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    <title>Sitting of 26 March 1941</title>
    <dateCreated>Wed, 26 Mar 1941 00:00:00 +0000</dateCreated>
    <ownerName>UK Parliament</ownerName>
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    <outline id='976923' 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 HERBERT, 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/26/preamble'></outline>
    <outline id='976925' text='LAND DRAINAGE PROVISIONAL ORDER BILL.&lt;br/&gt;Read the Third time, and passed.&lt;br/&gt;CIVIL CONTINGENCIES FUND, 1939.&lt;br/&gt;Accounts ordered,&#x000A;&lt;quote&gt;"of the Civil Contingencies Fund, 1939, showing (1) the Receipts and Payments in connection with the Fund in the year ended 31st March, 1940; (2) the Distribution of the Capital of the Fund at the commencement and close of that year; with a copy of the Correspondence with the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon." &amp;#x2014; [&lt;i&gt;Captain Crook shank.&lt;/i&gt;]&lt;/quote&gt;' title='PRIVATE BUSINESS.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/private-business'></outline>
    <outline id='976980' text='ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS.'>
      <outline id='976982' text='Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is proposed to continue British diplomatic representation at Budapest?&lt;br/&gt;The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Butler): Yes, Sir.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Mander: What is the advantage in being represented in a country which, either willingly or unwillingly, forms part of the enemy machinery?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Butler: Each country must be considered on its merits. There are, in this case, more advantages than disadvantages.&lt;br/&gt;Miss Rathbone: Does that apply also to Belgrade?' title='HUNGARY (BRITISH DPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/hungary-british-dplomatic-representation'></outline>
      <outline id='976987' text="Mr. Hannah askedthe Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what information he has as to the fresh demands presented by the Japanese to the British chairman of the Municipal Council of Kulangsu, Amoy; and whether any steps have been taken to support the foreign administration of Kulangsu against demands calculated to subject the settlement of Kulangsu to Japanese domination?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Butler: The Japanese Consul-General at Amoy presented four requests to the Kulangsu Municipal Council on 20th January. Three of these presented no difficulty, but the fourth was for the immediate appointment of six Japanese sergeants in the police force. In consequence, the three non-Japanese members of the Council resigned on 23rd January, leaving it without a quorum. Since then the functions of the Council have been carried on by the Consular body. Negotiations have been proceeding between the Japanese Consul-General and His Majesty's Consul-General, in his capacity of senior Consul.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Hannah: Is not the present position extremely unsatisfactory?" title='CHINA (ADMINISTRATION, KULANGSU).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/china-administration-kulangsu'></outline>
      <outline id='976994' text='Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the position at Tangier with reference to the ejection of the Mendoub and the resumption by the German authorities of his residence, the former German Consulate; and whether this step by the Spanish Government is in accordance with the recent interim agreement?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Cocksasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information regarding the action of the Spanish authorities in Tangier in ejecting the representative of the Sultan of Morocco and installing the German Consulate in the Mendoubia; and whether this has been done in conformity with the recent provisional agreement concluded between Spain and Great Britain?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Butler: On 16th March the Mendoub was informed by the Spanish Governor that a Dahir had been promulgated by the Khalifa of the Spanish Zone,&#x000A;&lt;image src="S5CV0370P0I0284"/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;555&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;suspending his functions and appointing a successor to act as Pasha, with the functions, but without the title, of Mendoub. On 17th March, a German Consul was installed in the Mendoub&apos;s residence, which had originally been the German Consulate-General. The Mendoub was the personal representative in Tangier of the Sultan of Morocco; these developments, therefore, primarily concern the French and Spanish Governments. Since no direct British interest is involved, the action in question cannot be regarded as inconsistent with the recent provisional arrangement between His Majesty&apos;s Government and the Spanish Government. But, as I stated on 26th February last, the rights of third parties under the relevant international instruments have been reserved under the recent interim agreement about Tangier.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Mander: Is not the presence of a German Consul and his satellites in Tangier a British interest? Will the right hon. Gentleman not do everything possible to prevent the infiltration of Germans into Tangier in this way?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Butler: Naturally, we are very interested; but I am informed that there is nothing in the Tangier Convention to prevent the establishment of consulates of foreign Powers in Tangier.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Wedgwood:Can it be honestly said that the Government are doing everything possible to prevent this, when they are not using their bargaining power of preventing food from entering Spain?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Butler: We do everything that lies in our power.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Cocks: Was not a provisional agreement made, stabilising the position in Tangier pending a final settlement? Does not this foreshadow the eventual annexation of Tangier?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Butler: As I said in my original answer, to which I would refer the hon. Member, this is a matter which primarily affects the French and Spanish Governments, and, accordingly, the action in question cannot be regarded as inconsistent with the interim agreement.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Mander: Are the Germans to be allowed a free run in Tangier? That is the point.' title='TANGIER.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/tangier'></outline>
      <outline id='977000' text='Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will circulate in the Official Report the text of the Proclamations issued by the Emperor of Ethiopia, and distributed by the Royal Air Force, in which the Emperor urges his subjects to forget the cruelties committed by the Italians in Ethiopia, and to refrain from all acts of vengeance which might embitter future relations between the peoples of Ethiopia and Italy?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Butler: Yes, Sir, I am arranging for this to be done.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Noel-Baker:Will His Majesty&apos;s Government take the opportunity of publicly expressing appreciation of the generous and statesmanlike policy followed by our Ally, the Emperor, in view of the many cruelties committed by the Italians against his subjects?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Butler: If hon. Members read the Proclamation, I think they will endorse the view of the Government that it is a valuable document, which should be read with all the consideration that it deserves.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. McGovern: May we take it that the previous decision of the Government to recognise the King of Italy as Emperor of Ethiopia has now been cancelled?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Butler: It has been cancelled for some time.&lt;br/&gt;The text of the Proclamation issued by the Emperor to his people on 24th July, 1940, is as follows: &amp;#x2014;&#x000A;&lt;quote&gt;"Ethiopia stretches out her Hands unto God." &lt;/quote&gt;&lt;br/&gt;HAILE SELASSIE I,&lt;br/&gt;THE ELECT OF GOD, EMPEROR OF ETHIOPIA.&lt;br/&gt;TO THE ETHIOPIAN PEOPLE, THE AUTHORITIES AND THE WARRIORS.&lt;br/&gt;"In the previous Proclamation I informed you of my return and that we have obtained the assistance of Great Britain to liberate our country. You will get the arms of which you are in so much need. The powerful British Air Force is destroying the fortifications of the enemy.&lt;br/&gt;"In the Second Proclamation, I have notified the Italians who are in Ethiopia and who have now been completely encircled that they should deliver themselves up to our authorities so as to save themselves from useless destruction. Therefore, I charge you solemnly&#x000A;&lt;image src="S5CV0370P0I0285"/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;557&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;to receive kindly and to protect those Italians who may surrender with or without their arms. Do not retaliate for the cruelty which they have inflicted on our people, but show yourselves honourable and humane soldiers.&lt;br/&gt;"Do not forget that when the valiant Ethiopians made the Italians captive at the Battle of Adowa they handed them to their Emperor without doing them any harm, thus earning for Ethiopia honour and a good name. "17th Haml&amp;#x00E9;, in the Year of Grace 1932. (24th July, 1940.)"' title="ABYSSINIA (EMPEROR'S PROCLAMATION)." type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/abyssinia-emperors-proclamation'></outline>
      <outline id='977006' text="Mr. Cocksasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement on the position in the Balkans?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Butler: Yesterday, Yugoslavia acceded to the Tripartite Pact between Germany, Italy and Japan. According to reports, the instrument of accession was accompanied by two Notes addressed by the German Minister for Foreign Affairs to the Yugoslav Prime Minister. In the first of these Notes, the German Government reaffirmed their determination to respect at all times the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Yugoslavia. The second stated that during the war the Governments of the Axis Powers will not make any demands on Yugoslavia to allow the passage or the transit of troops through Yugoslav territory.&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;When it appeared that the action which has just been taken by Yugoslavia was imminent, His Majesty's Minister at Belgrade addressed a Note to the Yugoslav Government. In this Note His Majesty's Government indicated that they had been led emphatically to believe that no action could or would be taken by that Government capable of harming or of making serious difficulties for the nations upholding the cause which, they were assured, the people of Yugoslavia regarded as their own. His Majesty's Government had, therefore, been shocked to learn that Yugoslavia now suddenly contemplated the signature of an agreement by which she not only abandoned her neutral attitude, but apparently entered the very system of Great Britain's enemies. If such an agreement were concluded, His Majesty's Government would be bound to point out that, in the light of recent history, the Yugoslav people were almost certain to be drawn more deeply into that system as time went on.&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;558&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;The history of the past 18 months has shown how little Germany scruples to honour the assurances which she gives. The Yugoslav Government must be well aware that, in adhering to the Tripartite Pact, they have opened the way to Germany's familiar methods of infiltration and intimidation, which would gradually imperil the free existence of Yugoslavia as an independent State. The responsibility for the results of their present decision rests squarely upon the shoulders of the Yugoslav Government. The House will understand that I cannot at present take the matter any further.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Hannah: Is it not time that the noble Yugoslav people had a new Government?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Noel-Baker: Is it a fact that the Yugoslav Government, by a very strict censorship and by wireless propaganda, have endeavoured to prevent their people knowing the truth about the international situation?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Butler: I have no doubt that the Yugoslav people as a whole appreciate the facts, as I have stated them, and the true position.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Mander: Could not the British Note have been handed in at an earlier date, in view of the known imminence of the Agreement?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Butler: I should like to take this opportunity of saying that His Majesty's Minister at Belgrade has, in the opinion of my right hon. Friend, handled this matter with the utmost discretion and with great skill, and I should like to congratulate him on the manner in which he has done it.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Riley: Does the right hon. Gentleman understand that the Pact between Yugoslavia and Germany will not permit the transit of military supplies through Yugoslav territory&amp;#x2014;apart from the question of troops?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Butler: On the reports that we have received, I can go no further than to state that the Yugoslav Government appear to have acceded to the Tripartite Pact; and the only extra documents are two Notes addressed by the German Minister for Foreign Affairs to the Yugoslav Prime Minister, but that does not cover the point raised by the hon. Member.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Gallacher: Were not the Yugoslav Government faced with the same problem as faced other Balkan Governments&amp;#x2014;whether to arm the workers for the defence of the country, or to betray the country?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Martin: Are the nationals of the countries adhering to the Tripartite Pact to be treated like other neutrals in this country?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Butler: I think we must leave the interpretation and implications of the Tripartite Pact to those who have already read the documents which have been described." title='YUGOSLAVIA (SITUATION).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/yugoslavia-situation'></outline>
      <outline id='977010' text="Mr. Denmanasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aircraft Production whether he is aware that the Ministry's refusal to disclose the addresses of employ&amp;#x00E9;s who have been billeted in the provinces and subsequently left the district and failed to pay their bills prevents traders from obtaining money due to them; and will he cease to shelter debtors and to create this additional hardship on traders already hard hit by necessary Government restrictions?&lt;br/&gt;The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aircraft Production (Colonel Llewellin): The Ministry is always prepared to deliver to the addressee communications addressed to one of its officers, but, in accordance with the practice followed by Government Departments generally, the Ministry does not regard itself as free to disclose the private addresses of its staff, except in cases where a court has adjudged payments to be made. If, on inquiry, it appears that a member of the Department is seeking dishonourably to avoid his legal obligations, disciplinary action is taken." title="MINISTRY OF AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION (EMPLOYES' DEBTS)." type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/ministry-of-aircraft-production-employes'></outline>
      <outline id='977013' text="Mr. Simmondsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings what consideration is being given to an increase in the permissible height of buildings in urban areas?&lt;br/&gt;The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings (Mr. Hicks): My hon. Friend's Question refers to a particular aspect of redevelopment, which will be considered in the review of the whole subject.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Simmonds: Will my hon. Friend bear in mind particularly that if we are to have wider streets and open areas in our cities, the only way in which the local authorities can maintain their present rateable value is by going high?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Hicks: That will be borne in mind.&lt;br/&gt;Sir Percy Harris: Will the hon. Gentleman see that his Department is not rushed into committing itself in favour of sky-scrapers?" title='WORKS AND BUILDINGS.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/works-and-buildings'></outline>
