asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in the planning of the air attacks made on Lorient in the latter part of January, due consideration was given to the suffering and hardships inflicted upon French civilians; and whether the Government are satisfied that the importance of the military objectives attained justified raids on a scale and of a severity generally reserved for objectives in enemy territory?

As I stated in this House on 11th February, the task of overcoming the U-boats has been given first priority in all the British and American plans. The destruction of U-boat bases is an essential part of this strategy. Very heavy blows have already been delivered by the R.A.F. and the United States Army Air Corps against the U-boat bases, both in Germany and in occupied France. We have repeatedly urged the French population to leave coastal areas. A large part of the civil population of Brest and Lorient have in fact been evacuated, and the Germans have attempted to conceal the severity of the raids from the German crews expected to use Lorient. The qualities of resistance displayed by the French people day by day are well known, and I have no doubt that they will understand that operations such as the bombing of Lorient will bring victory nearer and thus hasten the day of France's deliverance.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any direct evidence to show that the bombs do break through the U-boat kennels, as they are called?

I should have to have notice of that Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the present trend of German propaganda, namely, that a German defeat means a Bolshevised Europe, the Government will issue and secure prominence for its announcement over overseas radio services, a White Paper, preferably in association with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the other Powers of the United Nations, emphasising their pledges that, as set out in the Atlantic Charter and elsewhere, complete liberty to settle their own form of government without external influence is to be afforded to all countries, occupied, unoccupied, satellite and even enemy when purged?

I do not think it is necessary at the present time to add to the declarations that have been made by the British and United States Governments and by Premier Stalin on behalf of the U.S.S.R.

Having regard to the fact that this propaganda is having a considerable effect here, will the right hon. Gentleman see that further publicity on our overseas broadcasting services is given to that announcement?

I think my answer already covers that Supplementary Question.

Will the Prime Minister consider that, if there is any further publicity, it will have a greater effect by showing that the populations of enemy countries have something to hope for through our victory?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any further statement to make on the possibility of a visit to this country of Madame Chiang Kai-shek?

I am not yet able to add anything to the statement on this subject made by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 24th February.

If it is correct, as rumoured, that Madame Chiang Kai-shek's health may prevent her from crossing the Atlantic, will the right hon. Gentleman convey to her the disappointment and sympathy which will be felt widely here, and will he consider whether it would be possible to invite one of her two brilliant sisters to visit us instead?

I do not think that this arises immediately out of the Question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it clear that nobody would get a more spontaneous welcome than this lady if she did come?

That has already been made abundantly clear.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether arrangements can be made for Members of Parliament to inspect the list of war criminals?

This is a matter which concerns not only His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom but all the other Governments participating in the United Nations Commission, to whom the available information regarding war crimes is to be submitted. The answer is therefore in the negative.

Will the Prime Minister inform the House what Department is compiling this list in this country?

I will, but I am not sure myself whether it is under the Foreign Office or whether it has been devolved upon any special authority, but I can easily ascertain that if a Question is put down.

Will the right hon. Gentleman prepare a list of the home-grown war criminals?

Can the Prime Minister give an assurance that the hon. and gallant Member for St. Marylebone (Captain Cunningham-Reid) is not on the list?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered the resolution by the factory committee of the Lea Bridge Works, A. C. Cossor, sent to him by the hon. Member for West Fife, demanding that the Government take immediate steps to obtain the release of all members of the International Brigade and other anti-Fascists at present interned in North Africa; and what statement he has to make?

I have nothing to add at present to the statement on this subject made by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 3rd March making it clear that His Majesty's Government are endeavouring to obtain the release of all political prisoners interned in North Africa, including of course members of the International Brigade.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered representations made to him regarding the pay and conditions of service of British officers and constables who have been retained in the Egyptian police for the duration of the war; and whether he can now make a statement?

Yes, Sir. These representations have been considered in consultation with His Majesty's Ambassador in Egypt, on whose recommendation sanction has now been given to the granting of certain allowances about which I am informing my hon. Friend in detail.

In thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his very satisfactory answer, may I ask whether he realises the invaluable part played by these officers and constables in the good relations between Egypt and the British Army?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that the committee recently appointed to consider the transport facilities, accommodation and layout of the Merseyside port area and to submit proposals relating to post-war development, does not include a Liverpool steamship owner or director of a Liverpool steamship company; and whether, in view of this anomaly his Ministry will cause such representatives of the Liverpool shipping interests to be added to the committee?

The chairman and members of the Merseyside Dock Access Committee were chosen for their expert knowledge of the problems of road and rail access to the docks. In view of the Committee's terms of reference, my Noble Friend did not think it necessary to include a representative of the shipping industry. To include a spokesman of each of the interests concerned with the future welfare of the port would mean a large increase in the size of the committee. My Noble Friend is convinced that the work to be done can be most effectively accomplished by a small expert body of the kind which he has appointed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that the rates for the ferry service between North and South Queensferry have been increased by 10 per cent.; and whether he will arrange for this increase being cancelled because of the burden it represents to those upon whom it falls?

I am making inquiries, and will let my hon. Friend know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport how many road-haulage firms, invited to become controlled undertakings under the new road haulage scheme, have signed the agreement unconditionally and how many have reserved for future negotiation the matter of a reasonable settlement of the financial conditions?

So far, 91 firms have signed an agreement with my Ministry and have thus become controlled undertakings. Seventy-eight other firms have made known without reservation their intention to do so. With some of these firms, however, certain details still remain to be settled. Fifty other firms have made known their intentions to sign agreements subject to a satisfactory settlement of the financial arrangements. This condition was made by a number of firms which subsequently became controlled undertakings. In general, it has not proved an obstacle to eventual agreement. Up to the present time no firm has definitely refused an invitation to become a controlled undertaking on the grounds that the financial arrangements were unsatisfactory; a few difficult cases, however, are still under discussion.

Will my hon. Friend include in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of these firms?

I think it would be more satisfactory to do that when the whole scheme is complete, but I will certainly consider that suggestion.

Has not the time arrived when the Government should take over the whole transport system of the country and not leave it to private enterprise?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he has considered a report, which has been sent him, issued by the Arab News Agency in Cairo, last November, to the effect that 14,000 pilgrims were expected to go by sea from Suez to Jedda, this being a higher number than for several previous years; that a record number of pilgrims were going on the same pilgrimage from Palestine, the Lebanon and Syria and some 8,000 from the Sudan, Nigeria, and some parts of West Africa; and to what extent British shipping has been or is being used for these purposes?

I have read the report which my hon. Friend was good enough to send me. The facts are as follow: One British ship made two return voyages from Suez to Jedda. On the first outward voyage, and on both return voyages, this ship carried pilgrims. On the second outward voyage it carried essential cargo. No other assistance was given by the British authorities.

Does my hon. Friend realise that in the note I sent to him I especially stated that the British authorities had risen to the occasion and had provided shipping, and that while we appreciated the value of the pilgrimages, would he see that the rescuing of victims from the Nazi massacres—victims who never seem to be able to get any shipping—gets preference over pilgrims?

I have the greatest sympathy with my hon. Friend's purpose, and I would like to pay a tribute to the gallantry with which she defends her cause, but the small amount of shipping involved in this operation would not have been of great assistance to the Jewish victims of Nazi ferocity. There were strong reasons for giving this small amount of help to the Islamic pilgrims, and the Government were very glad to be able to do it.

Is it not a fact that there is nothing incompatible between helping refugees from Nazi persecution and assisting pilgrimages and that British help for these pilgrimages is the most effective form of propaganda it is possible to undertake?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he can give any further information on the long-term programme of construction referred to in the recent White Paper on training in the building industry; and what plans are now being drawn up?

