machines to improve production in British collieries, he will arrange to step up the manufacture in this country instead of waiting for supplies from U.S.A.

Steps have already been taken to step up the manufacture of Shortwall coal cutting machines in this country.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware of this dissatisfaction felt by managements in regard to the award of the Porter minimum without adequate safeguards against the possibility of some men refusing to give adequate work in return for the minimum; and whether he will consider introducing such safeguards as were provided under the old minimum wage rules.

The answer to first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir." As regards the second part, I would point out that any such amendment of the Award is a matter for the National Reference Tribunal and not for myself.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in order to reduce discomfort to the minimum, he will consider giving an automatic right to establishments to put on central heating when the temperature falls below a certain level.

Whilst I am considering the whole question of the operation of the central heating ban, I would point out to my hon. Friend that her suggestion involves serious administrative difficulties; and in this connection I would refer her to the answer I gave on 25th May to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore), of which I am sending her a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the grievance felt by officers who are stationed in London and those who are attached to the Air Ministry who do not receive the special allowance drawn by those who are stationed at the Air Ministry; if he will state the reasons for this discrimination; and whether steps will be taken to remedy it.

The additional pay granted to officers filling staff posts on the headquarters establishment of the Air Ministry, whether in London or elsewhere, is given in virtue of additional responsibilities and not in respect of higher cost of living. Officers attached to the Air Ministry who are not filling staff posts and officers stationed at units in London are accordingly ineligible for this additional pay.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that in certain messes for troops serving overseas a condition of supplying lemon cordial, or such like soft drink, is that gin or whisky must be purchased with it; and whether he will issue instructions that this practice should be discontinued in future.,

No, Sir, but I am making inquiries into the particular incident reported and will in due course communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare what information he has as to the extent to which the enemy has placed faked bank and/or currency notes in occupied, satellite, or neutral countries on the Continent.

Certain cases have come to my notice in which forged currency notes have been circulated by the enemy in occupied, satellite or neutral countries. The information so far available does not, however, enable me to estimate the extent of this practice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in which Colonies there is no Income Tax; in which the standard rate of Income Tax is below 5s. in the £ and in which there is no Excess Profits Tax.

I am sending my hon. Friend a table showing the Colonies, Protectorates and Mandated Territories which have no Income Tax, and those which have no Excess Profits Tax. The table also shows the minimum and maximum rates of Income Tax (including Surtax). There is no "standard rate" of tax in the Colonies, and in this connection I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mr. Riley) on 30th June, 1943.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the membership and terms of reference of the Commission on the Ceylon Constitution can now be announced.

These matters are under consideration, and I regret that I am not at present in a position to make any announcement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action is being taken on the Reports on Agricultural Policy in Jamaica and Trinidad which have been published during the last year under the auspices of the agricultural adviser to Sir Frank Stockdale.

Part I of the Trinidad Agricultural Policy Report has been considered by my advisers, and I have informed the Governor of Trinidad of my general concurrence in its findings, subject to certain comments on detail. The report is one of far reaching importance to West Indian agriculture and has laid down sound general lines of development. Action to implement its recommendations is proceeding locally, but I have not yet had detailed information of steps which have so far been taken. Part II of the Trinidad Report deals with research questions, and as such is affected by proposals at present under discussion for the development of research for the whole West Indian area at the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture. I have, therefore, deferred my consideration of this part of the report until the details of the main West Indian proposals are settled. The Jamaica Committee has not yet presented its report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received Reports from the two Committees which have recently visited West Africa and the West Indies, respectively, to inquire into higher education; and whether the Reports will be published and made available to the public.

