asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that recruits to the Royal Air Force, who are passing through a course of specialised training, are occasionally called out of the class-room to do fatigue duty; and, as the loss of instruction jeopardises their chance of passing the final examination, will action be taken to prevent such interference with the men's duties?

Though all airmen must be prepared to perform general fatigue duties as may be required, directions have been given that pupils at technical training establishments are not, except in emergencies, to perform fatigues during instructional hours. If the hon. Member is aware of any case where these directions have not been complied with, and will furnish me with particulars, I will look into the matter.

May I have a word with the right hon. Gentleman after questions?

indicated assent.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what opportunities are open to technicians overseas to offer their services in the repair and maintenance establishments to the Royal Air Force in a civilian capacity.

Skilled men overseas whose services are available, who possess the requisite qualifications and are otherwise suitable, are free to enlist in the technical branches of the fighting Services; but, in order to afford a wider opportunity for skilled technicians overseas to respond to the appeal which was broadcast last night by my noble Friend the Minister of State, His Majesty's Government have decided to establish a Civilian Technical Corps in which will be enrolled men who volunteer to come to this country for service in the repair and maintenance establishments of the Navy, Army and Air Force in a non-combatant capacity. The corps is being established by the Defence (Civilian Technical Corps) Regulations, made under the Emergency Powers (Defence) Acts, 1939–40.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the fact that the Royal Air Force are using an increasing number of aircraft from the United States of America, he will consider sending to that country a number of technical and ground staff personnel, in addition to flying crews, for the purpose of first-hand training with American technical equipment?

I appreciate my hon. Friend's suggestion, but adequate arrangements have already been made in this country for giving training to ground personnel in the use of American equipment.

As there are reputed to be seven ground staff, or technical men, to one flying man, has my right hon. Friend considered sending instructor-trainees to America to study American technical questions, and sending men from Canada into America? Can he give an assurance that technical training is keeping pace with aircraft and flying personnel?

The answer to the last part of the question is, "yes." These facilities for training in American aircraft already exist in this country. We are very much helped by the fact that representatives of American firms are coming over here and giving us the benefit of their knowledge in instructing our people here. The courses have to be quite short, and it would be quite uneconomic to send our people over to the United States for this purpose.

Would it not facilitate matters if trainees could be sent from Canada into America, to obtain instruction which they could impart on arrival in this country?

My hon. Friend does not appreciate that the needs have been met by the arrangements I have described and the help which the Americans are giving by coming over to this country themselves and placing their services at our disposal.

Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind that it is much more important to have the American technicians coming over here? Would he see that they are attached to the first operational squadrons of each of the American types, so that those squadrons immediately have the benefit of those technical officers?

I am in complete agreement with my hon. Friend; and what he suggests is, in fact, being done.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is satisfied with the provision for speedy repair of aerodromes in this country which may be damaged by enemy action; and whether he is relying solely upon maintenance contractors for this work?

The Air Ministry does not depend for the repair of aerodromes damaged by enemy action entirely on maintenance contractors, and some time ago units of the Royal Air Force were created, each of which is equipped with its own plant and machinery and able to execute emergency repairs where and when required in the minimum of time. This force works in combination with the civil repair organisation set up by my Department at the outbreak of war. This organisation consists of mobile works repair depots established in various parts of the country, self-contained as to skilled and unskilled labour and mechanical equipment.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that it is borne in mind that these repair organisations will very frequently have to operate under continued hostile bombardment, and, therefore, are all the details which are likely to be used in these contingencies being carefully worked out, so that there will be an operational code which will be understood in these emergency conditions?

Yes, Sir, that is the object of the formation of this body to which I have referred, which is a uniformed and disciplined body and will be available to be moved about from aerodrome to aerodrome wherever the need is greatest.

Can the Minister give an assurance that the defence of these aerodromes by panzer equipment is being carried out, so that it will not be necessary to destroy them?

I do not think that that arises out of the Question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken by his Department to develop markets in and trade with the United States of America and the South American nations for Colonial products; and whether any arrangements exist in America for the supply of information to the American people on British Colonial affairs and the promotion of better understanding?

Colonial exports to America, and especially to the United States, are encouraged by all practicable means, such as the free grant of export licences, and the possibility of increased exports of a number of particular commodities has already been discussed with the United States authorities. An officer of the Colonial Office has recently been sent specially to Washington to continue certain of these discussions, and the Comptroller for Development and Welfare in the West Indies has also recently been in Washington on a mission. As regards the second part of the Question, certain steps have already been taken to inform American public opinion about British Colonial affairs, and I am sending my hon. Friend details of these. Other projects are now receiving consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that it is a wide practice for school authorities to require pupils to have a specified clothes outfit and, in view of this necessitating the deposit of at least 50 coupons, will he consider making a concession to the extent of not requiring coupons for a a child's first clothes outfit upon passing from a primary to a secondary or senior school?

