asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what should be done with civilian respirators that have obviously deteriorated; and whether he will either call them in for overhaul or advise the public how to dispose of them with the greatest advantage as salvage.

I am advised that the repair of damaged respirators would be uneconomical and the salvage value negligible.

Does my hon. Friend suggest that in the circumstances respirators should be put in the salvage bin or in the dustbin?

The Question refers to "respirators that have obviously deteriorated." The public should be very careful about throwing away respirators unless they are obviously deteriorating.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of Civil Defence personnel required as an immediate target in the county of Worcestershire; the number that have been recruited to the latest convenient date; and whether he will make a statement in regard to progress.

The peace-time establishment, provisionally estimated at 3,600, is under discussion with the county council. At the end of February, 1,600 had been enrolled. Recruitment in recent months has greatly improved.

May I invite the attention of the Under-Secretary of State urgently to two points: first the preparation of a reception scheme for rural areas which lie contiguous to industrial belts; second, for the publication of a scheme for industrial premises, so that large numbers of semi-trained Civil Defence personnel, with experience of the last war, can be embodied at once?

On the first point, we are working on a planned scheme with the Ministry of Health, and a training manual will soon be published covering the welfare side of reception areas. The answer to the second part of the Question is that a statement will be made fairly soon.

In the case of this county, will the target be fixed solely in regard to the needs of the county areas or will it also take into account the possibility of rendering assistance to big urban areas, for example, Birmingham?

Provisional peace-time estimates take into account the rendering of assistance to urban areas, especially on the welfare and evacuation sides.

In the interests of recruiting, would it not be well to avoid having a very considerable number of Civil Defence personnel as "an immediate target," as stated in the Question?

Would the Minister bear in mind that there are very special problems in these scattered rural areas, which may be called on to receive hundreds of thousands of evacuees from densely built-up industrial areas and, therefore, will have special need for guidance in their reception problems?

It is perfectly true that they expect to receive hundreds of thousands of evacuees, but in the orderly manner of evacution during the last war. That is what we are planning. We are taking this matter into consideration in our planning with the Ministry of Health.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total of Civil Defence personnel aimed at for the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge, respectively; and the numbers enrolled in those counties up to the present time.

The provisional establishments are 4,000, 3,000, and 1,800, respectively, and the strengths at the end of February were 2,300, 3,500, and 1,400.

Is the region of which this county forms a part still at the top of the list in recruiting?

I know that this county is very high indeed, having done well. In a few days' time I shall know the answer to that question.

Does the figure for Cambridge include the Isle of Ely?

Yes, it includes the geographical county of Cambridge.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions have industrial and commercial organisations met the Civil Defence Joint Planning Staff since July, 1950, to consult on matters relating to Civil Defence in industry; and who their representatives were.

Twice, Sir. The organisations represented were the T.U.C., the Scottish T.U.C., the Federation of British Industries, the British Employers' Confederation, the Association of British Chambers of Commerce and the National Union of Manufacturers.

I am obliged for that information. Is the Minister aware that there is still considerable uncertainty as to whether firms should organise Civil Defence units in their own factories and among their own staff and that this uncertainty partially accounts for the delay in recruiting? Further, is he aware that there is a certain amount of feeling among Z and G reservists that they are being called upon to bear rather more than their fair share of the burden, and that it would help to create a greater sense of justice if it was known—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech."]—that those in industry were being called upon to create a really effective Civil Defence force?

On the first part of that supplementary question I will make a statement soon. The second part does not arise out of the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether as a result of the experience which has been gained in the training of Civil Defence Volunteers, he is satisfied with the length of the basic general courses or whether any alterations can be made with a view to speeding up their training.

The arrangements for basic training are now being examined. It is important that the courses should be as comprehensive as possible, but my right hon. Friend has come to the conclusion that some of the syllabuses can be shortened. He hopes to issue revised syllabuses soon.

