asked the Secretary of State for Air what complaints he has received about losses of homing pigeons on service, due to their being shot down other than by enemy action and, in particular, from the Bircham Newton aerodrome authorities?

Two reports, one of which came from the Royal Air Force Station at Bircham Newton in November last, have been received of the shooting of pigeons on Royal Air Force service. The need for care to avoid shooting homing pigeons has already been emphasised in broadcasts and I am arranging for further publicity to be given to this matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman suggest to his right hon. arid gallant Friend the Minister of Agriculture that when his Department is sending out fresh notices about the shooting of wood pigeons they should have a paragraph or two about this particular matter, because it is important at the present time?

Yes, Sir. I will gladly confer with my right hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will consider the advisability of arranging, so far as is practicable, that men engaged at observation posts shall be drawn from those out of employment, with a view to avoiding feeling between special constables who receive no payment for their ordinary work, and special constables who are employed part-time at observation posts, and often, though in full employment, are paid at the rate of Is. 3d. per hour; and whether he will give particular attention to the situation existing in these respects at a post between Bewdley and Tenbury?

As special constables, members of the Observer Corps were entitled to certain allowances. The corps, however, is no longer part of the Special Constabulary and those allowances have been replaced by the present consolidated payment of is. 3d. an hour. The great majority of the observers were enrolled before the war and were specially trained for this work. No large-scale substitution is practicable at this stage, but any vacancies that occur will be filled as far as possible from persons registered at the Employment Exchanges. If the hon. Member will communicate with me on the last part of the Question I will have inquiries made.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the welfare of troops scheme established recently by the War Office; whether it is proposed to establish a similar scheme in the Royal Air Force; and whether he will bear in mind the special needs of officers and men of balloon barrage units?

A welfare scheme similar in purpose to that established by the War Office is being organised for the Royal Air Force. It embraces the promotion of social welfare, physical fitness, recreation, including the provision of equipment for games and sports, entertainment and the collection and distribution of comforts. Entertainment has largely been placed under the Entertainment National Service Association the organisers of which have appointed a liaison officer with the Royal Air Force. The collection and distribution of comforts and gifts is in the hands of the Comforts Committee in Berkeley Square House which is run by voluntary help. Every effort has been and will continue to be made to supply the welfare needs of all Royal Air Force units including those of the balloon barrage.

Will the right hon. Gentleman keep in mind the fact that, in order to prevent unnecessary appeals to the tribunals or the duplication of appeals for all similar bodies, there should be some kind of co-operation between the Army scheme and the Royal Air Force welfare scheme, particularly as it applies to small units, such as balloon barrage units, all over the country.

Yes, Sir. I will consider that, but, as the hon. Gentleman knows, a good many people desire their gifts to go in a particular direction.

Yes, but in order to avoid duplication and overlapping, as the hon. Member said, would it not be possible, especially in counties where there are a number of not very large formations both of the Army and Air Force, to employ the welfare officer, who is appointed by the County Territorial Association, to look after the welfare of the Air Force as well?

Yes, Sir. I think there is a case in that particular connection, and I will look into the matter further.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that women officers in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force are only receiving a grant of £16 towards their uniform, the average cost of which is £38; and, in view of the fact that the low grant to women officers is, in many cases, causing them serious financial embarrassment, will he consider increasing their allowance for uniform?

This matter has recently been under consideration and I am glad to say that the grant is to be increased from £16 to£30.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the dependant's allowance in respect of the widowed mother of 749172 Aircraft-man A. J. Grist, 103 Squadron, Royal Air Force, had to be reconsidered, and that on 11th December the mother was instructed to return her pay warrant book for readjustment; that from then and through the Christmas period no allowance was paid, the mother having to rely upon her widow's pension; and whether steps will be taken to prevent such undue delay in future cases?

