asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that Flight-Lieutenant Goutrey, F.805937/41/F 7.A., took a short service commission in the Royal Air Force for four years in 1936, a gratuity of £300 to be paid upon completion of same; that just prior to termination of this service he was asked by the authorities to continue for a further two years, his gratuity to be increased to £500; that he agreed; that after the four years had terminated, but before the six years expired, he was killed; that although he had willed the £300 to his parents the authorities have refused to pay this money; and whether consideration will be given to an ex-gratia payment in this case and an alteration made in the Regulations?

The general rule governing cases such as that to which the hon. Member refers is that should an officer holding a short-service commission die before completing his initial period of service or, if he has voluntarily extended his service, before completing the extended period, no gratuity is payable to his estate. This is a term of his contract, and the reason is that gratuities of this kind are primarily intended to assist resettlement in civil life. Dependants are separately provided for by means of pensions and allowances. Similar conditions apply to the gratuities and retired pay of Crown Servants generally, and I know of no grounds on which an ex-gratia payment could be justified in this particular case.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that his Department admits that if this man had broken his continuity by only one day, £300 would have been paid? May I ask him for a reconsideration of the case? Perhaps he and I might have a chat about the circumstances surrounding it.

Yes, Sir, certainly.

asked the Secretary of State for Air in what manner did the noncommissioned flying officers, recently decorated for their part in the recent raid on Lubeck, differ in responsibility, initiative or courage, from the commissioned officers who were given awards for their part in the same operation?

Their conduct was of equal merit, and so were their awards.

Why were they given a different award?

They were given awards of equal merit.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the scathing comment on his replies concerning this matter in "Reveille," a paper which circulates among the men of the Air Service?

Why is the right hon. Gentleman so sticky about this? Why does he not respond to public feeling and grant a distinction which is fair to everybody?

There is no question of stickiness. These awards are equal. The D.F.M. is an award which is cherished by those who receive it. [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."]

Does not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that the cheers from hon. Members behind him indicate their desire to retain class distinction?

I heard cheers from all over the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of occasions in a year on which an airman is entitled to leave and the length thereof; and whether commanding officers have discretion to grant passes to destinations other than the man's home?

In reply to the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Stoke (Mr. Ellis Smith) on 21st January; and in reply to the second part to the answer given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Stockport (Wing-Commander Hulbert) on 18th March.

Could I put this question definitely to my right hon. Friend? If a man is entitled to leave, and he desires to go to some other part of the country than his own and shows good cause, has the commanding officer power to grant him a pass to that place?

Yes, Sir, the commanding officer can give four free warrants every year to any part of the country; it is within his discretion.

asked the Secretary of State for Air at what time on Saturday, 16th May, the German cruiser "Prinz Eugen" was sighted exercising in a Trondheim fjord; at what time on the following day she was sighted steaming south and at what time attacked; whether any 21-inch torpedoes were used by the attacking aircraft; and whether the present whereabouts and condition of this warship are known?

It is not in the public interest to give details of this operation. Excellent work on the part of Coastal Command enabled successful reconnaissance to be carried out in difficult circumstances on 16th and 17th May, in consequence of which the attack developed between 7.45 and 8.30 p.m. on 17th May. The most recent information indicates that the "Prinz Eugen" is now being repaired at Kiel; I have nothing to add to what has already been published regarding the damage she has suffered.

How is it that facts which it is not in the public interest to disclose to the House can be detected by hon. members for themselves by a careful study of authentic despatches by newspaper correspondents, and will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his refusal to give these facts in answer to my Question if I show him the answers to them in "The Times" despatches?

I do not know what the hon. Member means by "authentic." It is an adjective which would certainly not apply to a number of despatches on air operations. Certainly, if the hon. Member will show me any articles he has read, I shall be glad to consider them.

When this ship is finally disposed of, will it be in the public interest to tell us?

I think we had better wait and see.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that many British Overseas Airways Corporation pilots are flying many more hours per month than are allowed by the regulation; that one has flown, approximately, 200 hours in 14 days recently; and what steps are being taken to relieve these pilots?

