asked the Secretary of State for Air (1) the conditions of an allowance for civilian domestic help in the private residences of Royal Air Force officers;

(2) the conditions in which a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force can be ordered by her commanding officer to carry out the duties of a domestic servant in the private residence of the commanding officer?

Prior to 1936 an officer was allowed the services of a batman or batmen according to his rank, if he was living in an official residence or official quarters. At many of the Royal Air Force stations built since then, official residences have not been provided for the Commanding Officer and because of this and of the difficulty in many areas of obtaining domestic help, Commanding Officers of Stations or of Groups have been allowed the services of batmen at their private houses if the circumstances were held to justify it. In 1941 in pursuance of the general policy of substituting women for men wherever possible, the employment of W.A.A.F.'s as batwomen was authorised subject to certain provisos of which the main were that definite hours of duty would be laid down and that the working conditions satisfied the responsible W.A.A.F. officer.

The scale of batmen and batwomen to which R.A.F. officers are entitled has recently been under review and a new regulation is shortly to be issued. This new regulation will include a provision that only women who volunteer may be employed as batwomen in married quarters or private residences and the authority of the Air Officer Commanding Will be required in each case. Women who do volunteer may withdraw from such employment at will. When batmen or batwomen are not provided, servant allowance at the rate of 2s. a day per batman or batwoman allowed is issuable to R.A.F. officers in aid of the cost of civilian personal servants.

While thanking my right hon. and gallant Friend for that very reassuring statement, would he answer that portion of the Question which deals with an allowance for civilian domestic help in the case of commanding officers of R.A.F. stations?

There is no specific allowance for civilian help as such, but when batmen or batwomen are not provided a Service allowance at the rate of 2S. a day is available in aid of the cost of civilian servants.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the National Service Acts were not passed by this House to enable private individuals to be mobilised to serve in a domestic capacity in the private homes of officers?

Is it not a fact that in the cases that have been mentioned, as no official quarters have been provided for the officers, their private home in fact becomes their official quarters?

Yes, Sir, that is so.

Surely we do not expect this Government to abolish the class system?

Is it not a fact that men batmen go out on errands for the officers' wives?

Would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether an officer's wife who is childless and available for domestic work can use the services of a W.A.A.F.?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been called to the refusal of British Women's Auxiliary Air Force personnel attached to the British Embassy in Washington to obey local black-out orders; and what action he proposes to take in the case?

I have made inquiries into this incident, and these show that there was a technical breach of local regulations by two members of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force stationed in Washington. It appears that this breach was entirely unintentional, but in the meantime strict instructions have been issued to all members of the Delegation concerned emphasising the necessity for rigid observance of all local black-out regulations.

asked the Secretary of Slate for Air (1) whether there are vacancies for home service commissions in the Royal Air Force, and, if so, in which branches;

(2) how many members of the Royal Air Force who have been recommended for home service commissions are now waiting for appointments?

Normally commissions are granted only to those fit for service overseas. Occasionally candidates with special qualifications are accepted for the Technical Branch and in certain categories of the Administrative and Special Duties Branch, even though they are fit for home service only. No vacancies are specially reserved for them. Seven airmen are awaiting appointment to commissions for home service only in the Technical Branch and a like number in the Administrative and Special Duties Branch. The numbers may vary from day to day.

Do these seven airmen know that they have been recommended and are still awaiting an opportunity to be posted?

I would like notice as to how soon the airmen are told that they have passed for recommendation.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether when creating an air transport command to take over the British Overseas Airways Corporation and the operation of British air routes throughout the world, he will ensure that full use is made of the experience of British Overseas Airways executives and personnel, and that the whole of this organisation will not be relegated to the command of a retired air marshal?

Perhaps the hon. Member would be good enough to await the Debate on Air Estimates on the next Sitting Day when my right hon. Friend hopes to be in a position to make a statement.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman see that the personnel of British Overseas Airways, who, as he knows, have considerable experience in British civil aviation, are given their proper place in any future Government set-up?