Children have the same number of coupons as grown-ups, but their clothing is rated at fewer coupons because they grow out of their clothes and are harder on them. Children, whether at school or not, who are too big to wear such garments will be able to get extra coupons later. The pressure on supplies is such that my right hon. Friend would not be justified in still further increasing the ration to meet cases where school authorities may have prescribed an outfit that cannot be met within this ration.

Will my hon. and gallant Friend consult with the President of the Board of Education about circularising school authorities with a view to their suspending these outfit lists during the present emergency?

Certainly I will consider that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the regulation that knitting wool can only be obtained without coupons through the medium of the Women's Voluntary Service will virtually prohibit women knitting comforts for their own friends and relations in the Services, as garments, knitted with wool so obtained, have to be returned to the Women's Voluntary Service for distribution; and will he consider relaxing this regulation to avoid having to surrender one coupon for every two ounces of wool purchased in the ordinary way, as is the regulation at present?

This matter is under consideration.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say how soon a decision will be reached, as this matter affects a large number of people throughout the country associated with churches and other organisations, who desire to continue the present practice of sending these things straight to their own friends?

I can assure the hon. Member that the matter is treated as one of urgency, but he will realise that there is a multiplicity of details to be gone through.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that he will have to surrender 11 coupons in the event of his having an aunt in the W.A.A.F.s and wanting to knit a sweater for her?

asked the President of the Board of Trade why, though recommending inquirers as to clothes rationing to ask for information from chambers of commerce, no advance particulars were given to such chambers in order to enable replies to be given?

As the hon. and gallant Gentleman will appreciate, it was essential for the utmost secrecy to be observed in regard to the consumer rationing scheme before it came into force on 1st June. For that reason the Board of Trade did not issue advance particulars. In order to enable chambers of commerce to deal with general inquiries, explanatory leaflets were despatched to them on 31st May, and arrangements were made for representatives of the Board of Trade to address numerous meetings called by such organisations in the first week of the scheme.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that the particulars arrived two days late and that great annoyance and inconvenience were caused to traders? Is there any reason why chambers of commerce should not have been given the information along with the newspapers?

On the other hand, there is every reason why they should. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will let me have information of late arrival in any particular case, I shall be glad to have the particulars.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentlemen aware that most of the representatives of the Board of Trade were unable to understand the scheme themselves and were certainly not in a position to explain some of the problems?

Secrecy had to be maintained. Virtually no one was taken into our confidence until the last few days. These gentlemen had a very short and cursory training, and I believe the general opinion of the country is that they did excellently.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of difficulties that have arisen respecting clothing coupons for patients in mental hospitals and other public institutions; whether he will determine the number of coupons that can be utilised by patients for private purchases, both for those who were patients before the beginning of rationing, and those voluntary or other patients who have entered these hospitals since then; and whether coupons are to be surrendered for uniform supplied to male and female nurses?

Temporary inmates of hospitals and institutions are already in a position to purchase the normal ration, since they possess a Food Ration Book. The normal supply of clothing coupons will be issued to permanent inmates as soon as this can be arranged. In the meantime, hospitals of all kinds may, as a provisional arrangement, obtain their essential requirements by giving a formal receipt to the supplier. This latter provision enables hospitals to obtain supplies both for patients and for nurses. Similar facilities are available to institutions under local authorities.

Does the Minister realise that that does not quite cover my point? Will he consider this matter afresh, and also the possibility of circularising various hospitals in the country giving directions to them in a matter which has become very complicated?

Circulars will shortly be issued to hospitals dealing with their position under this rationing scheme.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the present position with regard to the preparation of voluntary schemes for the concentration of industry; to what extent action has been taken, or is contemplated, on a compulsory basis; and whether it is desired that firms, whether within the group of specified industries or not, should submit their own voluntary schemes?

My right hon. Friend hopes to make a statement at an early date

Will my hon. and gallant Friend be good enough to answer the latter part of the Question?

I should prefer my hon. Friend to await the statement.

Is it not the case that the President of the Board of Trade has already made a statement bearing on the subject? What possible reason can there be for delay in answering the latter part of my Question? There is no question of statistics.

It is perfectly clear that if a firm in any industry likes to make arrangements, the President of the Board of Trade will welcome them, but we cannot go beyond that.

