asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any further information to give the House respecting the detention of W. A. Domingo; and whether he is aware of the indignation among the People's National Party of Jamaica and other democratic bodies both in the West Indies and the United States of America?

I have been asked to reply. As regards the first part of the Question, I have nothing to add to the reply given to the Question by my hon. Friend the Member for the Consett Division of Durham (Mr. David Adams) on 16th July. The reply to the second part of the Question is in the affirmative.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the position regarding this man is most unsatisfactory, that the most important of all the political parties in Jamaica has protested on several occasions against his continued detention without any charge against him, and in the interest of better conditions, political and otherwise, in the West Indies, will he not expedite the release of this man?

Is it not a fact that Domingo came from the United States of America with the special purpose of stirring up trouble on the colour question with the Americans who are at present engaged in building air and naval bases?

asked the Under-secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give the House full information as to the Jamaica Imperial Association; why a private group of persons has been authorised to recruit for the services and civilian war work; and why work of this character is not undertaken by the Government?

The Jamaica Imperial Association was founded in December, 1917, and comprises members of the commercial and planting community of the island. Among its objects is the consideration and promotion of all matters affecting the economic, social, agricultural, industrial or commercial welfare and development of Jamaica. My Noble Friend is not aware that this or any other group of private persons has been authorised to recruit for the services and for civilian war work. The Governor will, however, be asked for a report on the matter.

Is my hon. Friend aware that I have in my hand a West Indian paper in which an advertisement of this Association appears, calling for recruits on behalf of the Government? It having been originally quite private in its conception, does not my hon. Friend think it quite inappropriate that a private concern should be authorised to recruit in this way?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will hand that paper to us, so that we can have inquiries made.

Can we have a report at an early date?

Is there any harm in voluntary organisations aiding the war effort?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will take steps to utilise the thousands of first-class motor-vehicles standing idle in many parts of the country; and, failing this, what provision is made to ensure that they are kept in good working order ready for emergency?

I do not consider it necessary that the large number of private cars which have been laid up should be kept ready for immediate use. I have no reason to suppose that they could not be brought into use at short notice if they were required for emergency purposes.

:Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that my Question refers, not to private cars, but to the hundreds and thousands of omnibuses lying idle all over the country, while munition workers cannot get to their factories for lack of transport, and that, when the time comes, these buses will not be in working condition?

I am sorry if I misunderstood the hon. Member's Question. With regard to buses, there is a certain number of single-deck buses which are kept ready for immediate needs. The only difficulty about using them at the present time is that they are not as economical in fuel or drivers as double-decker buses.

Does that matter? Would it not be in the interests of the Army to see that these buses are ready for use, if required?

:I think the Army has plenty of vehicles. With regard to the other point, if there are places where munition workers cannot get to their work, we do take these single-deck buses and put them into use. If the hon. Member knows of any factory where that is happening, I do wish that he would let me know.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether the railways are still required, as common carriers, to accept any goods tendered to them for transport, without regard to their war-time importance; and whether he will give instructions to ensure that essential materials have priority over other classes of traffic?

The obligations of the railway companies as common carriers are subject to the power of the Minister of War Transport under the Defence Regulations to control the transport of goods of any description. Instructions have already been given to the railway companies to accord priority to certain classes of traffic.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that he recently informed me that he had stopped some traffic which had been going on all through the war because the railways were under obligation as common carriers? Has not the time arrived when the railways should be made a unified service, under public control?

That is a much wider question. What happened about the case to which the hon. Member refers was that the railways were carrying that traffic, and we could, as soon as it was brought to our notice, have stopped it. Had not the company done so instead, we should certainly have taken that step.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he has taken any steps, as recommended by the Select Committee on National Expenditure, Sixteenth Report, to appoint small committees at the ports where schemes are in operation for the decasualisation and better control of dock labour, with a view to enquiring into the working of these schemes in practice?

An inquiry has been held into the operation of the scheme at one group of ports and constant touch is maintained with its operation at other ports. In these ways we have already given effect to the intention of the recommendations to which my hon. Friend refers.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether the report was satisfactory, and whether the report on these ports where the inquiry has taken place is satisfactory in regard to the working of these schemes?