      <outline id='977019' text="Mr. Ness Edwardsasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the financial standing of British Projects, Limited, was investigated prior to their being placed on the Admiralty list; and what experience they had of carrying out the type of work involved in the contract awarded to them?&lt;br/&gt;The Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (Sir Victor Warrender): As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on nth July to the hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes), of which I am sending him a copy. The firm's previous experience consisted chiefly of building construction with a small quantity of civil engineering work. The greater part of the Admiralty work entrusted to the firm comprised a large building and two housing schemes, with the necessary attendant water, gas mains and roads and drainage. The remainder of the work consisted of concrete runways and earthworks, of a simple character, involving no difficulty, and for their proper execution the firm's previous experience was considered adequate.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Edwards: Can the hon. Gentleman say whether or not this firm was recommended to his Department by any Members of this House?&lt;br/&gt;Sir V. Warrender: No, Sir. We made the usual inquiries as to the capabilities and the financial state of the firm, and these were all satisfactory, but I am not aware that any recommendations came from Members of Parliament.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. J. J. Davidson: Was this particular contract submitted to tender, and, if so, did any local organisation which could have done this job receive the opportunity of tendering?&lt;br/&gt;Sir V. Warrender: These contracts were put out to tender. This firm was one of the contractors on the Admiralty list, and it was invited to tender along with other firms.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Ness Edwardsasked the First Lord of the Admiralty why payment to British Projects, Limited, was delayed; and whether he is aware that this firm had obtained substantial credits on the grounds that they had obtained Admiralty contracts and that they have now gone into bankruptcy?&lt;br/&gt;Sir V. Warrender: I am unable to accept the implication in the first part of the Question. British Projects were liberally treated in regard to payments. It was only when financial difficulties arose that the Admiralty became aware that the firm had obtained substantial credits from suppliers and sub-contractors. It is not unusual for firms to do this, and however regrettable the result, it cannot be regarded as the responsibility of the Admiralty, who took the usual precautions to establish the firm's &lt;i&gt;bona fides.&lt;/i&gt; The firm is now in voluntary liquidation.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Edwards: Is it the fact that this was the first contract that this firm had received from the Admiralty and that its failure to carry out this contract in a proper way is an indication that it had had no previous experience?&lt;br/&gt;Sir V. Warrender: This was the first Admiralty contract that it had secured, but in the previous two years it had executed no less than 13 contracts, the value of which was in excess of the seven contracts which it was subsequently awarded by the Admiralty.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Lipson: When substantial payments are made by the Admiralty, are steps taken to protect sub-contractors from financial loss?&lt;br/&gt;Sir V. Warrender: That is another question, and I should like to see it on the Paper." title='BRITISH PROJECTS, LIMITED.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/british-projects-limited'></outline>
      <outline id='977024' text='Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;562&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;whether consideration has been given to any proposal to employ Italian prisoners in Africa on public works, roads and improvements?&lt;br/&gt;The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. George Hall): Yes, Sir. A proposal to employ Italian prisoners of war on the improvement of roads in East Africa is now being considered by the local Governments, the Commander-in-Chief, Middle East, and the War Office.' title='ITALIAN PRISONERS (EMPLOYMENT, EAST AFRICA).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/italian-prisoners-employment-east-africa'></outline>
      <outline id='977028' text='Mr. David Adamsasked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether steps are being taken to secure increased local consumption of the small West African cocoa crop due about Tune by the Africans themselves, who use little of this food, by teaching them to grind the cocoa in their own homes, thus enabling the 20,000,000 people of Nigeria to consume their surplus cocoa themselves and thereby mitigate the widespread existence of leprosy and other deficiency diseases by improving the native food supply; and whether the heavy Gold Coast crop could be sold in surrounding countries?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. George Hall: Experiments are being made in West Africa with the simple preparation of cocoa beans for local African consumption, but it is still too early to say whether a taste can be created for the resultant product. As regards neighbouring countries, only the Union of South Africa at present imports cocoa in raw form, and her whole requirements are being supplied from West Africa.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Adams: I take it that the Minister will agree on the urgency of raising the nutritional standards in that part of the world?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Hall: Yes, Sir.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Sorensen: Can my hon. Friend give any estimate as to the possible amount of cocoa that could be consumed by West African natives if their tastes were modified?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Hall: That is purely hypothetical, but I would say that the African taste for cocoa is not yet developed.' title='WEST AFRICA (COCOA).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/west-africa-cocoa'></outline>
      <outline id='977030' text='Sir Leonard Lyleasked the Under secretary of State for the Colonies the nationality and connections of the two women and one man who have been detained in Trinidad on a charge of engaging in anti-war propaganda?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. George Hall: All three are British subjects. The two women were born in Eire and hold Eire passports. The man was born in Trinidad.' title='TRINIDAD (DETENTIONS).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/trinidad-detentions'></outline>
      <outline id='977031' text='NIGERIA.'>
        <outline id='977033' text="Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Under secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government is satisfied with the draft Workmen's Compensation Ordinance in Nigeria and when is it proposed to enact it; and whether, on enactment, immediate steps will be taken to bring the Ordinance into operation?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. George Hall: The reply to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second, the Governor of Nigeria informed my Noble Friend last month that the Bill was presented to the Legislature in January and was referred to a Select Committee, and that he had every hope that it would be possible to enact this legislation at the next meeting of the Legislative Council. Further inquiry regarding the position is being made. With regard to the concluding part of the Question, assuming that the Bill is enacted at the time mentioned by the Governor, it is anticipated that it should be possible to bring the Ordinance into operation early next year.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Creech Jones:In view of the very long time that this Ordinance has been before the Nigerian Government, will every effort be made to speed up the enactment of the Bill, and also to see that when the Ordinance is put upon the Statute Book it is operated, because there is considerable discussion about delaying tactics?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Hall: Every effort will be made to see that the Ordinance is carried out." title="WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE." type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/workmens-compensation-ordinance'></outline>
        <outline id='977034' text='Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Under secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of African dissatisfaction with the appointment of British inspectors&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;564&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;of police in Nigeria, it is proposed in future to afford Africans the opportunity of appointment as inspectors?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. George Hall: In general the opportunities for replacing British by African staff have recently increased. I am not fully informed of the position as regards the superior posts in the Nigerian Police; but I am asking the Governor for a report.' title='POLICE INSPECTORS.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/police-inspectors'></outline>
      </outline>
      <outline id='977035' text='Mr. Wedgwoodasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (1), how many British subjects of Jewish faith and German origin have been interned in Jamaica; and whether anything is being done to give internees the same chance of release that they would have if interned in this country;&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;(2), why it has been found necessary to detain Dr. Stamm and his wife in Jamaica seeing that they are Jews and British subjects; and will he release them without delay so as to enable Dr. Stamm to take up useful work in Jamaica?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. George Hall: Twelve British subjects of German origin have been detained under the Defence Regulations in Jamaica, and evidence is available indicating that of this number three men and three women are of Jewish extraction, including Dr. Stamm and his wife. All these persons were detained last summer because the Governor of Jamaica was satisfied that their detention was necessary at that time. The question was discussed with the Governor during his recent visit to this country, and he agreed to review all these cases personally on his return to the Colony with a view to considering whether any of the persons concerned could properly be released. The Governor&apos;s report is now awaited.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Wedgwood: While I thank my hon. Friend for the answer, will he let the Governor know that this question has been raised; and does the Governor realise that the Jews are friendly, while other Germans may not be?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Hall: The Governor&apos;s attention, of course, is called to any Question put in this House.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Edmund Harvey: Will my hon. Friend ensure that the principles of the White Paper with regard to internee; in&#x000A;&lt;image src="S5CV0370P0I0289"/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;565&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;Great Britain are carried out in Jamaica and other Colonies?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Hall: That question has been put to the Governors of all Colonies.' title='JAMAICA (INTERNEES).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/jamaica-internees'></outline>
      <outline id='977036' text='Mr. David Adamsasked the Under secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that under the Undesirable Publications Ordinance, Sedition Ordinance, Deportation of British Subjects Ordinance and Assessors Ordinance, now operating in Sierra Leone Protectorate, complaints are general of the suppression of freedom of speech, freedom of the Press and freedom of meeting and of an unnecessary curfew order, and that there has been established an internment camp to which are committed, amongst others, natives who have called attention to abuses of the law; whether the situation in this Colony is receiving attention; and with what results?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. George Hall: As Freetown is an important defended port, special precautions are necessary there and in its neighbourhood. I am not, however, aware of there being any general complaints of the kind described. If my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any alleged abuses of the law, I will see that they are investigated.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Adams: Will the Minister take steps to obtain from the Governor the details of the situation there, which is extremely bad from the point of view of discontent with the oppressive measures imposed?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Hall: I can but repeat that we have received no complaints from anyone in this territory, and if my hon. Friend has any complaints, perhaps he will send them on to the Colonial Office.' title='SIERRA LEONE (ORDINANCES).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/sierra-leone-ordinances'></outline>
      <outline id='977037' text='TRANSPORT.'>
        <outline id='977054' text='Colonel Sir Charles MacAndrewasked the Minister of Transport whether he is satisfied that there is sufficient motor transport to clear the docks at Glasgow, so that ships are not delayed in the discharge of their cargoes?&lt;br/&gt;The Minister of Transport (Lieut.-Colonel Moore-Brabazon): I am satisfied that there is at present no shortage of road vehicles for this purpose.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Higgs: Can my right hon. and gallant Friend say whether there is a shortage of road vehicles at Liverpool?&lt;br/&gt;Lieut.-Colonel Moore-Brabazon: That is entirely a different question.&lt;br/&gt;Sir C. MacAndrewasked the Minister of Transport to what extent lack of warehouse accommodation in the Glasgow area is retarding the clearance of docks and delaying the turn round of ships?&lt;br/&gt;Lieut.-Colonel Moore-Brabazon: Lack of storage accommodation in the Glasgow area is not at present retarding quay clearance or delaying the turn-round of ships; but the present reserve is insufficient to meet possible demands, and further suitable accommodation is being sought. An officer was recently appointed in South-West Scotland to see that the best use was made of suitable premises.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Davidson: In view of the fact that there is no shortage of motor vehicles, warehouses or storage accommodation and that Glasgow dockers are putting in a hard day&apos;s work, clearing as quickly as possible, can the Minister say what is holding up the turn-round of ships?&lt;br/&gt;Lieut.-Colonel Moore-Brabazon: A lot of "things besides unloading and loading come into the holding-up of ships. I am responsible only for that side of the picture.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Davidson: Will the Minister investigate the statements which have been made that private railway agreements with the docks are very heavily retarding the unloading and return of ships?&lt;br/&gt;Lieut.-Colonel Moore-Brabazon: I can answer that straight away. That is not so.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. A. Edwards: Can the Minister say to what extent the Customs authorities are holding things up?&lt;br/&gt;Lieut.-Colonel Moore-Brabazon: I do not think that is for me to answer.&lt;br/&gt;Sir C. MacAndrew: Will my right hon. and gallant Friend make further inquiries, as his answers do not tally with what shipowners say about that area?&lt;br/&gt;Lieut.-Colonel Moore-Brabazon: Certainly, Sir.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Shinwell: When the Minister says it is not for him to answer questions of this kind, and when we are informed by other Ministers that it is not for them to answer, can we be told who is to answer?&lt;br/&gt;Lieut.-Colonel Moore-Brabazon: If the hon. Member raises a Question about the Customs, no doubt the Chancellor of the Exchequer would reply.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Shinwell: But when there is delay in clearing docks, and when everybody knows there is serious congestion at the principal docks, why do Ministers constantly "pass the buck" from one to another? Cannot we get some clear explanation of the position? Who is responsible? Is it the Government?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Garro Jones: Is it more important for the Minister to protect the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Customs Department than it is to inform the House of an important reason why the turn-round of ships is delayed?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Buchanan: Is not the Minister aware that the position in Glasgow is well known to any ordinary observer? Will he not take some interest in this matter himself and put it right?&lt;br/&gt;Lieut.-Colonel Moore-Brabazon: The position in Glasgow is not at all bad. It is probably as good as in any other of the Western ports. I refuse to be responsible for answering for the whole policy of the Government. I am in charge of my Department only, and if hon. Members want to question the whole position of the docks in a general sense, they must address a Question to the Prime Minister.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Davidson: Will the Minister deny categorically that there is a private agreement between the L.M.S. and the L.N.E.R. at the Shieldhall Docks?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. R. J. Taylor: Is the Minister aware that it is alleged that we are working on an entirely peace-time basis?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. De la B&amp;#x00E9;re: Is it deliberate that we should be eternally deceived?' title='DOCKS CLEARANCE, GLASGOW.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/docks-clearance-glasgow'></outline>
