Air Ministry Bulletin. 21/11/39 -No.l .. NOT TO BE QUOTED AS OFFICIAL .ANNOUNCEMENT! BOXER'S PRESENT FOR_ R._j\.F. Eric Boon, lightweight champion of Great Britain, is presenting a Challenge Cup for boxing to a Royal Air Force Bomber Station. He announced the gift from the ring when he gave the airmen nn exhibition of shadow boxing. Boon's show wns staged during u tournament of fourteen contests between R.A.F. and Army boxers. Six fights went to the R.A.F. and eight to their guests. Air Ministru Whitehall~ s.w.1. 21/11/.22,____-__N_o_._2_. THIS ADDRESS WILL BE PREFACED BY A SHORT SPEECH .fi.Y MR. GEOFFREY LLOYD, M.P., SECRETARY FOR MINES. MINERS' WELFARE CONFERENCE, 21st NOVEMBER, 1939· Opening Speech by the Chairman - Major General The Rt.Hon. Sir Frederick Sykes, G.c.r.E. etc. P.C., G.c.s.I., NOT TO BE PUBLISHED BEFORE 12 NOON. It gives me great pleasure to welcome you here today and it is very gratifying to see such a good attendance notwithstanding war-time preoccupations and the present inconveniences of travelling. I regard it as a clear endoro~t of our policy of carrying on as usual. The Secretary for M1nes has told us that to produce coal in greater quantity than ever is essential for the .prosecution of the war, just as in peae.-e-time 3oal is necessary for the prosperity of the country. Miners today are front line soldiers of the home front and it is for the Miners' Welfare Fund to assist in keeping this home defence force in good heart and in good health. At. a time like this when the country has suddenly suffered a complete change of conditions of living and working, there seeme~ to be more, rather than less, need for a conference which provides an occasion for discussing difficulties and doubts. Full apyortunity f~r this will be given after these opening remarks and when we come to item 2 of the agenda. The Central Committee appear today for the first time in the mantle of a Commission. As Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd has said this is an his~oric event inasmuch as it 'is a recognition of the value of the miners' welfare schemes that have been established and of the need for an organisation of the status of a Comrnission for preserving and developing them. In principle, it does not involve any change in the administration, or in the part to be played by the District Committees, but in details the conduct of the administration will be facilitated. For example, it will now be possible for the Central Cormnittee to enter into and to enforce contracts, agreements and legal documents as a body, thus avoiding the difficulties and disabilities arising from individual re_eponsibility and changes of membershipo I wish to associate myself with Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd in thanking the members of the Central Con~aittee for agreeing to continue to serve on the new Co1111~ission, and I am glad to be able to welcome Mr. Drummond who has been appointed to the seat added to the Commission by the Act of this year. Mr. Drummond brings to our counsels the long experienc.e of the Ashington Coal Company in welfare work, and will form a valuable link with the N0 rthumberland District Committee of which he is a member. The Welfare Fund Act passed last March, which established the Commission also increased the output welfare levy from td to ld per ton, the additional td being applicable to the building of pithead baths, as well as the £375,000 a year applicable under the Act of 1934· The addition is for five years during which period the receipts for baths will be about £840, 000 a year, commencing 191..t.O. The contracts placed last year amounted to £649,000, and · preparations had been made to increase the progrm'Tll'l1e to about £715,000 this year and to £840,000 next year. --2 .As already stated it is our intention to maintain the programme so .far as practicable. Our contracts this year have in fact already reached £522,000 and \We hope to place further contracts which will bring the total for the year up to about the same figure as last yearthough the war has prevented us from reaching the higher figure amied at. The placing of new contracts suffered temporaryinterruption as an immediate result of the outbreak of war, but this phase seems to have passed, and we have had satisfactory responses to recent invitations to tender for some new installations in placeswhere local conditions are f avourable. There are of course difficult­ies in obtaining some of the necessary materials and equipment, but we have been able to take action which will, I believe, surmount these difficulties for the ~resent. What the future has in store I cannot say, but it would perhaps be too· optimistic to forecast that we shall be able to carry out our expanded building progrannne upon the scale originally planned. Moreover costs are pretty sure to rise, and there may come a time when they become so high that it would obviously be wrong to continue building. Meanwhile it is a satisfaction to report that, while some delays inevitably occurred in the cortstruotion work in hand upon the commencement of hostilities, fair progress is now being maintained generally and there is no indication at present that more serious delays are likely to arise in the near future. Since the outbreak of war, nine new installations already have been completed, and we expect to double this number before the end of the year, making a total of 56 new installations and 2 extensions completed duDing 1939· ':Jhis number is much larger than the number completed in any previous year., Comparing it with 47 completed last year and 21 the year before, we see the measure of the acceleration which has taken placein the provision of pithead baths in recent years. The total number of installations completed or under construction at the end of 1939 will, it is estimated, be 344 and the number of men qccormnodated will be 428,000. The progress of baths building is shown in the diagrams on the wall, from which you will see how much it has been expedited during the past two or three years. The baths in operation are as successful as ever and the standard of cleanliness and upkeep has been well maintained, Management Committees having paid careful attention to the advice t endered by the central staff on their visits to baths in operation as well as to baths preparing to open. It is now possible to transfer some of these duties to the District Organisers, though retainingthe present essential link with the Central Committee, and this transfer has become necessary because the war has deprived us of some twenty of our staff, including those upon whom these duties chiefly fell, namely Mr. Parker who has been taken away for an imiJortr_cnt war appointment, and his ass iste.nt Mr. Slade who has been recalled to the Army. These losses are a great handicap because war conditions have brought a large increase in the problems to be dealt with and the difficulties to be smoot hed· out. Uoreover it seems likely that heavy demands will be made upon the resources of the District Organise~s in relation to recreation and social welfare schemes as well as pithead baths. Meanwhile the attenuated central staff have made big sacrifices to cope with the situation, and, I believe, with a large measure of success. I may mention at this point that in July our Chief Architect, Mr. Forshaw, left us to be appointed as Deputy Architect io ~he London County Council, a post in which his professional attainments will receive even wider scope than with ua. Mr. Kemp has been appointed as Acting Chief Architect, the outbreak of war havingnecessitated a postponement in the filling of Mr. Forshaw' s post. -3 ­ Turning to the work of the Districts Fund, it has again been my good fortune to visit a selection of schemes in n number of districts this year. I greatly appreciate the warmth and sincerity of the welcomes extended to me and I was much impressed by the work that was going on under the direction of the District Committees and by the excellent co-operation between them and the Distriet Organisers appointed to them. I also visited three other District Committees chiefly to discuss the question of giving them the services of a District Organiser appointed by the Central Committee, should they so wish. Two of the three have already accepted our offer, so that 20 of the 25 distri©ts have now taken up this scheme which, I am assured, has everywhere proved of great benefit in securing good value from the eA"Penditure of the Welfare Fund • .An item of special note in this connection is the survey which has been carried out this year by our District Organisers in collaboration with the District Committee regarding the welfare facilities available for mining communities in the South Derbyshire coalfield. The report of this survey gives particulars of all the schemes andrevelopments, catering for every branch of welfare work, in all the mining communities· of this coe.lfield. It provides a complete statement of the facts and the conclusions to be drawn from them, which will, 1 I feel sure, be of great assistance to the South Derbyshire District Committee whenever they require ·to consider recommending grants from the Districts Fund and especially the preparation of a five-year plan for the appropriation of future receipts. We will gladly, with South Derbyshire's permission,supply copies of the report to other District Committees, if desired~ to assist them in considering the preparation of a similar survey, and we are willing to assist them in carrying it out. one. of the most enterprising of Districts Fund developmentsthis year has been the Holiday Centre provided at Skegness by the Derbyshire Cormnittee. I had the pleasure of opening this Centre early in the summer and I am glad to be e.ble to congratulate the Committee, and particularly Mr. Hicken who made the Centre his personal responsibility, upon the success of its first season. We shall hear more about it from Mr. Hicken a little later this morning. A scheme of this sort has the merit of being linked directly to the industry. It caters entirely for miners and their families, and it is maintained successfully by their payments at very advantageous rates for the benefits enjoyed. Another noteworthy achievement during the year is the virtual completion by the Fife District Committee of their pooling scheme under which miners throughout the District have a levy of a penny or twopence a week deducted from their v1ages at the pits. These deductions are pooled and distributed amongst the welfare institutes in shares proportionate to the number of miners resident in the areas served by the institutes. Naturally it meant a great