At the end of November last the airman referred to requested that the voluntary allotment which was in issue to his mother should cease as from the middle of December and the allotment book was withdrawn from the recipient accordingly. Early in December he lodged a claim for a dependant's allowance to be granted to his mother and this was referred to the appropriate authority for local inquiry. Early in January, the dependant's allowance was put into issue and arrears were paid. I regret that there was some delay in effecting these adjustments. but I am satisfied that, in general, these cases are dealt with as expeditiously as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will consider the serious inconvenience occasioned to members of the Air Force Emergency Reserve by the receipt of notices to hold themselves in readiness to act promptly on receipt of specific instructions when these notices are still outstanding after months of waiting; and whether he is aware that in many instances arrangements have been long unnecessarily made in respect of the transfer of businesses, etc.?

I regret the inconvenience to which the hon. Member refers and that it has been possible to find employment for a proportion only of those who have patriotically offered their services in the Officers' Emergency Reserve. At the outbreak of war there was a considerable number of members of this Reserve who had not been interviewed or assigned to a war appointment and the work of disposing of these applications and the many others which have since been received has necessarily taken time. The review is now practically complete; most of the members of the Reserve have been informed whether or not there is any prospect of being able to take advantage of their offer of service and the remainder will be so informed in the very near future.

Does the Minister appreciate how serious it is when a man who has a business and wishes to transfer it can make no arrangements of that kind and may have to remain waiting for six or seven months whilst somebody else is running his business?

Yes, Sir. I do appreciate that fact.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the scheme to take over the Hastings Pier Theatre has now been abandoned?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in all contracts placed directly or indirectly by His Majesty's Govern- ment for the supply of aircraft from Dominion or foreign countries, there is incorporated a break clause to the same effect as that which is in force in connection with similar contracts with suppliers in the United Kingdom?

It is the normal practice of my Department to require the insertion of a suitable break clause in aircraft contracts placed overseas. In the case of contracts placed in Canada, the clause is practically identical with that in United Kingdom contracts. So far as contracts placed in United States of America are concerned, the British Purchasing Mission have standing instructions to arrange for the insertion of an effective break clause in orders not likely to be completed within six months.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can make any statement regarding the recent loss of an Imperial Airways flying boat in the Mediterranean?

An investigation into the cause of this accident is now in progress and I am therefore not in a position to make a statement at the present time.

Will my right hon. Friend carefully investigate whether in fact the route now adopted by these flying boats is more hazardous from a meteorological point of view than the route adopted in peace-time, and, if necessary, consider the question of adopting some modified route?

Yes, Sir. I will see to that matter myself.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that there is serious discontent among naval ratings in respect of prohibitions against posting letters while ashore and of stringent penalties imposed on ratings who, while ashore, have posted letters to wives, while at the same time naval officers have been met by their wives on the pier; and what steps he proposes to take to eliminate this discrimination, restore the naval ratings against the penalties imposed, and remove the grounds for this discontent?

I am not aware of any such discrimination as alleged by the hon. and learned Member. The naval censorship regulations which prohibit the posting of letters ashore by naval personnel apply equally to officers and men. Both officers and men may ask their wives to join them at a port after their ship has arrived there, but neither officers nor men may reveal the prospective movements of their ships. Disciplinary action has been taken when such information has been revealed to wives.

Can the Minister say whether this disciplinary action has been exclusively exercised in cases of ratings or officers?

Equally between ratings and officers.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that first-class skilled engineers at the Royal Naval torpedo factory at Greenock are being paid off at the age of 65; that this fact is the cause of much criticism; and whether he will take steps to ensure that, during the war emergency, the services of these skilled engineers will be retained in the public interest?

Local officers have been authorised to retain unestablished men at their discretion beyond the age of 65 during the present emergency without reference to the Admiralty. As regards established workmen the Order-in-Council regulating the retirement of established civil servants provides for compulsory retirement at 65, but empowers the Treasury in special cases to extend employment for a further period not exceeding five years. Alternatively, established employés may be retired at 65 but reentered on a temporary basis, if the local officers consider them fit for service and the men themselves are willing to remain.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty on what grounds George C. Price, of 7, Northfield Square, Edinburgh, born and bred in Edinburgh, was refused entry into the British Navy, in which his British West Indian father fought during the Great War; whether persons born and reared within the British Isles are subject in the recruiting regulations to caste or racial discriminations; and what steps he is taking to abolish colour prejudice in the ranks of the Navy?

