asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that several hundred aircraft are grounded for lack of spare parts, airscrews, etc.; and to what extent the responsibility for these deficiencies rests upon the Air Ministry?

In an Air Force of large size a number of aircraft must always be unserviceable for short periods awaiting spares The current proportion is not, however, abnormal, and the supply of spares is improving. The Air Ministry is responsible for stating its requirements for equipment, including spares, and the Ministry of Aircraft Production for meeting them.

When my right hon. Friend says that the total number of aircraft grounded for lack of spares is not abnormal, does he mean that there has been no improvement over the enormous proportion of aircraft grounded for lack of spares six to 12 months ago?

No, Sit. It is true that the supply of spares has given some cause for anxiety in the past, but I am glad to assure the hon. Member that the position is improving.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that maintenance and repair instructions for air units are supplied, some by the Air Ministry and some by the Ministry of Aircraft Production; that this division of responsibility is resulting in contradictory instructions and to a large number of errors in the spare parts volume; and whether he will take steps to unify the instructions?

The Director of Servicing and Maintenance in my Department and the Director of Repair and Maintenance in the Ministry of Aircraft Production issue instructions within their respective spheres. They are in constant touch with each other and are fully aware of the need for co-ordination in order to avoid overlapping or conflicting instructions. The "spare parts volume" to which the hon. Member refers is presumably Technical Publication Vol. III. This is a schedule of components and spare parts based on information supplied by manufacturers. It is affected by design modifications and changes in manufacturing practice, and amendment lists are issued regularly to all concerned. I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Aircraft Production as to whether any further action is required.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the Director of Repair and Maintenance under the Ministry of Aircraft Production is stationed in one town, that his technical staff are stationed in another town, that the Air Ministry organisation for the provision of spare parts is situated in a third town, and that the actual supply of spare parts is the function of a director of depots situated in a fourth town; that this system involves inordinate delays due to correspondence and other paper work; that important communications upon which the supply of equipment depends frequently take two or three months to make the complete circuit of reference; and whether he is prepared to consider proposals for a better arrangement?

I am aware that the dispersal to which the hon. Member refers is administratively inconvenient, but in the existing circumstances governing Government Department locations and accommodation this must be accepted as inevitable. Because it causes delay in the transit of correspondence, special arrangements for the delivery of urgent communications have been made. The supply of spare parts to the Royal Air Force is carried out by maintenance units under the control of a group commander whose headquarters are adjacent to those of the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command; therefore I cannot agree that the arrangement must involve any considerable delay in the supply of equipment. If the hon. Member has any suggestions to make, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Aircraft Production and I will, of course, be glad to consider them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of those who are responsible for administering this part of the machinery of supply are greatly concerned about the dispersal of the various Departments, and that delays amounting to three or four months in correspondence regularly occur?

I am aware that this dispersal, which is forced upon us by circumstances outside our control, does involve serious disadvantages. I am taking every possible step to minimise these disadvantages, and I am in consultation with the Minister of Aircraft Production now. I shall be very glad to receive any suggestions.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make an explicit investigation into the possibility of bringing these various Departments into closer geographical relation?

I should be very glad indeed if that were possible. That is certainly an aspect of the problem which is very much in the mind of the Minister of Aircraft Production and my own, and will be part of the study which we are now giving to the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can now give any information about the two German prisoners-of-war who posed as Dutchmen and were fitted with flying-suits, and got away in a two-seater Miles Magister without an alarm being given?

asked the Secretary of State for Air the result of the court of inquiry into the theft of the Magister aircraft by two escaped German prisoners last month; and what disciplinary action has been taken against those responsible?

asked the Secretary of State for Air on what date the two escaping Nazi prisoners obtained access to a Royal Air Force aircraft; on what date the inquiry into this episode began; on what date he received the report; and what are its findings?

I would refer hon. Members to the answer which was given yesterday to the Question on this subject by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Under-Secretary of State.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can give any information in connection with four schoolboys who entered a North-Western airfield, on Sunday, 4th January, and interfered with six aeroplanes; whether it is the same aerodrome from which escaped German prisoners stole an aeroplane some weeks ago; and what action he intends taking about the matter?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the aerodrome from which two boys recently stole parts of the machinery from aircraft, is the same as that from which two German prisoners recently took a machine in an attempt to escape; and what is the reason for such apparent carelessness in safeguarding Royal Air Force machines?