        <outline id='977063' text='Mr. Hunterasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that potato growers in England are in dire need of seed from Scotland, and that they are&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;568&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;prevented from getting that seed, for land already prepared, by the refusal of railway companies in Scotland to accept consignments of such seed potatoes from Scotland; and whether he will take the matter up with the railway companies?&lt;br/&gt;Lieut.-Colonel Moore-Brabazon: I am informed that in view of the large tonnage of seed potatoes to be transported from Scotland to England this year and the pressure on the railway facilities, arrangements were made in agreement with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food for seed potatoes consigned to certain counties in England and Wales to be sent by coastal shipping. Consequently an embargo was placed upon the forwarding by rail from Scotland of seed potatoes for these destinations.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Hunter: Is the Minister aware that there is some doubt as to the amount of coastwise shipping available? Will he make inquiries to ascertain whether there is any shipping and into the fact that at least two great companies are quite willing to extend consignments of seed potatoes but that other railways have refused?&lt;br/&gt;Lieut.-Colonel Moore-Brabazon: I will make further inquiries, but I understand from my right hon. Friend who is in charge of shipping that there is no trouble about taking seed potatoes. On the rail side, we are carrying over 2,000 tons a night.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Hunter: Will the Minister make further inquiries into the west coast shipping?&lt;br/&gt;Lieut.-Colonel Moore-Brabazon: Certainly.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Hunterasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the London Midland and Scottish and London and North Eastern Railway companies in Scotland have been instructed to refuse consignments of seed potatoes for certain counties in England; and under what circumstances, and by what authority, this has been done?&lt;br/&gt;The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Major Lloyd George):I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply on a similar Question on this subject which has been given to-day by my right --hon. Friend the Minister of Transport.' title='SEED POTATOES, SCOTLAND (RAILWAY FACILITIES)' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/seed-potatoes-scotland-railway-facilities'></outline>
      </outline>
      <outline id='977102' text='MINISTRY OF INFORMATION.'>
        <outline id='977104' text="Mr. Marcus Samuelasked the Minister of Information whether, when the German broadcasts quote the words of British subjects and name them in those broadcasts, he will send a transcript of the broadcast to the persons named?&lt;br/&gt;The Minister of Information (Mr. Duff Cooper): Yes, Sir. I am arranging that the suggestion contained in my hon. Friend's Question shall be adopted so far as it is practicable." title='GERMAN BROADCASTS.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/german-broadcasts'></outline>
        <outline id='977105' text='Mr. Hely-Hutchinson askedthe Minister of Information whether he is aware of the injury to our united war effort arising out of the propagation on the British Broadcasting Corporation, in war-time, of highly controversial political doctrines which many men and women are unwilling to receive; whether he is aware of the growing misuse for this purpose of the religious talks, preceding the 8 a.m. news, by anonymous speakers claiming the support of high authority in the churches for their views; and whether he will take power to control this abuse of public confidence?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Cooper: It is the policy of the B.B.C. to permit a fair balance in the free expression of all opinions except those which are opposed to the national war effort. Steps have recently been taken to ensure that religious talks receive the same general scrutiny as is applied to other broadcasts.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Hely-Hutchinson: Will the Minister, in the interest of fixing responsibility, take powers to prevent anonymity in broadcasts?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Cooper: That is another question. On certain occasions it might be desirable that a speaker should be known, and in others it might be desirable that he should not be known, but I will look into the matter.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Maxton: Will the Minister say what are the qualifications of the gentlemen who go over the religious broadcasts?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Cooper: The people looking over them have hitherto been looking over other broadcasts. It is not considered&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;570&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;desirable that politics should enter into religious broadcasts, and the point of the supervision is to ensure that they should not.&lt;br/&gt;Sir Herbert Williams:Is my right hon. Friend aware that two of these broadcasts have advocated two political schemes which have been condemned by annual meetings of the British Labour party?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Silverman: Will the Minister assure the House that the B.B.C. will do nothing to frustrate the general desire in this country that the world after the war shall not return to the parlous state that it was in before?' title='BROADCASTS (RELIGIOUS TALKS AND POLITICS).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/broadcasts-religious-talks-and-politics'></outline>
        <outline id='977107' text='Mr. Parkerasked the Minister of Information what steps he proposes to take to reconstitute the British Broad casting Corporation Board of Governors?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Cooper:I am not yet in a position to make any statement on this matter, which is under immediate consideration, and I hope to be able to make a statement next week.' title='B.B.C. BOARD OF GOVERNORS.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/bbc-board-of-governors'></outline>
        <outline id='977109' text='Mr. Garro Jonesasked the Minister of Information whether, after Press material it is proposed to publish has been submitted to a Service censor for voluntary censorship, and a request made that such matter should not be published on the ground of its potential value to the enemy, the Government have taken power compulsorily to prevent publication?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Cooper: No, Sir&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Garro Jones: Will the Minister consider the desirability of taking these powers if information available to the enemy has been published, in view of the present great difficulty of obtaining sufficient facts and evidence for a conviction in the courts?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Cooper: I have already given very careful consideration in this matter, and I have found how great the difficulties would be in enforcing any compulsory system. I think that far less good will would be obtained from the Press under a compulsory system. On the whole, it has been decided to maintain the present voluntary system, which has worked very well.' title='PRESS CENSORSHIP.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/press-censorship'></outline>
        <outline id='977110' text='Captain Cunningham-Reidasked the Minister of Information why dances are permitted every Saturday in the building of the Ministry of Information?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Cooper: Because it is the policy of the public service to give reasonable facilities for recreation on official premises for those who under present conditions must remain on the premises over a long period such as a week-end, provided the facilities do not interfere with hours of duty or involve a charge on public funds.&lt;br/&gt;Captain Cunningham-Reid: I am all for dances occasionally to help forget the war, but would it not be possible for these dances to be held outside the building? In view of the fact that there are men and women supposed to be working day and night at the Ministry of Information, is it very conducive to good work and concentration that a dance, where there is liquor, should be in progress in the same building?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Cooper: I do not think that the suggestion of the hon. and gallant Member that dances should be held outside the building is very useful. The only reason for the dances being held in the building is that people are compelled to remain in the building.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Vernon Bartlett: Is my right hon. Friend aware that these dances cost nothing at all to the State, that in anvcase the lights are on, that the orchestra is provided by a gramophone, and that the questioner is either ill-informed or very mean?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. McGovern: Can the Minister state whether pacifists are allowed to dance?' title='MINISTRY PREMISES (RECREATION).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/ministry-premises-recreation'></outline>
        <outline id='977112' text='Mr. Hely-Hutchinsonasked the Minister of Information whether facilities will be afforded for a five-minute broadcast, with full responsibility as to authorship, of the script submitted to the British Broadcasting Corporation, on Tuesday, 25th March, 1941, a copy of which has been forwarded to him by the hon. Member for Hastings?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Cooper: It is for the B.B.C. to decide whom they will invite to broadcast, but I shall be happy to use my good offices with the Corporation on behalf of my hon. Friend' title='SCRIPT FOR BROADCAST.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/script-for-broadcast'></outline>
        <outline id='977114' text='Mr. Bartlett(&lt;i&gt;By Private Notice&lt;/i&gt;) asked the Minister of Information whether, in order to keep the Yugoslav people informed of developments and to encourage their resistance to their Government&apos;s policy of surrender, the B.B.C. will temporarily cut down other European broadcasts and devote several hours a day to broadcasts in Serbo-Croatian?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Cooper: The B.B.C. have already increased their Serbo-Croat time period from 45 to 70 minutes, and a further 10 minutes are about to be added. This will provide six regular periods of news and talk, which is the same amount as is given in the Home Service. The number of available Serbo-Croat experts in England is limited, and it is more a question of lack of staff than of available time; it must, however, also be remembered that any alteration of the European schedule, for however short a time, inevitably leads to a loss of regular listeners in other countries. I am inquiring whether it may be possible to extend still further the time devoted to broadcasts to Jugoslavia.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Bartlett: Is it not a fact that in all these other countries the assurance that for the time being, in the hope of saving one more country from coming under Hitler, we have cut down the time normally devoted to them will be readily accepted, and that there is a considerable number of Serbo-Croats in this country who have put in for jobs at the B.B.C. in the past and who could be got at this moment?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Cooper: The suggestion will be borne in mind. We are doing all we can to find the necessary number of people who can speak the language. The Secretary of State for India, who includes a knowledge of this language among his many attainments, is broadcasting to the Serbo-Croat people to-night.&lt;br/&gt;Captain Plugge: Is my right hon. Friend aware that the transmissions to which he has referred are on short waves only and that short-wave receivers in Serbia are practically non-existent; and that owing to the failure of the Government to establish medium-wave stations in Cyprus, Malta and Gibraltar, no medium-wave transmissions from this country ever reach that part of the world? We have, therefore, left an open field to Germany to enforce the Axis views on the&#x000A;&lt;image src="S5CV0370P0I0293"/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;573&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;whole of the Balkans. Is it impossible for the Government to establish stations in Cyprus such as I recommended eight months ago in a speech in this House?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Cooper: The hon. and gallant Member is aware that we are steadily doing all in our power to increase the number of transmitters, both in this country and in other parts of the Empire, but it is not always desirable to say where they are and from what wavelength they are going to work. I am satisfied that while the number of short-wave receiving sets in Serbia is limited, the broadcasts we have delivered are widely listened to and are still being listened to by the Serbo-Croat people.&lt;br/&gt;Captain Plugge: Is it not a fact that under present conditions the whole policy of broadcasting facilities in this country is virtually in the hands of the engineering department of the B.B.C. and that when my right hon. Friend makes good suggestions for expansion they are turned down by the engineering department of the B.B.C. as impossible and that he is obliged to take their decision as final? Has he not some other body to which he can refer for an independent opinion on such a vital subject, and is it fair that the policy of expansion of such an important war weapon as broadcasting should be left in the hands of a B.B.C. department and not really in the hands of my right hon. Friend?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Cooper: I do not think that the hon. and gallant Member&apos;s question arises out of the Question put by special leave of Mr. Deputy-Speaker as one of immediate and urgent interest. If I were to answer it at any length, the House would be compelled to take part in a Debate on broadcasting.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. de Rothschild: In view of the difficulty that may exist with regard to receiving sets in Serbia, will my right hon. Friend urge the Greeks and also Ankara to broadcast in Serbo-Croat in order that the news from those countries could be heard in Yugoslavia and in order that the great effect which news from those countries would have would penetrate to the people of that country?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Cooper:Those countries can broadcast to Yugoslavia, and we are able also to broadcast to Yugoslavia from Cairo and other places.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Noel-Baker: As a considerable number of people in Yugoslavia speak Albanian, will the right hon. Gentleman consider increasing the Albanian transmissions in the next few days?&lt;br/&gt;Captain Plugge: With regard to the last reply of my right hon. Friend about the difficulties of obtaining transmitters, after my visit to America eight months ago I informed him that it would have been possible to establish two high-power medium-wave stations immediately in Cyprus, which would have covered the Balkans.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Deputy-Speaker: We cannot debate this matter on a Private Notice Question.' title='BROADCASTS TO YUGOSLAVIA.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/broadcasts-to-yugoslavia'></outline>
