asked the Minister of Labour (1) if he will confer with the representatives of the A.E.U. and of the employers with a view to obtaining the maximum co-operation between these two bodies and his Department before he puts into practice any scheme for transferring skilled workers from war to peace work prior to the discharge of dilutees;

(2) if he is aware of the disquiet caused by the Government's announcement that dilutees will be retained in war work while skilled labour is transferred to peace production; and if he will give an assurance that all steps will be taken to prevent this transference being accompanied by unemployment of skilled workmen while dilutees remain at work.

It the two sides of the engineering industry so desire, I should of course be glad to discuss with them the matter to which my hon. Friend refers, and indeed the A.E.U. have already seen me regarding it. As regards the latter part of Question No. 3, I am very glad to give the assurance for which he asks.

While thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask him whether he is aware that it was our Executive of the A.E.U. which asked me to raise this matter with him—hence the two Questions?

asked the Minister of Labour, in view of the importance of setting in motion at the earliest possible date schemes of industrial research and development, involving large numbers of trained scientists, what plans have been made for the earliest possible release of such persons from war service and for the training of younger men to supplement them.

Applications for the release from the Forces of trained scientists can be made through the appropriate Government Departments under the Government's plans for the re-allocation of man-power after the defeat of Germany, which contain provision for the early release of a strictly limited number of individual specialists. I am in close touch with my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, about the re-allocation within industry of trained scientists who are at present engaged upon war work. The conditions on which students may be permitted, after the cessation of hostilities with Germany, to begin or continue their scientific training are under consideration and I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

Will my right hon. Friend take the earliest opportunity of making that statement?

I should be very sorry to make any promise, because, as I have said in reply to a previous Question, in dealing with matters of this kind a proper balance has to be kept between one class and another.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that steps have been taken by Messrs. Younger, brewers at Alloa, to place 50 Service men in employment at the brewery, the men to be billeted in the brewery premises; and if this arrangement was made with his approval.

No, Sir. It has not so far been possible to provide military labour for this purpose.

Is the Minister aware that in connection with wet canteens, a provision was approved by this House to the effect that if anyone objected on grounds of principle, it would not be compulsory for them to take up this work?

There is a great demand for beer from the troops, and a serious shortage of it, and I have difficulty in finding the amount of labour required in the malting. I understand that this application dealt only with the preliminary stage of the malting, not all of which may go into beer.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the request made to mental hospitals to engage candidates from Eire as student nurses is without prejudice to the promotion prospects of the numerous young Englishwomen who desire to adopt this career but have been directed to factories and other forms of National Service.

I am not aware that any young English women who desired to perform mental nursing have been directed to other employment, and if my hon. and gallant Friend has any particular cases in mind, I shall be glad to make enquiry. Nursing, including mental nursing, has the highest possible priority and apart from a few specially trained classes of women, such as teachers, any girl who is acceptable to a hospital as a nurse is given permission to join the profession.

While thanking the Minister for his reply, in regard to which I shall avail myself of the opportunity to send him certain evidence on the matter, may I take it that this is a purely war-time measure, and that as soon as British girls are available they will be given the opportunity of entering this profession?

I have already said not only that they have the opportunity now, but that they have an absolute priority.

Is the Minister aware that some of these Irish nurses, when they return on leave to their homeland do not come back?

The difficulty is that I have been so short of staff for hospitals that I have had to use Irish girls and all kinds of people—aliens, for example—to try to staff the hospitals the best way I can. There is the risk sometimes that Irish girls go back, but on the other hand there is also the complaint that they stay here permanently.

asked the Secretary of State for India what steps have now been taken to implement the recommendation of the Gregory Committee that a central reserve of 500,000 tons of wheat should be built up within 12 months to enable the Indian Government to deal with future emergencies.

Despite the many calls upon them for other urgent purposes during the past year, His Majesty's Government have provided shipping for the import of 800,000 tons of foodgrains into India since October, 1943, and provision for a further 300,000 tons to the end of the present year has just been announced, with a promise of consideration next month of future requirements. It must be left to the Government of India to use to the best advantage, whether by holding as reserve or otherwise, the supplies which come under its control, both indigenous and imported.

