asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the harm done by the circulation of stories in the Press that the Atlantic ferry service is incompetent and inefficient; and what steps his publicity staff is taking to put an end to such harmful stories?

I am most anxious that the Ferry Command of the Royal Air Force should be given full and public credit for the excellent work which it is doing often in hazardous conditions. The criticisms contained in the articles to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers are, however, vague, general and unsubstantiated and it is not possible to deal with them in detail.

asked the Secretary of State for Air, on how many nights in the month of November, 1941, aircraft of Bomber Command were able to attack targets in Germany; and on how many nights the targets attacked were ports or harbours on the German coast?

Aircraft of Bomber Command attacked Germany on 10 nights during November. On six occasions the targets were in coastal areas and included ports and harbours.

Is there any recorded precedent for such bad weather for night-flying as we have had this year?

I cannot compare the meteorological statistics of this winter in relation to past winters, but I may say that the weather affects both sides, and, apart from minor attacks on shipping, and mine-laying operations, the enemy made only three attacks of any weight on objectives in this country in November.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that considerable dissatisfaction exists amongst Royal Air Force fitters, who are being kept idle on account of maintenance work being farmed out to civilian contractors who do the work of these Royal Air Force men and use the facilities of the Royal Air Force aerodromes for this purpose; and whether he has any statement to make thereon?

I am not aware of any considerable dissatisfaction among Royal Air Force personnel at the present system, and I cannot agree that the position generally is as suggested by the hon. Member. Ordinary day-to-day maintenance work at Royal Air Force units is carried out by Royal Air Force personnel. Work beyond the capacity of the Royal Air Force Unit is undertaken by the civilian repair organisation which is ad ministered by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Aircraft Production. This division of labour was arranged in order to give flexibility in the repair and maintenance organisation. It may, of course, sometimes happen that civilian workmen are working at a unit where, for operational reasons, Royal Air Force personnel are not at the time fully occupied. The arrangement which is kept under constant review has, however, generally proved its value.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that skilled fitters in the R.A.F. have to supervise the maintenance work done by trainees, and very often have to occupy their spare time in sweeping out the hangars, while trainees are doing the work they have been trained to do?

I think my hon. Friend is misinformed. The Civilian Repair Organisation men are not trainees but skilled men. The training of Royal Air Force fitters is of a general character, and does not include the specialised training in certain directions which is necessary for the full maintenance of the different types of aircraft.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend be good enough to look at some correspondence I have in connection with this matter?

Certainly, Sir.

Is it not the case that there is at the present time an excess of R.A.F. fitters who might be employed in stead of some of the civilians?

That is a different question.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production what are the financial arrangements in regard to the employment of civilian contractors on aircraft maintenance work on Royal Air Force stations?

Broadly, the arrangements referred to provide for a fair and reasonable price for the work carried out. The precise arrangements vary according to the actual work done.

Could the right hon. and gallant Gentleman tell us whether or not any of this work is done on the old basis of cost plus 10 per cent.?

When we have an engine to repair, it is done on a pre-arranged price, because we know that we have to strip it and put it together again. In the case of a machine which is strained or damaged, we cannot make a price before we start to pull it to pieces, because we do not know what damage has been done. Consequently, it is difficult to make a fixed price for this sort of repairs. In these cases it is done, I am afraid, on those lines.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether he is aware that a maintenance unit is being set up on a South Wales aerodrome by a private contractor, namely, Messrs. E. Curran, thereby abandoning the use of skilled Royal Air Force fitters, who will in future be solely used for the purpose of super intending civilian trainees; and whether he has any statement to make thereon?

I am afraid that my hon. Friend is not completely informed as to the facts. What is happening at the aerodrome which he has in mind is that facilities are being created for the carrying out by a civilian firm of repair of aircraft which is beyond the capacity of the Royal Air Force personnel on the station. It is not the case that this personnel will be responsible for super intending the work done by the civilian firm referred to.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman inform the House whether or not this firm has ever had any experience at all in the repair of aircraft?