deal of work and propaganda on the part of the District Committee and Organiser to persuade the miners to agree·to ·the levy. thought that you would be interested to see some of the pasters used to popularise the work of the Mine~s' Welfare Fund for this purpose; and I have had some put on the wall behind me·. Several other developments of special interest are in progress or under consideration by one or other of the District Committees, including Warwickshire's pioneer boys' club, of which the foundation stone was laid by the Duke of Gloucester in the summer, and a proposal to add to Horden Pithead Baths a clinic for the treatment ot: rheumatism and similar ailments. It would. take toO" long for me to enumerate all such developments} and I have said enough to.show that District work continues to be ac.tive and progressive, which is also borne but by the fact that thfu;·allocations of t)le Districts Fund during the last 12 months ho.ve exceeded the rece~ipts. -4­ As I have already suid, our polioy is to carry on with our work so far as practicable, botn to maintain the essential national service of' miners' welfare and also to sustain other home industries. This policy allows new contracts for Districts Fund buildings and recreation grounds, as well as Baths buildings, provided that satisfactory and reliable assurances are obtainable from the contractors as to their supplies of labour and materials. At the ~ outbreak of war we experienced temporary dislocation of building operations, and reluctance to tender on the part of contractors, owing to demands for war emergency work. For this reason, in our circular letter of the 10th October, we set a limit of £750 on new building contracts. Conditions are now easier, so that this · limitation may be withdrawn, but it remains absolutely essential to examine local conditions carefully before placing any new contract, so as to be assured that sufficient supplies of labour and material will be available for its completion, Timber supplies being controlled, it is essential to economise in its use, and not to use .timber if. an alternative material is available. It would be unwise to contract for :the construction of any new building in timber unless the contractor ae.tually holds a sufficient stock in his own yard, which is unlikely. It must be added that because of the uncertainty of prices of materials it is advisable to arrange contracts on a price fluctuation basis providing for adjustment in respect of any rise or fall. Miners' Welfare schemes have benefitted this year by a substantial number of grants from the National Fitness Council (of which our member Lord Aberdare was Chairman) and had expectations of many more, but to our great regret the work of that Council was suddenly cut short by the war. One of the wartime troubles with which we have been faced has been the requisitioning of a large number of m1ner.s' welfare schemes (institutes, baths and convalescent homes) for A.R.P. and other war purposes. Being anxious to assist the national effort, we do not, any of us, wish to raise objection to the requisitioningof a proportion of the premises if it .will not unduly interfere with or curtail the normal use of the scheme by the mining cormnunity. If requisitioning goes beyond that, however, we must consider whether the requirements of the requisitioning authority cannot be met by other means, because our schemes have very important work to do for the home front during the war• .. I am glad to know that the central staff have been able to assist District Committees and Organisers in their efforts to secure the release of requisitioned schemes, where justified. A reasonable measure of security in the future has moreover been assured by making arrangements vvtth the Government Departmentsconcerned that our schemes will not be taken unless the circumstances are exceptional and that requisitioning will, wherever possible, be done by agreement with the Local Welfare Committee who should of course always refer to the Distriet · Committee or Organiser irmnediately upon receiving notice of requisitioning, even though the notice has not yet been put into writing. The requirement of obscuring lights has of course raised problems at pithead baths and institutes in common with other buildings. In the case of baths, we took a decision last Julythat we would make a grant from tpe Baths Fund to cover half the cost, provided that the measures taken are approved and are reasonable in cost, We have also agreed to accept recommendations from District Committees for grants from the District Funds to institutes upon the same conditions. This is a matter for the discretion of the District Committee both as to whether grants should be made to institutes in their area and whether the grant should cover the whole or only a proportion of the cost. -5 ­ We had a useful discussion of these war problems at a meeting of some of the District Committees at the end of September, but I should not be surprised if since then other q\l.9f'Jt1ons have arisen for discussion. .An opp()rti,mit.y f'..or. .. this ·will be g1ven at the conclusion of my . .r.eme:rRs. The only other point I want to mention at this stage is the .Annual Report. We debated this last year at some length and I think you will agree that the ensuing Report was probably the best that has yet been issued. While the war may put restrictions upon the next issue, it would be helpful to hear any suggestions that have occurred to you for further improvement. The separate chapters for each District seem to have been much appreciated, and two Districts asked for reprints of their own chapters for wider distribution locally.. Some copies of these reprints are available for any representatives who may be interested. While I think I am justified in giving a very encouraging account of the work of the Miners' Welfare Fund during the past 12 months, war conditions will in the future present difficulties in our work as in most other directions. The Central Cor~aittee and their staff will spare no effort to meet them squarely and I am sure that, relying upon the whole-hearted collaboration of the District Committees as in the past, the resul.ts__ for·which we are all working will not show any de~erLoration but will rnain~ain.. the progl'.'ese of r-ecent._years.. -------000------­ 21/11/39 -No.3. Speech to be delivered by Mr. Geoffrey Lloydj M.P•. , Seeretary for Mines, at the Miners' Welfare .Annual Conference, on Tuesday, 21st November, at 10 a.m. I am very glad indeed that Sir Frea_erick Sykes has given me this opportunity of meeting a really representat·i ve body ot those who, in the various coal mining districts, carry on the worlc of miners' welfare. I have seen for myself, during my visits to the districts, quite enough to r~alise how much time and trouble are devoted to this work, and it was with very ereat pleasure that I signed yesterday an Order under the Act passed eo.rlier this year which transforms the Miners' Welfare Committee into the Miners' Welfare Connnission. This is not, as you know~ ~ mere change of title, but by making them a body corporate it enables them to hold property and to enter into contracts. This, I trust, will enable them to proceed with their work in the future even more erficiently than has been the case in the past. The immediate reason for the introduction of the recent Bill was the necessity for providing adc.itional funds for pithead baths by raising the levy from ~d to ld ~er ton. One feared that with the outbreak of war it would be difficult to secure supplies of material and possibly of l o.bour for this purpose, and I am glad to hear that it hns proved ~ossible not only to make progress with the building contracts already let, but to enter into certain new contracts for pithead baths. But in war time another aspect of welfare activity becomes of even greater importance than in ~eace time ; I can best deseribe it as the social side. It is essential that the life not only of the miner but of his wife Hlso should be made as comfortable as possible. We ijlust all expect inconveniences in time of war, but I believe that the existence to-day as compared with 1914-1~, of the canteens and institutes provided by the • 2 ­ Miners' Welfare Fund will do much to lessen these inconven­iences. There is a further significance too in this contribution to the health and general well-being of the minere The coal industry has been called upon to produce more coal in the interests of the nation. The response to this appeal will be largely governed by the health and general well-being of the men within the industry. You may remember that during the last war the Ministry of Munitions set up a special branch to provide social welfare amenities for munition workers; it has recently been announced that the War Office are appointing welfare officers for the Army. I think I may congratulate the coal mining industry that they have in existence an organisation, both in the districts and at headquarters, which has already provided social ameni.:lties in a large measure, and is in a position...-t-0 Jre.ep-t.hem__in.­operation. Before I close, I should like to say again how glad I am to have this opportunity of meeting you, and how grateful I am, ­and everyone.......e.1se conce.rned -for the work you have done in using to the best advantage what the late Right Hone Tom Richards used to describe as "the magic pennyo" --------000------­ Po.nners 7 in comrnon with nearly all other traders, have suffered hardship 9 j_nconvenience and often loss in J0he inevitable dislocation that war "brings to any basic industryo The ·war to date has been so differe£1t from what we expected that at times we almost forget we are at war and are surprised when things do not proceed with their peace-time smoothnessft But ouI' merchant seamen, who bring us our food and feeding-stuffs from al;road, can have little doubt that we are at war; ~nd farmers in their vital t ask of producing these commodlties at home are no less determined because there have yet been no desperate battles on land or in the airo Their job runs hand in hand with that of the Navy and the Merchant Marine, and farmers have been in this war since the beginning, up to the neck, fighting the U-boatso But it has meant a drastic re-orientation of an industry to which it is more di~ficult to apply sudden changes than, probably any othero And we have not only had to change some 0f the technique and long-established customs of the industry, but also adjust them to the general picture of the nation's war-time activitieso Home food production is only one piece of the intricate jig-saw puzzle that somc=how enabled the peace-time consumc=r to put a wider choice of food on his dining table thGn any other in the worlco Uncertaipty Removedo The stress of war has forced us to carry out, in dsys. re-organisation that we could nut have undertaken in as many m0nths :i.n normal times; so, of course, there have been untidy ends ru~d pieces? anomalies and even abuses0 But they are being s tra.i.ghi:ened outo The promise of full control for sales of fat stock, for example t should mean the removal of one large load of 1. uncertainty~ As 5con as it is a;~licd t te Finistry of' Food will bo tha only b0yers cf f~t stcck, at fixed prices accor~jng been pi1bl~_shed an.