        <outline id='977116' text='Mr. Emeryasked the Postmaster- General whether he will consider the sale of post-cards to the public at a cheap rate, similar to the field post-cards used by men in the Forces, by which people in bombed areas may be able to communicate quickly with friends and relatives, thus avoiding the present blocking of telegraph and telephone facilities in these areas?&lt;br/&gt;The Postmaster-General (Mr. W. S. Morrison): Cards like field post-cards bearing alternative printed phrases would be admissible at 1d. printed paper rate of postage and it is open to private enterprise to provide such cards. The question of providing such cards already stamped for sale at post offices has previously been considered. I understand that there are various difficulties and objections, but I will again look into the question and write to my honourable Friend.' title='CHEAP POST-CARDS (BOMBED AREAS).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/cheap-post-cards-bombed-areas'></outline>
        <outline id='977117' text='Mr. Sorensenasked the Attorney- General whether his attention has been drawn to a recent county court decision which held that a man conscripted into an industry could not receive the same protection respecting the occupation of a house as a conscripted Service man; and whether, in view of this anomaly, he will take steps to secure that whether a man serves in the Armed Forces or is transferred from his normal work to work of&#x000A;&lt;image src="S5CV0370P0I0294"/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;575&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;national importance he will receive the same protection respecting house occupation?&lt;br/&gt;The Solicitor-General (Sir William Jowitt): I have been asked to reply. I understand that the case to which my hon. Friend refers related to an occupier who was not a tenant in the legal sense and that the court did not decide that such an occupier would, if he had been a person conscripted into the Armed Forces, have enjoyed a protection which is not available to persons conscripted into industry. I am not aware of any legislation now in force which makes such a discrimination.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Sorensen: Will my right hon. and learned Friend consider whether anomalies of this character do not exist, and, if they do, will he consider removing them?&lt;br/&gt;Sir W. Jowitt: I am not aware of any discrimination existing in the law to-day between the two sets of cases.' title="WAR WORK (HOUSE OCCUPIERS' PROTECTION)." type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/war-work-house-occupiers-protection'></outline>
        <outline id='977119' text='Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the extreme urgency of the need to increase the benefits payable under the National Health Insurance, in particular, sickness, maternity and disablement benefits; by what amounts it is intended to increase the benefits; and can he make a statement on the matter in view of the urgency?&lt;br/&gt;The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Miss Horsbrugh): I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a similar Question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Barnsley (Mr. Collindridge) yesterday.' title='NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/national-health-insurance'></outline>
        <outline id='977121' text='Mr. Thorneasked the Minister of Health in what way grants are made to the local authorities because of the high rates; and what amount has been granted?&lt;br/&gt;Miss Horsbrugh:Local authorities to whom financial assistance is afforded to enable them to maintain essential services receive, as and when required, monthly advances based on estimates of cash&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;576&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;receipts and payments. Except in special circumstances 75 per cent. of each advance is treated as grant, and the remaining 25 per cent. as an interest-free advance, in respect of which the Government retains the right to call for repayment after the war in the light of the financial circumstances then obtaining. The amount advanced to date is &amp;#x00A3;3,859,720.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Thorne: Would there be any difficulty in publishing in the Official Report the names of the local authorities which receive the money?&lt;br/&gt;Miss Horsbrugh: I must have notice of that question.' title='LOCAL AUTHORITIES (FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/local-authorities-financial-assistance'></outline>
        <outline id='977123' text="Mr. Gordon Macdonaldasked the Secretary for Mines to what extent canteens, either mobile or stationary, have been provided at the collieries throughout Great Britain; and whether the use made of such canteens is satisfactory?&lt;br/&gt;The Secretary for Mines (Mr. David Grenfell):Canteen buildings for the service of light refreshments have been provided by the Miners' Welfare Fund at about 220 out of about 1,000 collieries employing more than 50 workers. These are the only colliery canteens of which I have particulars. With very few exceptions they are in satisfactory use. I may add that I am at present in consultation with the Minister of Food regarding special supplies of food to miners which may involve the use of some form of canteen at the other collieries." title='COLLIERY CANTEENS.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/colliery-canteens'></outline>
        <outline id='977125' text='Mr. G. Macdonaldasked the Secretary of State for India whether it is the intention of the Government to make a further attempt to bring about a fuller and more complete co-operation between the various important sections of opinion in India in order to increase the war effort in that country?&lt;br/&gt;The Secretary of State for India (Mr. Amery):The Government, I need hardly say, are most anxious to see such co-operation and have constantly in view the desirability of furthering it, so far as any action on their part can contribute to that end.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Macdonald: In view of the statements of leading statesmen in India, and in view of the fact that as the war nears the East the problem becomes more vital, does the right hon. Gentleman intend to leave the matter where it is at present?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Amery: No, Sir; I hope not.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Graham White: Has the right hon. Gentleman any recent information with regard to a change of view on the part of the Moslem League?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Amery: I have no information except a paragraph I have seen in the Press.&lt;br/&gt;Major-General Sir Alfred Knox: Is it not true that all Indians whose co-operation is really of value are already co-operating in the war effort?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Macdonald: Is it not true that there are imprisoned in India many men whose services would be of great value to the war effort?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Amery: I hope to have the support of all Indians.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Sorensen: Will the right hon. Gentleman consider releasing those Indians who are in prison?' title='INDIA (WAR EFFORT).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/india-war-effort'></outline>
        <outline id='977133' text='BRITISH ARMY.'>
          <outline id='977135' text='Mr. R. Morganasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that there is now complete co-ordination between the Army and Air Force in respect of potential campaigning; and whether this precludes or includes the use of light aeroplanes by the Army for field operational work?&lt;br/&gt;The Financial Secretary to the War Office (Mr. Richard Law): I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Evesham (Mr. De la B&amp;#x00E9;re) on 12th November last, of which I am sending him a copy. The use of all types of aeroplanes in support of military operations has been fully con-considered.' title='CO-OPERATION WITH ROYAL AIR FORCE.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/co-operation-with-royal-air-force'></outline>
          <outline id='977139' text="Sir H. Williamsasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the subject of the destruction of a large number&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;578&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;of fir trees adjoining the gun site, particulars of which were furnished to his Department on 2nd December, 1940; and also whether he is in a position to supply information in respect of the supply of beds for the gun crew on the same site, particulars of which were sent to him on 31st December, 1940?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Law: As regards the first part of the Question, the fir trees to which my hon. Friend refers were cut down in order to secure a proper field of fire for the guns which could not be sited elsewhere in the vicinity owing to the nature of the ground. With regard to the second part, it was decided, in view of the temporary shortage of beds, to give troops sleeping in accommodation with concrete or stone floors priority over those sleeping on wooden floors.&lt;br/&gt;Sir H. Williams: Is my hon. Friend aware that the statement about the field of fire is obviously without validity to anyone who has been there, and further, with regard to the beds, as this site has been in operation since August, 1939, why are not the men provided with beds? Why was it that when a particular gun crew were moved, they had to take away three beds for 15 men and the other crew, when they came in, bring 15 beds with them? Does my hon. Friend really say that after 17 months of war the War Office are incapable of providing a sufficient number of beds?&lt;br/&gt;Mr, Law: With regard to the first part of my hon. Friend's Supplementary Question, while I have no doubt that his opinion even on matters which are purely military matters is of considerable value, I think that constitutionally we are bound to accept the opinion of our military advisers on strictly military points. With regard to the question of beds, as my hon. Friend knows, it is a fact that there is a shortage. It is regrettable, and the shortage is being repaired as quickly as possible.&lt;br/&gt;Sir H. Williams: Is my hon. Friend aware that the Office of Works cancelled a contract for 500,000 beds in 1939? Is he further aware that, although I have tried for four months to get information about the field of fire, up to now three of my letters have not been answered?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Law: I am aware of the cancellation of the contract. The explanation is a simple one. It was because in practice it was found to be impossible to fit the soldiers into the beds, as the contract provided for the supply of beds for evacuated children.&lt;br/&gt;Sir H. Williams: In view of that, can my hon. Friend say why the War Office took over 500,000 beds that were of no use to them?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Law: I have no doubt I could say why if in fact they had done so. They took over the contract, and as soon as they found what the beds were, they terminated the contract." title='GUN SITES.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/gun-sites'></outline>
        </outline>
        <outline id='977144' text='Sir L. Lyleasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to make a statement about the negotiations which have been proceeding between the War Office and the insurance companies in regard to the premiums payable on life insurance policies by members of the Home Guard; and whether he can say what is the policy of the insurance companies in the matter of premiums payable by policy-holders who are members of the Naval, Military and Air Forces generally?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Law: As the answer is somewhat lengthy, I will, with my hon. Friend&apos;s permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;i&gt;Following is the statement:&lt;/i&gt;&#x000A;The position of members of the Naval, Military and Air Forces of the Crown holding policies of assurance on their lives, issued before the present war became imminent, has been under consideration. Many of these policies were issued free of all restrictions as to occupation or residence and in these cases, of course, no question arises of any restriction of benefits or payment of any extra premium. Some policies were issued, however, expressly excluding particular risks, for example, participation in Naval, Military or Air service without payment of additional premium or adjustment of benefits. However, for such policies, issued on the lives of civilians who have joined for service for the war&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;580&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;only, the offices in general are as a concession at present paying benefits in full without requiring payment of extra premium. It is understood that they hope to continue this concession throughout the war. The concession does not necessarily apply to certain special types of policies, for example, assurances involving benefits of a temporary nature, contingent assurances, deferred assurances, or where a large sum is assured on an individual life. Nor does it apply in a few cases where, although the life assured was a civilian when the policy was affected, a special clause was included to cover exceptional circumstances.&lt;br/&gt;Where a policy containing a war service clause provides that an extra premium will be quoted for the complete waiver of the clause the offices feel that if asked to do so they must quote such premium to give the assured a contractual right instead of the concession.&lt;br/&gt;The special position of the Home Guard has been the subject of full discussion with the Life Offices&apos; Association, the Associated Scottish Life Offices, the Industrial Life Offices&apos; Association, the National Conference of Friendly Societies and the offices particularly concerned, and it has now been agreed that in the case of the Home Guard for all types of pre-war life policies which contain a war service clause consent will be given by offices to service in the United Kingdom in the Home Guard without requiring a policy-holder to pay an additional premium and without restriction of benefits, so long as the Home Guard remains as at present constituted as regards service in the United Kingdom and the service being voluntary and unpaid, the offices having the right to withdraw the concession after a reasonable period of public notice and alter prior consultation, as the case may require, with the War Office, the Board of Trade and the Industrial Assurance Commissioner, who is also the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies. There is, in fact, no intention of changing the constitution of the Home Guard. It is understood that the offices intend if at all possible to continue this concession for the duration of the war although they cannot commit themselves to this, if circumstances should change materially.&lt;br/&gt;This statement applies only to life assurance benefits and not to any accident&#x000A;&lt;image src="S5CV0370P0I0297"/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;581&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;benefits whether given by separate contracts or embodied in a life assurance contract.&lt;br/&gt;Registered friendly societies affiliated to the National Conference of Friendly Societies are not excluding liability for any payments due at death in respect of members serving with the Forces, who joined those Societies prior to the outbreak of war. They also propose not to differentiate in their treatment of members serving with the Home Guard. In both cases it is hoped to continue these payments for the duration of the war, though here again the position will require to be reviewed if existing circumstances materially alter. No change will be made without notice being given to the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies and to the War Office.' title='ARMED FORCES (LIFE INSURANCE PREMIUMS).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/armed-forces-life-insurance-premiums'></outline>
