asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the cost per passenger, expressed in pence per passenger-mile, of transporting Service and civilian passengers by Transport Command at the present time; and has he any information regarding comparable figures for the U.S. Air Transport Command.

I am afraid that it would not be possible to calculate this figure without a quite undue expenditure of manhours: To know of no comparable figure for the United States Air Transport Command.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air what arrangements arc made for R.A.F. personnel returning from overseas for release, for the provision of food during the journey from the port of disembarkation to the personnel dispatch centre.

These men are given a hot meal before they start and for the journey a haversack ration containing p. meat pie or sausage rolls, four large sandwiches, with cake and fruit when it is available.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many officers arc now employed as physical fitness officers; and why, when the training course for such officers is only three weeks, there should be a substantial demobilisation deferment of their category in their age-service groups.

:On 1st October, 1945, the latest dale for which figures are available, 414 officers were employed as physical fitness officers against an establishment of 405. The delay in their release is due to the fact that as many as 270 physical fitness officers are in age and service groups 23 to 27. Every effort is being made by retraining to even out the rate of release. The period of the training courses is eight weeks.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air whether he will issue instructions that accounts clerks and other tradesmen, the date of whose release is below that of the average for the service, be excused all fatigue duties until the dates of the release of trades have been equalised.

I think that command officers must be allowed to use their discretion in matters affecting the day to day administration of their units. At the same time we are all aware of the heavy demands made upon R.A.F. accounts clerks at present, and I feel sure that no commanding officer will divert them unnecessarily from accounting to other service duties.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why schoolteachers in the radar trade serving in the R.A.F. are not being offered release under Class B conditions the same as other men.

Offers of release in Class B as teachers arc now being made in age and service order in the airman radio trades in the same way as to men in other trades. It has been necessary to deny the offer of Class B release to some of the teachers serving as signals radar officers owing to the heavy demand for such officers created by the air trooping programme.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air if he is aware that meteorological officers attached to the R.A.F. staff at North Killingholme are being misemployed and, in order to occupy their time are being given lectures in R.A.F. administration and Air Force law as well as instruction on filling in spare time; and as most of these men, whose release is being deferred are schoolteachers, will he investigate the position to see if the group release of meteorological officers can be brought nearer the release of other personnel in their groups.

This station is no longer used for flying and its meteorological officers have been posted. One of the main reasons for the fact that the release of meteorological officers is behind the average is that they are badly needed for the safety of the trooping programme; the other reason is that nearly all these officers are in release groups below 26, so that if their release was up to the average there would be few left. Actually the number of meteorological officers now being released is becoming considerable.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the fact that many wireless operator-mechanics are not fully employed, he will arrange to speed up their release.

The rate of release of wireless operator-mechanics has been speeded up, Groups 23 to 26 having been promulgated for release in December and Group 27 in January and February. This will put them a little ahead of the average.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what duties are now being performed by members of the R.A.F. in West Africa; and how long it is proposed to retain them there.

As I said on 24th October to my hon. Friend the Member for North-West Camberwell (Mrs. Corbet), the West Africa Command provides the facilities necessary for air communications in that part of the world. The job can now be done with fewer men and since 24th October we have brought home 580 more men from West Africa.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air to what extent B.O.A.C. planes are still being serviced by personnel of the R.A.F.; and what wages are paid by the B.O.A.C. for this work.

The Royal Air Force has, in the course of its wartime duties, provided many facilities for the British Overseas Airways Corporation in accordance with the terms of the White Paper of March, 1943. The Corporation have not been called upon to pay wages for maintenance work. This has been a wartime arrangement and it will come to an end on 31st March, 1946.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will consider a reduction in the number of personnel retained in the R.A.F. for the purposes of operating radar equipment, in view of the reduction in their commitments since VE-Day.

We are releasing radar officers, mechanics and operators as quickly as we can, bearing in mind the needs of the air trooping programme.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what were the recommendations of the committee set up by a former Secretary of State for Air to consider the position of education officers in the R.A.F.; what action has been taken on them: and what further action is proposed in connection with the education service.

