asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make with reference to the taking over of the Tangier telegraph service by the Spanish authorities?

No, Sir. The hon. Member no doubt has in mind recent Press reports, which have so far proved unfounded, suggesting that the Spanish authorities intended to take over the French Shereefian Post Office at Tangier last month.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will try and arrange for copies of the official records of the proceedings of the United States of America Senate and Con- gress, as from 1st January, 1943, to be placed in the Libraries of our Parliament, offering reciprocal arrangements to the United States of America?

I shall be happy to institute such an arrangement if agreeable to the Congress of the United States, and will make inquiry.

Is it not a fact that the Congressional record is placed in the Library and that it has been available for a considerable time?

I have looked into this, and I think that my answer is in order.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there are two separate Houses in the United States, the Congress and the Senate?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the decisions of the Polish Government that Polish Jews temporarily in exile will have every facility for returning to Poland after the war, and that any Polish Jew who manages to escape abroad to a neutral country or is without means in a country belonging to any of the United Nations, will be maintained by the Polish Government; and will he invite all the United Nations concerned to make a similar declaration with regard to their nationals of the Jewish faith?

I have seen a report of the Polish Government's decision in question. I have no reason to believe that any Government of the United Nations will refuse facilities for the return of its Jewish nationals to its territory as soon as this is practicable. The maintenance of refugees of Allied nationality in the various countries of refuge is already the responsibility of their Governments.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that the policy suggested by the action of the Polish Government is the best way to solve both the immediate and post-war problems?

Yes, Sir, and I have every reason to believe that it is the policy of all the Allied Governments in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is to be the position of the Foreign Research and Press service branch of Chatham House under the forthcoming Foreign Office reform scheme; and what functions will it perform?

The Foreign Research and Press Service was organised at the outbreak of war by the public-spirited initiative of the Royal Institute for International Affairs. Its work has been of increasing value to the Foreign Office and other Government Departments and it will shortly be transferred from administration by Chatham House to the direct control of the Foreign Office. It is, however, a war-time organisation and as such has no position in the Foreign Service reform scheme.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of the Allied Governments feel disquiet about some of the personnel to be taken over? Should not the whole question of personnel be looked into?

That is my responsibility; I shoulder that.

Will my right hon. Friend do what he can to maintain an independent status for this organisation?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what Department or organisation in this country is compiling a record of war criminals?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Isle of Wight (Captain P. Macdonald) on 16th December last.

Will my right hon. Friend give those Members who so desire an opportunity of inspecting these records?

I would like to consider that.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider the urgent need for a United Nations broadcast to Germany for several hours daily and for 30 consecutive days reaffirming the declaration of 17th December, so that it will become known throughout Europe that every person guilty of taking any, part in the torture and death of Jews and other citizens of occupied countries will be punished by hanging and that long terms of penal servitude will be imposed for the ill-treatment of innocent victims of Nazi tyranny and cruelty?

The Allied declaration of 17th December is already being given, in broadcasts to Europe and in leaflets in Germany, all the publicity that the limitations of time and technical facilities permit. A great deal of time has been devoted to it in all languages. Steps have also been, and will continue to be, taken to warn the Nazis and their accomplices that those responsible for the commission of such war crimes will be strictly punished.

Has my right hon. Friend any evidence that the rank and file of those in the German forces have any knowledge of the declaration of 17th December, and does he not consider that the suggestion in this Question would provide a very practical means of helping people who are in a fortress when we cannot get them out?

Of course, it is difficult for me to say how much of this information gets through to what my hon. Friend calls the rank and file in Germany, but I am satisfied that we are doing what we can to see that it does.

As the Jews are the only people who are selected by the Germans for propaganda, might not the Jews be given opportunities for broadcasts themselves in reply?

I think they do.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that our broadcasts to Germany are listened-to to a sufficient extent to make this course worth while?

It is not, as my hon. and gallant Friend will understand if he reads the answer, a question only of broadcasts. Other methods are employed as well.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that broadcasts are worth while if they save any lives at all?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arrangements the Foreign Office intend to make for recruiting personnel with knowledge of economic and social questions, particularly on labour, co-operative and peasant problems?

I would refer my hon. Friend to Section II of Command Paper 6420, from which it will be seen that the intention of the new scheme of recruitment and training is to ensure that members of the Foreign Service are fully qualified to deal with all questions which form an essential part of their work.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in his scheme for the reform of the Foreign Service, he will consider the desirability of providing for the appointment of scientific and technical attachés, as well as assuring that the commercial, political and consular posts are adequately staffed?

