asked the Postmaster-General if he will give details of the recent rise in wages of Post Office workers; and what is the total annual cost.

I am sending to the hon. Member the details for which he asks. The total additional annual cost of the revised scales is estimated to be slightly over £5,000,000.

In view of the fact that the Government have just passed through this House a Finance Bill to stop inflation, will the Postmaster-General and other Ministers realise that the mere handing out of pieces of paper does no good to the Post Office workers or to the public, and only accentuates the vicious spiral?

That is another question.

Has the Postmaster-General any idea of carrying out the policy expressed in paragraph 28 of the Economic Survey for 1947, which says:

"Any further general increase in wages and profits must be accompanied by a corresponding increase in production?"

Answer.

Before my right hon. Friend replies, will he say if it is not the fact that these increases—and, indeed, much more substantial increases—are long overdue if the Post Office workers are to be provided with a reasonable standard of living? Is it not a fact that if he had not conceded part of the claims of the workers my right hon. Friend would have found some difficulty in retaining his staff, and recruiting new entrants into the various grades?

Is it not a fact that despite the increase of salaries and the fact that the present staff is quite adequate for the needs of the Post Office, the postal service today is worse than it has ever been?

Emphatically not. I thought there were sufficiently good reasons for giving these increases.

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter again on the Adjournment at the first opportunity.

asked the Postmaster-General what recent investigations have been made into the organisation and methods employed in the Post Office Savings Department; what recommendations have been made; and to what extent they are now being implemented.

If my hon. Friend has in mind investigations by organisation and methods officers, the answer is that they have examined only limited problems and have not yet made any survey of the whole Department. A full scale inquiry by organisation and methods officers into the Savings Bank side of the work is, however, about to start. Investigations of this nature are, of course, constantly proceeding as part of the normal responsibility of the Head of the Department, and an independent inquiry was made in 1942. I fully recognise the value of periodical investigations, which will be undertaken as time and staff permit, but I must emphasise that the Savings Department has carried out with great success the formidable problem of adapting itself to meet an enormous expansion of work in conditions of shortage of staff and of accommodation which have imposed severe limits upon the possibilities of altering processes in detail. The inquiry now starting will be largely directed to examining whether further mechanisation or a change in the present system is desirable.

If my right hon. Friend is not satisfied that he has a sufficient number of qualified people on his staff to do this work, will he consider asking the Organisation and Methods division of the Treasury to help him with it?

We have a qualified staff for this work and they are doing it.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will reinstate the use of the present lover's knot postmark at least until the end of the approaching festive season.

No, Sir.

Will not my right hon. Friend reconsider his decision with a view to enabling the hon. Member to find a lover?

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the introduction in substitution for this of the design of balls and chains in order to symbolise Government policy?

Is this Question an indication that the hon. bachelor, the Member for Bedford (Mr. Skeffington-Lodge), has now honourable intentions?

asked the Postmaster-General how his receipts per cwt. of Forces' air letters at 2½d. per letter compare with his receipts per cwt. of air mail despatched at ordinary rates to the same countries; and whether he will give an assurance that Forces' air letters will be despatched by all lines used for ordinary air mail, and with equal priority.

The gross postage on a given weight of lightweight Forces' letters at 2½d. per letter exceeds that for the same weight of ordinary air mail letters for the Forces, which I assume the hon. Member has in mind, but, owing to their greater number the Post Office handling costs per cwt. are higher in the case of lightweight Forces' letters. After deduction of these costs, the net revenue available to meet air conveyance charges is about the same in either case. No distinction as regards priority of despatch is made between the two classes of correspondence, and I can readily give the assurance sought by the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of the troops think that Forces' letters are not sent by foreign aircraft even when they would give earlier delivery? Do I understand him to say that if that ever was so it is no longer true?

If they do think that, then I think that this Question and answer may correct them.

In view of the importance of facilitating correspondence between our people in the Forces abroad and their homes here, will my right hon. Friend consider offering them further reduced rates?

We have recently gone into that matter, and I think that this is all we can do at the moment.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will make a statement to the House on his recent trip with the cable laying ship "Monarch."