I dare say not, but there are plenty of firms who have not had experience yet who soon will have.

In view of the difficulty of costing repair work, will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider making a national repair service, as has been done so successfully by the Admiralty?

We have a national repair service, but where there are firms existing we use them.

Would it not be more economical to use the national service?

The matter of geography comes in, and the movement of machines.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what regulations have been issued to permit husbands and wives serving in the Royal Air Force and Women's Auxiliary Air Force to serve on the same station?

Subject to the exigencies of the Service, W.A.A.F. personnel married to R.A.F. personnel are permitted to serve on the same station as their husbands provided both are either officers or in the ranks. Wives are not, however, allowed to serve under the immediate orders of their husbands or vice versa.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether air men's wives in receipt of marriage allowances may continue to draw these allowances if they join the Women's Auxiliary Air Force?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the practice, in certain units of the Royal Air Force in the Middle East and at home, of officer-pilots and sergeant-pilots messing together meets with his approval; and whether he is satisfied that this practice is not subversive of discipline?

Yes, Sir. The hon. Member will appreciate that the practice to which he refers is only adopted where facilities are limited, making it impracticable to run organised messes. The general policy is one of maintaining separate messes for officers, N.C.Os. and airmen.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman explain how it is that when these men, who are flying shoulder to shoulder and facing the same dangers, come down to the ground in this country they should be despatched one to the players entrance and one to the gentle men's entrance?

I would not admit at all that both are not gentlemen; I could explain to the hon. Gentleman as he re quests, but not within the length of a supplementary reply.

Is not this another case like the giving of differential awards for like services?

In view of the fact that sergeant-pilots and pilot-officers perform almost the same duties, what is the object of making appointments to the rank of sergeant-pilot?

At the present time we have both sergeant-pilots and pilot-officers. It might be embarrassing and difficult for the N.C.O. pilots to meet the higher cost of messing in the officers' mess.

Is not discipline a very important consideration also?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the two Nazi prisoners of war who attempted to make their escape in a British Services aeroplane?

asked the Secretary of State for Air how it was possible for two German airmen, who escaped from a North of England prison camp, to obtain possession of a Royal Air Force aeroplane as a means of escape from this country; how did they gain access to the aerodrome; and is it customary to leave, in time of war, aeroplanes unguarded?

The incident is still under investigation. If the hon. Members will repeat their Questions in a fortnight's time, I hope by then to be in a position to make a statement.

Does it not seem that British aerodromes are still not properly protected, in spite of representations constantly made to the Government by the House?

If the hon. Member will wait and see, in a fortnight's time he will probably get an answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will make a statement concerning the loss of a motor car at Notting Hill, which contained important confidential specifications for the Air Ministry; and what steps have been taken to prevent a recurrence of such carelessness?

I am advised that the specifications to which the hon. Member refers are not secret or confidential, and are well known in the paint trade; they were lost by an employee of a firm of paint manufacturers when his car was stolen. The attention of the firm is, how ever, being drawn to the undesirability of leaving any official papers of this type unattended in private motor-cars.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that only a short time ago he gave a very similar answer in respect of a very similar happening, namely, that papers had been left by someone who was a member of a private firm?

I said that the papers in this case were not in any way confidential, but that nevertheless we are drawing the firm's attention to the un desirability of leaving any papers in un attended cars.

I hope that my right hon. and gallant Friend is not seeking any merit from the fact that the papers were not confidential?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that on the civil air-line between Lisbon and this country available space has recently been allocated to people who are making no direct contribution to the war effort, whilst important officials are unable to obtain space; and whether he will explain what system of priorities is in operation?

Priority is given in the civil air service between Lisbon and the United Kingdom to persons who are certified by the appropriate Government Departments to be travelling on business directly connected with the war. Nobody unless so certified can obtain a priority passage. Nobody can obtain a place if there is any priority passenger who requires space in the aircraft. Sometimes there are seats which are not required for priority travellers. Passengers are then given seats who, although not travelling for official purposes, have compassionate or other urgent private reasons or public reasons not directly connected with the war for using air transport. Similar opportunities for such passengers occur from time to time when there is a last moment cancellation of a priority passage.

