asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, taking into account the situation of Northern Ireland as an integral part of the United Kingdom, he will take every precaution to see that it is so guarded as to be able to repel every attack of the enemy from the air?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will give the names, rank, and remuneration, including rations and other allowances, of the officers attached to A.I.6. at the Air Ministry, together with their previous occupations and flying qualifications?

At present 10 officers are employed in the branch referred to by the hon. Member, the total annual cost of their emoluments being £6,000. One of them has flying qualifications. It would not be in the public interest to give any further information which might assist in the identification of officers employed in this or any other Branch of the Directorate of Air Intelligence.

Has the Under-Secretary assured himself that these officers really are doing work which they should be doing and which could not be done by people who are paid much less and are not officers?

Yes, Sir, the officers of this branch perform responsible functions with distinct satisfaction to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what assistance is given by his Department to the Air Defence Cadet Corps?

The various forms of assistance received by the Air Defence Cadet Corps have recently been reviewed. Particulars of the arrangements now in force are contained in a comprehensive statement published as an Air Ministry Order on 18th July, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. This Order has been brought to the attention of those concerned both in the Royal Air Force and in the Air Defence Cadet Corps.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aircraft Production whether it is the intention to pay compensation for aluminium stock in the possession of wholesalers and retailers which is requisitioned; and, if so, upon what basis will such compensation be paid?

As I explained in answer to a Question last week, my Noble Friend does not at present intend to requisition stocks in the hands of wholesalers and retailers. The question of compensation does not therefore arise.

Has any census been taken of stocks held by wholesalers, retailers and manufacturers?

No complete census has yet been taken, but the issue of aluminium for this kind of purpose was stopped in the very early days of the war, and there is not as much in the hands of wholesalers and retailers as a large number of people imagine.

Would not it be very desirable, in view of the urgent need of aluminium, to make a census and find out what is available?

As soon as we need the aluminium we shall certainly have a census, or take it without, but until we need that particular aluminium there would be no point in putting firms to the trouble of making returns.

Is it to be understood that the Government do not want aluminium at the present time?

No, certainly not.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aircraft Production whether he will issue a specification for secondary aluminium; and is he aware that the United States of America, Germany, and Switzerland have all issued proper specifications for secondary aluminium many years ago?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aircraft Production whether he is aware that scientific utilisation of aluminium scrap for the partial replacement of alloys derived from virgin metal has been more actively developed abroad than in this country, and that with proper organising of scrap collection in factories, and slight modifying of certain specifications, large tonnages of scrap already available here could be utilised for aircraft manufacture with no loss of efficiency and with important economy in the consumption of virgin aluminium; and if he will take action accordingly?

I am not aware that foreign countries are in advance of our own in the utilisation of aluminium scrap, but if either of my hon. Friends has any fresh information as to the methods used in such countries I shall certainly be glad to have it. Steps have been taken to ensure the proper collection of aluminium scrap in aircraft factories, and the Aluminium Controller possesses adequate powers to ensure that the process of collection is carried on to the best advantage. Two specifications which permit the employment of secondary aluminium have already been issued and the preparation of further specifications is now in hand.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aircraft Production whether he will appoint an executive officer with a small advisory committee to be responsible for the issue of war-time specifications of secondary aluminium and their adoption by Government Departments, for the further organisation of scrap collection in aeroplane and munition works, and the distribution to approved remelters according to their capacity?

There is already in existence a small committee, the Secondary Metals Committee of the Light Alloys Control, which deals with the preparation and issue of such specifications. As I said in answer to the last Question, the collection of scrap in aircraft works is now well organised, and the Aluminium Controller possesses powers which are adequate to ensure that the process of collection is carried on to the best advantage.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aircraft Production whether any considerable quantity of the aluminium now being collected by his Department, from housewives and others, is suitable for manufacture into alloys which could be rolled, extruded or forged?

Yes, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that there are many aluminium alloys and that their precise nature can only be determined by analysis; and does he think it a practical proposition to have an analysis of all the varieties of scrap that are being collected? Is it a valuable contribution to our war effort to have this publicity stunt?

It is not a publicity stunt at all. All the stock of rolled aluminium that we have now will be of the greatest value to us, and if the new method which we hope to perfect in the course of a few weeks comes to hand so will the collection which we have made.

Does the Minister agree that this is apt to give a misleading impression abroad?

No, Sir; I made it clear in an answer that we have enough aluminium for our present aircraft programme, but that we are looking ahead. We are very much indebted to the people who have given us their pots, pans and other things. I hope that nothing will be said in the House to make them think that they have given in vain.

