asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give any further information about the situation in the Dutch East Indies.

General Christison, the Force Commander, and Mr. Dening, Chief Political Adviser to Admiral Mountbatten, have met a delegation of sixteen Indonesians, including Dr. Soekarno. It is hoped that a meeting between the Dutch Lieutenant Governor General and the Indonesian leaders may take place shortly.

Can the right hon. Gentleman confirm the news that a British brigadier was treacherously shot during a parley?

That arises on another Question. I will answer it later.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations have been made by the Government of the U.S. to the British Government regarding the operations now in progress in Indonesia.

Apart from a request to remove all United States markings from vehicles and other Lend-Lease equipment used by British forces in the Netherlands Indies, no other representations have been received.

Would the right hon. Gentleman now take the opportunity to answer the supplementary question which I put to him earlier, and to which he replied that he would answer a question on the subject later; namely, whether he can make a statement concerning the alleged treacherous shooting of a British brigadier in that country?

I have the answer here, but unfortunately the Question has not been called.

In view of the critical situation in Indonesia, would my right hon. Friend consider making a statement at the end of Questions, in reply to these Questions which have not been put orally?

May I ask the Foreign Secretary whether, in view of the interest taken in certain Questions that were not asked today, and in view of the report of the murder of a British officer, he can now make a statement in reply to Question 21?

"21. MAJOR WELLS,—To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what information he has regarding the state of public order in Java; and what steps are being taken to protect, care for and assist the repatriation of British nationals, and especially of British, Imperial and allied and ex-prisoners of war."

Fighting broke out in Soura-baya on 28th October, and the House will be aware of the B.B.C. report of the treacherous murder of Brigadier Mallaby, Commander of the British forces there, by extremist Indonesian elements when arranging the details of a truce. His Majesty's Government are awaiting confirmation as no official report has yet been received. Batavia is reported to be quiet, but in a number of the other towns the situation is reported to be tense. In Sumatra British troops are in control of Palembang, Padang and Medan, and the situation is satisfactory.

According to the latest information received, only 256 British Commonwealth ex-prisoners of war at present remain in Java. These are mainly Indian, but a few from the United Kingdom are remaining voluntarily to assist in the identification of war criminals. Altogether a total of 2,497 ex-prisoners of war have been evacuated from Java, of which 59 were American nationals, 157 Dutch and the remainder British.

In view of the tragic news of the death of this gallant officer, will the right hon. Gentleman give the House further information on the matter as soon as he receives it?

Certainly.

May I ask why the whole of this information was not given in reply to Question No. 9, which was asked?

When I was compiling these answers, the form of Question No. 21 seemed more appropriate for the answer. The hon. Member's Question did not ask for all the details asked for in Question No. 21. I was not aware that the hon. Member who had put down Question 21 would not be in his place to ask it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is able to give any information regarding 937633, Warrant-Officer R. H. Barratt, R.A.F., who escaped from Stalag VIIIB and after several months freedom in Hungary was taken by the Russians when they occupied Hungary.

I urged the Soviet Embassy in London on 18th August to arrange for the release of Warrant-Officer Barratt. Ten days later I was informed that inquiries were being made. On 10th October I asked the Soviet Embassy to let me have as quickly as possible the result of their inquiries.

Could my right hon. Friend tell us on what charge Warrant-Officer Barratt is being held?

No, I cannot. I am waiting for the report.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the recommendations made by the Chairman of the Allied Control Commission in Hungary to the leaders of the Hungarian political parties, in respect of their election policy, were endorsed by the British member of the Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the American and British representatives have been consulted about Marshal Voroshiloff's election arrangements; whether they concurred in them; and what exactly these arrangements are.

Neither the British nor, so far as I am aware, the United States representatives in Budapest were consulted before Marshal Voroshiloff made recommendations to the Hungarian Political Parties concerning electoral procedure. The British and United States representatives did not concur in these recommendations, which were described in my reply on 24th October to the hon. Member for The High Peak (Mr. Molson).