I would refer hon. Members to the statement on this matter which my right hon. and gallant Friend the Under-Secretary of State made yesterday in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Rusholme (Mr. Radford).

As that Question was not answered orally will the right hon. Gentleman give us the reply now?

It appears in the OFFICIAL REPORT to-day.

But as it was not answered orally will not the right hon. Gentleman tell us what it was? Have we not the right to ask?

The right hon. Gentleman said that this Question was answered yesterday. I was here the whole time and I never heard it answered.

Were these machines in fact Air Force machines or were they the property of the Flying School?

They were Royal Air Force aircraft on loan to the Flying School.

Will the right hon. Gentleman at least tell the House whether it is the view of the Air Ministry that it is not possible to prevent what have been described as snoopers and school boys from entering these aerodromes? If he cannot prevent snoopers and school boys from doing so how is it possible to prevent other people from doing so?

This took place the day before the German prisoners escaped. These boys were, in fact, observed, but so large was the aerodrome that they were able to do a certain amount of damage before being approached. They then got away, but were apprehended afterwards. Some of our bomber aerodromes are twice the size of Hyde Park, and it is impossible to prevent an occasional snooper from getting into so large an area. But, as regards sabotage, there has not been a single case since the war began. Sabotage can be done on a dangerous scale only by a considerable organisation, and we have our own methods of preventing it.

I beg to give notice that, having regard to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall raise this matter, subject to my being called upon by Mr. Speaker, in the forthcoming Debate on the defence of aerodromes.

I hope that that notice will not prejudice Question 23, which has not yet been reached.

The two Questions are being answered together.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that officers and other ranks, who have served on active service in the present war and have, subsequently, been discharged owing to medical unfitness or ill-health, but have not been granted a pension, are not eligible to receive a silver badge for services rendered issued through the Ministry of Pensions; and, in view of this inequality, whether he will take steps to deal with the matter?

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal to my hon. Friend the Member for East Birkenhead (Mr. Graham White) on 7th August last.

As this is a matter which very specially concerns the right hon. Gentleman's Department, does he not think it an unfair discrimination to say that men discharged from the Service and unable to prove their case for pension should be denied the silver badge? Will he reconsider this matter and make some representations to the Minister of Pensions?

I do not think it is unfair. It does concern my Department, but it also concerns both the other Service Departments, and the Lord Privy Seal, in the answer to which I referred the hon. Member, gave the decision which had been arrived at by all the three Service Departments.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what was the practice in the last war?

Not without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in connection with the cancellation of all applications for direct commissions as administrative officers in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, he is aware that many such applications were made by persons on the calling-up of their age groups between 32 and 38 years of age; and whether, in view of the delay in service that has already been gained by these persons who are still uncalled, he will take steps, in conjunction with the Minister of Labour, to ensure that they are called up for service forthwith?

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes." As regards the second part, the names of all candidates for commissions whose applications are not being proceeded with are passed without delay to the Ministry of Labour and National Service.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can now give any information in connection with the Royal Air Force aeroplane that crashed into a farmhouse at Quarry Farm, Ingleby, Barwick, Stockton-on-Tees; and how many of the crew and civilians were killed and injured?

The aircraft was engaged on night flying training, and it crashed soon after taking off. It was so badly damaged that it was not possible to ascertain from the wreckage the cause of the mishap. The Royal Air Force Court of Inquiry which investigated the accident found that it was probably due to the aircraft stalling. Unfortunately, the five Service occupants of the aircraft and four members of the family living in the farmhouse were killed. One other civilian was slightly injured. I am sure that the House will join with me in expressing sympathy with the relatives of those who lost their lives in this tragic occurrence.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that flight-sergeants who have been on active operations have recently been subjected to all kinds of annoyances, such as quibbling over beds, and other petty offences resulting in defaulters' parades; and whether he will issue instructions that all the out-of-date ideas of maintaining discipline must be eliminated, and that flight-sergeants shall be given the same status as other commissioned ranks?

