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    <title>Sitting of 25 March 1941</title>
    <dateCreated>Tue, 25 Mar 1941 00:00:00 +0000</dateCreated>
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    <outline id='977607' text="&lt;i&gt;The House being met, the Clerk at the Table informed the House of the unavoidable absence, through indisposition, of&lt;/i&gt; MR. SPEAKER &lt;i&gt;from this Day's Sitting. Whereupon&lt;/i&gt; Sir DENNIS HEREERT, THE CHAIRMAN OF WAYS and MEANS, &lt;i&gt;proceeded to the Table and, after Prayers, took the Chair as&lt;/i&gt; DEPUTY-SPEAKER, &lt;i&gt;pursuant to the Standing Order.&lt;/i&gt;" title='Preamble' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/preamble'></outline>
    <outline id='977608' text='STANDING ORDERS NOT PREVIOUSLY INQUIRED INTO COMPLIED WITH.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER laid upon the. Table Report from one of the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills that, in the case of the following Bill, referred on the Second Reading thereof, the Standing Orders not previously inquired into, which are applicable thereto, have been complied with, namely,&lt;br/&gt;London Midland and Scottish Railway Bill.&lt;br/&gt;Bill committed.&lt;br/&gt;KENT ELECTRIC POWER BILL (&lt;i&gt;By Order&lt;/i&gt;).&lt;br/&gt;Second Reading deferred till the first Sitting Day after 30th March.' title='PRIVATE BUSINESS.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/private-business'></outline>
    <outline id='977623' text='ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS.'>
      <outline id='977625' text="Mr. Caryasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can make any announcement about the intention of the Government to strengthen the machinery for controlling prices?&lt;br/&gt;The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Lyttelton): Yes, Sir. Conditions have changed greatly since the Prices of Goods Act was passed in the autumn of 1939, and in particular the supplies of goods available to the public have had to be sharply curtailed. The Prices of Goods Act has worked satisfactorily up to the present in keeping prices generally at a reasonable level in relation to costs,&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;402&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;but I am satisfied that in the altered circumstances a further measure of price regulation is needed. I hope soon to introduce a Bill to give the Board of Trade greater powers of control over prices, other than food prices, than are provided in the existing Act, and to effect a number of improvements in the system of price regulation set up by that Act. In particular, I propose to ask in the new legislation for power to fix maximum prices for specified goods and maximum wholesale and retail percentage margins. There will also be power to deal with manufacturers' prices and margins and with the charges made for services, such as the storage of furniture. Provision will be made to prevent increases in the price of articles which are controlled under the Limitation of Supplies Orders owing to commissions on transactions between registered persons and others, or to the intervention of unnecessary intermediaries in such transactions, and it is hoped by similar means to check speculative dealing in goods which are not controlled under these Orders.&lt;br/&gt;Sir Patrick Hannon: In view of the importance and complexity of this projected legislation, will the right hon. Gentleman have consultations with all the interests concerned, including, of course, the chambers of commerce, the F.B.I, and other organisations affected?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Lyttelton: Yes, Sir.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Leach: Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether he is going to leave out any class of commodity, and, if so, why he should leave it out?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Mathers: Can the right hon. Gentle-man say when this legislation is likely to come forward?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Lyttelton: That I cannot say at the moment. As far as the commodities are concerned, the powers will be used in the first instance only for essential commodities.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Leach: What is an essential commodity?" title='COMMODITY PRICES (PROPOSED LEGISLATION).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/commodity-prices-proposed-legislation'></outline>
      <outline id='977626' text='Mr. Ammonasked the Minister of Shipping whether, having regard to the number of bodies of merchant seamen washed ashore without means of identifi-&#x000A;&lt;image src="S5CV0370P0I0208"/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;403&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;cation, he has come to a decision as to making compulsory the wearing of identification discs by members of the Merchant Service?&lt;br/&gt;The Minister of Shipping (Mr. Cross): I have asked the representatives of the officers and men of the Merchant Navy for their views and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as a decision has been reached.' title='MERCANTILE MARINE (IDENTITY DISCS).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/mercantile-marine-identity-discs'></outline>
      <outline id='977628' text='ECONOMIC WARFARE.'>
        <outline id='977631' text='Mr. Manderasked the Minister of Economic Warfare what steps are being taken to prevent the passage of goods to France from all overseas destinations; and whether he will give an assurance that there will be no weakening in the blockade as a result of German pressure on the Vichy Government?&lt;br/&gt;The Minister of Economic Warfare (Mr. Dalton): Ships carrying unnavi-certed cargo for France are liable to be intercepted by our patrols, and a number of ships entering the Mediterranean with such cargoes have been intercepted. As a result of discussions between the United States Government and the French Government which have been carried on in consultation with His Majesty&apos;s Government it has been agreed that the American Red Cross should send two gift cargoes of flour to Unoccupied France. His Majesty&apos;s Government have agreed to issue navicerts for these two ships. This flour is intended only for Unoccupied France. Its distribution there will be under effective American control, which will ensure that it is consumed in that area. The French Government for their part have given to the United States Government an undertaking that no similar or equivalent foodstuffs will be exported from the unoccupied to the occupied zone. The agreement of His Majesty&apos;s Government to these two shipments of flour does not, of course, imply that under present conditions they would be prepared to issue navicerts for the import into France of other supplies.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Mander: Does my right hon. Friend consider that the French Government are in any position to give a guarantee that the food will not be sent to Germany? Is he aware that in three weeks in&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;404&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;December-January last, 200,000 tons of merchandise were landed at Marseilles, and can he give an assurance that that sort of thing will not be permitted in the future, as a great part of it is certain to reach Germany?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Dalton: The guarantee given by the French Government that these particular shipments will not pass to Germany is to be subject to supervision by an American Commission in Unoccupied France. The other matters raised by my hon. Friend arise, I think, in connection with a later Question.&lt;br/&gt;Sir Joseph Lamb: Does not this relieve the Germans of their obligation to feed France?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Leach: May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if it can be denied that these two consignments will actually help Germany?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Dalton: That is a matter for argument.&lt;br/&gt;Commander Sir Archibald Southby: Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the weapon of blockade is only useful if it is applied ruthlessly?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Dalton: Yes, Sir.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Shinwell: In view of the fact that this is a very important matter, may I ask whether it is proposed to confine the decision to this isolated instance, or are there to be further provisions? Does the right hon. Gentleman not appreciate that this may have the effect of prolonging the war?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Dalton: So far, the information I have given to the House is complete. Pending any further consultations or discussions, the agreement of His Majesty&apos;s Government is limited to the two particular shipments which I have named in my answer. That is where we stand to-day.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Thorne: In consequence of the very great shortage of food in some parts of France, does the right hon. Gentleman think that they will be able to send any of that food away themselves?&lt;br/&gt;Sir J. Lamb: May I have an answer to my question as to whether this does not relieve Germany of an obligation which is theirs in view of their hold on the country?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Dalton: I think my hon. Friend understands the facts as well as I do. The conclusions to be drawn from them are a matter for debate.&lt;br/&gt;Dr. Russell Thomasasked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he is satisfied that the imports received by unoccupied France from French North Africa are not used by the enemy; and whether he has any information as to the nature and quantity of such imports?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Dalton: A proportion of the imports into unoccupied France from French North Africa is undoubtedly made over to the enemy. Complete particulars of Such imports are not available, but they are known to include considerable quantities of foodstuffs.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Mander: May I ask my right hon. Friend what steps he has taken to prevent this sort of thing going on, and whether it is not a fact that 200,000 tons of goods, a great part of which went to Germany, were permitted to enter Marseilles, in three weeks in December and January, and is this sort of thing going to be tolerated by the Government?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Dalton: The figures that my hon. Friend referred to were published, I think, in a paper called "Le Semaphore," and if it is true, as that paper stated, that 289,000 tons of cargo did arrive at Marseilles from all destinations during all that period, my hon. Friend will realise that the phrase "all destinations" includes the North African ports. As long ago as July last, I informed the House, in a Reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson), that since France fell out of the war certain consequences were obvious in the Western basin on the Mediterranean which, while France was our Ally, was looked after by the French naval patrol.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Shinwell: Way I ask whether this leakage in the blockade is designed, or is it unavoidable?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Dalton: That is a rather general question. The Question I was asked related to the question of the Western basin, with regard to which I think my hon. Friend will have understood the sense of the answer I have given that since France fell out of the war the Western basin has presented peculiar difficulties.&lt;br/&gt;Sir William Davison: Has the atention of the Government been drawn to the facts he mentioned a few moments ago, namely, as to the food from the French Colonies going to Germany instead of going to France to relieve the situation there?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Dalton: The Government are well aware and have information to show that a certain proportion of these imports does reach the enemy.&lt;br/&gt;Sir A. Southby: If the Vichy Government have any exportable surplus coming in from Northern Africa, why is there any reason why we should allow other goods to go in from America?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Dalton: The term "exportable surplus" is strictly to be used in regard to French North Africa&amp;#x2014;from which these exports come. It is not to be used in respect of unoccupied France as a whole. They have not got an exportable surplus in this same sense in normal times.&lt;br/&gt;Sir A. Southby: Is it not a fact that if the French Government are able to pass on to Germany goods which they export from Northern Africa, there can be no reason why we should allow goods to go into them?&lt;br/&gt;Sir J. Lamb: Can the right hon. Gentleman explain how it is that British sailors lose their lives only for politicians to break the blockade they have made?' title='UNOCCUPIED FRANCE (IMPORTS).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/unoccupied-france-imports'></outline>
        <outline id='977634' text='Dr. Russell Thomasasked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he has anything further to report in regard to Russian imports through Vladivo-stock for re-export to Germany; and whether these are now diminishing?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Dalton: Sales to Germany of goods imported by the U.S.S.R. on their own account are very small. Direct transit trade to Germany by the Trans-Siberian Railway remains, however, I regret to say, substantial. Moreover, as I informed the hon. and gallant Member for Lewes (Rear-Admiral Beamish) on 28th January, there is a constant danger that abnormal Soviet imports, even though not themselves re-exported, may release for export to Germany corresponding quantities of Soviet products.' title='RUSSIAN IMPORTS.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/russian-imports'></outline>
        <outline id='977636' text="Mr. Garro Jonesasked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he is aware that in August, 1940, there was imported into Japan seven times as much ordinary petrol as in August, 1939; that the extraction from this petrol of aviation spirit defeats the United States of America ban on the export to Japan of 87 octane fuel; and whether he has taken any action or made any representations to the United States of America Government on this matter?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Dalton: No figures for Japanese imports are published by the Japanese Government. Figures published by the United States Government show that exports to Japan of motor and aviation spirit combined were about 13,000 tons in August, 1940, compared with about 2,500 tons in August. 1939. It is, of course, possible for spirit rated below 87 octane to be brought up to aviation grade by the addition of tetra-ethyl of lead. This question has for some time been under discussion between His Majesty's Government and the United States Government.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Garro Jones: Is the Minister aware that his facts bear out the suggestion made in the first part of my Question? In view of the enormous amount of ordinary petrol pouring into Japan at the present time and being stored, possibly to our detriment, will he expedite the negotiations with the United States?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Dalton: My hon. Friend's arithmetic was not quite correct, but I can assure him the matter is very much in our mind.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Robert Gibson: My right hon. Friend merely quotes the figure of exports from America to Japan, but has he the figures for the exports from the West Indies?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Dalton: I answered the Question on the Order Paper, but if my hon. and learned Friend wishes to have an answer to another question, I will try and give it to him if he puts it on the Order Paper." title='JAPAN (PETROL IMPORTS).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/japan-petrol-imports'></outline>
      </outline>
      <outline id='977640' text='BRITISH ARMY.'>