Has the right hon. and gallant Gentleman seen a Press cutting in which it was stated that while men on important official business were held up for several weeks at Lisbon, an Ambassador's butler was allowed to travel on the plane? Would he say further whether, in view of the necessity of keeping very close and rapid contact with America, any steps are being taken to provide extra facilities?

As regards the first part of the Question, I did receive a Press cutting. I will make inquiries as to the particular case to which the hon. Member refers, but I have endeavoured to give a general picture, which is administered rigorously and without favour. As regards the second part of the Question, we are seeing what can be done with the limited resources which are available for the manufacture and acquisition of civil aircraft. We are also seeing whether we can get greater frequency of services out of present aircraft. Both of these will help the existing facilities.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that a number of anti-Soviet films are on exhibit in this country; and whether, in view of their slanderous character and inaccuracies, he will take steps to stop their being exhibited?

The Ministry of Information has no power to stop films except on grounds of military security. If, however, the hon. Member will give me a list of the films he has in mind, I will have inquiries made about them.

Is the Minister not aware that these films are deliberately produced as pro-Fascist and anti-Soviet films, and are still being shown? In view of the wide powers which the Government have, surely they should be in a position to stop these pro-Fascist films.

May I remind the hon. Member of what I have said to him? The Ministry of Information has been given no power by Parliament to stop films except on the ground of national security. I am not going to act as a dictator when I have not any powers.

Is the Minister aware that though the Ministry has not that power, the Government have the power to make an order? Could he ask for such an order to be made?

I have not asked for an order to be made because I have asked my hon. Friend to give me the names of the films.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is satisfied that the staff provided for broadcasting to Italy by the British Broadcasting Corporation is adequate for the task; and that sufficient time is allocated for the Italian broad casting service?

Yes, Sir.

In view of the evident importance of propaganda to Italy at the present time, will the Minister take this matter personally in hand, and assure himself that it is not being treated as the Cinderella of the services?

I can assure the hon. Member that it is not being treated as the Cinderella. It is perhaps the best of our broadcast services.

Is the B.B.C. perfectly free to attack the existing regime in Italy?

Certainly, and it is done.

Does the B.B.C. attack that regime by sending congratulations to the King of Italy?

I have answered that Question previously.

asked the Minister of Information whether he can make a statement concerning the accommodation provided for the foreign services of the British Broadcasting Corporation; and whether he is satisfied with the office space, studios, rehearsal-rooms and telephone facilities provided for them?

Since the foreign service of the B.B.C. is still rapidly expanding, it is not easy to meet its demands upon accommodation. Considerable additional accommodation has been acquired since the matter was last raised in the House, and the necessary alterations and installations are nearing completion. Additional telephone facilities are also being installed.

Will the Minister do what he can to accelerate these improvements, and bear in mind that, while some sections have been improved, others are working in conditions of squalor and that the telephone facilities are a perfect scandal?

The last observation is practically a reproduction of what I said to the officials responsible for telephone accommodation.

Does this also apply to the German section, which is doing an excellent job of work under the most appalling and scandalous conditions of accommodation?

I am very glad for the tribute to the B.B.C., but I must look into the hon. Lady's question before giving an answer.

asked the Minister of Information whether there is at the Ministry any department dealing with Soviet Russia, similar to his American Department, and able to supply speakers and information for Anglo-Soviet friend ship meetings.

Yes, Sir.

Can societies which want speakers apply to the Ministry?

Yes, Sir.

Is it not the case that most of the information about Russia is given by anti-Soviet speakers, like Sir Paul Dukes?

As a matter of fact, one of my hon. Friend's warmest admirers is acting as head of this division.

asked the Minister of Information what steps he is taking in regard to Allied propaganda in Italy?

It is not in the public interest to disclose what steps are being taken in this matter.