Did the hon. Gentleman see the two letters which appeared in "The Times" on 17th February, in which it was suggested that these courses could profitably be reduced from 32 weeks to 12 weeks by the omission of unnecessary detail? Will he read them if he has not already done so, and take action?

I have read them, and many other documents also, and they are part of the cause for this decision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is his intention to hold an air raid warning siren test in an urban area similar to that held recently in Elstree.

Yes, Sir. A technical trial will soon be held in the Marylebone area. The public will be given the fullest notice of the date and time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent occupants of His Majesty's prisons, excluding Borstal inmates, are permitted to undertake, under guard, agricultural and other outside work of national importance; and what is the policy generally regarding prison labour.

During 1950, an average of about 680 prisoners detained in His Majesty's prisons in England and Wales, out of a total average population of some 17,500, were employed outside the prison walls under supervision on agriculture, forestry, land drainage and other work: this number does not include those so employed on prison farms and lands. It is impossible for me to deal, within the compass of an answer to a Parliamentary Question, with the whole subject of prison labour, but I may say that it is the constant endeavour of the Prison Commissioners, with my encouragement and approval, to extend the scope of outside work for prisoners, so long as it is not to the prejudice of free labour. As regards work in prison workshops, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Dartford (Mr. Dodds) on 14th December and 22nd February last.

Would the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the advisability, both for the prisoners and for the country, of making use in areas of full employment of a labour force which is at present a burden on the community, and that 680 is a very small percentage of 17,500?

Yes, Sir, but the number of prisoners who can be trusted to be at liberty to this extent is also limited. I endeavour to secure that every possible opportunity shall be given to suitable men of having this chance of showing that they have a sense of trust and honour.

What charge is made to farmers for prison labour; and how does that charge compare with agricultural wages?

A farmer has to pay the Prison Commissioners the recognised standard rates.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce a Bill to rectify anomalies in the electoral law and in particular the provision which entitles a prisoner to vote by post if the gaol is in a different area from his residence, but disfranchises him altogether if it is in the same area.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Runcorn (Mr. Vosper) on 15th February.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it was ever the intention of Parliament that prisoners in gaols should be entitled to vote at all? Can anything be more ridiculous than the differentiation mentioned in the Question?

I think that the differentiation is, as the hon. Gentleman says, ridiculous, and I hope that an opportunity will present itself of removing it either by removing the facility altogether or making it available generally to prisoners. It is not for me to say what I think the House of Commons thought or what it will do in the future.

When the right hon. Gentleman is considering this matter, will he also consider introducing a Bill to rectify anomalies in the electoral system as well as anomalies of the electoral law?

I have no doubt that the hon. Member has his chance in the Private Members' Ballot.

Is this not, in addition to the sentence imposed on a prisoner for the crime he has committed, an additional punishment?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of children born in His Majesty's prisons and Borstal institutions in England and Wales during the past five years; and the average figures of maternal and infant mortality for such births.

During the five years ended 31st December, 1950, 232 live births occurred in His Majesty's prisons and Borstal institutions in England and Wales. None of the mothers, but five of the infants, died. There were eight still births.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were undergoing prison sentences on 1st February, 1950, as compared with 1st February, 1938; and how many of them on each date were living two or more in a cell.

The total number of prisoners held in prison in England and Wales on 7th February, 1950, which is the nearest convenient date, was 16,465. This figure includes untried and civil prisoners. The corresponding figure for 7th February, 1938, was 9,066. No cell has ever been occupied by two prisoners but on 7th February, 1950, there were 1,968 prisoners accommodated three in a cell: in 1938 it was not necessary that cells should be occupied by more than one prisoner.