I am sure that the statement which is to be made on the next Sitting Day will take account of that particular fact.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether, in view of the time occupied by Ministry officials in investigating complaints of bad management made by individual workers direct to his Department, he will state why the usual channels for receiving complaints are ignored?

It is not the practice or policy of my Department to ignore the usual channels for dealing with complaints of the kind mentioned. On the contrary, whenever matters of complaint are raised which are appropriate for investigation by a works joint production committee or by the recognised trade union machinery, it is the practice of my Department to refer the complainant to those bodies and to point out to him or her the importance of utilising the proper machinery of negotiation. I am most anxious that these bodies which operate by agreement between the trade unions and the employers should be used in every possible case to resolve domestic difficulties between managements and workers; it is for this reason that I do my utmost to encourage the work of the joint production committees.

asked the Minister of Information how many British subjects are engaged under the auspices of his Ministry in broadcasting to and within the United States of America on the political and social conditions existing in Britain and the Empire, imperial and Colonial; and whether he will ascertain how many United States citizens are similarly employed under the United States Ministry of Information in transmitting information about the United States of America to Britain?

The work that my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind is done by the B.B.C. and the American broadcasting corporations. Certainly much time is devoted to it but I am afraid that I cannot possibly give an estimate of the number of British and American citizens who take part.

While I thank my right hon. Friend, will he bear in mind that mutual knowledge of each other is the best guarantee of permanent understanding?

I certainly think in the case of England and America that it is.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will consider appointing suitable British officials in North Africa to be responsible for disseminating information to the people of this country in regard to the political and military events in that area?

No, Sir. The political and military events of the war have always been reported to the public by correspondents in the service of the newspapers themselves. I am sure that the House needs no recital from me of the deplorable consequences which would result from placing this work in the hands of Government officials.

While I agree with my right hon. Friend's statement, does he not realise that there is a considerable amount of ignorance in this country as to the events in North Africa and that ignorance promotes suspicion, whereas knowledge promotes confidence?

My hon. and gallant Friend's worthy platitudes are, of course, most acceptable to us, but I cannot cure ignorance.

When information is being disseminated, will that include information about the number of political prisoners in North Africa and the treatment meted out to them?

My hon. Friend has had the fullest possible information on those matters.

Apart from war correspondents dealing with purely military matters, why were the British Press not allowed to send correspondents to cover the general course of events in North Africa?

I cannot understand what the hon. Gentleman is talking about. The British Press do not normally maintain correspondents in North Africa. I daresay that every newspaper should have a correspondent in every part of the world where anything is likely to happen, but the British Government did nothing to prevent the British Press from sending correspondents to North Africa.

Is the Minister aware that among Government officers there is great concern about the appalling consequences of entrusting affairs to some of His Majesty's Ministers?

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to say that no paper has been refused permission to send a correspondent to North Africa?

No complaint has come to me, and the Lord knows the Minister of Information is in receipt of every sort of complaint.

asked the Minister of Information whether he has any information to give as to a film taken of an international miners' conference held in May, 1942, and of the progress made, with a view to it being exhibited in this country and those countries it was produced for?

Unfortunately, the technical quality of the film to which my hon. Friend refers proved to be so poor that it could not be publicly exhibited. This was nobody's fault in particular; it was one of the hazards of film-making.

asked the Minister of Information what censorship regulation prohibits cable companies from advising the sender of a cable whether or not the cable reached the addressee safely; and for what reason such a regulation is necessary?

This prohibition is an essential security measure, and 1s contained in the Regulations for Censorship. It would greatly assist the evasion of wartime currency and trade regulations if senders of cables could count on knowing whether or not these are delivered safely to the addressees.

Will my right hon. Friend tell me why a cable which I sent seeking confirmation of a statement made by Mr. Montagu Norman has never been received, and why I cannot get information from the cable company or from anywhere else as to what has happened to the cable? It is perfectly obvious.