Would my right hon. Friend, when dealing with Italian propaganda, endeavour to revive and give a lead to the spirit of the Risorgimento and of Matteotti, which still smoulders in the hearts of the majority of the Italian people, despite 20 years of brutal suppression by Fascismo?

The gentlemen in charge of our propaganda are not forgetful of these facts.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will make a statement on the character and extent of British broadcasting to Switzerland; and whether the dominant influence of British sea and air power in the process of the war is kept before the Swiss people?

The normal foreign programmes of the B.B.C. are received by the Swiss people without difficulty. These broadcasts include full information about British activity on sea and in the air.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that everything reasonably possible has been done?

Yes; the activities are growing from day to day, but I am satisfied that everything we can do is being done.

asked the Minister of Information whether the British Legation at Berne is supplied with, and puts into circulation, as early as possible, in formation on the progress of the war; and whether these statements are keeping pace with the activities of German propaganda in Switzerland?

Everything possible is done to keep people in Switzerland in formed about the progress of the war from our side.

Is there any difficulty in getting magazines and other publications into Switzerland, and in getting news there?

Yes, it is very difficult, owing to our limited air transport; but, to make up for that difficulty, we are issuing a bi-weekly bulletin in Switzerland.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware of the difficulty experienced in many regions in completing the personnel of invasion committees and oilier war emergency organisations; and whether, seeing that these new committees undertake work originally allotted to local information committees of the Ministry of Information, he will disband, or greatly reduce, those latter committees, and release eligible men and women members for urgent local war service?

My hon. Friend is mistaken in thinking that the functions of invasion committees and information committees are in any way identical. The Ministry of Information has no responsibility for invasion committees.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that, according to information given to Members of Parliament by the regional officials, there is considerable overlapping between the two sets of committees, and that the members of these local information committees could do better service on urgent war work?

I must remind my hon. Friend that there is no conscription for these committees. They are local volunteer units. If they do not meet, or if they are moribund, we do our best to wind them up, but in many cases they are functioning very well. We do not want to abolish committees which are working well and doing good public service.

That is not the information of Members of Parliament.

By whom are the members of these committees appointed?

asked the Minister of Information whether he is satisfied with the quantity and type of in formation supplied by his Department in the United States of America?

Since I cannot be sure that my own views are free from prejudice, perhaps I can best answer my hon. Friend by quoting the opinion of an impartial commentator. In a recent newspaper article, Mr. Raymond Gram Swing wrote:

"As to British propaganda in the United States, it has so far been kept to a right and low level, and if the level is raised it will en lighten few in this country. It will only ease the frustration of certain impatient individuals in Great Britain."

Has my right hon. Friend received any representations from members of the T.U.C. recently returned from America?

No, I have not received any. I saw that one of them was good enough to give his views to the Press and to say that he was going to send a communication to me, but it has not arrived yet.

Is the right hon. Gentleman certain that the views of Mr. Raymond Gram Swing are not prejudiced? Does he base his decision on the views of Mr. Raymond Gram Swing or on his own judgment?

In answer to that agree able question, I would point out that Mr. Raymond Gram Swing is one of the greatest publicity experts in the world; he lives in America; and, surely, he is a better judge of how our information ser vice works in America than I am. I am certainly not infallible.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that in the plan for the establishment of a National Reich Church in Germany and German-occupied Europe, the Bible is definitely excluded from use, and reference and is to be replaced by "Mein Kampf" and whether this projected destruction of Christianity is being emphasised by British broadcast in all Christian countres?

Yes, Sir. The B.B.C. is doing everything in its power to expose this Nazi conspiracy against religion.

asked the Post master-General whether, in order to minimise delay during the Christmas period of business and official communications, he will give priority to the passage of mails between one industrial, commercial, or administrative centre and another?