        <outline id='977641' text="Captain Duncanasked the Secretary of State for War the result of his&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;408&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;promised review of the arrangements for the payment of allowances and allotments to the next-of-kin of men missing from the British Expeditionary Force and North-West Expeditionary Force?&lt;br/&gt;The Secretary of State for War (Captain Margesson): On the death of a soldier, the payment of family and dependants' allowance, and of allotments from his pay, is continued for 13 weeks from the date on which the casualty is notified. When a soldier is missing and his fate remains in doubt, payment is continued for 17 weeks from the date on which he is notified as missing. At the end of these periods the dependants, if eligible, receive a pension or a continuing allowance at pension rates. The most careful consideration has been given to a proposal to extend the period beyond 17 weeks, during which allowances and allotments continue to be paid to the dependants of missing men, and other Departments concerned have been consulted. But it was felt that it would be impossible to make this concession to the families of soldiers who were missing but whose fate remained in doubt, without extending it to the families of soldiers who were known to be dead. For this reason, I regret that I am not prepared to extend the period during which allowances, etc., are continued to the dependants of missing men. The position as regards officers is broadly the same, and the aguments against making a change apply with equal force. I would, however, remind my hon. Friend that administrative improvements have recently been made, with a view to preventing any break between the payment of family or dependants' allowance and the payment of a pension or a continuing allowance at pension rates where the dependant is eligible.&lt;br/&gt;Captain Duncan: May I take it that in future there will be no gap between the termination of the payment of the allowance or allotment and the beginning of the payment of the pension, if the case is eligible for pension?&lt;br/&gt;Captain Margesson: That is the object of the administration." title='MISSING SOLDIERS (ALLOWANCES AND ALLOTMENTS).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/missing-soldiers-allowances-and'></outline>
        <outline id='977644' text='Sir Waldron Smithersasked the Secretary of State for War what rent is being paid per annum by the War Office&#x000A;&lt;image src="S5CV0370P0I0211"/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;409&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;for the land belonging to the National Rifie Association at Bisley; and the approximate acreage?&lt;br/&gt;Captain Margesson: The required information is being obtained from the Command, and I will communicate with ray hon. Friend as soon as it is received.&lt;br/&gt;Sir W. Smithers: If the information reveals a state of things which justifies him in doing so, will my right hon. and gallant Friend put it before the High Court, so that a Judge may see whether there is a &lt;i&gt;prima facie&lt;/i&gt; case of waste and extravagance?&lt;br/&gt;Captain Margesson: I think I had better get the information first.' title='NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION LAND, BISLEY.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/national-rifle-association-land-bisley'></outline>
        <outline id='977646' text="Mr. Gallacherasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that four soldiers and non-commissioned officers were refused service at Gibbons' Caf&amp;#x00E9;, High Street, Watford, on 7th March, the reason adduced being that only officers could be served there; and whether he will take steps to make known to the proprietor of this establishment and the catering trade generally that discrimination as between officers and other ranks cannot be tolerated.&lt;br/&gt;Captain Margesson: It appears that some misunderstanding has arisen over the reasons why the soldiers in question were refused admittance to the caf&amp;#x00E9; to which the hon. Member refers. I am informed that the &amp;#x00E9; is normally open to all ranks, but that on the evening of 7th March it had been reserved for a private party by officers, and was, therefore, closed to the general public. There was no question of discrimination against other ranks as such, and any discrimination of this kind would be directly counter to War Office policy.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Gallacher: Is it not the case that the reason for the refusal to serve these rain-drenched soldiers was that a party of officers was going to use the restaurant? Can the Minister conceive of the restaurant owner refusing to serve four officers if they had come in such conditions?&lt;br/&gt;Captain Margesson: I do not accept that suggestion at all. I have given the full facts. It is quite clear that if a restaurant owner wishes to allow his premises to be&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;410&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;reserved on any occasion by a party, he is entitled to.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Gallacher: Would that restaurant proprietor have refused to serve four officers who were rain-drenched and suffering from cold, as these men were?&lt;br/&gt;Sir Irving Albery: Is it not perfectly clear that if a party of soldiers may take a restaurant, officers are equally entitled to do so?" title='CAFÉ WATFOED (SERVICE).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/cafe-watfoed-service'></outline>
        <outline id='977649' text='Mr. Bellengerasked the Secretary of State for War whether officers and men holding acting rank who arc struck off the strength of their units on account of wounds or injuries received in action, will be permitted to retain their acting rank with appropriate pay and allowances during the period they are recovering from their wounds or injuries?&lt;br/&gt;Captain Margesson: I am about to issue instructions that officers and other ranks who are wounded while holding any higher-paid acting or temporary rank may retain such rank while unfit for up to three months from the date of their removal from duty on account of wounds.' title='WOUNDED SOLDIERS (RANK).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/wounded-soldiers-rank'></outline>
        <outline id='977650' text='Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for War the decision he has arrived at with reference to an inquiry into the conditions on board the Motor Ship "Ettrick," when internees were being sent to Canada; or whether he intends to proceed by court-martial?&lt;br/&gt;Captain Margesson: The majority of the complaints about the conditions on board relate to accommodation and to the discomfort which arose as a result of overcrowding. As it was essential that the ship should be filled to capacity, the accommodation of passengers was necessarily restricted, and some discomfort was, I regret to say, inevitable. No complaint of general ill-treatment, brutality, or indiscipline on the part of the military escort, however, has been received, and, although there may have been some evidence of unsympathetic treatment by individuals, I am satisfied that it is not of such a nature as to warrant trial by court-martial.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Mander: Have complaints not been made about lack of consideration and the&#x000A;&lt;image src="S5CV0370P0I0212"/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;411&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;failure of officers responsible to go down and find out what the conditions were?&lt;br/&gt;Captain Margesson: There have been such complaints, but they have been looked into. As the hon. Member knows, in another case the War Office were most anxious to get to the bottom of the complaints. I have done the same in this case, and I am satisfied.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. G. Strauss: Where complaints have been made against individual men and officers, has any punishment been given?&lt;br/&gt;Captain Margesson: No, Sir, because the complaints have not been substantiated.' title='MOTOR SHIP "ETTRIC" (INQUIRY).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/motor-ship-ettric-inquiry'></outline>
        <outline id='977652' text='Mr. Scottasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the issue, either free or at cost price, of a badge of standard pattern for the use of all ranks of the Home Guard when in civilian dress?&lt;br/&gt;Captain Margesson: The proposal to make available to members of the Home Guard a badge of approved design to be worn with civilian clothes has been carefully considered by my Department in consultation with the Ministry of Supply, but it was reluctantly decided that the manufacture of such a badge could not be justified in present circumstances in view of the need for conserving metal supplies.&lt;br/&gt;Sir Herbert Williamsasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is proposing to take steps to set up a medical organisation for the Home Guard?&lt;br/&gt;Captain Margesson: Yes, Sir. After consultation with the Central Medical War Committee, it has been decided to appoint an officer with the rank of major to each Home Guard battalion to act as medical adviser to the battalion commander. Medical officers will be non-combatant members of the Home Guard. They will, however, be liable to be called upon for duty in the same way as other members of the Home Guard and will be eligible for the same allowances and financial benefits. In order to avoid interference with local medical facilities, candidates for these appointments must obtain the permission of the local medical war committee, and one of their duties&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;412&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;after appointment will be to co-ordinate the available local facilities with the needs of Home Guard units. They will also be responsible for the training of stretcher-bearer squads which it is proposed to establish in Home Guard units together with the requisite number of medical orderlies for employment at aid posts. The organisation of these squads, whose members will retain their normal liabilities as combatant members of the Home Guard, will vary according to the requirements of individual units.&lt;br/&gt;Sir Francis Fremantle: Will this organisation be definitely under the local commanders of the Army Medical Service and really be working in with them as well as with the civilians?&lt;br/&gt;Captain Margesson: This plan was all co-ordinated after consultation with the Central Medical War Committee.' title='HOME GUARD.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/home-guard'></outline>
        <outline id='977654' text='Captain McEwenasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction that exists, particularly among the smaller boroughs in country districts, at the careless interpretation frequently given by the military authorities to the black-out regulations; and whether, with a view to the safety of the civilian population, a stricter enforcement will be imposed?&lt;br/&gt;Captain Margesson: I am aware of the importance of this matter, and steps have been taken to impress upon all concerned the importance of complying with the regulations. A recent instruction provides for a systematic inspection of all buildings occupied by troops both shortly after the official time for black-out and periodically during the hours of darkness. Disciplinary action is invariably taken against offenders.&lt;br/&gt;Captain McEwen: Will my right hon. and gallant Friend bear in mind that this complaint applies not only to troops in billets, but also to troops in camps in the neighbourhood of these boroughs?&lt;br/&gt;Sir W. Davison: And will the attention of commanding officers be drawn to camp fires that are lit, to see that the embers are stamped out before black-out occurs?&lt;br/&gt;Captain Margesson: The troops have to obey the black-out regulations exactly the same as civilians.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Spens: Will my right hon. and gallant Friend try to have some method put into operation in each town and village so that air-raid wardens and civilians can report to a responsible officer when lights are showing, as the difficulty at present is that no one knows to whom to report, and when complaint is made the Army authorities say they have no power to deal with the matter?&lt;br/&gt;Brigadier-General Clifton Brown: In view of the fact that manoeuvres are beginning all over the country, will my right hon. and gallant Friend send out special orders to the troops in regard to this matter?&lt;br/&gt;Captain Margesson&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Bellenger: Can the Minister say whether inspections are to be made by the military authorities or whether the Civil Defence bodies have any authority in this matter?&lt;br/&gt;Captain Margesson: No, Sir; it is the military authorities.' title='BLACK-OUT REGULATIONS.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/black-out-regulations'></outline>
        <outline id='977669' text='Mr. A. Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will cause a statement to be circulated to the Forces that the heavy casualty lists due to reckless Army drivers are a disgrace to the Service; and whether he will make it clear that men in the Service are subject to the same regulations as civilians and are liable to prosecution?&lt;br/&gt;Captain Margesson: I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore) on 4th February. Strict instructions have been issued on this subject, and it is, I think, sufficiently well known that drivers of War Department vehicles must observe traffic signals and road signs and must comply with the speeds imposed by law in built-up areas and other special areas where a local speed-limit is in force. A driver who breaks the traffic regulations is liable to prosecution by the police, or to military punishment. In addition, War Department vehicles are subject to restrictions upon speed which do not apply to civilian traffic.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Edwards: Is the Minister aware that these men are frequently given a driving schedule which makes reckless driving inevitable, and will he make inquiries and&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;414&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;satisfy himself on that, as I have it on very good authority; and is he also aware that men are given charge of very powerful and heavy vehicles with very inadequate training?.&lt;br/&gt;Captain Margesson: The last point is a different one altogether. On the first point, I am quite unaware that these drivers are given schedules which make it necessary for them to drive at a speed greater than that allowed by law, and if my hon. Friend has a case in point, I shall be very glad if he will bring it to my notice.&lt;br/&gt;Sir Percy Harris: Will the Minister consider issuing a special Army Order calling attention to the necessity of conforming to civilian regulations by all ranks when driving cars and lorries?&lt;br/&gt;Captain Margesson: I think the appropriate action has been taken.&lt;br/&gt;Brigadier-General Brown: Is it not the fact that since special orders have been issued, there has been a good deal of improvement in the Army driving?&lt;br/&gt;Captain Margesson: Yes, Sir.' title='VEHICLES (ROAD ACCIDENTS).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/vehicles-road-accidents'></outline>
        <outline id='977671' text='Sir Waldron Smithersasked the Prime Minister whether the judge appointed to investigate into the &lt;i&gt;prima facie&lt;/i&gt; cases arising out of the Report of the Select Committee on National Expenditure will be authorised to receive documentary evidence in addition to that which was before the Select Committee?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Stokesasked the Prime Minister whether he will give the reasons for which he decided to refer the Report of the Select Committee on Army Camps to a judge of the High Court, rather than to the Law Officers of the Crown or the Public Prosecutor?&lt;br/&gt;The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Attlee): The Select Committee did not find that there was a &lt;i&gt;prima facie&lt;/i&gt; case that any serious offence had been committed. The Government have decided to ask a judge of the High Court to examine the papers to see if there is such a case. It is considered that a judge would be the most suitable person for the task. The question of procedure will be a matter for discussion with him, and ultimately for him, at a later stage.&lt;br/&gt;Sir W. Smithers: Can the right hon. Gentleman give a satisfactory reason for&#x000A;&lt;image src="S5CV0370P0I0214"/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;415&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;the Government&apos;s unwillingness to go into these serious matters, as revealed by the Report of the Select Committee, by means of a public inquiry, and is he aware that the public is insistent that an inquiry should be made at once?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Attlee: I gave the reasons in replying to the hon. Member on a former occasion.&lt;br/&gt;Sir W. Smithers: But they were not satisfactory.' title='CAMPS (INQUIRY).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/camps-inquiry'></outline>