The committee to which the hon. and gallant Member refers rendered a confidential report to the Secretary of State and the matter has already been before the Air Council. But the hon. and gallant Member will realise that a final decision on the future of the R.A.F. Educational Service involves issues which require a Governmental decision.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air what are the duties now remaining in connection with the pigeon service to warrant the employment of a wing-commander and staff.

This officer and the two clerks under 'him are closing down the organisation provided by the National Pigeon Service, which at its peak included 175,000 pigeons, 37,000 of them working for the United States Forces. The work should be finished by the end of the year.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what number of officers and other ranks of the R.A.F. are now on indefinite leave and have been so for over three months.

Owing to shortage of accommodation, particularly at training establishments, we have had to allow some air crew to go on extended leave pending their posting to employment or to further training. Figures are not immediately available of the numbers of -officers and men on extended leave but I am having inquiry made and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of permanent commissions awarded to pilots and navigators up to the present date.

Five hundred and sixty-seven pilots and 82 navigators have so far been selected for permanent commissions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many officers of what ranks were employed at his Ministry in the administration and special duties branch, sub-branch physical fitness officer, respectively, on 1st June, 1944, and 1st November, 1945.

There were two officers a wing-commander and a squadron-leader in June, 1944. We now have an additional wing-commander, who is inspector for physical fitness throughout the Service.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the Russell Building and Contracting Company, Limited, Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire, received an order on 6th May, 1942, to carry out work at the R.A.F. station, Llandwrog; that the work was completed early in 1943; that the surveyors appointed by his Ministry did not complete the measure bill nor gave a valuation of the work done until April, 1945; that payment has not yet been made; and whether he will take steps to expedite payment of the moneys due and outstanding since 1942–43.

Progress payments have been made from time to time and the final bill is at present under discussion with the contractors. It is hoped to reach a settlement in the course of the next two or three weeks.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the inconvenience suffered by local residents on account of the continued closing by his Department of West End Road in proximity to Ruislip Gardens and Northolt Junction Stations; and if an early opportunity will be taken to re-open this road for public use.

I am consulting the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of War Transport about this road. We realise that the closing of the. road causes inconvenience, and we will do all we can to deal with the problem

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the present strength of the R.A.F. Regiment and what strength is proposed for June, 1946.

The present strength of the R.A.F. Regiment is approximately 32,000. The strength proposed for June, 1946, is approximately 19,000.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many of the accidents which occurred on 14th November, 1945, involved aircraft of Transport Command.

There were two accidents involving casualties to aircraft of Transport Command on 14th November.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air when 938458 Sergeant R. Pomfret, who was invalided out of the R.A.F. on 21st November, 1944, may expect to receive his gratuity.

Sergeant Pomfret's gratuity was notified for payment on 12th November, 1945, to the Post Office Savings Bank, Manchester.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why men in the R.A.F. servicing ground crews, who have served nearly three years overseas, and are still serving in the Cocos Islands, are not entitled to any medal except the Defence Medal, and do not qualify for either the 1939–45 Star or the Burma Star according to A.M.O. 741, 23rd July, 1945.

The 1939–45 Star and the Burma Star are awarded only for operational service. Non-air crew personnel must have served in an Army operational area, as denned in the White Paper. The Defence Medal is the appropriate award for service in other areas, the time qualification being reduced from three years to one year for those who have served overseas from their place of residence.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether existing flying schools will be able to have full and free use of the aerodromes from which they normally operate, after the aerodromes have been taken over by the, State.

The State intends to acquire aerodromes used by scheduled air services. It will be essential to ensure the operational safety of transport aircraft using such aerodromes, and the extent to which flying schools can be allowed to use them will have to be decided according to the individual circumstances of each case.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he is aware that his delay in reaching a decision on the future of York aerodrome is holding up the proposal by the Flaxton Rural District Council of the development of a housing estate adjoining the aerodrome; and whether, in order to assist the housing of the people, he will expedite his decision in this matter.