(_,_ th8y &.1~·.i. r<.X';:i1ns.te to t1:.e prese11t ma.ximTui1 pr-ices a steadyin~ effect. 3~les have ten~ed to ecse up; buyers' of:ers have hs.rC:.Ened in ·SOule cettle nar~ets w·here bidders CJ.p·c.iear to k-1.\'8 I~ adlltlon9 it haa ~9en o~ri~ially announced that adju.ot:nent in tr--esG prices v:ill be made frum t1me to time in the light of seaaon~l trenes and v2riations in proili1ction cost . 7ar a price for his f&t cattJe. Sellers of stee9, tco 9 have been guaranteecl a.n av er'U.k,3 price of 1/-per lb . dressed carcase v:eight over t~e year. Pi;s have alraady had a rise of 2/-per ~H~0rc since tt.e fix0d pric0 for thc:Tt was first introdc.1ced, a::id t~1e~_r price will co~1tin11.e to be regulo.ted by t he cost of feed2.::1ss with rega::."'d al co given to cl1JJ.nses necessit ate:J. by rrnr condi ti.)L.S. S11pe~"l .13eef (\ Tr,ere remains the Question of the cuper-guality cattle that comrnanclecl 9 ssy, 52/-to 55/-in ;\IJerdcen or Ipswich9 v.'hcn tcc­grs.de cattle elsov•hsre ''/ere fetchint:; 8.-oout 48/-. Consideration io now bein£ given as to how f ar it is possible to deal with t his special c ase j -out 10·0 cs.nnot in wartime afford to use the fcfiding stuffs for producing s11J:;er-beef cattle with quite th0ir peacetime bloom. But there are cattle of the true beef type tJ.iat ca.n mature into first-class beef without such feeding 9 provided they &e given t :'lC cha:1cc . Defore this war many fatteners w0re being fo::-1;ed i nto rather extr0-ve.2ant habits and were killing such co.tt~c as 11 ba.by11 beef be.fore tl'1ey had tj_r11e to realise their nost valuable potentiality, na:i1ely to produce first--clase. beef on a diet of l i ttle or no cake or corn. Under present conditions i t m~y well be n~re desirable to l et them run to maturi ty on almost entirely a grass diet and l{:ill them at 12 cwt . or more. In the a.rabl e areas, where 2. f'att.ening is a slower process, it may only be possible to produce one lot of yard catt,le instead of two. Roots will save the use of starchy foods; hay of good quality will reduce the guantity of protein-rich calces. Moreover, in the last ten years, it would seem that there has been a tendency to over estimate the fattening bullock's protein requirementso x x x x x CA'l'CHHTG THE EA...~Y 3 I'l'E. Prepare jJow For Next Spri!!_g What with ploughing up and feeding stuffs d.ifficulties, farmers this winter will look forward with more eagerness than usual to "the time when the grass comes". i'Tothing more can be done now to increase the amoun.t of winter grazing, but there are ways and mea,"".ls of starting growth as early as possible next spring. The impor~ant thing is to decide now which fields are best suited to produce early grass. The 1 ighter, well dre.ined la11d is to be preferred; for no amount of fertiliser will make heavy, wet land come into bearing early~ Sheltered fields sloping to the South are desirable and unless a sward contains a good. proportion of early grasses such as peren ial ryegrass, cocksfoot, rough stalked meadowgrass and meadow foxtail it is very little use trying to get an early bite from ito There is one other important considerationo Grasses store u~ reserves of food in their roots. An autunm. rest encourages development in the root and bottom of' the stern, but continuous close grazing prevents such development occurring. Therefore pasture that has had a rest in late summer or early autunm. will respond best to manurial treatment. Dressin_g w_i th Sulph~~~-E?_~f-~nno_nia The best time to apply the nitrogenous f'e-:·tiliser wi 11 vary wi -Ch the season. In late districts the end of Febr~ary or early March is soon enough; but in earlier districts the :~irst half of' February may be a more suitable time. Experiments over five seasons in the Eastern Coui1.ties suggest thc..t an application of 1 Ciwt. sulphate of a.rmnonia per acre early in February ~an usually be relied upon to produce an additional 7~ cwt. of grass per acre by the second week in April. Ni tro:zen i s the main factor in i ncreasing the amount of' early growth, but there ml.rnt be adequate supplies of phosphate and potash in t he soil. Fields deficient in lime are unsuitable if only because t he herbage is likely to contain a too high proportion of late species. VVhere good pasture ha.s re~-eived proper treatment in the previous year, a nitrogenous top-dressing in early spring has enabled ~ to r3 acre to provide early grass for 1 cow for 15days. Dung or liquid manure applied before 1st January may be equally effective and farmyard manure has the additional advantage of protecting the gr ass from cold winds and frosto Temporarv Grasf2__.,_ Temporary grass, say, of one to four year's duration, starts grovvth some weeks earlier than permanent grass and responds more readily to stimulation. Italian ryegrass is pre-eminent in producing early spring keep, while the ordinary comrnercial strains of perennial ryegrass and cocksfoot that form t he bulk of temporary mixtures also shoot up quickly i n the spring and so are well adapted for forcing. It should be remembered t hat early spring grass is a laxative; consequently dairy cows should not be turned in for more than a few hours each day and their grazing should be supplemented with hay. In this w_ay the rich y1>ung grass can be made to go farther.. x x x x PI.JOUGE I NG FOR A mnGHBOUR . ~tv Comrnittee May Guarantee Payment. Farmers have been busy buying tractors for the plough-up campaign ano_ there are now at least 4, 000 more at work than at the outbreak of waro Those who have finished their ploughing will be doing a national servi~e i f they can plough for a neighbour who is behindhand. 4. doing the 2lo'_1ghi.n:=; &.r;._1} d.<:;Cnct tl e cost from the £2 per acre payment. R-,DOI":-0 i'i"'l''['' -, •.-,. r>r '·'tl _,_.;.,<, 1\1lJ_' '1i s t.rv o·f' A~;· y> i cul·hu•'e \.....• .J: .JI~ .. -• .!. ...--.~·....·,.-...1..-. v ... ~. ,1 .&.•J. , _._, t,.. .J--0 ..... --.. V ~ indicati::J.:; t.!-1<:1.t fu:LL us~; i~:; not ·bci:1·:; ii:ade of all the Governnient tractors in the hu~1ds of the Count;y C-:>mmit·ce0s. Par•:;1ers who eq_uiprunt or '<'i:Lti.1 th-3 hel:? of' i:.ei;_:h"hours or pr•ivate contractoI·s ~ are rernL1d.ed chat th:=:r•e :i.n th.is r·onervG of tractor pmver to x x x x 3~tter B··.0t rrices. .... _---~.....-~-~-- .... ~----·­ particul2_:i....ly in t :.1e c1.ir .~:ct:ions of .l.J.bot'.r 8.:.1ci tr::;_nsport. Even so, the new contr2ct pricc3 se ~n re&sonably attractive . 'Nhen all the aQ.-,r.:,,_:::ccs a.re tc.'ck.en LYto consideration the total increase ~ver last year worlcs out at 4/1ld. l_Jer ton ia an average year. Moreove l"', the assuri:n.tce is ci ven that these prices will be reviewed if it c?.:.n be ests.blished that costs have increased since l\i'ovember 1938 to an o:::tent not fuL.y covered ·by this contract. x x x x Field and factor; should be made on dry, well-drained sites and covered with straw as soon as practicabl e. The straw "roof" should not be covered with soil too soon, or ventilation ·.vill be impeded; but if there ls a thr eat of i.nt ense eorly frost, further -qrotecti on should oe given v1i thout delc..y. The clamp ean then be given necessary ventilation by inserting bundles of straw leading from the straw "roof" to the out er air, pr efer ably on the sheltered (gener ~:tlly the south) side of the clamp, In very cold l~calities and exposed Dositions a further covering 01' lj_tter may be t empor arily necessary. ,.. o. Mangolds are easily damaged by frost so they should be lifted before the end of November and stored in heaps or clamps which should be immediately covered with about a foot of straw or bracken, on top of which a good layer of soil should be placed about a week later. Ventilation is just as necessary as with potatoes and the same methods should be used. x x x x SELLING PIT PROPS Meeting a Present Need A question which many landowners and farmers are now asking, is the manner in which they can respond to the present need for pitprops. Any coniferons timber is suitable, and plantations now being clear felled for the purpose lie between the ages of 20 and 35 years. Thinnings from older areas are equally suitable, but thinnings alone will prove insufficient. Suitable areas can be offered to a timber merchant, or to the Timber Control (Elmdale Road, Bristol, 8), or the owner may decide to employ his own labour. The maximum price for standing trees is 7d. per foot cube, for straight material, reasonably close to a hard road, and within a mile or two of a station. If the owner fells, the price is increased by l~de If he-also1llld:!:~takes haulage to station, the figure is ls.4td. Felling is best done by a horizontal saw cut near ground level. The tip is cross cut at 3 inches diameter under bark. Small sticks may be cross cut at 2 inches. The largest tree that will make a prop has a quarter girth at breast .height of 6~ inches. The most important operation is the careful removal of side branches and snags, so that no splinters remain to hinder handling. Crooked stems should be rejected at an early stage, if needless costs are to be avoided. Bark need not be removed. Seasoning is carried out by stacking, off the ground, in heaps of 100, 10 layers of 10 each, close by a hard road. With drying winds a few weeks will suffice, otherwise several months may be called for. The poles should be despatched in full length, leaving cutting to length to be carried out at the colliery. 7. RTa informati.o::-i of the :::r2ss. For the -= _ .. _ ________---....--·-· ­ Visits to the Reception Areas -·--..,--....~-~-,,,.--"'---~-...--...-··-·''_ 'The first trains for wl1ic:1 clrnap at Reduced '_ _,,__...,,_,,...,.,,.__ day return fc.:i::-::s may be obtained by those wishing to visit c~1ildren and otirn:>'.'s e7s cuated under the Government scbeme will be running on Sunday9 3rd December 9 from various stations in the London area in accordance with the arr•angement s announced by the Minister of Transport in the House of Cornrnons on the 15th Novembero The trains will be as follows :­ From.. lo Euston and Willesden.. 