If the representative is not consulted on matters of such importance, what functions does he fulfil?

As many functions are being carried out and there is a change in the treatment of the Allied Control Commission, it is very difficult; but I am quite satisfied that as we persist many of these suspicions will be removed and it will function much better than it has.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what States have at the present time fully accredited diplomatic representatives in Vienna; and what States have non-diplomatic representatives.

At the present time no country has diplomatic representatives in Vienna. In regard to the second part of the question, I understand that there are unofficial bodies in Vienna claiming to represent certain national interests, but none of these enjoys any form of recognition by His Majesty's Government or, so far as I am aware, by any of the other three Controlling Powers.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, how many British Press representatives there are at present in Austria.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Minister of State on 17th October, in which he stated that, according to the latest information, there were then six British correspondents in Austria. So far as I am aware, the position has not changed appreciably in the meantime although the situation is rendered somewhat fluid by the fact that Press correspondents arein a habit of moving in and out at short notice in transit for other countries.

Can the hon. Gentleman assure the House that the despatches forwarded by the Press correspondents are uncensored?

I think I am in a position to give that assurance, but if the hon. Member has any information which would suggest that it is not correct, perhaps he will let me have it.

Could we be told what Press correspondents do to make a situation fluid?

I do not propose to take advantage of the opportunity afforded by that question, but the fact is that they occupy aeroplane space, and move from point to point.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, in order to make a reality of the 1943 Moscow Conference declaration on future Austrian independence, any steps are being taken by His Majesty's Government to urge the Soviet Government to stop creating inflation in Austria and to co-operate with His Majesty's Government and the U.S. Government in the rebuilding of Austrian economy.

The re-creation of the Austrian economy in accordance with the Moscow Declaration and the prevention of inflation in Austria are matters to which His Majesty's Government attach great importance. The British representative on the Allied Council for Austria is fully instructed as to the views of His Majesty's Government in these matters, which have also been conveyed by His Majesty's Representative in Moscow to the Soviet Government.

In view of the fact that the buck has been passed back to the hon. Gentleman by the Foreign Secretary in this little hangover from last week's Question Time, will he bear in mind that it was economic rather than political reasons which were the main cause for Austria being drawn into Hitler's orbit in 1938, thereby consolidating Germany's position for a world war; and will he do everything in his power to secure that Britain and other nations responsible do their utmost to rebuild Austrian prosperity?

The buck has not been passed. The question of inflation was raised as part of an omnibus supplementary asked last week which involved other matters. That question is being dealt with by the Control Commission, and, as I mentioned, it is being pressed by our representatives on the Commission in accordance with our policy that Austria should be dealt with as an economic unit.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the construction and armament is now being completed for his Department of a number of small craft which are then immediately dispatched to another port to be dismantled; and whether he will take steps to stop this waste of public money.

The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. A. V. Alexander): I do not know of any small craft now being completed and despatched to another port to be dismantled, but shortly after V.J. Day some motor fishing vessels would have left the builders' works with their armament of an Oerlikon gun and two machine guns in place, and they would be disarmed at their port of destination. These motor fishing vessels in their disarmed condition are being used for various essential services.

Would the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that those who can be released to the fishing industry will be released for that purpose at the earliest possible moment?

We are doing our very best but, with regard to requisitioned drifters and motor fishing vessels, we have released 75 per cent. of those we requisitioned.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that 12 trawlers are now tied up and deteriorating at King's Lynn; and if he will release these boats at the earliest opportunity.

Only nine of these vessels are trawlers, the others being yachts. Of the trawlers one is Dutch, and another a German prize. The disposal of both of these vessels is being negotiated with the appropriate authorities. The rest are British and were built between 1905 and 1918 and could only be converted for fishing at the expense of more modern and efficient vessels. Arrangements are being made to dispose of two of the yachts, the third is being used to accommodate the shipkeepers.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that a considerable number of ex-Servicemen are unemployed in Scotland, due to delay in the derequisitioning of former fishing boats; and what steps he proposes to take to expedite the release of these vessels, in order to ensure a speedy rehabilitation of demobilised fishermen, and thereby assist materially in augmenting the country's food supplies before the winter.