The York City Council were advised by my Department in July of this year that the present proposals of the Flaxton Rural District Council for a housing estate would impair the use of York aerodrome as it now exists and would prejudice its future development. Technical advice regarding the effect of the housing proposals on the aerodrome has already been made available to the York City Council. Discussions are still in progress and I hope that a solution acceptable to all parties will be reached.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether any agreement has been reached with regard to the international standardisation of radio aids.

I refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given by the Minister of Supply and Aircraft Production on Monday last to the hon. and gallant Member for Macclesfield (Air-Commodore Harvey), of which I am sending him a copy. International standardisation of radio aids is also being studied in Montreal by the Provisional International Civil Aviation Organisation.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will consider extending to Regular officers and retired Regular officers who have been re-employed the concession regarding the issue of civilian clothing that is to be made to temporary officers who came off service pay on or after 16th. October, 1944.

Retired officers who have been called back from civil life into service are eligible for the same civilian clothing outfit as temporary officers released from service. Officers who were placed formally on the retired list during the war, remaining continuously in service after such formal retirement, are in a different position. As permanent service officers they were not eligible under the regulations for any civilian clothing benefit on retirement, and the grant of civilian clothing to temporary personnel and to retired officers who have been recalled to service does not apply to officers who have been serving since before the war. The rule covers all three Services, and my right hon. Friend does not propose to modify it.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is now in a position to offer to all branches of the R.N. attractive terms of service for those officers and ratings who may consider a further term of service over the age plus service release.

I regret that I am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply my right hon. Friend gave on 17th October to the lion. Member for Rugby (Mr. W. J. Brown).

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty by how much each of the separate categories of specialist officers lags, for demobilisation, behind the executive category; and whether each such category can now be given a rough forecast of dates of release that may be hoped for, unless some unexpected factor intervenes.

The following is a tentative programme of releases for the various Officer Branches which will give the hon. Member the information he seeks.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why and to what extent the demobilisation of stokers is being retarded.

The release of stoker ratings is at present five groups behind the average rate of release for the whole of the Royal Navy. The reason for this difference is that the requirements of the various branches do not decrease at equal rates, and there is at present a serious shortage of stoker ratings in relation to the Navy's continuing commitments. Many are being employed in the cruisers and escort carriers which are now being used as troop ships to bring home personnel from the Far East, for release. A programme of training and dilution has been in progress for some months and will, we hope, enable us to speed up the rate of release, of stokers, but, as the hon. and gallant Member will appreciate, the necessary training takes time.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many Instructor Lieutenants and how many Schoolmasters R.N., H.O., have been released under Class B.

Block releases under Class B are not normally offered to schoolmasters, R.N., as they are all members of the teaching profession, and will all return to that profession on release from service. They are, therefore, released in Class A in order of age arid service groups. In addition to those released under Class A, five instructor officers and one schoolmaster, R.N., have so far been released under Class B as specialists. This means that they have been nominated for release for posts outside the genera] teaching profession for which they have special qualifications.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why officers and other ranks are sent from Southend to a remote part of the Scottish coast at Kilcreggan, Dunbartonshire, where the men are wasting their time, for demobilisation; and whether he will return immediately to civilian life the naval medical officers who are at present stationed there doing little duty, in order to relieve the present shortage of doctors and surgeons.

The officers and men to whom the hon. hon. Member refers are part of Combined Operations. The residential and hotel property in which they were accommodated at Southend is urgently required. They were therefore transferred to Scotland, to a base near which the main body of Combined Operations is situated, and which contains the main Pay and Drafting organisations. This transfer resulted in a temporary hold-up of releases, but the accumulation is being rapidly reduced, and by Christmas the period of waiting will be not more than one week. The medical officers appointed to this base are fully occupied examining men prior to their release, but every effort is being made to return Naval medical officers to civil life.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that on 31st March next the demobilisation of officers of the Supply Branch of the R.N. is likely to be 18 groups behind that of executive officers; and whether any action is being taken to avoid this discrepancy in the rate of demobilisation.

