asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can explain the purpose of the Emergency Powers (Defence) Apparel and Textiles (Infants' and Girls' Wear) (S.R. & O., No. 771, of 1944), having regard to the fact that the explanatory note is unintelligible and the document involves reference to six earlier Orders.

As stated in the explanatory note, the purpose of this Order is to substitute a new schedule of infants' and girls' utility specifications and prices for a previous one, and to make changes in the arrangements for the production of utility clothing for infants and girls.

Is my right hon. friend aware that the explanatory note itself contains a reference to some other document? Will he take steps in future to see that explanatory notes are, as far as possible, made complete in themselves?

This explanatory note is quite clear. It indicates three relaxations of control suggested by the trade and agreed to by me.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is proposed to publish all the directions referred to in paragraph II of the Emergency Powers (Defence) Furniture Order (S.R. & O. No. 769, of 1944).

The only directions of general application that have been issued under Part II of this Order deal with the method of applying the utility mark. These directions have been published, and any other general directions will also be published.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the importance and gravity of the position disclosed and the recommendations that it makes, he will publish the Palache Report upon the condition of the British Film Industry as a White Paper.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered a recent Report from the Cinematograph Films Council; and what action he proposes to take in connection with the recommendations in such Report.

This Report was published on 8th September by His Majesty's Stationery Office, and copies are available in the Vote Office. In accordance with the suggestion made to me by the Films Council, I have, in the first instance, invited the various sections of the film industry to let me have their views on the report.

In view of the disquiet which this Report must cause, can my right hon. Friend say when he expects the promised Debate?

That is a matter to be pursued through the usual channels. I think I had better get the observations of the industry first.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what assurance he can give that those motor manufacturers who have been most successful in meeting service requirements other than for motor-cars will not be penalised in the reconstruction period at the expense of those who have continued to produce vehicles of a type similar to their peacetime production.

The Departments concerned will do their best to treat these firms fairly in arranging releases from war work; but, as my hon. and gallant Friend will, I am sure, agree, the Armed Forces must be supplied by the firms best able to meet their needs, and other considerations, such as the supply of labour in particular districts, will have to be taken into account.

Taking the long view, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the needs of the Armed Forces will be better assisted by rewarding those who have shown themselves forward in meeting them than in a pedantic adherence to the detailed requirements of the Services from day to day?

I think we must take the short view on many of these matters.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he has any up-to-date estimate as to the accessible salt deposits in this country and by whom they are owned or controlled;

(2) whether he is aware that recent advances in industrial chemistry make it possible to produce a large range of products based on coal, salt, lime and nitrogen; and whether, in these circumstances, he will take steps to ascertain what are the existing salt deposits in this country and to what extent they can be made freely available to new industries wishing to use these chemical processes.

The reserves of salt in this country are very large, and I am not aware of any difficulty experienced by industries in obtaining supplies. If my hon. Friend will send me details of any such cases, I shall be glad to look into, them. Full information about the deposits in this country is given in Memoir No. XVIII of the Geological Survey entitled "Rock-Salt and Brine."

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the increase in the birthrate, he is now prepared to release more rubber for the manufacture of teats and valves for infant feeding-bottles.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the great shortage of babies' soothers and teats for babies' bottles; and whether, in the near future, he will be able to increase the supply of, he above articles and thus assist the mothers of young children.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to increase the supply of teats for feeding-bottles, having regard to the acute shortage in relation to the increased birthrate.

Yes, Sir. I am glad to say that, in agreement with my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Production, a substantial increase has already been made in the allocation of rubber for teats and valves, and larger supplies are reaching the shops. I have now arranged for a further increase which will, I hope, meet the demand in full.

Is the Minister aware that chemists' shops in many districts are still without teats?

If the hon. Member will send me particulars I will look into them.

Is the Minister aware that no chemists' shops in Croydon have any?

Nor in Radcliffe.

I will look into that matter.

Does not the Minister think that the condition often attached to the purchase of teats, that a bottle should be bought at the same time, should be removed, in view of the increased supply?

Yes, Sir. I may inform the House that one of the difficulties is that synthetic rubber is not good for teats. It must be natural rubber.

Is the Minister arranging for a general distribution throughout the country of these articles as practically every area is without them? It is no good promising a particular area to arrange for a supply, because the whole country is practically in the same position.

Will there be adequate liaison in this matter with the Ministry of Health, in order to avoid inadequate allocation of rubber?