According to the information available at the Admiralty, George C. Price has never applied to join the Royal Navy. During the war men of colour may be considered for entry for hostilities only service in competition with other candidates on their merits, and without regard to their colour, provided they are British born and sons of British born parents.

Is the Minister aware that this young man appeared before the conscientious objectors' tribunal and that that tribunal expressed sympathy with him in the fact that before the war he had applied to join the Navy, and that vicariously he offered to join the Air Force, and that in both cases he was rejected because of his colour; and am I to understand that there is any test of alien blood that distinguishes the Admiralty from the Army?

I think I have given the position. I understand that this is rather an extraordinary case. The man's mother is Danish. Therefore he is not the son of British-born parents, but, if the hon. Member has any further particulars which he would like to bring to my notice, I shall be glad if he will do so. I understand that his brother applied in 1935 and mentioned this man, who himself has never applied. Perhaps the hon. Member would like to communicate with me further.

Is not the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware from the Question that this man's father served in the Navy during the last war, and, if his father was able to serve as a West Indian during the last war, it seems rather strange that his son cannot serve to-day?

I gather that he has not applied.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to what is becoming the invariable practice of the German Mercantile Marine as well as the German Navy, to scuttle their ships in order to evade capture, as they rely on the British Navy to save and land their crews, notwithstanding the fact that their shipwreck was deliberately caused by their own act; and whether, having regard to the loss of captured tonnage thereby caused to the Allies, notice will be given to Germany that in future Great Britain cannot be responsible for saving the lives of the officers and men of German ships whose predicament has been deliberately caused by their own action?

I am aware that it is the regular practice of the crews of German merchant vessels to attempt to scuttle their ships to avoid capture. Special orders have been given to His Majesty's ships with a view to frustrating these attempts.

Is my hon. Friend aware that in many cases the crews of these scuttled ships get to their boats and are picked up with their belongings carefully packed, showing how deliberate the whole thing is and how they expect their luggage, as well as themselves, to be safely landed in a British port?

I hope this is not a suggestion which will be carried out.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether: as a result of the sinking of the Steamship "Dunbar Castle," the arrangements for vessels joining convoys will be so tightened up as to ensure the minimum of risk, by shortening the preliminary and unprotected journeys which such vessels have to make before establishing contact with the convoys?

The Admiralty have the convoy system and its attendant arrangements continually under review and minor adjustments and improvements are constantly being effected. The point made by the hon. Member is fully appreciated.

Whilst I have no desire to emphasise the loss of the "Dunbar Castle" in public, does the hon. Gentleman appreciate that many vessels have to proceed long distances on preliminary voyages of seven hours' duration unconvoyed, and is he aware that considerable danger accrues in consequence of the absence of convoy? Will attention be given to the matter?

This is one of the matters now under review.

Is not this the direct result of the reduction of our naval forces, which does not give the Admiralty sufficient vessels at their disposal for the protection of these ships?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered a resolution from the Seychelles Taxpayers' Association protesting against the increase in the price of paraffin by 70 per cent., as the citizens must rely entirely upon paraffin for lighting purposes and in many cases for cooking also, whilst there are no alternative sources of supply to those of one petroleum company; and what action he proposes in the matter?

I am informed by the Governor of the Seychelles that the price of kerosene in the Colony has increased in price by approximately 67 per cent. since November, 1939. I understand that the pre-war price of this commodity was actually below cost, the loss being recovered by increases in the price of other oils. Since the outbreak of war all qualities of oil are being sold at their true price. The Governor is satisfied that the present price of kerosene is no more than sufficient to cover reasonable costs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Commission which the late Governor of Kenya, Sir Robert Brooke-Popham, intended to appoint, to inquire into the long series of Customs frauds which have been perpetrated within the last few months in East Africa, has actually been set up; and, if not, whether it is still intended that such a commission should be appointed?