Do the Government realise all the alarming implications of this deterioration in our moral standards? Can the right hon. Gentleman hold out any hope that within the present capital expenditure budget it will be possible in the near future to erect new prisons or otherwise remedy this alarming state of affairs of three in a cell?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the Government are as much concerned as are all well meaning people in the country at the deterioration of standards which these figures portray. I regret that it is not possible, under the present capital programme, to contemplate the erection of new prisons, but wherever possible, buildings are adapted in order to try to lessen the overcrowding which I have mentioned.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the deterioration in moral standards may not be quite so great as appears on the surface and that some part of the difference in the prison population may be accounted for by the different social standards now prevailing as to what is socially meritorious and what is socially reprehensible?

While I admit that standards change, I should not like to say anything which minimised the very serious position that these figures portray.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the 16,000 prisoners rank as unemployed or fully employed?

Some of them are fully employed and some of them are partially employed. I doubt if any of them are really unoccupied.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date Brynley Fussell was known to have escaped from a Borstal institution to France.

Fussell was due to report back at the Rochester Borstal Institution on 21st November last, after a period of home leave. He failed to report, and the Governor received a message on 23rd November that he had that morning been arrested in France.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is the fact that this youth has been in a French prison for something like four months; and, if so, what representations is he making through the Foreign Secretary in order that this position may be clarified?

The period given by the hon. Gentleman is about right; it is a little over four months, I think. We have made repeated efforts to get this youth extradited. He has consented to return and it is the formalities of the French courts that are preventing this taking place, but I am hopeful that he will be returned within a few days.

As this boy will have had four months in prison would it not be a good idea to let him go free when he comes back, and possibly enlist him in the Air Force?

When this lad comes back he will have to stand his trial for certain offences which he has committed, not merely those against Borstal discipline, and I should not like to say anything today that would prejudice the fair hearing of the case.

rose——

The Question only asks on what date this youth was known to have escaped, and we have got rather far from that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many local authorities have now taken action on the Memorandum on Juvenile Delinquency, issued jointly by his Department and the Ministry of Education in April, 1949.

Eighty-nine local authorities have now held conferences as suggested in the memorandum, and 13 others are expected to do so shortly. Seventy-six of these authorities have set up committees to consider the local situation in detail and recommend action where suitable. In a number of areas where comparatively few young offenders are to be found, the authorities consider that the existing arrangements are adequate and that no action on the memorandum is required.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applicants for admission to the Metropolitan Police Force were rejected in the latest convenient 12-month period on account of failing in eye-sight tests.

During 1950, 388 male candidates for the Metropolitan Police Force were rejected because of defective vision. The standard required is that of normal vision without glasses, including ability to distinguish the principal colours.

Red and blue?

I recognise that a high standard is necessary, but would it not ease the recruiting situation if some men of a lower standard were accepted for sedentary and office work?

I am anxious not to have uniformed men engaged on sedentary and administrative duties. I am trying very hard to recruit non-police personnel for that purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will appoint a commission, or committee, to inquire into the present state of the law concerning the disqualification of ministers of religion for membership of this House, and to make recommendations for its reform.

No decision has yet been reached about the appropriate method of inquiry into the problem of clerical disqualification.

Can the Home Secretary hold out any hope that he will carry out the specific pledge he gave on 19th October, that an inquiry would be held?

I am hoping to be able to do this at no very distant date. We shall deal generally with the question of disqualification, as the Attorney-General informed the House a few days ago.

Has the Home Secretary's attention been called to the anomaly that whereas clergy of the Scottish Episcopal Church are eligible to sit in the House, clergy of the Church of Ireland are not allowed to do so?

I am not sure that the first of these alternatives was correctly stated by the hon. Gentleman. I know of the general anomaly that exists.

Will my right hon. Friend also consider the anomaly of bishops sitting in another place?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider legislation to embody reciprocal arrangements between this country and other powers in regard to the enforcement of maintenance orders, such as now exists in Commonwealth territories.

A draft convention for the recognition and enforcement of maintenance obligations is to be discussed shortly at the Social Commission of the United Nations. The arrangements under the Maintenance Act, 1920, which obtain in the Commonwealth territories depend upon the similarity of the laws in force in these territories, and the question whether these arrangements or any alternative arrangements could be made in respect of other countries having dissimilar laws raises very difficult problems and would need very careful consideration.