Yes, Sir. As my hon. Friend will observe from Command Paper 6420, it is foreseen that Heads of Missions abroad should have expert advisers on technical and other matters when this is in the public interest.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received from any foreign government a proposal that the post-war air transport services of the world shall be operated by an international corporation?

No, Sir.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that while it may be necessary and desirable to have international control of air transportation it would be folly to attempt to have international operational control, and will he take care that he does not burn his fingers as some of his friends have done?

I think I should burn my fingers if I attempted to answer that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why his Department has discouraged British shipping companies from becoming practically interested in post-war air transport?

I cannot accept the implication of my hon. Friend's Question. As was pointed out by my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport, on 3rd February, the proposal that shipping interests should participate in post-war civil air transport involves important issues of general policy which are under consideration by His Majesty's Government.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that no fewer than three shipping companies have had cold water thrown by his Department on their inquiries as to what action they could take regarding air transport? Is it not a fact that His Majesty's Government have committed themselves after the war both to an extension of trade and to the employment of our Air Force, and on both those grounds should not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman give full information to the shipping companies?

As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary stated just now, he would burn his fingers if he went into these issues. I should be doing the same, and even more so, if I did that. It is not for the Air Ministry to throw cold water on the shipping companies. All we have told them is that these issues are mixed up with large questions which His Majesty's Government have now under consideration.

Will the Minister see what he can do to follow up this matter and keep the shipping companies informed of the policy of His Majesty's Government?

asked the Minister without Portfolio why no decisions have been taken on the subject of post-war air transport, when his committees have been considering this matter for some 18 months?

Perhaps my hon. Friend would be good enough to await the forthcoming Debate on the Air Estimates, when this subject will no doubt be discussed. In the meantime, he should not assume that no decisions have been taken.

Did not my right hon. and learned Friend tell the House only a fortnight ago that no decisions had been taken? Are we to assume that very important decisions have been taken in the last 14 days?

I do not want to anticipate the forthcoming Debate, but I have given my hon. Friend the advice not to assume that no decisions have been taken.

Does that mean that in that Debate we shall have pronouncements by the Government on this subject? If I send my right hon. and learned Friend a report by the Labour Party on civil aviation, will he consider it?

Most certainly; I shall be glad to have it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information about the action of the Portuguese Government tending to the assumption of control of British and other foreign public utility companies operating in Portugal; and whether His Majesty's Government are in communication with the Portuguese Government with a view to safeguarding the position of the British interests involved?

I understand that a Bill of this nature has been submitted by the Portuguese Government to the National Assembly, where it is under study. His Majesty's Ambassador has asked the Portuguese Government for an explanation of the scope and purpose of this Measure, and has drawn attention to the implications which it may have for the important British undertakings operating in Portuguese territory.

Can my right hon. Friend give an assurance that His Majesty's Government will continue to do all they possibly can to secure fair play for British interests in Portugal, in order that the trade between the two countries which has existed with so much harmony and cordiality for many years may be continued on that basis?

I will certainly give that assurance.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether, in view of the serious shortage of accommodation in many parts of the country, he will authorise expenditure on damaged property to permit habitation in those cases where this can be shown to be materially more economical than building fresh houses?

The need for providing additional living accommodation is fully appreciated by my Noble Friend and by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, but there is not available enough labour and materials to permit of unrestricted permission being given for the repair of property damaged by enemy action. Licences for the repair of damaged houses and fiats are issued when there is a demand for increased accommodation in the district provided that the labour and materials required are reasonable in relation to the value of the property, and the number of persons to be accommodated. To accelerate progress, however, a scheme has been evolved, in conjunction with the Ministry of Health and with the co-operation of local authorities and the building industry, by which we hope by November next to bring back into use some 40,000 damaged houses which are not at present habitable.

Are we to understand that, in areas where accommodation is badly needed, the Ministry concerned will give greater latitude to the licensing of materials to render uninhabitable houses habitable for people who want them?

Yes, Sir; our latitude is always conditioned by the amount of labour and materials available, and not by a desire to restrict them.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that James Douglas, who for 16 years had worked at the Royal Navy torpedo factory at Greenock and who was receiving 6s. per week as merit awards was, on 22nd February at two days' notice, compulsorily transferred with leave of absence to a shipbuilding yard; why an employee of such long service was permitted to go when others with less are retained; and whether he will give an assurance that this compulsory transfer will not affect Douglas's service gratuity amounting to about £45?