According to the present programme, the rate of release of Supply Branch officers will be only seven groups behind on the date mentioned, and not 18 groups as stated in the Question the answer to the second part of the Question is contained in the reply my right hon. Friend gave the hon. Member on 31st October.

asked the First Lord on the Admiralty on what dates he expects

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why he is having delicate and valuable machines uprooted at the torpedo factory, Greenock, and compelling the operators to travel night and morning, adding three hours to their working day, to the new factory in Dunbartonshire.

The subject of this Question is at present under review. Meanwhile the transfer of machinery has been suspended.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what arrangements are being made for the production of an official history of naval operations in the recent war similar to that compiled by Sir Julian Corbett and Sir Henry Newbolt for the war of 1914–18.

Plans are in hand for the production of a series of preliminary histories of each of the three Services, designed to appear at a popular price. Naval affairs will receive due treatment in this series.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why R.N. personnel who signed the T 124 X agreement with re-

The following is a list of the premises referred to, together with the expected dates of derequisitioning:gard to service are not entitled to gratuities on their discharge.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Waterloo (Captain Bullock) on 25th April last.

asked the. First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that members of the W.R.N.S. who are quartered at the mariners' annex, Greenock, are living in leaking Nissen huts without satisfactory heating arrangements, with damp bunks and perpetually damp clothing; and if he will take steps to remedy these deficiencies or to remove personnel to other quarters.

I am glad to assure the hon. Member that drastic steps were taken to remedy the dampness in the Nissen huts occupied by the W.R.N.S. at Greenock immediately the defect was brought to notice. The measures taken have been successful, there being no sign of dampness in any bunk at a recent special inspection. The Admiralty do not regard the accommodation as entirely suitable even now, but it is impossible to requisition houses in the district. Eighty of the Wrens, however, are being moved to quarters which have been vacated by the W.R.C.N.S., and the remainder will be moved as vacancies for them occur in other W.R.N.S. quarters in the area.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what are the intentions of his Department regarding the disposal of submarines captured from the enemy or surrendered by them.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why, in view of the shortage of metals, it is proposed to sink a large fleet of U-boats; and will he consider some less wasteful method of disposing of them.

:I would refer the hon. and gallant Member and the hon. Member to the passage in the Potsdam Communiqué dealing with disposal of the German Fleet, which ran as follows:

"The Conference agreed in principle upon arrangements for the use and disposal of the surrendered German fleet and merchant ships. It was decided that the three Governments would appoint experts to work out together detailed plans to give effect to the agreed principles. A further joint statement will be published simultaneously by the three Governments in due course."

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that there are complaints of messing, both quantity and quality, at N.G.H.Q. Hong Kong; and if he will have these complaints investigated.

My right hon. Friend is not aware of any complaints, but he is having the matter investigated immediately.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will approve a period of release for Stoker H. R. Carter, P/KX 135797, details of whose case are in the possession of his Department, on compassionate grounds.

Stoker Carter is on his way home from Hong Kong by air. On arrival, he will be entitled to a period of foreign service leave, on the expiration of which my right hon. Friend would be prepared to consider an application for compassionate release in the light of the circumstances then prevailing.

asked the Minister of Food whether he can promise a relaxation or discontinuance of the milk zoning scheme in the near future.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply, on 10th October, to the hon. Members for Evcsham (Mr. De la Bère) and Brighton (Mr. Marlowe).I am not yet in a position to make any statement on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the concessions made in men's clothing restrictions, including permission for trouser turn-ups and greater lengths for socks, he will now consider some concession for women's clothing, such as allowing more material for utility 'garments, so that 'bigger turnings can be made for seams and deeper hems, and additional pleats added.