2o Sto Pancras 9 Kentish Town 9 1;1est Hampstead and Cricklewood., 3o King's Cross 9 Finsbury Park9 Vfood Green and New Barnet . 4o Liverpool Street, Strntford9 Ilford9 Chadwell Heath and Romfordo 5o Liverpool Street and Hackney Downso 60 Liverpool Street 9 Stratford9 Ilford9 Chadwell Heath and Rmiiford. 7 o Marylebone 9 ;3udbury and . Har•row Roa.do So 1Jaterlooo 9o Paddingtono lOo Paddington., 1., Walver-ton 9 J:fortharnpton and Hu_gbyo 2. Kettering and Oakhan1.. 3., Cambridgeo 4o Stovirmarlrnt 9 Ivlellis 9 Diss and Norwich Thorpeu 5., Cambridge 9 Ely and t1mrch., 7.,, Calvert 9 Finmere 9 Brackley9 Culv,-o rtl1 9 'Joodford and Hinton9 GJ.1t:1r1!1elton9 Hugby and Lutterworth. Bo Sernley 9 'l'ernplecombe 9 Yeovil 'l'own9 AxrninLo;te r 9 I-Ioni ton9 Exeter and :Gxmoutl10 9. Radle;y 9 Oxford and Banburyo lOo Newbury 9 Hungerford9 Westbury9 Frome and 'l'aunton.. (Details of the train times and fares are given in the ~•o• attached appendix)., Special cheap fares will be available on trains running to other towns in the reception areas on the 10th and 17th December. The arrangenients for these days will be announced latero -2 ­ Tickets at the special cheap rates wjll only be issued at the railway booking off'ic::es of the statjons from which the trai.ns will run ancl on pre3e:ntc:__,,ti on of' a voucher with the appropriate fare. 'l'he London Count;1 Counc::'.l, the Town Councils of Acton, Barking, Brentfefr-d and Chiswick, Dagenham, Ealing,East Ham, Edmonton, Gravesend, Horns{~y . ·, Ilford, Leyton, 'Tottenham, Walthamstow? West Han: and Willesden and the District Councils of ·Northfleet and Thurroek have agreed to unclertake the work of jssuing vouchers~ Applicants for the vouchers who live in London should attend. at one of the London County Council schools in their neighbour­ hood which will be used as voucher i ssuing centrese Notices will be posted on all school notice boards indicating the nB~rest centrea The London teachers havs volunteered to interview applicants, issue t h_e necessary vouchers and give advice as to fares, times of departure and arriv8l both on the outward and return journeys, ., the names of towns and villages served by road transport services from the detraining stations, and any other available information which wil: be of help to the applicant& Applicants may apply for vouchers for persons other than themselves. The London schools used as voucher issuing centres will be open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p. m., commencing on 23rd November . The arrangements for the issue of vouchers j_n the Boroughs and Urban Districts on the outskirts of London will be an..,.·•10unced local ly. For the trains running on the 3rd December vouchers must be obtained on or before Saturday, the 25th November. 21st Novernber~i2.2· 17339. _ ,______ Apoendixo Schedul es of train times and cheap day return fa 1•es for Sunday 9 3rd Decem·ber 9 1939., £ offio 8. omo Pndo i ngto:i.1 6.ef)::1rt ·s:-5·5 Banb'.lry de)art 6.,30 Esol ey ar•r>iv·e 10040 Oxfo::.:'d " 7.,10 O::i)or·cl q 10050 Hc..dl ey " 7. 20 ll e25 ~alin~ (Broadway ) arrive 8050 " Ps.6.d.ington 9. 5 " Fro;i1 l.'addington to ­ Sod e Fs.dley '7 o B. Oxfor·d 8 06 0 Ban b ~t:r'Y 8ollo RETURNo r:1_r~~.::'.-112 . ---­ .Q21TI0 J2offio Padd j_ngton dooart 9.,30 Taunton depart 6. 15 Newbi.:;.ry arrive 10. 35 li'r'011,e 7.15 " Hungerf ord II l Oo ;)5 West bury 7.25 " 1:lestbury l lo 45 Hungerford II 8., 10 " Freme 12e0 noon New'bur y 8. 25 " " Ta unton 12055 Polne Ealing (Broadway) arrive 9.30 " Pa 9 0 7. Vi::: O .~2..0.!.. )2:;..0..!. Liver~)OOl 8trc~ct depart 8., 5 Norwich Thorpe de~art 60 5o If Stratford 8~15 Diss II 6040 I lf'o:rJ. II 8025 Mellis 6.50 " Chadvv-ell Eeath II 8"33 St ovnnarket II 7.15 II. Rornfo:c•d s,,~w Rornford arrive 9ol5 st0 \7IEO rke t arrive 10025 Cliadvvell Heath II 9. 25 Mellis 10.45 Ilford II 9o 30 Diss II l Oo Ei5 Stratford u 9o4:0 Norvvich Thorpe II llo30 Liverpool Street II 9o 50 DAY...P:.-~1'Uf(tL Ff:E.PS _::_j:_H.J.E]) CLASS o FROM Liverpool Street Stratford I lford. Chad'Nell Eeath Hornford So dQ Go da Go do So do So d o TO Stmvmetrket Mellis lOo llo 60 Oo 10., 2o 10. 60 9o l Oo 9o 6. 9o l Oo 4 o 6 0 9o lOu Oo 6 . Diss lL o. 11. Oo l Oo 6 0 10. 6 . 10. 60 Norvdch ~C':::iorpe 11. 6 .. llo 60 llo 60 l lo 60 llo 60 RE'rURN • .§; • m?.. ili.~ ~ Liverpool Street depart 8010 8025 March depart 6. 0 Haclmcy Downs 8020 8035 Ely· 6030 " " Cambri dge arrive l0n5 Cambridge 7o 0 " Ely l0o30 Hacl{ney Downs arrive 8.35 March 10040 Liverpool Street 8045 " " DAY HE1'URlLJr..AHES -T~HRD CLASS . FROM Liverpool Street Haclmey Dovms TO So d. So d .. Cambridge 7o 60 7 0 o. Ely 9o 5 . s.11. Ma rch 10. 6. 10,, s. -3 ­ MAP.YJ4EB ONE T 0 L UTTERV.'OR'.;1:1-I. ·---·------··--·-··--·­ £.i2R ~~{2\ TlD.. RRTURN. E..t~ m. J2.~1!1· Marylebone de;)s.rt 9v 0 LutterwoI'th de:)art 6. 0 TJ" II II S'v~cibu.ry & Lt 0 Ho ad 9.16 Hugby 6.12 C81VeI't arrive 10. 22 C~l.arwel ton 6.32 " ll II Pirnnerc 10, ,32 Wood.ford & Hinton 6. 4-1 Brscklcy 10 .142 Culv:o:!:'th ti 6.48 " II II Culworth :LO, 5i3 J·j l.~r c-cI c ~r 7. 4 II ·1 -1 II Woodford & I-Ii n-~~n .L -. 5 l~i.nmere 7.13 Cr1or :, e:.~;on I\ 1~.. 15 Calvert 7.23 " II l{lI~(Oy 11. 34 dudbury & H. Road arriiv0 8. 33 It II Lutter-rnrth 11. 44 HEJ r;/leb ·JEe 8. 49 DJ._Y 2l£TUI?H PJ1T:(LG -'fiiIRD C1A.SS . lCar~r~eoone 0udbur~r & Harrow Road.. s;) clo So do 'l\) Calvert 6 6 5 5 Finine re 7 2 6 3 Brackley 7 11 G 10 Culv1orth 8 9 7 8 Woodford & Hinton 9 2 8 1 Charw0l ton g 5 8 5 Rug-by 10 6 9 8 Lutterworth 10 6 10 6 EUS'rON ·r o R.UGBY. a. rr.• Eu~ston dep. 9. 3v \Vjllesden arr. 9 . in dep. 9.47 Wolverton arl1..,. 10.50 dep. 10. 54 No1·t~rnmpton arr. 1L 18 dep. 11. 22 Rugby arr. 11. 55 Ordinary connectional service for Passengers changi ng at \'!illesden. a . mci a. m. Broad 8t . dep . 9.10 Finchley Road dep. 9. :n II ti Dalston C).14 Wes t Jtnd 1ane 9. 32 It II Highbury 9 . 18 Brondesbury 9. 34 C8mden ·rown ti 9.23 Br-:md.esbury Psrk 9.35 " II II Kentish ·rown (Wes t) 9.25 Kensal Rise 9.37 Gospel Oak 9.27 14!,ueens Park 9.23 " " Eampstesd Heath ti 9~29 Kensal Green " 9.25 m;;·.l'URi\T, -----p. m. ,­ Rugby dep. o. 32 Northampton arr. 6. 8 dep. 6.15 v~olverton a.rr . 6. :')3 de ) . f), 40 Willesclen ar~r· . 7. 35 dep . 7.41 J!;uston arr. 7. 52 Ordinary connectional service for Passengers changing at Willesden. I>. m. ~· m. Kensal Green arr. r . 56 Ham.l!S teRd Ee8 th arr. 8.12 Que0ns Pa rk '' 8. 1 Gospel Oak. II 8. 14 11 It Kensnl R.ise 8. 4 I~cnti sh '.L'own (West )· 8.16 Brandesbury Park " 8. 5 C13mden tovrn It 8. 18 11 It Bronde sbury 8 · 7 High"!Jury 8 . 22 ti West ~nd Lone '' s: 9 Dalston 8. 27 11 ti :b'inchley Road 8. 10 Broad St reet 3. 32 -4 ­DAY RETURN FA;FES -·rHIRD CLASS. ---· From -To ­ B.Q.T t ll~lJlP t Oll!. Wolverton. Rugby. So d. Bo 'd. So do London (Euston) 80 8¥ 60 11. 10.. 6. Dalston Junction 9. o. 7. 3 o 10. 6. Highbury 80 10. 7. o. 10. 6. Camden Town S o 8. 6. 10 .. 10. 6. Kentish Town West 8. 7. 60 llo lOo 6. Gospel Oak 80 7. 6. 10. 10. 6. Hampstead Heath 8. 6. 6. 9. 10. 60 Finchley Road Bo 4. 6. 7. 10. 60 West End Lane 80 4 .. 6. 7. 10 0 6. Brondesbury 8. 3. 6. 7. lG.. 6. Brondesbury Park 8. 2. 6.. 6. 10. 6. Kensal Rise 8. 2 .. 6. 5. 10. 4. c~ueens Park 8. 2. 6. 6 .. 10. 5. Kensal Green 8. 2. 6. 4 .. lOo 4. Willesden 8. Uo 6. 4. 10. 3. " ST . PAHCEAS TO OAKHA.l"VI. FORVTARD. RETURNo p.rn. ~ St. Pancras dep . 9. o.. OalrJlam dep. 4.,35 Kentish Town 0.1 0 60 Kettering 5 .. 10 " " West Hampstead 9. 14., " Criicklewood 9. 19 . Cricklewood arro 7. 24 " Wes t Harn) stead 7o29 " Kettering arr.. llo 23. Kentish 'l1own 7.35 " Oakham llo 58. St . Pancras ti 7~47 " Ordinary connectional service Ordinary connectional service for passengers changing at for passengers changing at Kentish Town :-Kenti sh '11own :­ .§.~ p.m• Val thamstovv dep. 80 7 •. Black Horse arr. 8., 6 .. Black Horse Road Road. 8. 9. \lalthamstow ti 80 9o " DAY RETURN PARLS -'11HIRD CLASS . From ­To ­ Kettering_. Oakham. So do So do St. Pancras 9 o 6. llo o.. Kentish Town 9o 3o llo O. Walthamstow inVO 1. llo o., Black.horse Road 10. o. 11. o. -, .r , /' '.J t: ~=-1..: ~1. :::u:1-t:--. ct 0~-. c~ ~'-..,; .. ( ).:.:. Cricl(j,.ewood 8 0 llo 10.. 6,. ' ' -5 ~ R£'I'UR1!. 8-~El~-P. <:,.!J} o Waterloo dep. 8 c ~)Q E:xr:1out·n depo 5045 Semley arro 11.. 2 ( c1•ar.£lc. :...!. ,.. -, '-' j~~xeter Central iS ·' ;~ 0 " ~+ d. Cl Honiton It 6. ~,3 ~3"1li sbury ) Ax11lins ter ?_, 5 II TeiiT[Jlecombe arro lL 0 Yeovil Town ti '?. 3C Yeovil Town arro 1L30 (Chsnge at ~Cerri;) leeomrie I! 80 0 Yeovil SE:;n1ley " 8020 Junctlon ) ·vaterloo a.rr" 10040 A~.lllinster arr. 1L55 .£offio_ Honiton arro 1~3 0 20 Exeter Central arr. 12 043 Exmouth arro lo 11 (Change at Exe te1' Central) From Waterloo to Semley (~" 11. "Uc 6., 'l1 emplecornbe Yeovil Town llo l2o 60 Oo Axrninster 1!3 0 6. Honiton J.2 o 60 Exeter Oentrs.l 13. Oo Exrnouth l~). 6~ 21/11/39 -NO• 6. FRENCH OFFICIAL COHI'~INIQUE (IIORNING) The following official communique was issued: this morning by French G.H.Q:­ Nothing of importance to report during the night. ----000---­ 1 MINISTRY OF f{./rrTc1n:.,·1.·uru1: tJ:HOTJtiCEE;,<~Nr. ·---'··-_....-· ~ ·"-...-.~............. -----k-...---. PIGS I N t'V1rt·TIRC __,.. . _,,,___ .... ______..........._.. ~ ~---· Pigs are a proble:t·i in wer-t:Li1e because we have grown more and r'.1ore into the habit o:f keeping thff~11 on coreal rations largely i:mpor.ted from abroad. We need the pig meat, but it has become es sential to find means of keeping the pigs that make less demand upon imported rations a.nd shipping space. It takes from 6 to 7 lb. of concentrated food to produce 1 l b , of pork or bacon. Yet 7 lb. of cereal s yields about 5 lb, of flour, or· 712: lb. of bread. The Min:i.stry of Ae;r:tculture have therefore issued· to-day a leaflet on npig Feeding i n Ws.r Time" that shows in detail how the present pig population 1c.ight be maintained and how they could be fed from the food 1 ikely to be available·. our pig population represents less than 10 pigs per holding and while r,1any holdings carPy no pigs at all., on others there are large pig establishHents e..lnost independent of land. If anything like the present nw.::ber of pi gs are to be maintained,. there must be a gradual return to home-grown r o.tions of the kind used for generations before oil cake <'.nd ot!::ler concentrates V"rere known. . There i s scope by such method s to keep so3e pigs on practically all holdings., even on those under one aere and on groups of allotments~ Small efforts in the agcregate could lead to a l arge contribution of pig meat. Turning Waste into Meat. On most farms t he.re is a variety of by... products suitable for pig-feeding. The conversion of grass and ~rable will provide more tail corn and :.i1ore small potatoes. In return there will be valuable 11 muck11 • Brita:j.n is taking no chances in this war, and although there is no present intention to curtail grain supplies to feeders, they must be ready for such an emergency. They wdrnld be wise to prepare i:i.nr11ediately to restrict pig feed, so far as possible, to materials that cannot be used to feed hw11an beings, such as grass., roots, silage,millers 1 by-products, dmJaBed grain, dried blood., dried grains, malt culras, oil cakes and meals., together with surplus from the dairy, the sard0n and allot:i.!1ent, The collection of suitable waste food from shops, houses, c.;ardens and hotels might v:ell be organised by volu.r1tary effort~ Special consideration is given in the lea:i''_;.eb to the pig :.or two kept by cottae:;ers, garden owne1~s or alloti:1ent holders, including the t ype of pig to buy, its housing, bedding and feeding~ The general question of feeding is dealt with by dividing some thirty feedL1s stuffs i:a to three groups, (1) Protein-rich, (2) Intermediate, (3) Protein-low, starch high. This shows clearly what feeding stuffs are relatively interchangeable. Cereal Ration Halved Further e cono:.