      </outline>
      <outline id='977674' text='Major-General Sir Alfred Knoxasked the Secretary of State for War (1), whether he will compare the items of the representative daily menu of food as issued to British prisoners of war in Germany, which has been obtained from official German sources, with the specimen dietary at Oflag VII. C/H, as reported by the protecting Power, and state the result;&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;(2), the number of calories contained in an average daily menu of food issued to German prisoners of war in Britain, in the dietary of Germans interned in the Isle of Man, and in the menu of food as issued daily to British prisoners of war in Germany; and whether each of these three menus contains the necessary vitamins?&lt;br/&gt;Captain Margesson: The daily rations provided for German prisoners of war in this country, both officers and other ranks, contain 3,670 calories. The rations provided for German internees in the Isle of Man contain 2,852 calories, but internees working outside the camp on approved schemes of manual work, receive additional rations, which bring the caloric value of their diet to 3,345. Reports received through the Protecting Power indicate that the average caloric value of the daily rations furnished to British prisoners of war in German is 3,100 for officers, and 2,756 for other ranks. This is rather more than the caloric value of the latest dietary obtained from German official sources, so far as this can be calculated from the -details given. The rations issued to German prisoners of war and internees, have an ample vitamin content. No estimate of the vitamin content of the German rations is available, but there is evidence that the diet is not well balanced.&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;416&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;Strong representations have been made to the German Government in the matter.&lt;br/&gt;Sir A. Knox: Is there any possibility of obtaining really correct information about what our people get in Germany? The two dietaries that we have been given are fundamentally different. For instance, in one, five grammes of potatoes is given as the daily ration, and in the other, 36 ounces. Which is correct?&lt;br/&gt;Captain Margesson: I am aware of that difficulty. It is really a question of difference in time. As I am informed, the figures I have to-day are the latest available, and were given to us by the protecting Power.&lt;br/&gt;Sir A. Knox: All the letters which relatives get from these unfortunate men in Germany complain of shortage of food. The men do not get enough to exist on.&lt;br/&gt;Sir W. Davison: Will my right hon. and gallant Friend also inquire about medical supplies? In a letter which I have seen this morning, a man asks for a stethoscope to be sent, as the medical appliances are insufficient.&lt;br/&gt;Captain Margesson: I will look into that.&lt;br/&gt;Sir A. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for War how many inspectors are employed by the International Red Cross to visit prisoners&apos; camps; and whether, in view of the large number of French and Polish prisoners, as well as British, he will see his way to make representations through the British Red Cross that the number should be increased?&lt;br/&gt;Captain Margesson: I am informed that the International Red Cross have four, or on some occasions five, inspectors who visit the prisoners of war camps in Germany. The question of an increase in this number is a matter for the International Red Cross Committee, and it is at present being considered by them.&lt;br/&gt;Sir A. Knox: Surely we might press for this, as it is quite impossible for the work to be properly done without an increase in the number of inspectors?&lt;br/&gt;Captain Margesson: I have drawn the attention of the International Red Cross to this matter, and have asked them to look into it.&lt;br/&gt;Captain McEwenasked the Secretary of State for War whether any free ration of cigarettes is made to prisoners of war in this country?&lt;br/&gt;Captain Margesson: Yes, Sir. Free issues of cigarettes or tobacco are made both to prisoners of war in this country and to British prisoners of war in Germany and Italy.&lt;br/&gt;Captain McEwen: Do I understand my right hon. and gallant Friend to say that there is a similar ration issued in Germany?&lt;br/&gt;Captain Margesson: Yes, Sir.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. R. Gibson: Can the Minister say the amount of the ration?&lt;br/&gt;Captain Margesson: Yes, Sir, I have that information. The ration is 2 ounces a week for German prisoners of war and 1 &amp;#x00BC;ounces a week for Italians. [An HON. MEMBER: "Why the difference?"] I asked exactly the same question. The quantities correspond to those which Germany and Italy respectively undertook to provide for British prisoners.' title='PRISONERS OF WAR.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/prisoners-of-war'></outline>
      <outline id='977677' text='SCOTLAND.'>
        <outline id='977679' text="Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what further steps he has been taking, in view of the progressive diminution of grazing lands in Scotland consequent on the ploughing-up campaign, to make available deer-forest land for grazing and other agricultural purposes?&lt;br/&gt;The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. T. Johnston): A circular has been sent to the Agricultural Executive Committees for the Highland districts stressing the importance of seeing that the fullest use is made this year of deer-forest grazing and intimating that I am ready to take possession of any deer forest which cannot be put into full productive use by agreement with the owner. No forest for which stock can be found should be left ungrazed during the coming summer.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Gibson: Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether, in fact, he has taken over any deer forests, and can he give any indication as to how many sheep are at present being grazed on these forests?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Johnston: The answer to the first part of my hon. and learned Friend's supplementary question is in the affirmative. We have already taken over two deer forests, and, if necessary, for the reasons given in my answer, we are ready to take over more.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Gibson: Can the right hon. Gentleman give the names of these deer forests?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Johnston: There are the Forest of Killilan, in Ross-shire, and the Forest of Benmore, in Sutherland.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Gibson: In view of the wide interest of this matter to the agricultural community in Scotland, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he has in mind any other action in connection with it?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Johnston: I think I cannot go beyond the answer I have given.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Maxton: Have the terms been settled by the existing owners, and can the right hon. Gentleman tell us what they are?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Johnston: I could not do so without notice," title='DEER-FORESTS.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/deer-forests'></outline>
        <outline id='977681' text='Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that teachers in Scotland have been anxious regarding the lack of emergency supplies of foodstuffs, including chocolate, in schools for schoolchildren in the event of the pupils being detained for several hours in school in consequence of air-raid alarms; whether some equivalent to the English circular 1535 on Air-Raid Precautions for Schools has been issued to schools in Scotland; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Johnston: I have no evidence of any anxiety among teachers regarding the lack of emergency rations for children during school hours in the event of air raiding. The provision of such rations for children who might be compelled to stay in school owing to prolonged daylight alerts has not hitherto been considered generally necessary in Scotland, but the question will be kept continually under review. As far as air raid precautions in Scottish schools generally are concerned, I am sending the hon. and learned Member a copy of a memorandum which I have issued on the subject.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Gibson: Can my right hon. Friend say when that memorandum was issued?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Johnston: On 10th February.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Gibson: If I send to my right hon. Friend particulars of cases in Scotland where teachers have provided emergency rations at their own expense, will he look into them?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Johnston: Yes, Sir.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Neil Maclean: Does that memorandum contain information which might be useful to other Members of Parliament in other constituencies? If so, will my right hon. Friend send them copies also?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Johnston: Perhaps my hon. Friend will allow me to consider that. I do not know whether the usual practice in sending out copies is to distribute from the Department or from the Vote Office.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Maclean: Members are usually asked questions by parents of children with regard to the steps that have been taken.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Johnston: I will communicate with my hon. Friend.' title='SCHOOL CHILDREN (EMERGENCY RATIONS).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/school-children-emergency-rations'></outline>
      </outline>
      <outline id='977685' text='COAL INDUSTRY.'>
        <outline id='977687' text='Mr. T. Smithasked the Secretary for Mines how many collieries have set up joint committees for the purpose of dealing with safety questions?&lt;br/&gt;The Secretary for Mines (Mr. David Grenfell): The number is approximately 140.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Smith: Is my hon. Friend doing his best to encourage the formation of these committees?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Grenfell: Yes, Sir, we are encouraging their formation. The number of committees has been doubled since the Royal Commission reported.' title='SAFETY IN MINES (JOINT COMMITTEES).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/safety-in-mines-joint-committees'></outline>
        <outline id='977688' text='Mr. Gallacherasked the Secretary for Mines whether he proposes to take any further action in connection with the Valley field disaster following the decision of the Dunfermline Sheriff Court?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Grenfell: No, Sir. The decision of the Sheriff Court concludes the legal proceedings under the Coal Mines Act.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Gallacher: In view of the report of the Commission and the fact that 35 lives were lost, what steps is my hon. Friend taking with regard to those responsible for this shameful travesty of the law?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Grenfell: The Mines Department made a recommendation on the matter which was submitted to the court. We have no further responsibility.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Gallacher:But is not my hon. Friend aware that there is deep feeling among miners following the decision of this court?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Deputy-Speaker: The hon. Member seems to be now questioning the decision of the court.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Gallacher: It was a shameful decision.' title='VALLEYFIELD ACCIDENT.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/valleyfield-accident'></outline>
        <outline id='977691' text='Mr. R. J. Taylorasked the Secretary for Mines whether he will take such action as will provide heat and refreshment for miners when they are detained for certain reasons from ascending to the surface at the end of their shift?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Grenfell: If the hon. Member refers to delay in winding men occasioned by enemy action, I would suggest that the matter be raised by discussion between the representative bodies which usually deal with such matters in order that they may investigate the possibilities of providing the warm drinks or other form of refreshment which is suggested in the Question. I have not received any communication from the men in any district on this matter.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Taylor: Will not my hon. Friend take definite steps to meet this requirement?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Grenfell: I have said that I have not received any communication on the subject from the men.' title='AIR RAIDS (REFRESHMENT IN MINES).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/air-raids-refreshment-in-mines'></outline>
      </outline>
      <outline id='977694' text='FOOD SUPPLIES.'>
        <outline id='977695' text='Mr. Thorneasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can give any information in connection with the shortage of milk bottles, and what action he intends taking about the matter?&lt;br/&gt;The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Major Lloyd George):Despite the appeals that have been addressed to them on this matter, many consumers do not return milk bottles regularly and promptly to their milkmen. This has created difficulties in some sections of the distributive trade. An Order is being prepared which will make persons who are negligent in the handling of milk bottles, or who wilfully appropriate them for wrongful purposes, liable to the penalties of the Defence Regulations.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Thorne: Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman put himself into communication with the President of the Board of Education with a view to teachers instructing children not to destroy milk bottles?&lt;br/&gt;Major Lloyd George: Yes, Sir.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Stokes: A great number of bottles can be found in cemeteries.&lt;br/&gt;Sir W. Davison: Will my hon. and gallant Friend consider some penalty being inflicted on people who strew the roadsides for miles with milk bottles, beer bottles and other kinds of bottles?' title='MILK BOTTLES.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/milk-bottles'></outline>
        <outline id='977697' text='Mr. R. C. Morrisonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what is the annual consumption of potatoes in Great Britain?&lt;br/&gt;Major Lloyd George: During the period covering the Great Britain Potato Crops of 1929&amp;#x2013;1940, the average annual supply amounted to 4,500,000 tons, of which 3,500,000 tons were utilised for human consumption. Potatoes required for seed purposes and stock feeding, together with normal wastage which occurred during storage and distribution, accounted for the balance.' title='POTATOES.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/potatoes'></outline>
        <outline id='977698' text='Sir John Graham Kerrasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the fact that large areas of sea off the West Coast of Scotland are frequently richly charged with plankton, that small-scale experiments show that this is readily converted into nourishing food, and that important advances in our knowledge of plankton have been made at the marine laboratory at Millport, he will consider appointing a committee, equipped with the necessary&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;422&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;biological and engineering qualifications, to investigate the practicability of large-scale collection of plankton by mechanical separators?&lt;br/&gt;Major Lloyd George: I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to his previous Question on this subject on nth March, in which I indicated that it is not economically practicable to obtain food from this source. In reply to the last part of the Question, I would remind my hon. Friend that committees already exist competent to give further examination to this matter if it were considered desirable.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. R. Gibson: Is not the normal use of plankton to provide food for fish and consequently the immediate supply of food for human consumption is the fish that feed on the plankton?&lt;br/&gt;Major Lloyd George: It is a very difficult thing to catch plankton, and as fish feed on it, it is more economical to catch the fish and thus get both.' title='PLANKTON (WEST COAST OF SCOTLAND).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/plankton-west-coast-of-scotland'></outline>
