asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the circumstances in which M. Stoyadinovitch has been handed over to British custody by the Yugoslav Government?

On 15th March the former Yugoslav Government informed His Majesty's Government that they were going to expel M. Stoyadinovitch from Yugoslavia and that they hoped His Majesty's Government would admit him to some British territory and keep him there. His Majesty's Government intimated their readiness to comply with the wishes of the Yugoslav Government. M. Stoyadinovitch is now therefore in British hands and will be kept in detention in British territory.

Is there any intention of transferring him to the Isle of Man?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make as to developments in Yugoslavia and the Balkans generally?

Since my statement to the House last week the situation has been completely altered by the establishment without any internal disorder of a new Government in Yugoslavia. The House will probably have noticed with gratification General Simovitch's—the Yugoslav Prime Minister—Order of the Day, in which, after asking that false rumours shall be ignored, he states that his Government is pursuing a friendly policy towards all its neighbours. The Order of the Day calls upon citizens to be prepared to defend their homes, and says that the Yugoslav Army, Air Force and Navy are prepared to do their duty. His Majesty's Government are in full and friendly relations with the new Government.

Would it be true to say that the British Government have promised the Yugoslav Government every possible support in the event of an attack by another Power?

Is it a fact that the German Minister at Belgrade and the Yugoslav Minister at Berlin have been withdrawn?

I have seen a Press report that the German Minister has left Belgrade, but whether he has been withdrawn or not, I cannot say.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in connection with the Anglo-Turkish Alliance, he can make any statement on the declaration of the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on its relations with Turkey?

The recent Turco-Soviet declaration contained the following passage: —

"Should Turkey in fact be the object of aggression and be involved in war in defence of her territory, Turkey could then in accordance with the Turco-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact count upon the full understanding and neutrality of the Soviet Union."

The House will remember that under Protocol 2 of our Treaty of Mutual Assistance with Turkey, the obligations undertaken by Turkey cannot compel her to take action having as its effect, or involving as its consequence, her entry into armed conflict with the Soviet Union. Such a possibility would appear to be even further removed by the recent declaration of the Soviet Government.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this agreement can be regarded as facilitating possible future developments between ourselves and the U.S.S.R. over the Middle East?

Is not the declaration by the Soviet Union in relation to Turkey regarded by the Government as eminently satisfactory?

Yes, Sir.

May I have a reply to my supplementary question?

We have always hoped that such developments would draw closer our relations with the Soviet Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action he intends taking to meet the wishes of the Mexican Government, as expressed in the recent official Mexican Government broadcast, intimating that the feeling towards the British had undergone a favourable change, and that they wanted a settlement of the difference between the two Governments?

While I have been unable to trace the broadcast referred to by the hon. Member, I think the Mexican Government are aware that His Majesty's Government are ready to examine any proposals which the Mexican Government may put forward for a settlement of outstanding differences.

Is it not a fact that the Shell Oil Company is the company that is standing in the way of the Government making a settlement?

The real difficulty is that so far we have not had terms put to us on which a settlement could be made.

Is it not desirable in present circumstances that we should not wait for advances by other Governments, but make approaches to them?

This is a very complicated and difficult question, and does really depend upon the terms for a proper settlement being put forward. If they are put forward, I can assure the hon. Member that they will be considered.

Might not the United States Government act as an intermediary in this matter, to the advantage of the Mexican Government and ourselves?

All these matters have been under consideration. The United States have an interest in the matter, and so have we. I think it would be better if terms were put forward so that we could consider them. We are in touch with the United States Government.

rose—

There are 96 Questions on the Order Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will approach the Government of the United States of America with a view to opening negotiations to take the Mexican Government's external debt out of the hands of the International Committee of Bankers on Mexico, in order to settle the matter in some fair manner directly between His Majesty's Government and the American Government on the one hand, and the Mexican Government on the other?

The International Committee of Bankers on Mexico is recognised by the Council of Foreign Bondholders and by His Majesty's Government as being, in the special circumstances of the case, the most appropriate body to protect the interests of holders of Mexican external indebtedness. The Committee has conducted prolonged negotiations with the Mexican Government and has concluded a number of agreements, which unfortunately are not now being implemented by the Mexican Government. It does not appear to His Majesty's Government, who attach great importance to a fair settlement of the Mexican external debt, and who keep the matter under constant review, that any useful purpose would be served by the course of action suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the tenancy and use of British properties in Hankow continue to be forcibly denied by the Japanese authorities?