Mails between such centres are normally sent by the quickest route and are exchanged direct in the sense that they do not pass through an intermediate Post Office. During the Christmas period, all places with a reasonable number of letters for a given place despatch direct mails to that place, thus ensuring the earliest possible delivery. I trust that the extension of the direct system of mails during the Christmas period and the other arrangements which have been made will give a satisfactory service between the centres to which the hon. Member has referred.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings what progress is being made with the repairs to the Commons Chamber in the Palace of West- minster; what architect is being consulted; and whether a Committee of this House, as representing prospective users and workers, will be set up to give practical advice?

Preliminary information is being collected by the Ministry with a view to the preparation of plans and the starting of the work when hostilities are over. The hon. and gallant Member may rest assured that the fullest consultation with all interested parties, including the Royal Fine Art Commission and an advisory committee of the House, will take place before new plans are adopted.

Will the hon. Member bear in mind the questions of modern acoustics, ventilation and sound recording; and may we hope that these English words, which are so pregnant with regard to the past, the present and the future, will be placed over the Chair: "Lest we Forget"?

Thank you for the suggestion.

Will the hon. Member consult Members of the House with knowledge, experience and great personal interest in this matter, before any final plans are made?

I said that before any new plans are adopted an advisory committee of this House will be consulted.

Will that committee include Members who are interested in ventilation? Ventilation is a very important question, especially in regard to the Gallery, where it is very bad.

Every consideration will be given to the ventilation of grievances.

asked the Under secretary of State for the Colonies whether any local legislation has been passed in the island of Barbados affecting working conditions in bakeries since January, 1939, when working conditions were bad, with latrines situated inside the actual bakeries, and the bakers working from 5 p.m. until 6 a.m., or from 8 p.m. to 9 a.m. next day, during which hours they were padlocked, without meals, in their bakeries; whether any workshop inspectors existed in the island at this date; and whether such conditions still exist?

I am not aware that any local legislation has been passed with particular reference to this industry, but a Bakers' Conciliation Board, consisting of equal numbers of employers and workers, or persons representing their interests, under the chairmanship of the Labour Officer, was formed during 1940. The Board met on five occasions during that year, and reached agreement on all points. The agreement involved considerable reduction in working hours, substantial in creases in pay, the provision of a week's holiday annually with pay, and many other stipulations regarding working conditions.

Is not legislation in regard to working conditions desirable in Barbados?

It would be very much better if this matter could be arranged between representatives of both sides.

asked the Under secretary of State for the Colonies whether any factory legislation has been passed within the last two years in the island of Barbados; and is he aware that up to January, 1939, there was no factory legislation and no factory inspection, even with respect to defective and dangerous machinery, when 23,000 workers in the island were involved?

A Bill providing for the fencing of machinery in factories and work shops and for the inspection of dangerous machinery was introduced into the Barbados Legislature last July, and it is hoped that this may become law at an early date.

Having regard to the long delay between the introduction of the legislation and its passage, will anything be done to expedite it?

We are in communication with the Government now, and we hope that this will soon become law.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that, whilst a Minimum Wage Act was passed in Barbados in 1938, six years after a circular requesting such legislation was received from the Colonial Office, up to 1939 there was no Wages Board in the island, and no scale of mini mum wages in operation; and whether any changes in this respect have occurred since, or any Government inquiry made?

The question of fixing minimum wages for certain occupations under the Minimum Wage Act was considered last year by the Government of Barbados, but it was felt that in most cases the parties concerned ought to be able to reach agreement by collective bar gaining. In order to facilitate agreement on this and other questions, conciliation boards, under the chairmanship of the Labour Officer, containing persons representing employers and workers in equal numbers, were set up for various industries. A Central Advisory Labour Board was also established. The reports received indicate that the results of this procedure have been very satisfactory.

Can my hon. Friend say whether any minimum wage scale has been agreed upon?

No, Sir, I cannot.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any indication of the operation of the Ordinance of 1939 for the restriction of the importation of geneva and gin into the Gold Coast; how the quotas authorised for 1940 and 1941 compare so far with the actual imports; and whether there is any prospect of a return to the method of the earlier Ordinance, under which the quantity authorised to be imported was to be reduced year by year by 10 per cent. per annum until the import of geneva or gin was to have been completely eliminated by 1940?

