asked the Minister of Supply what further steps he proposes taking to increase the collection and utilisation of household waste; and whether he will ensure that householders should be informed as to the best procedure to be adopted by them in order that the fullest co-operation may be secured?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Eccles (Mr. Cary) on 21st March, in which I explained the steps taken to increase the collection of household waste and to inform householders as to how best they could co-operate. Since that date the Controller of Salvage has broadcast an appeal to householders, and there has been further Press publicity, supplemented in a number of districts by the distribution by the local authority of leaflets to householders, informing them of the local arrangements for collection of the materials most urgently required. These and other methods of publicity are being continued. The Salvage Department of my Ministry is also in constant communication with those local authorities whose returns of salvage operations appear to be inadequate.

What are the practical results?

The practical result is a very large increase in the collection of materials required by the country.

Will my right hon. Friend give information, through the papers in each district, as to how these different pieces of waste can be collected, because large numbers of people do not know what to do with the tins and papers?

Yes, Sir. I am afraid there are some London authorities which are still backward, and I shall be very happy to do all I can to facilitate their task.

Is the Minister aware that last night he put West Ham in the pillory, but that, as a matter of fact, we are doing all we can?

I welcome that repentance.

asked the Minister of Supply how many members of the area boards and area advisory committees are actually qualified engineers appointed in their professional capacity; and whether he will consider the desirability of employing a larger number of qualified engineers in this connection who will be able to exercise their special functions as engineers in organising the resources of the country, particularly in connection with smaller firms?

The Ministry of Supply members of the area boards have considerable engineering experience, including those who are not actually members or associates of an engineering institution. These officers are assisted by persons, on their staff, who are in most cases fully qualified engineers. Members of the area advisory committees are nominated by the Engineering Employers' Federation and by the trades unions connected with the engineering industry, through the Trades Union Congress General Council.

A number of highly qualified engineers are now engaged in assisting in the task of further organising industry for munitions production, and the number of these officers is being increased to meet the needs of the situation. It is one of their tasks to arrange for the fullest use of any available facilities among the smaller engineering firms where it appears possible to make use of them.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that, owing to the price having been fixed too low, the supplies of flax from Belgium to the United Kingdom have so decreased as to threaten a serious shortage, while the supplies to Germany, which offers a higher price, have considerably increased; and whether, in view of this, he will take immediate steps to fix the maximum price of flax at a figure that will ensure sufficient supplies of that necessary article?

Steps have been taken in collaboration with the French Government to ensure the purchase of Belgian flax at reasonable prices. Supplies are coming forward in substantial quantities, and I do not think that to encourage prices to return to the high levels they attained a short time ago would necessarily result in larger quantities being secured for this country and France.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied with the supplies of flax?

We are getting larger quantities at the present time.

asked the Minister of Supply how many bodies for heavy motor lorries have been contracted for by his Department in the North American continent; if he is aware that builders of such bodies in Greenock and elsewhere are having to discharge highly-skilled workmen for lack of such orders; and whether he will take the necessary steps to ensure that these workmen are employed to do their part, with their firms, in a united effort to meet his Department's requirements?

No orders for bodies for heavy motor lorries have been placed by the Ministry of Supply in the North American continent. With regard to the latter part of the Question, the hon. Member will appreciate that while I have every sympathy with workers who are unemployed or anxious about the continuance of their employment and every intention of helping them to the best of my ability, it is the duty of my Department to satisfy requirements and it would be quite impossible to place orders beyond those requirements, simply in order to provide work in particular localities.

asked the Minister of Shipping whether he will give an assurance that the "Queen Elizabeth" is docked in a United States harbour for no purpose other than the safety of the ship and that at no time will she fly other than the British flag?

There was more than one reason for sending this vessel across the Atlantic, including the fact that the space she was occupying on the Clyde was wanted for another purpose. But there is not, and never has been, any intention of transferring her to another flag.

While thanking the Minister for his reply, may I ask him to undertake, on behalf of the Government, that no steps will be taken, as far as the future ownership of this ship is concerned, unless this House has in the first instance been fully consulted?

If I went beyond the very definite pledge that I have made, I think I should be answering what is really a hypothetical question.

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what representations he has made for the release from the Forces of experienced forestry workers; and what response has been made by the Government?

Representations have been made for the release from the Forces of experienced forestry workers; a few have been released and it is understood that the matter is again under consideration.

Have representations been made for the 500 men in Scotland who have had great experience in forestry work and are urgently needed in that particular area for work of national importance?

Yes, Sir, I have just said so. The number is not quite 500, but it is getting on for that.

Has my right hon. and gallant Friend taken steps to enlist the support of any skilled foresters from Europe who are over here as refugees, and who might make a very good contribution to the forests of this country in that way?

Steps are being taken to get the labour we want from any source that is available.

Are the Forestry Commissioners satisfied with this course?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Japanese blockade of the British Concession in Tientsin has now lasted nearly nine months; that British residents in the Concession are living in a state of virtual internment; that their businesses are being destroyed and they themselves continually exposed to humiliation and insult; and how much longer this state of affairs is to be tolerated?

My Noble Friend is aware of the hardships experienced by British subjects at Tientsin owing to the long continuance of the blockade of the British Concession, and that there has recently been some increase of delay at the barrier. Conversations, however, for the settlement of all matters arising out of the situation at Tientsin are at present actively proceeding at Tokyo in a favourable atmosphere.

No, Sir, not without fact that, although we are having these speeches from Tokyo, what we really want is to see these speeches translated into something more tangible?

Yes, Sir, certainly.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make representations to the Japanese Government that the hope for improved relations with this country cannot be secured by mere verbal gestures, such as the promise to reopen the Yangtze or to improve harbour facilities at Tsingtao, so long as Japanese authorities persist in severe restrictions on British trade and discrimination against British shipping?

From the repeated representations which we have made, the Japanese Government are well aware of the attitude of His Majesty's Government as to the restrictions on British trade and discrimination against British shipping imposed by the Japanese authorities in China and of the general bearing of these questions on the improvement of Anglo-Japanese relations. His Majesty's Government continue to watch the position closely.

Can my right hon. Friend say when we may expect something tangible?

I hope as soon as possible.

asked the Prime Minister what trade negotiations are now under consideration with Russia; and has he any statement to make?

As I said yesterday, a suggestion on this subject was recently made by the Soviet Ambassador and the question is being considered in all its aspects.

Has the question been considered in all its aspects only by our own Government, or have any negotiations taken place with the Russian representatives on this question?

The Soviet Ambassador made a suggestion, and that is now being considered by the various Departments of the Government.