The regulations provide that a holder of a licence who has completed 125 hours flying as a pilot in any period of 30 days should be medically examined and pronounced fit before continuing to fly. War-time requirements necessitate from time to time that pilots should fly more than 125 hours a month; the average is less than this figure. I have no information which suggests that the regulations are not complied with generally, or as to the particular case referred to in the second part of the Question. If my hon. and gallant Friend will let me have details, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why the British Overseas Airways Corporation's flying-boat "Clare" was left riding at anchor for 1¾ hours, on the 26th instant, when it was known to the British Overseas Airways Corporation authorities on shore that passengers were seriously ill; and will he take steps to avoid similar occurrences in future?

The circumstances of this incident are being looked into, and I will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend in due course.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production what change is being made in connection with the position of Director-General of Production in his Ministry; and what terms will govern any new appointment?

Yes, Sir. I very much regret that Sir Charles Craven, who has done such excellent work as Controller-General at my Ministry, has been compelled to resign that office under orders from his doctor. I know that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, my predecessor and myself are very grateful to Sir Charles Craven for the great ser-vice he has rendered to the country in the production of aircraft. I hope in the course of a few days to be able to announce the arrangements which I shall in consequence make.

Will this distinguished gentleman return to the management of Vickers, or will he remain mainly occupied by the right hon. and gallant Gentleman's Department?

He is remaining in the capacity of a part-time adviser to me.

If I put a Question down, will my hon. and gallant Friend be able to supply information to the House?

I hope so; I will let my hon. Friend know when I can.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings, whether it is still the intention of his Department to construct a building on good agricultural land, for the purpose of offices for the Ministry of Food in a town specified to him?

It is proposed to commence building work as soon as labour can be made available. As stated in my reply on 19th May, the site has been selected after consultation with the local land Commissioner of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Does the Minister think that it is a form of national economy to use labour and materials to erect a building now for the Ministry of Food in Colwyn Bay, when there are buildings available in the town which could be occupied, as one can see week by week from the advertisements in the local Press?

My hon. Friend will be aware of the discussions and correspondence that I have had with him, and every nook and cranny of that neighbourhood has been searched to try and find accommodation which is available.

As my hon. Friend and the Department have viewed other buildings, will he consider an available alternative site, which is not good agricultural land but derelict land, and has already been suitably prepared for building purposes within the area?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the Minister of Agriculture agrees that there is no alternative site which would have interfered less with agricultural production than the one we have selected.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of officers classified A, from a health point of view, and under 40 years of age, engaged in War Office establishments on clerical work which could be done by older men or by women?

This information is not available, and the time and labour needed to collect it would not in my opinion be justified.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that these cases run into many thousands? If I send him specimen examples of this kind of thing, will he be good enough to look into them? It would make a valuable contribution to the manpower problem if he would.

I do not think there are many thousands, because the whole staff is not many thousands.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the nature and extent of the proposed work of the British Council in the West Indies; and also the duties to be undertaken by Mr. F. W. Gray, as representative there of this council?

As the reply is rather long, with my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the necessity for increased food production in Trinidad, steps are being taken for development for this purpose of bankrupt and derelict sugar and other estates upon the island?

Very active steps are being taken to increase food production in Trinidad, including the compulsory planting of about 3,000 acres of sugar lands, divided between estate and cane farmers' lands, the extensive increase of allotments, house gardens, etc., and the more rapid development of land settlement schemes in hand. All these measures are additional to the food production campaign already in progress.

Is the Minister aware that the local Press are complaining that large areas in the estates are completely undeveloped at the present time?

I am afraid the local Press have a habit of complaining, not only in the Colonies, but in the Mother-country as well.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether consideration can be given to the appointment of a West Indian to serve on the Joint Commission with the United States concerned with problems and future development of the West Indies?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider the desirability of selecting at least one qualified West Indian representative to serve on the British panel for the Anglo-American Commission for work in the West Indies?