The Commission has been appointed and is now taking evidence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what difficulties continue to prevent, in Nigeria and other West African Colonies, legislation governing employers' liability and workmen's compensation?

The preparation of the Nigerian draft Bill has now been completed, and the Governor informs me that he hopes to introduce it at the March Session of the Legislative Council. Draft Bills have also been prepared in the Gold Coast and Sierra Leone.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he will see that some progress is made with these Bills, seeing that this question of legislation has been raised in these Colonies for two or three years and nothing has been done?

I hope progress will be made in the case of Nigeria in the March session of the Legislative Council. With regard to the Drafts for the other Colonies they are coming over now for examination.

When the Bills are passed will the right hon. Gentleman see that they are made effective for the workmen in the Colony?

Certainly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies under what conditions the Forced Labour (War) Regulations, 1939, issued by the Government in Nigeria, permits of the exaction of forced labour for military transport purposes in Nigeria and the Cameroons under British mandate; why it was necessary to resort to forced labour; and whether these regulations will remain operative for the whole period of the war?

I am placing a copy of the Regulations in question in the Library of the House. They were designed primarily to meet conditions that might arise in the event of the war extending to the Cameroons where the sources of labour are strictly limited. No action would be taken under them unless it should prove that voluntary labour were not forthcoming. As regards the last part of the Question, I cannot say at this stage whether it will be necessary for the Regulations to remain operative during the whole period of the war.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered a memorandum from the Arab chambers of commerce of Palestine asking that the restrictions laid down by Article 18 of the Mandate may be so interpreted as to enable exporters from Palestine to obtain some measures of reciprocity in negotiations with other countries; and what steps he proposes to take?

The memorandum was presented to the High Commissioner for Palestine on 4th January. He met the signatories on 9th January and will forward a copy to me as soon as possible with his comments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what were the reasons for postponing the general municipal elections in Mauritius due to have been held in December last?

The Municipal Council of Port Louis, which is the only municipality in Mauritius, passed a resolution in October urging that municipal elections should be postponed during the war. The Governor did not feel able to accept this resolution as it stood but he considered it undesirable on general grounds that an election should be held as early in the war as December last. Legislation has therefore been passed under which the election will be postponed until December, 1940.

May I ask whether it is a fact that the reasons obtaining here for postponing elections do not obtain there in any shape or form? Why are they being postponed this year?

I think the reason is that there is naturally a good deal of dislocation in the public life of the Colony immediately following war, and the Governor thought it undesirable to add to it.

I would like to know what is the kind of dislocation referred to.

A good deal of the economic life of the Colony has to be under war organisation, as well as the administrative side, and I think the officials there are heavily engaged on urgent war work.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is now able to make a statement on the question of service men travelling between their billets and their centres during the times of running of workmen's omnibuses being rated as workmen, and charged accordingly?

I have inquired into the practice throughout the country and have ascertained that, where workmen's tickets are issued on regular public service vehicle stage services they are, as a general rule, available within the specified hours to any passengers, including members of His Majesty's Forces. Where workmen's tickets are not so available to all corners I am asking the Regional Transport Commissioners to approach the operators concerned with a view to securing that the privilege of workmen's fares, subject to the usual conditions, should be extended to non-commissioned officers and men of His Majesty's Forces, except in special cases, such as workmen's services intended solely for workpeople going to particular factories, collieries or other establishments. Such services would rarely be of use to members of His Majesty's Forces, and an extension of the privilege to such services might result in displacement of the people for whom the services are intended.

Apart from the special case of vehicles proceeding to a particular works, will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman use his influence to make these vehicles available to anyone of the fighting Services?

That is the purport of my answer.

Will the Minister not also extend this to commissioned officers as well as non-commissioned officers?