Have not the Government accepted the policy of the reserve recommended by the Gregory Committee?

Yes, Sir, in so far as the general shipping situation permits of building it up.

Is it a fact that at least 1,000,000 tons a year are recommended by the Gregory Committee?

Yes, Sir, I am well aware of the nature of the Gregory Report.

And of the great shortage?

How much of the 800,000 tons has reached India?

The greater part of it. I could not give the hon. Member the exact figure, but it is all coming along, and on the way.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is able to give information as to the approximate number of the boats requisitioned for security reasons in Eastern Bengal at the outset of the Japanese attack on India which have been returned to their owners; and what measures have been taken to provide for their reconditioning.

Of some 26,000 boats taken out of the area, more than one-third have been returned to owners or otherwise restored to use. I understand that repairs were made by or under the instructions of Government to a large number of the boats with help from the military. The Government of Bengal have in hand a reconstruction programme for 10,000 country boats of varying capacities for completion by the end of the year, but the whole programme is unlikely to be completed by that date. The statistics furnished to me are not altogether clear and I am asking for clarification and will communicate with my hon. Friend on receipt of the reply.

asked the Secretary of State for India what steps are being taken to give home leave to married and single officers and other ranks belonging to, or attached to, the Indian Army; and with what success.

British Service personnel attached to or serving with the Indian Army are entitled to consideration under the War Office "home posting" scheme; they may, however, if they wish to return to the Indian Army, choose leave instead of "home posting." British personnel belonging to the Indian Army cannot be treated under a "home posting" scheme, since the Indian Army has no home establishment, but a leave scheme was opened some time ago and is now in full operation. The working of this scheme depends on the number of passages which can be allotted, and the number of officers who can be spared for operational reasons. Both these points are under constant review, in order that the maximum advantage may be taken of the arrangements.

Will my right hon. Friend do his best to see that, after a reasonable period, the opportunity of home leave is given to every rank, and every man serving in India?

Yes, Sir.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that these officers and men belonging to the Indian Army are really ordinary civilian soldiers, if I may use the term, who happen to have joined the Indian Army for some reason or other during this war? Will he see if cross-posting between British Army units and Indian Army units can be made possible?

In so far as they are attached to the Indian Army, the facilities of the British Army scheme are open to them. In so far as they voluntarily joined the Indian Army, their services are, naturally, in continual request for operational purposes, and those who have longer service have prior claims.

Is it not a question of transport; and, now that the seas are practically clear, could my right hon. Friend not put on extra transport, because this matter is very important?

I will do my best; but the seas, although relatively clear from interference, are certainly not clear from urgent operational demands.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any progress has been made respecting the proposals contained in the Sergeant Report on Education Development in India.

The proposals contained in the report by the Central Advisory Board of Education on post-war educational development in India are under active consideration by the responsible authorities in that country and are shortly to be submitted to the Reconstruction Committee of the Viceroy's Executive Council.

How long will it be before we get some report regarding those proposals; and can I take it that the basic proposal has not been rejected?

The scheme to which the hon. Member refers is one for the development of education over a period of 40 years after the war. It is now under consideration by the authorities and the Government of India, and will be under submission to their Reconstruction Committee, which will no doubt report to the Government of India in due course.

Are there any proposals to educate the Brahmin members of Congress in the principles of democracy?

And the hon. Member for South Croydon (Sir H. Williams)?

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware of the difficulty in securing the necessary number of teachers in connection with the evacuation of schoolchildren from London; that these difficulties are primarily due to the anxiety felt by teachers as to the availability of their houses on their return and to the inadequacy of the present evacuation allowances to meet the financial liabilities involved; and what steps he proposes to take in consultation with the Minister of Health to deal with this serious position.