The Ministry of Production is the co-ordinating Department in this matter.

Will there not be liaison with the Ministry of Health?

Is the Minister aware that Spennymoor has not yet seen any of these articles on sale, and that is why Question 17 was put on the Paper?

Yes, Sir, I quite appreciate This difficulty. I have given two reasons to the House why the difficulty has arisen and I have also told the House what active steps have been taken to correct it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give a list of war-time regulations and restrictions affecting his Department which have already been rendered less onerous or totally abolished.

I am glad to say that, in recent months, although the labour and material available for civilian production have been strictly limited, I have been able to make a number of small relaxations. These include removing the austerity restrictions on men's suits and also the quota on furs, increasing the permitted supplies of cutlery, toys, toilet preparations and polishes, raising the steel content of perambulators, and restoring the utility furniture ration and extending the priority classes.

Will my right hon. Friend add to that list as soon as possible, because it seems very inadequate?

Yes, Sir, subject to the national interest and an increase in supplies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of small traders now on his register who have closed down owing to the war; what approximate proportion this forms of the total; and whether arrangements will be made for the co-ordination of the granting of licences and the allocation of supplies after the war.

Just over 14,000 names are now on the register, but there is no record of the total number of shops closed during the war. If the need should arise, I shall be glad to consider arrangements such as my hon. Friend suggests.

Will the Minister consider granting compensation in those cases?

No, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is some feeling among returning soldiers about the restrictions against being allowed to open up businesses which they had to close down when they went to the war?

There is a later Question on that subject.

Is the Minister not aware that these people require safeguarding against the co-operatives?

What will be the position of small traders who closed down their businesses and went into the Forces and who failed, from various causes, to register, when they return and wish to re-open their businesses?

They should register as. soon as possible. I have taken all the means open to me to promote publicity on this matter, and if the hon. Member can help me I shall be very grateful.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, when decontrol of any industry is sanctioned, it is proposed to carry this out piecemeal or as a whole.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the alarm felt in the established centres of the hosiery trade in consequence of the pronouncement that deconcentration is proposed in certain cases in Lanarkshire; whether he can make any further statement on the matter; and what proposals he has for the general equitable process of deconcentration in this industry.

In view of the heavy demands on our man-power and other resources for the war effort, full deconcentration is unlikely to be possible until after both Germany and Japan have been defeated. But, subject to the circumstances of each industry and in consulta- tion with those concerned, I shall take every opportunity, as labour and materials become available, to make a start with re-opening closed firms. As regards the hosiery industry, I am in consultation with representatives of the industry on deconcentration problems.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has any statement to make as to the settlement or resettlement of ex-Service men in general and of disabled ex-Service men in particular in small retail businesses.

Yes, Sir. I have decided that in future a disabled ex-Service man, who was formerly a retailer, shall be granted a licence to open a shop in any area or line of business, provided that the grant of a licence in an area, other than that in which he used to trade, would not prejudice the interests of others on the Board of Trade register. Disabled ex-Service men, who were not formerly retailers, will be treated in the same way, except that the licensing Committees will consider, with the advice of the Ministry of Labour, whether, in each individual case, retail trade affords good prospects for the applicant. I have also invited the British Legion to nominate a representative on each of these licensing committees. All ex-Service men on the Register, at the end of the war, will, on their return to civil life, be granted licences automatically to re-open their former businesses.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the purpose of the Export Merchants Guarantee Company, Limited, registered on 15th July, 1944; who are the directors of this company; by whom were they selected; whether any of them have experience as merchants in the export trade; and whether the accounts of this company will be made available to the public.

As the answer to this Question contains much detail, I will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that this company is not being formed with the object of ousting existing exporters?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will read the answer, he will see that that is not so.

asked the President of the Board of Trade his proposals for ensuring new industries for the special development areas.

Plans are being prepared, and action is being taken, along the lines indicated in the White Paper on Employment Policy.

When are we to have a decision on these all-important matters? Plans have been prepared for ages.

A lot is going on.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any plans are being evolved for the large scale production of British locomotives after the war, since replacements and additions are urgently needed in many parts of the British Empire.

Yes, Sir. When the present high output of locomotives for military use is no longer necessary, the industry will be ably to devote itself to meeting the large demands of Empire and other overseas countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (I) having regard to the importance of the Lancashire cotton textile industry, particularly from the standpoint of maintaining British export trade, will he consider giving preference to applications from firms in this industry for permission to rent or acquire such premises as are of suitable shape and construction and situated where experienced personnel is readily available;

(2) whether any of the Government buildings in Lancashire, which are likely to become available for industrial purposes after the war, are suitable to the technical requirements of firms in the cotton spinning and cotton weaving industries who might wish to instal the most up-to-date equipment.