That is a different Question. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put it on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Transport whether agreement has yet been reached between the railway companies and the Treasury as to the terms of compensation for the use of the railways?

asked the Minister of Transport when he anticipates that it will be possible to come to an agreement with the railway companies to enable them to pay dividends to shareholders?

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether, in view of the difficulty and delay experienced in reaching a financial agreement with the undertakings controlled by the railway executive, he will introduce legislation for the purpose of coordinating transport services under public ownership and control;

asked the Minister of Transport when he will be in a position to announce what compensation is to be paid to the railway companies so that stockholders may know what dividends and interest they may expect?

I regret that it is still not possible for me to say that agreement has been arrived at, but these negotiations have now reached such a stage that I am hopeful that I shall be able to make an early statement.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether it is the intention, when agreement is reached, to publish the terms of the agreement? Will there be any opportunity for the discussion by the House of its terms in view of the large financial implications which will be involved?

I think it will certainly be necessary to publish the terms of the agreement and I imagine there will be ample opportunity for Members to debate it.

May I ask whether there will be any consideration of compensation for the people who have been frozen while travelling on the railways?

On the question of weather I think the hon. Gentleman must address himself to a higher authority than me.

Is it possible for my right hon. and gallant Friend to intercede with the Great Western Railway with regard to the withholding of the dividend payments they should make?

I can only repeat what I said in the House last week—that I know of no reason why the railway company should defer payment of dividend on pre-ordinary stock.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether the agreement which presumably involves large sums of public money will be subject to the approval of this House?

I cannot say at the moment without notice. Anyway, we have not made it yet.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that soldiers coming home on leave have in some cases to walk miles to their homes in consequence of the complete lack of normal transport facilities from the main line railway stations to their homes; and will he take steps to provide such facilities, either by rail or road?

I am not sure whether my hon. Friend's Question is directed to lack of branch line railway connections or of road transport facilities from stations of destination, and I cannot accept his suggestion of a complete lack of normal transport facilities. If, however, my hon. Friend can supply me with particulars of any case where substantial inconvenience is caused to soldiers proceeding on leave, I will gladly make inquiries into the matter.

While thanking the Minister for his reply, may I say that I am referring specifically to road transport, and I am sure he will agree with me that when a soldier arrives at his railway destination it is rather hard luck if he has to walk miles to his home owing to the lack of transport facilities?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will give me particulars of specific cases. It is difficult to deal with a general allegation.

Will the Minister of Transport advise road transport authorities to give priority to these men when they come home on leave, in view of the depleted bus and tram services which are operating in many localities?

I think it would be difficult to give a soldier returning home on leave priority in getting on a bus when there is no room. If the hon. Member can put forward any practical suggestions I will certainly consider them.

asked the Minister of Transport whether motor licences taken out in March this year can be ante-dated so as to cover the Easter holidays?

Yes, Sir. Licences will be available from 21st March this year either for the second quarter or for the rest of the year. As in 1932, when a similar concession was made, there will be a small additional charge to cover the extra days. This will be 1s. for motor cycles, 5s. for cars whose annual rate of tax is less than £3 and 10s. where the tax is £30 or over. Licences taken out for the first quarter will, of course, be available until the 24th March and can be renewed as from that date in the usual way.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the lack of travelling facilities to the Royal Ordnance Factory at Euxton, Chorley, Lancashire, from the townships of Ashton-in-Makerfield, Ince, Orrell and the adjacent districts, are causing hardship to hundreds of workers; and whether he will take the steps necessary to bring an early and a substantial improvement in such facilities?

I understand that the Wigan Corporation provide a bus service from Ashton, Ince and Orrell to Wigan at a frequency of 7½ minutes and put on duplicate vehicles when necessary. The railway company provide a service from Wigan direct to the Royal Ordnance Factory Station. I have had no complaints about the lack of travelling facilities in these districts, but if the hon. Member will let me know more precisely in what respects the existing facilities are considered to be inadequate, I shall be glad to make inquiries.