Including the obligation for nucleus firms closing down certain factories?

I cannot deal with that, pending my right hon. Friend's statement.

asked the Under- Secretary of State for the Colonies whether adequate steps have been taken taken to ensure the provision of essential foodstuffs for the population of Cyprus as the war in the Mediterranean develops; and are arrangements made for the export from Cyprus to this county of its surplus citrus fruits and other produce?

Yes, Sir. The food position in Cyprus gives no cause for anxiety. As regards the last part of the Question, I regret that the export of the products of Cyprus to this country has, owing to war conditions, practically ceased, but every endeavour is being made to dispose of them in markets nearer to the Colony.

asked the Under secretary of State for the Colonies whether His Majesty's Government will restore to the people of Cyprus the constitutional rights of freedom of the Press, organisation and assembly, taken away from them in 1931?

In the present military situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, my Noble Friend is not prepared to take up these questions.

In view of our declaration of support for the statement that Syria should be given independence, would it not be a natural act for the Government to eliminate the Fascist dictatorship in Cyprus and re-establish the constitutional rule that existed there prior to1931? — [Interruption] —Why not?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is aware that transport undertakings refuse to relax their regulations regarding the use of return tickets which are available on the date of issue only; and will he consider extending their period of utility to members of the Auxiliary Fire Service and Home Guard when these men have been called out for service on raid nights?

The concession already announced whereby tickets at monthly return rates are available on the main line railways to full-time Civil Defence workers and to fire watchers has been extended to the Home Guard. I do not think that it would be reasonable to require that the availability of day return tickets should be extended as my hon. Friend suggests.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the majority of these men are giving their services, does he not consider it very hard that when they have been working all night they should have to pay their return fare, and will he give further consideration to this minor suggestion?

It is a question of pay. If they are working in their employer's premises all night, it may well be that the employer should pay the return fares and not put the obligation upon the railway company.

Is the principle of payment the right one?

Is the Minister aware that at the present moment it is the men who pay, and will he make an inquiry into the matter with the object of distributing this burden among the proper people?

All I was anxious to point out was that, in my view, the people who should pay are not the railway companies.

But it costs the railway companies nothing at all.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he will give an assurance; that no Government scheme shall be promulgated for any regrouping or alteration of ownership of the British railways before the Government has explained in detail to the country how those whose savings or corporate funds are invested in the railways may be affected and has obtained electoral assent for the changes contemplated?

No special undertaking seems to be required about the particular class of property mentioned while the existing Parliamentary safeguards remain in force.

Is it not a fact that there are about 850,000 different stockholders in addition to many thousands interested in insurance companies, building societies, banks and trade, and in this democratic age ought they not to be consulted before any cut and dried scheme is produced?

Any scheme which is produced will have to have the sanction of this House.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he will give consideration to removing the term "Third-class passengers" on railways and having one class only, as this would help to remove the congestion caused by travellers getting in wrong compartments, and would also give better satisfaction?

In general the abolition of first-class accommodation would diminish the convenience of railway travel without providing commensurate relief in other directions.

Has not the time come when we should drop this class distinction? We are fighting for a common cause;, and it is hard for Members of Parliament to see private soldiers pushed out of the carriage in which they are sitting to some other part of the train. I want the Parliamentary Secretary to take note of this, because some change is necessary now.

It is not really a case of any class distinction. A large number of people now using first-class railway accommodation are on official business and do a good deal of work in their carriages, and for that reason I think such a distinction is necessary.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that I recently travelled in a crowded train on which an official of his Department occupied a compartment to himself? Is that justified?

If the hon. Gentleman will tell me the occasion, I will see that these compartments are not fully reserved in that way.

I wrote a letter to the Parliamentary Secretary's Department a few weeks ago. The gentleman was Mr. Frank Pick.

I do not think the hon. Gentleman wrote to me.

No, it was before your appointment.

I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter again, on the Adjournment, at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is aware of the incidents, of which full particulars have been sent him, where delay has arisen in the unloading of cargoes in a certain port, due in one case to the action of a shipping company who held up the discharge of a cargo of foodstuffs because immediate unloading would have involved work on Whitsun Monday and in another case to the dock labour refusing to work on the Tuesday after Whitsun unless they were paid time and a half; and, in view of the necessity for obviating congestion in our ports, whether he will inform the House what steps the Government are prepared to take to deal with such situations in the future?