Yes, Sir. On the pretext of military necessity, British firms are being denied the use of certain of their properties both at Hankow and at other places along the Yangtze. Protests have been made, and the matter will continue to be pressed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action he is taking in view of the repeated interference by the Japanese with British interests and British shipping along the Yangtze River?

The position on the Yangtze remains as stated to my hon. Friend the Member for Stourbridge (Mr. R. Morgan) on 28th January. I am refer- ring in my answer to my hon. Friend's next Question to the general position of British trade interests in China.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what evidence he has to indicate that the Japanese Government or the Japanese authorities in the occupied districts of China have attempted to keep their repeated promises to carry out the policy of the open door, and to refrain from discrimination against the trade of other Powers?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the issue of permits by the Japanese Army for the export of silk from Shanghai has been confined to Japanese exporters; that all but four of the larger foreign firms have been squeezed out of the trade; and what explanation the Japanese Government have to offer for this practical repudiation of Mr. Matsuoka's recent declaration that Japan closes the door nowhere and to no one?

His Majesty's Government have for some time been watching the trend of Japanese policy towards foreign interests in China and in particular the effect on British trade. I took a recent opportunity to draw the attention of the Japanese Ambassador to the present state of affairs, which His Majesty's Government find impossible to reconcile with past protestations of the Japanese Government about the maintenance of the open door.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether it is right to assume from this reply that the Japanese have now gone back on all their agreements regarding European interests?

On the one hand, we have the Japanese statements, and, on the other hand, the situation as it is developing. The Japanese statements say that their policy is unchanged, whereas the more we look at the situation the more unsatisfactory we see it to be. That is why we have taken this opportunity to draw this matter to the urgent attention of the Japanese Government.

Are we working closely with America in this matter?

We always do that in everything.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give an assurance that His Majesty's Government have no territorial claims to make against Abyssinia?

Yes, Sir. As my right hon. Friend informed the House on 4th February, His Majesty's Government have no territorial ambitions in Abyssinia.

Can the right hon. Gentleman take this opportunity of denying the persistent rumours that His Majesty's Government have plans under which certain territories are to be partitioned?

I cannot say more than my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said a short time ago. I should have thought that would have been sufficient.

Have we received any invitation from the Negus to take over the administration of any part of Abyssinia?

I think we had better just go on mopping it up first.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give an assurance that any political officers now being appointed to take over centres of administration in Abyssinia are doing so with the consent and approval of the Emperor Haile Selassie?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why no attempt was made, when granting per mission for the two food-ships to go to Vichy, France, to couple it with the condition that Messieurs Blum and Reynaud and other friends of democracy should be released, and Breitscheid not handed over to the Germans?

Experience has shown that intervention of this kind is not, as a general rule, beneficial to the individuals concerned.

Are we not living in new times, and is it not our first duty to protect our friends in France when we have an opportunity of doing so?

Certainly. But in my experience, and, I think, that of the House, when steps of this sort are taken it does not always redound to the advantage of the individuals concerned.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider consulting the American Government in connection with this matter?

I certainly have no objection to doing that.

Are not the Government now convinced that the sole beneficiary out of this transaction is Germany?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is now in a position to make a statement regarding the possibility of improving the mail services to the Forces serving in the Middle East?

Yes, Sir. With the assistance of my right hon. and gallant Friend the Secretary of State for Air and the collaboration of the other Service Departments, I am introducing forthwith a special air mail postcard service to personnel of His Majesty's Forces serving in the Middle East, and an announcement with full details is being made in the Press and by the B.B.C. The charge for this service will be 3d., and the postcards will be carried all the way by air to the bases in the Middle East, where they will be delivered to the Army Postal Service. Ordinary air mail letters, because of the weight involved, and the limited aircraft capacity available, have to be carried over a large part of the way by sea and the new postcard service will therefore be much quicker as well as much cheaper than the ordinary air mail letter service. In the homeward direction, an air letter card service for which the charge is 3d. has recently been introduced by the Army Postal Service: this facility is available to the Forces in the Middle East except Egypt. I regret that, for reasons outside my control, this letter card service cannot at present be introduced from His Majesty's Forces stationed in Egypt. Other improvements in the postal communications by air to and from the Forces in the Middle East are impending, and I hope to be able to make a further announcement soon.