        <outline id='977147' text='Sir John Jarvisasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that 10 officers have been removed from Oflag VII. C/H and sent to a Stalag camp in Posen 21/10; and whether he knows of any reason for this transfer to an inferior camp?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Law: Inquiries are being made to ascertain the reason for this transfer.&lt;br/&gt;Sir J. Jarvis: Does my hon. Friend agree that the continued good treatment of German prisoners in this country depends upon reciprocity?' title='BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/british-prisoners-of-war'></outline>
        <outline id='977150' text='FOOD SUPPLIES.'>
          <outline id='977152' text='Mr. De la B&amp;#x00E9;reasked the Prime Minister whether, with a view to greater co-ordination, and in view of the already close interlocking of the two Departments, he will reconsider the creation of a Ministry of Agriculture and Food to take the place of the two separate Ministries which now exist?&lt;br/&gt;The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Attlee):I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer given to him on this subject on 18th February last.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. De la B&amp;#x00E9;re: Is my right hon. Friend aware of the vital importance of the unification of these two Departments with a view to organising the part which&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;582&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;agriculture shall play in the national economy? Will not the Government really give proper consideration to these matters since the part agriculture plays in the national economy is one of the most important questions that we shall have to face immediately the war is ended&amp;#x2014;and now too? May I have an Answer? My right hon. Friend does not seem to be giving us any enlightenment on these matters.' title='MINISTERIAL CONTROL.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/ministerial-control'></outline>
          <outline id='977157' text="Mr. Tinkerasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has considered the information sent to him by the hon. Member for Leigh, to the effect that eggs are used at a West End hairdresser's for shampoo, as many as four at one shampoo; and will he have inquiries made, and take steps to put a stop to this waste of food?&lt;br/&gt;Major Lloyd George:Although I do not wish to say anything that might prejudice consideration of this matter by the courts, I consider that the use of fresh eggs at the present time for the purpose of shampoos would be an offence against the waste of food Order. Inquiries are being made into the particular case to which my hon. Friend refers.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Tinker: Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman take some steps to prevent this going on. Statements in the paper of this kind cause people to wonder what is to happen when they are told to curtail their food?&lt;br/&gt;Major Lloyd George: I will do all 1 possibly can to prevent such waste.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Davidson: What can you do?&lt;br/&gt;Major Lloyd George: The hon. Member will realise that the shampooed and the shampooer are both committing an offence under the Defence Regulations." title='SHAMPOOING (EGGS).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/shampooing-eggs'></outline>
          <outline id='977158' text='Mr. Levyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether retailers will distribute any surplus of jam, marmalade or syrup, on the basis of first come, first served, without regard to quantity; and, if not, what instructions have been given to retailers regarding the disposal of any such surplus?&lt;br/&gt;Major Lloyd George: There will in fact be a very limited supply of preserves&#x000A;&lt;image src="S5CV0370P0I0298"/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;583&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;available above the minimum ration. During the first two months of this experimental scheme retailers are advised in their own interests not to sell any quantity other than the minimum since their replacement will be confined to their minimum requirements with a small addition for this first period only, to be used as a reserve against the needs of unregistered customers. Any surplus that may then be available is to be distributed among registered customers at the discretion of the retailer.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Levy:Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman give instructions that primary consideration shall be shown to people with large families?&lt;br/&gt;Major Lloyd George: I shall have to look into that.' title='RETAILERS (SURPLUS PRESERVES).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/retailers-surplus-preserves'></outline>
        </outline>
        <outline id='977164' text='MINISTRY OF SUPPLY.'>
          <outline id='977167' text='Mr. M. Samuelasked the Minister of Supply what dealings he has had with the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics with a view to the purchase of scrap iron for this country?&lt;br/&gt;The Minister of Supply (Sir Andrew Duncan): There have been no such dealings.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Samuel: Is my right hon. Friend aware that Russia is full of scrap iron?' title='RUSSIAN SCRAP IRON.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/russian-scrap-iron'></outline>
          <outline id='977170' text='Mr. T. Hendersonasked the Minister of Supply what applications have been made to his Department for a supply of steel for the purpose of erecting new plant for the manufacture of paper from straw from firms in England; whether he is aware that paper manufacturing firms in Scotland have the necessary plant but are unable to use it to its full capacity, mainly due to the high price of straw and shortage of supplies; and what steps he proposes to take to employ this plant?&lt;br/&gt;Sir A. Duncan:Applications for steel to extend existing plant to produce paper from straw have been granted to several mills both in England and in Scotland. I am aware that a shortage of straw has affected the production of some mills in Scotland; but I hope that as a result of recent agreements between farmers and&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;584&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;papermakers on the price of straw, and as more straw becomes available, all paper mills which can use straw will be able to make full use of their capacity.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Hendersonasked the Minister of Supply, whether he is aware that large quantities of straw for paper-making purposes are being loaded at railway depots in the South of Scotland and carried to East and South England, while the same material for the same purpose is being carried from the South and West of England to paper manufacturers in Scotland; and whether he will examine this waste of railway transport service?&lt;br/&gt;Sir A. Duncan: My information is that no paper-making straw has been taken from the South of Scotland to England, but that small quantities have been taken from England to Scotland because of a shortage of straw for paper-making in Scotland. Every effort will be made to reduce transport of paper-making straw to the minimum.' title='STRAW (PAPER-MAKING).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/straw-paper-making'></outline>
          <outline id='977173' text='Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware of the waste of paper at the present time due to irrelevant competitive advertisements of rival brands of drink and food; and whether, in view of the fact that such advertisements can no longer be justified from an economic or national standpoint, he proposes to take any action in the matter?&lt;br/&gt;Sir A. Duncan: The use of paper for advertising is already severely curtailed by restrictions relating to posters, circulars, and other forms of advertising. I am considering proposals for the extension of these restrictions.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Sorensen: Is the Minister aware that there is no point now in advertising the consumption of alcoholic liquor, seeing that its alleged value is already known? Therefore, under the circumstances, will he not take action to see that these unnecessary advertisements no longer appear?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Buchanan: Is the Minister aware that Members of Parliament had sent to them last week a useless calendar, which they were asked to return by post? Will he take steps to see that these useless things which no one wants are not sent?&lt;br/&gt;Sir A. Duncan: I am afraid it is hardly the function of the Minister of Supply to distinguish between advertisements of one kind and another. We are endeavouring to do it along the lines of restricting the amount of paper which may be used.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Buchanan: Am I to understand from that reply that no one can stop an obviously stupid and useless waste in time of war?&lt;br/&gt;Lieut.-Colonel Acland-Troyte: Will the Minister take steps to check waste in Government Departments?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Sorensen: From the standpoint of national economy, is not this wastage of paper quite unnecessary and unjustifiable?&lt;br/&gt;Sir A. Duncan: It is for that reason that restriction is severely applied to the amount of paper which can be used in certain directions.' title='ADVERTISEMENTS (USE OF PAPER).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/advertisements-use-of-paper'></outline>
        </outline>
        <outline id='977181' text='FOOD SUPPLIES.'>
          <outline id='977182' text="Mr. Rickardsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will give the producers' and retail prices of milk and eggs in 1913, and February, 1941, showing the percentage increase in each case and the normal average increased costs of production for both milk and eggs?&lt;br/&gt;Major Lloyd George: I doubt whether it would be possible to supply information relating to prices and costs of production of milk and eggs in 1913 which would be comparable with the information now available. I will, however, do what I can to meet my hon. Friend's request and will communicate the information to him as soon as possible.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Evelyn Walkdenasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what steps were taken by the milk traders, who gave the assurance that normal domestic supplies of milk might be reduced by approximately one seventh, to seek the opinion of their employ&amp;#x00E9;s, as to the practicability of operating the proposed scheme; and, in particular, whether the dairy roundsmen's trades union representatives were consulted as the major responsibility for rationing the&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;586&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;general public will rest finally with the dairy roundsmen?&lt;br/&gt;Major Lloyd George: Consultations regarding the cut of one-seventh in the domestic consumption of milk for non-priority purposes have been and are still being conducted with English and Scottish distributors representative of all types of businesses. While representatives of the roundsmen were not directly consulted, 1 can assure my hon. Friend that their position is receiving full consideration, and every effort will be made in the administration of the cut, to see that their task is made as easy as possible.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Walkden: Is the Minister aware that foremen, roundsmen, and managers are already holding a conference, and that during the past week-end strong resentment has been expressed by this conference against the proposals, which have already been denounced as unworkable? Would it not have been preferable to have asked the trade union for their poin of view on this vital issue?&lt;br/&gt;Major Lloyd George: I can assure the hon. Member that we should be very glad to see them.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Davidson: The Minister stated that their opinion was being considered. Will he specify exactly in what way the roundsmen's trade union are being consulted in regard to this point?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Walkdenasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will consider adopting immediate registration for supplies of milk for domestic use; and whether he will announce before the middle of April, as a guide for dairy roundsmen, what is to be the maximum unit of supply for each person?&lt;br/&gt;Major Lloyd George: No, Sir. My Noble Friend can see no need to apply the rationing procedure to the distribution of liquid milk.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. W. H. Green: Arising out of that reply, may I ask the Minister whether, in view of the possibility of the distributors finding it impossible to operate this scheme, he will seriously reconsider it? Furthermore, is he aware that the great co-operative societies of this country have expressed their opinion that this scheme is unfair to the consumer and is unworkable?&lt;br/&gt;Major Lloyd George: Of course, if the scheme proves unworkable, we shall have to reconsider it, because the whole object is to make it work." title='MILK AND EGGS.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/milk-and-eggs'></outline>
          <outline id='977190' text="Mr. Parkerasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why special privileges are being given to those connected with women's institutes in the distribution of sugar for jam-making; and whether he will consider distributing it through the local food control offices, which would allow all housewives equal access to such supplies of sugar as may be available for jam-making?&lt;br/&gt;Major Lloyd George:My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. No special privileges are to be given to members of women's institutes in connection with the distribution of sugar for jam-making. Permits to buy sugar for fruit preserving in co-operative centres will be issued solely by the food control offices: in rural areas the work of organising and equipping the centres will be largely undertaken by women's institutes, and in urban areas the food control committees have been asked to set up garden fruit committees, who will enlist the co-operation of various voluntary organisations in operating the centres. The centres will be open to all members of the public on equal terms for preserving garden fruit. Without the help that has been generously promised in the public interest by all these voluntary societies, it would be impossible to organise so many preserving centres and there would be a danger of much fruit being wasted.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Barnes: Will the Minister explain what that reply means? Will it be open to all members of the public, and does it mean that they can take their fruit with them and manufacture their own jam?&lt;br/&gt;Major Lloyd George: They do not have to be members of any organisation. It is open to anyone to go there and get their fruit made into jam.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Maxton:Can the Minister say why he singles out one particular voluntary organisation to perform this task? Is he not aware of the existence of the Women's Co-operative Guild, which should also exercise these powers?&lt;br/&gt;Major Lloyd George: I can assure the hon. Member that we are not con-&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;588&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;centrating on any organisation. The task of organising something like 4,000 centres in this country is a gigantic problem, and it happens that this particular institution has branches throughout the country. The scheme does not preclude other organisations taking part." title='SUGAR (JAM-MAKING).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/sugar-jam-making'></outline>
