asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of ex-aircrew personnel who have become redundant in their own trade and have been forced to remuster as equipment assistants; if he is aware of the discontent caused by this in view of the fact that by the latest promulgation the release of equipment assistants will only have reached Group 22 by the middle of January 1946, whereas the majority of other trades will be released up to Group 27 by this date.

About 3,075 aircrew have been reallocated to the trade of equipment assistant. They have not been remustered and are therefore released in accordance with their aircrew status—not as equipment assistants. I think that this help to the hard-pressed equipment branch is fully justified.

Is the Under-Secretary of State aware that there are men who, as the result of war injury, are being remustered from their trades to general clerical duties and so losing their place in the "demob" queue? Will he allow them to retain the "demob" place that they would have had if they had not been remustered as a result of war injury?

There may have been some remustered earlier on when re-mustering was in force; that, of course, has been stopped.

I understand that.

If the hon. Lady will give me instances, I will look into them.

asked the Under secretary of State for Air why, in calculating the period of service in the R.A.F. of those men or women formerly serving as civilians in the meteorological office, a distinction is drawn between those who were given commissions in the R.A.F. and their former assistants who hold non commissioned rank.

Meteorological assistants once called up did not revert to civilian status. The ordinary rules for reckoning service therefore apply to them. Meteorological officers who held civilian appointments have served as mobilised officers or as civilians during war-time depending on their place of work. At one time a meteorological officer might be in the Air Force, later a civilian again. We therefore think it was fair to count all their war-time service in determining their order of release. There were also a few women who first served as civilians in the meteorological office and who later became officers in the W.A.A.F. They were not liable to revert to civilian status as a result of posting and so there was no need to vary the normal rule for them.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air when he expects that the reallocation of manpower in the R.A.F. will allow complete parity in demobilisation between the different trades.

I cannot say, Sir. That depends on the speed of general demobilisation in the New Year. The faster we are able to go the more difficult it will be to achieve complete evenness between trades.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many men over 40 years of age in groups whose release has been suspended are still overseas serving in the accounts section of the R.A.F.

I am afraid that we could not get these figures without imposing an extra load on those very statistical sections which are already overburdened with work on the release programme. But in all, 2,864 men in the accounts section of the R.A.F. have had to have their release postponed in a greater or less degree.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air why physical training officers are not allowed to take advantage of the Class B release.

Physical training officers are not barred from Class B releases, and a few have actually been released under Class B. But their rate of release under Class A has had to be somewhat retarded. So we try to find our Class B releases from other trades, in order to help in bringing up the Class A releases of physical instructors to the average.

Has the hon. Gentleman received any representation through the Ministry of Education on the shortage of physical training instructors?

Not to my knowledge.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air what percentage of teachers as meteorological officers have been released under Class B and, taking release as a whole under Class A and B, what has been the percentage loss to the meteorological service and the percentage released to return to other jobs, respectively.

Four per cent. of the teachers who during the war entered the Service as meteorological officers have been released in Class B. Up to the end of November, releases under Classes A and B are 7 per cent. of the wartime entrants. I am unable to divide this percentage between those returning to the teaching professions and other occupations since I have no information as to the jobs to which men released in Class A have returned.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these meteorological officers state that, at both home and abroad, they are more liberally staffed than they need be; and is he aware that a number of these officers are being sent out—who ought to be doing useful work in this country—when they are likely to be demobilised about January, and is not this a waste of time and energy?

The shortage of meteorological officers means serious difficulties in the air trooping programme, and I do not think that the facts bear out the view that there is any overstaffing.

That is my information, from men on the spot.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that Transport Command are holding back aircrews from release under Class A after their release groups have been promulgated, and will he make inquiries and take steps to stop this.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply on 14th November to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson). These aircrews are, of course, being held under the Military Necessity Clause.

Was it shortage of aircrews which made it necessary for the Prime Minister to travel in an American plane?

That is another question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is satisfied that the supply of aircraft spare parts sited along the air routes between Britain and the Far East is sufficient to avoid delay in the operation of the air transport service on that route; and, if not, what action he proposes to take.