Does the Minister of Transport think that for men to have to travel five hours every day six days in the week for the purpose of getting to and from their work is reasonable? Should not something be done to prevent it?

Perhaps the hon. Member will discuss this matter with me. On the information supplied to me I had no idea that men had to travel five hours each day in that district. It seems that the Wigan Corporation are providing a good bus service but I am most anxious to meet the situation in any reasonable way.

Is the Minister aware that owing to the large number of men who have been taken on in this factory that within a radius of 20 miles more travelling facilities are needed, and will he be prepared to discuss the matter with hon. Members who represent constituencies within a radius of 20 miles and who have the same difficulties as the hon. Member for Ince (Mr. G. Macdonald)?

Certainly, I shall be very glad to do so.

asked the Minister of Transport why so many engine-drivers and firemen are obliged to work excessive hours in the Mexborough and Doncaster areas; and when this state of affairs is likely to improve?

The recent weather conditions have made railway work difficult and have slowed up operations in the Doncaster and Mexborough districts, as well as in districts further north. This, coupled with heavy incidence of sickness, has made it necessary to call upon a number of men to work longer hours than is normally the case, but every step has been taken to ease the pressure and I hope that there will soon be an improvement in the situation.

Is the Minister of Transport aware of the heavy increase in sickness due to the fact that these men are called upon to work 14 and 15 and 16 hours a day? Is it not because the railway authorities have refrained from promoting qualified cleaners and firemen over a number of years?

I should like to have notice of that Question.

Will the Minister make careful inquiries in view of the sickness which is prevalent in these areas? Is not the problem due to a failure on the part of the authorities to promote cleaners and firemen?

Will the Minister try to modify the long hours which are being worked on the railways by utilising road transport more effectively.

The difficulties on the railways do not, as I have stated previously in the House, supply me with additional petrol.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the Central London Electricity Company are raising their fixed quarterly charges under the commercial two-part tai4ff by practically 100 per cent.; and whether he can take any action to secure more reasonable treatment to subscribers?

I have asked the Electricity Commissioners to let me have a full report on the increased charges by the Central London Electricity Limited, to which my hon. Friend refers, and I am hoping to receive this report very shortly.

While thanking the Minister for his answer, may I ask whether the Government recognise how hard it is on people who are remaining in London on national service and other important business to have these heavy increases in electricity charges made, largely by reason of the evacuation policy of the Government?

I should prefer to await the full report from the Electricity Commissioners before making any pronouncement.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether the increased charges will be levied before his reception of the report?

The company have given notice that the increased charges are to be levied in the fourth quarter, which I gather is the first quarter of this year.

Can the right hon. and gallant Member give an assurance that if it is established, prima facie, that these charges are excessive he will exercise all the powers he has to reduce the charges, arid, secondly, if he has not, as I apprehend to be the case, sufficient powers to deal with the two-part tariff as distinct from the flat rate, he will bring in legislation in order that this profiteering may be stopped?

While I have no power in normal circumstances to deal with charges which are within the statutory maxima, I have power under the Defence Regulations, and if on receipt of this report it appears to me that there is justification for intervention on my part I shall certainly consider in what way I can deal with it.

May I ask my right hon. and gallant Friend if, when he gets the report, he will consider whether such enormous increases would have been justified if electricity were subject to the Prices of Goods Act?

That is one of the things I shall have to consider.

asked the Prime Minister whether any public money is being spent, or any assistance of officers in the public service is being utilised, in connection with the meetings being addressed by Ministers throughout the country?

I understand that the arrangements for these meetings are being made by the Lord Mayors of the cities in which the meetings are being held. No expenditure will be met out of Government funds nor is the assistance of Government officials likely to be needed.

Can the Prime Minister inform the House whether local authorities have any statutory powers to spend money, as presumably they are doing, on the promotion of meetings to be addressed by Ministers? Will the right hon. Gentleman also keep in mind that Ministers are, after all, the leaders of a political combination representing a majority in the House of Commons?