I am most anxious that the fine modern factories built in Lancashire in connection with the war effort, which become surplus to Government requirements, shall be used for peace-time production. I should hope that some of these factories will be suitable for cotton spinning and weaving firms, who wish to instal modern equipment and to move from old and out-of-date premises. But, so far, out of the many applications received from industrialists for the post-war use of these Lancashire factories, very few have come from the cotton industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will circulate a White Paper on the results of the recent mission of Sir Frank Platt to the U.S.A.; and how soon will it be available to hon. Members.

In consultation with his colleagues concerned, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Production is arranging for publication of the report of the mission. The form in which the report will be published has still to be decided but it will be available very shortly.

Is the Minister of Production responsible for matters connected with the cotton industry? If not, why has the Parliamentary Secretary answered the Question?

The cotton industry is the concern of more than one Minister, and the Minister of Production is responsible for co-ordination; and the answer deals with that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take to increase the production of goods for civilian consumption, so as to ensure opportunities for employment to those demobilised from Civil Defence and other Services.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements have been made to lift the restrictions on the production of civilian goods so as to counterbalance the reduction of orders for war material.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the American decision to switch over 40 per cent. of total production to peace purposes on the conclusion of hostilities with Germany: and what corresponding action he proposes to take so as to ensure that maximum employment in this country is maintained and that our own industries are not disadvantaged in export markets.

I am keeping in close touch with my right hon. Friends the Minister of Labour and the Minister of Production in regard to releases of labour and capacity from war work in order to ensure that every opportunity is taken to increase the production of civilian goods, both for home and export, as rapidly as the claims of war production and other essential work allow. My right hon. and gallant Friend, the Minister of Production, hopes to make a full statement on this subject shortly.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are very large numbers of people in war factories up and down the country at this moment who are doing no work of any kind whatsoever?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that great enterprise is being shown by the Americans in sending their travellers overseas now? Will his Department afford equal facilities for travellers from this country who want to do likewise?

My hon. Friend has personally applied for facilities to travel abroad and they have been granted.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he proposes to take in regard to the memorandum he has recently received from the Publishers' Association regarding the provision of books for Europe and the Dominions; and whether he has any plans in mind to ease the present shortage of labour, paper and cloth.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the shortage of all books of a non-tendentious character, and if, in view of the need for peoples in liberated territory to learn what Anglo-Saxons have written on the war and reconstruction, he will give directions for such an increase in the supply of paper and labour to the printing industry as is immediately possible.

I am glad to say that my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Production has agreed, at my request, to increase the allocation of paper to publishers of books as from the end of next month to 42½ per cent. of their prewar usage. I hope that the publishers will do all they can to devote this extra paper to supplying liberated territories, as well as Empire and other oversea markets. My right hon. and gallant Friend has also increased by more than one-third the allocation to my special Reserve, and has made a further additional allocation for certain classes of educational books. I am in touch with my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Labour, about the supply of labour for printing and binding.

My right hon. Friend will appreciate that labour is really at the bottom of this whole question, and as, presumably, the Nazis have destroyed all books of cultural value in occupied Europe, and we shall destroy all the Nazi books, there will be nothing left for Europe to read until this supply is given?

Does that answer apply to periodicals as well as books, or not?

No, Sir.

Am I right in assuming that the right hon. Gentleman's statement means that instead of an allocation of 22,000 tons of paper for books out of a total allocation of 447,000 tons the amount will now be increased to something like 40,000 tons?

I can give my hon. Friend the figures. They are a little more complicated but are substantially as he suggests.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the public need for rest and recreation after the close of the European war, he will arrange for the grant to hotels and boarding houses of priority of supply in respect of all articles needed for re-fitting and bringing up to date such establishments.

I will do all I can to help hotels and boarding-houses to re-equip themselves after the war. But, as my hon. Friend knows, many of the goods they will want, especially sheets and curtains, have been very scarce during the war, and private householders must also be able to meet their most pressing needs, as soon as supplies can be increased.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not agree that there is a very pressing need in the case of hotels and boarding houses, to enable the people of Britain to get the rest and recreation they deserve?