        <outline id='977699' text='Mr. Mathersasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what quantitiy of sugar was used for brewing purposes in the year ended September, 1940; and how does the percentage this represents of sugar normally used for brewing compare with the reduction imposed upon the use of sugar for confectionery and other manufactures?&lt;br/&gt;Major Lloyd George: The year ended 30th September, 1940, included a period when sugar was not rationed, a period when sugar was allocated to the brewing industry on the basis of 70 per cent. of pre-war usage and a period when the percentage allocation was 60 per cent. The figures of sugar usage for that year would accordingly be misleading. The brewing industry is now rationed to 60 per cent, of its pre-war sugar usage; this compares with a percentage allocation of 60 per cent. to the chocolate industry and 50 per cent. to the sugar confectionery industry.' title='SUGAR (BREWING).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/sugar-brewing'></outline>
      </outline>
      <outline id='977701' text='Major Owenasked the Minister of Labour whether, in order to minimise billeting difficulties, he will give instructions to local Employment Exchanges not&#x000A;&lt;image src="S5CV0370P0I0218"/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;423&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;to consider applications for employment from outside their districts until the female labour in their own areas has first of all been exhausted?&lt;br/&gt;The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Assheton): This is already the practice of the Employment Exchanges.&lt;br/&gt;Major Owen: Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the opposite practice occurs and that on many occasions woman labour is drawn from areas from 10 to 20 miles away while there is labour available in the actual district?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Assheton: If the hon. and gallant Gentleman would be good enough to send me any example of that, I should be very glad to have it.&lt;br/&gt;Major Owen: Certainly.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. David Adamsasked the Minister of Labour whether it is his policy to build accommodation, where necessary, for workpeople who have been moved into new areas for armaments production; and whether he will duly consider the dangers to health which arise from the occupation of their overcrowded billets?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Assheton: It is the policy of the Government to build accommodation where necessary for transferred war workers and a considerable programme of hostel and hutting construction is being pressed forward. In billeting transferred war workers every care is taken to avoid overcrowding, and in this connection any dangers to health which may arise locally are under constant review by the Ministry of Health.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Adams: Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in the North of England there is considerable disquiet and discontent at the amount of overcrowded accommodation? Cannot alternative accommodation be expedited?' title='TRANSFERRED WAR WORKERS.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/transferred-war-workers'></outline>
      <outline id='977703' text="Major Owenasked the Minister of Information (1) whether, in view of the fact that the majority of people engaged in industry and agriculture in Wales are, by the nature of their&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;424&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;work, precluded from listening in to the Welsh news at five o'clock, he will arrange for the Welsh news to be broadcast at a more convenient hour, say seven o'clock in the evening;&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;(2) whether he is aware of the great and growing dissatisfaction in Wales with the brevity of the Welsh broadcast in the British Broadcasting Corporation programme; and whether he will arrange for a longer period to be allotted for this purpose?&lt;br/&gt;The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information (Mr. Harold Nicolson): I regret that on account of the very great pressure on broadcasting time I cannot ask the B.B.C. to transfer the Welsh news to a peak listening hour, and for the same reason the Corporation cannot increase the time now devoted to programmes in Welsh.&lt;br/&gt;Major Owen: Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it has already been announced on the wireless that information at times of danger in this country will be broadcast? As the bulk of the people in Wales are occupied during the day, how can they possibly get to know the voices of the people who are making the announcement?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Nicolson: I understand that the unoccupied people are in a rather elderly category, and it is not likely that a large proportion will be employed at the time of the Welsh broadcasts.&lt;br/&gt;Captain McEwen: Are not all these people bilingual?" title='BROADCASTING (WELSH NEWS AND PROGRAMMES).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/broadcasting-welsh-news-and-programmes'></outline>
      <outline id='977704' text='Mr. David Adamsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that air-raid precautions emergency committees throughout the country follow different practices with regard to the admission of the Press and the giving of information to the Press; and whether he will take steps to ensure that arrangements are made for the maximum dissemination of information essential for public safety?&lt;br/&gt;The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security (Mr. Mabane): I am aware that there is some diversity of practice in this matter, but much of this is due to the varying degrees&#x000A;&lt;image src="S5CV0370P0I0219"/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;425&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;of secrecy necessitated on particular occasions by considerations of national defence. My right hon. Friend is anxious to secure dissemination of information to the public to the maximum extent compatible with security, but my hon. Friend will appreciate that the difficulty of reconciling these two interests is often greater than may appear on the surface.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Adams: Is the hon. Gentleman aware that some emergency committees permit the admission of the Press while others refuse, that some give no information whatever and that others give a certain amount? In the general interest should there not be some common practice?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Mabane: As I have indicated, the practice varies greatly. In some cases there is no objection and in others there is much objection.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. R. C. Morrison: Will the hon. Gentleman look into the practice of issuing statements, to be posted outside town halls, giving the amount of casualties in the Metropolitan police area? Is he aware that many citizens think these notices give the casualties from their particular district and not for the Metropolitan Police area, with the result that there is a considerable amount of alarm?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. McGovern: Will the hon. Gentleman see that when information is given if: is more compatible with the truth than that which was given about the Clyde-side "Blitz" and the casualties incurred there? There is no reason why false information should be given to the public.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Mabane: False information was not given to the public.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. McGovern: Can the hon. Gentleman explain why false information was given about the casualties on Clydeside? This is being talked about by many people there.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Mabane: No false information was given to the public.' title='INFORMATION (DISSEMINATION).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/information-dissemination'></outline>
      <outline id='977707' text="Mr. T. Hendersonasked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that the Paper Control Board has raised the price of straw for paper making from 15s. per ton to &amp;#x00A3;5, the present controlled price;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;426&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;that this price has had the effect of reducing the output of paper made from home-produced material; and will he investigate the matter with a view to a reduction of the present controlled price?&lt;br/&gt;The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply (Mr. Harold Macmillan): There is no official controlled price of straw, but prices of straw for paper making have been agreed between the Paper Makers Straw Trading Company and the National Farmers' Union. The price that has to be paid is, of course, affected by the demand for straw for other purposes.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. R. Gibson: Has the Minister been informed that agreement has been reached between the agricultural and paper-making industries in Scotland, whereby the farmers receive &amp;#x00A3;4 per ton for their straw at the farm and the transport charges are borne by the paper-making industry?" title='STRAW (PAPER-MAKING).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/straw-paper-making'></outline>
      <outline id='977709' text='Sir J. Graham Kerrasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that infra-red rays possess a remarkable power of penetrating fog, and that infra-red photographs can be taken and developed so rapidly as to be of great value for the detection of dangers to navigation, such as other ships or neighbouring land; and whether he will take steps to ensure that ships over a certain tonnage and all ships licensed to carry passengers shall be equipped with the apparatus necessary for infra-red photography as an additional safeguard against such dangers?&lt;br/&gt;The Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (Sir Victor Warrender): While infra-red rays do penetrate atmospheric haze, extensive field and laboratory trials have shown that they do not penetrate fog and that it is not possible to use infra-red photography for the purpose of assisting navigation.' title='INFRA-RED PHOTOGRAPHY.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/infra-red-photography'></outline>
      <outline id='977711' text='Mr. Stokesasked the Attorney- General whether he is aware that ground landlords of bombed sites are entitled to collect ground-rent for the duration of the war despite the fact that the buildings&#x000A;&lt;image src="S5CV0370P0I0220"/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;427&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;thereon are uninhabitable; and whether legislation to right this wrong will be introduced?&lt;br/&gt;The Attorney-General (Sir Donald Somervell): As I have already stated in answer to previous Questions, the Government intend to introduce further legislation to deal with the rights of those whose houses have been damaged by enemy action. This legislation will contain provisions modifying the existing law where the damaged premises are subject to a ground lease.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Stokes: Has the right hon. and learned Gentleman&apos;s attention been drawn to a recent case in Sheffield where the Duke of Norfolk agreed to the surrender of a lease on damaged property on the payment of three years&apos; ground rent, and has that policy the right hon. and learned Gentleman&apos;s support?&lt;br/&gt;The Attorney-General: I do not know the facts of that particular case.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Stokes: If I send the right hon. and learned Gentleman particulars, will he have the case looked into?&lt;br/&gt;The Attorney-General: I should be very interested to receive that information.&lt;br/&gt;Sir W. Davison: Owing to the great uncertainty in this matter, will my right hon. and learned Friend expedite the introduction of the Bill as soon as possible, as everything is held up pending its introduction?' title='BOMBED PREMISES (GROUND RENT).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/bombed-premises-ground-rent'></outline>
      <outline id='977714' text='Mr. Garro Jonesasked the Prime Minister which Minister, or what Department, has responsibility for liaison or cooperation between the intelligence, counter-intelligence and secret services maintained by many different Departments; and whether he can give the House an assurance that this far-reaching branch of our war effort is under proper Ministerial supervision?&lt;br/&gt;M. Attlee: My right hon. Friend can readily give the House the assurance asked for in the second part of the Question; as regards the first part, he regrets that it would not be in the national interest to give the information requested by the hon. Member.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Garro Jones: In view of the fact that this information has previously been given and that the Minister has since been changed, could any public interest be damaged by giving the information asked for now?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Attlee: I cannot add anything to the answer I have already given.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Culverwell: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a great waste of time, labour and personnel in the tremendous amount of overlapping in the services of these different Departments, and will he look into this matter?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Attlee: If the hon. Member will give me the information, I will look into it.' title='INTELLIGENCE SERVICES (CO-ORDINATION).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/intelligence-services-co-ordination'></outline>
      <outline id='977717' text='Mr. Manderasked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of altering the system by which parcels, without limit in number, can be sent from overseas to persons in this country, in view of the discrimination in favour of wealth thus involved, and in order to save shipping space?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Lyttelton: I have been asked to reply. I am taking this matter up with my Noble Friend the Minister of Food, who is also concerned, and I will make a further statement in due course.' title='PARCELS FROM OVERSEAS.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/parcels-from-overseas'></outline>
      <outline id='977719' text='Colonel Wedgwoodasked the Prime Minister whether he will give this House an opportunity of formally and publicly thanking the United States of America for their sympathy and help, as shown in the Lease-and-Lend Act?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Attlee: The right hon. Gentleman will remember that as Leader of the House my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister took the earliest opportunity after the passage of the Lease-Lend Act, and when the President of the United States had appended his signature to it, to make a statement. Speaking, as he then said, for Parliament and for the whole country, my right hon. Friend offered to the United States our gratitude for her inspiring act of faith. He trusts that you, Sir, and the House will have accepted his words on that occasion as a&#x000A;&lt;image src="S5CV0370P0I0221"/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;429&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;formal and public expression of our thanks for the sympathy and help extended to us.' title='LEASE-LEND ACT.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/lease-lend-act'></outline>
      <outline id='977720' text='NATIONAL FINANCE.'>
        <outline id='977722' text='Mr. Thorneasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can make a statement as to the financial position of the Equalisation Fund?&lt;br/&gt;The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir Kingsley Wood): The annual accounts of the Exchange Equalisation Account are submitted confidentially to the Public Accounts Committee. This is an old standing arrangement and I cannot go beyond it.' title='EXCHANGE EQUALISATION ACCOUNT.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/exchange-equalisation-account'></outline>