My Noble Friend has for some time had in hand the collection and co-ordination of all the available requirements and proposals for building, repairs to buildings, construction, and reconstruction after the war. For this purpose he has established a special section in the Ministry of Works which, in conjunction with all Government Departments concerned, including the various controls of materials, will prepare a comprehensive national programme in terms of labour, materials, cost, time and geographical location. On the basis of this survey it will be possible to take the necessary decisions as to works of first importance and the allocation of materials and labour and to set up any machinery necessary to secure that the post-war building programme is developed, and carried out, as smoothly and expeditiously as possible.

While I thank my hon. Friend for his full reply, will he inform the House when he expects to be able to give an outline of this plan to the House?

I can give an assurance, if my hon. Friend requires it, that the matter is being really actively pursued. There will be no delay, but to the question about the exact time when we shall be able to make a report to the House, I cannot give a reply.

Does this include control of prices?

No, Sir.

What is being done now to make arrangements to provide bricks, so that there will be plenty of bricks ready when the time comes to build houses, which cannot be built without bricks?

The answer to that question, which relates to one commodity as far as building is concerned, is that my Noble Friend has taken steps to see that every brick-works which is temporarily closed down because of the concentration of the industry is adequately provided with every facility possible to maintain all machinery, boilers and so on ready for action, so that at any time when they are asked to go into full production, they can start off straight away.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that a workman employed by the Admiralty at the Boom Defence Depot, Sierra Leone, after many months' delay, for the loss of an eye, was awarded under the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance, 1939, £10, with one-third of his normal wages for the period of his illness, and was thereafter discharged as unfit for his employment; and whether he will recommend adequate compensation and the required amendment to the Ordinance in this respect?

The question appears to refer to an African labourer, Jacob Abbor. The delay in settling this case, which I nevertheless regret, was chiefly due to obscurities and contradictions in the evidence submitted by and on behalf of the claimant. It was not established that the loss of the eye was due to any injury while at work, but in all the circumstances a compassionate award of £10 was made to Abbor. In addition, Hurt Pay at the rate of half—not a third—of normal wages was authorised under Admiralty regulations, in respect of the time which he spent in hospital. Abbor was not discharged as "unfit," but on account of misconduct. The Sierra Leone Workmen's Compensation Ordinance, 1939, is not applicable to employees of the United Kingdom Government.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the Sierra Leone Press gave evidence taken on the spot refuting his statement and is he satisfied that the trifling allowance of £10 for the loss of an eye was fair and reasonable in the circumstances?

The facts as I have given them are accurate, but the whole question of these awards is being examined.

Can this assessment of £10 for an eye be the subject of any judicial investigation, and will any review of awards cover this particular case?

Yes, the review would cover this particular case. In reply to the first part of the question, it was not established that the loss of this eye was in fact due to the work he was engaged on.

Are we to assume that the £10 granted to this African is an indication of the value of an African as distinct from a British eye?

The hon. Member puts a quite false interpretation on the fact.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance, 1939, of Sierra Leone, contains no provision for compensation to injured workers in Government service unless sanction has first been obtained from the Overseas Department, whereby months elapse, the injured man and his dependants being left without subsistence meantime; and whether he will amend this Ordinance so that satisfactory evidence and proof of the injury may be submitted 1o the local branch of the Overseas Department for settlement as in the case of injured workers not employed in His Majesty's services in this Colony?

The welfare of civilians employed in the Colonies by the Admiralty, the War Office or the Air Ministry is the concern of the Service Department by whom they are employed; and in the case of permanent, or partial, incapacity or death they or their dependants are entitled to receive compensation under the Injury Warrants and other regulations. They are therefore excluded from the scope of the Workmen's Compensation Ordinances enacted by the various Colonial Governments.

Why is it necessary to send ever to this country to have a case examined rather than have it examined and settled on the spot?

I have explained that the case to which I think the hon. Member refers had nothing to do with the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance. It was settled by the Admiralty.

Whether it had anything to do with the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance or not, why did it have to be investigated so far away; why did it have to take so long and why is it alleged after that lapse of time that the man is unable to prove something pertinent to his case?