I am aware of the difficulty that is being experienced in securing L.C.C. teachers to volunteer to go to reception areas. In so far as this may be due to the first cause suggested by the hon. Member, teachers will be reassured by the recent public assurance that no furnished house will be requisitioned without prior consultation with the householder. The scale of evacuation allowances for teachers corresponds generally with those applicable to other comparable classes, and it would not be practicable to give specially favourable terms to teachers. I am, however, examining with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health the possibility of giving some further assistance to meet individual cases of special financial hardship arising out of the recent evacuation from the flying bomb areas.

Is the Minister aware that the conditions obtaining in regard to civil servants and other classes are not comparable with those obtaining in regard to teachers; that teachers, in the main, are evacuated in parties, that the billets are arranged for them in parties, and that, consequently prices are kept down; and can he say whether the L.C.C., the premier authority with regard to these teachers, is in favour of the parsimonious treatment handed out to them?

I cannot accept the latter part of my hon. Friend's observations. There are a great many teachers in other parts undertaking these duties willingly and on the terms offered, and I must hold some balance between teachers themselves. In regard to cases of special hardship, my hon. Friend will see from my answer that I am giving them sympathetic consideration.

asked the Minister of Education whether arrangements have been made with the Departments for the release, without delay at the end of the war, of school buildings of evacuated schools which are now used for other purposes.

This matter is dealt with in a Circular recently sent to local education authorities, a copy of which I am sending the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Education what steps should be taken by Service personnel who are anxious to take advantage of the emergency scheme for recruitment and training of teachers.

The emergency scheme for the training of teachers will come into operation as and when men and women are released from the Forces and other forms of national service. Those who are able to undertake some preparatory work now should ask their Unit Education Officers for advice as to the best form of reading or study to take up.

Can the Minister say, in view of this chronic shortage, whether there have been any special personnel seconded to advocate among the Forces the special claims of teaching after the war; and how many are taking the correspondence courses?

I should require notice in order to give the exact answer, but my hon. Friend will realise that we, are doing our best to see that those in the Forces understand the great opening which lies before them.

Can I press the Minister on this point, because, apparently, there is not a very satisfactory link between the unit education officers in the Forces and those who wish to take up this vitally important profession?

Will the Minister bear in mind the national advantage of allow- ing those who are qualified to become teachers to be demobilised at the earliest possible moment?

I have already said that I am in touch with the Minister of Labour and National Service on that matter.

asked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied that the housing policy of the Government will meet the immediate needs of post-war Britain.

As I stated in the Debate on the Second Reading of the Housing (Temporary Provisions) Bill on 19th July, our most urgent task is to provide homes for the 250,000 additional families which have come into being since 1939 and for those who have lost their homes during the war. The Government's programme for permanent and temporary dwellings is designed to meet this need within the first two years after the war.

Again, I would ask the Minister to answer my Question. Is he satisfied that the programme set forth by himself and other Members of the Government will meet the immediate demand for these houses?

I am satisfied that we have done our best up to date, but I am not satisfied that we cannot do better if we continue our efforts.

Will the Minister appreciate the fact that both he and the Government may well rise or fall by their capacity to deal with this problem?

Does the Minister not think that the time has arrived for the Government to reconsider its decision to stop house-building during the war? Get on with house-building now. Our folk are desperate, and men will be coming back, after the war, and finding no homes.

asked the Minister of Health how many houses in the London region are now being kept empty to accommodate persons who may be bombed out.

None, Sir. There is not at present enough suitable accommodation available to provide for all the families that have been rendered homeless. As properties are repaired and become available they are offered to these families.

Does that answer imply that the Minister's policy on this matter has now been changed in other regions besides London?

It implies that, so far as London is concerned, the immediate needs are so great that it would be wrong, in my view, to keep habitable dwellings available in reserve for future bombing.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether he has established any formula by which he will determine the priority of delivery of emergency factory-built houses to the different communities;

(2) whether he is yet ready to receive applications from local authorities for emergency factory-built houses and the approximate date he expects to deliver these so that local authorities may know approximately when they must have their roads and mains for water, sewage, electricity and gas ready;

(3) as he intends paying for the emergency factory-built houses by the same costing procedure as was employed in the payment of munitions, whether he will introduce the time-studying methods which produced such benefits in speed and costing, as in the case of filling factories.