I am grateful for an opportunity to mention this little known Post Office service. His Majesty's Telegraph Ship "Monarch" was first commissioned last year. She is the largest of the Post Office fleet of four cable ships; indeed, the largest cable ship in the world, equipped for laying cables and maintaining them in all waters. The laying by "Monarch" of the new Anglo-Dutch No. 6 cable offered a unique opportunity of witnessing at first-hand the work and working conditions on a cable ship. The cable itself is of very modern design, and will provide 84 telephone circuits from this country to Holland, and in a year or two, to all the Scandinavian countries. "Monarch" is the only ship capable of laying the 80 odd miles in one piece.

In spite of a considerable storm, the laying of the cable was completed successfully in five days. Great credit is, I think, Sir, due to the Captain and ship's company, who combined skilful seamanship and sound technical training so as to lay an unfamiliar type of cable, less easy to handle than the norm, in spite of adverse weather. Great credit is also due to the skill and enterprise of the British firm—Messrs. Submarine Cables Ltd.—who designed and produced the cable itself—an advanced piece of intricate scientific craftsmanship; I am glad to say that they were represented on board "Monarch." Representatives of the Dutch and Danish administrations where there too, and expressed great satisfaction at the success of the operation.

asked the Postmaster-General what restrictions he places on the use of official paid envelopes by nationalised undertakings and associated companies for their ordinary postal correspondence; what steps are taken by his Department to verify the suitability of a firm to make use of postal services at the public expense; and, in particular, if the National Screen Service, Ltd., comes under the heading of a nationalised or an associated company which is entitled by his regulations to use official paid postal service for the distribution of their films.

Official paid envelopes and labels are supplied only to Government Departments under regulations made by the Treasury which prescribe safeguards for their proper use. I understand that National Screen Service, Ltd., distribute films for certain Government Departments, and for that purpose they are supplied by the Departments concerned with specially printed or partially printed labels bearing the "Official Paid" design.

If this is a private company, is this concession justified?

I said that this company are distributing films for certain Government Departments. We provide labels for them.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any case on record in which an unstamped letter bearing the letters "O.H.M.S." written in ink has been returned by any Government Department with a request for payment of postage?

I do not know. If the hon. Gentleman knows of such a case, perhaps, he will let me know.

Has any such letter ever been returned?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is now in a position to make a statement on special issues of postage stamps in 1948.

I have much pleasure in informing the House that, with His Majesty's gracious assent, I propose to authorise an issue of special stamps on 26th April, 1948, to commemorate the Silver Wedding of Their Majesties the King and Queen. I propose also to issue special postage stamps on the occasion of the opening of the Olympic Games in July, 1948, and in May, 1948, on the anniversary of the liberation of the Channel Islands from German occupation.

Will the designs of these stamps be submitted in ample time for the Royal Fine Art Commission to consider them, so that this country can have the best?

Yes, and in one case that has already been done.

Will the right hon. Gentleman seriously consider producing a stamp to express recognition of the high production of the miners and steelworkers of this country, which is of the very greatest importance to the economy of this country—much more than the others?

I do not know about a stamp, but I deeply appreciate the efforts those people are making.

Will my right hon. Friend say if there is any tie up with the Dominions, which would be desirable, so that we may keep in step with them—as, for instance, in connection with the first issue that he mentioned?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will give an assurance that he will not acquire or use the six miles stretch of land officially described as the Millom Range, Cumberland, or any part thereof, without a public inquiry.

Our proposed use of land at Millom is being considered by the Services Land Requirements Committee. If, after investigation, there appear to be substantial objections outstanding, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Town and Country Planning will arrange an inquiry. The length of foreshore involved in our proposals is one and a half miles, to which access would be permitted whenever the range was not in use.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say when he thinks this proposal will come before the committee, because the local planning authorities are hampered until they have knowledge; and does he realise how supremely valuable this piece of coast is, and how much concerned the local authorities and the amenity societies are?

Yes, Sir. I quite appreciate the importance mentioned in the second part of the supplementary question. As regards the first part, the committee are now considering these aspects of the problem.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that in the past, and presumably normally, this committee take ten months to report on these matters; and can he do anything to speed it up?

I will look into that.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many officers and men of the R.A.F. who were reported as missing or prisoners of war, and are believed to have been in Germany or Poland remain untraced; and what steps are now being taken to search for them.