The hon. Member should put that Question to the Admiralty.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the actual wage-rates paid to task workers in the Jamaica sugar industry, as was determined by the agreement of March, 1941, have been in any way affected by the fixing of a lower minimum wage for workers on time rates; and whether he will consider increasing the time rates minimum wage to the higher level agreed upon by the Jamaica sugar industry and the workers in March, 1941?

Task workers who were included in the Agreement of March, 1941, and whose pay is in excess of the minimum rates recently fixed by proclamation, are not affected by that proclamation. As regards the last part of the Question, I must await the result of the inquiry which, as I informed the hon. Member on 17th February, was being addressed to the Governor.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the reference in a recent speech of the Governor of Nyasaland to the rise in land values and the considerable interest shown by purchasers in freehold estates suitable for tobacco growing in the Shire Highlands; whether any number of Europeans can purchase land in Nyasaland; what proportion of the land is freehold; and what is the Government's policy in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. The total area of freehold and leasehold estates, which are mostly held by Europeans and are included in the reserved lands, is approximately 1,300,000 acres, representing 5 per cent. of the total area of the Protectorate. This area cannot be extended. With this exception, the land of the Protectorate is either Crown Land or Native Trust Land which is vested in the Secretary of State and administered and controlled for the use and the benefit of the natives of Nyasaland.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman quite satisfied that the interests of the natives regarding agricultural production are being fully safeguarded, and is he paying any attention to the increase in the price of land in that area?

I think the interests of the natives are being fully safeguarded. I will look into the other point.

asked the Attorney-General what steps he is taking to implement the recommendations of the Scott Committee regarding the extension of the system of land registration throughout the country as a pre-requisite for post-war reconstruction proposals; and what progress has been made in overcoming staffing and mapping difficulties?

My Noble Friend the Lord Chancellor has appointed a Committee under the chairmanship of Lord Rushcliffe to consider the recommendation referred to in the Question. Until the Report of the Committee has been received, it would be premature to make any further statement on the subject.

In view of the perfectly appalling Report produced by Lord Rushcliffe on the nursing profession, does the right hon. and learned Gentleman regard this as a good choice?

I will merely dissociate myself from the implications of that Supplementary Question.

Can we have an assurance that there will not be another committee to report on the Rushcliffe Committee?

I think, if the hon. Member has followed this matter, the recommendation of the Scott Report on this question was one which clearly required further investigation.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning when he is going to announce the overriding regulations enabling local authorities to decide on the area of land required to satisfy their post-war housing needs, particularly in relation to treatment of large slum areas and bombed sites?

The Government have already announced their acceptance of the recommendation of the Uthwatt Committee that planning authorities should be given power to acquire war damaged and other reconstruction areas as a whole. I am not clear what overriding regulations the hon. Member has in mind, but my right hon. Friend will give guidance and advice to planning authorities through his planning officers and otherwise.

Will my hon. Friend explain how many houses to the acre are going to be allowed in future, so that the local authorities can decide how many sites they have to get to carry out the Minister's recommendations?

I would rather not answer that question without notice.

When will legislation be offered to us?

The hon. Member received an answer from the Leader of the House last week.

It gave no information.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning when he will be in a position to announce the Government's provisional proposals with regard to the stabilisation or otherwise of land values so that local authorities can intelligently carry out the Minister of Health's request to begin acquiring land as sites for post-war housing?

The Government are considering, together with other recommendations of the Uthwatt Committee, the detailed application of the principle that compensation payable in respect of the public acquisition or control of land should not exceed sums based on the standard of values at 31st March, 1939, but I am unable to say when legislation will be introduced. There is in the opinion of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health nothing to prevent local authorities intelligently carrying out his request.

Is my hon. Friend satisfied that local authorities can purchase the land they need at any price by mutual agreement?

If my hon. Friend wishes to raise any question on the statement of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health he will no doubt direct his question to that Department. I was only concerned with denying the implication in my hon. Friend's Question.