It has been difficult to accumulate adequate supplies of spare parts all along the 5,000-mile air trooping route; but on the whole the services have been maintained.

Can the Minister say whether this reduction in spare parts has reduced the rate of demobilisation? If so, to what extent, and, more important still, has it led to any insecurity in regard to the air transport position on these lines?

No, Sir. The difficulty has been to get the spare parts properly distributed along the long route at the staging posts, and that is certainly one of the things we have had to face in the trooping programme, but safety has certainly not been sacrificed.

Does not the Minister think that any insecurity which arises is much more likely to come from the strain on personnel?

I think that is a very possible cause of it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is able to indicate the future of the aero drome at Turnhouse in relation to the capital of Scotland.

I expect that No. 603 (City of Edinburgh) Auxiliary Air Force Squadron will retain Turnhouse as its peacetime home. I understand that the Ministry of Civil Aviation is also examining Turnhouse as a possible civil airport for Edinburgh.

Can the Minister expedite a decision on its possible use as a civil airport, as this matter is one of great importance and interest to the corporation and people of Edinburgh?

No, Sir. I am afraid that is not within my province.

asked the Under secretary of State for Air whether mosquito nets and bush hats have now been issued to 5714 M & E Flight, R.A.F., Singapore, S.E.A.A.F.; whether he will inquire into the measures taken on 12th October at Tanga aerodrome to establish order in a queue for tea; and whether he will take action in order to improve conditions at this airfield, particulars of which have been sent to him.

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's Question is, "Yes, Sir." I have already told the House that I am well aware of the very rough conditions which met the R.A.F. Units which on the collapse of Japan were diverted to Singapore, and that active steps have been taken to improve matters.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will ensure that disciplinary action is taken against commanding officers who fail to deal promptly with applications for compassionate release from the R.A.F.; and what is the normal time elapsing between the unit's receipt of the completed C Class release application form and the decision of his department.

The average time before we reach a decision on an application for complete Class C release is one month, as reference has to be made to the Air Ministry before release is granted. Temporary release up to three months may be granted locally, while waiting for a decision on complete release. The necessity of dealing quickly with these cases is emphasised in the regulations, and failure to comply with the regulations would, of course, entail disciplinary action.

Is the Under-Secretary aware of the considerable amount of hardship caused by unnecesary delay in handling these matters? Is he also aware of the fact that some of these applications remain at these levels for periods of over two months, and will he ensure that disciplinary action is taken against commanding officers who infringe these regulations?

I think we can only take this up on individual cases, but if the hon. and gallant Member will submit these, I will certainly deal with them.

I have done so.

Is it often the case that the Air Ministry turn down a recommendation that has been put forward by a commanding officer?

I really want notice of that question, but I should imagine it is rare.

asked the Undersecretary for Air if he will give an immediate answer to the relatives of Corporal 1410403, who requested his presence at home on compassionate leave on 22nd October.

The airman concerned is serving in Air Command, South-East Asia. We have referred his case to the Air Commander-in-Chief and have told the airman's mother that the decision reached will be made known to her as soon as possible.

In view of the fact that it is now a month since this request, and that he who gives quickly gives twice, can we have an early decision?

The decision will have to be made on the spot.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air at what level in the Service applications for compassionate leave, posting or release can be finally rejected; what standards have been laid down by his Ministry as a guide to those subordinate commanders who have power to reject applications; and if there is any method of appeal against the rejection by an intermediate commander of a compassionate application.

Applications for compassionate leave or posting can be rejected by the applicant's commanding officer; applications for compassionate release only by an air officer commanding. Great care has been exercised in framing instructions for the guidance of R.A.F. officers. I will send my hon. and gallant Friend extracts from these instructions. Anyone who regards himself as wronged by the rejection of a compassionate application may seek redress under the procedure laid down in King's Regulations.

Can the Under-Secretary say what is the right course for a Member of Parliament who has been approached by a constituent whose application for compassionate release has been rejected? What course should I recommend him to take?

The course taken by hon. Members is to write to me, which they do at the rate of 200 a day.