About 9,000 members of the R.A.F. who were reported missing in Europe remain untraced. Most of these were lost over North-West Europe, including Germany and Poland, but it is not possible to say how many were lost in each country. It is estimated that a further 12,000 were lost over the sea, and it is unlikely that positive evidence of their fate will now be discovered. R.A.F. Missing Research Units are still at work in Germany and other European countries, but to my regret permission to go into Poland has not yet been obtained. In the last six months these units have accounted for nearly 2,000 officers and men whose deaths could previously only be presumed; altogether, about 18,000 have now been traced. All members of the R.A.F. who were posted as prisoners of war have been traced, with two exceptions.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say what steps he is taking to persuade the Polish Government to allow research units to enter Poland?

I should prefer that question to be put down on the Order Paper.

Would the right hon. and learned Gentleman bear in mind that, towards the conclusion of the war we made very full reciprocal agreements with all our Allies to help them to trace their missing, in return for which they would help us to trace our missing? I think the House would feel it indefensible that an Ally should refuse us this very reasonable concession.

Is Poland the only country which refuses to allow these units to penetrate into its territory?

Yes, Sir.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that there is a Norwegian War Graves Commission working in Poland; and, therefore, ought there to be any insuperable objection to one going from our country?

The objection is not coming from this end.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why the sailing of a party of pilot cadets for South Africa on s.s. "Stirling Castle" on 4th December was cancelled on 28th November, after the cadets had drawn their tropical kit, etc., on 25th November.

My Department received a report from the R.A.F. authorities in Southern Rhodesia on 26th November proposing a re-arrangement of the R.A.F. Training Schools there. In order to carry out this re-arrangement, the sailing of the next contingent of cadets had to be postponed.

Does the Minister agree that, in order to encourage young officers instead of disappointing them, it would have been as well to have told them the reason why their departure was delayed?

I was not aware that they had not been told.

asked the Secretary of State for Air when the airfield at Bolt Head, South Devon, will he made available for agricultural use.

This airfield was derequisitioned 18 months ago, since when the County Agricultural Executive Committee have been restoring the land for farming. Complete restoration is, however, proving more difficult than was expected, and I am therefore, consulting my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture on what further work should be put in hand.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the case of this rich agricultural land, 300 acres in extent, has been like a shuttlecock flying between his Ministry, the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Agriculture for the last 18 months; that buildings are still on the aerodrome; that the ditches are still open; and, particularly, that some wire mesh tracking, which was premised to local owner-occupiers to replace their fences, has been disposed of elsewhere; and does he realise that if this sort of thing goes on everywhere the country will starve?

I am not aware that it is going on everywhere. As regards this particular area being a shuttlecock between various Departments, I hope that as a result of my consultations that situation will end.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that the work of Nos. 327 and 1327, Kilmarnock and District Squadrons, Air Training Corps, is being seriously handicapped by lack of heating facilities in their headquarters; and will he take steps to provide the necessary radiators from Air Ministry stores.

My Department have no stocks of the special type of radiator which the Kilmarnock Committee have asked for, but consideration is being given to what alternative heating arrangements can best be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why candidates for trainee assistant photographer are asked their political views.

I am not aware that candidates are asked for their political views.

If I send the Minister a letter which I have just received, which gives a rather different view, will he look into it?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation how many aircraft have been diverted from Heathrow to Prestwick on account of weather conditions during November.

None, Sir, but two bound for London Airport proceeded direct to Prestwick in view of the general weather situation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether the cuts in capital expenditure will affect the work in progress at Heathrow.

Yes, Sir. I would refer the hon. Member to the recently published White Paper on Capital Investment.

When is it expected to complete the new runway programme at Heathrow?

It was intended to complete it towards the end of 1950. This curtailment in labour force will perhaps delay it till 1952.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether it is intended to take delivery of the Stratocruisers in view of the restrictions on foreign travel; when deliveries are now expected to take place; and whether he is satisfied that these planes can be profitably operated.

Yes, Sir. Deliveries of these aircraft are expected to begin in August, 1948. The answer to the last part of the Question is also, "Yes, Sir."

How can the Parliamentary Secretary make that reply in view of the fact that on the East-bound run the existing Constellations are coming back, in the main, practically empty; and will he not agree that the purchase of these aircraft is yet another great blunder which his Ministry have committed?

Most certainly not. The present operation of the Constellations on the North Atlantic service is an economic service, in so far as the relation between the load factor and the operating costs will make it economic.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary saying that it would have been in the national interests not to have bought Constellations instead of Stratocruisers?

