Sir William Davison: asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, owing to the internal dislocation of transport in Germany, no Red Cross parcels have recently been reaching the prisoners-of-war camps; and whether special lorries can be placed at the disposal of the International Red Cross for this purpose, to meet the serious position which has arisen.
Sir William Davison: Is my right hon. Friend aware that, by reason of Allied bombing, transport between Germany and Switzerland has practically ceased, and that more than 1,000 tons of Red Cross parcels are lying in Basle Post Office, while 100,000 tons of stores are retained in Switzerland, as the Germans cannot accept delivery?
Sir William Davison: asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that land and buildings requisitioned by Service Departments for war purposes can at the end of the war be compulsorily purchased by such Departments under the Defence of the Realm Acts, 1842–1935, and that local authorities, public amenity societies and individuals will not have the protection afforded to them under the provisions...
Sir William Davison: Does my right hon. Friend think it reasonable that public amenities societies, local authorities and individuals should have their property taken, as indicated in the Question, under the Defence Acts, without the safeguards and the right of appeal given to them under the Requisitioned Land and War Works Bill? It seems to be an anomaly which should be altered.
Sir William Davison: asked the Minister of Works whether any steps have been taken to appoint inspectors who are empowered to visit the various premises where bomb damage repair work is in progress and will report to him as to any dilatoriness or unnecessary delays by the contractor or his employees in carrying out the work.
Sir William Davison: Is my right hon. Friend aware that these cases of dilatoriness, about which Members get many letters from observers, are greatly resented by the great majority of the men, who are doing splendid work? Could he not strengthen up his inspectorate to enable him to get to know of things which ordinary members of the public see when they pass the houses?
Sir William Davison: asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware of the infestation of Hyde Park by rats and, in particular, of the island which used to be a breeding ground for wildfowl; what action is being taken to deal with this matter; how many rats were destroyed in accordance with the Ministry of Food Infestation Order of 1943; and whether any report was made to the Ministry as required of local...
Sir William Davison: Is it not a fact that owing to the large number of rats on that island in Hyde Park, the wild fowl which used to breed there and were a great feature of the landscape, have ceased to breed there; having been driven off by the rats? Does the Minister not think it wrong that his Ministry should allow this infestation to take place in a Royal Park, when all the London boroughs are being urged...
Sir William Davison: asked the Minister of Education what steps are being taken to improve the present methods of training men and women desiring to enter the dairy industry; and whether he recognises the urgent need for additional workers with university degrees in the industry.
Sir William Davison: What university course is there suitable for giving the scientific instruction required?
Sir William Davison: asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the serious delays occurring throughout the London boroughs in the collection of dust by reason of shortage of staff, making in many cases collections only possible at fortnightly or even three weeks' intervals, whereby dust has often to be dumped on the roadway; and will immediate arrangements be made for the release of suitable labour to...
Sir William Davison: Does my right hon. and learned Friend realise that in many flats there is no room for the storage of dust for two or three weeks and that tenants are compelled by force of circumstances to remove it and dump it in the highway? Is not this a matter of great urgency?
Sir William Davison: Will not the Government find proper accommodation for these men and their families?
Sir William Davison: Will my right hon. Friend assure the House that any benefits or gratuities payable to men in the Forces on their discharge are paid promptly on their discharge, as is the case in both the American and Canadian Forces; will he see to it that they are not paid after considerable delay, which prevents men taking up employment or new businesses?
Sir William Davison: asked the Minister of Works what steps are being taken to tighten up the supervision of men engaged in war damage repair work, of which particulars have been sent to him, in view of the volume of complaint from members of the public as to the lack of energy shown and unnecessary delays in carrying out such repairs.
Sir William Davison: Is my right hon. Friend aware that I am getting quantities of letters from all sources as to dilatoriness and lack of supervision and complaints of work taking weeks which could be done in a few days?
Sir William Davison: asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction which exists throughout the country at the hardship occasioned to jurors, who are not remunerated and have often to travel long distances and incur lodging and other expenses, in not being reimbursed for such out-of-pocket expenses; and will this matter be dealt with without further delay.
Sir William Davison: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that judges and lawyers, and Lord Mersey's Committee, which dealt especially with this matter so long ago as 1913, have repeatedly recommended the payment of fees and expenses to jurors, who not only suffer from having to pay out-of-pocket expenses but lose time in attendance at the court; and is there any reason why jurors should not at least be reimbursed...
Sir William Davison: asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that business firms are asked to remove their plant from certain localities, of which he has been informed, to areas many miles away, for the benefit of production, but that the Government refuse to give any undertaking that they will return the plant after the war is over, or at such time as the plant has served its purpose for...
Sir William Davison: Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that it seems very unfair and unreasonable to ask a firm to allow their plant to be removed to a long distance away from their location and not to give them some assurance that when the plant is finished with after the war it will be returned to its original place of working?
