asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can make a statement on the results of the recent appeal for recruits for aerodrome defence; on the proposed organisation into units of that body; and whether preparations have been made for its rapid training?

It would not be in the public interest to furnish the information asked for in the first and second parts of the Question. As to the third part, the Answer is "Yes."

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether the officer commanding this organisation has yet been appointed?

It is not a separate organisation. It is a means of obtaining recruits to man the defences of our aerodromes. They are commanded by the station commander of the aerodrome.

Does the right hon. Gentleman continue to rely upon appeals to the available supply of voluntary recruits?

Possibly my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. There is nothing new in this, no new departure in policy. We have for a long time been responsible for certain duties in connection with the defence of aerodromes, and this arrangement merely enables us to discharge our expanding responsibilities.

Is it not the case that when an appeal was made for recruits no details were given as to the kind of duties they would be asked to undertake, nor was it said whether they would be an addition to or in substitution for regulars, and can the right hon. Gentleman expect a good response in those circumstances? On the general question is there really now any adequate pool from which the recruits can be drawn in view of compulsory service?

Yes, we are obtaining these volunteers, and I think we can obtain them from certain categories of men without entrenching upon the man-power which the Army so badly needs.

Will the Air Force be entirely responsible for the training of these volunteers or will the Army have any say in the matter, seeing that they are primarily responsible for the men?

The Army have been most generous in the help they have given.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how long it takes to produce qualified cooks in the air branch of His Majesty's services; whether he is aware that some men, after 12 months' service, are still under training and are receiving pay of 3s. 3d. a day instead of the approximate rate of 5s. a day; and why these men have not been allowed to appear before a local trade test board?

The period between the entry of an unskilled man into the R.A.F. and his classification as a cook after training and trade testing should normally not exceed about 4 months and it is usually appreciably less. As regards the second and third parts of the Question, if the hon. Member will let me have details of any cases to which he refers I shall be pleased to look into them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a large number of cases of this kind?

Frankly, I was not aware of it. If my hon. Friend will send me the names, I will gladly look into those cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that in many parts of the country there is a shortage of equipment for sports and welfare work for the boys in the Air Training Corps; and whether he will take steps to remedy this deficiency?

Air Training Corps grants payable from Air Votes are intended to cover the cost of Service training and do not provide for the recoupment of expenditure on sport and welfare work. The majority of units are in possession of a reasonable amount of sports equipment purchased out of funds raised locally. Where units are not in a position to raise local funds, application for assistance from a central welfare fund may be made to the Air Training Corps Council of Welfare.

asked the Secretary of State for Air by what amount the pay of a pilot, who flies aircraft on active service, falls short of the pay of the Auxiliary Transport Service ferry pilot who delivers the aircraft from factory to aerodrome?

As the answer is long and contains detailed figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is it not a fact that pilots who fly aircraft from the factories to the stations get almost twice the amount received by pilots who fly the aircraft on operational duties?

Rather than ask me to make a calculation by mental arithmetic perhaps my hon. Friend would wait until he sees the statement

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether he is satisfied with the contact between the British and American aircraft industry; is there the maximum co-operation in all aspects of production; what arrangements are in operation to enable American firms to benefit by the experiences of the British Royal Air Force; and are the manufactur-

Yes, Sir. Except that I would like to see greatly increased facilities for transatlantic air transport, I am fully satisfied that the arrangements which are in operation, or in train, will completely meet the points which my hon. Friend has in mind. As regards the third and fourth parts of the Question in particular, information deriving from the operational experiences of the R.A.F. and from British aircraft manufacturers is freely communicated to the U.S.A. administration and to American firms manufacturing aircraft for this country.

Is not the Minister aware that a real drive in regard to aircraft would be brought about by seeing that the men are properly paid?

That point does not arise out of the Question.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether arrangements have been made, or are to be made, to enable the aircraft industry in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to benefit from the operational activity of the Royal Air Force and of the production experience of the British aircraft industry; and whether all possible steps will be taken to bring about the best results?