Yes, Sir, there are very pressing needs in many parts of the community, and we are trying to meet them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the justification for the regulations issued by his Department prohibiting the dispatch of socks by relatives in Great Britain of men serving in Gibraltar; and if he is aware that these men are urgently requesting socks and their relatives have parcels ready to send them.

No prohibition has been imposed by my Department on the dispatch of socks to men serving in Gibraltar.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many people desirous of sending such parcels are prevented from doing so on account of the unwillingness of his Department to issue the necessary certificate?

No, Sir. Perhaps the hon. Member would speak to me about the matter. There is no such prohibition.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is yet able to reduce the coupon value of towels for household purposes or make them coupon free.

No, Sir; not yet. But I hope it may not be long before. I can act on my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will increase the supply of sheets and towels at controlled prices in the Cheltenham area, as the present shortage is causing hardship, especially to expectant mothers.

The supply of sheets is at present very limited, but I am glad to say that I have recently been able to arrange for an increase, of which Cheltenham should get its fair share. I am now also switching to sheets material hitherto used for black-out. The production of towels is sufficient to meet the present demand under rationing, and I have called for a special report on supplies in Cheltenham.

Does my right hon. Friend's answer imply that his policy henceforth will be one of expansion rather than of restriction?

Yes, Sir; I am glad to say that we are now in a position to do that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why a licence was refused, on 5th August, 1944, to S. O. Bowker, Limited, of 19, Warstone Lane, Birmingham 18, for the export of electrical accessories to Iran, the whole value being 10s., which were to be sent withcut charge, with a view to developing postwar business.

I have looked into this case, and have granted a licence.

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain why, when responsible Ministers are continually harping on the necessity for increased exports, the Board of Trade seem to advance all sorts of difficulties to prevent exports being expanded?

My hon. Friend is mistaken. If he had mentioned the subject to me I could easily have adjusted it, without a Parliamentary Question being put.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have letters from other firms containing similar complaints?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the present Lend-Lease Agreement with the U.S.A. is the cause of widespread uneasiness, owing to its effect upon the export trade of the United Kingdom; and what action he is taking to rectify the matter.

Yes, Sir. As the House is aware, discussions have been proceeding with the United States authorities regarding the replacement of the White Paper of September, 1941. Recent changes in the war situation have altered the background against which these questions must now be viewed. I will make a further statement as soon as I am able to do so.

Is the House to understand that, in place of the present unilateral method, reciprocal agreements will be made?

The possibility of that will be discussed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the delay in permitting increases in prices to cover increased costs due to wages awards, advances in cost of coal, etc., has in some cases caused serious losses; and if he will take action to expedite necessary adjustments.

To raise maximum prices automatically, whenever costs rise, would directly encourage inflation, and is contrary to the Government's policy. It is always open to any body of traders to make an application for an increase in prices, having regard to increases in costs. Such applications are dealt with as speedily as possible, in consultation with the Central Price Regulation Committee, but, as my hon. Friend will appreciate, requests of this kind must be very carefully examined and costings must be investigated, for increases in costs in some directions are not infrequently accompanied by decreases in others.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that my purpose in asking the Question is to find out whether he will endeavour to expedite the matter and avoid any unnecessary delay?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister if he will give an assurance that the universal abolition of protective tariffs on imports, for which the post-war readjustments of production throughout the world presents a favourable opportunity, will be proposed or agreed to by the British Government in a future international conference as a basis of agreement on fiscal policy.

I have been asked to reply. There is no prospect whatever of securing international agreement on such a proposal.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many times the lifeboats of the National Lifeboat Institution have been called out since the war started; and how many lives the lifeboat-men have saved since the war started.

I have been asked to reply. Since the outbreak of war, lifeboats of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution have been launched on 3,399 occasions, and 5,783 lives have been saved.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare to what extent ships now being constructed in Swedish shipyards are being built to German orders.

My information is that II ships are now being built in Swedish shipyards in pursuance of orders placed by or on behalf of German shipowners.

Can my hon. Friend say what proportion of the ships now being built in Swedish shipyards are being built for Swedish purposes, and what proportion to help the Allied cause?

Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will put that Question down.

asked the Secretary of State for War if the review of allowances payable in respect of Service men's children living in the care of guardians is complete; and if he can now state whether the recent increases are to apply to such allowances.