In view of the eminence of the sender and of the gentleman mentioned in the cable, I will try to get the Chief Censor to make an exception in this case.

asked the Minister of Information what instructions were sent by or through his Department to the Press in this country and to the war correspondents in North Africa suggesting that the performance of the A 22 tanks in the recent operations had been satisfactory?

None, Sir.

Is it pure coincidence that immediately following the Army Debate there was an absolute spate of reference to this matter all over the Press?

That was entirely due to the brilliant speech made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War.

Is it not a fact that the right hon. Gentleman on these matters has as much power as Dr. Goebbels has in Germany?

It certainly is not a fact; and it never will be.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will consult with the Governors of the British Broadcasting Corporation with a view to arranging, once a month or more frequently, for the information of the British public, a commentary on Indian political, economic and cultural affairs, aspects of the lives of the people and current happenings of general interest?

I will certainly bring this suggestion to the attention of the Governors of the B.B.C. They are aware of the importance of maintaining a good output of broadcasts dealing with Indian affairs.

Is it not a fact that there is widespread ignorance in this country about conditions in India, and indeed about the geography of India? Will my right hon. Friend endeavour to see that more factual information on this subject is spread in this country?

That is more a job for my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education. There is no doubt a great deal of ignorance in this country about India, and there is a great deal of ignorance in this country about many other subjects; but I do not see what I can do other than by encouraging the B.B.C. Governors to give as many broadcasts as possible and by encouraging my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education to induce people to read history. That is a great corrective.

asked the Minister of Information how many Russian-speaking Britons are employed in Russia in broadcasting to the Russian people information as to the political and social conditions in Britain and the British Empire, and also in regard to the achievements of the British Armed Forces and Merchant Navy?

No Russian-speaking Britons are employed by the Soviet broadcasting authorities, nor are English-speaking Soviet citizens employed by the B.B.C. And so I can only express the hope that both broadcasting authorities will give up a satisfactory amount of time to informing their respective listeners about one another's war effort.

While I am willing to incur the risk of uttering further platitudes, might I ask whether my right hon. Friend's attention has been called to the statement of Admiral Standley the other day, in which he made reference to this case vis-à-vis America? Does he not consider it urgently necessary for some steps to be taken to make our efforts known to the Russian people?

I, of course, would in no circumstances make any comments on the statement attributed to Admiral Standley. Furthermore, our experience—that is, the experience of our Mission in Russia—is that we have had the fullest co-operation from the Russian Government. Our paper is increasing its sale every day, and we have to make no complaint of any kind.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works how many yards of old tramway-lines have been taken up for melting; what has been the cost per yard of taking these rails up and resurfacing the road; what proportion of the work is done by contract or local labour; and the name of the contractors, the rate of pay the men received per hour or day, and the number of hours worked per day?

The work of recovering tram-rails is being carried out by various highway authorities in collaboration with the Ministry of War Transport. The information asked for, in respect of the many jobs, is not available, and could not be obtained without a considerable expenditure of time and labour. I am, however, pleased to inform the hon. Member that over 50,000 tons of valuable material have been recovered from this source, and this is less than half the total amount which tram-rails can yield.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to safeguard the sugar industry in Trinidad owing to export and shipping difficulties; and whether land formerly used for sugar growing will be utilised for the cultivation of other crops?

Arrangements have been made in Trinidad, as elsewhere in the West Indies, whereby His Majesty's Government will take over and pay for all sugar produced, even if it cannot immediately be shipped, and will hold it in store locally. The Trinidad Government is endeavouring to secure the maximum possible extension of acreage under food crops for local consumption, but its efforts are seriously hampered by the shortage of labour, which is the primary cause of such diminution in the sugar crop as is taking place in that Colony.

Are we to understand that the shortage in this crop is due not to land going out of cultivation but to labour difficulties only?

The chief difficulty in Trinidad at the moment is whether there will be enough labour to reap the crop.