<.ies in li1ea1 feeding., it is pointed out, can be made by replacins a substantial proportion of the meal ration by such foods as potatoes1 mangolds, swedesi sugar-beet" kalel grass,, and forage crops. An exJ?eri:i1ent on these lines showed i:;hat tn.e time taken to reach a live weight of 200 lb$. was, in some instances, 1ncr{3ased-:"by 4 to 6 wee.k.s, but t:~'.f' qua:iity ,of the carca!:re was not appreciably lowered and the cereti:l requir·~ments were halved. Those with ~ccess to grazins or woodlands should give outdoor 1ethods the fullest trial. It is claimed fo:c t hen that-they nill save meal, keep breeding sows healthy <.lnd prolific, produce bigger and hardier young pigs, improve p~sture and utilise valuable food material such as acorns and beech mast. Green food alone will not fatten ~igs, but it will keep the!.11 t:,rowing with a saving of meal. With a few weeks of sty-feeding on concentrated food at the end of tho srazi ng period, prin10 bacon ca!J.-"'thus be produced. The Leaflet, 11 Growmore11 ·Leaflet No.iz, can be obtained fre0 on application a~ the Mi nistry of Agriculture, 10, Whitehall Place, S.W.l. 2:1/11/39 -No 8 PRESS NOTICE Mr W.A. Martin previously reported saved from the Simon Bolivar is now reported missing. If he is in the country will he please communicate with the company's agents ? +++++++++ 21/11/39_ --1.L~·--2. PRESS NOTICE A movement is afoot to revive the Pig Clubs which were an important feature of village life in the last war. This is part of the Government's carnpaign to see that the nation gets enough bacon for breakfast. Villagers and allotment holders in all parts of the country are being encouraged to take up pig-keeping, and to band themselves together to deal v-;i th the comraon problems. Town-dwellers are also being invited to co-oper1:1.te, and some local authorities are considering relaxing re­gulations that make ?is-rearing difficult. Pig Clubs are to be advised and assisted by the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Pllig Breeders 1 Association. ------000------ NlINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE C.::ircular to e.11 Loc.;al Education Circular 1484 Authorities in Receiving ·(21st November, 1939). Areas and (for information only) to Local Education BOARD OF EDUCATION, Authorities in Evacuation Kingsway, London, W.C.2. and Neutral Areas. All communications should be addressed to the ~ecretary. 1. The Ministry of Health, in Memorandum Ev. 4 of May 1st, 1939, and the Board of Education, in Circular 1469 of May 19th, 1939, have pointed out the .advantages of the provision in reception areas ofcommunal mid-day meals for evacuated children. Experience of the conditions in reception areas has confirmed the belief that arrangements for communal feeding are very desirable, alike in the interests of the nutrition of the children, of efficiency and economy in the use of food supplies, and of the smooth working of the billeting scheme. As stated in paragraph 17 of Circular 1469: "It will undoubtedly save much labour to householders in the performance of their own household duties if arrangements can be made in the receiving district which will relieve them of the responsibility of providing a meal for the children in the middle of the day, i.e. if the children are absent from the home after breakfast till tea time." The Board therefore desire to urge that Local Education Authorities, in cbllaboration with local reception authorities and with such voluntary bodies as may be in a position to help, should review the position in their areas with a view to the establishment as soon as possible of arrangements for communal feeding. In view of the experience of Local Education Authorities in dealing with the provision of meals for school children, and the fact that provision for evacuated children would· in some cases ·be made by an extension of existing school canteens, it now appears· to the Board and to the Minister uf Health to be desirable that the organisation of _communal meals should be undertaken primarily by the Local Education Authority, and not by the local reception authority as suggested in paragraph 17 of Circular 1469. In county areas it will however be necessary for the Local Education Authority to consult the reception authority as regards the needs and circumstances of each district, and t o have regard to any provision which may have been already made, ·. either by the reception authority or by voluntary bodies. 2. The provision of communal feeding is especially desirable in rural areas where children are billeted so far from the schools which they attend that they are unable to return home to dinner. The food taken by children to school seldom constitutes a satisfactory meal, and Local Education Authorities for county areas will be aware that the Board have, in the past, urged them to provide school canteens for local · children who live at a distance from their schools. With the increase in the number of long-distance children, such provision has become even . more important. 3~ The double shift system under which many schools will have to work will inevitably complicate the question of the provision of mea:ts, If the mid-day meals are served at home and the household contains both local and billeted children, it may be necessary for the householder to provide two separate dinners, one for the children attending the morning session and the other for the children attending in the afternoon. 42478-1 1 This constitutes an additional argument in favour of communal meals. On the other hand, it must be admitted that the double shift system may render very difficult the use of school premises as canteens, 4. The first problem which will arise is that of finding accommodation. Where suitable premises already in the possession of the Local Education Authority or the reception authority are not available, it will no doubt be possible in most cases to secure accommodation by arrangement with the owner on payment where necessary of a reasonable rent. So far as practicable, the arrangements should be on a part-time basis, so as to permit of the premises being used for other purposes in the evenings. It should not normally be necessary to resort to the use of requisitioning powers. The Board recognise, however, that in some cases it will be difficult to find premises suitable for the cooking and serving of meals. Where no accommodation for cooking and serving hot meals is available, it may be possible to arrange for the provision of a simple cold meal of the "Oslo breakfast" type. Such me;:i.ls have consider­able nutritive value but the Board recognise that it might in scme cases be difficult to persuade children to take them. 5. As stated in paragraph 17 of Circular 1469, where school canteens exist it may be possible to provide mid-day meals for the billeted children at these canteens by an extension of the existing arrangements. There may also be cases where it would be possible to admit evacuated children, on payment of the cost of the food, to feeding centres primarily intended for free meals for necessitous undernourishe~ children. 6. As regards the finance of communal feeding arrangements, Authorities will be aware that no expenditure on the provision of meals for evacuated children will fall on the receiving Authority. It is contemplated that the cost of equipment, service, small adaptation's to existing buildings, and other overhead charges, in so far as they are not met by voluntary bodies, will be regarded as evacuation expenditure and will be met by the Government. The price to be paid for the meal should accordingly be fixed so as to cover the cost of food. 7. The Local Education Authority will probably find it convenient to secure, either through the teachers or with the co-operation of the local reception authority, that the householders on whom the children attending the school are billeted are infonned of the proposed arrange­ments and the cost of the meals, and invited to take advantage of the system and thereby relieve themselves of the obligation to provide mid-day meals for the children under their care. The billeting fees received by householders are payable in advance, and it is reasonable to call on them to furnish the child with the necessary money for the week's meals at the beginning of the school week. It should be made clear that in any event the money must be paid in advance. 8. It is probable that the parents of some local children would wish to take advantage of any communal feeding arrangements which may be established and it is desirable that they should be permitted to do so. In such cases the normal arrangements for the financing of school canteens will apply, that is to say the cost of the food will be borne by the parents of the children or, in the case of necessitous and undernourished children, by the Local Education Authority, and the Local Education Authority, will, it is hoped, exercise their powers of meeting the cost of equipment and other overhead charges. Expenditure on such charges will be taken into account by the Board for the purposes of their grant. 