The particulars concerning Mr. Douglas's employment and pay are as stated in the first part of my hon. Friend's Question. With regard to the second part, I have nothing to add to the reply given on 25th February by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service. With regard to the third part, Mr. Douglas's claim for a superannuation gratuity will not be prejudiced by his transfer, on the assumption that he returns to Admiralty employment when he is released from the direction to work elsewhere.

Is it not a fact that the Minister has not told the House the reasons for this man's being singled out for transfer? The man has been 16 years in the torpedo factory, and there are other men who have not been there so long, men accustomed to working in the shipyards. The man in question is being transferred to a shipyard, and the Minister has not given any reason why the Admiralty have allowed that transfer to go on. Will the Minister submit to the House a report of the inquiry that is now taking place into the administration of affairs in the torpedo factory?

The reply to the first part of the supplementary question is that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour is already making inquiries concerning the direction which was issued to Mr. Douglas, and my hon. Friend must await the result of that inquiry. The second part of the Question raises another matter entirely.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is in a position to make a statement regarding the increase in the cost of living in Cyprus and the efforts taken to minimise the hardship this involves for workers on low wages?

Yes, Sir. Owing to war conditions the cost of living in Cyprus is estimated to have risen by 142 per cent. as compared with 1939. In order to meet this situation, wages have been increased throughout the Colony. In the case of Government employees they have been doubled, while the working day has been reduced from nine to eight hours. Measures have also been taken against inflation. The Government have assumed complete control over all essential imports, which are distributed at fixed prices on a rationed basis, and the price of bread, which is the staple food of the people, has been pegged by means of a subsidy. This system of control was some time ago extended to certain local products, and a Committee was appointed by the Governor to consider what further steps could be taken. This Committee has just reported. Its recommendations, which include one for the extension of subsidies to other vital commodities, have all been accepted by the Cyprus Government and I have approved them. The cost, which will be-approximately £124,000 a year, will be met by His Majesty's Government through an increase in the grant-in-aid to the Cyprus Government, and it is estimated that as a result the cost of living, which has already fallen 10 points since December, will be reduced by a further 15 points.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman bear in mind that owing to the pre-war standard of living in Cyprus, it is impossible to allow anything in the nature of a fall in that standard at the present time and will he safeguard the position by seeing that wages are adequate to meet the increased cost?

Certainly, but I would however point out that the percentage of people employed in purely industrial undertakings is very small and that the great majority: are peasant proprietors whose economic position has been vastly improved by the war.

Could the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say in addition to the increased cost of living what the increases in wages are?

I did say.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the approximate wages paid now, and during 1939, for unskilled and skilled labour in Cyprus, and the price of bread, olives, beans, meat and wheat for the same periods; and whether he is satisfied that the official cost-of-living figures are a reliable index?

The statistical information for which the hon. Member asks is not yet available. I have telegraphed to Cyprus for it and will communicate it to him as soon as it is received. The official cost-of-living index figure is compiled in accordance with the recommendations of a committee of experienced officers in Cyprus, who were throughout assisted by an officer from the Industrial Relations Department of the Ministry of Labour and National Service. I have no reason to suppose that it is not a reliable guide to variations in the cost of living in Cyprus.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that in fact certain information has reached this country regarding the cost of living which does seem to indicate that the official index needs more careful scrutiny? Will he therefore look into that point?

I certainly will raise that matter, but it has recently been looked into, and I have no reason to believe that any better index could be found.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information respecting the disturbance between African civilian workers and soldiers at Kissy, Sierra Leone; how many similar incidents had prevously taken place; and whether he will state the coroner's verdict on the deceased?

As regards the first and third parts of the Question, I would refer to the full statement which I made in reply to a Question by hon. Member for Consett (Mr. D. Adams) on 20th January. As regards the second part of the Question, I have no information that any similar disturbances have arisen between African civilians and soldiers in Sierra Leone in recent years.

References have been made, and I believe were made in the court, to similar instances which had occurred before. Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman make special inquiries to see whether any instances of this character had occurred before?

I will certainly, but I can find no trace of any.

Has the right hon. and gallant Gentleman any information about the third part of the Question?