Three hundred and twenty-two Scottish fishing boats comprising 168 drifters and 154 motor fishing vessels have been released from Naval service up to 19th October, 1945. Sixty-five drifters and 33 motor fishing vessels remain on Naval service. It is expected that the majority of these will have been released by the end of 1945.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what steps are being taken to establish the permanent R.N.V.R., in order that surplus modern equipment and diesel ships may be utilised.

:The constitution of the permanent R.N.V.R. is still under consideration. The hon. and gallant Member may rest assured that sufficient modern equipment and ships will be available for training purposes when a decision on the future of the Reserve has been taken.

Will the Minister bear in mind the fact that a large number of officers have already volunteered for this service, and take that into consideration when he is looking into the subject; and consider the re-establishment of the R.N.V.S.R.?

I will take note of that point.

asked the first Lord of the Admiralty if he will consider the setting up of an organisation manned by Reserve officers to help with the problems of Reserve officers when demobilised in obtaining suitable employment.

No, Sir. This is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service, with whose Ministry the Admiralty maintains the closest contact through the naval officers attached to the Appointments Department.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what disparity in de mobilisation group numbers now exists between sick berth attendants and other specialised ratings in His Majesty's Navy.

Sick berth ratings, in common with the regulating, writer and stores branches, are scheduled to reach Group 25 by the end of this year. Ratings in the engine room and stoker branches are one group better off, whilst Seaman Chief Petty Officers and Petty Officers, together with cook and steward ratings are due to reach Group 27 by the same date.

In view of the sturdy health of His Majesty's naval forces, would the right hon. Gentleman not take steps to get these sickbay attendants released without further delay, as they are wasting their time?

I think my advisers know more about that subject than does the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will ensure that A/B P.J.X. 631934 Wilson, J., whose embarkation leave is due to end on 31st October, is not dispatched overseas while his application for a Class B release, initiated in September, is being considered; and whether, in conjunction with the Minister of Works, he will hasten the investigation of this case which has been outstanding for some time.

Block releases in Class B are made strictly in order of age and service groups. Wilson was very young when he joined the Royal Navy and has served for only a short period. He will not, therefore, be eligible for release in Class B until his age and service group is reached.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has any statement to make regarding the deferment in demobilising officers of the supply and secretarial branch of the Royal Navy.

The reply to this Question is unavoidably lengthy. I will, therefore, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer: The reason for the rate of release of the Supply and Secretariat Branch of the Royal Navy being slower than the average is that this Branch is now having to shoulder additional work in connection with the closing down of establishments and the administration of the release schemes. In order to ease the burden which it was foreseen would fall upon this branch, the entries have been increased as much as possible and redundant officers of other branches are being trained in these duties. As a result of these measures, the prospect of release of the Supply and Secretariat Branch has been slightly improved and it is hoped to release Group 16 by the end of the year.

There is, however, a number of older warrant officers who have been promoted from the permanent lower deck service and who are practically all in the earlier age and service groups. Their release is unavoidably deferred but it is hoped to release nearly all of them before June next year with the exception of course of any who volunteer to stay.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the present strength of the W.R.N.S.; and how this compares with the figure of the month immediately preceding the termination of hostilities in Europe.

The present strength of the W.R.N.S. is 60,500, which is a reduction of 18 per cent. on the strength on the 30th April.

Is it not a fact that a very large number of these young women are sitting about browned off, with little or nothing to do? Could not their release be expedited?

