asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether he is aware of the recent introduction by the Germans of compulsory labour service for all Poles by yearly age groups from 18 to 60 years of age; and whether, as this is a violation of international law, he will have it notified to the German Government that unless this practice is immediately stopped a similar compulsory labour service with conditions of equal severity will after the war be applied to all members of the Nazi party;

(2) whether he is aware of the quantity of Polish university professors and scientists deliberately murdered by the Nazis or caused to die in concentration camps, and especially the 60 Polish professors arrested in Lwow, 11 months ago, who have completely disappeared; and whether he will announce that all German professors of Nazi philosophy, Nazi geopolitics and of the pseudo-science of racial superiority will at the end of the war be themselves placed in prison for a lengthy term of years?

His Majesty's Government have received information regarding these and similar crimes and violation of international law committed by the German occupying authorities in Poland. I am glad to have this opportunity to remind those authorities and also the Polish people, who are showing such tenacity and fortitude in their present trials, of the Prime Minister's statement on 25th October last that retribution for such crimes must henceforward take its place among the major purposes of the war.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement on the activities of the German Naval Mission which arrived recently in Spain?

According to my information, there is no German naval mission in Spain at present.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that careful watch has been kept on the great variety of missions going from Germany to Spain?

My hon. Friend may be sure that I checked this information before I gave my answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the name of Ethiopia was omitted from the list of United Nations to whom the Prime Minister's message was addressed; whether the omission was due to the Government of Ethiopia not having yet signed the Pact; if so, what steps have been taken to bring the Pact to the notice of the Government at Addis Abbaba; and how soon the appointment of a diplomatic representative of that Government in London may be expected?

Ethiopia was not included among the United Nations because the Government of Ethiopia is not a party to the Declaration of the United Nations. The Emperor is naturally aware of the terms of that Declaration. I have not been informed when the Emperor proposes to appoint a representative in London.

In view of the difficulties of communications between Ethiopia and this country, cannot something be expedited so that as soon as possible Ethiopia may be in a position to join the other Allies in conference, in view of the effective resistance to the Axis which she gave during the combat in that country?

I can assure my hon. Friend that there is no difficulty about communications. The Emperor is fully aware of the position, and I think we must, at least, leave it to him to take his own decision.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether, as there are many highly skilled, experienced, professional and technical men above military age unemployed at this time and as the Central Register does not function for this purpose, he will apply to the various professional institutions for lists of suitable men available to replace those in his Ministry who are medically fit and below the age of reservation?

The hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension about the functions of the Central Register of the Ministry of Labour and National Service. This Department is the official channel for the recruitment of professional and technical staff in all Government Departments and for this purpose maintains the closest liaison with the professional Institutions. I would refer him to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service on nth December, 1941, regarding the setting up of the Appointments Department and to my reply to his Question on 13th May; no men below the age of reservation have been retained in the Ministry of Works and Buildings except with the concurrence of the Kennet Committee.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are a great number of men capable of doing this work who are over military age? Why should they not replace these men?

As I have informed the hon. Member on previous occasions, where these men are called up, and they are being called up with the exception of those reserved by the Kennet Committee, older men are appointed in their place.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider sending some of these highly skilled men to clear the blocked channels of the Central Register?

As in every instance there is a tendency for young men of military age to pledge their consciences to their seniors, will not the hon. Gentleman do what he can to encourage them to redeem their consciences?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any information regarding the riots which occurred recently in the Bahamas?