          <outline id='977194' text='Mr. Simmondsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what steps have been taken to prevent shops in evacuation areas from receiving quantities of unrationed commodities in excess of the fair requirements of the reduced population in these areas?&lt;br/&gt;Major Lloyd George: Statistics showing the extent of movements of population have been issued to manufacturers and distributors of foodstuffs, who have been asked to adjust their distribution arrangements accordingly. Further measures of control to regulate the distribution of the more important unrationed commodities are continually being considered. I would also refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 3rd December last to my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool (Mr. Robinson), in which I explained that the circumstances of some evacuation areas require special consideration.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Simmonds: Is it not a fact that, to a very considerable extent, deliveries of these unrationed commodities to retailers in evacuation areas are still based on a percentage of deliveries made to them before the war? Cannot the Minister do something more to implement the policy he has just announced?&lt;br/&gt;Major Lloyd George:We have already circulated to all the manufacturers of this country the changes in population. My hon. Friend will realise that the new schemes now coming forward for jams and preserves, and cheese, will, of course, make it much easier to obtain an equal distribution. We are keeping in mind the constant changes in population in the country.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Simmonds: Will not the Minister have a check made of the actual deliveries, say, during the present or coming months, to see whether in fact manufacturers are delivering in accordance with this request?' title='EVACUATION AREAS (UNRATIONED COMMODITIES).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/evacuation-areas-unrationed-commodities'></outline>
          <outline id='977198' text='Mr. De la B&amp;#x00E9;reasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, arising out of the necessity for a reduction in pigs and poultry owing to shortage of feeding-stuffs caused by the war, he will give an assurance that he will not further scale down prices again after a brief interval; and will he give every encouragement to people throughout the country to keep as many pigs and poultry as possible on waste foods?&lt;br/&gt;The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture (Mr. T. Williams): I have been asked to reply. Revised scales of prices for pigs and table poultry came into operation on 3rd and 17th March, respectively, and are designed to facilitate the necessary reductions in numbers of these classes of stock owing to shortage of feeding-stuffs. No changes, other than those indicated in the announcements to which I have referred, are contemplated for some time, but future price policy must necessarily be dictated by the needs of the situation. My right hon. Friend is already giving every encouragement to the feeding of waste products to pigs and poultry.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. De la B&amp;#x00E9;re: Is the Minister aware that the practice of scaling-down prices, then putting them up in one month, and scaling them down again, is clumsy and unjust, and shows evident signs of unfinished thought?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Williams: The hon. Member will be aware that the scaling-up as regards light-weight pigs and boiling poultry, was welcomed on the last occasion.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. De la B&amp;#x00E9;re: But the unfinished thought still goes on.' title='PIGS AND POULTRY.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/pigs-and-poultry'></outline>
          <outline id='977201' text="Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that it would simplify the task of distribution, and greatly reduce labour and costs, if all the members of a household registered for rationed commodities with the same shop-keeper; whether this has been considered; and with what results?&lt;br/&gt;Major Lloyd George: Yes, Sir, but my Noble Friend is unable to adopt the arrangement. It would necessitate compulsory re-registration which would 6e a. costly and laborious matter, and would&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;590&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;depart from the principle of allowing every individual a free choice of retailer.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Davies: Would it not be possible, when the Minister's Department is considering this matter later on, to introduce a publicity campaign to get all members of the same household to do their shopping in the same shops?" title='HOUSEHOLD REGISTRATION.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/household-registration'></outline>
        </outline>
        <outline id='977203' text='Sir L. Lyleasked the Minister of Shipping whether he is aware that when ships arrive in various British ports and lie off shore, often for a considerable period of time, there are few motor-boats, and these mostly of a slow type, available to enable the crews to communicate with the shore; and whether better arrangements will be made to enable these men who are performing magnificent service to their country to enjoy greater facilities for shore communication?&lt;br/&gt;The Minister of Shipping (Mr. Cross): I am anxious to make the best possible arrangements for the seamen in such circumstances, and I am writing to my hon. Friend in regard to the arrangements at the place which he has in mind.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Garro Jones: Are any officials specifically charged with attending to the welfare of the Mercantile Marine?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Cross: Yes, that is so. They are given authority for that purpose.' title='MERCANTILE MARINE (CREWS, SHORE COMMUNICATION).' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/mercantile-marine-crews-shore'></outline>
        <outline id='977211' text='CIVIL DEFENCE.'>
          <outline id='977214' text='Mr. Simmondsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it has been found necessary in any part of the country to apply compulsory powers to obtain an adequate number of unpaid fire-watchers?&lt;br/&gt;The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security (Mr. Mabane): From the reports which my right hon. Friend has received, it is clear that the Compulsory Enrolment Order will need to be applied in certain areas. It obviously would not be in the public interest for me to disclose the number or location of those areas before arrangements have been made.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Simmonds: Can the hon. Gentleman assure the House that his Department is doing all that is possible to prevent the authorities from falling into the easy way of paying watchers where it is difficult to obtain unpaid voluntary watchers?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Mabane: The authorities are not in a position to do that.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Noel-Baker: Is it not the case that in many towns so large a percentage of the people are working overtime on Government work that it is literally impossible to obtain watchers by the voluntary system?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. R. C. Morrison: Will the hon. Gentleman keep in mind that a good deal of the resentment against fire watching in certain districts is because people are not satisfied that the Order is applied to their employers?' title='FIRE-BOMB FIGHTERS.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/fire-bomb-fighters'></outline>
          <outline id='977219' text='Mr. Tinkerasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to a number of public air-raid shelters that, owing to poor material and bad construction, are unfit for use; and will he ask for a report from local authorities to see what is the extent of this and what they are doing to meet the situation?&lt;br/&gt;The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security (Miss Wilkinson): My right hon. Friend is greatly concerned about this matter, and, as he said in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher) on 20th March, he has obtained, in consultation with the Regional authorities, a general picture of the position, and has issued instructions as to the course to be followed by local authorities. He has also asked for progress reports on the measures taken, and the first of these reports are now coming in.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Lipson:Is the hon. Lady aware that these shelters were constructed on specifications prepared by the officials of her Ministry? Will steps be taken to deal with those who have been responsible for this waste of money?&lt;br/&gt;Miss Wilkinson: It was done at a time of great national emergency, and it had to be done with the materials available.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Sorensenasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that considerable resentment and indignation is felt by upwards of 2,000 shelterers, many&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;592&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;of whom have suffered severely from bombardment, and who are now threatened with the closure of the larger portion of their public shelter, particulars of which have been sent to him; and whether, in view of the anxiety of the shelterers and of their relatives in the Forces at the threatened eviction, he will take immediate action to prevent this taking place?&lt;br/&gt;Miss Wilkinson: As my hon. Friend is aware, there are good reasons why the continued use of this shelter is not possible. Steps are being taken to provide alternative accommodation.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Sorensen: While thanking the hon. Gentleman for his reply&amp;#x2014; [&lt;i&gt;Interruption.&lt;/i&gt;]&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Deputy-Speaker: Sir Cooper Rawson.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Sorensen&amp;#x2014;&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Deputy-Speaker: The hon. Member did not take advantage of the opportunity given him.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Sorensen: On a point of Order&amp;#x2014;&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Deputy-Speaker: Sir Cooper Rawson.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Sorensen: On a point of Order&amp;#x2014;&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Deputy-Speaker: Will the hon. Member please resume his seat.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Sorensen: On a point of Order&amp;#x2014;&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Deputy-Speaker: I have ordered the hon. Member to resume his seat. He must wait until the next Question has been answered. He is delaying the Business of the House.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;i&gt;At the end of Questions&lt;/i&gt;&amp;#x2014;&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Sorensen: On a point of Order. May I ask why I am not permitted to ask a Supplementary Question arising out of a matter of very great importance to my own constituents? In the circumstances, seeing that I began to ask a Supplementary Question and was interrupted by other Members, does it not seem a little unfair, with all respect to you, Sir, that I was not allowed to pursue this very important question?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Deputy-Speaker:I have also to consider the question of fairness to other Members. The hon. Member paused and in my opinion was preventing, and I think did prevent, another Member from asking his Question before the time expired.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Sorensen: Are you aware, Sir, that, in fact, after I had begun to ask my Question, there was a number of interferences with it? In the circumstances I submit that the responsibility for my pause does not rest with me but with other Members. May I ask whether you called them to order before you asked me to resume my seat?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Deputy-Speaker: I saw no reason to do so.' title='SHELTERS.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/shelters'></outline>
          <outline id='977226' text="Sir Cooper Rawsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the procedure laid down by the head office of the National Savings Campaign for popularising war weapons week; whether he is satisfied that this procedure, particularly in regard to the issue of a programme of events for the week, is not wasteful; and whether he will confer with the National Savings' headquarters upon the matter.&lt;br/&gt;The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Captain Crookshank): In view of the importance of securing the fullest possible publicity for War Weapons Weeks, my right hon. Friend does not think that the procedure recommended by the National Savings Committee is open to the criticism which my hon. friend suggests, but my right hon. Friend will be very glad to discuss the matter with him.&lt;br/&gt;Sir C. Rawson: Has my right and gallant friend seen the letter to me from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, describing this procedure as extravagant, which procedure was laid down by the National Savings Committee itself in a circular saying that some sort of leaflet would be required giving the programme for the week? In my constituency that will cost between &amp;#x00A3;400 and &amp;#x00A3;500.&lt;br/&gt;Captain Crookshank: My right hon. Friend will be pleased to discuss the matter with the hon. Member, and perhaps he will tell him all that." title='WAR WEAPONS WEEKS.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/war-weapons-weeks'></outline>
          <outline id='977229' text='Mr. Maxton: Do you not think it grossly unfair, Sir, that there should only be one Question left unanswered on the Order Paper? Having regard to the fact that the questioner is the hon. Member for East&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;594&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander), could we not have it answered?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Deputy-Speaker: The hon. Member must not invite me to go outside the Rules of the House.' title='QUESTIONS TO MINISTERS.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/questions-to-ministers'></outline>
          <outline id='977230' text='Captain John Seymour Berry, commonly called Captain the Honourable John Seymour Berry, for the County of Hertford (Hitchin Division).' title='NEW MEMBER SWORN.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/new-member-sworn'></outline>
          <outline id='977232' text="That they have agreed to &amp;#x2014;&lt;br/&gt;Consolidated Fund (No. 2) Bill, Determination of Needs Bill, and Ministry of Health Provisional Order (Shipley) Bill, without Amendment.&lt;br/&gt;Consequential Amendment to War Damage Bill, without Amendment.&lt;br/&gt;That they have passed a Bill intituled&lt;br/&gt;PUBLIC AND OTHER SCHOOLS (WAR CONDITIONS) BILL [&lt;i&gt;Lords'&lt;/i&gt;].&lt;br/&gt;Read the First Time; to be read a Second Time upon the next Sitting Day, and to be printed. [Bill 22.]" title='MESSAGE FROM THE LORDS.' type='link' url='http://hansard.millbanksystems.comhttp://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1941/mar/26/message-from-the-lords'></outline>
        </outline>
      </outline>
    </outline>
    <outline id='977236' 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 HERBERT, 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/26/preamble-1'></outline>
    <outline id='977254' text='ORDERS OF THE DAY.'>