The appointment of a West Indian to serve on the Anglo-American Commission has already been considered. It would not be possible, however, to make a single appointment to represent all the Colonies concerned, and to have unofficial representatives of each Colony would make the Commission unwieldy. My hon. Friends will, of course, appreciate that the Commission is purely advisory and that its recommendations will be subject to the appropriate consideration by the legislatures of the Colonies concerned.

While appreciating the practical difficulties, may I ask whether it is not about time that when social and economic development is involved the people who are vitally concerned with the recommendations should at least have the opportunity of sharing in their making?

Yes, Sir, but my hon. Friend says that he recognises the practical importance of keeping these Commissions small.

Is the Minister aware of the strong feeling in the West Indies that at least one representative West Indian should be nominated for the British section of the Commission?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to state when a compulsory air-raid precautions scheme will be enforced in Jamaica and other parts of the West Indies?

The Governments of Jamaica and other Colonies in the West Indian area have been impressed with the importance of the organisation of A.R.P. schemes, and the Governors have powers to institute compulsory service if and when they consider it necessary.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the absence of any war damage insurance scheme in the West Indies is a matter of grave anxiety to owners of commercial property there; and whether steps are now being taken to institute a scheme on similar lines to that operating in this country?

Yes, Sir. I am aware that anxiety exists in certain Colonies with regard to compensation for war damage. My Noble Friend is in consultation on the whole question with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the scheme for Malta is complete yet?

I could not say, without notice.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Mr. W. A. Domingo is still under detention in Jamaica under the Defence Regulations; and, if so, whether his case has recently been reviewed?

Mr. Domingo is still detained in Jamaica. The Governor has been asked to re-examine the case and to refer it to the Advisory Committee for review, should circumstances justify such a course.

asked the Minister of Information whether, in view of the number of older British subjects available, possessed of special training as well as great knowledge and experience of the Near and Middle East and other regions, he will comb out of the British Broadcasting Corporation those younger men of military age already employed there who have little or no special knowledge of the languages or experience of the countries actually concerned?

My hon. and gallant Friend must surely be aware that all such questions of deferment and reservation are decided by Lord Rennet's Committee. The B.B.C. have applied for the deferment only of those members of their specialist staff for whom no substitutes possessing suitable qualifications can be found.

Is it really wise to get anybody to speak about the East who has never been East? It seems to me most dangerous.

Will the Minister bear in mind that broadcasting is a young science and that many departments of the B.B.C. can only be efficiently run by employing men of the younger generation?

I think that my hon. and gallant Friend is right.

Is the Minister aware that there are two young men whom I could recommend who have been put out of the Army because of their ability to make propaganda?

asked the Minister of Information whether he will ask the Secretary of State for War for a list of officers of the Regular Army, serving or retired, who were educated in peace-time in certain selected foreign languages, so that their specialised training, acquired at Government expense, may be utilised by his Ministry in connection with propaganda, publicity and broadcasting to the countries of which they have special knowledge?

On several occasions, when suitable civilian applicants could not be found for such duties, requests have been made for personnel with special qualifications to be released from the Army. Linguistic ability is only one of the qualifications necessary for foreign publicity work.

Does the Minister not think that where officers have actually been living abroad in those countries, and have acquired special qualifications at the Government's expense, those special qualifications might very well be taken advantage of for the benefit of his Department, and is he aware that many officers of that type are available to him at the moment and are not actually employed at all?

I answered the Question of the hon. and gallant Member. In reply to his Supplementary Question, in special cases we do ask the Army to release men, but does the hon. and gallant Member really believe that just because a man has been abroad that makes him a good propagandist?

Does the Minister believe that just because a man has never lived abroad that makes him a good propagandist?

There are certain people who, if they were sent abroad, would not be useful.

asked the Minister of Information whether, in view of the need to prevent further exacerbation of anti-Semitic feelings among the Arabs and in view of the complaints already received from Moslems both in the Near East and in this country, he will reconsider the advisability of the retention as the official in charge of the Near East Department of the British Broadcasting Corporation of Mr. Hillelson, a Jew of German origin?