        <outline id='977725' text='Mr. Stokesasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether salaries paid to His Majesty&apos;s Ambassadors in Foreign countries are subject to British Income Tax?&lt;br/&gt;The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Captain Crookshank): Yes, Sir, but expenses allowances are not, since they represent provision for the expenses connected with the Ambassadors&apos; duties and are not emoluments.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Stokes: Are we to understand that the salaries paid to Ambassadors are or are not subject to tax?&lt;br/&gt;Captain Crookshank: I said "Yes, Sir." That means that they are.' title='INCOME TAX (BRITISH AMBASSADORS).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/income-tax-british-ambassadors'></outline>
      </outline>
      <outline id='977730' text='Mr. Mathersasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give particulars showing how the consumption of alcoholic liquors decreased in the years ended 30th September, 1939 and 1940, respectively, as compared with years unaffected by war?&lt;br/&gt;Sir K. Wood: As the Answer involves a table of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend&apos;s permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;i&gt;Following is the table:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;br/&gt;The following quantities of liquors were retained for home consumption in the years specified:&lt;br/&gt;&lt;table&gt;&#x000A;&lt;tr&gt;&#x000A;&lt;td align="center"&gt;&amp;#x2014;&lt;/td&gt;&#x000A;&lt;td align="center"&gt;Year ended 30th Sept., 1939.&lt;/td&gt;&#x000A;&lt;td align="center"&gt;Year ended 30th Sept., 1940.&lt;/td&gt;&#x000A;&lt;/tr&gt;&#x000A;&lt;tr&gt;&#x000A;&lt;td&gt;Beer (standard barrels)&lt;/td&gt;&#x000A;&lt;td align="right"&gt;19,549,000&lt;/td&gt;&#x000A;&lt;td align="right"&gt;18,315,000&lt;/td&gt;&#x000A;&lt;/tr&gt;&#x000A;&lt;tr&gt;&#x000A;&lt;td&gt;Spirits (proof gallons)&lt;/td&gt;&#x000A;&lt;td align="right"&gt;11,718,000&lt;/td&gt;&#x000A;&lt;td align="right"&gt;8,992,000&lt;/td&gt;&#x000A;&lt;/tr&gt;&#x000A;&lt;tr&gt;&#x000A;&lt;td&gt;Wine (gallons)&lt;/td&gt;&#x000A;&lt;td align="right"&gt;16,277,000&lt;/td&gt;&#x000A;&lt;td align="right"&gt;12,128,000&lt;/td&gt;&#x000A;&lt;/tr&gt;&#x000A;&lt;tr&gt;&#x000A;&lt;td&gt;British wines (gallons)&lt;/td&gt;&#x000A;&lt;td align="right"&gt;6,968,000&lt;/td&gt;&#x000A;&lt;td align="right"&gt;6,705,000&lt;/td&gt;&#x000A;&lt;/tr&gt;&#x000A;&lt;/table&gt;&lt;br/&gt;As regards pre-war years I would refer my hon. Friend to the Annual Reports of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the production of alcohol and beer, respectively, in Scotland for the years 1939 and 1940, respectively?&lt;br/&gt;Sir K. Wood: As the Answer involves a table of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend&apos;s permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Gibson: Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there has been an appreciable diminution?&lt;br/&gt;Sir K. Wood: I would like the hon. and learned Member to look at the figures.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;i&gt;The figures are as follow:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;table&gt;&#x000A;&lt;tr&gt;&#x000A;&lt;td align="center" rowspan="2"&gt;&amp;#x2014;&lt;/td&gt;&#x000A;&lt;td colspan="2"&gt;Years ended 30th Sept.&lt;/td&gt;&#x000A;&lt;/tr&gt;&#x000A;&lt;tr&gt;&#x000A;&lt;td align="center"&gt;1939&lt;/td&gt;&#x000A;&lt;td align="center"&gt;1940&lt;/td&gt;&#x000A;&lt;/tr&gt;&#x000A;&lt;tr&gt;&#x000A;&lt;td&gt;Spirits (excluding industrial alcohol) (Proof gallons).&lt;/td&gt;&#x000A;&lt;td align="right"&gt;27,581,310&lt;/td&gt;&#x000A;&lt;td align="right"&gt;11,195,002&lt;/td&gt;&#x000A;&lt;/tr&gt;&#x000A;&lt;tr&gt;&#x000A;&lt;td&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&#x000A;&lt;td colspan="2" align="center"&gt;Calendar years.&lt;/td&gt;&#x000A;&lt;/tr&gt;&#x000A;&lt;tr&gt;&#x000A;&lt;td&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&#x000A;&lt;td align="right"&gt;1939&lt;/td&gt;&#x000A;&lt;td align="right"&gt;1940&lt;/td&gt;&#x000A;&lt;/tr&gt;&#x000A;&lt;tr&gt;&#x000A;&lt;td&gt;Beer (standard barrels)&lt;/td&gt;&#x000A;&lt;td align="right"&gt;1,557,000&lt;/td&gt;&#x000A;&lt;td align="right"&gt;1,551,000&lt;/td&gt;&#x000A;&lt;/tr&gt;&#x000A;&lt;/table&gt;' title='ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS (STATISTICS).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/alcoholic-liquors-statistics'></outline>
      <outline id='977736' text='Mr. Evelyn Walkdenasked the Attorney-General whether, in order to remove doubt, he will state whether the protection of the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act, 1939, is now afforded only to men in the Armed Forces or whether it can be invoked by men and women called upon to undertake work in war industry which necessitates a reduction in their incomes making it impossible for&#x000A;&lt;image src="S5CV0370P0I0222"/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;431&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;them to meet rent and other liabilities; and whether, if existing legislation is insufficient, he will consider introducing amending legislation?&lt;br/&gt;The Attorney-General: The provisions of the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act, 1939, are not restricted to persons serving in the Armed Forces. Proposals for extending the relief given by that Act are contained in section 25 of the Liabilities (War-Time Adjustment) Bill which has recently been introduced in another place.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Walkden: Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say why a man in service as a private gardener should have to vacate his tenancy when called up for national service?&lt;br/&gt;The Attorney-General: That is quite a different matter, and depends upon certain provisions of the Rent Restriction Acts.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Silverman: Does not the Attorney-General agree that those particular provisions are anomalous and lead to great injustice?&lt;br/&gt;The Attorney-General: That matter has nothing to do with me, and the hon. Member had better put a question to the appropriate Minister.' title='COURTS (EMERGENCY POWERS) ACT.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/courts-emergency-powers-act'></outline>
      <outline id='977742' text="Major Sir Edward Cadoganasked the President of the Board of Education whether the new Youth Service Corps will collaborate with the Boy Scouts, the Girl Guides, the Federation of Working Lads Clubs, the Boys' Brigade and other similar voluntary organisations of long standing and proved merit; and whether he proposes to utilise the services of those who direct and control such organisations in the formation of the Youth Service Corps?&lt;br/&gt;The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education (Mr. Ede):I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of Circular 1543, from which he will see that existing voluntary organisations are encouraged to co-operate, and are in fact co-operating, in the development of the local Youth Service Corps. I hope that they will continue to do so.&lt;br/&gt;Sir E. Cadogan: In view of the fact that misgivings have been expressed by&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;432&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;those who have given long years of service to voluntary organisations, will there be any further opportunity for discussing this matter?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Ede: That is a question which should be addressed to those responsible for the Business of the House.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Kenneth Lindsay: Is my hon. Friend aware that this is one of the most hopeful movements that have sprung up since the war began, and that it is bringing in large numbers of young people who never belonged to any of the excellent voluntary societies which existed before the war?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Ede: My right hon. Friend regards this as being an exceedingly valuable and spontaneous movement which has sprung up from the desires of youth itself.&lt;br/&gt;Sir E. Cadogan: Does not my hon. Friend agree that there has not been too much time to express an opinion on this?" title='YOUTH SERVICE CORPS.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/youth-service-corps'></outline>
      <outline id='977744' text='Mr. David Adamsasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the results of an inquiry showing that, whereas some counties, acting as receiving areas, have sustained an increase in their population to the extent of about 30 per cent., other counties, equally suitable for reception, have increased 10 per cent. or less; and whether he will take steps to ensure that evacuees shall be evenly spread among available reception areas in the interests alike of safety and comfort?&lt;br/&gt;The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Miss Horsbrugh): The pre-war density of occupation per habitable room differed widely in different parts of the country, and the percentage increase in population cannot therefore be taken as a guide to the amount of spare accommodation. My right hon. Friend is concerned to ensure that evacated persons are distributed as evenly as possible over the available accommodation, but it must be borne in mind that some accommodation must be reserved for towns which have not yet been heavily attacked.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Adams: Is the Minister aware that in reception counties where there has been an increase of up to 35 per cent. in popu-&#x000A;&lt;image src="S5CV0370P0I0223"/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;433&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;lation there are complaints of overcrowding? Surely, there ought to be better distribution of population in reception counties generally?&lt;br/&gt;Miss Horsbrugh: I think the hon. Member will agree that it is impossible in wartime to have an even distribution of population throughout this country. Therefore, my right hon. Friend is watching very carefully to see that when evacuees are sent to any particular district there is adequate accommodation for them.' title='EVACUATION.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/evacuation'></outline>
      <outline id='977745' text='Mr. Collindridgeasked the Minister of Health when he proposes to make a statement to the House upon new benefits of health insurance?&lt;br/&gt;Miss Horsbrugh: My right hon. Friend regrets that he is not yet in a position to make a statement on this subject, but he hopes to be able to do so shortly.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Collindridge: Is the hon. Lady aware of the grave delay there is in this matter, and can she state when she will be in a position to make a statement?&lt;br/&gt;Miss Horsbrugh: I am fully aware of the delay, and, as I said last week, my right hon. Friend will make a statement as soon as he possibly can, when arrangements are made.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Thorne: Is the difficulty in coming to a decision in consequence of the delay caused by those who are responsible for carrying out the Insurance Acts?&lt;br/&gt;Miss Horsbrugh: No, Sir. I think the hon. Member will realise that there are a good many decisions to be taken and that this is a difficult problem.' title='NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/national-health-insurance'></outline>
      <outline id='977746' text='Sir W. Smithersasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether, with a view to getting more efficient, economic and rapid production, he will appoint a well-known firm of contractors as directors of construction on behalf of the Government and thus have the benefit at first-hand of their expert knowledge and experience?&lt;br/&gt;The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings (Mr. Hicks): My Noble Friend is alive to the&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;434&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;necessity for ensuring efficiency, economy and speed in building construction, and I can assure my hon. Friend that full advantage has been and is being taken of outside control and other expert advice and assistance. He is not, however, prepared to agree that the appointment of a firm of contractors as directors of construction would be a desirable course to adopt in regard to the Government building programme.&lt;br/&gt;Sir W. Smithers: Will the Minister, as far as is possible, employ and use the experience of firms which have expert knowledge in carrying out large contracts and so avoid waste and extravagance?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Hicks: I can assure the hon. Member that no opportunity is missed of consulting employers and operatives in order that their advice may be available to assist us in carrying out the programme.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Stokes: Will my hon. Friend assure us that people who merely have qualifications as quantity surveyors will not be put in charge, otherwise we shall have a repetition of the Militia camp scandal?' title='BUILDING CONSTRUCTION (EXPERT ADVICE).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/building-construction-expert-advice'></outline>
      <outline id='977747' text='Mr. Butcherasked the President of the Board of Trade his plans for the consolidation of the retail distributing trades consequent upon the reduced quantity of goods for sale?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Lyttelton: I propose to refer to this matter during the coming Debate on the concentration of production. I am sure that my hon. Friend will agree that this is the most convenient way of dealing with such a wide and difficult question.' title='RETAIL DISTRIBUTING TRADES (CONSOLIDATION).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/retail-distributing-trades-consolidation'></outline>
    </outline>
    <outline id='977748' text='BILLS REPORTED.'>
      <outline id='977749' text="Reported, without Amendment, from the Committee on Unopposed Bills; to be read the Third time upon the next Sitting Day.&lt;br/&gt;GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY (SUPERANNUATION FUND) BILL.&lt;br/&gt;Reported, with Amendments, from the Committee on Unopposed Bills (with Report on the Bill); Bill, as amended, and Report, to lie upon the Table; Report to be printed.&lt;br/&gt;GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY (VARIATION OF DIRECTORS' QUALIFICATION) BILL.&lt;br/&gt;Reported, without Amendment, from the Committee on Unopposed Bills (with Report on the Bill).&lt;br/&gt;Bill to be read the Third time; Report to lie upon the Table, and to be printed.&lt;br/&gt;SOUTHERN RAILWAY (SUPERANNUATION FUND) BILL.&lt;br/&gt;Reported, with Amendments, from the Committee on Unopposed Bills (with Report on the Bill).&lt;br/&gt;Bill, as amended, and Report, to lie upon the Table; Report to be printed." title='LAND DRAINAGE PROVISIONAL ORDER BILL.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/land-drainage-provisional-order-bill'></outline>
    </outline>
    <outline id='977753' text='ORDERS OF THE DAY.'>