Yes, Sir. On 29th May, as a result of discussions between a delegation of labourers and the Labour Officer as to increased wages for work being carried out in New Providence by American contractors at a little above current local rates of wages, the Acting Governor received a letter from the labourers requesting substantial increase of pay. The question was being investigated by the Acting Governor, who was preparing to appoint a Board, when a dispute broke out on the evening of Sunday, 31st May, amongst one section of labourers. They were told by the Labour Officer that their complaints were being investigated and were advised to return to work on the following Monday. A further conference between the Labour Officer, labour leaders and American contractors was held that evening. On the morning of Monday, 1st June, the labour leaders met the men and advised them to go on working, but all struck. By 9 a.m. a thousand men were rioting and looting shops in the city, and the labour leaders were unable to control them. The Volunteer Defence Force was mobilised and the Riot Act was read. A mixed party of police and military were attacked by 800 rioters, 15 shots were fired, which killed two and wounded seven of the rioters, one soldier being injured. A curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. was ordered. On the Tuesday morning rioting continued in certain parts and attempts by the mob to break into the city were dispersed by armed forces without further shooting. Since the night of Tuesday, 2nd June, rioting has ceased, except for a few small incidents. His Royal Highness returned to the Colony on the Tuesday, and after discussion with all sections of the community and the labour leaders, he made a broadcast on the Wednesday night that no negotiations could be begun until he was satisfied that peace and order had been restored, and he advised the men to return to work pending consideration of the wages question. By 6th June, 1,500 had returned to work representing about 60 per cent. of the workers previously employed. The situation is now quiet.

Can my right hon. Friend say if the troops used were all British troops?

Not without notice.

Has the wages situation improved?

The whole question is now under discussion with the Governor.

In view of the continuous-, opposition of the Legislative Council to progressive labour legislation, can consideration be given at an early date to a revision of the Constitution of this territory?

That does not arise out of the Question, but I will call my Noble Friend's attention to what the hon. Member has said.

Are not these riots a sequel to the refusal of the Government to face up to the problem?

Were any of the registered trade unions in the Colony involved in the dispute, and had previous representations by trade union leaders been rejected by the local government?

The hon. Member should put that Question on the Paper.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the conditions under which workers are recruited in Jamaica for labour in the area of the Panama Canal; and whether this recruitment is in any way supervised by the labour department in Jamaica?

The recruitment in Jamaica of workers for employment in the Panama Canal Zone is carried out in accordance with the terms of the International Labour Conventions relating to the recruitment of workers and the regulation of written contracts. The Answer to the last part of the Question is in the affirmative.

Was inspection of the conditions of labour in the area in consultation with the Government of Jamaica and the United States included?

Yes, that is carried out by the Kingston Labour Bureau.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies why permission to enter Palestine has been refused to Heinz Hirschmann, aged 12 years, whose mother died recently, and whose father and grandfather are resident in Palestine; and will he agree to the request of the grandfather that the boy be admitted?

My noble Friend is in communication with the High Commissioner for Palestine on this matter, and I will communicate later with my hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether arrangements have now been made to send a factory inspector to Trinidad to deal with the admittedly unsatisfactory conditions prevailing in that Colony; when he will commence investigations; and when it is anticipated the necessary work will be carried out?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. With regard to the other parts, the officer in question is not being sent out to conduct a special investigation of the factories and workshops in Trinidad. He is taking up the new appointment of Senior Inspector of Factories, and his duties will automatically entail the continuous inspection and supervision of factory conditions generally in the Colony.

Will an effort be made to see that this inspector gets on more quickly with the work he is doing now than when the effort was made to get him on the job?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction in British Guiana regarding the smallness of the sums granted under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act; why the proposals of the Welfare Commission are not discussed in the Legislative Council, who wish to see progress made with land settlement and workere housing schemes; and whether he will ensure that substantial advance is made in these directions?

No, Sir. Ten schemes have already been approved, involving free grants of £50,843, while it is hoped that another five schemes for free grants amounting to £25,897 will be approved shortly. A number of other applications are being considered. Under wartime conditions, progress so far may be regarded as satisfactory.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reply to my point with regard to the Legislative Council discussing the programme of work that requires to be done?

The Controller's recommendations are, no doubt, considered by the Executive Council, which includes some of the elected members of the Legislative Council, but it would not be appropriate that consideration should in all cases be given to the details of the scheme by the full Legislative Council.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that recently 21 labourers, employed by the sanitary department of Sierra Leone, were convicted for taking part in a strike and fined £2 each or 30 days imprisonment; and whether, as these illiterate workers were wrongly informed by the chief labour officer that their work came within the schedule of essential undertakings under the provisions of the Defence (Essential Work) (General Provisions) Order, 1941, although, in fact, the sanitary department had never been so scheduled, he will secure the appropriate restitution to these natives and that improper interference with their legal rights shall cease?