When the soldier's home is being maintained, and the guardian is a full-time paid housekeeper, the full allowance as for a wife with children will be paid. Otherwise, the guardian will receive 8s. a week less than the wife with children, together with Ws. 6d. a week in respect of each child; for example, there will be paid in respect of the motherless children of a soldier below the rank of sergeant 27s. a week, including his qualifying allotment, plus 12s. 6d. for each child. Where the soldier's home is not being maintained, 16s. for each child, exclusive of the soldier's qualifying allotment, will be paid.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will take immediate steps to bring about the cancellation of the military rule that spirits, such as whisky, etc., may not be sold to any member of the Armed Forces below the rank of sergeant, in view of the feeling existing amongst the troops in Normandy and elsewhere that such a rule is in the nature of class distinction, interferes with their personal freedom in this respect, and is needless, seeing that such sales would be governed by a soldier's ability to purchase these spirits.

The regulation, with which the hon. Member is, I think, familiar, prohibits the sale of spirits for consumption in canteens and restricts the sale for consumption elsewhere to officers and officers' and sergeants' messes. The regulation is necessary in the interests of discipline, and I regret that I cannot accept the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) why an order has been issued by the G.O.C., Middle East, stating that all soldiers must complete five years' service overseas before obtaining home leave;

(2) what percentage of men with four and a half to five, and five and over years' service abroad, respectively, have now had home leave.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) what progress has so far been made in posting home officers and men with over four and less than five years' overseas service;

(2) what steps are now being taken to give home leave to troops in the Mediterranean and Far Eastern Commands on a scale comparable with the other Services and with the troops in the British Liberation Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can yet reduce the period of service of troops in the Far East and other distant theatres of war.

asked the Secretary of State for War what progress has been made since 29th June in granting home leave to troops who have served in the East and Middle East for upwards of four and a half years; and whether he expects in the near future further to shorten the qualifying period.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any change has been made as to the period of service overseas before men in the Army are re-posted to this country.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can make a statement as to arrangements for granting leave to members of the Armed Forces now serving on the Western Front.

asked the Secretary of State for War the approximate number of men in the Indian and South-East Asia Command who have been overseas for three years or more.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the present military situation, he can, in the near future, grant leave of absence to men who have been serving two years or more in distant countries and unhealthy climates, so that they may come home to recuperate and again see their families.

asked the Secretary of State for War what progress has been made with regard to the granting of leave to men with unbroken long overseas service with His Majesty's Forces.

In view of the misunderstandings which, judgingfrom my mail bag, exist among the troops on those matters, I propose to circulate a full statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT, and I shall try to secure wide circulation for this in the overseas theatres.

While desiring to await that circulation for detailed statistics, might I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware of the growing bitterness of all ranks serving in the East, when they see their own situation compared unfavourably, not merely with that of the other two Services—[Interruption].

asked the Prime Minister if he can now make a statement as to plans for demobilisation.

asked the Prime Minister if he can now state the general principles of the Government's demobilisation scheme; and if, when it has been debated and approved by Parliament, he will instruct the Service Departments to do all that they can to make the scheme understood as widely as possible by all ranks before the end of hostilities.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now able to outline His Majesty's Government's policy for the demobilisation of the Armed Forces at the conclusion of hostilities.

asked the Prime Minister when it is expected that a statement can be made as to the Government's plan for military and industrial demobilisation; and if it is proposed to issue a White Paper on the subject.

Hon. Members will now be aware of the Government's plans for release from the Armed Forces after the cessation of hostilities in Europe, which were set out in the White Paper published a few days ago. Special arrangements have been made to ensure that the details of the release scheme are fully explained to all members of the Forces with as little delay as possible. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour is in consultation with representatives of employers and workers on plans for the re-allocation of men and women employed in civilian war work, and an announcement will be made as soon as possible.

Will my right hon. Friend give the House an opportunity of debating this whole subject soon, and will he consider how far the Service Ministers can take counsel with the British Legion and other ex-Servicemen's bodies, who can render much help when the men come back, at the moment of their coming back, if their services are co-ordinated?

I should think that that was certainly a matter which should be debated in the House.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the casualties suffered by American troops are officially published every month and appear regularly in our own Press, and will he in future follow the same practice to cover the casualties among the forces of the British Isles, bringing the total suffered from the outbreak of the present war up to date; and what is the practice in this connection in our Dominions.