      <outline id='977754' text='Order read for Consideration of the Complaint purporting to have been made by Mr. Boothby, Member for the County of Aberdeen and Kincardine (East Division), and published in the "Press and Journal" newspaper of 17th March, 1941, as constituting a Breach of the Privileges of the House.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. BOOTHBY attended in his place, pursuant to Order [&lt;i&gt;20th March&lt;/i&gt;].&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Mander: I beg to hand in to the Table a copy of the journal containing the report to which I referred on the last Sitting Day.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;i&gt;The "Press and Journal" newspaper of 17th March,&lt;/i&gt; 1941, &lt;i&gt;was delivered in and the passage complained of was read as follows:&lt;/i&gt;&#x000A;&lt;quote&gt;"After the meeting, Mr. Boothby said to a &apos; Press and Journal &apos; representative: &apos; I am in course of preparing a confidential memorandum which contains the full story which could not be put before the Select Committee or anyone else at the present time. I propose to hand a copy of this Memorandum to Colonel Duff and, as soon as the facts can be revealed, I will gladly appeal to the judgment of the constituency as a whole."&lt;/quote&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Boothby: I should like at once to apologise to the House for not being present in my place on the last Sitting Day; but, owing to circumstances over which I am sure my hon. Friend the Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) had no control, I did, in fact, receive no notice that this matter was going to be raised, otherwise I should certainly have been here. I regret that this issue has been raised, and still more do I regret that once again I have to take up the time of the House. But on this occasion it will be only for a very few moments. There was a number of facts which, in the light of the report, I should have wished to bring to the notice of the Select Committee. Whether these facts would have been regarded by the Committee as relevant, or whether they would have affected the conclusions of the report, I cannot tell. But in view of the decision of the Committee not to accept certain evidence which I did put in, and also in view of their decision to publish the whole of the evidence, I did not press the matter.&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;452&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;The House may remember that in the course of my speech on 28th January I made reference to certain work upon which I was engaged at the outbreak of war. I said:&#x000A;&lt;quote&gt;"I gave some account of this work to the Select Committee, but they decided it would not he in the public interest to disclose it at present, and I bow to their decision. Some day the full story may be told." &amp;#x2014; [OFFICIAL REPORT, 28th January, 1941; col. 450, Vol. 368.]&lt;/quote&gt;&#x000A;I told my constituents that in normal times I should have submitted myself at once for re-election, when I should have been able to present my case in full. For many reasons that is quite impossible today. It may well be, owing to the terms of reference, that some of the facts which I should like to have disclosed would not have been admitted as evidence by the Select Committee. I am myself convinced that if they could all be disclosed, my conduct would appear in a very different light. In these circumstances I feel that I owe it to myself that they should at least be put on record, especially in times like these when one never knows what is going to happen next.&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;I cannot remember precisely what I said in the interview with the Press after the meeting with my Association. Hon. Members well know what these interviews are. There were a number of reporters present when I left the meeting, all of whom simultaneously engaged me in conversation. I gave no separate interview. I do not think I ever mentioned the Select Committee, although the reference to it which appeared in one newspaper may well have been a natural deduction to draw from what I did say. But, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, I certainly do not wish to shield myself behind any accusations of misreport, and I accept full responsibility for what has appeared in the Press. To the best of my recollection I was asked when the full story could be told. I replied, "Not now," and added that I was writing the full story in the form of a private and confidential memorandum which I proposed to give to Colonel Duff in case I got blown up. I have since consulted one or two of the reporters, and they all confirm the fact that I said the reason was in case I got blown up. I may as well tell the House that it is a book rather than a memorandum. I have already written over 50,000 words, and it is not&#x000A;&lt;image src="S5CV0370P0I0233"/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;453&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;finished yet, so it would have been difficult to present all to the Select Committee.&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;I confess that it did not occur to me that this would constitute a breach of the Privilege of this House. I certainly intended no discourtesy either to the Select Committee or to the House. Colonel Duff is not only the chairman of my Association, but one of my oldest and best friends. My idea was quite simple, that if I were to get knocked out, a copy of my memorandum should come to him under the seal of confidence to survive in his safe keeping, and that is all there was to it. If I have transgressed the Rules of the House, I offer my most sincere apologies. I am very willing to give my memorandum to the Chairman of the Select Committee, to whom in any case I had intended to send a copy. I trust that this explanation may prove to be satisfactory to you, Sir, and to this House. I now beg once again to withdraw.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;i&gt;The hon. Member then withdrew.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Mander: I am sure there is no Member of the House who will desire to continue this matter for one moment longer than is actually necessary, but I feel that, in fairness to the Select Committee, some opportunity should be given to one of them to make some comment on what we have just heard, because it appears to me that there is, at any rate, a suggestion that, if certain opportunities had been afforded which were not afforded, a different conclusion would have been arrived at. I hope that some member of the Select Committee will feel able to express his views to the House.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Deputy-Speaker: The hon. Member does not, I understand, desire to move a Motion. If the matter is to be discussed, there must be a Motion moved either by the hon. Member or by the right hon. Gentleman who was Chairman of the Committee, or by the Leader of the House.&lt;br/&gt;The Prime Minister (Mr. Churchill): In view of the appeal made by the hon. Member who raised the matter, I submit that any statement made by the Chairman of the Select Committee might be considered as part of the statement made by the hon. Member who raised the&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;454&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;matter and not require the immediate moving of a Motion. If, however, there is to be any discussion, I would, of course, move the necessary Motion.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Deputy-Speaker: I do not think there would be any objection in the circumstances either to the Chairman or some other member of the Select Committee making a statement in the same way as a statement made by way of personal explanation.&lt;br/&gt;Colonel Gretton: As Chairman of the Select Committee, I think the House will expect me to make a few observations. As a matter of fact, the Select Committee came to an end when its report was laid on the Table of the House. That report lay there for some days, and, on the Motion of the Prime Minister, was adopted, so that it became the decision of the House. The hon. Member for East Aberdeen (Mr. Boothby) in his statement appears to think that the Committee were not willing to hear evidence which he desired to put before it. I think that suggestion can be completely answered by an examination of the terms of reference, which were to inquire into transactions in regard to Czech assets in this country, and particularly the connection of the hon. Member for East Aberdeen with those transactions. At the end of the proceedings, when all the witnesses had been heard, the last being Lord Nathan, on page 148 it will be found that the further proceedings of the Committee were discussed. Counsel representing the hon. Member asked the Committee if they would be willing to hear his client at the conclusion of his own statement, as the hon. Member wished to address his fellow Members, particularly on the conduct of a Member. That was a new point which I said we should have to consider and decide. On the following day counsel made his statement on behalf of the hon. Member. At the conclusion of it I, as Chairman, asked the hon. Member if he desired the room to be cleared. He said he did not, and he then proceeded to address the Committee. If hon. Members examine the proceedings they will find that the Committee was at all times ready to hear all evidence relevant to the terms of reference.&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;I should like to add that it was a painful inquiry and that we came to our&#x000A;&lt;image src="S5CV0370P0I0234"/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;455&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;decision with reluctance. Every hon. Member of the Select Committee desires that the matter may now end. We have no feelings of resentment or ill will towards the hon. Member; we desired during the inquiry, and desire now, that he should have every opportunity to reestablish himself in the good opinion of the House.&lt;br/&gt;The Prime Minister: I hope I shall correctly interpret the general sense of the House if I move that this House does not feel itself called upon to proceed further in this matter. I think the hon. Member for East Aberdeen (Mr. Boothby) has given us the feeling that he intended no kind of disrespect or reflection upon the fair fame and integrity of the House of Commons Committee, and in all the circumstances I believe that the House, having inquired with some particularity into it, would do well to let the matter drop.&lt;br/&gt;Resolved,&#x000A;&lt;quote&gt;"That, having heard the statement of Mr. Boothby and a statement by the Chairman of the Select Committee on the Conduct of a Member, this House does not desire to entertain the matter further." &amp;#x2014; [&lt;i&gt;The Prime Minister"&lt;/i&gt;]&lt;/quote&gt;' title='PRIVILEGE.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/25/privilege'></outline>
      <outline id='977760' text='Order for Consideration of Lords Amendments read.&lt;br/&gt;Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Lords Amendments be now considered."&lt;br/&gt;Sir Herbert Williams: If it is in Order, may I suggest that it would be desirable and convenient to have a brief statement from the Chancellor of the Exchequer outlining the major changes which have been made in the Bill by the Amendments passed in another place. In that way, we might save a considerable amount of time.&lt;br/&gt;The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir Kingsley Wood): Broadly speaking, the great majority of the Amendments are of a drafting or consequential nature. I think the most convenient way of dealing with them would be to indicate, when a particular Amendment is called, whether it is merely drafting or is an Amendment of substance and where any Amendment raised matters on which the House ought to be informed. either I or one of my hon.&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;456&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;Friends would take the opportunity of doing so. I would also propose, if it is in Order and convenient to the Chair, to indicate where a certain number of Amendments stand together and all deal with the same matter. Of course, if any hon. Member desires to raise any question on individual Amendments, my hon. Friend and I will do our best to answer him.&lt;br/&gt;Question put, and agreed to.&lt;br/&gt;CLAUSE 3&amp;#x2014; (&lt;i&gt;Payments to be either of cost of works or by reference to value.&lt;/i&gt;)&lt;br/&gt;Lords Amendment: In page 3, line 40, leave out from "possession" to the second "any", and insert "subject to".&lt;br/&gt;Sir K. Wood: I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;This Amendment and the two Amendments which follow it on the Paper&amp;#x2014;&#x000A;&lt;quote&gt;In line 42, after "land" insert "any public right of way, right of common, or other right inuring for the benefit of the public or of any section thereof, and any restriction or liability imposed by or under an enactment," and in line 43, at the end, insert "but free from any other incumbrance"&amp;#x2014;&lt;/quote&gt;&#x000A;stand together and should be read together. They are really drafting Amendments, and the only one of the three that I wish to mention for purposes of explanation is the second Amendment, that to line 42. This Sub-section (5) of Clause 3 provides that the depreciation in the value of a hereditament caused by war damage should be ascertained by comparing its market value before the damage occurred with its value after the damage occurred, and the valuation is the valuation of the hereditament as a whole and not of any particular interest in it. Obviously, in such a valuation, account has to be taken of incumbrances that diminish the value of the land as such. It was ascertained on examination that as originally drafted the sub-section was defective because it required account to be taken only of such incumbrances, in so far as they consisted of restrictions inuring for the benefit of other land, and that did not cover public and statutory rights which would diminish the value of the land. The purpose of the Amendments is to put this matter right and in that sense they are actually in the nature of drafting Amendments.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Deputy-Speaker: These three Amendments all raise questions of Privilege.&lt;br/&gt;Question put, and agreed to.&lt;br/&gt;Subsequent Lords Amendments to page 3, line 43, agreed to.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Deputy-Speaker: I will cause a Special Entry to be made in the Journals of the House.&lt;br/&gt;Lords Amendment: In page 4, line 5 after "value", insert&#x000A;&lt;quote&gt;&apos;&apos;ascertained in accordance with regulations made by the Treasury."&lt;/quote&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Sir K. Wood: I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;This Amendment is to be read in conjunction with that which follows it on the Paper&amp;#x2014;in line 8, after the second "value", insert, "ascertained as aforesaid,". This Sub-section (6) of Clause 3 requires the value of any articles, which become available as materials, to be taken into account in settling the amount of a cost-of works claim or a value claim, and it was represented that doubts were likely to arise as to the manner in which the value of debris is to be ascertained and the time at which the value is to be ascertained. We thought it desirable that this matter should be dealt with definitely. Obviously, it raises questions of a detailed and technical character and we have therefore provided that these two matters should be dealt with by Treasury regulations. Under Clause 92, those Treasury regulations are subject to the control of Parliament. By this means we secure, in the first place, under the Regulations, a precise definition which no doubt will be desirable and secondly, as this will be done by regulation, it will be subject to Parliament. The matter is not of great importance but we thought it desirable to have it cleared up definitely.&lt;br/&gt;Sir H. Williams: I think this is a very wise provision and, in passing, may I express the hope that the Regulations will be made promptly and that they will include provisions to prevent the destruction of debris which is going on all over the country at the present time.&lt;br/&gt;Sir K. Wood: I will have regard to that matter.&lt;br/&gt;Question put, and agreed to.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Deputy-Speaker: It would save time if, with the general assent of the House, those Amendments which stand together and on which it is not desired to have any discussion were put from the Chair &lt;i&gt;en bloc.&lt;/i&gt; Perhaps the Chancellor of the Exchequer would be good enough to indicate in the case of such groups of Amendments those which he proposes to accept. If the right hon. Gentleman would let me know the first Amendment which he does not propose to take, and if any other hon. Members call my attention to the fact that they wish to say anything on particular Amendments, perhaps the intervening Amendments could be disposed of in the way I suggest.&lt;br/&gt;Sir K. Wood: I propose to move to agree with all the Amendments on the Paper, but the next Amendment to which I desire to call the attention of the House is that on page 6, line 1.&lt;br/&gt;Subsequent Lords Amendments to page 5, line 19, agreed to.&lt;br/&gt;CLAUSE 6.&amp;#x2014;(&lt;i&gt;Determination of questions as to works and value.&lt;/i&gt;)&lt;br/&gt;Lords Amendment: In page 6, line 1, leave out "Sub-section (2)," and insert "Sub-sections (2) and (3)."&lt;br/&gt;The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Captain Crookshank): I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;This is a drafting Amendment leading to the next Amendment, in line 21, at the end, to insert:&#x000A;&lt;quote&gt;"(3) If any person is aggrieved by a determination of the Commission of any question which is under this Section to be determined by them, other than a determination from which an appeal lies under Sub-section (2) of this Section, he may appeal there from on any question of law to the High Court.