I was seeking to save the hon. Gentleman some trouble.

Will the Undersecretary consider increasing the period which can be granted by commanding officers for compassionate leave? That would help considerably.

I will consider that.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will reconsider forthwith the decision announced in his letter of 7th November, regarding the release to his peacetime occupation of Mr. Henry Wright, who, at 52 years of age, three times wounded in the 1914–18 war, and discharged with the loss of part of his right hand as totally unfit, fears that he may lose his peacetime employment to a younger man unless he is promptly released; and why this man discharged from the Army as totally unfit is indispensable to the maintenance of Kelstern aerodrome.

As I said in my letter to the hon. Member, we have always intended to release Mr. Wright as soon as we could find or train another man to take charge of the labourers at Kelstern airfield. Another man is now under training and should be able to take over by the end of the month, thus releasing this experienced rabbit catcher. [Laughter.]

Is the Under-Secretary of State aware that because this man is a rabbit catcher, it is no cause of amusement to him that he is being held in the Air Force against his will?

I quite agree that the function of this man is an important one, and we are releasing him.

It is not a cause for amusement.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that 1178084 A.C. Hawkins, G., made five applications through the usual channels before action was taken to secure his remustering to a trade in which he had civilian experience, such remustering having been authorised on 9th May last and that he has now been unemployed for four weeks in a transit camp in the Middle East awaiting a posting to enable him to proceed to a unit stationed one mile from this camp; and whether he will investigate the circumstances of this delay and expedite this airman's remustering.

In spite of an acute shortage of equipment assistants—his R.A.F. trade—this airman was given special permission to be misemployed as a printer, which was what he wanted. I am inquiring into the alleged delay in his posting.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind this evidence that the usual channels do not always work as expeditiously as Ministers hope they will, and will he do all he can really to make them channels and not brick walls?

Certainly, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how far the undertaking given to Sergeant N. E. Carr, R.A.F., Bombay, dated nth September, 1945, a copy of which has been sent to him, has been implemented; and whether he expects to be able fully to implement this undertaking by the end of the year.

Sergeant Carr was sent a copy of the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) on 22nd August saying that there was a real prospect that the unevenness in the rate of release as between trades would greatly diminish by the end of the year. As I have since told the House, this hope will not quite be fulfilled, although there has been a real improvement, owing to the speed-up of the general rate of release.

By how much does the hon. Gentleman think that his expectations will fall short of his previous undertaking?

It entirely depends upon how much the rate of release can be speeded up.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he has yet received a report on the recent refusal of men of a R.A.F. unit in Central India to obey orders and on the action taken in the matter by the authorities.

As the answer is rather long, I will, with permission, make a statement at the end of Questions.

A report has now been received on the incident at Jodhpur on 13th October. A commanding officer's inspection parade was ordered for 08.00 hours that morning, but when the time came the airmen of two maintenance units stationed at Jodhpur refused to attend this parade and went direct to the technical site for work. The commanding officer sent for 12 airmen to voice the grievances of the men, which they did in an orderly manner.

Is it true that armoured cars were employed by the Jodhpur State Forces?

No, Sir. My information is that they were brought up in ordinary lorries;

Can the Minister say whether the officer who ordered the Jodhpur State Forces to stand by is still there, or whether he has been replaced?

I should require notice of that question.

Is it not obvious to the Minister that there must have been great neglect of the ordinary interests of these men to cause them to take such action as this?

I think that misapprehension about the rate of release was the main cause.

Would not the Undersecretary agree that intelligent leadership at that station would have prevented any such public incident from taking place?

I cannot judge that, not having been on the spot, but we very much regret the action that was taken.

Is the Minister prepared to take every proper action in the event of finding that faults were there? Will he remedy them?

I think we shall find remedies.

:Does not this incident emphasise the importance of getting on with demobilisation?

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air, when a man joins the R.A.F., how many persons normally prepare or examine some or all of the relevant papers, before his wife receives the proper allowances; and how many separate operations are required.