9. As explained in paragraph VI (b) (i) of Circular 1475 the question of providing free solid meals should not arise in the case of evacuated children. It is, however, very desirable that any school canteens or other arrangements for communal feeding which may be established should be available fer the giving of free meals to local 42478-1 2 children who have been found to be necessitous and undernourished and whose nutrition cannot, in the opinion of the school medical officer, be fully restored by the giving of free milk. In rural areas and small towns the provision of feeding centres designed solely for such feeding ­which is the usual practice in large towns -is impracticable, and the needs of these children can only be met by their inclusion in arrangements des;igned primarily for the :?Upply of meals on payment. 10. Where the accommodation is .sufficient to allow of the attendance Qf evacuated mothers and children under 5 years of age, it would be convenient that they should be allowed to attend the canteen on payment of the grcss cost of the meal. The provision of canteens intended solely for the use of mothers and young children would not, however, come within the province of the Local Education Authority. 11. Authorities considering the provision of canteens will find guidance and information as to equipment in the Memorandum No. 3 "Canteen Meals for School Children" in the series of leaflets "The Schools in War Time" published by H.M. St2.tionery Office. This gives details of the equipment, recipes and quantities suitable for a canteen providing dinners for 50 school children. Reference may also be made to the following publications, of which the first two have been prepared in consultation with officers of the Board:­ (i) The Memoranda on Communal Feeding, pr(;pared by the Women's Voluntary Services. These memoranda can be obtained. free from the Women's Voluntary Services, 41, Tothill Street, Westminster, S.W.1. They have been separately prepared for canteens dealing respectively· with 100, 250, 500, 750 and 1,000 children. They give details of equipment and mtlnus and quantities for breakfasts, dinners, teas and suppers. (ii) "School Dinners", published by the Association of Teachers of Dvmestic Subjects, 29 -30 Gordon Square, W.C.1., price 1/9. This gives plans and lay-outs of kitchens and very full details of equipment as well as menus and quantities suitable for 100 children. (iii) "Communal Dietaries in War Time", published by the Gloucester­shire College of Domestic Science, London University Press, 1/-. This gives details of equipment, menus and quantities suitable respectively for 10 or 100 persons. 12. In view of the approach of winter the Board regard the development of a system of communal feeding for evacuated children as a matter of urgent importance and they hope that it will receive the early attention of the Local Education Authorities for the reception areas. Any scheme which the Local Education Authorities may decide to put for-' ward, after consulation with the local reception authorities in the area, should be submitted to H.M. Inspector of Schools. Six copies of a Ferm ____ suitable for this purpose are e~closed and additional copies may be obtained on application. It should be borne in mind that all unnecessary expenditure must be avoided and that no definite financial commitments should be entered into until the proposals have been approved by the Inspector. 13. The Board would be glad to receive not later than 31st December particulars of any communal feeding arrangements which may be already in existence in the Authority's area, together with a brief statement showing what action is being taken by the Authority in the matter, if definite proposals have not already been submitted in accordanc,e with raragraph 12 of this Circular. D 42478-1 4,500 D/d 113 11/39 P R P 3 211/11/39. -N0, 10. COMMJJ.NAL FEEDING IN RECEPTION AREAS. I.MMEDlATE ACTION TO BE TAKEN. In view of the approach of winter the Board of Education iregard the development of communal feeding of evacuated children as a matter of urgent importance. A Circular issued by the Board today urges Local Education Authorities to take immediate steps to review the position in their areas with a view to the early establishment of arrangements for communal mid-day meals, and to inf'orm the Board not later than the 31st December of the action taken. In v~ew of the experience of Local Education Authorities in providing meals for school children it is considered desirable that they should undertake the organisation, working in close conjunction with local recep­tion authorities. In some areas school canteens already exist and it may be possible to provide meals for the billeted children by an extension of the existing arrangements. In other districts the hire of suitable premises will be necessary. Communal mid-day meals are of great benefit to children, especially in rural districts where the school may be some distance from the billet. They also make for the economical use of food supplies and assist in the smooth working of the billeting scheme by relieving householders of the obligation o~ providing mid-day meals for the children under their care. FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS. No expenditure on the provision of meals for evacuated children will fall on tho receiving authority. It is contemplated that the cost of equ1pnent 9 service 9 small adaptations to existing buildings and other overhead charges, where not being met by voluntary bodies, will be paid for by the Government. Consequently, the price of the meal should be fixed to cover only the price of the food. Where householders agree that the children billeted on them should receive such meals, the price will be met from the billeting allowance. For any local children who may wish to attend,the normal arrangements for meals at school will apply. Where accommodation is sufficient,evacuated mothers and children under 5 yea1~s of age should be allowed to use the canteen or centre on payment of the gross cost of the meal, but canteens provided solely for their use would not come within the province of the Local Education Authority. ii'·· ~., -.. 24/11/39 No. 11. OFFICIAL ADMIRALTY COLil iUNIO,UE.: The Secretary of the Admiralty regrets to announce the loss off the East Coast of H.. M.. minesweeping trawler MASTIFF, by the explosion of a German mine.. The next of kin of casualties have been informed and a casualty list will be issued shortlyG 21/11/39 -No.12. The Secretary of the Admiralty regrets to announce the following casulties as the result of the sinking of H.M. minesweeping trawler Mastiffo DIED OF INJURIES. White, H.A. Leading Seaman C/JX138664 MISSING..!. Clarke, VJilliam Seaman R.NR.X21741 Duncan Alexander Stoker Petty Officer C/K61891 Elson, Charley Leading Stoker C/KX76131 Horne, G.W. Seaman R.N.R.X21728 Main, VJ .D. Leading Seaman R.N.R.X9446 21.11.39 No.13~ ' AIR MINISTRY BULLBTIN, German Raider Shot Dovm. The Air Ministry announces:­An enemy aircraft approached the east coast this morning. It was engaged and shot down by Royal Air Force fighter aircraft, No: 14 CONDITIOI'J3 IN ST. H:SLENJ,_ ThG most stubborn p roblem in St.Helena, the J~nual Report for which has just been issued (H.M. St ationery Office, No 190~ Price 9d. ) is the providing · of emplo~··nent. Until 1659 the islancl had no unemployment problem at all, for the simple reason that it was unpopulated, but in that yeD. r a settlement was formed under the auspices of the East l i1di2 Company~ Not till 1836 did the Crown. formally assume occupation of the Island. For some thirty or forty years 9 St.Helena, lying near the trade route to the ~aE?t, enjoyed considerable prosperity, but the opening of the Cuez Canal in 1869 inaugurated a decline which has not yet been fully arrested. In 1938, moreover, Gt. Hcl cnn was narticularly unfortunate in that the market price of its principal exports, fibre and its by-product, tow, fel1 to such an extent as to result not only in substantial decrease of exports but also in the closing of a number of flax mills in the Colony. This crisis in the fibre industry led to large numbers of unemployed being ~ut on various minor works as a form of reJ.ieL Expedients were also devised, to meet this problem of unemployment, in the shape of subsidising hemp factories, granting conceseiions for· catching fish, and so on, but the numbers of' mea for whom no permanent em9loyment could be found continued to increase. During 1938 the Islancl1 s .e.xports showed a decrease of £J9,162 compared with the previous year, and imports a decrease of £215. There is obiously no quick road to recovery which lies in the perfecting of o. multitudc of small rn.at tcrs ~ The authorities arc certainly doill': all they can. Much })regress, for example, was made in 1938 with the developm6nt of the agricultural station which provides exampl es that indi viduo.l s may follow. Gov,ernment wages for l abour incr eased f rom 12/-to 15/-a week. deal with the prevailing poverty9 a gr ant was made of children's allowances in connection wi ,ch unemployment relief, and extra nutriment was provided. for .sc!rnol cb.i1d.r~n EMPIRE AFFJ?:JHS • . THE SOUTH f,J:Tl.I CAJ.\f £1 000 ,000 FUFD. 2 The £1 ,000,000 fund, for the purchase of supplies for the Allies as sponsored by the Mayors of the principal cities in South Africa, received a cheque for £10,000 from Miss Elsie Garlick, member of a well-knovm. Cape Town family. Miss Garlick stipulated that the money should be used at the discretion of the British Government, and the Mayor of Johannesburg, who is Chairman of the fundy . has announced that the donation vv'ould be :>!)r Yvarc1ed. to London within the next few dayso -----· No 16., Mit!J S_'_l1BLJ2F..JLQQ:LA~{~PUNQ.El:iEN~­ REGI S1K~.U.llil-9UJ!lAf.~L BACON CURERfi_ It is learned at the Ministry of' Food that many :people who ape in the habit of buying their bacon from small bacon curers are hesitating to register with them because they are not sure whether they will be able to continue to receive their bacon f~om this source after rationing beginso The pu.olic are assured that they need not hesitate to register where they usually make their purchaseso When rationing begins all sellers of uacon, large or small, will have the necessary supylies available to meet the requirements of their reg~stered customers and the same applies to those who sell butter o '-. PRESS NOTICE. 21/11/39 No. 17. MR. H. G. MANN, of the Royal Netherlands Steamship Company, Baltic House, 27 Leadenhall St., E.C~, desires to circulate the following notice to the Press:­ THE LOSS OF THE SIMON BOLIVAR. QUEEN WILHELMINA OF THE NETHERL./'~DS IS EXPRESSING THE GHEATEST CONC:CRN FOR THE INJURED l PASSENGERS AND CREW OF THE LINER SIMON BOLIVA.-q., HER MAJESTY HAS ASKED TO BI: KEPT FULLY INFOPJ.iED OF THEIR PROGRESS. In addition to the alteration in the list already published (T lr. W. A. Martin, previously reported saved, now reported missing) the London t:gents wish to make .