Yes, Sir. We have no intention of retaining the remaining style restrictions longer than is strictly necessary. Discussions are being renewed forthwith with the various interests concerned with a view to settling conditions for the removal of the style restrictions on women's and children's outerwear and underwear at a convenient date early next year. Whatever final arrangements may be made as a result of these discussions, shop supplies will not be affected for some months.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the objects of S.R. & O., No. 1176, The Miscellaneous Goods, Prohibition of Manufacture and Supply, No 7, Order,1945, which revokes, inter alia, The Miscellaneous Goods, Prohibition of Manufacture, No. 3, Order, 1943; and, in view of the fact that this action cancels licences to manufacture issued under previous Orders and is interfering with production, with consequent damage to the export trade, what action is he proposing to take to put the position right.

The main object of the Miscellaneous Goods (Prohibition of Manufacture and Supply) (No. 7) Order, 1945, to which the hon. Member refers, is to allow any person freedom without licence to make and supply certain goods named in the Second Schedule up to a total value of £1,800 in a six month period. It is only for supplies over that figure that manufacturers must apply to the Board of Trade for a licence and I assure the hon. Member that, subject to the availability of labour and materials, licences to produce for export are, and will be, freely given. The control imposed by previous Orders remains unchanged as regards goods in the First Schedule.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of boots and shoes which it is estimated will be produced in each month of the first half of 1946.

The monthly production of leather boots and shoes during 1945 has varied between 6.8 and 7.3 million pairs. With a reasonable return of labour to the industry and no hold-up in materials, I hope that the monthly rate will rise by June, 1946, to 8,000,000 and by the end of the year to 9,000,000. The pre — war rate was approximately 11,000,000.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether he is aware of the shortage of wallpaper and the high prices demanded; and what steps are being taken to improve the situation in view of the demand for repairs and the new housing drive.

The manufacture of wallpaper was suspended during the war, owing to shortage of the raw material. Supplies of paper to the industry were, however, resumed last July and the current allocation allows for production at about one-third of the pre-war level. As paper becomes more plentiful it is hoped that this allocation will be substantially increased. The prices of wallpaper are at present controlled under, the Prices of Goods Act, 1939, but I am informed by my right hon. and learned Friend the President of the Board of Trade that he is considering the issue of a Maximum Prices Order under the Goods and Services (Price Control) Act, 1941.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when it is proposed that the statistical office of H.M. Customs and Excise shall return from Buxton to London.

; The future location of this office is under consideration, but I am not at the moment able to say when it will be possible to move it from Buxton.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the suspense and anxiety felt by evacuated Government staffs at their apparently indefinite retention in the provinces and at the Government's failure to declare any clear policy on the decentralisation of the Civil Service; and whether the evacuated groups are to form the nucleus of a permanently decentralised staff.

I am well aware of, and have every sympathy with, the feelings of the staff on this question. I am afraid, however, that I am not in a position to add to earlier statements indicating that any large scale return of Government staffs to London is out of the question at present.

asked the Prime Minister why a public relations officer has been appointed to his staff; if this is an official appointment; what is the salary that will be paid from State funds; and what are the duties of such an officer in relation to the Press.

A Government Press Officer at No. 10 Downing Street was first appointed in November, 1931, to meet the need for a full-time public relations officer in the Prime Minister's office. The holder of the appointment retired in September, 1944, and temporary arrangements were then made. With the return of peacetime conditions it was thought desirable to appoint again a full time public relations officer at No.10, Downing Street who could communicate with the Press on the Prime Minister's authority on matters affecting the Government generally. This appointment of Adviser on Public Relations is an official one held by a temporary civil servant at a salary of £2,000 a year paid from public funds. His day to day duties in the main arise from contacts of the Press with the Prime Minister's office.

asked the Minister of Works how many residential premises in Cardiff are occupied by the regional offices of the Ministry of Food; and whether efforts are being made to obtain alternative accommodation in order that these houses may be used for their proper purposes.

Six houses in Cardiff are occupied by the Divisional Office of the Ministry of Food. Every effort is being-made to arrange for removal of this staff to other premises.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production when he will release some of the 16,296 temporary non-industrial civil servants employed in his Department, to resume their prewar employment.