A total of six persons are involved, three at the local unit and three at the Air Ministry. There are six jobs to be done.

asked the Under secretary of State for Air what are the present functions of the R.A.F. station, Azores; how many R.A.F. personnel are stationed there; and how soon this station is to be closed and these airmen repatriated.

The Royal Air Force in the Azores provides meteorological, reconnaissance and air/sea rescue services, staging post facilities and navigational aids. Our commitment there is declining, but we cannot give a definite date for closing the station, nor would it be in accordance with present policy to give the numbers of our Forces in particular places overseas. I can, however, say that before long we hope to repatriate the majority of the Royal Air Force who are now. serving in the Azores.

Can my hon. Friend also give an assurance that there are not now more men there than are needed. to do those special jobs he mentioned?

Yes, Sir, I think I can give that assurance.

What conceivable objection is there to giving the number of men in the Azores today?

There has been a Government decision that the number of men in particular fields or areas all over the world should not be given.

asked the Under secretary of State for Air if he will consider derequisitioning land on Poplar Grove Farm, North Somercotes, at present used as a football ground, which the owner desires to plough for the growing of corn.

The final disposal of the airfield as a whole has not yet been decided, but I will see whether we cannot free this piece of land for agricultural use at once. I will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how and to whom his Department makes available airfields which can be used for farming.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air whether he will give an undertaking that, when aerodromes on requisitioned land become available for agricultural use, they will be offered in the first place to the occupier at the time of requisition, and that they will not be put up to public tender until the previous occupier has been given the first refusal.

When an airfield is derequisitioned the land, of course, reverts to its owners, but at a number of airfields we still hold on requisition temporary arrangements for farming are being made. In these cases we have hitherto put the land up to public tender for letting. We have done this because all the hedges and tenancy boundaries have been obliterated in the making of an airfield, and it would not be practicable to offer the land for temporary farming divided up into its various tenancies. In future such airfields will not as a rule be offered for public tender, but we shall place them at the disposal of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries who will arrange their temporary agricultural use.

Is this the beginning of collective farming, and the liquidation of the Kulaks?

No, Sir.

Will the hon. Gentleman undertake that, wherever practicable, those whose land is derequisitioned will be given the first choice?

That is a question of permanent derequisitioning. It comes back automatically to that.

I was not directing attention to permanent derequisitioning, but I was asking that, where there was temporary derequisitioning for farming purposes, those whose land has been derequisitioned ought reasonably to be given the first choice, where practicable.

In future that will be a question for the Minister of Agriculture.

In the case of airfields that have not concrete, but only grass runways, would the hon. Gentleman consider handing them back first?

I think that is another question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will state the approximate number of ex-warrant officers commissioned who have reached the ranks air vice-marshal, air-commodore, group-captain, wing-commander and squadron-leader, respectively.

To produce this information would mean at least three days' diversion of men and machines in the statistical section, which is at present working all out on the release scheme. Perhaps the hon. Member would put down his Question again when this special pressure of work is over

Is the Under-Secretary aware that the pensions of these promoted ex-warrant officers is a matter of great concern to them, and will he have an inquiry made into their conditions of pension when they are released?

I think I know what the hon. and gallant Gentleman has in mind, and I have asked him to communicate with me on the subject.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air the number of airmen commissioned on or before 3rd September 1939 and of warrant officers commissioned before 3rd September 1939, who are at present in the service, at the latest convenient date.

One hundred and forty-one ex-airmen and 483 ex-warrant officers who were commissioned on or before 3rd September, 1939, were serving in the Royal Air Force on 1st November, 1945.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air, if he will state the estimated cost of increasing the retired pay of ex-warrant officers promoted to commissioned rank to that of direct-entry officers.

We cannot give any useful estimate at present, while decisions have still to be taken on the future conditions of service, including pensions, of the Regular Armed Forces. Comparative figures under the old system are not readily available, and in these circumstances I do not think I can add to the information I gave to the hon. and gallant Member in my reply of 7th November.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air how many of the 38,000 airmen missing, presumed killed, were engaged in operations in the Far East at the time when they were reported missing.

Approximately 2,500 members of the Air Force are missing as a result of operations in the Far East.