I do not accept the implication of the right hon. Gentleman that the meetings in question are party meetings. They are national meetings designed to give information to the public about the course of the war, and I imagine that the expenses are taken out of the hospitality funds of the Lord Mayors.

Can the Prime Minister say what statutory powers local authorities possess, because this must be public municipal money, to promote political meetings, and whether in particular they have power to promote political meetings and spend money on them to be addressed by the leaders of a particular political combination?

That is entirely a different Question and perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will put it on the Paper.

Is there any reason why the right hon. Member for South Hackney (Mr. H. Morrison) should not come and help at these meetings?

There is no reason that I can think of.

We do not like the Government.

Is not the right hon. Member for South Hackney (Mr. H. Morrison) doing more good on his own platform?

asked the Prime Minister what steps were taken by, or on behalf of His Majesty's Government to facilitate the return of Miss Unity Mitford to this country; and on whose authority was both military and police protection provided for her at the port of arrival?

The answer to the first part of the Question is that no such steps were taken on behalf of His Majesty's Government. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answers given to similar Questions yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Home Affairs and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War.

Are we to understand from the answer that the Government took no steps whatever to facilitate the return of this young lady to this country after she had been assisting an enemy Government?

No steps were taken by the Government in connection with this case other than those which are taken in ordinary circumstances for other British subjects.

Will the Prime Minister inform us whether that means that the Government did make efforts to facilitate the return of a British subject who had been openly assisting the cause of an enemy Government?

The only action taken by the Foreign Office on Miss Mitford's behalf was the inclusion of her name in a list of British subjects in Germany for whom the United States Embassy were requested to do whatever might be possible, and the sending of a telegraphic inquiry about her health through the agency of the United States Embassy. Such inquiries have been made in respect of British subjects on several occasions when they have appeared to be justified by the urgency of the case.

As it is now apparent that His Majesty's Government did take steps, may I ask the Prime Minister why he did not tell me so in the first instance? May I also ask him why the Government should take steps to facilitate the return of a British subject who would be much better occupied in continuing the activities she was engaged on in assisting an enemy Government? Finally, will the right hon. Gentleman tell me what would have been done if this had been a working-class person?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is prepared to support the expulsion from this country of Communists because they are helping an enemy Government?

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will cause to be published a simple statement of the articles and materials which he wishes the householder to save, in connection with the anti-waste campaign?

A statement of the articles and materials which householders are asked to save—especially paper, scrap metal, bones and textiles—was given at a Press conference or 30th November, and has been repeated in various Press articles and interviews. A full list, of which I am sending the hen. Member a copy, was issued on 30th November to every local authority, a number of whom have circulated leaflets to all householders in their areas. More extensive publicity has been deferred until the organisation for collection of the materials is more fully developed by the local authorities. It is hoped shortly to launch a national publicity campaign on the subject.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman put pressure on those local authorities who are not doing their duty in this respect to carry out their functions and to see that a great deal of this valuable material is not wasted?

I am not prepared to agree that there is any local authority that is not doing its duty. Some of them are carrying out this work quicker than others, and certainly we are pressing those which are not doing it so quickly to get on with the job as quickly as they can.

Have they any right to grant Government money for any containers that may have to be supplied to householders in order to separate the refuse into different classes?

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that there is any number of people who have been carrying on this trade for years and that they are quite capable of collecting this material, without the local authorities doing it?

With regard to the first question, the local authorities can make some profit out of this themselves, and if they need extra containers they should provide them for themselves. With regard to my hon. Friend's question, we are, with regard to metal and similar materials, still using the recognised trade channels, the scrap dealers, and so on.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he has now considered the details supplied to him by the hon. Member for St. Rollox, supporting the charge that timber merchants are circumventing the Timber Control (No. 1) Order by refusing to supply buyers in lots more than £I5 in value and by this practice gaining the right to increase the control price by 20 per cent.; and what steps he proposes to take to stop this imposition?