The release of temporary non-industrial civil servants employed by the Ministry of Aircraft Production is proceeding. Instructions have recently been issued for releases to be accelerated.

asked the Secretary of State for War what complaints he has received about the postcards sent out by his Department as acknowledgments to letters received by him from Members of this House; if he is aware that the only particulars given on the postcards are the surnames, no military numbers or even the regiments in which the men serve being given, which are required to enable a Member to know to whom they refer; and if he will reintroduce the short letters of acknowledgment which obtained previous to his appointment.

My right hon. Friend is no doubt aware that the number of letters which I receive from hon. Members has increased very greatly since August. They can be acknowledged more quickly and with less staff if postcards are sent and not letters. I hope, therefore, my hon. Friend will agree that it is advisable to continue the present arrangements at any rate for the time being. I am, however, arranging for the number of the man concerned to be inserted on each card and I hope that this will meet my right hon. Friend's main point.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of mules still kept in Italy; what is the cost of their maintenance; and for what purpose they are kept there.

About 7,300 remained on 18th October, as against 20,000 on VE-day. It is expected that this number will be reduced to 700 by the end of November. The cost of maintenance is 3s. a day per mule. They are being kept in Italy only until disposal and shipping can be arranged.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the cost of the acquisition of land at Bicester for the ordnance depot and the cost of the construction of that depot and what further sums will require to be spent in order that the work now done at other ordnance depots may be done at Bicester.

The net expenditure on land is about £72,000, and on construction for war purposes, about £4,700,000. No appreciable further construction is foreseen as necessary to enable Bicester to deal with the work now being transferred from other depots.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present position regarding the restoration of civil government in Malaya is it planned to introduce a legislative council there; and what steps have been taken towards the economic rehabilitation of the country.

It is intended to restore civil government in Malaya as soon as conditions in the region permit, and the preliminary steps to this end have been taken. I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies that constitutional arrangements are receiving consideration in his Department, but he is unable yet to make any announcement. Apart from steps being taken by the military administration to provide for the immediate needs of the population as a whole, I understand that a two-year programme of repairs and renewals for transport, communications, and other public works and services has been prepared. This programme was drawn up before the surrender of the Japanese, and the estimated cost for the first year is approximately £11,000,000. It is now in the process of revision in the light of surveys on the spot.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in connection with Sir Harold MacMichael's visit to Malaya, he will give an assurance that the position of the Federated and Unfederated Malay Rulers will receive equal treatment and consideration.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of our contractual obligations and treaties with the rulers, he will give an assurance that no pressure of any kind will be brought to bear on any of the rulers of the Federated or Unfederated Malay States with a view to securing their entry into the proposed Malayan Union and that all these rulers desiring to remain outside the Union, will be at liberty to do so, their prewar rights, position and status being guaranteed.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the statement on future policy in Malaya which I made on 10th October in reply to the hon. Member for Belper (Mr. G. Brown),to which I have nothing to add except that my reports show that the policy has been well received in Malaya by all concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the average rate of wages of the Tamils employed upon British rubber plantations in Malaya before the war; and whether he will consult with the Secretary of State for India with a view to increasing the standard of living of native labour in the various Malayan states.

Before the Japanese war, minimum wages on rubber estates were 50 cents a day for men and 40 cents for women, plus 10 cents cost-of-living allowance. As regards the second part of the Question, the improvement of labour conditions and standards of living of all classes will be a primary aim of policy of the Government in Malaya, and my hon. Friend may be assured that, in matters concerning Indian labour, the representative of the Government of India in Malaya will, where necessary, be taken fully into consultation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement regarding the present unsatisfactory economic position in Malta; and what remedial action is contemplated.