The quota for 1940 was fixed on the basis of the permitted imports of gin for 1937, the last normal year; that for 1941 was based on the average consumption for the period 1931–1939. The 1940 quota was for 150,000 gallons, the actual imports being 7,934 gallons. The 1941 quota was 73,500 gallons. The actual imports during the current year are not expected to exceed 8,500 gallons. As regards the last part of the Question, the operation of the 1939 Ordinance will be carefully reviewed from time to time in consultation with the Governor, but I am not aware of any grounds for reconsidering at the present time a measure which was enacted with the approval of the African members of the Legislative Council and which appears to be fully in accord with popular sentiment in the Gold Coast.

In view of the statement that has been made and the far-reaching change of policy, I shall seek an opportunity of raising this matter at an early stage on the Adjournment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies why the ban on the export of palm kernels from Nigeria has been reimposed as from the 24th October last; and what measures have been taken, or are in contemplation, for the relief of the growers in the districts where export has been prohibited?

The prohibition of the purchase for export of palm kernels in certain areas of Nigeria has not been re-imposed since it was suspended in May last. The second part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

Would my hon. Friend consider, in view of the difficulties of the growers, the formation of a board like the Cocoa Board to control palm kernels and the stabilisation of prices in the interests of the growers?

Yes, Sir, that matter is being considered at the present time.

asked the Under secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of considerable discontent among members of the Nigerian Civil Service and the railway workers respecting revision and increase of salaries and pay; whether, in view of the increased cost of living, he will inquire into the demand for a war bonus and a beneficial revision of salaries; and whether he is satisfied that Sessional Papers Nos. 1 and 2, 1941, will not adversely affect civil servants and make promotion to executive posts more difficult?

As the reply is rather long, I will, with my hon. Friend's per mission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Does the reply of my hon. Friend indicate that some action has been taken regarding the very strong discontent shown by the workers?

Yes, Sir. I am sure that my hon. Friend will not be dissatisfied when he receives the reply.

asked the Under secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to difficulties arising from the shortage of salt in Lagos and the complaint that the number of rationing centres is too small; whether, in particular, he is aware of the stampede for salt at Enugu where a young child lost his life; and whether he will make inquiries with a view to meeting the need more satisfactorily?

I am aware that there has been some shortage of salt in Nigeria, but every effort is being made to expedite supplies, and I see no cause for alarm. My Noble Friend has received no reports that the numbers of rationing centres are too small or of any incident at Enugu.

Has my hon. Friend seen reports in Colonial papers regarding the alleged very small number of rationing centres in this area, and will he pay particular attention to the matter to see whether this can be remedied?

No, Sir, my attention has not been drawn to this matter, and the Governor has not made any mention of it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether consultations have taken place regarding the desirability of setting up a standing joint committee of both Houses of Parliament, for the purpose of keeping under regular review questions pertaining to the development and well-being of our colonial subjects; and whether anything is being done in the matter?

No consultations have taken place in this matter since the autumn of 1939, when the House was informed that the proposal raised issues of Parliamentary procedure and constitutional practice of a far-reaching character, which would require very careful consideration. My hon. Friend will appreciate, I feel sure, that war conditions do not provide a favourable opportunity for the consideration of such a matter.

Will the Minister bear in mind that this request has been made in every Colonial discussion in the last few years and that the Prime Minister undertook to have the matter gone into?

The matter was considered, but the war intervened, and Ministers have been so preoccupied with other very important matters that it has been impossible to give consideration to this matter.

In view of the fact that the Government have not found it possible to issue the annual Colonial Report for reasons of security, will my hon. Friend be good enough to ask his right hon. Friend to consider the matter again?

In view of the fact that war conditions greatly restrict the time available for Debate on Colonial matters in this House and of the widespread feeling expressed by Members of the House the other day, will my hon. Friend ask his Noble Friend to reconsider this matter sympathetically?

This matter is constantly before my right hon Friend, and I have no doubt that he will consider it in the light of these questions.