On the contrary, the Women's Royal Naval Service are doing a most valuable part of demobilisation work. We are very short of male writer and supply ratings, and without the help of the W.R.N.S. we could not get through the job.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the shortage of engineer officers in the Royal Navy and of the high standard of all candidates at this year's examinations, he will increase the number of appointments to the rank of warrant-engineer by the inclusion of those who reached a percentage of over 75 per cent. in the recent examinations.

No, Sir. The proportion of Warrant-Engineers to the Keyham trained engineers in the Engineering Branch of the Royal Navy is carefully calculated to meet the requirements of the Fleet. The Warrant-Engineer lacks the long scientific training of the Keyham man and is not therefore generally interchangeable with men trained under the Keyham scheme.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many architects, civil and mechanical engineers have been recruited for the rebuilding of Hamburg; and the salaries offered for these professional services.

I am having inquiries made and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is happening in Eastern Germany as regards the redistribution of land.

Reports have been received to the effect that a land reform scheme has been introduced in Saxony, Thuringia and Mecklenburg. Under this scheme the land property of active Nazis and war criminals is being confiscated; also all inherited property of over 100 hectares. No compensation is being paid. The confiscated land is being redistributed in lots of five to 10 hectares to agricultural workers, small tenant farmers and refugees.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us under what principle or provision of international law it is the right or duty of an occupying Power to change social and economic arrangements in this way?

The administration of Germany is under the control of the Allied Control Commission. In the individual zones, certain steps are taken, generally by agreement on the Control Council. In this case the action was taken by a German administration set up bythe Russians in their zone.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, whether he has considered the announcement of Herr Schlaffer, Director of Refugees and Displaced Persons in the Russian zone of Germany, to the effect that an agreement was reached on 15th October for orderly transfer of refugees from Czechoslovakia, Poland and Hungary, at the rate of 28,000 daily; the future arrivals to total 4,500,000, 2,500,000 from Czechoslovakia, 1,500,000 from Poland and 500,000 from Hungary and, as the proposed transfer during the winter months may precipitate widespread starvation, what action does His Majesty's Government propose to take; and whether the transfer was agreed to by the British authorities in Germany.

I have no knowledge of the announcement referred to other than has appeared in the Press, but inquiries are being made.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many refugees, other than those returning to their own homes, have entered the British zone in Germany during the last three months from the Russian, American and French zones, respectively; what is the approximate daily average of entries from each of these zones since 1st October, 1945; and what arrangements have been made with the three Governments concerned to put an end to any further large influx of such refugees.

It has not been possible in the time available to obtain the statistical information asked for but inquiries are being made. It will be appreciated that in the conditions existing in Germany today it is difficult com pletely to control the unauthorized movement of refugees, but I can assure the hon. Member that our representatives on the Allied Control Commission are fully alive to the situation.

What positive action is being taken to reach agreement with the Soviet Government concerning this? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there has been an average daily influx of some 10,000 Germans from the Russian zone to the area of Hanover over the past four weeks?

I am aware that there has been a large influx of refugees into the Hanover zone, to our zone in Berlin and to other parts of our zone in Germany, but, as stated in my answer, this matter is being dealt with by the Allied Control Commission in Germany and our representatives axe doing everything possible to secure some arrangement to lead to the control of some of these un authorised movements.

In view of the poignancy and extreme danger of this problem is it not highly desirable that, with the approval of the Allied Governments, the hon. Gentleman or some Cabinet Minister from this country, should go there to investigate and see whether a stoppage cannot be made to this traffic before it ends in a major disaster?

I want to assure my Noble Friend that I have already visited Germany to make personal investigations into this and other matters. Other visits will be made to keep touch with the situation, and we are closely in touch with our representatives on the Allied Control Commission.

Will not a too rigid prevention of refugees entering our zone mean that they will be allowed to starve in the Russian zone?

Rigid prevention is impossible. The man-power position makes it impossible, but everything that is possible in present circumstances is being done.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that vegetables grown in the East Lothian area in Scotland and now surplus to market requirements are likely to be ploughed back into the ground; what immediate steps he proposes to take to avoid this waste; and if he will consider the establishment of de hydrating facilities for market garden produce in this part of Scotland.