A number of local authorities were asked on 15th August whether they wished to apply for an allocation of temporary bungalows and I hope shortly to make a first allocation, which will be accompanied by a memorandum of guidance of which I will send my hon. Friend a copy, dealing with the acquisition and preparation of sites, and other matters. It is anticipated that the production of the bungalows on a substantial scale will begin early next summer. Priority of delivery will be largely governed by the availability of developed sites. The costing procedure to be employed is a matter for my Noble Friend, the Minister of Works, who is giving it careful consideration.

Will my right hon. and learned Friend read Question No. 34 and see if he can state any date, because no local authority can prepare roads and sewers and that sort of thing if they do not know when they are to get their houses? The difficulty of labour is well known to my right hon. and learned Friend, and surely, he ought to give guidance and help in the matter.

Perhaps my hon. Friend will await the memorandum, which he will receive shortly and which deals with that very point.

Cannot the Minister speed up delivery before the beginning of next summer?

What I said in my reply was that we anticipate that deliveries on a substantial scale will begin early next summer, and I hope that deliveries on a smaller scale will begin before that date.

The Minister talks about deliveries next summer, but are he and the House aware that there are tens of thousands of folk to-day all over Britain who have no homes? Why do not the Government face this problem in the same way as they face the Germans?

asked the Minister of Health whether the cost of providing temporary houses, particularly in bombed areas, is to be fully a national charge.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statements made in the course of the Debates on the Housing (Temporary Accommodation) Act.

asked the Minister of Health why the Stepney borough council are being allowed only 200 uni-seco huts instead of 500 as requested.

Local authorities were informed in the relevant circular that the huts available are of two types, and that of these the uni-seco would be supplied less readily than the other. In allocating 200 uni-seco huts to Stepney borough council out of a total request for 500, and the balance in the alternative types, I have done what I can to meet the council's wishes without unduly prejudicing the claims of other local authorities.

Can the Minister assure me that Stepney is being treated in exactly the same way as every other Metropolitan borough with regard to the allocation of these uni-seco huts; and would he be good enough to publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the allocations that are being granted to other Metropolitan boroughs?

I can give my hon. Friend the first assurance, but I am not sure, in view of the space that would be taken up by the details of these allocations, that publication is necessary; but I will let my hon. Friend know.

We had information given with regard to the Portal houses, and surely this information with regard to the Metropolitan boroughs could be given?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to amend Section 85 of the Housing Act, 1936, to ensure that the local authorities in selecting tenants for houses see that a reasonable preference is given to ex-Service men.

asked the Minister of Health if he will define the measure of priority to be given to ex-Service men in obtaining houses for homes after the war.

As has already been stated special consideration will be given to the claims of men returning- from the Forces in regard to housing accommodation after the war, but I am not at present in a position to indicate what action is necessary to give effect to this policy.

If I put a similar Question to my right hon. and learned Friend early next month, may I anticipate a definite reply?

It might be so, but I think it might be better the month after next,

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that excessive sums of money are being asked for and obtained by property owners for the sale of dwelling-houses belonging to them; that, in many cases, the wives of men serving in His Majesty's Forces are the victims of these excessive demands; what action he proposes to take to prevent the increasing exploitation of the acute housing shortage; and whether he will consider introducing legislation directed to preventing owners of dwelling-houses obtaining, upon the sale of their houses, a sum in excess of the value of the property on 31st March, 1939, plus 30 per cent.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 28th September last to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for West Dorset (Major Digby).

Is the Minister aware that representations were made and evidence was furnished to his Department in April of this year; that action was then promised, that nothing has as yet been done, and that the evil has grown a great deal worse; and does he not agree that, if it is possible to control the price of building, furniture and food, it should be possible to control the price of houses?

I think my hon. Friend is under a misconception. Consideration and not necessarily action was promised, and if my hon. Friend will refer to the answer to which I referred, he will see that the matter is very closely linked to rent control, on which I am awaiting advice.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can now give any assurance that in the post-war house building campaign efficiently designed smoke reducing grates will be compulsory in all cases where coal burning fires are specified.

