asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether his attention has been called to the fact that Mr. Kroeller is the principal adviser of the Dutch Ministry of Trade and Agriculture on the distribution of foodstuffs in Holland; whether he is Largely responsible for the Dutch agricultural produce which goes to Germany; is he further aware that Mr. Kroeller has made a very large fortune out of the War, and it has repeatedly been stated in various Dutch newspapers that he is openly hostile to the British Empire; whether representations will be made to the Dutch Government with reference to this matter; (2) whether his attention has been called to the fact that when an arrangement was made between the British and Dutch Governments that potatoes should be exported from Holland in equal quantities to England and Germany, when the time arrived Mr. Kroeller ruled that this could not be done, that no potatoes could be sent to England but everything to Germany as they must have coal; and whether a request will be made to the Dutch Government to remove Mr. Kroeller from his present position as adviser to the Dutch Government?

I understand that Mr. Kroeller holds the position to which reference is made, and I presume accordingly that he is consulted in all matters concerning the export of Dutch produce. With regard to the export of potatoes, the quantity which Holland sent to the United Kingdom last year was, I understand, greater than that sent to Germany. On the other points raised by my hon. and gallant Friend I must point out to him that it is, generally speaking, undesirable to make representations to a foreign Government on such matters.

Is Mr. Kroeller a member of the firm of Mullers, and during the first two years of the War was he in this country and was he received in various Government Departments with confidence?

I cannot speak as to the last part of the hon. and gallant Gentleman's question. I do not know. I cannot speak as to what happened during the first two years of the War without inquiry. As to the other part of the question, he is certainly a partner of Messrs. Mullers and Company, and I am not here to defend Mr. Kroeller.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Mr. Kroller's steamers of the Batavier Line have for a considerable time been prevented from sailing to England and continue to lie alongside the quay at Rotterdam; and whether any action is to be taken in the matter?

Some ships of the line referred to are laid up—presumably owing to the fear of war risks. The whole question of Dutch shipping is now under consideration.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether he will state the particulars of the rations now allowed to German and other enemy alien civilians interned in this country; whether any of these persons receive parcels of food from Germany or elsewhere; whether they are permitted to purchase or receive articles of food outside their rations and, if so, to what extent; whether he will take steps to ensure that these persons shall in no case receive foodstuffs in excess of the rations allowed to civilians of British origin in this country; (2) whether any of the German and other enemy alien civilians interned in this country pay the British Government for the food supplied to them by the Government; what is the approximate total annual cost to the Government of feeding these persons; and whether it is possible to deport to Germany such of these persons as are past military age or are women if arrangements for their exchange cannot be made?

The dietary for civilian internment camps has been revised from time to time so as to accord with the Food Regulations for the general population. Its latest form, which I will circulate, has been settled on medical advice and approved by the Food Controller. Prisoners are allowed to receive parcels of food from enemy or neutral countries, but are not allowed to purchase in this country additional articles of food beyond certain necessary condiments and the limited amount of potatoes and herrings specified at the foot of the dietary. The prescribed rations are supplied gratis to all prisoners, but in cases where prisoners earn wages for work done by them the wages are liable to deductions towards maintenance. Owing to the varying conditions of the different camps and the constant changes in prices it is difficult to give any general representative figure for the cost of feeding the prisoners. There are no women interned as prisoners of war, and every opportunity is taken of removing from this country any male prisoner whom there is not good reason for retaining here.

Will my right hon. Friend state approximately the cost of keeping these enemy civilians in this country?

I am afraid I could not do so.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether the strikes of workmen in the Argentine are interfering with the shipments of frozen meat and cereals to this and Allied countries; and what steps, if any, are being taken in connection therewith?

Shipments of frozen meat and cereals have been interfered with only to a slight extent through the recent strikes in the Argentine; the situation is being carefully watched and every effort will be made to obviate further trouble.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Great Western Railway Company, by superior attractions at Dawlish, Devon, are inducing men now engaged in food production to leave their employment; and will he say what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

The Board have been in communication, with the Railway Executive Committee on this subject, and the facts are as stated in the question. The correspondence is being placed before the Ministry of National Service, and it is hoped that a satisfactory solution of the difficulty may be found.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that the rigid adherence to the Swine Fever Orders with regard to slaughter and movements has resulted in a serious diminution of pig breeding; and whether he will consider the advisability of modifying these Regulations and arrange to have the serum treatment more generally adopted?

The Board cannot accept the statement contained in the first part of the question. The Regulations dealing generally with swine lever have been considerably modified during the War, and the serum treatment is now carried as far as it can be carried on the existing voluntary basis. I shall be glad to arrange for the hon. Member to discuss the whole question with the Chief Administrative and Veterinary Officers of the Board if he so wishes.

I will avail myself of the opportunity.