Is there not available labour in some of the other islands—for instance, Barbados?

That is another question. The hon. Gentleman will realise the very great difficulty of communication between these islands at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether steps are being taken to control food prices in Trinidad; and whether there is any policy adopted to control at the point of origin the prices of food and other essential commodities imported by British Colonies?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part of the Question, the Colonies are able to share the benefits of many of the co-ordinated purchase schemes of foodstuffs, etc., which have been the result of work of such agencies as the Combined Food Board in Washington. No generalisation is possible, since everything depends on the commodities concerned and the sources from which they must be drawn. I am, however, considering what action can be taken in regard to this problem as a whole.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman realise the iniquity' of subsidising prices only to allow the benefit to be taken away from the people in the island by those who are able to put up the price?

The hon. Gentleman will realise that many of the sources from which these commodities have to be drawn are outside the control of this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the terms of reference upon which Professor Richardson's inquiry into the economic situation in the Bahamas will be made; and when it is anticipated the recently made Report on the Bahamas will be published?

Professor J. H. Richardson, who is at present Chairman of the Economic Advisory Committee in Bermuda, has been invited to visit the Bahamas when he has finished his work in Bermuda, in order to advise on the economic situation there. I am not aware that any specific terms of reference have been laid down. It as anticipated that he will remain in the Bahamas for about two months. As regards the second part of the Question, perhaps the hon. Member would await my answer to Question No. 35, by the hon. Member for Consett (Mr. D. Adams).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now give the date for the publication in this country of the Report upon the Bahama riots published some time ago in the Bahamas?

I am placing a copy of the Report in the Library of the House, together with a copy of a statement which indicates the action which the Governor proposes to take upon the main recommendations in the Report.

Will the Report be available to the public of this country?

Will it be available shortly?

I shall be placing it to-day. With regard to the availability of the Report, the difficulty is that it has been printed in the Bahamas. At present I have only one copy, and I am placing it in the Library. I expect some more copies shortly, and, although I do not think that it will be possible to make it available for public issue, there will be copies available for those who are interested in it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Mr. H. Domingo has now been released from detention in Jamaica; and what are the conditions of his release and the reasons for his detention for this lengthy period?

Mr. Domingo has been released without restriction. He was detained under Jamaica Defence Regulations, because the Governor was satisfied that his detention was necessary with a view to preventing him from acting in a manner prejudicial to public safety and defence.

Does the Minister not consider it a remarkable thing for a person to be charged with an offence which he has not committed but which he might commit, and to be interned for a long period?

He was not charged with an offence. This is a similar procedure to the procedure here under 18B. He was detained to prevent him from acting in a manner prejudicial to public safety.

What information has the Governor had to induce him to change his mind? He was satisfied at one moment that the detention was necessary, and satisfied very much later that the detention was not necessary.

Like my right hon. Friend when he is dealing with I8B cases, I cannot go into details. The Governor was satisfied that the detention was no longer necessary.

When the right hon. and gallant Gentleman says that Mr. Domingo was released without restriction, does that mean that he will be allowed to remain in Jamaica and do the work of the National People's Party?

The answer is that he was released without restriction.

Was Mr. Domingo's release made on the recommendation of the local advisory committee, or was it the Governor's decision, by himself?

I would like to confirm this, but I understand that it was the Governor's decision, by himself.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of food shortages in the West Indies, to what extent food rationing has been introduced; and what further plans are in hand for the equitable distribution of food in these Colonies?

Although shortages of particular foodstuffs will no doubt continue to occur in the West Indies, as elsewhere, the general food supply position is considerably better than it was some months ago, and efforts are continually being made to improve both the organisation of imports and the methods of local distribution and to increase local food production. Hitherto food rationing has not been introduced to any large extent, as more use has been made of the method of price control to ensure equitable distribution. I will send my hon. Friend a summary of what has been done on these lines.

Is the Minister aware that there is very great perturbation in most of the islands on account of the present situation and that the local Press emphasises the necessity of rationing?