Will this apply to the service of mails going and coming from India?

That question does not arise.

Does this include the Royal Navy as well as the land Forces?

All personnel of His Majesty's Forces.

asked the Postmaster-General between what posting dates were letters or parcels addressed to prisoners of war lost at sea or otherwise known to have been destroyed?

I am not aware that any letters addressed to prisoners of war have been lost at sea or otherwise destroyed. As regards parcels, I assume that my hon. Friend has in mind the parcels sent by or on behalf of the next of kin. Of these, no parcels sent by permit holders have been lost at sea or otherwise destroyed, but some 2,000 "personal" parcels have been lost at sea. It is impossible to say with accuracy when these were posted but about 1,000 of them were posted in October, 1940, and the other 1,000 in February, 1941. A number of parcels addressed not to individual prisoners of war but to the International Red Cross are known to have been destroyed or seriously damaged in recent air raids.

In view of the anxiety of many people about getting these clothing parcels to prisoners of war, will it not be possible for some public announcement to be made in the Press when parcels are lost in the way described?

I will consider that.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what steps are taken to see that when interim payments are paid to contractors for works in process of completion, some proportion of the money is paid over to sub-contractors, who can thus be protected against too heavy financial Josses in the event of the bankruptcy of the major firms?

Under the terms of their works contracts the Admiralty are expressly relieved of any contractual or other liability to subcontractors. Steps are not, therefore, taken by the Admiralty in the circumstances described to see that some proportion of the payments to a main contractor is paid over to his sub-contractors.

In view of the fact that sub-contractors give considerable credit to major firms on the strength of the fact that they have Admiralty contracts, has not the Admiralty an obligation to see that the suggestion made in my Question is adopted, and is the hon. Member aware that local authorities frequently insert a clause to this effect in their contracts, and will he not give further consideration to the matter?

The system that we follow has been in operation for a great number of years and is working quite satisfactorily and a change would entail a large amount of disorder in the Department and I am very l0th to do it. Only one such case has been brought to my notice.

Would not the matter be met if the Admiralty took more care—

rose—

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many fire-watchers were on duty at a certain naval establishment, of which he has been informed, and other Admiralty premises at that place on a certain date; and if the number was in accordance with the minimum standard recommended by the fire prevention executive?

In addition to the Royal Marine Police, Home Guards, and trailer pump crews, there were 49 fire-watchers on duty at the establishment in question. This is more than the minimum recommended by the Ministry of Home Security.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the establishment in question, a very large one, was almost totally destroyed? Will he give some assurance that the same standard of vigilance, precaution, and sacrifice, is expected and exacted as in defending a unit of the Fleet?

I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the preventive methods at this particular establishment were very strict and the damage cannot be attributed in any way at all to any weakness in the fire-watching organisation.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that many of the inhabitants of a township of which he has been informed are employed at a Royal ordnance factory; that accommodation is being sought for an increasing number of workpeople from outside; that the carrying of workpeople from and to the aforementioned factory is far from satisfactory; the train journey involving several changes is inconvenient and slow, causing loss to workers and employers through unpunctuality; and whether, under these circumstances, he will investigate the need for a through-omnibus service and thus expedite the transport of the workpeople, many of whom are women?

I am sending my hon. Friend a report on this subject, from which he will see that the criticisms made of the transport arrangements are not justified.

Has my hon. Friend received any communication from the local authority?

No, Sir, but we have a communication from the Comptroller-General of Transportation to the Ministry of Supply. If my hon. Friend would like to see that before he gets my letter, I will let him see it after Questions.

asked the Minister of Transport what are the functions of the Public Relations Officer in his Department; what is the salary attached to the office; and how this salary compares with that of officers holding similar offices in other Government Departments?

