asked the Prime Minister what information he has to give to the House in regard to the recent murder by German sailors of the British Consul at Narvik and of other British civilians there; and whether His Majesty's Government will consequently seek to impress on the German Government the stupidity of such crimes by means of the sternest possible reprisals?

His Majesty's Government have instituted inquiries, but they have at present no reliable information enabling them either to confirm or deny the reports referred to.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make arrangements for the duty-free importation of parcels consigned to members of His Majesty's Forces in Norway?

This Question is under consideration.

Can my right hon. Friend say when an announcement is likely to be made on this subject?

As soon as possible.

asked the Prime Minister whether the official information he has received shows that the Germans have bombed and machine-gunned civilians in villages and towns in Norway where there are no military objectives?

:Official information on the German methods of warfare in Norway is as yet necessarily scanty, but I hope to be able to make a fuller statement when further reports have been received. There is no doubt, however, that the Germans are waging the war in Norway with the same ruthless disregard for the safety of civilian life as they have shown both at sea and during the campaign in Poland.

:Can my right hon. Friend tell the House that the only action which the Germans understand will be taken against them?

asked the Minister of Information whether his attention has been called to the exaggeration of British naval losses off Norway by Germany; whether he is aware that these reports are widely circulated in neutral countries, especially in South-Eastern Europe; and what is being done to combat them by telling the truth of Allied and German losses?

Yes, Sir. German claims are so exaggerated as to evoke sarcastic comment in neutral countries. Special machinery exists in the Ministry for dealing with enemy misstatements. When these are not designed to elicit valuable information immediate corrections are issued through channels which assure wide publicity, especially in South-East Europe. A number of such statements have been issued in recent weeks.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the machinery suggested by him, which can be used and should be used to combat these reports, is being used widely enough, since a large number of people in this country do not know anything about it?

asked the Minister of Information whether he has considered the effect on listeners both here and in neutral countries of the broadcast of unconfirmed reports of the Norwegian conflict by the British Broadcasting Corporation and, in particular, of inaccurate news emanating from unauthoritative Swedish sources; and what steps he is taking to counteract this effect?

:Yes, Sir, though I should like to assure the hon. Member that it is the practice of the British Broadcasting Corporation to emphasise, where necessary, that particular reports are unconfirmed and should be treated with reserve. The effect of an inaccurate rumour can best be counteracted by the publication of an ample supply of truthful information, and this it is our constant endeavour to secure.

:Is the Minister aware that anything which is given out by the B.B.C. has, in the minds of most listeners, both here and abroad, some official sanction; does he appreciate the very serious effect of broadcasting inaccurate, optimistic news which is afterwards proved to be false, and will he see to it that this is not done in future?

:I think I indicated to the hon. Gentleman that the B.B.C. do, in fact, when broadcasting a report which is not confirmed, indicate quite clearly that that is so. I am sure that the B.B.C. are fully alive to the dangers to which the hon. Member refers.

:Should not the B.B.C. go further and when any piece of particularly optimistic but unconfirmed news is about to be broadcast, first ask the Service Departments whether the news is true or not, so that if it is untrue it shall not be broadcast at all?

I should like to assure hon. Members that the B.B.C. are at great pains to secure confirmation or otherwise of news before it is broadcast.

Why do the B.B.C. tell me at nine o'clock what I have read in the morning newspaper?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty to what extent it has been found possible to deny the use of Oslo harbour to enemy shipping during the past fortnight?

To answer my hon. and gallant Friend's Question would necessitate giving information concerning the measures we are taking to harass the enemy's communications with Oslo, and I regret that it would not be in the public interest to do this.

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether he can now say when it will be possible for him to make a statement on the position in Norway?

I hope to be in a position to make a statement to-morrow.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what decision has been given in regard to the claim of occupiers of marshes at Cliffe and Cooling, Kent, submitted on 1st June, 1939, in respect of prejudice caused by low-flying aeroplanes to the breeding of lambs by flocks of sheep on the marshes in question; and what instructions have been given in general with regard to the effect of low-flying aeroplanes on stock?