Yes, Sir, the situation has been very difficult, and although, as I say, it has improved, it still gives rise to anxiety, but the hon. Member will realise the difficulty of applying our methods of rationing to countries where the administrative machine is perhaps not so complicated as it is here.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is his intention to arrange for a day for the discussion of the Stockdale Report on Schemes of Welfare and Development in the West Indies, the Report on the Proposed Changes in the Jamaica Constitution and the Report on the Administration of the Colonial Development and Welfare Act?

Yes, Sir. A request has already been made for time for such discussion, and the Government hope to make the necessary arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the extent of unemployment in Jamaica and the principal West Indian Colonies; the recent steps which have been put into operation to deal with unemployment; and how many persons are now employed on public relief works?

As regards Jamaica, it is not possible to give a reliable estimate of the total number of unemployed persons, but approximately 12,000 persons are at present employed on Government relief works. When the census has been completed more precise figures will, of course, be available. A loan of £1,000,000 has been authorised, of which it is proposed to raise £500,000 as a first instalment, for relief works, which include schemes for swamp reclamation, road construction, anti-malarial measures, food storage and rural water supplies. No figures of persons employed on public relief works are available for the remaining West Indian Colonies. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of relief works in certain other West Indian Colonies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give particulars of the arrival of Jewish children and adults in Palestine from Iraq; and in what circumstances and by what means they were enabled to reach their destination?

I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to the recent arrival in Palestine of Polish Jewish refugee children and adults from Persia who had been granted immigration certificates for Palestine, 858 children, 100 men and 269 women arrived in Palestine on 18th February, having travelled from Persia to Egypt by sea, and thence overland to Palestine.

Would it not be true to say that they reached their destination by the good will and efforts of the British Government, and under the protection of the Royal Navy?

Yes, Sir.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman give any news as to the arrival in Palestine of any of the 4,000 children and of the 500 adults from Bulgaria whose transmission was promised to us? Are they on their way?

That is quite another question.

Can the Minister tell us whether there is any disposition on the part of the Government to increase the number of Jews who will be allowed to go to Palestine?

I made a very full statement on that the other day. As the hon. Gentleman is aware, the number amounts to over 30,000.

Is the Minister aware of the tremendous persecution of the Jews; and does he not realise that that figure is quite inadequate?

If the hon. Gentleman realises the difficulty there was to get in even these 1,200, he will also realise the difficulty there is to get in 30,000.

Can my right hon. and gallant Friend say whether they travelled in British ships or not?

This was arranged by the Ministry of War Transport, and I am afraid I am not certain of the nationality of the ships.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet come to a decision regarding the setting-up of a Joint Standing Advisory Colonial Committee consisting of representatives of both Houses of Parliament; and whether he is aware of the strong support given to the setting-up of such a Committee by Sir Hubert Young, ex-Governor of Trim-dad and Tobago, recently?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the full statement made on this subject by my right hon. Friend the Minister Resident in North Africa in the Debate on 26th November last, to which at present I have nothing to add. I am aware of the views expressed by Sir Hubert Young.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman bear in mind the repeated requests that were made in this House regarding the setting-up of a Committee, and also the pre-eminence and urgency which Colonial problems will occupy in post-war times, and will he consider the matter from that angle?

Yes, Sir, I am very cognisant of that, but this is really not a matter you can deal with by question and answer. It was fully dealt with in this Debate, but I would point out that, although the hon. Gentleman asked for an Advisory Colonial Committee, Sir Hubert Young asked for a Joint Standing Committee, which would have full responsibility for formulating all plans and leave no responsibility either to the Secretary of State or to the House of Commons as a whole,

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what controls as to direction and employment are now exercised over road transport undertakings by his Department?

A general control is exercised over road transport through the system of carriers' defence permits and the issue of motor fuel rations. In addition, the new Road Haulage Organisation now coming into operation will take over the direct control of long-distance traffic and of the vehicles by which that traffic was previously carried.