The function of the Public Relations Officer is to explain and interpret to the public the nature and necessity of the steps taken in the Department and by the organisations acting under my right hon. Friend's control or direction to secure the best use of transport for the war effort. In this way, the fullest measure of co-operation by all concerned is obtained. The salaries paid to Public Relations Officers throughout the Service vary considerably, as do, so I understand, the duties and responsibilities attaching to the office. The salary attached to the office in the Department is £1,700.

Will my hon. Friend explain in what respects his relations with the public have so deteriorated as to necessitate the appointment of an officer in receipt of a salary so much in excess of that paid by other Departments to similar officers?

It is not true that it is in excess of the salary paid in any other Department. With regard to a Public Relations Officer, the House will realise that transport is exceedingly important and publicity attached to the subject is important at the present moment.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, with a view to reducing road accidents, he has considered the desirability of requiring all pedestrians to use the traffic signs; and with what result?

My hon. Friend's suggestion has been carefully considered, but a serious objection to it is that at crossroads provided with traffic light signals pedestrians are not fully protected from turning traffic when the green light is showing towards them. At certain signal installations "Cross Now" signals are in operation, but these are feasible only where an interval free from all crossing vehicles can be guaranteed. This is often a difficult matter to arrange from a traffic point of view.

Would the Minister consider the desirability of operating this during the black-out at controlled crossing only?

The answer is that traffic light signals are not for the purpose of controlling pedestrian traffic. There are many difficulties involved.

asked the Minister of Information whether it is his intention to broadcast to the peoples of Europe, and to convey by leaflet, the war aims as stated by Lord Halifax in his recent speech in America?

The widest publicity possible has already been given by the usual means to Lord Halifax's speech.

While I hope the Government will take every opportunity of delivering bombs every time they can on Berlin and other parts of Germany, may I ask, in view of the fact that the news programmes are often jammed, that the people of Germany are given the true facts of recent British victories as well as the declaration of war aims by our Ambassador in Washington?

I will do my best.

asked the Minister of Information what steps he is taking to give the British people particulars of the barbarous methods pursued by the Nazis in the contries they have temporarily occupied towards the peoples they are attempting to enslave?

Particulars of these Nazi methods have been given full publicity in the Press, by broadcasts, and at public meetings. They have also been dealt with at length in books and pamphlets. If the hon. Member has any suggestions to make for further action, I shall be glad to consider them.

Is it not a fact that the more these details are known to the public the more they will put an end to the nonsense which is talked about peace by negotiation?

I hope so.

Is it not a fact that the country house in France of the late French Ambassador in Berlin has been wantonly destroyed by the Germans?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that large quantities of sewage sludge are being allowed to go to waste; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that the maximum quantity is saved for manuring crops?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for the Forest of Dean (Mr. Price) on 19th February and 6th March, copies of which I am sending to my hon. Friend.

Arising out of those replies, whatever they were, may I ask whether my hon. Friend is aware that practically nothing has been done about this matter in many parts of the country, and will he see that steps are taken and instructions given?

If my hon. Friend will look at the replies, he will see that something is being done.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has studied the references in the Sixth Report of the Select Committee on National Expenditure, to the effect that all opportunities for making full use of waste products for pig and poultry feeding are not being taken, and that the matter demands investigation; and what action he is taking on the subject?

The views expressed in the Sixth Report of the Select Committee on National Expenditure have already been the subject of urgent consideration by my right hon. Friends the Minister of Supply, the Minister of Food and the Minister of Agriculture. An investigation is now proceeding, with the assistance of the hon. Member for Anglesey (Miss Lloyd George) and the hon. Member for North Tottenham (Mr. R. C. Morrison), with regard to the further steps that could be taken to ensure the collection, treatment and use of the largest possible quantities of food waste for feeding to pigs and poultry. As indicated, however, in my right hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère) on 13th March, the greater part of the available food waste is already being utilised, and the remainder still collectable is probably much less than is commonly supposed.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will find time for a debate on the Motion standing in the name of the hon. Member for Evesham relating to interest rates to agricultural borrowers?

No, Sir. I fear I can hold out no hope of special facilities being given for the discussion of the Motion standing in the name of my hon. Friend.

Is it not an unassailable fact that the real cause of the trouble is that the Government put first and foremost the interests of a dominating group and completely ignore the interest of securing the national larder by a reduction in the rate of bank loans from 5 to 3 percent.? Why is it that they allow this dominating group to go on without bringing about a reduction of interest, which would assist production for the national larder?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what are the highest and the lowest interest rates at present charged by the banks upon agricultural loans?