The report of the people we sent up there drew attention to certain points in the scheme that needed alteration. We have taken steps to effect these alterations. I think that, on the whole, a new scheme of this sort must be given a certain breathing period in which to get going, when, for the first time in their lives, you are getting a large number of dockers to come in, not just when they like, but at any time they are called upon.

asked the Minister of Information whether a copy of a broadcast on British war aims in the German programme on Thursday, 17th July, at 11 a.m., can be put in the Library of the House for reference?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Information to what extent our propaganda to Germany is designed to back the Prime Minister's declaration that any man or State who fights against Nazidom will have our aid, and that the Nazi leaders themselves if not disposed of by their fellow-countrymen, which would save trouble, will be delivered by us on the morrow of victory to the justice of the Allied Tribunals?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs yesterday.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the importance of avoiding any distinction between Nazism and Germany?

I certainly will bear that in mind. I do not think I should make any statement to supplement what the Foreign Secretary said yesterday. I do not see that in matters of foreign policy I can advise the Foreign Secretary.

Was there any difference at the time of Munich, or has the difference developed since?

asked the Minister of Information why he is using his regional organisation at the request of the Ministry of Food to set housewives and his local committees throughout the country to watch shopkeepers and report any suspicions they may entertain; and whether he will leave the public to use the accepted means of ventilating grievances and securing redress through elected local bodies or elected Parliamentary representatives?

On no occasion has the Ministry of Information been requested to set its regional organisation at the disposal of the Ministry of Food for the purpose mentioned by my hon. Friend, nor has the organisation been so used.

Has not the Minister seen a detailed statement with the very text of the communication sent to headquarters? Is he aware that, in April last, a similar official reply was made from that Box about a similar investigation, and that it was proved afterwards that the denial was quite untrue?

I have not seen the document my hon. Friend mentions.

Will the Minister be so kind as to make inquiries into this whole section of the Ministry to. see whether the same ends could not be obtained by elected local representatives and elected Members of Parliament?

I should certainly be glad to make inquiry into all these matters, and, if there is anything wrong, to put it right.

Will my right hon. Friend not do a great public service by abolishing this regional organisation altogether?

I must know more about the Ministry.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is making arrangements for radio pictures of the Russian-German fighting to be received and published in this country?

Two large consignments of photographs relating to the war on the Russian fronts have been received from the Soviet authorities and distributed to the Press by the Ministry of Information. Measures are being pushed forward to enable pictures from Moscow to be transmitted to and received in this country by radio.

Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the first pictures which came of Russian fighting were from the German Propaganda Bureau, and as the radio-picture system is the only system to get pictures over here, will he give all encouragement to it?

The only receiving office was blitzed some time ago, and apparently no great effort was made to repair it. When I was told about it I put an engineer on to the job, with orders to report to me every morning on the progress of the repairing of the machine. Yesterday I told him to report in the afternoon as well. I am assured that the machine will be ready before the middle of next week.

asked the Minister of Information what steps he is taking to expedite the release of spot-news and topical pictures to the Dominions and the United States of America?

I am continually discussing this matter with the Departments concerned with the production of such news and pictures.

Will the Minister take into consideration the statements made by eminent American journalists, such as Miss Dorothy Thompson, who said, "We want more hot news in America," and also Mr. Quentin Reynolds? Will he give the same attention and vigour to this Question as to the previous one I asked him?

I am very much obliged to my hon. Friend. I regard this as the most important part of my job of all, and I am doing my best to get news to the Dominions and the United States.

Could the Minister define "spot" news or "hot" news?

I do not think I should like to do so at the present time. I should like notice of that question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider the setting up of a film unit attached to the Royal Navy for the purpose of recording sea and air operations and co-operating in the making of special films with a propaganda and news value both here and abroad?

The Navy already has an organisation for making instructional and training films. In addition, a considerable number of news reel cameramen are attached to the various naval commands. The establishment of a film unit is already under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the extent to which the national loaf and national flour are used in the feeding of the Navy?