I am saying that at the moment we have no British aircraft which could have been economic in relation to the operating costs and load factor.

I agree.

These aircraft are economic and, therefore, this is the most profitable course to adopt.

In those circumstances, would it not be a good idea to try the Tudor on the North Atlantic run, for which it was built and which it is fit to fly?

It has been proved unsatisfactory for the North Atlantic, and, therefore, it would be unwise to consider introducing it into service.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation the cost to the public for the capital subscribed by the Department, together with the Airways Corporations, for the formation of International Aeradio; what is the amount subscribed by each organisation concerned; why other European air transport concerns have refused to loin International Aeradio; and what were the terms offered to these air lines from the point of view of their financial contribution and the participation in management.

None of the capital of International Aeradio Limited will be subscribed directly from public funds. The three Airways Corporations have agreed to contribute the major portion of the present authorised capital of £250,000, but the amount to be subscribed by each organisation has not yet been settled. The remaining questions are matters for the board of the company.

In view of the vast amount of public money which goes to the Corporation's support, does the Parliamentary Secretary not consider it would be his direct responsibility to watch the development of International Aeradio Limited; and does he consider the present Board is suitably constituted with people of sufficient experience, and of an international character, which is likely to cause this international organisation to develop in the quickest and most useful way?

The answer to the latter part of the supplementary question is "Yes, Sir." The first part concerns matters which are for the board, but the Ministry keeps in touch with them because it is desired that, these being common services, there should be an international organisation to administer them.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that if seats on the board were offered to international transport organisations, it might assist materially to the more rapid development of this organisation?

That will be done as and when capital is put forward by them, and I hope it will not be long before they are represented there.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he is satisfied that Turnhouse Airport is operationally suited to the needs of a developing air service.

I am satisfied that Turn-house Airport is adequate to meet the needs of the existing service, and such future needs as are contemplated at present.

Is it not the case that Aberdeen Airport is being adapted for the Viking, and that Turnhouse Airport will now be the only airport on the East Coast service which cannot at the moment take the Viking?

No, Sir, it is dictated, not by Ministry, but by the area of land available, and by the topography of the surrounding land.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he is aware that the fact-finding inquiry on the Pan-American Airway Constellation accident at Meyadin, Syria, on 18th June, 1947, in which seven British subjects were killed, has now been published, stating that the aircraft was not provided with maps or charts of emergency landing fields, including the R.A.F. base at Habbaniya; and to what extent such information is and has been available to civilian operating companies.

No, Sir. The Interim Report of the Fact-Finding Committee makes no mention of the lack of maps or charts, and the final report has not yet been received. British aeronautical charts are on sale through authorised chart sellers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he is aware that there exists at present at Prestwick hangar accommodation sufficient to allow the maintenance and servicing of three Constellations at Prestwick Airport; and if he will make arrangements to use these facilities.

No, Sir. The second part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary look into this again, since the information of those on the spot in no way agrees with what he has said?

I am prepared to accept my brief rather than that of the hon. and gallant Member.

Can my hon. Friend say the date when he anticipates the Constellations will be brought to this country?

In the autumn of 1948.

Will he try to speed it up a little?

In view of the fact that the Parliamentary Secretary's statements and opinions on Scottish aviation have been almost invariably wrong, is it not possible that he may also be wrong on this occasion?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what is the total sum of the token payments made by the Government to Scottish Aviation, Limited, for their services at Prestwick.

£103,918 16s. 7d.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say whether that includes payments to the hotel, and whether the hotel is owned by Scottish Aviation?

It is owned by my Ministry, but is operated by Scottish Aviation. The figure does not include anything in regard to the hotel, the rent of which has yet to be determined.

Does the figure relate to work which is going on in the Scottish airport in regard to refitting Dakota aircraft for sale?

No, Sir, that is entirely private venture.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary say when he expects a final settlement?

As soon as possible. The present contract allows for a continuation until 31st March, 1949, but an attempt will be made to conclude an agreement before that date for the Ministry to take over all the services.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what feeder services exist to and from Prestwick; and what additional feeder services he proposes to introduce.

None, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether cuts in the capital investment programme, necessitating delay in airfield construction schemes, make any distinction as regards schemes within development areas, similar to the factory-building priorities which have been retained by the Government.