I must have notice of that question.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman should not have supplied himself with that information before answering this Question?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the number who have joined the forces from Northern Ireland is in proportion to the numbers who are in the forces in this country according to the relative populations?

I regret that the required information is not available.

Has the hon. Gentleman any idea as to whether Northern Ireland are giving their quota as promised when the Constitution was passed, because a number of Irishmen from Northern Ireland who are coming to this country are of military age and it is causing a lot of feeling?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that the appointment of one major-general to visit the camps of the country to cut out waste is regarded as adequate, in view of the number of camps; and whether he is appointing his own visiting staff?

The Controller-General of Economy has a staff which carries out investigations under his direction and is regarded as adequate for this purpose. In this connection my hon. Friend will appreciate that, while the Controller-General has power to enter any Army establishment or unit in the course if his duties, commanding officers will remain responsible for the prevention of waste within their units.

What number of officers are doing this work?

The Controller-General has under him an A.Q.M.G., a D.Q.M.G. and a staff captain, and a number of other officers will be added shortly. He will not be handicapped by lack of staff.

Why not have practical men to deal with this matter?

Is it not a fact that so great is the improvement in preventing waste in camps that the contractors for swill are now complaining?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the fact that the racing pigeon is in some cases the sole source of the working man's recreation, every endeavour will be made to ensure that the racing pigeon shall not be exterminated by permitting a reasonable percentage to receive the necessary ration; and, in particular consider men in the forces, Home Guard, fire services and on munitions, who, owing to their duties, are unable to join the National Pigeon Service, and thus render their birds liable to be destroyed?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply on 4th March to a similar Question by my hon. Friend the Member for East Wolver-hampton (Mr. Mander).

Will not my hon. and gallant Friend have a heart? Does he not see that the amount of grain involved is only negligible and that some of these poor people would derive great benefit from having their birds preserved?

Is the hon. and gallant Member satisfied that racing pigeons are getting a fair deal as compared with other racing animals?

There has been a very heavy reduction in the number of horses in training, for instance, and while I agree that the reduction in pigeons is heavy, it is not so very much heavier.

Have a heart.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the great hardship imposed on the supplies of fried fish by the inequitable distribution of compound as a cooking fat; that some businesses only receive one-seventh of their previous weekly amounts; by what arrangement the amount of compound is supplied to each fried fish shop; and whether that arrangement is such that all sellers of this valuable food get the same percentage amount of their pre-war orders of cooking fats?

Oils and fats are rationed to all trade users on the basis of their pre-war usage. The basic allocation to fish friers is 75 percent of that usage but a special concession was made to them during last summer when for 16 weeks their allocation was raised to 100 percent. on condition that for a corresponding period during the winter the allocation would be reduced to 50 percent. This latter period ends on 6th April. After that date the allocation will be restored to 75 percent. An adjustment of the allocation is made to meet movement of the population, a somewhat higher percentage than the basic allocation being granted to fish friers in reception areas. No reduction has, however, been made in the evacuation areas while the basic allocation has been 50 percent. The adjustment is based upon the latest available population figures. No fish frier should therefore be receiving only one-seventh of his datum period usage. If my hon. Friend will supply me with particulars of any such cases I will have them investigated.

Is the hon. and gallant Member quite certain that fish friers are not reduced to one-seventh of their normal supplies?

I am certain they are not reduced to one-seventh. If my hon. Friend has a case in mind, I shall be grateful if he will let me have the particulars.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the productive capacity of the jam and canning plants in this country is capable of handling the estimated home grown fruit crop?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food to what extent it is his intention to use women's organisations to manufacture jam from fruit next season; whether he will state which women's organisations he proposes to use for this purpose; and how the jam-making equipment and labour is to be provided?

My Noble Friend is inviting the co-operation of all women's organisations which he has reason to believe may be in a position to help in the organising of co-operative fruit preserving centres. As the list is a long one, I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend, together with a copy of the relative instructions which have been sent out by my Department to Divisional Food Officers. All the work will be done by unpaid and voluntary workers as a form of national service.