The Fleet has been informed that the national loaf is available for supply by Admiralty contractors at most ports in the United Kingdom and can be drawn by His Majesty's ships and naval establishments as desired. Consideration is now being given to the use of the national flour for bread-making in the Navy.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty by whose authority newspaper men at a West-coast port were, on 18th July, refused permission to interview or photograph five American nurses, all of whom had been torpedoed, and some of whom had behaved with marked gallantry; and will he say why permission was withheld?

Through a misunderstanding, the ladies referred to in the Question were confused with another party of survivors who were expected to land at the same port. Information was received that these survivors were all hospital cases suffering from exposure, and it was considered undesirable, therefore, to subject them to the strain of being photographed or interviewed. It was never intended to forbid the representatives of the Press to interview the American nurses.

Cannot powers be delegated to someone on the spot, since in this case the people were in a condition to be interviewed and photographed and the Minister of Information has already told us that he is anxious to have hot news. Here was a chance to photograph American girls who were brave, and, doubtless, pretty?

I have indicated that it was a pure misunderstanding. There was another party of survivors coming into the same port, and we had been informed that they had been subject to severe exposure and were not in a condition to be photographed. There has been a misunderstanding, and we are having it cleared up.

What strain is involved in being photographed?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that workmen engaged upon galvanising must wear rubber boots and have protective clothing; and whether he will make arrangements, with suitable safeguards, for such clothing to be obtained by the men or their employers free of coupon?

:Discussions on the long-term needs of industrial workers for additional clothing are proceeding. In the meantime, industrial concerns, including mines and quarries, can obtain coupon-free supplies of essential protective clothing for the use of their employees by obtaining a certificate from one of His Majesty's inspectors of factories or mines stating that the garments are necessary for the safety and health of the wearer.

While thanking the Minister for his Reply, might I ask whether it applies to the kind of clothing mentioned in the Question?

I think it undoubtedly would, as these matters of detail are for the factory inspectors.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why detached coupons for clothes can be sent through the post yet it is illegal to carry a detached coupon with which to make a purchase; and whether he will consider modifying the law in the latter respect to enable a person to carry a detached coupon or two for emergencies?

:The use of loose coupons for retail transactions would facilitate illegal trafficking in coupons and so tend to defeat the purpose of the rationing scheme. It is, however, undesirable to have clothing cards transmitted through the post, and accordingly the sending of loose coupons (signed on the back) with orders placed by post is allowed. This facility cannot be extended as suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the importance of the individual small shopkeeper as a beneficial and stabilising factor in the economic and social life of the community, he will ensure that, in the framing of future legislation affecting Scotland, due consideration is paid to the interests of these citizens?

I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the interests of the small shopkeeper, in Scotland no less than in other parts of the country, will not be overlooked. I would refer him in this connection to the answer which I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Balham and Tooting (Mr. Doland).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether he is aware that whilst instructions for new factories go forth, his Department is not making adequate provision for electrical power to run them; and what steps he proposes to take to see that certain districts do not become unbalanced with regard to power demand and supply?

The provision of electrical power is not the responsibility of the Ministry of Supply, but the availability of such power is one of the first considerations which is taken into account, in consultation with the Electricity Commis- sioners and the Central Electricity Board, before finally deciding upon the location of new factories.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary take it from me that this is not being done and that a serious situation has arisen?

Provision has been made in full measure, but I would not like to give details of the steps that have been taken.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply why the advisory panel on second-hand machine tool purchases, set up by his Department, has not been consulted by the controller since 31st October, 1940?

This panel advises not only on second-hand tool purchases, but on all questions affecting the supply and distribution of second-hand machine tools. The last meeting was held on Thursday, 24th July, 1941; the previous meeting was held on 31st October, 1940. No meeting was held in the interval, because there were no matters upon which the Controller-General of Machine Tools desired to consult the panel, nor had any requests for a meeting been received by the Controller-General from any member of the panel.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is extreme dissatisfaction because the panel is not called there more frequently?

I am not aware of that. No requests have been received from any member of the panel.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he proposes to use wild-rose hips as a source of vitamin C?