Yes, Sir. In future, the total casualties sustained by the Forces of the United Kingdom will be published quarterly. As regards the Dominions, I understand that Australian casualty figures are published quarterly. There are no arrangements for the regular publication of casualties in New Zealand or the Union of South Africa. No information is at present available as to Canadian practice, but inquiries are being made, and I will let hon. Members know as soon as a reply is received.

asked the Prime Minister whether the proposals of His Majesty's Government, placed before the United Nations, for the establishment of an organisation for world peace after the war will be laid before this House; so that this House can make suggestions or amendments to those proposals before they are finally adopted.

The policy of His Majesty's Government is to join with the Governments of the United States, the Soviet Union, and China in reaching agreement upon a set of proposals for the establishment of an organisation to maintain peace and security and to further social and economic co-operation among the peace-loving nations. The first steps are at present being taken in the conversations still in progress at Dumbarton Oaks, near Washington, between officials representing the four Governments. None of the Governments represented is committed at present. If, as I greatly hope, we succeed in framing such joint proposals they will be communicated to the other Governments concerned, as the basis for discussion at a general conference of all the United Nations. I can assure the hon. Member that an appropriate opportunity will be given to the House to consider these proposals before anything is finally settled.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to give us an assurance that this House of Commons will be given facilities to discuss these problems similar to those provided for the Congress in Washington?

I think I may safely promise that.

asked the Prime Minister when he anticipates being able to make his promised statement regarding the regulations governing the award of the 1939–44 Star.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to announce the amendments or additions to be made in the qualifications for the award of the Africa Star and 1939–43 Star.

I have given this matter much thought since I last spoke to the House about it, and I hope before long to submit a further set of conclusions to the King. As soon as His Majesty's approval has been obtained, I will make a further statement to the House.

May I ask, if the matter is not finally decided, whether my right hon. Friend would take into consideration, since this ribbon commemorates a period in time, that it would be only just that everybody serving with the Colours should receive it?

I think that is anticipating any statement I may make or any Debate the House may wish upon that statement.

asked the Prime Minister if he can make a statement in regard to the rising in Warsaw and the measures taken by the Allies to assist the Polish Forces.

asked the Prime Minister whether the scale of local assistance to be afforded to the rising of General Bor's forces in Warsaw at the beginning of August was determined beforehand by the Allied staffs; and to what extent it has been found possible to implement such decisions.

I welcome this opportunity of paying tribute to the heroism and tenacity of the Polish home army and population of Warsaw, who, after five years of oppression, have yet fought for nearly two months to contribute all in their power to the expulsion of the Germans from the capital of Poland.

His Majesty's Government have always made it clear to all concerned that they were too far from the scene to undertake responsibility for ordering or supporting a general rising in Poland. At the same time, they have consistently used their good offices to promote co-operation and co-ordination of plans in regard to such matters between the Polish and Soviet authorities, and, despite the formidable practical difficulties, they have furnished military supplies by air to the Polish Home Army. As soon as His Majesty's Government learnt that the rising in Warsaw had begun, they expressed to the Soviet Government their hope that, although such co-ordination had not yet been achieved, they would nevertheless bring such aid to the Polish insurgents as lay in their power. The Soviet armies were at that time engaged in heavy fighting with strong German forces to the east and north-east of Warsaw, but when their operational plans permitted and direct contact had been established with the Polish Commander-in-Chief in Warsaw, they sent supplies to the Polish forces and provided them with air cover and antiaircraft support. This assistance has been gratefully acknowledged by the Polish Prime Minister and by the Polish Commander-in-Chief in Warsaw.

Meanwhile, the Royal Air Force, despite the very great practical difficulties and in the face of heavy losses, themselves made the long flight from Mediterranean bases to Warsaw with supplies on all occasions when weather conditions permitted. In their statement issued on 13th September, the Polish Government published particulars and expressed appreciation of this assistance. On 18th September a large escorted force of United States heavy bombers carried out a successful operation, which was planned in co-operation with the Soviet High Command but which was unavoidably postponed for several days because of bad weather. This force, after dropping a large quantity of supplies in Warsaw, the bulk of which came from British sources, flew on to bases in Soviet territory, escorted by Soviet aircraft.

These successful combined operations have played an important part in sustaining the gallant resistance of the Polish forces and in enabling them to contribute so effectively to the liberation of their country's capital, which will not, I hope, be much longer delayed.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Report of the Minister without Portfolio on the Distressed Coastal Areas has been considered by His Majesty's Government; and if he can make a statement.