:I am advised that the circumstances are not such as to justify acceptance of liability by my Department for the damage alleged to have been caused. In regard to the second part of the Question, unauthorised low flying is forbidden under standing instructions which are from time to time brought to the notice of all concerned. These instructions forbid a pilot to fly or manoeuvre his aircraft in any manner likely to cause damage to livestock.

Have many claims of this kind been received?

I do not think so, but I will look into the facts.

:Is my right hon. Friend aware that aircraft frequently fly low over Lincolnshire, where there are many flocks, and that they do not mind in the least?

Can the Minister say whether the accident at Clacton-on-Sea this morning was due to low-flying?

I am certainly not responsible for the flying of enemy machines.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why medical orderlies and cooks in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, many of whom were specially recruited, are graded in the lowest grade, namely, A.C. 2; whether there is a proper establishment under which medical orderlies can obtain the rank which their training experience and responsibility warrants; and whether he will rectify the present anomalies?

Members of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force are employed only as sick-quarters attendants on members of that Force who are sick in quarters and not sent to hospital. Any skilled nursing necessary in such cases would be carried out by members of Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service and trained members of voluntary aid detachments. The majority of the personnel to which my hon. Friend refers are therefore appropriately graded as aircraftwomen 2nd class. I am aware that some members have been found since their enrolment to possess skilled qualifications and the question whether any higher mustering can be accorded them is now under consideration. In regard to cooks, there is an adequate establishment by ranks but this, as with all Women's Auxiliary Air Force establishments, is kept under review.

Arising out of that reply, have medical officers in command of hospital and other units been instructed or authorised to submit lists of persons suitable for promotion to the rank equivalent to corporal or sergeant and might not this Cinderella branch of the Royal Air Force receive slightly more generous consideration?

:I think we are dealing very fairly with this service. If my hon. Friend has any specific case to bring to my attention, I shall be glad to have it.

Is it not a fact that only 5 per cent. of the A.C. 2's are permitted to become A.C. 1's in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force?

:I think that if my hon. Friend will look at the original answer, he will see the reason, namely, the nature of the work that is required.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has considered the undue proportion of officers and non-commissioned officers in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force who have been given responsibilities and commands without receiving even an acting rank proportionate to their employment, and whether he will take steps to remedy this?

Owing to changes in the distribution and organisation of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force since the outbreak of war, a number of officers and sub-officers have from time to time had to discharge duties appropriate to ranks higher than those they actually hold; in many cases this experience has been of value as a test of their capabilities. Revised establishments for the Force have now been drawn up which will enable higher rank to be granted where this is appropriate, and the position will be regularised as soon as possible. In some cases the most convenient way of doing this may be to grant acting rank.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there are officers in command of groups who still have only the lowest commissioned rank?

:I think there are bound to be, in the early months of the war, cases of that kind, but I will keep in mind the point that my hon. Friend has raised.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is now in a position to announce his decision with regard to billeting rates for members of the Royal Air Force?

:Yes, Sir. It has been decided to increase the present billeting rate for meals from 2s. 3d. to 2s. 7d. a day with effect from Saturday, 4th May, and immediate steps are being taken to give effect to this decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can make any statement as to the physical fitness of men who have presented themselves for service as pilots in the Royal Air Force during the last two months?

:The standard of physical fitness of the candidates for pilot duties remains satisfactory, and the high medical standard is not proving a limiting factor in securing the numbers of pilots required.

:Can my right hon. Friend assure the House that the standard which the Ministry require has not been reduced since the outbreak of war?

Yes, Sir. We have been maintaining intact the present very high standard and we are still getting all the recruits we want.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that a well-organised and successful Nazi propaganda campaign, through the Press and the radio, is being carried on in Cuba against Great Britain; and whether he will consult with the American Government with a view to taking counter-measures?