      <outline id='977255' text='Order for Second Reading read.&lt;br/&gt;The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Bevin): I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;The object of this Bill is twofold. The first portion of the Bill introduces compulsory recruitment for the Civil Defence Services on, broadly, the same lines as for the Armed Forces. The second part of the Bill proposes to effect certain amendments of the National Service (Armed Forces) Act which experience has shown to be necessary. The Bill has been found necessary owing to the shortage in certain districts of whole-time workers for Civil Defence. After carefully reviewing the whole of the circumstances, the Government came to the conclusion that it is imperative that these Civil Defence Forces should be kept up to full strength. The House will appreciate that the original conception of the Civil Defences was based on a citizen force made up of local, part-time, unpaid volunteers, who would consent to be trained, equipped and organised by the local authorities, to come to the aid of their neighbours in time of need. And I should like to emphasise that, notwithstanding the necessity that has arisen to&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;604&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;introduce this conscripting Measure for Civil Defence Forces, the original conception of the citizen force remains unimpaired. In fact, it is fortified by the response that has been made all over the country to give this great service voluntarily.&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;I cannot give in public the exact figures of the force, but I am sure it is a matter for congratulation that 90 per cent. are giving service as part-time volunteers at this moment in their spare time, and there is no intention to depart from this principle. In fact, the nation has every reason to be proud of the high sense of duty and the courage shown by this great force. The way in which the service has carried out the stern tasks that have fallen upon it is one of the best demonstrations of the will of the people of this country to achieve victory, but from the start it was found necessary to provide in the more vulnerable areas a nucleus of whole-time personnel, and in other areas to rely almost entirely on part-time volunteers. I have no doubt the Lord President, as he has watched this great force come into operation, must have felt a sense of satisfaction at the conception and the working-out of this great scheme. It is true that there may have been defects here and there, but that is not due to the conception of the scheme, but, rather, to the British trait of not always recognising dangers until we are hit.&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;The position now has become one of difficulty. The increased call for the Armed Forces and for men and women for vital war industries, together with the intensity of air raids, has increased the demands made upon this force, and, I repeat, in some areas and in some services the nucleus of whole-time volunteers is below the requisite establishment. We are satisfied that this can be met quickly and completely only by adopting the principle of compulsory recruitment. It will be clear to the House that this Bill adopts that principle, and for the first time places the Civil Defence Services on the same plane as other Defence Services in relation to the man-power resources of the country. What has been giving us particular concern has been the shortage of recruits for whole-time service in the Auxiliary Fire Service, first-aid parties and the Police War Reserve.&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;We have adopted many expedients with a view to filling up these gaps. Some&#x000A;&lt;image src="S5CV0370P0I0309"/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;605&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;4,000 trained firemen were returned from the Array. Then we tried the expedient of interviewing men who registered for military service on nth and 18th January respectively, individually approaching them at the time of medical examination and giving them the opportunity of joining one of the services which I have mentioned. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Home Security made a personal appeal in the London region to join the Auxiliary Fire Service. With all this the results have not brought the requisite numbers for whole-time service. There are many reasons for this, arising from a variety of causes. There is no reluctance on the part of any of our citizens to take their share in the defence of the country&amp;#x2014;I want to make that quite clear&amp;#x2014;but when the men are called up in this way for military service and have been looking forward to the time of medical examination there is a natural inclination that such men should choose one of the traditional Fighting Services. Therefore, without an obligation being placed on them, indeed without the Civil Defence Services being placed on a par with the Fighting Services, the choice does not seem, in their minds, to come within the same category as the old traditional Fighting Services. We are quite satisfied that there are many who have no special inclination towards a particular Service who would welcome the provision now proposed, and others will respond willingly as soon as they are called.&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;This Bill accordingly proposes to make liable for Civil Defence service men who are liable for service in the Armed Forces of the Crown under the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, 1939. It imposes similar liabilities upon men who are registered under that Act as conscientious objectors, on condition that they take up some specified work of a civilian nature under civilian control. Civil Defence work is essential work of a civilian nature, and will continue to be under civilian control, and it is particularly humanitarian. We have taken steps which will safeguard conscientious objectors against being drafted into the police, because the police have sometimes to carry arms. 1 hate to disappoint hon. Ladies, but I have again to announce inequality between the sexes, because women are not included in the Bill.&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;606&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;It is not proposed to draft younger men into the Civil Defence Service, but to draw mainly from those over 30 or possibly 35 years of age. There is a proposal under consideration, about which no decision has been arrived at, to review the cases of men who have been placed in Medical Grade 3 on account of certain limited physical defects and who might, nevertheless, be quite capable of rendering Civil Defence Service. Under the instructions given to the medical boards, in reference to the standards that have to be observed for the Army, many things which have caused people to be placed in Grade 3 may not be very important for this Civil Defence Service. In addition, many persons now serving as wardens in the Civil Defence Service are of physical condition on a par with those who have been placed in Grade 3. I need not enumerate the kind of thing it involves, but careful selection will be made.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Silkin: Will that apply also to men under 30?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Bevin: Yes, Sir, certainly. There may be, for example, a man who has a finger off and who therefore is not available for the Armed Forces. He is probably a case for Grade 3, but he might be quite able to drive a lorry for the Civil Defence Service. Limited physical defects which cause men to be placed in a low grade for the Services may not exclude them from serving for Civil Defence. These cases will have to be reviewed very carefully. This proposal taps a source of younger men about which I know the House has been very concerned in the past. The endeavour will be made to place men in their home towns, and in the Services for which they express preference.&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;We shall utilise exactly the same machinery for calling-up as we use for calling-up for the Armed Forces, and we shall place before those who are called up the same form of preference as now applies for the three other Services. The House will be aware that the person who is called up can say whether he wants to go into the Navy, the Army or the Air Force. There will now be added this additional preference, which he will be allowed to select. The same provisions as to medical examination and application for postponement of calling-up on grounds of hardship will apply, as now apply to the other Services, but penalties are pro-&#x000A;&lt;image src="S5CV0370P0I0310"/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;607&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;vided in the Bill for men who fail to present themselves when called.&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;Perhaps I may now turn to the terms of service provided in the Bill. It will be appreciated that men are now enrolled in the Civil Defence Service, on either a whole-time or part-time basis, in the service of the local authority. The difference under the Bill is that men called up under it will be deemed to have been taken into the service of the Crown. A man may be posted to the service of a particular local authority, which means that the liability for him actually rests upon the State and not upon the local authority, although he might be transferred to the local authority. For disciplinary purposes he will come under the local authority first. Another point is that a man may be required to transfer and serve in any part of the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man. The Isle of Man may become a popular preference. [Hon. Members: "Why?"] I leave hon. Members to guess. The Government are anxious that we should be given power in the Bill to form the Civil Defence Force on a regional or possibly a national basis. It will be noticed that power is sought in the Bill to create that organisation if necessary. That is vital, because mobility is essential in Civil Defence, especially when heavy attacks come in certain districts. In addition, the man-power problem in some parts of the country is extremely acute. The heavy drain for munition workers, the long hours worked and many other causes make it difficult in some cases to fill up the required services.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Kenneth Lindsay: Do I understand from the right hon. Gentleman that there will be two categories&amp;#x2014;the ordinary local service as at present and a national service parallel with the other?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Bevin: There may be. Power is &apos;being taken to set it up if necessary. The idea is to get the power in order that the form of organisation may be kept as fluid as possible in order to meet the demand. Another important reason why men should be recruited as in the service of the Crown is that all men called up for the Armed Forces do in fact enter the service of the Crown and it was felt desir-&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;608&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;able that the two conditions should be kept as close as possible. It is also intended that opportunity should be given for whole-time volunteers now in the Service, and within the age of liability to be called up under the Bill and to accept general service, as opposed to local service only. While the new force may be on a regional or a national basis, opportunity will be extended, as the organisation develops, to those already in the Forces.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Riley: Will the Minister have power under the provisions of the Bill to call upon men up to 41 years of age?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Bevin:Yes, Sir. It is intended that men called up for service shall not receive less favourable treatment as regards terms of service than if they had gone into the Armed Forces. In this service it is extremely difficult to have precisely the same provisions, although endeavours will be made to approximate them. The rate of pay which is provisionally arranged will be &amp;#x00A3;3 10s. per week; that is the basic rate. It will be remembered that the original figure for the Civil Defence was &amp;#x00A3;3, and that &amp;#x00A3;3 was arrived at after careful consideration as to the value that a married soldier with one child was in fact receiving. After that examination, taking it all in, it was determined in the original scheme that &amp;#x00A3;3 was the comparative figure.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Rhys Davies: Will these conscripts be allowed to remain in their trade unions?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Bevin: The personnel of the Army, at the moment, is permitted to remain in the unions, and as there is a consultative committee, which advises my right hon. Friend in dealing with these problems, I should think that no objection could be raised on that point. However, perhaps the hon. Member will put his question to the Minister of Home Security later. When the original arrangement was made it was recognised that most of the whole-time volunteers&amp;#x2014;in fact, all of them, I believe&amp;#x2014;would have been living within reasonable reach of their homes, but under this Bill, as I have already indicated, they may be sent away, and this obviously creates new problems, which have to be met by new provisions. Therefore, provision must be made for those who must maintain their families in one&#x000A;&lt;image src="S5CV0370P0I0311"/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;609&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;place and provide for themselves in another.&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;Then, special arrangements have to be made for men absent from duty through sickness. But I am sure that it will be readily accepted that you cannot deal with all these details in a Bill. Powers have been taken to deal with them, and it is intended to consult the Consultative Committee, which for some time has been the channel through which these matters have been discussed with the trade unions and the men&apos;s representatives in the working out of these details. In Clause 3, therefore, it will be noted that the Minister of Home Security is enabled, with the approval of the Treasury, to determine these allowances, and it obviously will be his desire to treat the men on a level with those of the great voluntary forces already established. But if, in trying to approximate to the Service arrangements other problems are raised, especially those dealing with sickness and injury and matters of that character, it may also in time involve adjustments the other way round, in order to try to keep the two sections approximating as near as possible. If men are posted away to another district and are not provided with quarters, it is intended to pay them on the basis now existing in the Transfer Scheme of the Ministry of Labour of 24s. 6d. per week.&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;Another important point is that we hope to arrange that the men called up for Civil Defence shall be entitled to apply to the War Service Grants Advisory Committee for the relief afforded to soldiers in respect of civil liabilities contracted prior to liability to Military Service. So I think that on the question of conditions, the Government have tried to meet every contingency in a reasonable way. It is further intended to provide that men called up for Civil Defence shall, during periods of temporary sickness&amp;#x2014;whether on account of injury or otherwise attributable to service, provided that sickness is not due to misbehaviour or is not contracted when off duty&amp;#x2014;receive allowances enabling them to maintain their dependents and themselves. Hon. Members will note that sickness is brought into the scheme as well as injury. That deals with the main points of the first part of the Bill relating to Civil Defence.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. R. C. Morrison: The Minister mentioned only fire brigades. Could he say whether it is pro-&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;610&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;posed to transfer men to any other sections of the Civil Defence services apart from the fire brigades, such as the rescue and demolition sections?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Bevin: It may, and it can, apply to other services, but if these points on the first part of the Bill are raised in Debate or by questions I would prefer my right hon. Friend to deal with them in his reply. While I am responsible for the National Service side of the Bill, the problem of administration is really one for the Ministry of Home Security. The House will appreciate that on the administration side, I am not conversant with every detail.&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;May I now turn to the other provisions of the Bill, which are intended to amend the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, 1939? These amendments relate to the provisions of the principal Act dealing with conscientious objectors. Thanks to the principles adopted by Parliament in the original Act and the administration of that Act, this problem has given rise in this War to comparatively little controversy. There may have been individual difficulties with some employers and some local authorities, but I can say, from a very close and intimate knowledge since I have been in Office, that in the last months it has been reduced so that there are scarcely any cases of difficulty arising. Of course, you always get somebody who wants to go further than Parliament, and that is not always limited to local authorities. Liberty of conscience as a principle has been accepted by this House and by the nation, and, indeed, it was emphasised again only last week in the words of the Prime Minister who said:&#x000A;&lt;quote&gt;"Anything in the nature of persecution, victimisation, or man-hunting is odious to the British people."&amp;#x2014; [OFFICIAL REPORT, 20th March, 1941; col. 284, Vol. 370.]