I am not aware of any such incidents; but if the hon. Member will let me have particulars, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the principle on which leave is granted to all ranks; whether he is aware that Paragraph 4 of A. 657/40, as amended, is not satisfactory; what steps are to be taken to improve it; and will he give instructions that accrued leave shall be given within certain dates?

Subject to the exigencies of the Service, all ranks serving at home may be granted leave, at the discretion of commanding officers, on the basis of 61 days a year for flying personnel and 28 days a year for ground personnel. In addition, week-end leave may be granted as circumstances permit. Local leave in overseas commands is at the discretion of the air officer commanding. The leave year begins on 3rd September for personnel who were serving on 3rd September, 1939, and on the date of entering the Service for others. Flying personnel may be given leave at any time. Ground personnel are encouraged to take seven or 14 days' leave within every period of three or six months respectively, but air officers commanding may authorise the whole or part of this leave to be carried forward in exceptional circumstances. Leave may not, however, be carried forward from one leave year to another. This rule is applied throughout the Royal Air Force, and in the other Fighting Services as well. I have no reason to think that the arrangements generally are unsatisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in cases where the duties of pilot officers and sergeant-pilots are the same, he will give the full reasons why they are not allowed to dine together; and whether he will further consider this matter?

The identity of duties of officer pilots and those of sergeant-pilots applies only to actual flying, and the former have other duties and responsibilities which sergeant-pilots are not required to undertake. For the purpose of these other duties and responsibilities, officers are vested with powers of command and discipline; and, while there is no prohibition against officers and airmen taking meals together in public places, an arrangement for common messing at Air Force stations would not be in the interests of the Service.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider this policy, in view of the fact that sergeant pilots are doing such great work in actual operations? What are the other duties that officers have to perform?

Duties as acting flight commander, orderly officer, member of a court of inquiry, and all sorts of other duties for which officers are specially trained. I do not yield one inch to the hon. Member in my admiration for the sergeant pilots, nor do any officers in the R.A.F.; but it is found a convenient arrangement that the sergeants should have their messes, and the officers theirs. I can assure the hon. Member that, in my honest opinion, the arrangement is as popular with the sergeants as with the officers.

If these men can fly in the same planes together and take the same risks together, why cannot they mess together? Do the men themselves object to messing together?

Of course they can mess together outside the stations when it is convenient, and they do so. But in the ordinary life of the station it is much more convenient and agreeable, both to the non-commissioned officers and to the commissioned officers, to have this arrangement.

In this House we are all doing the same kind of work, and in the Air Force those men are all doing the same kind of work. Why cannot the same conditions apply?

asked the Secretary of State for Air, why there is a differentiation of treatment of pilot-officers grounded through lack of nerve, in that commissioned officers suffer no loss of status, but non-commissioned do and are placed on fatigue duties?

There is no differentiation in principle in the treatment accorded to officers and airmen in the circumstances stated.

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by "in principle"? There is a difference in practice.

There is no difference in practice, except this. The airman who has been trained for air crew duties reverts to his status as aircraftman, unless he has a basic trade, and later on he will have opportunities of being trained for a trade. In the case of an officer who, without there being any medical grounds for his failure, has forfeited the confidence of his commanding officer in his reliability and his willingness to face danger, he is called upon to resign his commission. When he has resigned his commission, he becomes available to be called up under the National Service Acts, and to be given such duties as he is suited for.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production why, in view of the great need for aeroplanes, 1,200 men, employed at an aircraft factory of which he has been informed, were told, on Friday, 12th December, that they were not to go to work on Sunday, 14th December, in spite of a previous arrangement that they were to work on that day, Saturday being their agreed rest day for that week; why were they given no reason for this order; and why, when many of them disobeyed it and turned up to work, they were not allowed to do any though there was some they could have done?

This factory is in the process of changing over from the production of one type of aircraft to another, with its attendant disturbance of labour. Technical difficulties, which are inseparable from the production of new types, also occurred during the week-end in question. Owing to these circumstances, there was insufficient work to justify the men's attendance on the Sunday. I entirely agree with my hon. Friend that the management should have taken the men's duly authorised representatives into confidence on the reasons for the temporary shortage of work, and my Ministry is constantly impressing on contractors the desirability of such consultations.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend satisfied that all necessary steps are being taken, when there is a change-over of that kind, to see that the amount of idle time is reduced?