No, Sir.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware his decision means that in the North-East development area we shall not have any direct air route with the continent, especially with Scandinavia and Belgium, where Tyneside did most of the prewar trade, for at least three and, possibly, four or five years.

Yes, Sir. It is a matter of priority. Which shall be first, Jarrow tunnel and houses, or the development of the airfield?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation on what date was the Air Transport Advisory Council constituted; what members serve upon it; and what is their remuneration.

The Air Transport Advisory Council was constituted by Order in Council dated 11th June, 1947. It has the following membership:

• Lord Torrington, C.B.E. (Chairman).
• Sir Donald Banks, K.C.B., D.S.O., M.C.
• Mr. John lire Primrose, D.L., J.P.
• Air-Commodore the Hon. W. L. Runciman, O.B.E., A.F.C.
• Mr. G. S. Szlumper, C.B.E., T.D.

Pending experience of the volume of work likely to devolve upon the Council, the Chairman receives remuneration at the rate of 20 guineas, and the other members of the Council at the rate of 15 guineas for each day on which the Council meets.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation on how many occasions the Air Transport Advisory Council has met; what matters have they considered; and on what matters have they tendered advice to the Minister.

Four, Sir. The Council has investigated representations made to it by a member of the public relating to air services in Scotland, and has submitted its report and recommendations to my noble Friend. Other similar representations are at present being examined by the Council.

Does not the Parliamentary Secretary agree that if the extent and purpose of this Advisory Council were more widely known, a good many of the questions and complaints which come to Members of Parliament and find their way on to the Order Paper, might be directed to the Council in the first place?

Yes, Sir. I hope this Question and my answer will relieve hon. Members of some of the letters they have been getting. If hon. Members will inform their constituents of this official channel, that will be one method of making it more widely known.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what meetings he has had during 1947 with the committee of foreign airlines' representatives in the United Kingdom.

None, Sir.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say why he and the Minister did not take the opportunity of such a meeting which was afforded by the luncheon at the Savoy Hotel recently?

Because I am a trade unionist, and I hope I shall always remember that fact.

Is not the hon. Member one of His Majesty's Ministers?

Yes, Sir, and there is no conflict between the two.

In order to give greater elucidation to the House, will the Parliamentary Secretary state which he places first—his duty as one of His Majesty's Ministers, or his duty as a lesser trade unionist?

That conflict of interest never arises.

It did.

In view of the fact that the T.U.C. did not recognise this strike, how comes it that the Minister refused to attend?

I am grateful to the hon. Member for that supplementary question, which enables me to say that the Trade Union Congress was not involved in my decision in any shape or form; and they took no part by giving advice, instructions, or any contact in any way.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the hon. Member for Ipswich may expect a reply to his letter of 25th September regarding the exchange visit of Workers' Leaders between Messrs. Ransomes & Rapier Ltd., of Ipswich and Messrs. Menck & Hambrock of Hamburg.

A reply was sent to my hon. Friend this morning.

is my right hon. Friend aware that I have only just received his reply? Arising out of that reply, is he further aware that this has nothing to do with exchange control payments? The payments at this end will be made in sterling, and the payments to the workers at the other end will be in sterling. It will not cost any dollars. Therefore, what is the difficulty?

I apologise if my hon. Friend has only just received his reply. As to the complexities of the exchange, I shall be glad to discuss with him any scheme he has in mind.

Does the exchange include the hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes)? Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the gain to this country of such a transaction?

As my hon. Friend is an engineering worker, he would, of course, qualify.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs at what capital value the territory of Silesia has been taken into consideration when assessing the total of reparations to be paid.

As the total of reparations to be paid is not assessed in terms of money, the Question does not arise.

Has my right hon. Friend read Mr. Byrnes' book "Speaking Frankly"? Will he study it, and learn that the rateable value of property in Silesia before the war was assessed at over 11 billion dollars?

I must repeat that the question of reparations is not tied to assessments.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present rate of the Treasury grant made in respect of the European Service of the B.B.C.; and to what extent his Department is responsible for control of the policy of, and expenditure on, this Service.

As the answer is necessarily a long one, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that there is no intention of cutting down the already inadequate Treasury grant? May I have an answer? May I ask the Minister, then, whether His Majesty's Government fully appreciate the immense value of the European Service of the B.B.C.?