Yes, Sir. Detailed arrangements have not yet been made but every assistance will be rendered to the Soviet Union in accordance with the general policy of the Government, as outlined by my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

While that reply may sound very satisfactory, may I ask whether the Minister has considered the possibility of sending out an air mission, composed of competent representatives of people who have had experience in our industry and to benefit by the experiences of the industry in the other country?

We have not got as far as that yet. Of course, we have to be reciprocal. We should like to know what is going on there just as much as they would like to know what is going on here.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend see that his own great technical knowledge is conveyed through his Department to the Soviet Government?

Will the Minister do his best to see that if Russia is in need of skilled workers, a certain number of such workers will be released to go to Russia?

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether he has any statement to make with reference to fifth column activities in a certain factory in the South of England, particulars of which have been supplied to him; what action has been taken; and whether the persons involved have been appropriately dealt with?

I have made inquiries, and I am satisfied that there is no evidence whatever to support the allegations of fifth column activities in the factory to which my hon. Friend refers.

Is not the Minister aware that a person, whose name is probably well known to him, actually saw the action which resulted from fifth column activity, and is prepared to tell the right hon. and gallant Gentleman exactly what took place? In view of that, will the Minister not look into the matter again?

As my hon. Friend no doubt realises, I was very unhappy at what he told me. The matter was investigated very thoroughly by myself, with the police. The gentleman who complained was somewhat temperamental, and I could not find any substance in his complaint.

Has the gentleman who complained been seen about it?

Oh yes, certainly.

Will the Minister bear in mind that the spirit and determination of the men employed in the aircraft industry are such that the men will watch that no fifth column activity takes place in that industry?

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether he has considered the report of a visit to an aircraft factory, particulars of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for West Willesden; is he prepared to order an investigation into the management of this factory and others doing similar work for his Department; and will he withdraw the present system of payment to manufacturers, namely, that of cost plus percentage, whereby they receive 10 per cent. on top of costs of every job done and institute a bonus on the amount saved on contract price?

The efficiency of factory management is under constant observation and I do not consider that any special investigation is necessary. My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension in supposing that aircraft contracts are normally placed on a cost-plus-percentage basis; on the contrary, every effort is made to secure fixed prices and thus to give an incentive to efficiency.

While it may be true that every effort is made to fix the price, is it not a fact that contract work is given out at the present time on the basis of cost plus percentage?

It all depends upon the work. For odd jobs, the particulars in the Question may be correct, but for contracts for a series of machines there is a fixed price.

Are we to understand that what were known as McClintock agreements have been abolished?

They are being abolished.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production why hundreds of employés are being discharged from aircraft factories at a time when aircraft are most urgently required?

While the total number of persons in, and the output of, the aircraft industry continues to increase, it is true that, as a result of developing methods of production and the introduction of women labour, there are, in some aircraft factories, men who are, or who will become, available for alternative employment. Actual discharges are made only with the permission of a national service officer under the Essential Work Order. It will be appreciated that changes in the article under construction in order to meet modern operational requirements are necessary, particularly with aircraft, and that when this occurs a period involving the release of some labour is inevitable.

Is not my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that there is considerable dissatisfaction in aircraft factories at the apparent lack of co-ordination and because the workers object to being paid for doing nothing? Will the Minister alter those conditions or make it clear to the workers why they are being paid for doing nothing?

I am making arrangements for explanations to be given to the men, but it is sometimes a little difficult to do so. If we were able to go on with a perfectly plain programme, all would be well, but sometimes machines are stopped because they are not operationally required

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether instructions have been given to Colonial Governors to encourage the payment of higher wages than those current in those areas of the American bases in the West Indies where the average wage is below a reasonable living standard?