If the hon. Member will look at the answer to which I referred, he will see it set out in great detail.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many in-patients and out-patients, respectively, attend the Kingston Public Hospital, Jamaica; the total number of coloured and white nursing staff, respectively, and their hours of labour; and when a whole-time dietician and a qualified sister tutor are likely to be appointed?

I have no figures of later date than 1940, when the number of in-patients was reported as 9,434 and the number of out-patients 263,833. No other statistics are at the moment available. The question of appointing a sister tutor is at present being considered, and it is hoped that an appointment will be made shortly. I have no information about the appointment of a dietician, but inquiries will be made from the Governor on this point, and I will also ask him to supply the latest statistics for which the hon. Member has asked.

Does that include inquiries as to the possibly long hours of labour worked by these nurses?

I will certainly include that.

And the shortage of medical staff?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is satisfied with the progress that is being maintained by the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture, Trinidad, to which only a passing allusion has been made in Sir Frank Stockdale's Report on the Development and Welfare of the West Indies; whether contact is being maintained with the Dominions and other parts of the Colonial Empire; the number of students in residence and extra-mural; and whether further development of the research and experimental work of the college is contemplated?

I am satisfied with the progress that is being maintained by the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture, in spite of the difficulties created by the war. Contact has been maintained between the College, the Colonial Dependencies, and the Colonial Office in respect of research work and of the training of scholars for the Colonial argicultural service. The number of students at the College was 72 at the end of 1941; at the end of last year the number was 39, with 11 more expected shortly. The reduction in numbers last year is due largely to war-time difficulties of communications and to the entry into the Armed Forces of young men who would under normal circumstances have become students at the College. The extension of agricultural research at the College as recommended by the West India Royal Commission has recently formed the subject of discussions between Sir Frank Stockdale, the Principal and the Governing Body of the College; it is expected that proposals for assistance under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act to implement and finance those developments in accordance with the recommendations of the Royal Commission will shortly be received.

In view of the very valuable work being done by this College not only for the West Indies but for the whole of our tropical Empire, will the Colonial Office consider its interests on all appropriate occasions?

Yes, Sir, I am expecting to receive recommendations and I shall certainly consider them with every sympathy.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman inform the House whether the students of this agricultural college are drawn from the whole of the West Indies or merely from Trinidad?

From the whole of the West Indies.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider the advisability of offering scholarships to native-born students?

That is a very interesting suggestion, and I have no doubt that it is one which will have been discussed and probably will form part of the recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a statement on the operations of the rinderpest control in Tanganyika; and whether both schemes to which grants have been made under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act, 1940, are working satisfactorily?

As a statement on this subject is necessarily rather long, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The work, which is being assisted from the Colonial Development and Welfare Vote, is proceeding with generally satisfactory results.

Could my right hon. and gallant Friend say in just a word whether this disease has been got under in Africa now?

It is being got under, but it has not yet been completely killed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement, from the most recent reports, on the economic situation in St. Helena; whether improvement in agriculture is making satisfactory progress; and whether water supplies are now sufficient to meet native requirements?

As regards agriculture, I am glad to say that, in spite of difficulties, arising out of the war, the situation in St. Helena continues to improve. With regard to the second part of the Question, certain projects are now in course of execution but are not yet completed. With my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate a fuller statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a statement about the food situation in Kenya and Tanganyika; the cause of the recent serious shortage and the measures that have been-taken and are to be taken to deal with it?

The present food shortage in East Africa has been caused by the absence of the short rains which has led to the practically complete failure not only of the maize but of other annual crops such as potatoes, beans, and millets. Steps have been taken by the East African Governments to reduce the consumption of maize and other cereals, and to substitute alternative foodstuffs, and every effort is being made to arrange for the early import of emergency supplies. These supplies will include cereals from overseas and a variety of foodstuffs from nearer sources. The position is being closely watched and it is hoped that the arrangements being made will be adequate to meet the shortage.

Does this apply alike both to the coloured and to the white population?

It applies to anybody who wants to eat the food which is there to eat.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that in several coastal towns in the South of England where, as a result of restrictions upon visitors and war conditions generally, there is only a small percentage, compared with that of pre-war days, of traffic upon the roads, a number of one-way streets and other regulations involving detours are still in existence; and whether he will order their abolition, thus effecting a big saving in petrol, especially in public-service vehicles?