I am very glad to answer the second question, because it concerns my Department. We are keenly aware of the work which has been done by this service, and of its importance to the Government and to the country.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the nature of the charge brought against Maria Marynowska, an employee of the British Embassy in Warsaw; and if he will publish as a White Paper the conclusions arrived at by the official of the British Embassy who was present as an observer at the trial.

Mrs. Marynowska was charged, together with the other accused, with acting, in the period from the spring of 1946 to January, 1947, in a way which had as its object the overthrow of the Polish Government, and the specific accusations alleged are that Mrs. Marynowska arranged a meeting between underground leaders and members of His Majesty's Embassy, and also passed information from them to the Embassy. My right hon. Friend will bear in mind the suggestion made in the second part of the Question.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman agree, in regard to this and other trials, whatever the verdict, that while the satellite countries of Soviet Russia are not in conformity with the British system of law, he should do all he can to uphold the rights of those accused in these trials?

The Government are represented at the trial, and we will see that all legitimate protection to servants of the Government is afforded to this woman. I should, perhaps, say that no one expects a similarity of the law as between country and country, but what we are concerned about is to see that justice, according to the law of the country, is discharged.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) the number of times the British delegation to the United Nations Assembly voted with the United States and the number of times with the U.S.S.R. during the last two years;

(2) how many times the British representative on the Security Council has voted with the U.S.A. in support of or against proposals and how many times with the U.S.S.R. during the last two years.

It would be impossible to give an accurate answer to either of these Questions. In the period to which the honourable Member refers the number of occasions on which the United Nations General Assembly, its Committees and Sub-Committees have voted, must amount to many thousands; and the number of occasions on which the Security Council has voted, to many hundreds. Further, the vast majority of votes by the General Assembly are taken by show of hands, and in these cases no official record is kept of the way in which Delegations voted.

Can we take it from the decisions which have been reached that the right hon. Gentleman has experienced no serious ideological differences in dealing with the representatives of American private enterprise?

I do not think that that is a fair assumption. The hon. Gentleman, of course, will make what inferences he pleases, particularly since there is no evidence on the subject.

Is it the policy of His Majesty's Government to vote in accordance with the merits of the case, or to try to keep the score equal as between the various countries?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that there is evidence in Japan of a movement to re-introduce Emperor worship; and whether he will instruct the British representative on the Far-Eastern Commission to press for immediate action to prohibit activities of this nature.

Since the answer to the first part of the Question is, "No, Sir," the second part would not seem to arise.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that when Hirohito went to Hiroshima recently he was received with wild acclamation by at least 50,000 Japanese citizens? Is not that a most undesirable development?

I think there is a confusion of thought here. Neither we nor anyone else can prevent subjects paying what tribute they think fitting to their crowned head. It is, however, important that there should be no recurrence of Emperor worship in Japan, and there is an ordinance, a regulation, to take care of that.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that this can only be handled by long-term education, and that it is no good trying to pass Bills or laws, or enforcing these things on a short-term basis?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what negotiations are taking place with a view to revising the Treaty between Transjordan and the United Kingdom; and whether he will make a statement.

None, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what grants have so far been made to Malta from the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund; and how they have been used.

As the answer to the hon. Member's Question is rather long, I propose, with his permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have now been taken to reabsorb into employment men previously employed in the Malta Dockyard.

By the new Constitution, this matter is wholly within the sphere of the Maltese Ministers and the Legislative Assembly of Malta, and it would not be proper for me to answer for them. I am, however, glad to take this opportunity of stating that my right hon. Friend is fully alive to the importance of finding outlets for Malta's surplus labour, and His Majesty's Government will do whatever may be possible to meet any request for assistance in tackling this problem which the Government of Malta may make to them.

asked the Prime Minister when the White Paper on the Services' Land Requirements is to be published.

A White Paper on the Needs of the Armed Forces for Land for Training and other Purposes has been presented, and copies will be available in the Vote Office this afternoon.

Do the Government propose to put down a Motion to approve the proposals contained in that White Paper and, if so, will there be an opportunity for Debate before the Christmas Recess?

That question ought to be put to my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House.

Do the Defence Departments have to submit all requests for land to this Committee before acquiring it?

The Committee reviewed the whole of the requirements and came to general decisions, but, as the hon. Member is aware, there is a proposal that there should be local inquiries with regard to specific parts of land.

Can we take it that the proposal to acquire part of Dovedale will be submitted to this Committee for their opinion?