Will the Minister consider the possibility of issuing a statement which will describe the scope, conditions and terms of the existing road control?

Several statements have already been issued, but I will certainly consider the suggestion of my hon. Friend.

Is this the same Controller who authorises the use of vehicles to convey flowers, which actually means petrol, oil and labour? Does this actually mean one and the same person and that he is the person responsible for the authorities which were given in recent weeks?

Yes, Sir; I am answering another Question on that subject a little later.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport (1) how many road vehicles have been licensed in the separate categories of A, B and C;

(2) how many persons now separately own road vehicles with either A or B licences?

The latest available figures which show separately the numbers of A, B and C licences, and the numbers of vehicles authorised under these licences, relate to the year 1938. If it would be of use to him, I will furnish my hon. Friend privately with the total number of goods vehicles now in use and with some general information about the classes of work on which they are engaged.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport, what further steps are being taken to organise road transport so that it will play a more effective part in the war effort; and whether the necessity for doing this is being considered, especially in relation to the heavy call which is expected will be made on transport undertakings in the course of the current year?

My Noble Friend announced last November his intention to control long-distance road transport in order to ensure economy in the consumption of motor fuel and tyres, while at the same time maintaining a supply of transport immediately available to meet any increased demand or any emergency that may arise. The necessary organisation is now being set up. Some haulage firms have, by agreement, already become controlled undertakings and many others have made known their intention to do so. These controlled undertakings will provide the necessary facilities for the operating units, which will form the basis of the organisation. Already some nucleus units are in existence, and it will shortly be possible to proceed with arrangements for the hiring of the vehicles of other hauliers, provided these vehicles have been previously engaged wholly or mainly in the conveyance of the traffic which is to come under control.

Does either my hon. Friend or his Noble Friend take the view that when these rearrangements are completed we shall have reached a satisfactory position in road transport organisation?

I must remind my hon. Friend that we are working under difficult conditions, because our major objective now is to save petrol and rubber.

In view of my hon. Friend's statement that the over-riding consideration is economy in the use of fuel and tyres, will he see that his Department does not encourage any diversion of transport facilities from the electric railways to road transport?

That consideration is constantly in our minds.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say, broadly, whether the proposals of this scheme have met with general welcome or general hostility from the road transport organisations?

The road haulage industry is not well organised, and it is difficult to say what meets with their general approval, but a large number of the undertakings which have been invited to become controlled undertakings are accepting that invitation.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what proportion of the road transport undertakings have come into the scheme?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put that Question down. I can say, however, that it is a high proportion.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport the broad outline of the proposals formulated by his Department for the post-war reorganisation of transport; and to whom have they been submitted?

When my Noble Friend has formulated definite proposals for the post-war reorganisation of transport, he will submit them to his colleagues in the Government for their consideration, but that stage has not been reached.

Will they be laid before the House?

Yes, Sir, in due course they will have to be laid before the House.

Am I to take it that there is under contemplation the State organisation of transport after the war?

I do not think the hon. and gallant Gentleman should make any assumptions.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider separating the Ministry of Labour from the Ministry of National Service and the Home Office from the Ministry of Home Security and placing them under separate Ministers in order that the present War Cabinet Ministers may be free from heavy departmental responsibilities and enabled to give more time to their duties as members of the War Cabinet and to War Cabinet Committees?

No, Sir. No such changes are in contemplation.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether some of the bottlenecks in these Departments are due to the fact that Ministers have to spend much of their time at War Cabinet meetings; and does he think that Ministers can administer their Departments and at the same time give their full time to the War Cabinet Committee?

I am afraid that I do not know to what bottlenecks my hon. Friend refers, but it is certainly true, in the judgment of the Prime Minister, that this arrangement is the best that we can contrive.