I am aware that a small coasting vessel carrying 350 tons of sugar and 90 tons of beer was held up at a certain port over the Whitsun holidays. It was not thought necessary to call upon dockers to forgo their Whitsun holiday in order to discharge this small cargo. It is true that on the Tuesday after Whitsun there was an unauthorised stoppage of work when certain men claimed for that day the holiday rates of pay which they would have earned had the ship worked over the Whitsun week-end. This incident is now closed, but I can assure my hon. Friend that action will be taken to prevent delay in unloading in any future case.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is aware that, owing to the continued existence of the Penarth toll-gate heavy lorries conveying war material and foodstuffs, besides other vehicles, use the alternative route over Leckwith Hill, thus consuming additional petrol; and whether, in view of present conditions, he is prepared, in conjunction with local authorities, to take immediate steps in the public interest to acquire this and all other remaining toll-gates in the country?

I am making inquiries about the case in question and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend. It would be quite impracticable, in present conditions, to arrange for purchase and extinction of road tolls generally.

If that is impracticable, would it not be possible and, indeed, desirable for the Minister of Transport to arrange with the owners concerned that these toll gates should be thrown open for the period of the war, and for the situation to be reviewed thereafter?

I am looking into the particular case to which my hon. and gallant Friend has referred. It may be a case where something of this sort ought to be done.

Does the continuation of these toll gates conform with modern conditions?

I have found that there are complications in this matter. The local highways authorities are the people who have the power to purchase out the right of the toll-gate owner, and they do not wish in all cases to spend ratepayers' money on buying out these toll rights.

But have not the Government ample powers to deal with this matter under Defence of the Realm Regulations?

In any case where this matter is holding up the war effort we should certainty do so. My remark referred only to toll gates generally, and some of them, by being toll gates, do not in the least impede the war effort.

If the Germans landed, would they be charged admission?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is satisfied that the pre-war practice of the railway companies in ordering supplies sold at a uniform delivered price, from sources which involve the longest carriage, has been abandoned?

I am informed that this is not and has never been the practice of the railway companies.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that it is common knowledge in trade circles that this was the case before the war? Can he say that this practice no longer prevails?

I am told that the practice was to buy goods at the lowest tendered price. Obviously, in peacetime that was the best practice, but I appreciate that the practice to which my hon. Friend refers ought to have been stopped.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will permit the publication of photographs of Hess since he has arrived in the British Isles?

No photographs have been taken.

Is not one of the reasons why no photographs have been taken contained in the sentiments of the: Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information, who recently said, "We cannot humiliate this fundamentally decent man by exploiting his situation for pictorial purposes "?

That is not one of the reasons.

Is it not a fact that the Lord Provost of Glasgow has taken his photograph?

asked the Minister of Information how many men and women are employed in the postal and telegraph censorship of the Ministry in addition to the other 1,801 on the staff; what is the total cost in salaries; and are any further sums paid for services in connection with the Ministry's secret inquests or otherwise?

The present staff of the postal and telegraph censorship is 3,808 men and 6,635 women. The total cost of the salaries of these persons is £2,196,000 per annum, while the salaries of the 1,801 members of the Ministry proper total £528,500 per annum. The Ministry does not conduct any secret inquests. The latter part of the Question does not therefore arise.

Is not the Minister himself conscious of the colossal numbers and cost, and is he considering how they can be brought within reasonable limits?

The Postal and Telegraph Censorship inevitably employs an enormous number of people, and 1 think that at the present time it is more important to make quite sure that the work is being efficiently carried out than to reduce numbers.

But what about the other 1,801?

asked the Minister of Information on what subjects the Ministry have, directly or indirectly, sought to sound public opinion in the past three months; how many men and women have been employed in these secret inquests and at what approximate cost; and will he place in the Library the resulting reports for the information of Members?

With regard to the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on nth June. The number of people engaged in studying and reporting on public opinion is 42, and the cost is £4,400 a quarter. As regards the third part of the Question, the arrangements made last summer to enable Members to see the reports of the War-time Social Survey at the Ministry of Information are still in force.

Does not the Minister realise that this snooping by officials in constituencies is repugnant to the elementary principles of representative government?

This matter was fully discussed a year ago in this House. I do not know whether my hon. Friend was present then, but it was explained to the House and, I think, met with general approval. The matter has not been raised since. It was made plain that any Member who wished might come to the Ministry and see the reports, which are sent in from all over the country at regular intervals, in order that he might be reassured as to how the matter was being conducted. Many Members availed themselves of that offer, and they can still do so.

Is it not a fact that most useful information has been obtained but that the Ministry make no use of that information?

We make the best use of it we can.

Can we see the snoopers too?