No, Sir. I cannot accept my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion. Mr. Hillelson was born in Germany, and educated at the University of Oxford. He became a British subject in 1908. He was a distinguished member of the Sudan Civil Service from 1911 to 1933. High tributes have been paid to his work in Sudan by a succession of Governors General, and, indeed, by all who worked with him. Mr. Hillelson later served for some time in the Foreign Office, and became a member of the staff of the B.B.C. in 1937. I cannot believe that the House will accept for one moment my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion that a man who has been a faithful public servant for 31 years should be removed from his appointment on the ground that he is a Jew of German origin. I should regard myself as being a most unworthy servant of this House were I to approach the B.B.C. to suggest to the Governors that they should absorb Hitler's loathsome anti-Semitic prejudices.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that he has totally mistaken the purpose of my Question and my objection? I have no objection in the slightest to the character or attainments of the distinguished public servant whom he is so unnecessarily leaping to defend on those grounds. The objection is solely—

Mr. McNeil.

On a point of Order. May I not be allowed to defend myself?

The hon. Member was giving information, not asking for it.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that an employee of the British Broadcasting Corporation, Mr. Terence de Marney, obstructed accredited journalists in the performance of their duties on the occasion of the departure of a certain vessel from a Scottish port; whether he will make it clear that this employee had no authority from the British Broadcasting Corporation, or two Government Departments, for refusing normal facilities for interviews and photographs; and whether he will ask the British Broadcasting Corporation to take appropriate disciplinary action against the employee concerned?

I understand that no instructions were given for the refusal of normal facilities for interviews and photographs but that the officer concerned felt himself to be responsible for avoiding any publicity which might draw attention to the departure of the vessel. The strong protests which I have received on the matter have been conveyed to the B.B.C. and have been brought to the attention of the officer concerned.

While thanking the Minister for his assurance, may I ask him whether he thinks that a photograph in an hotel lounge would draw attention to the departure of this vessel?

I should have thought myself that it would not.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that a certain man, aged 24, whose full name has been communicated privately by the hon. Member for Hendon, was found to be an absentee from the Army by the Wealdstone bench of justices; that this man has been recently employed by the Ministry on film propaganda work and also by the British Broadcasting Corporation as a broadcaster; whether he is still employed; and if such employment began before or after his name had been removed from the register of conscientious objectors by the tribunal?

This gentleman has never been employed by the Ministry of Information. I understand that more than a year ago he worked as an actor for a company engaged in the production of one of the many films in which the Ministry was interested. I am told that the B.B.C. has used him in a number of dramatic feature programmes.

Has he been working for the B.B.C.?

I have already told the hon. Member that he has worked as an actor in some of these dramatic programmes. I would point out that the B.B.C. employs something like 3,000 people per week who go to the radio.

asked the Minister of Information whether, in view of the fact that there is a supply of qualified British subjects available for propaganda, intelligence and broadcasting to the Near and Middle East, he will choose trained intelligence officers, with knowledge of the language and of the country concerned, in preference to persons with academic mind and outlook?

If my hon. Friend will supply me with the names of any qualified persons who he thinks might usefully be employed or re-employed in this field, I will certainly consider them.

I will send the right hon. Gentleman the names of some qualified persons.

asked the Minister of Information whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that astrologers are predicting that Germany is on the verge of collapse; and whether he will stop astrological predictions about the war in order to counteract the risk that addicts of astrology will relax their efforts?

Astrologers seem to have the misfortune to be perpetually in conflict. And as no sensible person takes their predictions seriously, I cannot ask our overworked censors to meddle in their mysteries.

Has the Minister seen the recent statement in the "People" that, owing to the conjunction of the stars, no invasion of this country can ever take place, and is he aware that a great many people do treat such statements very seriously indeed and direct their actions accordingly?

Yes, but I must point out that some other papers' astrologists have probably said that England can be invaded. As Hitler is known to dabble in astrology, may it not be that certain articles are written for him?

Is there any reason why Hitler should have a monopoly of astrology?

No, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that one astrologer last Sunday predicted a Government crisis this month? Is there any truth in that?

asked the Minister of Information why, after the correspondence of a member of His Majesty's Forces has been duly censored at headquarters, it is necessary to have it censored again by the civilian censorship; and whether he will issue instructions that all such correspondence is exempt from a second censorship which causes delay in delivery?

My hon. Friend must be referring to letters censored by an officer in the senders' unit, some of which are subsequently re-examined by Service base censors. In some cases civilian examiners assist the base censors, but they do so on Service instructions. I will, therefore, bring my hon. Friend's suggestion to the notice of the Service Departments.

asked the Minister of Supply how many cases he has had reported to him for action of employers or managers of factories engaged on essential war Work whose methods have led to a slowing-down of the war effort; how many prosecutions have been initiated, and with what results?

Complaints in respect of the management of factories have been received from time to time from various quarters. They are at once investigated and where necessary the management is changed or strengthened. No sufficient grounds for prosecution have been disclosed in these cases. In many cases change of management has been voluntarily effected as a result of our suggestions and in several cases we have for one reason or another put in authorised controllers.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he has examined a pictorial publication, named "Rising Tide," issued by the Oxford Group, a copy of which has been given him by the hon. Member for Govan; whether, as it weighs 10 ounces and is printed on thick paper, he authorised the release of paper for this publication, which has no bearing on the war effort; and why the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society, Limited, Glasgow, was refused paper to print a symposium for the London Scottish Self-Government League, written by experts and dealing with planning for Scotland?

I understand that "Rising Tide" was last reprinted in May, 1939, from stocks of paper acquired in 1937. With regard to the third part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Maryhill (Mr. Davidson) on 29th April.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that "Rising Tide" is still being circulated?

It may be circulated, but the printing of it is as I have described.

asked the Minister of Supply how many foreign newspapers and periodicals are now published in this country; to what nationalities they belong; and whether, in view of the shortage of paper for British publications, he will arrange that paper for only one publication be allotted to each nationality?

Sixty-three, covering 14 nationalities. They include daily, weekly or monthly journals of various types, with subject matter that could not suitably be incorporated in one publication for each nationality.

Is it not possible to reduce this number, seeing how other papers are being inconvenienced for want of newsprint?

We are examining the subject in association with the Minister of Information.

asked the Minister of Supply what steps he has taken to see that proper economies have been effected in the consumption of light and fuel in all establishments under his control; and whether he will consider the appointment of a qualified officer to ensure that all such considerations are effectuated as time and opportunity permit?

Instructions for securing economy in fuel, light and power were issued to Ministry of Supply establishments in October last, and heads of establishments were required to designate an officer to ensure their observance.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that those instructions are being satisfactorily carried out?

From the most recent report, it is clear that substantial economies have been effected.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he can give an assurance that if tyres are removed from motor-cars in storage it will be possible to obtain service ones if the financial circumstances of the owner make it necessary to sell the motor-car and demonstrate its capabilities?

The administrative difficulties which would arise from the requisitioning of tyres from laid-up vehicles are being examined, and the point made by my hon. Friend will be taken into account.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware of the difficulty in obtaining adequate insurance for stocks of scrap rubber, or machinery in close proximity to these stocks, as a result of which the scrap rubber salvage scheme is likely to be seriously hampered; and what steps he is taking to prevent this?

I am not aware of any general difficulty of this kind. Arrangements have been made for periodical removals from waste rubber merchants, so as to keep stocks from becoming unduly large; and reclaimers need not hold stocks in excess of their normal requirements.

asked the Minister of Supply what steps he proposes to take to ensure that local authorities follow the lead of the Birmingham Corporation, who are conducting a vigorous rubber salvage campaign; and whether he will press upon other local authorities throughout the country the urgent need to collaborate with those responsible for the rubber salvage scheme so that effective results may be achieved?

The importance of rubber salvage has recently been impressed on local authorities. I feel sure that they will collaborate fully with all concerned in the effort to collect all available scrap rubber, though the precise methods adopted will vary with local circumstances. A national publicity campaign on the subject has just been launched through the Ministry of Information.

Would my right hon. Friend ask local authorities to follow the example of Birmingham in every other matter as well?