Cannot a joint committee of this kind help the Minister even in wartime?

Does my hon. Friend appreciate that many Members of this House who would like to discuss very pertinent matters to the Colonies cannot have an opportunity in these days, and will he devise some means whereby consultations can take place from time to time?

Hon. Members can approach the Colonial Office. We are always ready and very happy to see any hon. Members who are interested in Colonial questions.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the variety of uniforms of the different civil and military defence units and the time and labour expended by those engaged in designing them, he will consider the advisability of standardising design as far as possible, thus economising in labour effort?

Different Services should have different uniforms. Subject to that, every effort is made to ensure the utmost economy in labour. Home Guard and Civil Defence uniforms are in general of a similar design to those of the Services.

In the further interests of equality, would not it be possible to standardise the work of these units too?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the tax on tin ore exported from British Malaya is the reason why tin miners in that Colony are denied the right of exporting their ore to the United States' Government smelter, and thereby are prevented from competing with other tin-mining countries; and whether he will consider advising the Malayan Government to have the tax repealed?

The primary consideration in war-time is the most economical use of shipping space and packing materials. Smelted tin is practically pure, stows most economically and requires no packing. Malayan tin ore contains about 40 per cent. of impurities, takes up proportionately even greater space than this figure suggests and has to be packed in bags. In these circumstances my Noble Friend considers that it would be contrary to the public interest to permit the export of tin ore from Malaya at the present time.

Is it not the fact that of all commodities, tin produces the largest volume of dollars for the British Exchange, and if this is so, is it not advisable to abolish all duties which prevent the free export of tin or tin ore to America?

We are obtaining substantial dollar exchange as a result of consulting the United States Government, and there has been no representation at all by that Government to my Noble Friend for a reconsideration of this duty, and action has not been taken.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that motor-drivers, after working from, say, 7 a.m. to 4.30 or 5.30 p.m., are called upon for fire-watching duties from 6 p.m. to 1.30 a.m., and, upon resuming motor-driving duty next morning have complained of drowsiness; and whether he will examine such cases in the interest of public safety?

I have not received any representations on the subject, nor have I heard of any accidents due to this cause. It would be impracticable to exempt motor-drivers generally from fire-watching duties.

Although the Minister has not received complaints hitherto, will he accept my assurance that these are fairly numerous in the North of England?

I will look into any case that my hon. Friend sends me, but, of course, the great point about the fire-watching Order was to keep it as general as possible and to have as few exemptions as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether the members of the Railway Executive Committee while holding office are entirely separated from their normal railway responsibilities and receive no payment from that source while they accept directions only from his Ministry?

The chairman of the Railway Executive Committee, who is also the Controller of Railways in the Ministry of War Transport, has no other railway responsibilities and is unpaid. The other members continue to be responsible under the direction of the Minister through the Railway Executive Committee for the management of their respective undertakings. Their salaries are borne as expenses chargeable to the Railway Control Pool Account.

An answer given last week or the week before regarding salaries was that no salaries were paid to these gentlemen. Do I now understand that for acting as they do salaries arc now paid from Government funds?

These gentlemen, except the chairman, are paid salaries which are part of the running cost of the railway companies and come out of the general pool account. If revenue falls short of expenses, the Government make up the difference, and if the revenue is higher than expenses, the Government take the whole profit.

In the light of what the Parliamentary Secretary has said about the payment of these gentlemen, would it not be as well to extend this committee to include other representatives, in order that the public interest may be served, instead of there being a purely railway interest?

No, Sir, I think not. The general policy on which the railways are run is a matter for my Noble Friend and, to a lesser degree, myself. The Railway Executive Committee is concerned with actual operation for which people well used to running railways are far better fitted than anybody else.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether, in view of the additional rail passenger traffic of last August, any different appeal for limitation is to be made in connection with the forthcoming Christmas and New Year period; what steps are proposed to enforce it; and whether any special or additional trains will be put into operation by the railway companies during this time?