Can the Under-Secretary say how long machinery for tracing these men has been functioning, and whether any of them have been found alive?

The machinery for tracing them is only now getting into its stride—the special search party machinery. I should want notice of the second part of the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what is the policy with regard to the settlement and payment of retired pay to Regular officers.

Our policy is to ensure the minimum interval between the end of full pay and the start of retired pay.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether instructions have now been given to stop the erection of hangars on the cliff at St. Mawgen aerodrome; and whether he will assure the House that, in future, both the local authority and local planning committee will be consulted before any such work is put in hand at St. Mawgen or elsewhere.

Yes, Sir. Moreover, now that the war has ended we shall consult local authorities and local planning committees through the Minister of Town and Country Planning whenever the development of new building sites affects natural amenities.

Will the hon. Gentleman also consult the appropriate authority in Scotland, because the Ministry of Town and Country Planning does not cover Scotland?

Certainly, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the complaints being received by their relatives from airmen in Siam woth regard to lack of food, soap and boots; that many had not been paid any money for at least five weeks; and what steps are being taken to remove the legitimate grievances of these airmen.

I am making inquiries, and will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member as soon as we hear from the command.

In the meanwhile, while these inquiries are being made, does the Minister realise that these complaints are widespread in Siam, and that these airmen, when I got the letter, had not had pay for five weeks, and that they were short of much of the most essential things?

I would like to say, with your permission, Mr. Speaker, that 22 Questions on yesterday's Order Paper were addressed to us, a great many of them involving inquiries in Siam and distant fields overseas. Almost inevitably I have to give Members the rather unsatisfactory answer that inquiries are being made. If they could give us even 48 hours' notice of putting questions down, we should be able to give them a more satisfactory answer.

When the Minister finds himself in this position, has he not an excellent Parliamentary Private Secretary who could ask for the Questions to be postponed?

Yes, Sir. We should be very happy if Members would postpone their Questions when there is a chance of giving them better information if they do so.

Are we to understand from what my hon. Friend has just said that he only had notice for the first time yesterday of the particular Question which he is now answering?

I think that is so.

Are inquiries of overseas commands made by signal or by overseas mail?

By signal.

In that case why should it take a month to get an answer?

It does not, but it takes more than 24 hours.

This Question was put in last Thursday to the Clerk at the Table, and the Minister must have received it last Friday morning.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether it is proposed to maintain balloon squadrons of the A.A.F. in the future, and if as a separate command or not.

We have not decided yet.

When will the Minister do so?

This is a question which involves the whole future disposition of the Air Defence of Great Britain. It is a most important question, and I cannot give the hon. and gallant Member a definite date.

Can the Undersecretary say whether it is proposed to make any statement on this matter in advance of the general statement on Defence policy by the Government, or whether it will be made as part of the general statement?

The question is whether balloons are to play a part in the Air Defence of Great Britain. I cannot give any notice that an advance statement will be made on that subject.

The hon. Gentleman does not know?

Of course I do not know. The right hon. Gentleman does not know either.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is now able to make a statement about the future status of the A.A.F.

The squadrons of the Auxiliary Air Force are in process of reverting to their auxiliary status and plans are being considered under which they would form a substantial part of our first-line air defence within an operational command. As and when squadron commanders have been appointed and headquarters opened, announcements will appear in the Press.

Is the Minister aware that a statement appeared in the Press six months ago on this subject, and that the Government are losing many volunteers who want to give their services to the country? Will an early decision be made?

We are well aware of the importance of an early decision on this matter. It is, of course, involved in the whole shape and disposition of the postwar Air Force. We hope to be able to make a decision at a very early date.

Can the Under-Secretary interpret what an early date means?

I cannot give the hon. Member the exact day of the month.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in the interests of Anglo-American co-operation in the air, it is proposed to continue the exchange of students between R.A.F. and American staff colleges.

As the hon. and gallant Member is aware, there are a number of American officers at the Royal Air Force Staff College and several Royal Air Force officers are attending the Staff College course in the United States. The future of these arrangements is under the consideration of my Noble Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what plans have been made for the future development of the R.A.F. staff colleges.