I am aware that some cabbage is available in excess of present requirements in the East Lothians as in other producing areas. I regret that so far as the crop exceeds the total demands of consumers and of the processing plant, it may have to be used for stock feeding or be ploughed in as green manure. The reply to the last part of the Question is "No, Sir."

asked the Minister of Food how soon it will be possible to issue food coupons to pigeon fanciers other than those who are members of the National Pigeon Service.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the fact that pigeon fancying and racing form a principal hobby of miners in remote parts of the country, as well as of the usefulness of pigeons for communicating purposes in an emergency, he will extend the ration of pigeon food now allowed to members of the National Pigeon Service and to other members of pigeon clubs.

I am afraid that there is no immediate prospect of rations being made available for pigeon fanciers other than those who are members of the National Pigeon Service.

While appreciating the right hon. Gentleman's possible difficulties in this matter, may I ask if it is the case that much more generous treatment is given to greyhounds and other animals which race, and does he not think that if this is so, comparable treatment might be given to persons who go in for pigeon racing?

I am not competent to give an answer with regard to greyhounds. It already takes 6,200 tons of food to supply the birds covered by the National Pigeon Service, and on the pre-war estimate of 2,500,000 birds it would need 45,000 tons to maintain them.

Will the right hon. Gentleman do his best to keep the dove of peace alive?

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the reluctance of farmers to maintain the war-time acreages of sugar beet, believing that the recent shipments of sugar to France do not indicate any shortage here; and whether he has any statement to make on the matter.

The feeling to which my hon. Friend refers is based on a misapprehension. The recent shipments of sugar to France were by way of loan and are being repaid out of allocations made to France by the Combined Food Board. On the best estimate that can be made, world supplies of sugar in 1946will be no more than sufficient to maintain the present rates of world consumption. Home production from war-time acreages has provided this country with about 30 per cent. of its total requirements. In view of the world supply outlook it would be premature to contemplate a reduction in sugar beet acreage.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the difficulties in Norfolk since harvest in the storing and transport of grain; whether he has been able to obtain additional storage facilities from the Air Ministry; and whether he is making ample arrangements for next year's grain crops by acquiring the use of hangars and equip ping them where necessary with drying apparatus.

As regards the first and second parts of the Question, sufficient storage space has so far been secured during the present season to enable forwarding instruction to be given to sellers of home-grown grain. Such difficulties in moving grain as have arisen were due rather to transport problems than to shortage of storage accommodation. Every effort is being made to overcome these transport difficulties. As regards the last part of the Question, consideration is at present being given to the arrangements for storage of grain from the crops to be harvested in 1946.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the black market in eggs and poultry has consider ably increased and that his enforcement officers find it almost impossible to enforce the various price orders; and what steps he proposes to take to combat this evil and to ensure fair distribution of the limited supplies available.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "No, Sir." As regards eggs, the present Regulations provide for the equitable distribution of the available supplies, and in the enforcement of those Regulations satisfactory results have been and are being obtained. As regards poultry, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 29th October to the hon. and gallant Member for Hertford (Lieut.-Colonel Walker-Smith).

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the answer he has given is not in accordance with the general opinion among the farming community?

I am not here to bolster up the opinion of any particular or peculiar section in the country. I have given a statement of the facts as I find them.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the Manchester and Salford Meat Traders' Association asked for the support of the divisional food officer in regard to 50 applications for Class B release and that in each case they were informed that they had no claim, being distributors not producers; and will he cause clear instructions to be issued to the divisional food officer.

I am informed that of 48 cases put forward by this association seven were sponsored by the divisional food officer on industrial grounds, and some of these men are already back in their occupations. I think that the instructions issued to the divisional food officer in this matter are adequate.

asked the Minister of Food how many food-retailing shops have been re-opened under the scheme announced by his Ministry last July; and what is the total number of applicants to re-open at present on the register kept by Food Control Committees.