While thanking the Home Secretary for that reply, may I ask if he is aware that in Germany and other countries large numbers of women are suffering severe hardship through being the unmarried mothers of children by British fathers? In those circumstances, will he sympathetically consider the possibility of making some reciprocal arrangements between this country and some other countries?

Reciprocity depends upon the other party being willing to reciprocate, and in matters like this it is sometimes very difficult to arrive at such an arrangement.

Will not my right hon. Friend at least make inquiries to see if anything can be done along these lines?

I said in the early part of my answer that this matter is already being considered at United Nations level.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that people are avoiding the enforcement of maintenance orders by removing themselves to places where reciprocal arrangements do not exist, such as the States of Guernsey? Will he hasten the conclusion of more of these reciprocal arrangements?

It would be easier to deal with the States of Guernsey than with some of the countries my hon. Friend has in mind, but, as a member of the Privy Council, I have some responsibilities for the Channel Islands and I can assure the hon. Gentleman that they are very anxious to preserve all the rights of asylum which they possess.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he takes to ensure that the law relating to the silencing of motor-bicycles is fully enforced.

The responsibility for enforcing the regulations governing this matter rests with individual chief officers of police and I am satisfied that within the limits of the available police manpower they do what they can to secure observation of the regulations. I have no power to issue directions to the police on matters of enforcement, but the need to pay particular attention to noisy motorcycles was mentioned at a recent conference of representative chief officers of police and was subsequently brought to the notice of chief constables generally.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the intolerable nuisance which is caused, particularly in areas where there is no speed limit, by some of these motor-cycles—not all —and will he do what he can to ensure that the law is enforced and that silencers are not deliberately removed, as sometimes happens?

I share the hon. Member's detestation of noisy motor-cycles. I suffer from them sometimes in the small hours of the morning when the House allows me to be seeking slumber at that time. I am sure that the police are alive to their duties in this matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if he were on this side of the House and we on that we should have no objection whatsoever to his being absent?

But I could not forgo the pleasure of seeing the hon. and gallant Gentleman all the while he is on show.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children, committed to the care of local authorities, are held in places of detention intended for delinquents; what is the average length of time for which they are so held; and what steps are proposed to correct the position.

On 1st March, 1951, 15 children committed to the care of local authorities were accommodated in remand homes with my authorisation given under Section 13 (6) of the Children Act, 1948. The normal length of stay of such children in remand homes is about six weeks. While I deprecate using remand homes for this purpose it is necessary to do so as an exceptional measure at present, but the need will disappear as more reception centres are provided under the Children Act.

Is the Home Secretary aware that this is the cause of a great deal of disquiet among those who are concerned with the welfare of this very small number of children, who may be overlooked just because their numbers are small? Will he bear in mind that in six weeks in this sort of home these children can come to more harm than they would have come to in the place from which they were removed for care and protection?

I am very concerned about this matter. I was concerned about it before I held this Office, when I had to deal with it on occasions as an administrator. I am hoping that the new powers given to local authorities and myself under the Children Act, 1948, will be used to reduce this number still further, but I am afraid that even then there may, in some exceptional cases, be a necessity for one or two children to be temporarily detained in such places.

On a point of order. Would it be in order, Sir, to point out that there are 123 Oral Questions on the Order Paper today and that in 25 minutes we have got through only 17 owing to the very lengthy answers?

I am obliged to the noble Lord. I always do my best, but it is very hard. If we had fewer supplementary questions we should get on quicker.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that local authorities, who have had the care of children up to the age of 18 committed to them, find themselves in difficulty when such children leave school and secure employment in distant areas, by reason of the refusal of the children's officers of such areas to take any part in the supervision of these children; and what action he proposes to take.