:The Germans are, indeed, endeavouring to influence the Cubans in their favour, but my information about the effect of their propaganda does not quite accord with that of the hon. Member. If he has evidence which would help us I should be very glad to have it. As to the second part of the Question, we are making our own case known in Cuba, but this is not a matter in which we can properly invite the co-operation of a neutral Government.

Is the Minister aware that this propaganda is directed equally against Great Britain and against the United States and that it might be appropriate therefore to ask the co-operation of the United States Government in countering it?

No, Sir; in fact I did not know that, and I am glad of the information.

asked the Minister of Information how many photographs of operations in Norway have been issued through his Department; how many of these are the work of professional photographers; and has he any arrangement with the Admiralty, the War Office and the Air Ministry to send official photographers on similar expeditions in the future, in order to facilitate his own task of disproving German propaganda about British decadence?

:Seventy-two photographs of operations in Norway have so far been received and distributed by the Ministry, of which 21 were taken by professional photographers officially employed by the War Office, and the rest by Service personnel in the course of Service duties. Other negatives supplied were unsuitable for issue. The arrangements for obtaining these photographs were described by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the War Office to the hon. Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison) on 24th April. The responsibility for the presence of official photographers at the scene of action must rest with the Services concerned. I hope that in future similar or improved arrangements may be agreed between the Service Ministries and the Ministry of Information.

:In view of that reply may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether more cannot be done in this respect, because there is no doubt that the Germans are producing a very great effect in all neutral countries by their photographs; and, further, is it really a good thing from the Services point of view, that we should depend to the extent indicated upon Services personnel for our photographs?

I agree with the hon. Member and the matter is under discussion with the Service Ministers.

asked the Minister of Information whether it is as an official representative of the British Government that Sir Nevile Henderson is to lecture in America?

No, Sir.

Will the Minister consider rather carefully whether Sir Nevile Henderson is not, in fact, the embodiment of the American case for isolation, and whether it would not be wise for the Government to discourage his departure to that country?

:Will it not be difficult to prevent Americans thinking that Sir Nevile Henderson is speaking in an official capacity?

I understand the purport of the Question and I will consider it with my Noble Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

:In view of the tragic failure of the mission of Sir Nevile Henderson to Berlin and the dangers which have accrued from the policy pursued by him—doubtless on instructions—is it not the case that, from the propaganda point of view, the less the world hears from him the better?

I may raise this matter on another occasion?

Would it not have been better if more attention had been paid to the "Daily Herald"?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he will make a statement showing the date of entry into his service of R. F. Daviel, S. C. Hahn, B. E. H. Holloway, A. B. Kelly, H. M. Lawson, L. McIntosh, B. Soloman, together with the approximate dates on which these employés would have been called up for military service; and whether he will also state the names of the other employés working in the same Department, together with the dates on which they joined the Department and the approximate dates on which they would have been called up?

:I have been asked to reply. The statement asked for by the hon. Member is somewhat long. I will, with his permission, circulate it in the Official Report.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that officers who, by reason of their duties, are compelled to find accommodation in London Midland and Scottish Railway Company's hotels are being charged £5 5s. a week inclusive, but that, if their duties take them away for a day or two, they are not allowed any rebate for unconsumed meals; whether he is aware that in the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company's hotels a service charge has been arbitrarily added to all bills commencing on 1st April, 1940, and varying from 10 to 50 per cent.; if the imposition of such a service charge is in accordance with regulations; and whether he will take steps to prevent officers and men who have perforce to use London Midland and Scottish Railway Company's hotels being charged more than the 10 per cent. universally accepted as the proper sum in lieu of tips for services rendered?

I am informed that the weekly rates quoted by my hon. and gallant Friend are less than those charged to members of the public living at these hotels en pension. When naval officers have for a period been compelled to stay, on account of their duties, at a hotel where the charge is £5 5s. a week, subsistence allowance has been paid to them. I am also informed that a service charge of 2s. on every 20s. is made on the en pension rates.

:Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that since this Question was put on the Order Paper Naval officers living in the Exchange Hotel, Liverpool, have been given notice to give up their rooms, although the hotel is only halt full? Will he take steps to prevent the exploitation of these officers who are engaged on arduous duties? In view of what he said in the last part of his answer may I ask whether he is aware that the charge of 3d. on a 9d. cup of coffee is made at lunch, and the same charge for a shilling cup of coffee is made after dinner?

Will the Parliamentary Secretary bear in mind that where the charge is 21s. the service charge is 3s., being an increase of 100 per cent. on the extra shillings?

:As I said in my original answer, these officers are given special terms at hotels and are given a subsistence allowance to cover the cost of their living there. My hon. and gallant Friend will understand that I have no power to control charges of the sort he has mentioned.

:May I ask, in that case, whether my hon. Friend will discuss with the First Commissioner of Works the advisability of taking over this hotel and running it for these officers? [Interruption.] May I have an answer to that question? On a point of Order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply I shall raise this matter again on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what were the reasons for which the head of the Agricultural College at Tel-Aviv was recently sentenced to imprisonment; and to what extent American Zionists were implicated in this case?

:I think my hon. and gallant Friend must be referring to recent events at the settlement of Ben Shemen. Eleven Jews, including the Director of the Agricultural School, were arrested in connection with the seizure of arms in the settlement, and were tried on the charge of being jointly in possession of arms, ammunition and bombs contrary to the provisions of Emergency Regulation 8 C. The Director was acquitted of this charge, but the Manager of the School and seven of the remaining defendants were sentenced to varying terms of imprisonment. As regards the second part of the Question, I have no information to show that American Zionists were in any way connected with this case.

:Since the arms, found long after the suppression of the rebellion, have been accumulated as a means of defence and not as a means of offence, does the Colonial Secretary think that the sentences inflicted on these five or six persons are really justified?

:These particular secret arms were quite unnecessary for defence because there were other authorised arms provided for the defence of the settlements.

Is there any case on record where any of these firearms have been used?

Under the Regulation the secret possession of them was contrary to the law of Palestine.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Jews are serving terms of imprisonment in Palestine for being in possession of firearms during the period of the Arab rebellion; how many of the sentences exceed 12 months; and in how many cases has the sentence been reduced since the Jewish community offered unconditionally their wholehearted support to the Allies?

:105 Jews are serving terms of imprisonment in Palestine for offences in connection with the possession of arms, bombs and explosives during the period April, 1936, to the present date. In all these cases the sentence exceeds 12 months. No sentences have been reduced for the reason suggested.

:Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the time has now arrived when these sentences ought to be revised, particularly in view of the fact that these firearms were held very largely not as a means of offence but of defence against those who had been attacking them for the last two or three years?

:Stores of arms were provided by the local administration for the proper protection of these settlements and the possession of these other firearms is quite unnecessary for this purpose. As regards the other question, I do not think the time has arrived as suggested, particularly as a number of the offences have been committed since the outbreak of war.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Jews as well as Arabs were being killed off almost daily during the course of the rebellion, and that whatever arms the Government may have held they were ineffective in many outlying settlements? Since the sentences were for three or five years will he not consider the question of revision?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received any communication yet from the High Commissioner of Palestine on the subject of the duty-free admission of parcels into Palestine when consigned to members of His Majesty's Forces?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it has yet been possible to arrange that British soldiers serving in Palestine shall receive presents of cigarettes duty free, as soldiers do who belong to the British Expeditionary Force in France?

:Yes, Sir. It has been arranged that members of His Majesty's Forces serving in Palestine will be granted the same Customs duty concessions as members of the British Expeditionary Force in France.

May I ask when this comes into operation and whether it is based on the French system?

It is based on the system operating in France to-day. As regards the date I should like to have notice of that question, but I venture to think that, if it has not already come into operation, in a few days it will as soon as the necessary provision can be made.

Will it apply to Dominion soldiers in the same way as to British soldiers?

I venture to say that that matter is covered by this decision.

Is it at the cost of the Palestine revenue or the British revenue?