How are we to know what is rolled aluminium? Are my shoe-trees rolled aluminium?

If my hon. Friend will send them to me, I will let him know.

I sent them a week ago.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will arrange to publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the headquarters staff of the Ministry as on 1st July, 1940, other than clerical and messengers, stating the salary of each officer and a statement of his previous occupation?

Yes, Sir, I will place a copy of the list as previously furnished revised to 22nd July, 1940, in the Library of the House.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that, on 14th July, the British Broadcasting Corporation gave a broadcast description of the air fight over the Straits of Dover; whether official permission was given for this broadcast to be made; and whether he will secure that, in future, the public taste shall not be offended by broadcasts of war operations in the manner of a sporting commentary?

The answers to the first two parts of the Question are in the affirmative. With regard to the last part of the Question, I am aware that there was considerable division of opinion as to the taste of the broadcast in question, but I am not prepared to give an undertaking of the nature suggested by my hon. Friend.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this broadcast gave the public increased confidence in the ability of the Air Force to defend these shores and showed that we are not a nation of "Cissies"?

While agreeing with what the right hon. Gentleman said, may I ask whether he is aware that the nature of this broadcast is regarded among many people as being according to pagan and not Christian principles?

Did not this broadcast precisely and brilliantly depict the spirit of our anti-aircraft defenders which is so vital to our success?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the principal theatre in Liverpool where the broadcast was given the audience responded right loyally?

asked the Minister of Information whether his recent declarations concerning the maintenance of the liberty of the Press extends to magazines and books?

Yes, Sir.

Can the right hon. Gentleman discourage newsagents and booksellers, particularly those who have a virtual monopoly, from exercising a private political censorship of their own by banning certain books?

I have no powers over the action taken independently by newsagents and booksellers.

Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is contrary to the spirit of his recent declarations?

Did the right hon. Gentleman tell the book stores at King's Cross that they were not to sell me that book, "Guilty Men"?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will arrange for the dropping over France of leaflets containing information as to the real facts concerning the French fleet, such leaflets to be written by the eminent French editors and others who are refugees in this country and whose names will carry conviction to millions of the French people?

Leaflets containing information both in regard to the Armistice terms and in regard to the French fleet have already been dropped over France. It is proposed to continue and extend the dropping of leaflets over France with a view to keeping the French people informed of the real facts of the situation. The possibility of securing the services of prominent Frenchmen for this purpose is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Information whether, in view of his advice that the public should not listen to enemy news broadcasts, many of which contain definite falsehoods, he will ask the Press to refrain from publishing reports of such broadcasts, since their publication can only serve the purpose of the enemy?

Thanks very largely to the manner in which the Press have dealt with enemy news broadcasts and to the thoroughness with which, in co-operation with the various Departments of the Government, they have exposed and are continuing to expose the many falsehoods these broadcasts contain, I have no doubt whatever that they are thoroughly discredited with the general public, and I do not think that any special measures are called for.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of the enemy broadcasts and official communiqués make unfounded claims of British losses, particularly at sea, and that the publication of such news causes considerable suffering and unnecessary anxiety to relatives of those who might be involved were the news correct?

I know that these broadcasts contain many falsehoods, and I think it undesirable to encourage people and desirable to discourage them listening to them, but I do not think people should be stopped from listening to them.

asked the Minister of Information what are the functions of the Far-Eastern Bureau of the Ministry; and in what respect they differ from those already performed by the Governors, Ambassadors, and their staffs, including in some cases special publicity officers, already stationed at Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and other centres in the Far East?

The chief functions of the Far-Eastern Bureau, which shares offices with the Hong Kong Department of Information, are to co-ordinate the activities of all Far-Eastern posts and to deal with problems that are common to the whole area, such as enemy propaganda, counter-propaganda, broadcasting, films, etc. It also arranges for the local production of suitable material and its distribution in the Far East.

asked the Minister of Information whether arrangements will be made to place articles and photographs, furnished by the Ministry for the newspapers, in the Library for the convenience of Members; and, in particular, the photographs issued by the Ministry, on Friday, 12th July, in connection with the chatterbox campaign?

A selection of photographs issued by the Ministry to the Press, including the photographs referred to by the hon. Member, has been placed in the Tea Room.

asked the Minister of Information whether, in view of the intensive campaign being undertaken by German propaganda at the present time among European conquered and neutral peoples, showing the economic advantages of an economically united Europe, steps are being taken by His Majesty's Government to counteract this and show what type of Europe the Allies wish to see established?

The enemy propaganda referred to in the Question is being carefully watched by His Majesty's Government. I am not in a position at present to make any statement with regard to the steps that are being taken to counteract it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance to the House that the special aspects of propaganda among conquered peoples will be dealt with at an early date, in view of the activities of German broadcasting stations?