·the following alterations: ­ Mr. Mai Ping, reported missing, has "been saved and Mr. 1:Vhat Chou Kwai, reported saved~ is now r eported missing. Miss 2. Finbow, who was reported missing yesterday, today telephoned to the West End offices of the company and reported that she is a survivor. i Mrs. and Miss Velleman, previously reported saved, are now reported missingo Of the injured survivors the following are r eported to be in a critical condition:­Miss Massiah; Mr. Stier; . Miss Kitty de Jong; Mden Heyer; r. ., rnrs, Gottselig; Mr. Besson; tlr~ van Lierop; Mr•. Peitsman; Mr. Wielaert; Miss Sandiford; Mr. Visser; f..'Ir . Ke ith; Mr. Knevel; Mr. Helwig; The Royal Netherlands Steamship Company desire' to express the appreciation of the Dutch authorities for the widespread expressions -2 ­ of sympathy in this country in the loss of the Simon Bolivar, and of the helpfulness of the representatives of the British Press, the staff of the News Division of the Press and Censorship Bureau, and the hospital and hotel staffs. Offers of help are pouring in from all quarters in such numbers as to be almost embarrassing. People have offered to place acoommodation in their homes at the disposal of survivors; there have been offers of adoption of orphaned children and many people have offered parcels of food and clothing for survivors. A typical letter received today states 11Please find enclosed a £1 note towards the relief of survivors of the Simon Bolivar. I am sorry my remittance cannot be larger". The sender had travelled in the company's ships in the past, and is now on National Service. Two bodies of victims, now at Harwich, have not been identified. Anyone who can assist in establishing their identity should communicate with the Royal Netherlands Steamship Company, Baltic House, 27 Leadenhall St, E.C. DESCRIPTIONS OF THE BODIES ARE AS FOLLOV/S ­ One woman , 5 ft. 6 in height; aged about 30 years; blue eyes; straight nose; prominent natural teeth9 several missing from right upper back; average build.; high cheekbones ; fair or light brown straight hair; approximate weight 100 lb ; vaccination mark on the left arm. Left foot fractured. One man, 5 ft 7 in height; aged about 40; light hazel eyes; slightly curved nose; teeth natural, good and almost complete ; considerable head injuries; well built ; thin straight dark hair, well back from temples; approximate weight 145 lb; vaccination mark on the left arm; small mole on right shol-lder. A West Indian baby bby (coloured) aged 6 to 8 months is in hospital at Dovercourt. His parents have not been traced. , ?l/1Jl~39._~~-N_o_._l_~ pR:r~ss NOTICE 80,YJ!~ING. OF SIRENfi Press Cormnunique, issued by Sir Auckland Geddes, Regional Commissioner from No&l2 South Eastern Civil Defence Region:­ As was announced by the Secretary of State for Air in reply to a question in Parliament on 26th October last, the Government have considered whether the Police or some other local authority could be authorised to sound public warnings at discretion if they hear anti­aircraft fire or observe an air battle going one Since, however, air attacks can change their nature and direction so rapidly that no local authority can possibly have a comprehensive an~ continuous view of the situation, the Government have decided thnt the sounding of independent local warnings would be clef:'..nitely unsafe, and it is the settled policy that no public warning signal shall be sounded except on the instructions of the Air Officer commanding t he Fighter Cormns.nd\> The question accordingly arises as to the action to be taken by the public in any area of this region if they hear the sound of anti-aircraft fire or the explosion of bombs or u·:)serve an air battle going on at a time when the warning sirens have not been soux1rledo . It cannot be too strongly emphasised that the risk of injury from falling fragments of anti-aircraft shells or machine gun bullets js considerable, and che public of this region are urged to regard the sound of anti-aircraft fire or the explosion of ·bombs or the sight of an air battle going on :in that vicinity as equivalent to the sounding of the warning sirens, and they should in such circur11s tances imrnediately take shelter. It is foolhardy and not heroic to stand about in the streets or other public places for the purpose of watching the combat, ·--.... EMPIRE .1'.FFJ~IRS 21.11.39 -No. 19. ULSTER PREMIER IN LONDON NORTHERN IRELliND HE"·,RT ii.ND SOUL WITH ENGL/Jill• • Lord Craigavon the Ulster Premier, reached London to-day and this afternoon called upon Sir John /Jlderson at the Home Office, Mr. Morrison at the Ministry of Food, and Mr. Churchill at the ;·.d.'11iralty. He also :paid a courtesy call upon Mr. Chamberlain, the Prime liiinistor, and met Si~ James Cooke-Collis at the Ulster "·lgent' s Office at 21 Coc~rnpur Street, S. w. 1. · Lord Craigavon was accompanied to London by Lady Craigavon. In an interview Lord Craigavon said:­ 11 ,\s this is my first visit to London since the declaration of war1 it will be a pleasure when paying courtesy visits to some of the Jiinistors, to inform them how splendidly Ulster people are flocking to the Colours, and that all is well in our little corner of the United Kingdom. " I shall be able to assure the Ministers that in every war aim, we in Ulster will be second to none in hearty support of our United Kingdom Govern:"lent. We have only to be told what is wanted and there will be an instantaneous response. 0 I think the most outstanding feature of the British home front is the magnificent morale of the people generally. They fully re~.lise that the result of this war is going to depend to no small extent upon whether the li.llied peoples can exhibit greater patience than the enemy. "The British people have implicit trust in their leaders at the front and it is apparent that they are carrying on in the good old British way9 ready for anything that might arise. feel that the p~tience of the people at home in these days will play a great part in the victory which we are sure to attain. "The possibility lies before us in Ulster tha.t as the result of the magnificent response to recruiting, Ulster's h'igh record of the last war may be reached. In the last war our voluntary effort in the Province was as efficient as if there had been conscription. -2 -­ 11/,t this crisis the heads of the fighting Services allocated to the Ulster ar e2 are not only working in the closest and most friendly co-operation with the Goverm11Gnt, but h: ..ve beon accepted by the population generally as supr'emely efficient. 'rhc public confidence in these men in Uls ter is largely responsibl e for tho smooth working of the recrui~ing machinery there. " Ji. short time ago at tho spontaneous request of the Labour leaders in Belfast, I mot them at Stormont wherie they gave me the fullest assurance of every help they could r ender the Ulster Govornmcmt tn doing their share towards the prosecution of the war 11 • ---oOo--­ 21/11/)"'""'9______.N'""""o-..•...-2..... 0. PUTUBI~ ETj£LOJLI~E_T._Q]:'_j{ESERVG ARMY OFFICERS Answering a question in the House of Commons today as to the future of officers in the Regular Army Reserve of Officers~ Territorial Army Reserve of Officers and Officers Emergency Reserve Mr a Hore-Belisha said: The desire of Officers in the various reserves to know their position and prospects is uell understood by the War Office and to meet this desire a new scheme has been prepared~ Interviewing Boards will be established at various centres. Officers v1ill a1)pear before these Boards who will report upon their qualifications. The War Office ~ill then inform the Officers ghether they are likely to be req_uirec1 within three E1onths or six months or whether their :_-irospects of employment are remote. It is hoped that this arr angement ~-1ill enable the Officers i n question to make their plans vl'ith greater certaintyo Details of the scheme and the classes of Officers to whom it is applicable will be publishedo THE WAR OFI'ICEo s. w. l" 7-/ WAR OFFIC J "RCVill\f OF CFPIC-.;m RCSGURCES". NO~!QJLF.QJ.L?lffi PRCSS AND SUBJECT MATTER FOR B .• B .C. BROAQ9AST. The rrar Office annowice that, since the outbreak of war a large nun:ibcr of letters, telephone calls and visits has been received from members of the Regular .Arniy Reserve of Officers, Territorial .Arm:y Reserve of Officers and Ali.;r;l Off icers 1 :emergency Rese:-cve eng_uirinc; when they are likely to be called up. The \far Office realise the zeal of members who are entered in the various Reserves and. their keenness to l)e of 'dJ.C best possible use to the .Arniy and the Nation at this time. The members of these Reserves will, on their sicle, unde:r stand that it is im1JOssible f or the Army to require the services of all sbnult aneously, it bein~ of the esnence of a Reserve that it should be availal)le to be called up uhen and as needed to p-.covic1e for e::r.pansion or to fill vacancies which may occur. The scheme now proposed by the Y!ar Office uill make it possible to 3ive a!l. i:.1dication 5n advance to the i·icmbcrs of these Reserves of the stages at which their ser'l!ices may be called upon. 'in1.ile it is obviously not lJOssil)le to give actual dates when anyone will be called u1JOn in the future period of hostilities it is hoped t l1at it will be a convenience to menibers of the Resc1"Ves to knorr whether they are placed in ·che first, second/ or third Divic.ions a_escril)ed below. In order, thcrefo:-re, that the \Far Office may be in a position to inform mem1Jers of these Reserves v7ho belong to certain Arms ancl categories hovr they stand in i~elaJcion to futm~e employment it has been decided to arrange for these inc1uC1.cd in such Arms anc1 categories who · arc i~esident in Great Britain and Northern Ireland to ap~ear before Boards~ t he location of ·which is given at the end of this notice, where they will be interviewed, and (vvi th certain exceptions) medically exa.r,1ined. ·The War Office will, ai'ter consideration of' all the information available~ including the report of the Board, inform each individual concerned, either that he is lilcely to be required for.service in the near future, probably Ylithin three months, (to be lmovm as Diyision "A"), or, that he -rdll be called up for service vrhen suitable employment is available, but probably not wi t h:i.l1 three months at the earliest.I' (to be lmovvn as Division "B"), or, that there is little lDcelihood of his employment for · a considerable period a.na.