We do not intend merely to appeal to people to refrain from travelling long distances by rail this Christmas; we warn them of the limited services which will be available and that in no circumstances will those services be increased. We cannot provide additional locomotives for passenger trains, and therefore on no day of Christmas week will more long-distance passenger trains be run than on an ordinary week-day. The trains will thus be far fewer than is usual at Christmas, and if more people seek to travel than can be accommodated, they will find themselves left behind on the station. Normal long-distance services will run in Scotland at the New Year period.

As the request for the cessation of travel last August was entirely stultified by extra trains being put on at the last moment, can the Parliamentary Secretary give us an assurance that there will not be a repetition of this farce this Christmas?

I think I made it quite clear in my answer that in no circumstances will these services be increased. That is the decision which has been reached, and that decision will be adhered to.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will make arrangements for equivalent travelling facilities to be available during the Christmas holidays for members of the Services as for civilians; and whether he will give an assurance that in no circumstances will extra trains be put on?

I think that there has been some misunderstanding as to the arrangement made in regard to Service leave at Christmas. Members of the Services are allowed four weeks' privilege leave with free travel. The normal amount of privilege leave will be given during the Christmas period, but it has been so arranged as to avoid travel by long-distance trains during 24th to 28th December inclusive. Certain classes of leave travel, such as embarkation leave and leave granted on compassionate grounds, will not be affected. Short-pass leave, involving travel by rail, will, however, be discontinued between 20th and 29th December inclusive. The movements of the general public obviously cannot be controlled in this way. I have dealt with the last part of the Question in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for East Leicester (Major Lyons).

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend bear in mind the no less firm statements that were made last August, but not adhered to? Will he see that the same thing does not happen again?

Yes, Sir. I said so quite distinctly.

Not in the same spirit as last August?

I did not make that statement in August. I make it now, and we intend to adhere to it. I hope everybody will realise that this is going to be the fact.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement about the proceedings of the conference of the International Labour Office which he recently attended in the United States of America?

I would ask my hon. Friend to await a statement on this subject which it is proposed to issue shortly in the form of a White Paper.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether he has considered a proposal from the Salisbury District Council for the removal of the railings, weighing 46 tons, from the racecourse owned by the Earl of Pembroke; and what reply he has sent?

The proposal was put to the Ministry of Works and Buildings, who have undertaken, on behalf of the Ministry of Supply, the actual removal of unnecessary railings for scrap. It was considered that the railings should be retained so long as the racecourse remained one of those few remaining courses approved by the Minister of Home Security for war-time race meetings.

As railings have been taken down in the great parks, surely it can be done on a race-course?

I am not very much of a racing man, but I assume that if you are to have race meetings, it is as well to have railings to protect you from these dangerous animals.

Are railings round this race-course more important than railings round churches?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply what steps he is taking to check the use of paper by the National Savings Committee?

The provisions of the Control of Paper (No. 36) Order apply to posters issued by the National Savings Committee. Arrangements have also been made for a reduction in the size of programmes for War Savings Weeks. This reduction should result in a substantial saving in paper.

Is the Minister aware that the National Savings Committee sends round enevelopes of a sack-like size in order to distribute nothing but a quite small poster, and will he take some steps to prevent this kind of waste in future?

It is for that reason that I have just told my hon. Friend that we have held a meeting with the National Savings Committee and have come to an agreement over the whole range of their use of paper, for the purpose of reducing the size.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether it is proposed to make any Order to impose price investigation and control upon goods, foodstuffs and services at hotels, restaurants, railway buffets, restaurant-cars, cafés and other refreshment places?

No, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why local food control committees have not been given powers to refuse to grant certificates of registration, where they know that further catering establishments are merely a luxury and quite unnecessary in a particular area, although they have powers to refuse licences to trade?

The policy of requiring retail traders in food to be licensed has now been applied to catering and other establishments serving meals. The Order which my Noble Friend has made for the purpose empowers food control committees to refuse applications for a licence where they consider further catering facilities unnecessary.