It is correct that 21 sanitary labourers in Sierra Leone were convicted for taking part in a strike and fined £2 each or 30 days' imprisonment. They pleaded guilty on the advice of the defending counsel. They were charged under paragraph 6 of the Defence (Settlement of Labour Disputes) Order, 1941, which prohibits strikes and lockouts unless the dispute in question has been reported to the Chief Labour Officer in accordance with the provisions of the Order. Before they were charged they were warned on two separate occasions that they should submit their cases for consideration under the terms of the Order and that unless they did so the strike was illegal. The men, however, declined to accept advice and refused to return to work. It is not correct that they were informed by the Chief Labour Officer that their work came under the provisions of the Essential Work Order, as the Sanitary Department has not been scheduled under that Order. There was no improper interference with the legal rights of the accused, and the question of restitution does not therefore arise.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Press of Sierra Leone is very heavily censored and that the authorities permitted incorrect statements to be published which are general throughout the town? Can these persons not have restitution?

I do not quite follow the hon. Member's Supplementary Question. I should have thought that if the Press was heavily censored, that would make it more difficult for incorrect statements to be published.

Could not the provisions of the Atlantic Charter be applied to this Territory? Will the right hon. Gentleman revive some of the sentiments which did him so much credit before he joined the Government?

That is an improper question.

Am I to understand that it is out of Order to suggest that the right hon. Gentleman should revive some of the sentiments which did him so much credit before he joined the Government?

If the hon. Member had submitted that Question to the Table, it would not have been accepted.

Are we to be muzzled altogether? I refuse to be muzzled.

Does the hon. Member refer to me?

I do not desire to refer to you, Sir, in a disrespectful fashion, but I refuse to be muzzled.

Is it not a fact that the best Supplementary Questions would never appear on the Paper?

But they are not in Order.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the present balances standing to the credit the Malayan Governments in this country and in other parts of the British Empire?

The nominal value of the capital assets of the Malayan Governments, not now in enemy control, was on 31st May approximately £71,750,000, of which approximately £36,500,000 was earmarked for special purposes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any inquiry by a commission, including some member with special knowledge of the conditions of African native life, was held prior to the enactment of regulations in Nigeria for the conscription of African labour for civil work, on the lines of the commission of inquiry in Kenya prior to the enactment of the ordinance on compulsory labour; why the regulations for Nigeria contain no provisions to safeguard the conditions of employment; and whether such provisions have subsequently been made, or will be made without delay?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies why forced labour has been adopted in the private tin mines of Nigeria?

The regulations to which the hon. Member for the Combined English Universities (Mr. Harvey) refers were enacted as a measure of great urgency by the Government of Nigeria to meet the situation resulting from the loss of the Far Eastern sources for the supply of tin. It was necessary to proceed upon the wide knowledge of the conditions of native life already available to that Government, and my Noble Friend has every confidence that the knowledge was adequate for the purpose. Section 4 of the regulations in question gives power for the Government to regulate the conditions of employment with a view to ensuring the well-being of the persons selected; but while the general powers appear to be adequate, the question of providing more specific safeguards is being taken up with the Acting Governor.

Is it not an urgent matter that proper safeguards in regard to labour should be enforced without delay?

Yes, Sir, very urgent. That is why we are taking it up.

Is there not forced labour to-day in the coal mines of Britain?

In view of the great shock to all progressive opinion in this country caused by this decision to extend forced labour to Nigeria, where there is already a considerable surplus of labour which could be employed, on what public grounds was the decision taken? What is to be done in regard to the profits and royalties which will be gained out of the exploitation of cheap native labour for private profit and private enterprise?

In reply to the first supplementary, it was a considerable shock to this country when 60 per cent. of the world supply of tin was lost to us, and it has been very necessary to make it good. With regard to the second and third parts of the Question, the profits of the company will be liable to Excess Profits Tax of 100 per cent. and the royalties, if they are increased, will go very largely to the revenues of the Colony in question.

Is my hon. Friend aware that it is a violation of the Forced Labour Convention that this labour shall be employed for private enterprise for the purpose of private profit, and on these grounds will he reconsider the whole policy?

If my hon. Friend will study the International Labour Convention carefully, I think he will find that there is no violation of the Convention.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the question on the Adjournment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has taken steps, in view of the encouragement to smuggling which insurance against loss is giving, to make it illegal for British insurance companies to insure smugglers of food from Northern Ireland into Eire against loss?