Advice on this matter has been given to local authorities in the Housing Manual recently issued.

Does not my right hon. and learned Friend realise that he will be presented with a golden opportunity after the war of doing something to abate the smoke nuisance?

I am afraid that my hon. Friend is exaggerating the character of the opportunity. Smoke reducing grates at a reasonable price to ensure this most desirable result are by no means an easy problem.

asked the Minister of Health when he will cause an official inquiry to be held into the question of providing a piped supply of water for the villages of Newton and Tydd St. Giles from the mains of the East Ellor rural district council; and whether he is aware that the objections of the Wisbech Waterworks Company have now been withdrawn.

I am aware that the company have withdrawn their objection to the Wisbech rural district council's proposals and I am arranging for an early local inquiry.

asked the Minster of Health to what extent questions of medical research will be dealt with in the National Health Scheme on which his department is now working.

The encouragement and assistance of research will continue to be primarily the function of the Medical Research Council which was set up by Royal Charter for the purpose. It is the Government's intention that research and opportunities for research should be continually developed with the help of the Council.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any information about a new treatment for asthma discovered by doctors in Ceylon; whether this treatment is being investigated by medical research in Great Britain; and with what result.

I am aware that some experimental research on chest complaints has been carried out by three doctors in Ceylon, but so far as I know the authors do not claim that this research promises hope of cure for asthma. I understand that the Medical Research Council is considering the matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether there is now any justification for the use of steel traps in the open contrary to the provisions of the Prevention of Damage by Rabbits Act, 1939; and whether he will revoke that Section of Defence Regulation 63 which permits this practice.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 24th October to my hon. Friend the Member for Gillingham (Sir R. Gower).

Will the right hon. Gentleman see to it, if these steel traps must he used, that they are used only by competent persons, and then only when it is absolutely necessary and in cases where no other method of catching can be used?

I am looking into the whole matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Gloucestershire War Agricultural Committee is selling barbed wire at 21s. per roll of a quality usually on sale in traders' shops at 18s. 6d.; that intending purchasers applying for permits to buy are advised to purchase from the committee's stores to the detriment of traders; and whether such sales are made at a profit or otherwise.

On investigation I find that some of the barbed wire referred to in the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend on 12th October was sold by the Gloucestershire War Agricultural Executive Committee at a profit and at prices in excess of the normal retail price. Farmers applying for permits to buy wire were in some cases advised to purchase from the committee's stock if that suited their convenience, but they could if they wished obtain permits to purchase from their own dealers, and in some instances such permits were in fact issued. As soon as these transactions came to the notice of my Department instructions were given that retail sales should cease.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will issue instructions that all surplus stocks held by war agricultural committees shall be disposed of through the usual trade channels.

It is not anticipated that any appreciable quantities of stocks of goods held by county war agricultural executive committees for use in the food production campaign will become surplus to requirements for some time. As and when stocks do become redundant they will be disposed of by my Department in accordance with the general principles and procedure set out in the White Paper on Government Surplus Stores (Cmd. 6539) published in July last.

Surely it is the job of war agricultural committees to do their best to serve the farmers under them by making supplies available as early as possible? They can do that after the war as well as during the war.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how far machinery pools on a neighbourhood basis have come into being; whether they are being encouraged by county war executive committees; and what is the attitude of his Department towards them.

There are about 100 groups of farmers operating machinery pools in ten counties in England and Wales. War agricultural executive committees have been responsible for starting the groups and are doing what they can, encouraged by my Department, to assist in the formation of new groups.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he anticipates it will be possible to make a statement upon the future agricultural policy of this country; and whether he can give an assurance that the recommendations contained in the recent Report of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee on this subject will be taken into account in the preparation of that policy.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my replies to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Howdenshire (Colonel Carver) and my hon. Friend the Member for Bodmin (Mrs. Wright) on 28th September.

Has my right hon. Friend seen the leading article in last week's "Economist"? If so does he not agree that the policy enunciated there will very much perturb the agricultural community?