While Malta, like the rest of the world, is suffering from postwar shortages and difficulties of readjustment, I am not certain which aspect of the economic position the hon. and gallant Member has in mind. If he will let me know more specifically what are the points on which he desires information, I will endeavour to supply it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the opposition, led by the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Malta, to an appeal for a war memorial at St. Paul's Anglican Pro-Cathedral for the Englishmen who gave their lives at Malta; and whether he will take steps, to ensure that non-Roman Catholics are accorded tolerance and fair treatment by their co-religionists in the island.

I am not aware that there is opposition to this scheme on the part of the Roman Catholic authorities in Malta. I understand, however, that there has been some criticism of the terms in which the appeal was launched, on the ground that it was not made sufficiently clear that its object was the establishment of a war memorial in the Anglican Cathedral.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what special instructions have been given to the police in Palestine to protect themselves against acts of violence or mob intimidation in the execution of their duties.

The police have been instructed to take all necessary measures for their own protection. As the instructions are rather lengthy, I will send the hon. and gallant Member a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that members of the Palestine Police Force on leave in Great Britain are required to pay out of their own pockets their railway fares from the port of arrival to their home towns; and whether he will consider altering this practice and making the warrant of those men coming on leave to this country available from their appropriate centre in Palestine to their home towns in Great Britain.

It was decided in April last to provide other ranks of the Palestine police coming on leave to this country with free transport from the port of arrival to their home towns and arrangements are now in force under which travel warrants are issued.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Arabs and Jews, respectively, have been executed in Palestine since 1st January, 1939, for acts of terrorism.

The figures are not available here, but I will ask the High Commissioner for a report and let the hon. Member know when I receive it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if plans for the welfare of returning Askaris to the East African Colonies are now ready to be put into operation immediately they are required.

Yes, Sir. Plans for the rehabilitation and training of ex-Servicemen and their re-absorption into civilian life have been prepared jointly by the East African Governments, in consultation with the military authorities. These plans provide for a training centre which will give courses for teachers, welfare workers, etc., and also general refresher courses; this centre is being conducted jointly with the Army education authorities and is already in operation. Provision is also being made for the training of artisans and technicians from among suitable men who have received training in the Army trades during their military service. As regards rehabilitation, arrangements are being made for the fitting of artificial limbs and for occupational therapy. It is the intention to put these various plans into operation as the men are released from the Forces.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is satisfied that, in every case of detention or deportation without trial in Uganda, action has been taken only as a result of evidence given on oath in accordance with the terms of the Uganda Deportation Ordinance.

Yes, Sir. As required by law, the Governor was satisfied by evidence on oath in each case that the person concerned had been conducting himself so as to be dangerous to peace and good order in Uganda.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has information respecting the landslides in Sierra Leone in August last; what is the cause and is a recurrence likely; what damage was suffered by the native population in Bathurst and Charlotte; and what compensation has been made.

I am asking the Governor for a full report and will communicate with my hon. Friend in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the production of palm oil in Nigeria fell between 1928 and 1938 by 18,000 tons, while production in other areas increased by 299,000 tons; that future production is estimated to be at a lower rate in Nigeria than elsewhere; and what action is being taken, in view of the importance of palm oil production in Nigeria, substantially to improve production and to secure the beneficial co-operation of Nigerians for this purpose.

The figures quoted by my hon. Friend relate to exports only and take no account of the amount of palm oil consumed in Nigeria, itself. They should also be supplemented by figures for export of palm kernels which, during the year quoted, increased in Nigeria by 61,000 tons and in other main producing areas by 73,000 tons. The increased production of palm oil elsewhere has been due to the development of palm plantations in Netherlands East Indies, Malaya and the Belgian Congo.It is recognised that it is important to secure the greatest efficiency in production and I am considering with the Government of Nigeria comprehensive schemes to that end. These include a programme of research into the improvement of the industry's methods and the provision of pioneer mills to demonstrate the advantages of improved methods of oil extraction. The improvement of the marketing of palm produce to ensure the maximum return to the producer is also being explored. These and other measures will demonstrate to the Nigerian producers I hope, the advantages of modern methods.