Did not the bud of liberty open with the English spring?

asked the Minister of Information whether all possible steps will be taken to prevent interference with our broadcasts to France?

The technical means at our disposal are already being used to the very best advantage—and will continue to be so used with, it is hoped, increasing success—in order to give our broadcasts to France as wide an audience as possible in that country.

Is the Minister satisfied that all possible steps are being taken to deal with this most important matter and that no scientific step that is practical will be omitted?

Yes, Sir.

Is not this situation very serious at present? Is it not a fact that owing to our not having sufficient medium wave-lengths, we have made possible co-operation between France and Germany? Will the Minister see that we have more medium waves, because we have six against the enemy's 84?

I am doing all I can to increase the number of wave-lengths.

But for 10 months this has been demanded, and nothing has been done.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider the creation of training corps at the universities, for specialised preliminary training for the benefit of undergraduates desiring to enter the Royal Navy, similar to the Senior Training Corps and the Air Squadrons?

Under the recently announced "Y" Scheme for entry into the Navy, undergraduates may join the Navy, and those who elect to do so are required, pending their calling up for actual naval training, to belong to either the Senior Training Corps or the University Air Squadron. While the training given in these organisations is not specifically naval, it will be of general value to men entering the Navy who must, in any case, undergo disciplinary training, and undergraduates who have volunteered under the "Y" Scheme for service in the Fleet Air Arm will particularly benefit by the training in the University Air Squadron. My right hon. Friend does not consider, therefore, that the establishment of a specifically naval training corps at universities would be justified.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there is a very strong feeling at all the universities that these facilities ought to be provided and that their absence tends to discourage recruitment to the Navy?

I am not aware of those facts, but if the hon. Gentleman will put them before me, I will certainly look into them.

Has the Parliamentary Secretary or his right hon. Friend consulted Admiral Richmond on this question?

I should like to have notice of that question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why steps were not taken to provide for adequate air protection on the island of Crete for ships operating in Grecian waters; and whether he proposes to hold an inquiry into the Naval losses which subsequently took place in consequence of neglect to take the necessary action?

The first part of the Question, which was answered by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister during the Debate on 10th June, deals with a matter for which the Admiralty are not responsible. As regards the second part of the Question, my right hon. Friend does not consider that a general inquiry on the lines proposed would serve any useful purpose. As far as Boards of Inquiry into the loss of individual vessels are concerned, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which was given to the hon. and gallant Member for Cleveland (Commander Bower) on 30th April.

Do the Admiralty consider that they were justified in taking the risks they did in the absence of adequate protection, and is it proposed to take any disciplinary action against the people responsible for not having adequate protection prepared in the time available?

I have said that the first part of the hon. Gentleman's Question raises a matter which is not the responsibility of the Admiralty.

asked the Minister of Supply what he is doing to mitigate the hardship to market gardeners in that sulphate of ammonia, superphosphates and sulphate of potash are controlled, pre venting them from mixing these ingredients in the way they find from experience suits their own conditions and forcing them to pay a much higher price for the standard compound, which is not controlled?

No supplies of sulphate of potash are at present being made available either to compound manufacturers or to growers. But potash in the form of muriate, as well as the other two fertilisers, can be bought by growers. This permission is subject, except in the case of sulphate of ammonia, to certain conditions as to use which, however, also apply to compounds. Prices of the compounds, as well as of their principal ingredients, are controlled.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that if small market gardeners could get the ingredients separately, they feel that they could make composts very much more suited to local conditions than the finished products they can buy?

They can get them separately under the same kind of conditions.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that there are large supplies of scrap-metal on the property of disused mines, quarries and rail ways in the counties of Carnarvon and Merioneth, particularly in connection with the Beddgelert-Portmadoc Railway; and whether steps are being taken to make use of this?

Steps are being taken to bring this material into consumption. The material on the railway mentioned has already been requisitioned and is being recovered.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is satisfied that the collection of waste paper is adequate; and that the present licensing arrangements are not impeding its collection?

Since November, 1939, local authorities have collected and returned to industry 370,000 tons of waste paper. The supply does not, however, equal the demand and further steps are being taken to stimulate increased recovery. The present licensing arrangements, which aim at securing the proper sorting of waste and its diversion to mills best suited to use the various grades, do not impede collection.

Is the Minister aware that much paper is wasted at markets, which are held once or twice a week in different parts of the country, because no receptacles are provided in which to put any waste paper?

I will take note of that.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will arrange for those wishing to make jam with soft fruit any week to give up their half pound of jam and receive an extra half pound of sugar in its place?