·certainly not ·within six months, 110 11 as far as ca:.'l be foreseen, (to be knovm as Di.vision ) • .Any member of the Territorial .Anny Reserve of Officers or the .Ar my Officers' Emergency Rese1"Ve Yrho is placed in Division "C" and f'Gr \7hom no miJ itary employment can be foreseen, i.-rill in all probability l)e released from his undertalcing to come up for service when called upon to do so. / The -2 -~ r 2 1r :• 11. ) , " I The instructions given below vrill therefore apply only to the folloW:i.n.g offioers and members of reserves. (a) Regy.lar I Army Reserve of Offi0ers. Offioers below the rank of Lie;utenant.;4Qolonel of the : ­ Cavalry . Royal .Armoured Corps Royal Artillery Infantry (b) Territoria1 Armx Reserve of Officers• .Of':f'ioers below the rank of Lieutenan~lonel of the :­ Horsed Yeomanry Royal Arn10ured Corps Royal .Artillery Royal Engineers Royal Corps of Signals tnranti'&' Royal Anrw Servide Corps Royal Arnw Ordnance Corps. _(J.} _ ~Ofli.oeraLElnerS~ncy ,Re$erve• •4 :Members of the Arrny Offioer~.•.__Emergency Reserve who had by . iiie 20th Noyember;, actually been notified. of their enrolment aha are noted for d.uty in the under-mentioned.. .oategories ! dOmmartds arui Staff Horsed. Cavalry Royal Armoured Corps, including Royal Tanlc Regiment Royal .Artillery Royal Engine~_.(go:um-uctional.. -ane.-General-Engineeri.ng Branch onzy) o P..oyaJ.--Corps of Signals Foot Guards and Infantry Royal .Anny Service Corps Royal .Army Ordnance Corps -~YMiJ:i+§.t'Y.J'~ Corps-.~f'ormerly Labour Corps). General List. ~enrolled member of this Reserve who has not been previouszy in;f.'ormed of his category will be notif'ied bef ore the 2(7th cf November. The :procedure for arranging interviev7S vfill be as follows :- Offioers of the Regular Ariny Reserve of Officers and Territorial At1W Resem of Off:ioers will report as soon as ~ssible, and :in any case not later than the 30bh November, 1939, in writing to the Adjutant of the -~ption Unit nearest to their place of residence, asking f or an interview. I.t is emphasised that the attendance of all officers belovr the rank ef Lie;utenant-Colonel belonging to the Regular Army Reserve of Officers and Territorial Army Reserve of Officers who have not yet been called up for service is compulsory. · If, however, a Reserve Officer is ill and is ve referred to1 have all been interviewed, those whose applic:~.tions to join it arc lJCnc1i:hg will in due course be notified as to the arrangements that may be mad.e for their .interview. Anyone now contemplating enrolling in the Juyay Officers' Emergency Reserve but vrho has not yet applied in writing to join it1 is requested to await a further aIU1ouncement bcforo applying. It will be noted that Officers of the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and above of the Regular Ju~ny nescrve of Officers and Tcrl~itorial .A:cJ;ry Rese1"Ve of Officers are not being asked to appear before an Interviewing Board. Lieutenant-colonels an& those more'senior are classified according te their ac;e, eJcperience 1 qualifications and1 in particular to the length of time since they last served on the Active List. Such officers are · oonsidered as and. when vacancies occur for c0Eri11and. and staff appointments,~ as casualties occur or nevr appointments are created on the e:i.."Pansion of the .Army. They arc therefore requested not to write or call at the War Office in order to obtain more definite inforrila.tion, since the date of their employment depends on circumstances which cannot exactly be forecast. Thoso members of the .Army Officers' Emergency Reserve vrho are not incluc1ed in the categories mentioned vrill be the sulJject of a further announcement at a later date. In tb.0 meant:iri1e they also a.re requested not to oorres:pond with the rTa:c Office as to their future prospects. In eonclusion, the War Office v1ish it to be known 1Jy all members of the Reserves mentioned that if they are engaged in any of the Civil Defence Services they will be allowed to retain any post they may hold until ~hey are called up for military service. As regards those placed in the thira. Division (Division "C") 1 i.e. not likely to be required for six months or more1 the vrar Of-l'ice with the oonourrenoe of the Ministry of Home Security suggest that these who have not already done so should consic1cr offering their se1"Vices to the local Civil Defence forces until such time as they may be required for military servioe. .' / The -4 ­ The Reception Units a.re located at the follovdng places and the address of the nearest Reception Unit to applicant's place of residence should be carefully noted : -: Ma.risoha1 College, Aberdeen. ' ' Queen's Un~vcrsity, Belfast. University1 Ed~baston, Birmin~han1. Hawthorn Ho~el, Woodland Road1 Tynda~l's Park, Bristol. Old Schools,. University of Camb~idge, Cambridge • . C<:>llege Road, Nevm~stle-on-Tyne, 2•. High Schools Yards, .Infirr!'lary Street, Edinburgh~ 1. 0.T.c. Headq:i-arters1 University f:.venue,. GlasGow, W.2. Lifton House, L:-1 Un~ver~ity Road, Leeds, 2. O.!r.C. Headquarter~::5~.-Boc1£.ord__street--North1 Liver};X)Ol.,. 7. O..T.C .. Headquarter~, Manchester, 13. University College,. University ~ark, Nottingham. O.T.C. Headquarters! Manor Road, Ox~ord. IOI+ KE:.N])R1c. K ""R)> . .Q. 'l\C, ~ad~·laa;rtex:s!" ':Ube IW,;i.:m:ar~ it;¥-, Rei:ding. 0.T.c. Headquarters, s~.George Is SSl.uare' Sheffield., 1. St.Andrew's 1!niversity~ Butts ~fyna., St.Andrews, Fife• .Artoo.\rry Ibns9,Finsbury, London, ~~c.1. He~dqua.rters, The ~tists Rifles, Duke·'s Road, Euston Rd.,Yf.C.l. l~, Stone Building~, Lincoln's Inn, Lopdon, W.c.2. 1, Elverton Street, '._!estminstcr7 L t he Hilitary Pe rmit Office, Milita:ey PeI'rnit Office, i:S, Jt. ;1.ndrev1s :Jy_uore, li:dinburgh 2. :i?errni ts to Gnter t he Ar 0a will only gra11ted for entry by way o~ c e rtain prescribed Sea a nd air Ports . The Sea Ports a r e _\.berdeen, Leith, ,Jiclc a11d 'I'hursc and the Air Ports are Ab0rdeen, Inverness and ·lick . The urder does net appl y :­ (a) to any perscn in r ece ipt of pay as a member of' any of His Majesty's forces cir rf any p0lice force in the United Kingdom and who is on duty. (b) t0 any pe rscn who i s a holder of an Official Pass (D.R. I:~orm 1) . (c) t o any foreign 0fficer r r official who is the holder of a }'(reign Offici:J.l Pass (D.R.Porm 10). (d) to any perscn under the age rf 16 y ears . ( e) to any Dockyard Employee certif'ied to be emplryed within the said Area . (f) tc, an,_v perscn9 net beiug an enemy alien, whC' on 1st Dcc e111ber9 1939 9 is r e sident in the Ccunties of Orkney or Zetland. such perscns may leave the Area temporarily wi thcut obtaining a :..·errni t to retur·11 9 provided they present tbeir Ha tioHal r?.egistrati(Jl Identity Uards for endorsement a t the Fort er Departure . This endorsement will be cancelled al their Port 0f ~·~rrival c'n return. Persons/ :t Pe r•:3c .1s cl<-~. i ming exernptiC'·ll f'rC'm the provisicns of t he Orde.l' wi J:. bJ required tC' produce evidence that they are exempted. J{es i cl.eJ.1ts rnust prcvide their Noticrrn.l Hegistrati0n I dentity CaN1s stmnp0d 'by a pcliee o:f:fil:er belongi ng to c·ne of the .. ·olice ii'orces in the Area. "' FOR PRESS & BRo,·.ncl.ST. The Ministry of Food announce that I although consumers have been asked to register by Thursday, 23rd November, retailers should not overlook the f'act that Naval, Military and ,\ir Force personnel drawing supplies from local shops and persons holding travellers' books are not required to register. When rationing is introduced the supplies to retailers will includ~ supplies for such customers. It is also announced that the entry of a retailer's name on the Emergency Ration Card is sufficient for registration. ---oOo--­ Not for Publica~ion or 21/11/39. -NO. 29. B~oadcasting Before the Morning of Nov. 22nd. The Ministry of Economic Warfare is instituting the .,Navicert" system in the near future to assist bona fj_de trade between neutral countries. This system will be made available in the first instance between the United States of America and certain neutral countries adjacent to Germany. It is hoped that the system will be extended ultimately to cover a large proportion of the trade between overseas neutrals and adjacent neutrals. Navicerts may be described as "commercial passports" in respect of consignments which have been approved by His Majesty's Represen­tatives before shipment from the country of oraigin. This system was applied during the last war, and proved successful, many neutral shippers taking advantage of the facilities this sytem accorded. Goods covered by navicerts will receive favoured treatment at Contraband Control Bases,and ships, the whole of whose cargo is covered by navicerts will be subject to the minimum of delay. Shippers in the Uhited States who desire to avail themselves of the convenience of navicerts should furnish His Majesty's Representatives with details of the goods they desire to export, their nature and g_uantity, country of des-tination and the name and address of consignee, or, as soon as available, the name of the vessel in which the goods are to be shipped and the date of shipment. Application forms will be. obtainable from His Majesty's Embassy or Consulates and should be submitted to them. when completed. MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC WARFARE, Press Section. AIR MHHSTRY BULL~TIN 21/11/39 No. _30. AIR RAID WARNING IN EAST YORKSHIRE. The Air Ministry and. Tiinistry of Home Security announce:­ Air raid warnings were sounded. in the Humber district at 7-15 this evening•. --------000--------­ -----·-·­ 21/11/39. -No. 31. FRENCH OFFICIAL COMI''!UNIQUE (EVENING) The following official communique was issued this evening from French G.H.Q:­ The day has been notable for an artillery duel to the Bast of the Sae.r and also to the East of the Vosges. The two air forces have been active. .'i.n enemy reconnoitring plane was brought down within our lines. Two fighters were brought down in flames over the enemy 1 ines. All our aircraft rejoined their bases. ---oOo--­ j\.IR MI NISTRY BULLETIN 21/11/39 . -No. 32. 'Plane in balloon barrage. The J:.ir Ministry regr ets to announce that yesterday afternoon a British civil aircraft inadvertently f'lew into one of' the balloon barrages and was brought down. The two occupants were killed. ---oOo--­ Air Ministry Bulletin. 21/11/39 -No.33. ADD AIR RAID WARNING IN EAST YORKSHIRE. The Air Ministry and Ministry of Home Security announce:­Enemy aircraft were observed on the East Coast shortly after seven o'clock this evening. The raiders were reported to be flying at various altitudes. Fighter aircraft were sent up to intercept them and anti-aircraft batteries engaged them. The 11raiders passed" signal was given shortly before 8.30 p.m. No bombs were dropped.