Does my right hon. Friend realise that if he adds nothing to nothing, the answer is still nothing?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the farming experiments being conducted by the Soviet authorities in the Arctic, under which extensive fields of cabbage, potatoes and other plants are successfully grown under Arctic conditions in electrically warmed soil; and what progress is being made in this country with regard to research and development in connection with the warming of soil by artificial means.

No official information is available with regard to the experiments referred to in the first part of the Question. Work on soil heating by various means, including electricity, has been carried out in this country for some years, mainly in connection with crops grown under glass. Particulars of the various methods available will be found in Bulletin No. 65 issued by my Department, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will state what steps he is taking to assist the farmers in finding labour to meet the difficulty in gathering in the potato crop which is being delayed through wet weather.

The more important steps taken include enlisting the further help of the Navy, Army and Air Force, and of the Civil Defence Services; employing German prisoners to the extent of 16,000; and using the services of Italian prisoners transferred from land drainage or borrowed from other Departments.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is proposed to continue the acreage subsidy for wheat, rye and potatoes for the coming year; and whether he is aware that the delay in making any announcement with regard to this is causing considerable difficulty to members of war agricultural committees in making their assessments.

Yes, Sir. It is proposed that part of the price of wheat, rye and potatoes harvested in 1945 shall continue to be in the form of an acreage payment. An announcement about the rates of acreage payment and market prices will be made as soon as possible.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, until those announcements are made, farmers cannot be expected to sign their assessment forms to show that they are willing to grow an unpopular crop like potatoes?

It will not be necessary to take that decision until the Spring.

The assessments have to be made now, and will the Minister hurry up with the announcement?

May I ask if this is a private conversation?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is yet in a position to give any estimate as to the increased grants which will be made available to the universities to assist them in making post-war plans, particularly in connection with rebuilding research and the training of a larger number of scientists.

No, Sir. I am not yet in a position to add to the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Chatham (Captain Plugge) on 28th September.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what progress has already been made in giving effect to the Pensions (Increase) Act, so far as teachers are concerned; and how long it will be before all existing pensioners so entitled will be in receipt of their increased pensions.

Teachers' pensions are paid by the Paymaster-General who will assess and pay the supplements under the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1944. The right hon. Gentleman will be aware that Regulations were made in June last to give effect to the Act which was passed in the preceding month. Thereafter Instructions to pensioners and Application Forms were prepared and printed, and these have been issued to over 55,000 retired teachers and 42,000 claims to increase have been received, and are being dealt with as rapidly as possible with a limited staff. It is hoped to make additional staff available as priority services permit, but I cannot at present give an estimate for the completion of the work.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any idea of how many of the 44,000 claims have been dealt with?

I am afraid I cannot give the right hon. Gentleman that information now, but I will let him know.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department how many applications have been received from British firms to advertise goods in Russia; how many have been accepted and rejected, respectively; and in respect of what value of advertising.

The hon. Member's Question does not specify any period but the first application during this year was received on the nth August last, since when 47 requests have been received by the Foreign Exchange Control involving a total expenditure of £9,600. To date 23 applications have been approved and 24 are under consideration; so far none has been rejected.

Did my right hon. Friend observe the statement in the Press to the effect that American firms were receiving better facilities than British firms in this respect?

I did not observe it but, if it was there, it was not true.

Since all the goods imported into Russia from this country are bought by a Russian delegation in London, is not the only place to advertise through the buyers, because the customers in Russia have no choice?

I think that is roughly the truth. The sole buying authority in Russia does, in fact, buy through its trade delegation abroad. The advertisement of goods in Russia could have some effect but obviously it cannot have the same effect as where goods are bought by tens of thousands of buyers.

But has not bulk purchase by the Soviet delegation here and elsewhere brought great benefit to the people of Russia? Would it not be desirable if we adopted the same policy of bulk purchase?

That is a totally different question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when it is proposed to increase the allowance of clothing coupons.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement which my right hon. Friend made on Friday last.

Could my right hon. and gallant Friend either repeat that statement, or else follow the excellent example of the Minister of Food and give us same outer comfort as well as inner warmth this winter?