I am obliged to the hon. Member for submitting particulars of alleged evasions of the Control of Timber (No. 1) Order. Inquiries into these cases are now in progress and the possibility of taking proceedings in certain other cases is under active consideration.

If it can be shown that any firms have been subject to this practice, and that in carrying out contracts from the Government they have required timber which they could not obtain in more than £15 lots, will steps be taken to make restitution to these firms, which are forced to pay an extra 20 per cent.?

That is another question.

asked the Minister of Supply what percentage above pre-September price is his Department paying for commandeered wool; and what is the increased percentage price at which such wool is issued for manufacturing purposes?

In the case of the great bulk of the wool which has been requisitioned, the compensation paid to the owners has been about 10 per cent., and the issue price for home manufacture is at present about 20 per cent., above pre-war prices.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware of the complaints of smaller firms in Lancashire and Cheshire that building contracts let by Government Departments, which they could in some cases undertake on the spot, are given to large London contractors; that such London firms doing Government work in these two counties sometimes apply to these local firms for the use of their plant, but decline to sub-let to them any part of the contracts; and will he take steps to rearrange these contracts so as to prevent, as far as possible. increasing unemployment among building trade workers in these areas and the financial ruin of these smaller firms?

For the speedy and economical erection of factories, which is the type of building with which the Ministry of Supply is concerned, it is essential to employ large firms who have the necessary organisation and capacity. The policy of asking main contractors to consider the employment of local firms when they are placing sub-contracts has been adopted and is already in operation in the two counties referred to. In reply to the third part of the Question, local labour is employed on such contracts so far as is possible.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that, in spite of suggestions from the Government to that effect, small building firms seldom get sub-lets from big contractors; and if that is so, can he make a stipulation to that effect in future contracts?

I do not think any such stipulation has appeared in contracts so far, but I will certainly consider whether it can be put in any future contracts.

How small is the number of these large firms?

I should like to have notice of that question.

Why were firms in the localities not given an opportunity of making an offer and stating whether they could carry out these contracts?

We want to employ local firms and local labour to the greatest possible extent, but when it is a question of building a factory that will cost from £2,000,000 to £3,000,000 to equip, nobody will think that the small building firm in the neighbourhood could really tackle a job of that sort, and we must, because it is essential for the provision of our Army, give such contracts to people who we think can perform them.

asked the Prime Minister whether the announcement by General Lord Gort to the effect that if Belgium were attacked the Franco-British guarantee would come into play with lightning speed represents the considered view of His Majesty's Government; what is the nature of the guarantee referred to; and whether the military plans for implementing it, if need be, are already prepared?

Under the Locarno Treaty of Mutual Guarantee of 16th October, 1925, is Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom undertook to come to the immediate assistance of Belgium in the event of an unprovoked act of aggression by Germany. This undertaking was reaffirmed in the arrangement drawn up in London on 19th March, 1936, in the Anglo-French Declaration to Belgium of 24th April, 1937, and in a statement made to His Majesty the King of the Belgians by His Majesty's Ambassador at Brussels on 27th August last. In reply to the last part of the Question, my hon. Friend may rest assured that the question of how guarantees of all kinds can be implemented if the need should arise, has received the full attention of His Majesty's Government.

Will my right hon. Friend say what is the test of aggression? In this case, would it, for example, include a threatened attack, and who is to be the judge of aggression?

The Government must retain their right to decide.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will consider making it possible for parties working for the comfort of the Services to purchase wool and materials at cheaper prices than at present?

Wool required for spinning into knitting wools to be used for making comforts for the fighting forces is issued by the Wool Control to spinners at the same price as that for direct military requirements, and it would not be possible to reduce this price. Voluntary organisations make their own purchases of knitting wools from spinners, wholesalers or retailers, and the prices charged arc subject to the Prices of Goods Act.

Do I understand from the Minister's reply, that these parties of women can buy wholesale?

It is not for us to make that arrangement for them. If they can make arrangements to buy wholesale, I hope they will do so.