No, Sir. But if my hon. Friend will send me information about any cases he has in mind I will look into them.

asked the Minister of Health if disciplinary action has been taken or contemplated against those responsible for the conveying of mental patients from Darenth Hospital to and from their outdoor work in open lorries during the whole period of the severe weather experienced in December, 1950, despite assurances given following complaints in 1949.

After inquiring into this matter I do not consider that disciplinary action is called for; but further steps have been taken to ensure that the conveyances shall be properly covered during inclement weather.

While that reply will give some satisfaction, does my right hon. Friend realise that it is incidents of this sort which create concern about what happens inside the walls of the institution? Will the Minister, next winter, arrange that when the weather is very cold there will be early morning outings in open lorries for the officials, so that they will appreciate this point of view?

asked the Minister of Health what is the number of patients in Darenth Park Mental Hospital; the recognised number for a full complement of staff; and the number of staff at the present time.

The number of patients now resident at Darenth Park Mental Deficiency Institution is 1,791 (1,084 male and 707 female patients). The nursing staff establishment provides for 148 male and 154 female nurses. At present, the male staff is 110 and the female staff 56 full-time and 66 part-time.

In view of the public concern at the recent escapes from this mental hospital, would the Minister take active steps to bring up to strength this very much under-staffed institution, not only to relieve the present overworked staff, but also to provide adequate protection against such escapes in future?

It is true, unfortunately, that mental hospitals all over the country lack staff. We do all we can to encourage nurses to go to such hospitals.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the escape of two patients from Darenth Park Mental Hospital and the subsequent assault on one of the hospital staff; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, Sir, but as the case of the patients concerned is now the subject of criminal proceedings, the hon. Member will understand that I cannot at present make any statement.

Could the right hon. Gentleman at any rate assure the House that instructions may be given to ensure that in future, when staff are sent to bring back escaped patients, the driver is given adequate protection and is not sent in an ordinary private vehicle, in which a driver or male nurse has no protection whatever from the reluctant patients he is bringing back?

I have already said that it would be unwise for me to comment further. I am not quite certain whether what the hon. Member says is a strict account of the facts. We must allow the court to examine this case.

Does my right hon Friend appreciate that this is the same institution where cruelty was caused to patients by taking them out in open lorries?

asked the Minister of Health what was the average annual cost per patient of drugs supplied direct to the patient by chemist under the. National Health Act in 1950, or at the latest known date.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Accrington (Mr. H. Hynd) on 15th February.

asked the Minister of Health in how many cases have general practitioner, cottage type, hospitals been converted to specialist hospitals or for other purposes under the National Health Scheme; and if he will give the list of their names.

According to my present information, nine hospitals—a list of which I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT—in which general practitioners formerly provided, for their own patients, treatment not of a specialist nature have been converted into specialist hospitals or for other uses. Specialist staff has also been introduced into a number of small general hospitals where general practitioners formerly provided special forms of treatment, but in many of these and also in some other hospitals some beds have been reserved for patients under the care of general practitioners.

In cases where the local people have been deprived by specialisation of their local hospital, what alternative arrangements is the right hon. Gentleman making for them?

Nobody has been deprived of a hospital. What is happening in most of these cases is that the local people are now given the advantage of a specialist service over and above what they had before.

But if they do not require that specialist service, but something else, where do they go?

In what portion of the nine cases mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman has a regional hospital board acted contrary to the advice given by the predecessor of the right hon. Gentleman?

The advice which has been given has, I am sure, been carefully considered by all the regional boards when making their plans. They have made them to the best of their ability in the light of local circumstances and on that advice.

Does my right hon. Friend realise how much better off most patients are under the care of a specialist than under the care of a general practitioner?

asked the Minister of Health what has been the total cost since its inception of the scheme for the provision of hearing aids for the deaf, including the cost of research, development, establishment and maintenance of clinics, training and payment of staff, distribution, fitting and servicing of aids, and administration; and how many deaf persons are at present effectively using such aids.

asked the Minister of Health what is the average cost of the Medresco hearing aid, including components, research, development, distribution, servicing and administration.