During the period 16th July, 1945, to 15th September, 1945, 892 retail licences were granted to returning ex-traders to re-open businesses which they closed because of the war. I regret that the information requested in the latter part of the Question is not available.

Cannot the Minister increase it; is not 892 a very small number?

My Divisional Food Officers are of course always susceptible to inquiries.

That is very kind of them.

I want them to do more.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will consider the granting of the special cheese ration to stokers in the gas industry where the number of such workers is small and the employer makes no provision for canteen facilities, as in the case of the gas company at Market Harborough, Leicestershire.

No, Sir. I am advised that in general it should be possible for the gas industry to provide canteens or packed meals for its employees. I regret that I cannot see my way to make special arrangements for workers at individual plants where the employer does not make such provision.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that many of these men live in the surrounding villages and that their shifts extend over a seven-day week, so that when the employer does not provide a canteen great hardship is inflicted upon a very fine body of men?

The obvious reply to that is that they can get packed meals whatever their working days are. It is quite impossible for me to put in an organisation to meet every request from every quarter.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will issue a comprehensive statement on the quantities of food being received in this country from overseas at the present time; the quantities stored; and the quantities being exported to ex-enemy territories and former occupied territories in Europe.

I regret that I am not able to give details of imports and exports of food other than those which are given in the accounts relating to the trade of the United Kingdom issued periodically by the Board of Trade. I do not propose to disclose the levels of stocks of food held in this country.

Could the right hon. Gentleman make a statement of the amount of food we are exporting to Europe at the present time, as considerable disquiet exists on that subject?

That will appear in the documents to which I have already referred the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will take steps to safeguard retailers against short weight by wholesalers; and whether he is aware of the prevalence of this practice during recent months.

Complaints by retailers of short weight supplies by wholesalers have been confined almost exclusively to the fresh fruit and vegetable trade; they have not increased during recent months. My officers are always prepared to investigate any such complaints and to take suitable action, but experience has shown that it is most difficult to secure evidence in this type of case owing to the reluctance of the retailer to give information or evidence. I am however looking into this matter.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the retailer is reluctant to give this information for fear of being black-listed by the wholesalers?

That does not reflect the sturdy independence we expect from a Britisher.

asked the Minister of Food why orange juice is not made available for children over five years of age who have been released from Japanese prison camps.

I am advised that children over five years of age obtain an adequate supply of Vitamin C from their ordinary diet. Where, for any reason, this does not apply, rose hip syrup, blackcurrant puree and synthetic Vitamin C tablets are available.

Has the Minister ever tried any of these things?

Yes, Sir. I have tried them. I think they are excellent as a hot drink in the winter.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the Blackburn Co-operative Society has had no allocation of British, Northern Ireland or imported turkeys during the whole period of controlled distribution; and whether, in view of the fact the Society had a large sale of Northern Ireland turkeys before the war, he will take steps to see that they receive an allocation this Christmas.

I understand that the Blackburn Co-operative Society received a small number of imported turkeys last year from the Co-operative Wholesale Society, and that a similar supply will be provided again this year. I do not control the distribution of home-produced turkeys and it would not be practicable to increase the number of towns receiving Northern Irish supplies by the inclusion of Blackburn.

Is the Minister aware that the allocation made last year amounted to one dozen turkeys among 20,000 customers, and is he satisfied with the allocation of Northern Ireland turkeys to the eight big towns of this country, leaving out the smaller towns which have equal rights to enjoy this elusive delicacy?

I can only repeat that the allocation is made by the Co-operative Wholesale Society, from which Blackburn gets its allocation. On the other hand, I have agreed, in an endeavour to attract turkeys to towns such as this, that home-produced turkeys can be sold at 2d. per lb. more.

Is this "Socialism in our time"?

Yes, Sir.