Yes, Sir. It is intended to encourage the use of these and other hedgerow products this autumn.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the fact that multiple shops and big stores are able to obtain vegetables and other articles of foodstuffs which are in short supply, when none can be obtained by the smaller shops, is having a disturbing effect; and how he proposes to bring about a more equitable distribution of available foodstuffs?

The fact to which my hon. Friend refers is the natural consequence of the greater purchasing power of a large and highly organised concern as compared with a small trader. As I stated in a recent Debate, proposals for effecting a more even distribution of foods which are not at present rationed—including fruit and vegetables—are under examination in my Department.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman agree that the system of distribution which enables a multiple shop to obtain five tons of potatoes at a time, when others cannot obtain them, is bound to cause trouble and queues? Will he try to alter this state of things?

I certainly will, but I had a similar case to this given to me from another part of the country recently, and on examination it was found to be entirely unjustified.

Is there not a danger of small traders being squeezed out altogether in many cases?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether Messrs. Lewis's, Limited, and Messrs. Marks and Spencer, Limited, hold wholesale and/or retail fish licences; and, if so, the dates upon which such licences were first issued?

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to the branches of these firms in Manchester. Messrs. Lewis's, Limited, were issued a retail licence on 6th October, 1939, by the Manchester Food Control Committee under the Food Control Committees (Local Distribution) Order, 1939, to sell fish (wet or fried or in cans, glasses, etc.). Messrs. Marks and Spencer, Limited, were similarly issued a retail licence on 4th October, 1939, to sell fish (in cans and glasses, etc.). Neither of these firms has applied for or received a wholesale licence to sell any type of fish.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the widespread shortage of vinegar for pickling purposes; and whether he can indicate when supplies will be available?

My information is that there is no general shortage of vinegar for the pickling industry. I am aware, however, that there has been some shortage of vinegar for sale by retailers and my Department is in active consultation with the trade with a view to overcoming the present difficulties.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether canned meats imported under Lease and Lend arrangements will be shared equitably among all importers of such foodstuffs, whether normally deriving them from American or Continental sources?

:The methods to be adopted for the distribution of canned merits from the United States of America under Lease and Lend arrangements are at present under examination.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary keep well in mind the point embodied in the Question, in view of the apprehension in certain quarters?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that quantities of eggs are now allowed to accumulate in the hands of egg producers in Derbyshire extending over many weeks; and whether further steps will be taken to institute an efficient system of collection or permit the producers to otherwise dispose of them?

I am not aware eggs are accumulating in the hands of egg producers in Derbyshire, and if my hon. Friend will give me particulars the matter will be investigated at once.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary give instructions pending this information being sent out by his Department? Is he aware that the producer must sell eggs or permit them to go rotten?

I do not know exactly what the hon. Gentleman means by that. I have heard a lot of stories about home-produced eggs being allowed to go rotten, but in no case on investigation was there any foundation for such a statement. The eggs which went rotten were not laid in this country. The actual throughput of eggs at packing stations is three or four times greater than it was recently, and distribution is much better.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether licensed packers are allowed to sell cracked eggs; and, if not, what becomes of them?

Eggs with slight cracks may be marked with the Ministry's approved mark "S" and are bought by the Ministry at appropriate price. Any edible eggs of which the shells so cracked as to be unfit for stamping or sale in shell are broken out and sold as "liquid eggs"

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the statement fixing the price for salad onions to the grower of £1 12s. 8d. per cwt., the wholesale price at £ 2 6s. 8d. per cwt. and the retail price at 7½ d. per pound is causing concern because of the high rate charged after they leave the grower; and whether he will make a statement to show the cause of this increase?