No, Sir. The policy of the United States authorities is to base the rates payable for locally engaged labour on those prevailing in the territory or locality for comparable work under similar conditions. This practice is being followed generally in the Colonies concerned, and in accordance with it the rates are being determined by the United States representatives in consultation with the Colonial authorities.

Does that answer mean that no encouragement is being given by the Colonial Department to Colonial Governments to encourage the payment of higher wages, where those prevailing are on a subsistence or less than subsistence level?

What we were concerned about was that wages lower than the prevailing rates should not be paid. It is a question for the trade unions.

There are no trade unions to be concerned in many of the districts.

Is my hon. Friend not aware that there are no trade unions in the West Indies for many of these occupations, and is it not the policy of His Majesty's Government to get Colonial Governors to encourage the raising of the standard rates for labour of this kind whenever it is possible to do so?

Yes, but where there are no trade unions there are wages ordinances in operation, and it is the duty of Colonial Governors to see that the wage rates are protected.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to complaints of bad and inadequate sanitary provisions in the urban areas of the island of Nevis, St. Kitts, West Indies; and whether he is asking the local authorities as to what is being done by way of remedy?

The Answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. The question of urban sanitation in St. Kitts-Nevis has been examined by the Comptroller for Development and Welfare and his medical adviser, and the Governor of the Leeward Islands has reported by telegram that he has as a result despatched a public health scheme for Nevis and St. Kitts, involving assistance under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the strong feeling obtaining in the town of Basse Terre in St. Kitts at the lack of any organised and satisfactory system of sanitation there, and what steps are being taken to deal with this unsatisfactory situation?

We are paying attention to it, as the hon. Member will see from my reply.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport when Mr. Frank Pick will report in connection with the investigation into traffic on British canals and inland waterways?

As I stated on 28th May, in answer to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Pudsey and Otley (Sir G. Gibson), Mr. Frank Pick's report has been received.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether, arising out of the experience of the war, he will consult with all the other Ministers concerned and consider making preparations for the enlarging of the Forth and Clyde canal or the construction of a new mid-Scotland canal for ocean-going ships?

The report of the Mid-Scotland Ship Canal Committee issued in 1930 indicated that the cost of a canal would probably be £50,000,000 or more; that the necessary preliminary preparations would occupy from 3 to 4½ years; and that the construction would take from 10 to 16 years. The project was again examined in 1937, and it was decided that the advantages were insufficient to justify its construction. Nothing has happened since to warrant a reversal of that decision.

I was not asking for ancient history. I am asking a current question: Will the Ministers consulted in connection with this matter include my right hon. Friend the Minister without Portfolio?

I think I did answer my hon Friend's current question. This project would take so long and would at this time employ so much labour that it is really not a matter that we could undertake in the middle of the war.

Is it being kept in view for after the war?

That is hardly a current question.

Would it not be well to proceed now so as to be ready in time for the next war?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that the use of metal studs with reflecting lenses is very much approved of by motor drivers; and can he state how many highway authorities are availing themselves of putting them in use?

I am aware of the advantages of reflecting studs, but without widespread inquiry, which I am afraid would not be justified, I am unable to state the number of highway authorities using such studs.

Would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman urge local highway authorities which have not done so to put them in?

I will certainly consider whether we can circulate local authorities.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that many of these devices are highly dangerous to pedestrians?

Yes, Sir, but I do not think this is one of them.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman remember that if these studs were put in the beacons could come down and could be used for the war effort?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether, in order to supply the needs of the thousands of troops travelling; at the present time, there are now provided on all long-distance trains alternative refreshments to the standard 2s. 9d. lunch which is beyond the means of the average member of the Forces?

Army and Air Force personnel travelling on duty or going on leave carry their own rations for the journey. On certain long-distance trains there are buffet cars in which refreshments are provided by voluntary organisations and N.A.A.F.I. at low prices exclusively for members of the Services. Voluntary organisations also run canteens for the Services at some 130 main line stations. Railway refreshment buffets and platform trolleys are, of course, also available.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman appreciate that many of these trains are so long that men in the Services who are either at the rear or in the front often do not have sufficient time at stations to get to the canteens, nor is it possible at times for them to get along the corridors, for these are often congested with soldiers who are unable to obtain seats?