My right hon. Friend the Minister without Portfolio has been watching the needs of the South-East Coast towns in relation to the Government's reconstruction plans. The results of this work will continue to be reflected in measures which the Government will announce from time to time, but I have no general statement to make to-day on the subject as a whole.

In view of the desperate financial and economic plight of these areas, due to evacuation at Government request, to the moratorium and to the ban on visitors, for the safety of the rest of England, could not some special steps be taken to assist these areas to rehabilitate themselves and get going again?

At least, these areas have not been bombed out.

Yes, they have.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now state the names of the members of the Royal Commission on Equal Pay.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement explaining the reasons for the delay there has been in appointing the Royal Commission on the question of equal pay.

asked the Prime Minister if he can now state the names of the members of the Royal Commission on Equal Pay.

I am glad to be able to announce that Mr. Justice Asquith will act as Chairman of the Royal Commission, and I hope to be able to give the names of members of the Commission in a short time. I might explain that the work of the Commission on Higher Education in the Colonies is nearing its close, and Mr. Justice Asquith's appointment as Chairman of the Royal Commission will not interfere with its completion, or delay in any way the work of the Royal Commission.

In view of the amazing difficulties the Government are having in setting up this Royal Commission, will the right hon. Gentleman consider accepting the recommendations of the Atkin Committee of 1919, and thus avoid further delay and trouble in this matter?

I was not aware that the difficulties were amazing. In time of war, when so many people are occupied with other tasks, it is more difficult to pick exactly the right person for a task of this peculiar and special social responsibility, but the difficulties, amazing or otherwise, have been successfully overcome, or practically overcome, and I do not propose to adopt the suggestion of my hon. Friend.

May I ask whether, in view of the very great, if not staggering delay, the Prime Minister will indicate to the Commission that we want a Report from them on this subject in a reasonable time?

I shall certainly follow precedent in any address I might have to make to the Commission.

Question 60 is not in the least similar to Question 53, and no satisfactory reply has been made to it.

May I ask the Prime Minister why he thinks it very peculiar that people should get equal pay for equal work?

I think I fully answered the Question; in fact, I answered it very fully, especially in reply to a supplementary question.

Fully, but not satisfactorily.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider arranging to send a Parliamentary Delegation to Moscow to convey to the Russian Government and the Russian people the sense of admiration and gratitude felt by the British people for the magnificent contribution of our Russian Ally to the cause of the United Nations.

His Majesty's Government have been in touch with the Soviet Government on this matter, and I hope to be able to make a statement in due course.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the urgency of the housing situation, he will set up a separate Ministry of Housing so as to accelerate the solution of the problem.

No, Sir. Progress with this all important task would not be made any easier if a new Ministry were to be set up.

Does not the Prime Minister think that a considerable amount of delay is caused by the number of Ministries which are involved in this subject?

I am certainly not anxious to multiply the number of Ministers in existence more than is absolutely necessary, and I am of opinion that the machinery which is now at work is discharging its functions with a very considerable degree of smoothness.

Would the Prime Minister not consider asking the Parliamentary Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade to take this job on, as he has no other occupation at present?

Since the Minister of Reconstruction has been entrusted with the co-ordination of the work of the various Departments for the emergency sheltering of Londoners, will the Prime Minister consider entrusting him also with the coordination of all existing Departments dealing with the whole of the housing problem?

Yes, Sir, housing matters become a matter of the very first urgency after the immediate needs of the war. We will take the best measures possible.

asked the Prime Minister the Government's present policy in respect of the evacuation from London and Southern England of mothers with infant children, schoolchildren, aged and disabled persons and in-patients in hospitals.

I have been asked to reply. As announced on 7th September, the Government have decided to suspend further evacuation under the Government evacuation scheme from London and Southern England; and they have also suspended the evacuation of in-patients in hospitals. On the other hand, I have already said on several occasions that the Government's advice to those already evacuated from London and Southern England is—"Do not come back."

May I ask the Minister whether he does not think that, in view of the conflicting statements made from the Committee of which the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply was Chairman, his own Department and the Ministry of Home Security, which have very much confused and perplexed the population, it would not be desirable to have a more explicit, definite and more comprehensive statement than that which the Minister has just made?

I doubt whether any statement could be more explicit than the four monosyllables "Do not come back."

May I venture to say that this is a very important matter? In view of the fact that the people of this country have really been misinformed and misdirected in this matter, with very great inconvenience, and danger to the lives of women and children, is it not desirable that a further statement should be made of a more explicit kind?