I would rather see that question on the Order Paper.

asked the Minister of Defence what estimated annual saving in petrol will be secured as a result of his instructions to the Service Depart-in regard to economy.

It is estimated that consumption of motor spirit by the Services in the year ending 30th June, 1948, will be about 620,000 tons as compared with 1,065,000 tons in the previous year—a drop of over 40 per cent. It is not possible to say how much of this saving is the result of specific economies, but the reduction has been effected relatively more quickly than the reduction in manpower strengths.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his satisfactory reply, may I ask him whether the instructions issued to the Services indicated the hardship being suffered by the civilian community through being deprived of their basic petrol ration?

The Services have been left in no doubt about the urgency of the need for economy.

Will my right hon. Friend indicate that when he used the term "motor spirit" he did not use it in accordance with the Trade and Navigation Returns of the Board of Trade, but exclusively as a fuel used for internal combustion engines on land, excluding aviation spirit?

Yes, Sir. The figure does not include aviation spirit. A reduction of 44,000 tons of aviation spirit is foreshadowed, but we must keep sufficient to provide for efficient training.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many gallons are involved, so that the public can more readily understand the matter without having to be senior wranglers?

I shall have to work it out.

Having said that it is hoped to save some aviation spirit, will my right hon. Friend investigate how much can be saved by dropping the Royal Air Force practice of using high octane spirit for cleaning purposes, including cleaning hangar floors?

If my hon. Friend has any information about that I should be glad if he would put it to my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Air.

I have already done so.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the proportion of the economy will not be so great in the case of armoured units, requiring petrol for training; as in the case of ordinary maintenance units, using it for administrative purposes?

We have indicated that we require a certain economy, and I would rather leave it to the Army themselves to make that economy in the place where it will be felt least.

Will my right hon. Friend look into the question of combining elementary flying training of the Air Force and Naval Air Arm, where that is suitable?

A great deal of elementary flying training is already being done by the Royal Air Force for the Navy, and has been done for many years past. But if there is any further development in that direction a Question might be put to the Admiralty.

asked the Minister of Defence how many meetings of the Defence Committee have taken place since its inception, and how many of these meetings have been attended by the Minister of Transport.

It would be against the public interest to give the information which the hon. Member seeks.

On what occasion shall we be able to discuss this type of question, and the problem of transport in relation to defence? Is that kept firmly in view by the Defence Committee?

That would be a matter for Mr. Speaker, but page 337 of Erskine May shows that a question is inadmissible either on decisions or proceedings of the Cabinet or the Committee of Imperial Defence.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that there is sufficient coordination between the three Services and the Ministry of Transport?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Defence what proportion of the 1,050,000 acres occupied by the Forces is in Scotland and how this compares with the figures of land occupied by the Forces in 1938.

Nearly In per cent. as compared with about 7 per cent. in 1938.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the War Office are contemplating taking another 21,000 acres of land in Roxburghshire? Will he reconsider this matter?

My hon. Friend will be seeing the White Paper which is being laid today. As indicated by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War yesterday, Scotland is having a much smaller share of her land used for Service purposes than other parts of Britain. We have had pressure from other directions to take more land in Scotland and less elsewhere.

Can my right hon. Friend say how much of this land was formed food producing, and how much is food producing now, and what is being done to repair the consequent loss to the community?

That matter is dealt with in the White Paper. Perhaps my hon. and learned Friend will study it.

When the land of Scotland is being taken will those parts which are not of high agricultural value be taken?

I do not think that the White Paper will show that there is a great percentage of the land to be used anywhere which is of high agricultural value.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the land on the Cheviots which it is proposed to take over is the finest sheep land in the South of Scotland?

I am sure that all that will be examined during the usual procedure which will deal with the merits of such questions.

asked the Minister of Defence how many officers in each of the Services serving in London are brought from their residences to their offices and taken home again by official Service cars; what are the ranks of such officers; and how many cars are used for such purposes in each Service; and what is the total amount of petrol consumed in such journeys.

As I have already explained to the hon. Member in a letter, this is a matter of detailed administration for which responsibility to Parliament rests with the Service Ministers, and cannot be regarded as falling within the scope of the purposes for which the Ministry of Defence was set up.

Does not the Minister consider that the present circumstances impose a need for a common policy in the Services on this matter, especially in view of the need for civilian fuel, and the hardship caused to the civilian population in areas where public transport is not available?