&lt;/quote&gt;&#x000A;&lt;quote&gt;Provision may be made by rules of court for regulating appeals under this Sub-section, and those rules shall provide for limiting the time within which such an appeal may be brought, for the determination thereof in a summary manner, and for requiring notice thereof to be given to the Commission, and may provide for the hearing and determination of any such appeal by a single judge, and the Commission shall be entitled to appear and be heard on any such appeal."&lt;/quote&gt;&#x000A;This Clause confers on the Commission powers to determine questions that arise on Clauses 3, 4 and 5. They are actually, in practically every case that one can foresee, merely questions of fact, but in the final stages in this House the possibi-&#x000A;&lt;image src="S5CV0370P0I0236"/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;459&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;lity was raised that some questions of law might arise and that the Commission should not be left to decide them. This Amendment is made to meet that criticism. It will make it plain that any question of law will be taken to the courts by the Commission. A similar point arises in Clauses 39 and 42 where, as the Bill left us, the final word was left to the Commission, and similar Amendments will be made to those Clauses.&lt;br/&gt;Question put, and agreed to.&lt;br/&gt;Subsequent Lords Amendments to page 11, line 3, agreed to.&lt;br/&gt;CLAUSE 19&amp;#x2014;(&lt;i&gt;Properties liable to contribution.&lt;/i&gt;)&lt;br/&gt;Lords Amendment: In page 17, line 21, at the end, insert:&#x000A;&lt;quote&gt;"or&#x000A;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;(ii) if the property consisted of a fishery; or&lt;/li&gt;&#x000A;&lt;li&gt;(iii) if the property consisted of any corn-rent or other rent-charge issuing out of land,&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&#x000A;so, however, that nothing in paragraph (ii) of this proviso shall affect any liability to the said contributions in respect of properties consisting of or including such fishing rights as are mentioned in Section Six of the Rating Act, 1874."&lt;/quote&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Deputy-Speaker: In this case the question of Privilege arises as the Amendment deals with contributions.&lt;br/&gt;The Attorney-General (Sir Donald Somervell): I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;This Amendment has the effect of exempting from contributions property such as salmon and oyster fisheries in tidal waters. Such properties are not likely to be damaged by enemy action, for if a bomb dropped on them it would be difficult to find out how much damage was done. In some cases where it includes the bed of an estuary it would not be land within the meaning of the Bill entitled to compensation, even if one were able to show that damage was incurred.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Pethick-Lawrence: I understand that this Amendment applies only to tidal waters and that a later Amendment deals with the question of salmon pools and things of that kind. That being so, I do not wish to raise any question on this Amendment.&lt;br/&gt;Question put, and agreed to.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Deputy-Speaker: A question of Privilege arising, an entry will be made in the Journals.&lt;br/&gt;Subsequent Lords Amendments to page 18, line 36, agreed to.&lt;br/&gt;CLAUSE 20.&amp;#x2014;(&lt;i&gt;Amount of contribution and time for payment thereof.&lt;/i&gt;)&lt;br/&gt;Lords Amendment: In page 19, line 28, at the end, insert "or of any other incorporeal rights."&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Deputy-Speaker: This Amendment raises a question of Privilege, as it deals with contributions.&lt;br/&gt;Captain Crookshank: I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;Besides the sporting rights which fall within the Rating Act, there are certain incorporeal rights which are contributory properties, such as easements which are rated, at any rate, in Northern Ireland though they are not in this country. This Amendment, therefore, puts them down to the 6d. rate. It is right that they should have the benefit of the lower rate irrespective of the nature of the land on which they are exercised. It may sound a little illogical, but the rights will mainly be over land which in itself will be at the lower rate. It would, therefore, be absurd to have a higher rate for an incorporeal right over land which is at the lower rate. The next Amendment, on page 19, is connected with this one, namely, in line 30, at the end to insert:&#x000A;&lt;quote&gt;"but nothing in paragraph (&lt;i&gt;e&lt;/i&gt;) of this proviso shall be construed as affecting the amount of an instalment in respect of a property which was the subject of a valuation for rating purposes by virtue of the occupation of land."&lt;/quote&gt;&#x000A;The purpose of this Amendment is to make it clear that the lower rate does not necessarily apply where the property is not the incorporeal right itself, but the land occupied by virtue of that right. Examples are land occupied by virtue of a way leave or a shop in a railway station which is occupied under licence.&lt;br/&gt;Question put, and agreed to.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Deputy-Speaker: I will cause a special entry to be made in the Journals.&lt;br/&gt;Subsequent Lords Amendments to page 23, line 42, agreed to.&lt;br/&gt;CLAUSE 25 (&lt;i&gt;Rights over against mortgagees in certain cases.&lt;/i&gt;)&lt;br/&gt;Lords Amendment: In page 24, line 8, after "any," insert "costs or."&lt;br/&gt;Sir K. Wood: I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;This Amendment deals with the question of costs and, therefore, may arouse some feeling in the minds of my hon. Friends opposite. The paragraph in question defines the mortgage debt which is to be compared with the price of acquisition or the value of the property for the purpose of determining the amount, if any, of the mortgagee&apos;s share of the contribution. The costs incurred by the mortgagee are often added to the mortgage debt and it is proper that they, as well as arrears of interest, should be included in the amount of the debt. The Amendment makes that clear.&lt;br/&gt;Question put, and agreed to.&lt;br/&gt;Subsequent Lords Amendments to page 25, line 15, agreed to.&lt;br/&gt;CLAUSE 26 (&lt;i&gt;Liability for instalments in case of shooting, fishing and other rights&lt;/i&gt;).&lt;br/&gt;Lords Amendment: In page 25, line 16, leave out "the last preceding subsection" and insert:&#x000A;&lt;quote&gt;"the two last preceding subsections."&lt;/quote&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Captain Crookshank: I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;On this Amendment, which it consequential on the one immediately preceding it, I may perhaps be allowed to explain the point upon which the right hon. Member for East Edinburgh (Mr. Pethick-Lawrence) asked for information a few minutes ago. We are dealing here with exceptions to the general rule, which has been laid down in the Amendment already passed. Let us suppose, for example, that there is land which includes among other things a salmon river and that the property is worth &amp;#x00A3;5,000 without fishing rights, that the fishing rights are worth &amp;#x00A3;500, and that out of that sum for fishing rights &amp;#x00A3;50 is attributable to a particular pool in that salmon river. Then let us suppose that a bomb falls into that pool, and that while it spoils the fishing in that pool it does not do any other damage to any other part of the land. The question obviously is, "Where does&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;462&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;compensation come in?" If the owner of the land is also the owner of the fishing rights then, of course, he would get the compensation, but if he is not the owner of the fishing rights then he should not get the compensation, because the actual damage to the pool does not affect him.&lt;br/&gt;Major Milner: The whole thing seems fishy.&lt;br/&gt;Captain Crookshank: The owner of the land in the ordinary sense of the word, as opposed to the rights of fishing, has himself suffered no damage, and the Subsection with which we are dealing exempts from the rate of contribution where throughout the risk period the properties were separately owned and not merely let off.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Pethick-Lawrence: What I want to be clear about is this: Supposing a river or a pool is damaged, perhaps by a poison bomb falling into it and killing the fish. Somebody has suffered a loss. First, I would ask, will any compensation be paid, and, secondly, if compensation is to be paid has any contribution in respect of that property found its way into the Exchequer? I can see that in some cases compensation will be paid, but I am not sure whether any contribution is to be paid, and if not I feel that to be unsatisfactory.&lt;br/&gt;The Attorney-General: In the Schedule A assessment, the annual value takes into account sporting and fishing rights as being included in the sum for which the land is let, and if the fishing rights are of any considerable value they will be included in the Schedule A valuation. I can give the right hon. Gentleman the assurance that compensation will not be paid unless there has been a contribution, which should become effective under the machinery under which contributions are assessed.&lt;br/&gt;Question, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment," put, and agreed to.&lt;br/&gt;Subsequent Lords Amendments to page 29, line 13, agreed to.&lt;br/&gt;CLAUSE 38.&amp;#x2014;(&lt;i&gt;Land belonging to foreign States and Sovereigns, etc.&lt;/i&gt;)&lt;br/&gt;Lords Amendment: In page 31, line 6, after &apos;&apos; envoy &apos;&apos; insert:&#x000A;&lt;quote&gt;"a person to whom immunities and privileges are for the time being extended under Section&#x000A;&lt;image src="S5CV0370P0I0238"/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;463&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;one or two of the Diplomatic Privileges (Extension) Act, 1941."&lt;/quote&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Sir K. Wood: I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;The House will remember that persons who enjoy special privileges relating to exemption from taxation&amp;#x2014;diplomats&amp;#x2014;are exempted by the Bill from liability to pay contributions in respect of war damage. This Amendment is designed to meet the fact that diplomatic privileges and immunities are now being conferred, in connection with the war, upon members of foreign Governments established in this country and envoys accredited to such foreign Governments. This Amendment puts those persons in the same position under the Bill as are diplomats.&lt;br/&gt;Major Milner: I take it that the net result of this Amendment will be that both diplomats and other representatives of other Governments will pay no contributions, and that if the property belongs to the country which they represent and is damaged that country will obtain compensation from the war damage fund without having paid contributions. It is just as well to have that on record, because while, no doubt, we are doing the proper and right thing it may conceivably involve us in a very substantial responsibility. It is an additional courtesy which has been extended to diplomatic representatives and is now to be extended to our Allies in the war, and note ought to be taken of it.&lt;br/&gt;Sir K. Wood: The hon. Member&apos;s statement is correct. We take the view, and I think with the general approval of the House, that diplomats and others who are here for the purpose of establishing relationship with this country should not be asked to pay contributions, and that if their premises do suffer damage we should pay compensation.&lt;br/&gt;Sir H. Williams: Will it cover the German Embassy, which is now occupied by the Swiss Government?&lt;br/&gt;Sir K. Wood: I should like to inquire into that point.&lt;br/&gt;Major Milner: Suppose I were the owner of a property and I let it to the representatives of a foreign Government. Is the obligation upon me, as owner or landlord, to pay the: contributions, or should I be&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;464&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;exempted equally with the Government concerned?&lt;br/&gt;Sir K. Wood: I shall have to look into that matter.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Bellenger: Surely that is covered in the Bill. The owner of a property has to pay, irrespective of the manner in which he has let the property to a tenant. Another point I would ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to look into relates to the premises of the German Embassy, in which case there is a Crown lease. 1 take it that, under the Landlord and Tenant Act, there is no liability to keep that property in thorough repair, but if the property is destroyed, presumably compensation will be paid, because there is valuable consideration in that Crown lease. The right hon. Gentleman should inform the House clearly whether the Amendment that we are about to pass includes such buildings as the one I have described in Carlton House Terrace.&lt;br/&gt;Sir K. Wood: This Amendment relates only to special representatives, who are now accredited here, owing to the presence of foreign Governments established in this country. I shall have to inquire just how the German Embassy is affected. I should say that we are absolved from any liabilities in respect of it.&lt;br/&gt;Question, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment," put, and agreed to.&lt;br/&gt;CLAUSE 39.&amp;#x2014;(&lt;i&gt;Land held for charitable purposes.&lt;/i&gt;)&lt;br/&gt;Lords Amendment: In page 33, line 3, after "purposes," insert&#x000A;&lt;quote&gt;"or to any other person in right of that interest,"&lt;/quote&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Sir K. Wood: I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;The intention of this paragraph is to put within the discretion of the War Damage Commission the payment of so much of a value payment as is in respect of an interest held for charitable purposes. The words in the Clause at present are&#x000A;&lt;quote&gt;"a value payment or a share of such a payment&amp;#x2026;payable&amp;#x2026;to the owner of the proprietary interest."&lt;/quote&gt;&#x000A;It is obvious when you look at various charities that the word "owner" is not&#x000A;&lt;image src="S5CV0370P0I0239"/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;465&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;sufficiently extensive and that we must have regard to the case in which there may be a committee of management or some other persons who could not be definitely described as the owner of the property. To meet that point, the first part of this Amendment is moved. It is intended to enlarge the scope of the Clause. The remainder of the Amendment is of a drafting character to bring a mortgaged interest within the ambit of the Clause, as must be done.&lt;br/&gt;Question put, and agreed to.&lt;br/&gt;Subsequent Lords Amendments, to page 33, line 47, agreed to.&lt;br/&gt;CLAUSE 40.&amp;#x2014;(&lt;i&gt;Land occupied for purposes of undertaking.&lt;/i&gt; )&lt;br/&gt;Lords Amendment: In page 34, line 3, leave out from "undertaking" to the end of line 7, and insert:&#x000A;&lt;quote&gt;"to which this Section applies."&lt;/quote&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Captain Crookshank: I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;This is the first of a string of Amendments, which introduce the words:&#x000A;&lt;quote&gt;"except in so far as Parliament may hereafter determine."&lt;/quote&gt;&#x000A;They make it clear that Parliament has to legislate for public utility and certain other undertakings. That point was not sufficiently strongly put in the Bill; in fact, it was not mentioned at all.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Pethick-Lawrence: I cannot say that the method chosen is a happy one. If you propose to deal with public utility companies in a further Bill, they should be excluded from this Bill. No doubt we shall be given some indication of what was intended. We have heard of legislation by reference, which means reference to something in a Statute in the past, but here is legislation by reference to some Statute which may, or may not, be introduced in the future. I do not see why the Clause could not have been passed in a very simple form and an announcement been made that it was intended to bring in another Bill which would amend the Clause. The effect of this legislation will be to put not only public utility undertakings but an unspecified list of undertakings, some of which are not public utilities, in a state of suspense, which will remain not only until a Bill is brought in dealing with public utility undertakings, but for an indefinite time&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;466&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;until some Government brings in a further Bill relating to the matter.