In England and Wales 118,699 patients have been supplied with Medresco aids, and evidence derived from a recent survey suggests that about 90 per cent. continue to use them regularly. The services of research development and distribution are so widely spread over various Government agencies that I cannot give any useful figure of total costs.

Does the Minister realise that if he were to give such an estimate of total cost, it would show that the cost of distributing these aids was just as high as distributing them through normal commercial channels?

A great deal of the distribution is necessarily made in clinics and hospitals. It could not be done in any other way.

The figure of the former Minister was entirely wrong.

Would it involve a significant extra cost if the users of bone conducting aids were provided with free batteries?

That is another question.

As the right hon. Gentleman is unable to assess the full cost of the hearing aids, how does he reconcile that statement with the statement of his right hon. Friend the former Minister of Health that the cost was between one-fifth and one-tenth of the cost of commercial aids?

The manufacturing cost is remarkably low. That is generally known.

asked the Minister of Health how many Burnley residents are on the waiting list for hearing aids; how many have been supplied since the beginning of the scheme; how many have been supplied within the last six months; and how many have been waiting more than 18 months.

The numbers are 808; 232; 40 and 106 respectively.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that 3,075 persons are registered at the Cardiff Royal Infirmary as waiting for hearing aids and that only 126 such aids were distributed there in the first three weeks of January, 1951; and whether he will make a statement as to what steps he proposes to take to remedy this state of affairs.

The figures given by my hon. Friend are approximately right. The allocation of aids as between the distribution centres is at the moment under review.

Has there been a restriction because of a recent circular by the Treasury, and is my right hon. Friend aware that a considerable proportion of the people awaiting hearing aids require them for their work? Can we be given some encouragement that the aids will be forthcoming?

Those who require hearing aids for their work are always given priority. I understand that the present rate of production is approximately the same as last year. If anything, it is slightly better.

Are competitive tenders invited for the manufacture of these hearing aids?

Yes, Sir, certainly.

Would the Minister consider a grant-in-aid scheme whereby commercial hearing aids could be made available to remedy the shortage?

asked the Minister of Health what number of Medresco hearing aids he will send to the Nottingham Hearing Centre in the months of March, April and May.

I hope that deliveries to this Centre will average 240 a month for these three months.

In that case, how is it that the Ministry sent out a letter on 31st January to say that the position was very much worse and that deliveries would be fewer, that immediately following my Question, early in February, the Nottingham Centre received more than it had had in any month during the whole of the previous year, and that now there is this very pleasing answer from the Minister that they are to receive many more each month than they received last year? What is the position?

I assure the hon. Member that the position is as I have just stated in answer to his Question. I am very glad that the hon. Member put down his Question and thereby enabled me to look into the position.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ensure that these hearing aids cost between only one-fifth and one-tenth of the cost of the commercial article?

Will the right hon. Gentleman give us the benefit of the views of his predecessor, who is prompting him so carefully?

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement on the present position with regard to the supply of Medresco hearing aids.

One hundred and fourteen thousand eight hundred patients in England and Wales were supplied with aids up to the end of 1950. I expect that deliveries to distribution centres will continue at a rate of over 6,000 a month during 1951, but some of these will be required as replacements.

Was the suggestion, made in January, that supplies were to be cut down, an attempt to cut down the costs of this service for this year?

No, Sir. There has been no attempt of that kind.

Would the Minister supply a few of these hearing aids to his colleagues, so that they may hear what the public are saying about them?

asked the Minister of Health what reasons prompted him to adopt the policy set out in Health Circular, E.C.L. 6/51, dated 11th January, 1951, for the purpose in eliminating inflation in doctors' records.

The present inflation makes it impossible accurately to assess the total amount of remuneration due to general practitioners or to distribute this remuneration equitably as between one doctor and another.