Yes, Sir.

Is it possible to persuade Herr Hitler to get married to a sensible woman?

asked the Minister of Information whether any arrangements have been made in the event of any region or portion of this country being cut off during enemy invasion, involving the non-arrival in the area of any of our national newspapers, to secure the distribution of such newspapers as can be published in the area on as wide a scale as possible, or what other arrangements are contemplated in order to secure, in any emergency, free and uncontrolled expression of opinion and comment as well as accurate presentation of news?

I understand that adequate arrangements have been made both by the national and provincial newspapers upon their own account in order to secure distribution during such a period of emergency as is envisaged. The main task of the Ministry of Information would be to assist the Press in obtaining early and accurate information. Steps have been taken to ensure that this shall be done. The hon. Member will no doubt agree that it would not be in the public interest to make these emergency arrangements generally known.

On a point of Order. May I refer to this Question before putting it? Without wishing to add to the difficulties of the senior Ministers of the Crown, I addressed this Question to the Prime Minister—to be answered, no doubt, by the Lord Privy Seal—as it occurred to me to be pre-eminently a Question in which there was a balance of responsibility between three Government Departments. For example, lighthouses which are lit in order to guide convoys to certain channels can also guide enemy aircraft to attack civilian populations for which I have a special responsibility in the House. I want to ask, Mr. Speaker, whether you can, in your wisdom and discretion, ask Ministers to consider very carefully before they lightly reject Questions, which, after full consideration, have been addressed to the Prime Minister, and place them before a Department which is not able to take every aspect of the question into account, as in this case?

My powers as regards that matter are limited. Questions must go to the Departments which are concerned with the subject.

Under Defence Regulation 44 the Admiralty gives directions for operating or extinguishing navigational lights on the coasts of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The requirements of the Service and Civil Departments concerned are fully considered in reaching decisions.

May I ask the hon. Baronet whether, apart from the consideration which is given to the requirements of other Departments by the Admiralty, there is consultation with the other Departments concerned, in particular the Department of Home Security?

Yes, Sir. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that quite simple and effective machinery exists for paying proper attention to any representations which come before us.

With great respect, that does not meet my point. May I ask whether, before authority is given for the maintenance of lighthouses by the Admiralty, the Admiralty consult the Department of Home Security, the Air Ministry and others responsible for Civil Defence?

Yes, Sir. I said in my original answer that in reaching a decision as to the maintenance or extinguishing of lights the interests and representations of other Departments are fully considered.

With great respect, my point is not being met, and I want an answer to it. To say that interests are considered is not to say that the Departments are consulted. The initiative rests entirely with the Admiralty, according to the hon. Baronet's answer. I should like an assurance that the other Departments are actually consulted and their opinions sought.

I am sorry if I have not made myself clear. If the hon. Member would prefer me to use the word "consultation," I will do so. In reaching decisions the interests of other Departments are considered and they are consulted.

The Ministry said so before—half-a-dozen times.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether steps have been taken drastically to increase cultivation in Cyprus and to make land available to dispossessed peasants; and whether the necessary action has been taken to secure a sufficient supply of essential foodstuffs to the Cypriot people?

The cultivation of foodstuffs is the main agricultural activity in Cyprus, and measures have been taken by the Government to encourage the widest possible utilisation of cultivable areas, and the provision of seed-wheat and potatoes has been arranged for on special terms. The Governor reports that dispossessed peasants form only a small minority of the rural population, who are protected in this respect by legislation. With regard to the second part of the Question, the food situation in Cyprus, as in all Colonies, is kept constantly under review, and arrangements have been made to conserve supplies of essential foodstuffs. The arrangements already made will be supplemented if and when occasion requires.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will publish as a White Paper the contributions which have been made by the Colonial Empire towards the war effort, including contributions of money, aircraft, Red Cross, etc.?

Since the outbreak of war a large number of generous and valuable gifts, both in cash and in kind, have been made by Colonial Governments, and private individuals and organisations, both to His Majesty's Government for the prosecution of the war and to various war charities. The cash gifts, including loans free of interest, but not including gifts in kind, amount to over £9,250,000. The list of these gifts is a very long one and, with my hon. Friend's permission, I will accordingly circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is it the case that some of the Colonies have declared that they no longer need the money which has been provided for the Colonial Development Fund?

No, Sir, that is not quite so. Some of the Colonies say that they will not proceed with any development which will entitle them to make application for a grant during the period of the war.

Does that mean that native populations will not get the benefit of that development?

No, Sir.