I have been asked to reply. Local authorities have, at my hon. Friend's request, reviewed all the one-way and similar traffic arrangements involving detours which are not justified on traffic or safety grounds, and steps will be taken as soon as possible to suspend such arrangements for the time being. If my Noble Friend has any particular cases in mind in which he thinks that changes should be made, my hon. Friend will be glad to make special inquiries.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that there has been a scandalous—almost criminal—waste of petrol as a result of the inability of the local police authorities to appreciate that we are at war, and will he take the opportunity afforded by the fact that those authorities are about to be superseded by larger areas of seeing that this scandalous waste of petrol does not continue? Can I have an answer?

The answer which I have already given gives to my Noble Friend an undertaking that the matter is going to be dealt with.

In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of the answer, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what forms of transport are still being used to bring the large stocks of spring flowers from the growers to the wholesale markets and thence to retailers; and, as the defects in the recent Defence Orders have provided facilities for an extensive system of black-market trading, will he revise them?

So far as railways are concerned, the Order recently made is considered adequate to prevent the carriage of flowers by rail. Flowers are being moved by road for short distances only to local markets, except in a few cases where they may move over longer distances as incidental or return loads on vehicles having space not required for more essential traffic. Flowers may also be carried by coasting vessels where space is available, but the quantity carried is small. The restrictions have tightened up control, and my hon. Friend thinks the present arrangements deserve a fair trial.

Will my hon. and gallant Friend convey to the Minister the information that at least 20 lorry-loads of flowers—or at least 20 lorry-loads of goods, consisting largely of flowers—arrived in Covent Garden this morning, which means the use of transport, and that taxicabs were used there this morning, which means the use of petrol? Will he inform the Minister that reputable people in the trade believe that the Department have handled the matter in a clumsy fashion?

I will convey that to my hon. Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what instructions have been issued by his Department to the officers administering the Emergency Powers (Defence) Railways (Transport of Flowers) Order in order to safeguard ordinary passengers from being exposed to delay and inconvenience through the right to search their luggage, which is established by the terms of the Order?

No such instructions have been given. My hon. Friend may rest assured that it is not intended to inconvenience ordinary passengers unless there is reasonable ground for suspecting that they have committed an offence under the Transport of Flowers Order.

How can a police officer reasonably suspect that luggage contains flowers without using the right of search, and does not that right of search mean Gestapo methods, which are resented by the majority of passengers using the railways?

The Regulations, I understand, give a police constable power to arrest any person whom he has reasonable grounds for suspecting to have committed an offence against the Order. Obviously, he will have to ask the individual to open the bag.

How can any police officer see whether there are flowers inside the luggage or not without searching?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will give consideration to some amendment of the Order recently introduced which prohibits flowers or plants, connected with trade or business, being consigned or conveyed by rail; and, in particular, whether permission will be granted for bona fide travellers to carry with them cut flowers, the value of which is not in excess of £1?

As my hon. Friend said in reply to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Ormskirk (Commander King-Hall) on 23rd February, he would not, in present circumstances, feel justified in relaxing the requirements of the Order. My hon. Friend's proposal would be open to a number of objections, about which, with his permission, the Parliamentary Secretary will write to him.

Why were only a few miserable days' notice given to the growers before this Order was imposed? Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware of the very great hardship to growers throughout the country; and can he tell me where the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport is, and where the Minister is? Mr. Deputy-Speaker, should not a representative of the Ministry be here to answer? Has it not been said that the bud of liberty opens with an English spring?

My hon. Friend, I understand, is ill, and the Minister, of course, cannot attend.

Would not anybody who travels long distances agree that, hard as it is on the growers, considering the appalling amount of traffic it is not an unreasonable Order?

It is all a question of degree. My Noble Friend is not always right.

asked the Prime Minister at what date it was decided to apply the successful methods of Army and Air co-operation as practised by the Eighth Army to the training of troops in this country; and whether this combined training is now taking place?

The successful co-operation between the Army and Royal Air Force in the Middle East has been due to the appreciation by both Services, through hard practical experience of each other's potentialities and limitations in mutual support. The lessons so learned have been continuously applied to training in this country.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is still incomplete understanding between the War Office and the Air Ministry on this subject? Is he prepared to call a meeting of the Service Ministers concerned with the Chief of the Imperial General Staff and the Chief of the Air Staff, to consider any points of disagreement which still exist?

Of course, there are constant meetings of the Chiefs of Staff Committee and the Defence Committee. If my hon. and gallant Friend has any particular points that he would like to send me for consideration I will of course consider them.