Why has the Minister adopted this method? Does he realise that in Hampshire alone 26 lorry loads of documents have to be moved from the food offices to the executive council offices and that neither has enough staff to deal with them? Why could he not have put a simple question in the forthcoming Census which would have given him all the information he needed?

Possibly because the hon. and gallant Gentleman did not make that suggestion in time.

Will this circular do anything to eliminate the inflationary records of the Minister of Local Government and Planning?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that anyone suffering a road accident in which a motor vehicle is involved can be charged 12s. 6d. by hospital management committees for emergency treatment;and what action he proposes to take.

The liability to meet the charge for emergency treatment under Section 16 of the Road Traffic Act, 1934, is upon the person using the vehicle at the time of the accident.

As all people subscribe to the National Health Service today, and anticipate a free service, is it not time this Section of the 1934 Act was repealed?

The National Health Service Act expressly states that this Section should continue in operation.

asked the Minister of Health when it is expected that a thoracic surgeon will be appointed to the Wolverhampton Royal Hospital.

This hospital has a part-time thoracic surgeon on the staff and no change is contemplated at present.

asked the Minister of Health the cost of capital developments in the various hospital management committees areas covered by the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board.

As the reply is rather long and contains a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind, when considering capital development for the hospital boards in the Midlands area, that there is likely to be a considerable influx of additional industrial workers for the defence programme?

I will take note of that suggestion.

asked the Minister of Health what revised salary scales for resident district nurses have been agreed; what increases have been authorised; and from what date they are effective.

As there are a number of different grades and scales of salary, I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the Whitley Council Circular which contains the figures. The revised scales have effect from 1st February, 1949.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the delay in arriving at a conclusion in this matter has adversely affected the recruiting of this essential branch of the nursing service? Will the new figures overcome that handicap?

I hope they will assist.

Has my right hon. Friend considered the question of retrospective payment in connection with these awards? What is the attitude of the Government in this matter?

I would ask my hon. Friend to look up the circular. There are greatly varying details in regard to each grade.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make a statement on his arrangements for the forthcoming Census of Population; who are to be employed to carry it out; and the estimated cost.

The forthcoming Census was fully debated in the House on 11th July. All practicable methods of explaining the census to the public are being utilised. The total cost is calculated to be £1,250,000.

asked the Minister of Health what action he proposes to take, in view of the phraseology and substance of the reply received by him from the Durham County Council to his letter to them of 17th November, 1950, on the subject of that authority's decision to compel persons engaged in the Health Service in the employ of that authority either to join a trade union or professional association or terminate their employment.

No occasion has arisen calling for action by me and I think this matter had now best be allowed to rest.

Is the right hon. Gentleman's acceptance of the unprecedented snub administered to his Department by this local authority due to his recognition of the fact that the policy which he deprecates in that letter, but which they none the less pursue, is an essential part of Socialist totalitarianism?

My concern is to see that nothing detrimental to the Health Services is done and I am quite satisfied that nothing of that kind is occurring.

Is it not a fact that the right hon. Gentleman and the Government are afraid of this situation and will not stand up to it?

asked the Minister of Health when authority was granted to his Department to defray expenses of recipients of honours and their relatives when attending investitures.

In February, 1941.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why it is that within the last few weeks an unofficial letter signed by one of his Assistant Secretaries and addressed to the clerks of local authorities by name has been sent out. and whether this expense has been authorised for this year?

Because His Majesty has thought fit to arrange some investitures at the Palace which were not held there during the war years.

I understand that this Question was originally put down to the Treasury and was transferred to the Ministry of Health. As it has nothing whatever to do with the present functions of the Minister of Health, but is based on a circular sent to the clerks of all local authorities, why has it been answered by the Minister of Health and not by the Minister of Local Government and Planning?

I answered the Question which, as far as I know, was put down to me.

No.