&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;I do not know what would be the position of an undertaking which said: "We think we are going to be included in some future Bill that some Government may introduce, and therefore we propose to stand outside this contribution." Perhaps the Inland Revenue Department, or whoever will be administering the Bill, would say: "We do not think you are, and therefore you must pay at once." That seems to suggest that there might be unnecessary complications. The Bill should be in a straightforward form, leaving it to some future Bill to repeal or modify this Clause in some way. Suppose the Government were to postpone for quite a long time this second Bill; there may be reasons why the Government could not bring it forward. In those circumstances the Amendment, when put into the Clause, will leave not only public utility undertakings but other undertakings, who may think they are to be included, in a kind of suspended state, neither in nor out, so that they really do not know where they are. I cannot help feeling that this is not a very happy way of dealing with the matter, and I cannot see why it should not be dealt with along the lines I have suggested.&lt;br/&gt;Sir H. Williams: I should like to reinforce what has been said by my right hon. Friend. My associates in the electricity supply industry are frankly rather unhappy, because they do not know where they are. I am not quite clear what is the exact significance of these Amendments, and I do not know whether that industry comes under this Bill, under the next Bill, or partly under each. I will give one example. In every house where there is a supply of electricity there is a meter which is fixed to the wall. In all, there are about &amp;#x00A3;50,000,000 worth of these meters. Are they land, or are they chattels? Are they included under Part I, or are they removed from this Bill by the Amendment, or are they under Part II? There are tens of thousands of transformers which are sometimes counted as land and sometimes not, and I would ask the right hon. Gentleman to give his attention to this matter, because it raises issues of very great importance to great masses of people who have large responsibilities, and who at the moment do not know where they are.&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;image src="S5CV0370P0I0240"/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;467&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;I think some indication ought to be given of the way in which the public utilities are being dealt with. I have referred to the electrical industry, because I happen to be connected with it, but what is true of that industry is equally true of the gas industry and to a less extent of water. The railways, of course, have also their difficulties in respect of their stores of goods. I do not suppose any railwayman knows whether the masses of stores which the railways carry and which are part of their undertaking are deemed to come under Part II of this Bill or whether they are included under Clause 40, which apparently relates only to land and does not relate to chattels. There are great difficulties which I think must be cleared up. It may be that when the new Bill is introduced there will have to be substantial Amendments, not only to Part I, but also to Part II, and it would help a great many people if the Chancellor could make a statement to clear up those difficulties.&lt;br/&gt;The Attorney-General: In regard to the question of form to which the right hon. Gentleman referred, it was quite clear to my right hon. Friend that he could not produce a scheme which would be fair to the public utilities, which have special difficulties, in time for inclusion in the Bill dealing with the rest of the property of the country, and it was, therefore, necessary to postpone the details of their scheme by laying down in this Clause that the form and amount of their contribution would be dealt with later. It is rather unusual to have to say that a matter cannot be dealt with under one Bill but will have to be the subject of another, and it is for that reason that it was thought desirable to insert this Clause. This Clause decides whether an owner of an interest is liable to the normal contributions under Schedule A as laid down by this Bill, or whether his contribution is one which cannot be fixed until the terms of the new Bill are established.&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;The words in this Amendment that have been referred to:&#x000A;&lt;quote&gt;"except in so far as Parliament may hereafter determine,"&lt;/quote&gt;&#x000A;were inserted by way of clarity and warning, and in fairness to those excluded at present who might regard that exclusion as meaning necessarily that they would&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;468&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;not come under the provisions of this Bill. Perhaps when the matter is investigated it may be found possible to include some of the undertakings which are at present excluded and put them under this Bill rather than under the public utilities scheme.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Pethick-Lawrence: Or perhaps even the other way round.&lt;br/&gt;The Attorney-General: There may also be some the other way round. There are, however, the two classes, and although no doubt it would have been more satisfactory if we could have waited until the autumn of this year and have had a scheme which dealt precisely with the whole matter in one Bill, that was not possible. The question of whether any others are to be brought in is a matter which can be dealt with under the new Bill.&lt;br/&gt;Sir H. Williams: Could not my right hon. and learned Friend clarify the position of the public utilities which do not know what part of their property is included under Clause 40 or what part is going to fall under Part II? I have quoted the example of the electricity meters, which represent probably &amp;#x00A3;50,000,000 worth of value, and everybody is in doubt as to where they stand. It is on that question that some clarification would be very helpful.&lt;br/&gt;The Attorney-General: That must be a matter of law. If there is to be any dispute, which I hope there will not be, there will have to be a test case about it. I will put the point to my right hon. Friend, but I cannot ask him to decide in advance on a difficult point of law.&lt;br/&gt;Sir H. Williams: What I want is some assurance that we shall make a law which everybody can understand, because we are the law-making body.&lt;br/&gt;Question, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment," put, and agreed to.&lt;br/&gt;Subsequent Lords Amendments to page 41, line 35, agreed to.&lt;br/&gt;CLAUSE 46.&amp;#x2014;(&lt;i&gt;Destination of payments in certain cases&lt;/i&gt;)&lt;br/&gt;Lords Amendment: In page 42, line 31, at end, insert:&#x000A;&lt;quote&gt;"(4) Where a value payment is to be made in respect of war damage to a hereditament and immediately before the occurrence of the&#x000A;&lt;image src="S5CV0370P0I0241"/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;469&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;damage a person had a right to remove from the hereditament an article comprised therein to which he would have been entitled on removing it, and either&amp;#x2014;&#x000A;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;(&lt;i&gt;a&lt;/i&gt;) there was subsisting in the article a proprietary interest owned otherwise than by that person or owned by him otherwise than in the capacity in which he had the right to remove the article (being an interest against which his right to remove it was exercisable); or&lt;/li&gt;&#x000A;&lt;li&gt;(&lt;i&gt;b&lt;/i&gt;) the article was included in a mortgage of a proprietary interest in the hereditament, and that person&apos;s right to remove it was exercisable against the mortgagee; &lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&#x000A;then, for the purposes of Section Nine of this Act the article shall be dealt with as a separate part of the hereditament, and&#x000A;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;(i) in a case falling within paragraph (&lt;i&gt;a&lt;/i&gt;) of this Sub-section, the said Section Nine and the other provisions of this Act as to the vesting and devolution of the right to receive a share of a value payment shall have effect as if the proprietary interest mentioned in that paragraph had been owned by the person who had the right to remove the article, or owned by him in the capacity in which he had the right to remove it, as the case may be; and&lt;/li&gt;&#x000A;&lt;li&gt;(ii) in a case falling within paragraph (&lt;i&gt;b&lt;/i&gt;) of this Sub-section, Sub-section (4) of the said Section Nine shall not have effect in relation to the share of the value payment attributable to the article."&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;/quote&gt;&lt;br/&gt;The Attorney-General: I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;I do not think the House will want me to go through this in detail. It makes provision to cover the case of what are called removable fixtures. Such things as separate mantel-pieces, a traveling crane, or a market gardener&apos;s greenhouse, I believe, have also been held to be removable fixtures. The point about them is that &lt;i&gt;prima facie&lt;/i&gt; they go with the land but the tenant has the right to remove them. If the scheme of compensation did not cover them, the person might not have a right to remove them. This Amendment accordingly makes general provisions the purpose of which will be apparent to the House.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Bellenger: I can quite see the equity of compensating the real owner of removable fixtures, but previously in debate we have heard that, generally speaking, compensation will only be paid where a contribution has been paid. What is the position of the tenant owning a greenhouse? The learned Attorney-General has told us that he would be compensated in the event of damage&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;470&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;occurring, but does he contribute anything at all to the cost of the war damage insurance premium, or does the whole burden of the contribution for the premises plus the removable fixtures fall upon the owner? It is quite conceivable that the greenhouse might be very valuable, perhaps worth &amp;#x00A3;400 or &amp;#x00A3;500, and if that is included in the contribution to be paid at the rate of 10s. per cent. by the owner, the latter will not directly benefit by the compensation if war damage to the fixture in question occurs.&lt;br/&gt;The Attorney-General: I said just now that compensation would not be paid unless a contribution had been received. I did not say it must necessarily have been received from the person who gets the compensation. If there is a long lease, a lease of any value, the contribution, of course, will have been paid. I agree that in the case of a short lease there will have been no contribution from the tenant. These cases, I think, will not come to very large sums of money; and it would be introducing unnecessary complexity to provide a rather elaborate procedure, allowing for recovery in part of compensation in respect of movable fixtures, but, no doubt, landlords who have movable fixtures on their property will have their eye on that point.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Bellenger: It will not be a comparatively small sum that is involved. Often mantelpieces and panelling, for instance, which are tenants&apos; fixtures, are valuable. The point is that if you are going to make a provision to compensate the tenant, it is only fair that the tenant should make his contribution to the premium. I ask the Chancellor to bear this point in mind when he brings up Amendments, as he probably will, at some later stage. If inquiry is made of the Land Society and of the Auctioneers&apos; Society, he may get figures in respect of tenants&apos; fixtures and fittings which will convince him that there is a considerable sum involved, especially in the country areas.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Deputy-Speaker (Colonel Clifton-Brown): This Amendment raises a matter of Privilege.&lt;br/&gt;Question, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment," put, and agreed to.&lt;br/&gt;Subsequent Lords Amendment in page 44, line 13, agreed to.&lt;br/&gt;CLAUSE 48.&amp;#x2014;(&lt;i&gt;Power to raise capital for defraying contributions.&lt;/i&gt;)&lt;br/&gt;Lords Amendment: In page 44, line 21, at the end, insert:&#x000A;&lt;quote&gt;" (6) Any expenses incurred by the Admiralty in discharging any liability as a direct or indirect contributor arising in respect of lands vested in them by virtue of the Greenwich Hospital Act, 1865, or the Naval Knights of Windsor (Dissolution) Act, 1892, or as mortgagees of a direct or indirect contributor arising by reason of an exercise of the powers conferred on them by Section Forty of the said Act of 1865, may be defrayed out of cash standing to the credit of the Greenwich Hospital capital account; and for that purpose the Admiralty may from time to time convert into money any securities for the time being held by them for the benefit of Greenwich Hospital and all money produced by any such conversion shall be paid into the Bank of England to the cash account of His Majesty&apos;s Paymaster-General, who shall carry it to the Greenwich Hospital capital account."&lt;/quote&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Captain Crookshank: I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;This affects Greenwich Hospital, and gives power for a contribution to be paid out of capital. Similar powers have already been granted to the Commissioners of Crown Lands, the Duchy of Cornwall, and the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.&lt;br/&gt;Question put, and agreed to.&lt;br/&gt;Lords Amendment: In line 27, at the end, insert new Clause A:&#x000A;&lt;quote&gt;"(&lt;i&gt;Liabilities to repair chancels, etc., not to extend to war damage.&lt;/i&gt;)&#x000A;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;(1) A liability to which this Section applies to repair a chancel of a church or to repair any other ecclesiastical building or any part thereof, shall not extend to any repairs required for making good war damage.&lt;/li&gt;&#x000A;&lt;li&gt;(2) Where war damage occurs to a chancel of a church or to any other ecclesiastical building in respect of which such a liability exists, then, in so far as the discharge of that liability, as modified by the provisions of the preceding Sub-section, is, having regard to the extent of the war damage&amp;#x2014;&#x000A;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;(&lt;i&gt;a&lt;/i&gt;) impracticable, or only practicable at a cost which is unreasonable in view of all the circumstances; or&lt;/li&gt;&#x000A;&lt;li&gt;(&lt;i&gt;b&lt;/i&gt;) of no substantial advantage;&#x000A;the liability shall be suspended until the war damage is made good to such an extent that the discharge thereof is practicable at a reasonable cost and is of substantial advantage.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&#x000A;&lt;li&gt;(3) Where, under the preceding provisions of this Section a liability is modified or suspended, all rights and remedies arising out of the non-discharge of the liability shall be modified or suspended accordingly.&lt;/li&gt;&#x000A;&lt;li&gt;(4) The preceding provisions of this Section shall be deemed to have had effect as from the third day of September, nineteen hundred and thirty-nine.&lt;/li&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;472&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;&lt;li&gt;(5) Where war damage occurs to a chancel of a church or to any other ecclesiastical building in respect of which such a liability exists, or to the church of which such a chancel forms part or to premises of which such a building forms part, the Commission shall, in exercising the powers conferred on them by Sub-section (4) of Section Thirty-Nine of this Act in relation to that damage, have regard to the circumstances affecting the church or those premises as a whole, and may make pro vision under that Sub-section in relation to the church or to those premises as a whole.&lt;/li&gt;&#x000A;&lt;li&gt;(6) This Section applies to a liability arising as mentioned in Section Thirty-One of the Tithe Act, 1936, or in any other manner what so ever except by virtue of a contract providing express