Do we really need more Ministers?

asked the Prime Minister whether in view of the fact that the Forestry Commission controls 603,000 acres of ground in Scotland, as against 459,000 in England, he will consider arranging for all Questions in this House concerning forestry matters in Scotland to be addressed to, and answered by, the Secretary of State for Scotland?

As indicated by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for East Fife (Mr. Henderson Stewart) on 2nd February last, the future of forestry in this country is one of the many subjects already engaging the attention of His Majesty's Government, and I do not think that it would be appropriate to make the change proposed in the present arrangements.

Would it not meet the position suggested in the Question if the functions of the Forestry Commission, as applied to Scotland, were vested in the Scottish Department of Agriculture?

asked the Prime Minister whether following' the precedent of the great war, it is proposed to set up a committee, at a reasonably early date, to enquire into the working of the electoral system?

As my hon. Friend is aware, the question of electoral machinery has been the subject of a recent inquiry. The recommendations of the Committee are under the immediate consideration of the Government. To set up another Committee to consider the wider question of electoral reform would not seem to be an appropriate course in present circumstances,

Does not the Minister feel that it is a very dangerous thing at the present time that all young people under the ages of 24–25 have no vote and therefore feel detached from Parliamentary institutions, and cannot something be done to rectify the matter?

Yes, Sir. However that may be, it is not a question for electoral reform; it is a problem for the new Register.

Will not my right hon. Friend re-consider the promise that has three times been made on behalf of the Government that there would be an opportunity in this Parliament for the consideration of this matter?

This Report has been received—a voluminous Report, as my hon. Friend knows—and there may be an opportunity for a discussion at a later date. It is presently being examined by the Government.

Has not this to deal with a possible emergency? What is demanded is that there should be an inquiry into the whole system, as was the case in the last war.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the fact that in the election of 1918 as many votes were cast against the Government as for them?

I do not know how to interpret that.

asked the Prime Minister what Minister will be in charge of legislation, foreshadowed in February, 1942, for dispersal of industries and population from congested areas and for encouragement of a reasonable balance of industrial development; when such legislation may be expected; and is he aware that great local authorities are having their plans for after-war building held up because the will of Parliament in such major problems of reconstruction is not yet fully expressed?

As my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister without Portfolio informed the House on 1st December, 1942, the consideration of general future policy in reconstruction matters is proceeding under the supervision of a Committee of Ministers over which he presides. It will be for that Committee to consider what legislation is necessary for these purposes. Bills which relate to the control and use of land will be in charge of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Town and Country Planning. The decision as to which Minister will be in charge of any other necessary Bills will depend upon their nature. The Government recognise the importance to local authorities of Government decisions on major problems of reconstruction, and such decisions will be reached as soon as the investigations now proceeding and the exigencies of the war allow.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the necessity for an early decision with regard to planning if private builders and local authorities are to be in a position to start building houses when hostilities terminate?

I agree. I tried to cover that in the last part of my reply.

Does that mean that the Government have to come to a decision and that Parliament is not to have a say?

No, Sir, the constitutional practice will, of course, be followed.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will move to set up a Select Committee to consider the problem of maintaining full employment after the war, and to make recommendations?

I do not consider that the appointment of a Select Committee would be appropriate in this case.

My Question has been rewritten, no doubt in conformity with the practice of the House, but may I ask whether the Government have this question under consideration? It is no use waiting until the end of hostilities.

The point I had in mind was that this matter could not be dissociated from the general Government economic policy over the whole field. As the hon. Member will know from my earlier answers as Foreign Secretary, certain events are moving there.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware of the concern expressed by the City of Stoke-on-Trent at the instructions given for the cutting down of practically the whole of the trees in the Trentham area; why this area was selected before the big estates and woods throughout the country, which are many miles from industrial centres, while Trentham is the main one left in North Staffordshire and was to be developed for the benefit of the industrial population; and whether he will give further consideration to this?

No instructions have been issued for the cutting down of trees in the Trentham area. Consideration is, however, being given, in consultation with the local authority, to the possibility of felling a certain number of trees in the area.