&lt;/quote&gt;&#x000A;If any person in the country, of any party, takes it upon himself to go further than Parliament has decided to go, we must be conscious, in the words of the Prime Minister, that he has acted in a manner odious to the whole nation. The community has shown that it is tolerant and generous towards the conscientious objector, and has given him a double opportunity of proving his case. On the other hand, I think the public and this House have a right to expect that the conscientious objector himself will loyally accept the verdict arrived at by the tribunal, and in the majority of cases this&#x000A;&lt;image src="S5CV0370P0I0312"/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;611&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;is so. But there are those who refuse to accept. [An Hon. Member: "Hear, hear."] My hon. Friend says "Hear, hear." Very well, we may as well shut up Parliament and abolish the law. If you give the citizen a right to a judicial hearing, and proper consideration of his case in the courts of the country, I think the public is entitled to ask that he should accept the decision.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. McGovern: Can the right hon. Gentleman explain why such a large proportion of those who are associated with this Bill refused to accept that decision in 1914?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Bevin: The administration of the law in 1914 and its administration during this war are entirely different things.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. McGovern: Absolute nonsense.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Bevin: Experience has shown that there are loopholes in the existing law, and that advantage has been taken of them. The first amendment of the law deals with refusal to submit to medical examination. The present position is that a person who so refuses can be taken before a court and fined &amp;#x00A3;5. It is now found that this is not limited to conscientious objectors; others are refusing to submit for entirely different reasons, and a week or two ago I was asked a Question in the House on this very issue, in regard to which the questioner alleged that a prominent Fascist who had refused medical examination had got off scot free. That is an intolerable position in view of the obligations to which the rest of the citizens of this country have to submit, but at the same time I think that a forcible examination would be repugnant and we have not indulged in that. We have also found that in some cases the courts have sent men to prison, but that there is no power in the present law to let them out. They are therefore imprisoned for an indeterminate time, which also is unsatisfactory. To put a man in prison for an undefined time created an intolerable situation. We therefore propose to lay down a maximum period of two years&apos; imprisonment or a maximum fine of &amp;#x00A3;100.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Lipson: Before which courts will these men appear? Will they appear before the local benches of magistrates or what?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Bevin: They will appear before the courts of summary jurisdiction.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Benson: Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this is not a very large extension of the powers of the courts of summary jurisdiction? I do not think that at present they have power to impose sentence of two years&apos; imprisonment; I think six months is the limit.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Bevin: I think it depends on the seriousness of the case whether it will be dealt with by the courts of summary jurisdiction or by conviction and indictment. Clause 5 (4) reads:&#x000A;&lt;quote&gt;"(4) If a conditionally registered conscientious objector fails to comply with any condition on which he is registered, he shall, unless he satisfies the court that he had reasonable excuse for the failure, be guilty of an offence under the principal Act and liable&amp;#x2014;&lt;/quote&gt;&#x000A;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;(a)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds, or to both such imprisonment and such fine; or&lt;/li&gt;&#x000A;&lt;li&gt;(b)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months, or to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds, or to both such imprisonment and such fine."&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&#x000A;That is, of course, a maximum. This gives the court the power to deal with the matter quite clearly, instead of the present indeterminate position. There remains a second difficulty, which relates to conscientious objectors who fail to comply with the conditions on which they have been registered that they must take up specified work. We have found that conditions have been imposed upon conscientious objectors who have not been able to fulfil them. Either there have been physical reasons, or they have been unable to get the kind of work they have been told to get. In such cases the Minister will have power to refer the case back to a local tribunal. That will avoid any prosecution and if, after such reference back, the local tribunal comes to a decision, the Minister cannot then prosecute provided that the new decision of the Tribunal is carried out. There is also the case of wilful failure to comply with conditions. At present under the Act there is no sanction to meet the case of wilful default. We therefore propose to meet the two situations under the proposed Amendment with the same penalty, which I have already indicated&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;image src="S5CV0370P0I0313"/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;613&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;Still another difficulty has arisen with regard to conscientious objectors in connection with the kind of work for which they are registered. If a person is registered for land work, hospital work, civil defence or similar duties, he remains on the conscientious objectors&apos; register, but if he is registered for non-combatant duties, he is passed into the services and his name is immediately transferred from the conscientious objectors&apos; register to the military register. Representations have been made to me to the effect that there is a feeling, which we are very anxious to meet, that to be transferred willy-nilly from the conscientious objectors&apos; register to the military register implies in the mind of the man, and sometimes in the minds of his friends, that he has ceased to hold his conscientious convictions. Therefore we propose a new method, under which, although a man may be put on combatant service, his name will be retained on the conscientious objectors&apos; register; and those whose names have been transferred from that register will now have their names transferred back. Then there is the case of the conscientious objector who passes the tribunal and afterwards alters his mind, and decides to take up combatant service. At present the machinery is extremely cumbersome. The man must either go back to the tribunal to get sanction to transfer, or he must be given his discharge and an attestation form to volunteer for the Army. If he goes through the latter process, he loses all his rights under the original Act in regard to reinstatement. Having looked into this carefully, we came to the conclusion that the right way was the simple administrative one, under which, if a man decides to change from non-combatant to combatant service, we automatically transfer him, and he retains all his rights under the National Service Act. I think that is a very desirable change.&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;I turn to the question of hardship. There have been many cases, especially during the "blitz," where, because of difficulties of transport, or for other reasons, men have arrived to make their appeals before the umpire, and have found that one, or perhaps both, of the assessors have been unable to attend. That involves loss and difficulties for the person concerned, as the case has to come forward again. We now propose that&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;614&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;if in an emergency assessors cannot attend, the umpire may decide the case. Then there is the question of a renewed application, for an extension, under the hardship conditions. If a man does not apply within 14 days of the date fixed, he has lost all right of appeal. That has happened in many cases. Hon. Members have written to me asking whether in certain cases discretion could not be used, but, although I have often felt that there was good ground for the exercise of discretion, the Act is absolutely arbitrary. We ask the House now to give us discretion to deal justly with such cases. I do not need to elaborate on Clause 9. It is intended merely to clear up certain ambiguities about people resident in the country.&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;Clause 10 is rather important. During the passage of the principal Act, an Amendment was introduced which allowed certain people to escape their obligations in regard to reinstatement. Put simply, the Act provides that if a man who receives his calling-up notice has been put off about two days before, there is in fact no obligation upon the employer. I am quite sure that the House never intended that. We seek by this Bill to put right that weakness, in order to carry out effectively what we believe to have been the orgininal intention of the House. I ought to refer to Clause 11, which provides for the simplification of the procedure of prosecutions. The first Sub-section re-enacts the provisions of the Defence Regulations, and extends those provisions to the prosecution for similar offences under the present Bill. I think I have now covered the main essential provisions of the Bill, to which I ask the House to give a Second Reading.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Ammon: I understand that the right hon. Gentleman has to leave very shortly for another engagement; but, no doubt, some of the points which we make will be brought to his attention by the Parliamentary Secretary.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Bevin: I thank the hon. Member for his courtesy.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. McGovern: Did the Minister intimate that fact to the hon. Member privately?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Ammon: Yes, he apologised.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. McGovern: I see; he does not tell the Opposition, but only supporters of the Government.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Ammon: It was an act of personal courtesy.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. McGovern: I have no objection at all to that, but I think the Minister might have intimated his intention not only to the hon. Member but to the House as a whole.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Ammon: I understand that the Home Secretary will reply to this Debate. I think all the proprieties have been complied with. I think that the House, with one or two exceptions, will agree that, having regard to the present condition of our national affairs and to the need for prosecuting the war, this Bill had to come at some time or another. That being more or less accepted, there can be very little more for us to do than to examine its provisions, to see that, so far as possible, we safeguard those rapidly shrinking liberties which we have, and that it fulfils exactly the purposes for which it is introduced. The first thing that stands out is the fact that there is no suggestion in the Bill as to the number of persons likely to be involved. It is for an indefinite number. The Minister opened up a rather doubtful question when he said that when a man seeks to enter the Armed Forces he has the right to choose whether he will go into the Navy, the Army, or the Air Force, and that now there will be another choice open to him. I do not think that that is quite accurate. It is not a question of allowing a man to chose whether he will go into the Armed Forces or into Civil Defence; it is merely a matter of recruiting additional people for Civil Defence.&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;The other criticism that I have to make is that this Bill is characteristic of the way in which we do things in this House &amp;#x2014;and, I suppose, of our national habits generally&amp;#x2014;in that it takes two bites at a cherry. We may, before long, have to reconsider this whole question. It will be impossible soon to maintain both the voluntary system and the conscription system side by side in the same Service. The Minister has said that there is no intention of departing from the voluntary principle. That means nothing, because you have departed from it; the Bill itself is a departure from the voluntary prin-&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;616&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;ciple. We appear to be looking for a good deal more trouble, and probably discontent and friction, by seeking to maintain these two things side by side. Before the declaration of war we had the Army and the Territorial Force, but when war was declared they were combined. If we had kept them separate, we would have been in great confusion and difficulty. That is the major criticism that I have to offer with regard to the Bill, and I ask that even now the Minister should give the matter some further consideration.&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Woolley: Is the hon. Member now suggesting that part-time voluntary service in all Civil Defence Services should be abolished?&lt;br/&gt;Mr. Ammon: I am not suggesting anything of the sort. There is full-time voluntary service, and you cannot run the two things together. It will not be long before certain questions arise and circumstances ensue when such people see that, for instance, "X" is paid for this service and that, therefore, such a person is in an altogether different position. That is a point which must be taken into consideration. I imagine that the answer of the Minister will be that under this Measure the demand will not be uniform throughout the country; that there are some parts of the country where there is a plentiful supply to meet the needs of the Civil Defence forces, and in other parts there is not, and, therefore, I think it will not be necessary to apply this conscription force, although it can be applied throughout the country, to one part as against another. Even that will by no means remove the possible difficulties that may arise.&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;There are other problems with which, no doubt, the Minister who replies can deal. What is to happen in regard to reserved labour? Will they be broken into by this Bill? What is to happen with regard to difficulties that will be experienced where firms on armament production are already finding difficulty in getting the necessary labour and are complaining about it? Here we have another pull on that same pool which will add to the present difficulties. One of the great difficulties already experienced in some of the factories engaged in the manufacture of armaments is that of getting labourers, and it is very likely that, in regard to the&#x000A;&lt;image src="S5CV0370P0I0315"/&gt;&#x000A;&lt;col&gt;617&lt;/col&gt;&#x000A;force to which we are now proposing conscription, the difficulties will be extended.&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;On the question of the discipline of the proposed force, as I read the Bill, it seems to be neither one thing nor the other. Which is to be the real authority&amp;#x2014;the local government authority, the regional authority, or a central board? It seems to be a mixture of the lot. The difficulty will be, whether it is under the A.R.P. controller or not, that other problems will arise, all of which will cause a certain amount of difficulty and interfere with the smooth working of the Measure. Will the operation of the Bill be extended beyond the three Services? Broadly speaking, I think I am right in saying that the present objective is to meet the demands in the Auxiliary Fire Service, the Police War Reserve, or the first-aid or ambulance service, but I see nothing in the Bill to prevent it from being applied even further. Perhaps the Minister will deal with that matter. The Measure may be very widely applied to the wholesale conscription of labour, for which in present conditions there may be a great deal to be said, but it would be far better to face the issue fairly and squarely than to arrive at it by devious means, thus making it more difficult. It will also raise suspicions and objections in the minds of people which need not be there if people are dealt with fairly and squarely from the outset.&lt;lb/&gt;&#x000A;Will the medical examination be on a military standard? I imagine from what the Minister said that certain persons who could not be taken into the military categories might be taken in this connection. Will the pena