The wartime Staff College course has recently been extended from three months to six months. We intend to return to the full normal course as soon as possible, and plans to this end are being developed. We are in touch with the War Office and Admiralty with the aim of ensuring the maximum coordination in training of staff officers for all three Services.

Can the Under-Secretary tell us what the present position is with regard to finding a permanent home for this Staff College?

We regard that as a matter of great importance, and we are certainly pursuing it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that 250 airmen in an airfield construction squadron, consisting of skilled and semiskilled building-trade workers, are engaged in maintaining an airfield in Iceland which is now used by few aircraft; and how soon these men, or most of them, are to be repatriated.

We are bringing nearly all these men back in the next few months.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many accounts clerks have finished their training in the past three months to replace men whose release has been postponed in spite of their age and length of service; and how many more, is it anticipated, will have completed their training in the next three months.

The figures are 1,413 for the last three months. They will be 1,760 over the next three months.

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is still great feeling amongst accounts clerks, and is it possible to speed up training above the figures he has announced for the next three months?

I am well aware of the feeling among accounts clerks; the hon. Member keeps me informed and is quite right to do so, and we are doing all we can. It is the most hardpressed section of the Royal Air Force.

asked the Under-secretary of State for Air what is the percentage of trainees who pass the courses on organisation and method at the R.A.F. school of training at Cosford; how many men are now under instruction whose demobilisation group is 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30, respectively; and what are the reasons for sending men in these low demobilisation groups for training as instructors when they expect to be demobilised within the next few months.

An average of 85 per cent. of the trainees pass the Instructors Technique Course at Cosford. None of the men now under instruction is in Group 26, 28 are in groups 27–30. We urgently need instructors and so we must train all suitable men even though their period of service may be limited.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether it is still the policy of the R.A.F. to issue Wellesly helmets to airmen as part of tropical kit when embarking for India and collect them again on disembarkation.

No, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what system is in operation to decide who is entitled to priority permits to travel by air where services now exist.

The allocation of space in British air transport services is the responsibility of the Air Priorities Board which is under the joint chairmanship of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and myself. Its members include representatives of the Board of Trade, the Foreign Office and the other interested Departments.

Will the Under-Secretary agree to look into the position to see that this air space is allocated in proper priority?

I assure the hon. Member that we do look into that at every meeting of the Board, and spend many hours allocating it. There is very heavy pressure on it, and it is extremely difficult to allocate priority to the best advantage.

Would the hon. Gentleman make clear, what is not clear in his answer, to which Member of the Government Questions on this matter should be addressed, and whether they should be addressed to him or the Parliamentary Secretary for Civil Aviation?

I should think to either.

Could the hon. Gentleman be more definite?

Certainly then: to either.

Surely that cannot be the position. Are we not entitled to know what Minister to address on matters of official policy?

To me.

Would the hon. Gentleman make it clear that the Board of Trade covers the Department of Overseas Trade as well?

Yes, Sir, certainly.

asked the Minister of Food if he will reconsider those profit margins allowed to wholesalers which on certain classes do not cover distributive costs.

I have no information to suggest that any group of wholesalers is receiving margins which are not adequate to cover the costs of their businesses necessarily incurred in distributing the commodities for which I am responsible.

If I produce some specific cases will the right hon. Gentleman look into them?

I am always willing to look into any case that the hon. Gentleman will send to me. I am perfectly willing to go into it.

If I give the Minister information to the contrary, will he also look into that?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will in future arrange for key openers to be provided with the quarter pound tins of sardines imported into this country.

I am afraid that it is not possible to arrange at present for a key opener to be provided with each tin of sardines. I hope, however, that keys may soon be available.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of tins of sardines recently imported are still on the shop shelves owing to the natural reluctance of the housewives of this country to attack them with a hatchet?

asked the Minister of Food when he proposes to announce the winter schedule of fish prices.

I announced the winter fish prices on 13th November.

As the Minister made this arrangement six weeks later than he did last year, and as the winter prices represent a considerable advantage to the fishermen, will he make the new prices retrospective?