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say why the statement was made before the danger was passed, giving the people of this country a sense of false security?

If I was aware to which statement the hon. Lady was referring, I should be able to answer the question. I know of no statement which has been in conflict with the advice I have given.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply made a very definite statement to simple people, that the danger was over and that, therefore, they could come back? That statement is in conflict with his, and is it not desirable that the Government should issue a clear statement on the position?

The statement I have made to-day is a statement which represents Government policy.

asked the Prime Minister, in view of President Roosevelt's declaration that some steps to liquidate war-time agencies and reconstruct the Government of the U.S.A. to its peace-time organisation might be taken when the fighting in Europe ends and, in view of the anxiety recently expressed by leaders of British industry as to the place Great Britain will occupy in the field of competitive foreign trade, if he will cause a statement of the Government's intentions regarding controls, raw materials, priorities and related matters affecting British industrial recovery after the European war, to be issued at the earliest possible moment.

The Government have already made known their intentions regarding some of the numerous aspects of economic policy which are bound together in the switch-over of industry from war to peace as, for example, in the White Paper on Employment Policy and in the White Paper on the Re-allocation of Man Power between the end of the German war and the end of the war with Japan. The detailed administrative arrangements necessary for carrying into effect the broad principles of the Government's industrial policy in the transition will be made public as circumstances suggest and war conditions permit.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware of the acute anxiety that exists in the minds of industrialists throughout this country about the activities on the other side of the Atlantic and the uncertainty of the Government's intentions here? Our foreign trade after the war will be in a state of uncertainty, and I beg of my right hon. Friend to make a statement.

The hon. Member himself is making a statement.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to a statement recently made by Sir Cecil Hurst, Chairman of the United Nations War Crime Commission, saying that if Hitler can manage to escape to a neutral country nothing can be done by the Allies in the matter; and what action is being taken by the Allies to prevent the possible evasion of justice by Nazi criminals in the way suggested.

I understand that the remarks attributed to Sir Cecil Hurst in the newspaper report which my hon. Friend has in mind did not represent accurately what he said. This is one of those cases of taking out detached sentences from their context and not having proper regard to all the necessary limiting and guarding phrases and words which are proper to public Statements. His Majesty's Government are resolved to do their utmost to prevent Nazi criminals finding refuge in neutral territory from the consequences of their crimes.

Is the Prime Minister aware that Sir Cecil Hurst subsequently gave an explanation of what he said at his Press interview that, if existing extraditional machinery was inappropriate to the circumstances, some new arrangement might—note the word "might"—be insisted on to ensure surrender; and does not the right hon. Gentleman think that it is essential for Great Britain, America and Russia to take immediate steps to warn neutrals that they will not be permitted to shelter Hitler and other Nazi criminals from receiving punishment at the end of hostilities?

Odd as it may seem, the point has not entirely escaped the notice of the Government. I notice that a number of neutrals have already made satisfactory statements upon the subject, but it is not our intention to allow the escape of these men to be effected without exerting almost every resource which civilised Powers can contemplate.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the precedent in the case of Napoleon, who, after all, remained a British prisoner of war several years after the cessation of hostilities?

I do not see that it occurs at all. Napoleon gave himself up, and threw himself upon the mercy of Britain, and he was kept for the rest of his life as a prisoner of State.

Does the right hon. Gentleman include Spain among those countries which have given satisfactory assurances?

I do not think I have noticed any particular pronouncement on the subject.

May I ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of the public concern over this matter, it will be possible for a full report of what Sir Cecil Hurst actually said to be made available to Members of the House?

No, Sir, what Sir Cecil Hurst says is compressed, superseded and, if necessary, over-ridden, by what is said on behalf of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the interests of the British Commonwealth and Empire and sterling countries, the Government will prepare plans for the establishment of an Imperial or sterling bank as a clearing house of central banks of sterling countries.

The existing relations between the Bank of England and central banks in other countries of the sterling area are already such as to achieve the purpose which my hon. Friend appears to have in mind and there is in my view no case for considering the establishment of a new institution of the kind which he suggests.

May I ask my right hon. Friend if the Bretton Woods proposal for a world bank will supersede the method to which he has referred?

Certainly not.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the desire of the public generally to know something concerning our monetary and financial mechanism, he will issue a White Paper giving a detailed explanation of how legal tender and cheque money comes into existence, the cost of creating same and what other monetary instruments are created and used in the finance of industry and government.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave him when he asked a similar question on 22nd June last.