As far as I know, it was put down to me. I answered the Question which I saw on the Order Paper. I do, in fact, pay these expenses, where claimed, to persons who have been recommended by my predecessor. I have not yet had time to recommend any myself.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I did, in fact, put down the Question to the Treasury and that it was transferred to him? Now that he has been good enough to answer it, will he say on what Vote this expenditure is carried and when it was approved by the House?

Expenditure which I make is carried on the Vote of my Department. I am not responsible for whether a Question is transferred. I merely answer the Questions which are addressed to me.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the number of infirm aged persons and a certain number of aged persons anxious to secure smaller and more compact accommodation than their present habitation, he will take steps to cause local authorities to authorise their welfare services to erect substantial weather-proof hutments, where other accommodation is not available, in order to accommodate, in particular, the aged infirm now frequently living in circumstances beyond the power of alleviation by welfare officers.

I am ready to consider any proposals which local authorities may submit to me for the provision of residential accommodation for persons in need of care and attention which is not otherwise available to them, but I do not think that, in general, hutments would provide suitable accommodation for this purpose.

While I agree with that last observation, may I ask my right hon. Friend if he realises that quite a number of infirm aged people who could be transferred would, if they were transferred elsewhere, make available for other people larger accommodation which these aged people do not require? Under these circumstances could the Minister at least confer with local authorities to see what can be done to meet this need?

Yes, Sir. This is undoubtedly one of the most serious social problems of our time. We consider it very carefully in the Department and we will be ready to discuss it with local authorities as well.

asked the Prime Minister if he will move to appoint a Select Committee to inquire into the desirability, or otherwise, of altering the Standing Order and Rule of Procedure concerning anticipation.

You yourself, Mr. Speaker, have said that you will give further consideration to the matter to which I presume the noble Lord's Question refers. The point of procedure involved is one which is a matter of custom rather than of Standing Orders, and is one for your discretion, Sir, and as at present advised I do not think that it would be appropriate to appoint a Select Committee to inquire further into it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the whole experience of the past has shown that where doubt and difficulty have arisen—I say this without any reflection upon you, Mr. Speaker, or your predecessors—as to whether particular rules or customs of the House can be properly applied when the circumstances have completely changed since that rule or custom was first founded, it is much less embarrassing to everyone concerned to have a Select Committee? What are the objections to a Select Committee?

The matter is in the hands of Mr. Speaker, and I would rather leave it there.

Is the Prime Minister aware, further, that as things now stand, as my right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition has pointed out, it would be quite possible for anyone to stop any questions on a statement by a Minister by merely giving notice that he was going to raise the matter on the Adjournment and that every supplementary question could be stopped in the same way?

The noble Lord knows that in our constitution there are any number of opportunities for people to stop the machine, but that it is not done because of the common sense of hon. Members.

It was done the other day.

asked the Prime Minister if he will give a list of the committees, advisory or executive, that act as a link between industry and the Government.

A comprehensive list of all the committees, advisory or executive, which act as a link between industry and the Government would take some time to prepare, and I am satisfied that the effort involved would not be justified. If, however, the hon. Member has in mind any particular aspect of the relations between the Government and industry, I would suggest that he should put down a Question to the appropriate Minister.

Are we to understand from that reply of the Prime Minister that the Government do not know the exact machinery which exists?

We know perfectly well, but it means an immense amount of work and an immense amount of expense to get out these lists, and I should have thought that for the purpose he wanted the hon. Member would have been able to indicate the particular ones he required.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he intends to have a film of the Festival of Britain made.

The Festival Office, in conjunction with the Central Office of Information, are taking steps to ensure that selected events in the Festival are filmed. Some of the preparations for the Festival have already been filmed. Consideration will certainly be given at a later date to the production of a special film using this material, suitably edited, as a record of the Festival.

Will my right hon. Friend see that when this film is made it is given the widest possible circulation overseas in order that those persons who may be unable to come to the Festival will be able to see the truth about Britain and not the story told by the party opposite?