I think any soldier who really wanted a meal could get from one end of the train to the other.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that civilians travelling on trains envy the soldiers the facilities provided for them?

I can quite believe that.

asked the Minister of Information whether his attention has been called to a recent article in a Sunday newspaper, of which he has been informed, in which information likely to be of use to the enemy was disclosed; and whether this disclosure took place with the approval of his Department?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. The article to which the hon. Member refers was not submitted to censorship before publication, nor was it approved in any way by the Ministry of Information.

Cannot something be done to stop this sort of thing? Ordinary naval journalists were warned definitely not to use this information, and it has been used, and no action has been taken against the person or paper which used it.

I have. written to the editor of the paper asking for his explanation, and I am waiting his reply before deciding what action to take.

:Has not the right hon. Gentleman repeatedly assured the House that the system of voluntary censorship is working satisfactorily, and are there not repeated instances in which this system has not worked?

I think the voluntary system is the best, but no system of censorship will work perfectly.

asked the Minister of Information whether, in order to improve our relations with the people of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, he will arrange to broadcast at frequent intervals the truth about our standard of life, and that it is a rising standard, using as a basis the words, facts and figures given by Mr. W. J. Brown in his recent broadcast entitled "As Well Off Under Hitler"?

No, Sir.

Is it my right hon. Friend's intention to allow Russia to go on announcing the wonderful conditions in their country, while Mr. Brown has shown that ours are the best in the world?.

I cannot think it would be a good way to improve our relationship with Russia to prove that we are better off than they are.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has considered the advertisement that appeared in the Press on 9th June, 1941, advertising Stork margarine, a copy of which has been sent to him by the hon. Member for Stoke; whether this is in keeping with the arrangements made by the Ministry with firms who supply margarine; and is he satisfied that it is good policy to allow private publications of the kind referred to in the advertisement to appear?

The advertisement to which my hon. Friend refers advised readers to obtain a copy of a leaflet containing recipes which had been approved by my Department. This method of advertising, in the view of my Noble Friend, does not conflict with the arrangements made with the margarine manufacturers in connection with the Ministry' control of the margarine industry. In reply to the last part of my hon. Friend' question, I see no sufficient reason for interfering in cases of this kind, but if my hon. Friend has reasons for thinking otherwise, I should be glad if he would communicate them to me.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that a large number of farmers who have sold potatoes to the Ministry have not yet been paid, although in some cases delivery was made as early as February; that applications to the headquarters of the Ministry's potato section have been ineffective; and whether, in order to avoid financial hard ship to small growers, he will take steps to see that the terms of the contracts which provide for payment within 10 days of delivery, are in future strictly adhered to?

I have made inquiries into this matter, and regret to say that there have been a number of delays in making payments to farmers in the North Cambridgeshire area for stocks of potatoes purchased by the Ministry. The delays were mainly due to the great in crease in the volume of work thrown upon the area office in the later part of the winter. Special steps have now been taken to bring the work entirely up to date, and I am glad to say that all arrears of payments will be cleared in the course of this week. Instructions have been given that all payments in future must be made in strict accordance with the terms of the contract referred to by my hon. Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, what steps it is proposed to take to prevent waste of stone fruit, especially in the case of producers who cannot afford to purchase sugar or bottles for preserving?

The fruit preservation centres which are being set up throughout the country are intended to deal with cases of this kind. Producers who are unable to preserve the fruit in their own homes can dispose of it to the nearest centre for preservation. It should in most cases also be possible to dispose of any privately-grown surplus fruit through the trade. In view of the probable shortness of the stone fruit crop, there is likely to be a good demand.

Is it hoped by these means to prevent the waste which took place last year?