I have no evidence that any British insurance companies are entering into contracts of this kind, but if my hon. Friend will send me particulars, I shall be grad to investigate them.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman make it clear that any such insurance is illegal, because it is causing a great deal of dissatisfaction in Northern Ireland?

I do not see any object in making clear that the practice is illegal. If my hon. Friend will send me cases, I will certainly go into them.

Was it not stated publicly in the courts?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will give me the reference.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the statement prepared by the Cheltenham Chamber of Commerce and sent to him on the question of a more equitable allocation of supplies to the small retailer; and what action he proposes to take thereon?

I have read the statement to which my hon. Friend refers, but for the reasons given in my reply to a similar Question by my hon. Friend on 10th June, my right hon. Friend could not undertake to guarantee a definite share of available supplies to each retail trader.

Does the reply mean that while my hon. and gallant Friend is not able to accept this scheme, he is not prepared to put forward alternative proposals?

We feel that arrangements we have by which who salers are asked to share out their supplies reasonably fairly is by and large meeting the position.

Would my hon. and gallant Friend at least once more draw the attention of wholesalers to the fact that small retailers feel they are not getting their fair share and ask them to do what the Government have asked them to do?

I am only too anxious to do that in any specific case. A general request of that kind would be without effect, but if my hon. Friend will give me definite instances of areas in which the retailers are suffering I will most certainly take it up with the wholesalers.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the greatly increased prices that are being asked in certain areas for houses offered for sale; and will he control the prices of houses on the basis of pre-war rateable value?

My right hon. Friend understands that in some reception areas there has been a rise in the prices of houses for which vacant possession can be given. In view of the protection afforded to tenants under the Rent Restriction Acts and the powers available by way of requisitioning and billeting for various war-time needs, he does not feel that he would at present be justified in seeking Parliamentary powers on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend. My right hon. Friend is, however, keeping the situation under careful watch, and he would be glad to receive any facts which my hon. Friend has in his possession.

If it is possible to control rents, why is it not also possible to control the prices of houses, and how does my hon. Friend reconcile the answer with the Government's pledge that profits shall be taken out of war?

As to the difference between controlling rents and controlling houses for sale, my hon. Friend will realise if he looks at the Rent Restriction Acts that it is keeping rent to what it was before. If he will give me definite facts of houses where he says the price is excessive, we will look into them.

Is not putting houses on to the market for sale defeating the purpose of the Rent Restriction Acts by excluding those who can only pay rent and making it possible for those who have large sums of money to spend to buy them, and subsequently raising the rent of those houses?

I do not think it affects the Rent Restriction Acts because these houses may never have been rented before.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any change is contemplated in the Voluntary Aid Detachment organisation?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the opposition which exists to the proposal that the Voluntary Aid Detachments should be absorbed in the Auxiliary Territorial Service; and whether he will either cancel this proposal or give an assurance that this House shall have an opportunity of expressing its views on the subject before a final decision is taken?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give an assurance that mobile members of the Voluntary Aid Detachment, serving in hospitals of His Majesty's Forces, shall not, without their consent, be absorbed into other organisations, but may remain under the auspices of the British Red Cross Society and wear their customary uniform?

I have at present nothing to add to the answer (given to my hon. Friend the Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson) on 2nd June.

Could the hon. Gentleman give any reason why that change is contemplated?

My right hon. Friend explained in a previous answer that it would not be possible to give the full story in answer to a Parliamentary Question. The position now is that the Army Council are expecting a deputation from the societies concerned, and perhaps my hon. Friend will await the result of this.

Why are the War Office taking a different view in this matter from that of the Admiralty and the Air Ministry?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will ask the Admiralty and the Air Ministry.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind the high public esteem in which this organisation is held?

I am well aware of the feeling on this question, and my right hon. Friend has already agreed to receive a deputation, which I think the Noble Lord the Member for Horsham (Earl Winterton) is arranging.

On a point of Order Mr. Speaker. May I point out that Question 39, which refers to hospitals of His Majesty's Forces, was addressed to the Prime Minister and was then transferred to the Secretary of State for War? In these circumstances is not my hon. Friend presumably authorised to speak on behalf of the other Services, and is he entitled to decline to answer for their policy?