The maximum grower's price of 32s. 8d. per cwt. for green onions is fixed on the basis of delivery at the farm or nearest railway station, and is exclusive of the cost of providing containers. The difference between the maximum growers' price and the maximum retail price is 37s. 4d. per cwt. When deductions are made for carriage, containers and delivery charges, and allowance has been made for waste and loss of weight by evaporation between leaving the farm and sale to the consumer, which has to be borne by the traders through whose hands the produce passes, the difference is not excessive. Maximum prices have to allow for maximum trans- portation and the cost of distributing produce of this kind in small lots is quite out of proportion to the initial farm price.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that when prices have soared 114 per cent. higher than they were, the feelings of the public are that they are being fleeced? Ought not a great deal of attention to be given to this matter before allowing such a great increase in price?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that very careful attention indeed was given to this particular commodity. I have all the analysed figures here, and I should be glad to show them to him. The profits of the retailer are not excessive.

Does not the Parliamentary Secretary think that sometimes between the grower and the ultimate retailer there are far too many factors?

In this particular instance the figures given concern only the grower, wholesaler and retailer.

Where this margin is allowed, is it not inclined to persuade retailers to by-pass the market and therefore to raise another new black market of a commodity which at the moment is in short supply? Will it not induce them to make big margins of profit by the percentages reported?

:I. rather gathered that this complaint was that the margin of the retailer was too high. Having regard to the highly perishable nature of the commodity in this case, I do not think the gross profit of the retailer is excessive.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food in view of the necessity for further restriction of petrol and the continued tomato shortage, why tomatoes grown at Wiltshire centres are sent by road to Birmingham, while Wiltshire wholesalers regularly send their lorries to buy tomatoes in the London wholesale market and bring back Wiltshire with other tomatoes; and whether he will arrange for a quota of local-grown produce to be sold in the area where grown?

Inquiries are being made into the marketing of tomatoes grown in Wiltshire, and it would be helpful if my hon. Friend would supply me with specific cases for investigation. The suggestion in the latter part of the Question, is, I am afraid, not practicable.

Is it not common knowledge in the Department who is the main wholesaler in tomatoes in Wiltshire? Cannot the right hon. and gallant Gentleman, through his local officer, make these inquiries?

My hon. Friend has made certain definite statements, and I asked him to let me have particulars. He knows perfectly well that it is not possible to carry out the suggestion in his Question on the Paper.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will consider the need for providing additional accommodation for the storage of larger quantities of food in Northern Ireland and have the food stored therein at the earliest moment, thus making provision against every eventuality?

:Large quantities of all the more important foodstuffs are already held in Northern Ireland. The question of creating certain special stocks is under consideration at the present time. If it is decided to create these special stocks warehouses will be provided, if necessary.

:Will my right hon. and gallant Friend consult with representatives in Ulster who have a special knowledge of food questions and storage, so that whatever is in contemplation may be done to the best advantage?

Yes, Sir.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend give an assurance that this distribution will be made in the national interest and not as a result of pressure from local groups?

The only object which my Department has in the question of food is the national interest, and food is distributed to the best national interest.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why Marcom, Limited, the margarine syndicate, have been entrusted with the sole control and distribution of the present and future stocks of lard; and whether he intends to hand over to this same concern the control and distribution of butter?

Marcom, Limited, is an organisation brought into existence by the Ministry of Food since the outbreak of war and is the sole agent of the Ministry for the distribution of compound cooking fat. Shortly consumers will be able to obtain lard on the cooking fat coupon and from time to time adjustments, according to the supply position, will have to be made between the quantities of lard and of compound cooking fat distributed to retailers. It is essential that the distribution of lard should be handled by an organisation which is equipped to undertake distribution on a national scale and there is no body other than Marcom, Limited, which is so equipped. It is not intended to distribute butter through Marcom, Limited.

Does not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman agree that the name ''Marcom'' suggests the margarine companies, and is he not aware that he is affording an exclusive and preferential business advantage to an organisation which neither imported nor manufactured lard before the war?

The people who did so will, of course, be treated in exactly the same way as other component firms for this purpose.

Is it not the case that the people who were manufacturing and importing lard before the war have protested against this grotesque and unfair system?

:I am not aware of that. I believe they have an association, and I gather that association, which is representative of the importing and manufacturing people, will be treated in exactly the same way as other components.

But not as part of the firm?

There is no firm Marcom is a collection of firms, and we are going to add one more to the collection.