Neither body has yet reported. The Committee which visited the West Indies will, of course, report in the first instance to the Asquith Commission on Higher Education on whose behalf, with my concurrence, it undertook these inquiries in the Caribbean area. I hope that it will be possible to publish both Reports, but naturally I cannot commit myself on that point until I have received and considered the documents.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any agreements have been entered into by Britain and the U.S.A. on the problems of oil, rubber and other products.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to agreements involving matters of long-term policy. The only agreements of this nature which are specifically concerned with particular commodities are multilateral ones. That is to say, the Wheat Agreement of 1942 and the International Sugar Agreement of 1937, which was brought into force between certain of its signatories by a Protocol of 1942. So far as rubber and oil are concerned, conversations regarding these commodities are in progress; in the case of rubber they are exploratory.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will issue a statement giving a summary of the plans for post-war development in the three South African Protectorates under the supervision of the High Commissioner.

Comprehensive plans for the post-war development of Basutoland have recently been submitted by the High Commissioner and are now under consideration. They include the provision of five new hospitals, extensions to existing hospitals, and the provision of 72 health centres throughout the territory; the general development of African and European education, which will entail the building of new schools and the recruitment of more teachers, the establishment of a social welfare Department; an extensive housing and public works programme including the construction of new roads and bridges; and the establishment of secondary industries. Some of these plans will be put into effect immediately, while others will await the post-war period.Similar plans are being made for the development of the Bechuanaland Protectorate, with especial reference to education, medical services and the improvement of agriculture. In Swaziland, in addition to the recent purchase of land for native settlement, plans are in preparation for education, medical services, agricultural development and the continuance of the existing geological survey. It is expected that assistance under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act, 1940, will be forthcoming.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has received the reply of the German Government on the shooting of R.A.F. prisoners of war; and if he can now make a statement on this.

The reply of the German Government has not yet reached me. It has, however, been received by His Majesty's Minister in Berne, who has reported that the reply is identical with the German news agency's statement on 22nd July. This statement appeared in the Press on 24th July and is in effect a refusal to give further information.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he can give any information about the present position of the scrap rubber salvage campaign; and whether it is still necessary for local authorities to collect scrap rubber.

The quantity of scrap rubber collected under the rubber salvage campaign is considerably in excess of estimates with the result that although reclaimed rubber is used to the fullest practicable extent, there are now large stocks of scrap in hand. These stocks, together with the high grade scrap arising mainly through the Tyre Rationing Scheme, from industry, and direct from Government Departments, are sufficient to cover all requirements for a considerable period ahead. In these circumstances my right hon. Friend has decided to amend the Direction and Orders concerned so that the Local Authorities will no longer be under an obligation to collect scrap rubber. A note of the proposed amendments will be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I should like to emphasise that these arrangements do not imply that there can be any relaxation in economy in the use of rubber and particularly tyres.The crude rubber situation remains extremely critical, and there is at present great pressure on the manufacture of tyres and of tyre fabric. It is of great importance to ensure careful maintenance of all tyres in operation, and to surrender tyres while still fit for re-treading.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the names of the United Nations War Crimes Commission; the number of meetings they have held; and the date of their last meeting.

The United Nations War Crimes Commission is composed of representatives of the Governments of Australia, Belgium, China, Czechoslovakia, Greece, India, Luxemburg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, the United Kingdom, the United States and Yugoslavia and of the French Committee of National Liberation. The United Kingdom representative, who is concurrently the Chairman of the Commission, is Sir Cecil Hurst, formerly Legal Adviser to the Foreign Office and a judge at the Permanent Court of International Justice at the Hague. The other representatives are all distinguished lawyers or diplomatists.I am informed that the Commission has held twenty-five full meetings, apart from the meetings of its sub-committees, and the most recent meetings was on Tuesday, 25th July.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that at a factory, of which he has been informed, the workpeople are refused coupons which are called the Industrial 10; that they are entitled to these, less a certain number which, if deducted last year should be given in full this year; also that these coupons are supplied at all other similar factories in the country; and will he see that this complaint is rectified.

As in other explosives factories, the workers in the factory to which my right hon. Friend refers do not receive the "Industrial Ten," but a pool, assessed at 10 coupons per head, is available for distribution by the factory committee. In addition, certain protective clothing is supplied coupon-free. I made these arrangements, in agreement with the T.U.C., to meet the special conditions of the explosive industry, and I understand that they are working smoothly.