That is not a point of Order.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the policy of the York education committee in advertising for women teachers, with a specific ban on married women, has his approval; and whether, as it is likely under present conditions to lead to a lowering of teaching standards in that city, he will make representations to the York authority on the matter?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. In view of the shortage of teachers and the importance of making full use of the teaching power available, my right hon. Friend considers that any bar to the employment of married women teachers should be suspended at least for the period of the war, and this has been urged in a Circular issued by my Department to local education authorities last week. My right hon. Friend is communicating with the York education authority accordingly.

While thanking the Minister for his reply, may I ask whether he can say whether York is now the only education authority in the country that advertises such conditions?

Not without notice.

Why cannot mothers teach as well as spinsters?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much profit was made by the Petroleum Board for the financial years ended 31st March, 1940, 1941 and 1942, respectively, and whether such profits are collected by the Treasury?

In reply to the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given on 5th and 12th May to the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Ness Edwards), of which I am sending him a copy. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative.

May I ask my hon. Friend whether the profits all go to the oil industry?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power, what price is paid by the Petroleum Board to the Government for pool petrol and high-octane spirit, respectively, delivered free under Lend-Lease, and at what prices they are retailed or delivered in bulk to the Services?

Petroleum products obtained under Lend-Lease arrnagements are sold by His Majesty's Government to the Petroleum Board on the basis of the commercial prices ruling at the time. As regards the second part of the Question, I regret I am not able to depart from the established rule not to publish the terms on which the Government purchases goods from suppliers.

Am I to understand that the Petroleum Board sell the oil which is shipped free to the Government under these Lend-Lease arrangements at retail or approximately retail prices to the Services, so that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has to raise a loan in order to pay the difference between the price to the Petroleum Board and the price at which the Services buy from the Petroleum Board?

To the only part of the Question which I understand the answer is "No."

asked the Prime Minister whether Lord Swinton is to be a member of the War Cabinet?

asked the Prime Minister what political duties will be assumed by Lord Swinton in West Africa; what authority he will exercise in relation to the governments in British West Africa; and whether he will exercise his responsibilities through the Secretary of State for the Colonies?

In reply to the first part of the Question, the Minister s duties are to ensure the effective co-operation in the prosecution of the war of all Services, Civil and Military. His appointment is thus administrative rather than political. As regards the second part of the Question, no constitutional change is entailed in the four Colonies, which will remain under their own Governors, who on all normal questions of Colonial administration will continue to act under the authority of the Secretary of State for the Colonies. With regard to the third part of the Question, and to the Question by my hon. Friend the Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) the Minister will be of Cabinet rank but will not be a member of the War Cabinet. He will work in close consultation with the Secretary of State for the Colonies. He will, of course, have the right to address any Minister direct, though when he does so his normal channel of communication will be through the Colonial Office.

Do I understand from that Reply that the position will be different from that of the Minister of State in Cairo, who is a member of the War Cabinet?

Certainly.

May I ask whether he will assume the duties of a kind of Governor-General? Will he have any overriding authority over the local Governments or over the Governors? Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that so far as the social and economic policies of the respected territories are concerned, they will be safeguarded in accordance with the programme and policy of the Colonial Office?

If the hon. Gentleman will study the Answer I have given, he will see, I think, that his point is fully covered. The Governors have their full responsibilities for the ordinary running of their Colonies. This is only for matters concerning the co-ordination of the war effort.

As the Minister has Cabinet rank, who will answer for him in this House?

I think the most convenient thing would be to put questions to the Colonial Secretary.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that if at any time the Minister should make a report, this House would like to hear it?

Does not this appointment fall into a new category of Cabinet Ministers whose duties are administrative and not legislative, because apparently this Minister has no political responsibility to anyone?

I do not think so. I think the position is analagous to that of the Minister of State.

Which Minister of State?

asked the Prime Minister what changes he is contemplating making in the personnel of the governors of the British Broadcasting Corporation?

The King has been pleased to approve the re-appointment as Vice-Chairman and Governor of the Corporation of Mr. C. H. G. Millis, whose term of appointment recently expired.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware of the feeling, which is widespread, that if there were other changes in personnel, it might bring about a change in policy which is so much desired?