Arising out of the terms of the Question, does the Minister agree that the value of land is the one thing you cannot possibly stabilise?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider moving for the appointment of a Joint Committee of both Houses of Parliament, of which the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs should be a member, to inquire into the political and economic principles and problems of the international settlement at the end of the war and the organisation of world security, to hear the views of representatives of allied and neutral Powers and of the Dominions, to take evidence from Government departments and other authorities and organisations, and to prepare a Report for the information and guidance of the Government, Parliament and the people?

It is not proposed to adopt this expedient at the present time.

In view of the fact that the minds of Ministers are fully occupied in the war, would not such a Committee of both Houses, consisting of men eminent for their past services and of future promise, perform a useful service by making a preliminary survey of these difficult problems?

I think there would be two sides to the medal.

asked the Prime Minister to which Department questions should be addressed concerning the work of the Anti-U-Boat Committee, of which he is Chairman, and the Minister of Aircraft Production, Vice-Chairman?

As I explained in the statement which I made on 15th December, the Anti-U-Boat Warfare Committee in no way supersedes or replaces the regular and systematic control of anti-U-boat warfare by the Admiralty. Questions on this subject should therefore be addressed to the First Lord of the Admiralty, unless they raise wide strategic issues which would more appropriately be addressed to me as Minister of Defence.

Could the right hon. Gentleman consider affording the House an opportunity to discuss this whole question owing to the fact that when the Navy Estimates were introduced special reference was made to the impossibility of one Department dealing with a matter that concerns two Departments?

The relations of the House are with Ministers of the Crown and not with the chairmen or heads of committees, Cabinet or otherwise, in their capacity as chairmen or heads of committees. The question of a Debate must be settled through the usual channels.

asked the Prime Minister whether the views upon the future development of the British Colonial Empire expressed at Oxford, on 5th March, by the Secretary of State for the Colonies, represent the policy of His Majesty's Government?

Yes, Sir. His Majesty's Government are convinced that the administration of the British Colonies must continue to be the sole responsibility of Great Britain. The policy of His Majesty's Government is to plan for the fullest possible political, economic and social development of the Colonies within the British Empire, and in close co-operation with neighbouring and friendly nations.

Has not the somewhat truculent nature of the speech made at Oxford caused misgivings both in the United States and the Dominions, who had hoped to see the Atlantic Charter implemented in our Colonial Empire?

We must equally beware of truculence and of grovelling.

Does the Prime Minister still adhere to the principles of the Atlantic Charter?

Yes, of course.

Does my right hon. Friend's answer preclude the Government's consideration in future of the proposal relating to international mandates?

We should be opposed to the idea of condominions, which have always been found to bring about very bad results to the regions affected, but we naturally shall be in the closest touch and intercourse with our great Allies whose interests are closely connected with ourselves in some parts of the world.

Does the reply mean that the Dominions or member States of the British Commonwealth will also have a voice in the future of the British Colonies?

They already have a considerable voice in the future of certain Colonies which come in their regions.

Does the declaration mean that this country does not intend to give up its occupied territories at the end of this war as Germany will have to do?

I think that it would be a very insulting parallel to draw.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of issuing a decoration or a medal, to be known as the Civil Defence Medal or some other similar designation, for presentation with New Year or Birthday honours to selected wardens who have consistently carried out their duties during the war years in all weathers, night and day, but who have not had the chance of meriting the George Cross or George Medal?

I do not think there is any need for the institution of a new good service decoration or medal for Civil Defence in addition to the distinctions already available, which include appointments to the Order of the British Empire and awards of the Medal of the Order.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the institution of a housewife's badge to mark the Government's appreciation of the magnificent contribution made by the housewives of Great Britain to every phase of the national war effort on the home front?

I do not consider that selection for the award of a badge of this nature would be practicable.

Would the Prime Minister consider a badge for agricultural workers who have no uniform and nothing to show for the fact that they are doing vital war work?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the appointment of a special committee, on which both the Treasury and the interests concerned will be represented, to investigate the problems raised by war measures in certain areas, of which he has been informed?

The Liabilities (War-time Adjustment) Act, 1941, was passed to provide a measure of relief to persons including those in the areas in question who are financially affected by war circumstances. I do not think that any special committee is required.