Has the attention of my right hon. and gallant Friend been drawn to the fact that nearly all the complaints relating to work not being available are from factories having contracts with his Department, and not with other supply Departments?

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether his attention has been drawn to the criticisms of production made by the general manager of General Aircraft, Limited, a copy of which has been sent to him; and whether he has any statement to make thereon?

I am well aware of the activities of the general manager of General Aircraft, Limited, in regard to the question of production dealt with academically. It is not possible, within the limits of a Parliamentary answer, to deal with all the views expressed by Mr. Gordon England, but it will perhaps suffice if I say that such of the suggestions as are practicable represent the practice of my Department to a much greater extent than he appears to realise.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this gentleman is the chairman of the Engineering Industries Association and is of the view that our production is only 50 per cent. of what it could be; and that he is in a very good position to know the general state of the engineering industry which has work under the Ministry of Aircraft Production?

This gentleman is also a purveyor of aeroplanes to me, so that I know a good deal about it. On the other hand, hon. Members must remember that a Minister in charge of a production Department like my own is always going to get sniping and nagging, and if it is not coming from Mr. Gordon England, there will always be an England.

Are we to understand from the right hon. and gallant Gentleman's original answer and his supplementary reply, that he is casting doubts on the qualifications of Mr. Gordon England; is he aware that Mr. Gordon England represents not only himself but a very large volume of opinion of production experts in this country; and does not he think that it is more desirable to reply to points raised by Mr. Gordon England and others concerned than to indulge in the language he has just used and get on with the job?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will take steps to institute the issue of overcoats to members of the Sea Cadet Corps; and whether the same privileges, regarding the issue of free kit, are accorded to members of a sea cadet unit as are accorded to members of the Air Training Corps?

As part of the Government's policy for taking greater responsibility for training the youth of the country from the school leaving age, the Admiralty have arranged to take over the direction of the training and organisation of recognised Sea Cadet Corps, while leaving matters of administration in the hands of the present Central Associations, of which the most extensive is the Navy League. The revised arrangements will cover cadets between the ages of 14 and 17. These will be expected on attaining the age of 15 to give an honourable undertaking, supported by consent of the parents, to join the Navy upon or before attaining the call-up age.

An annual capitation grant of 12s. will be paid to the associations in respect of each cadet between the ages of 14 and 17. Cadets who, on attaining the age of 17 have enrolled under the "Y" Scheme and continue in the Sea Cadet Corps, will also be eligible for the increased grant. Uniform will be provided free for all cadets who come under the scheme. Details are not yet settled, but I hope to make a further statement on this point shortly. Grant and uniform will be subject to certain conditions of attendance at drills, and certification by an Admiralty Inspecting Officer of the efficiency of the unit. It is intended that selected Sea Cadet officers shall receive unpaid commissions in the Special Branch of the R.N.V.R.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the uniform is to be the same kind of quality as the uniform supplied to the Air Training Corps, and particularly, will the Sea Cadets be given greatcoats; and is he further aware that recently I had the honour to inspect two detachments, one of which, the Air Training Corps, possessed beautiful greatcoats, whereas the other, the Sea Cadets, were shivering without any greatcoats at all?

That is one of the details I am looking into at the moment with regard to which I hope to make a statement shortly.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that officers and other ranks who have served afloat in the present war and have subsequently been discharged owing to medical unfitness or ill-health, but have not been granted a pension, are not eligible to receive a silver badge for services rendered, issued through the Ministry of Pensions; and, in view of this inequality, whether he will take steps to deal with the matter?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War gave to a similar Question on 20th January.

Is the First Lord entirely satisfied with the present position? Will my right hon. Friend give me a reply to that Question, because either he is or he is not, and if he is not, I want to make representations to the Minister of Pensions?

The decision, as I am sure my hon. Friend realises, on a matter of this sort is one for general agreement between Service departments and the Minister of Pensions. I feel certain that the representations he has made in the course of his Question will be taken into account, although I cannot anticipate that the decision he wants will necessarily be the decision.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is prepared to reconsider his decision not to publish periodical returns of the destruction of U-boats by the British Navy, in view of the fact that the American Navy is publishing returns of its successes against U-boats?

No, Sir. The Admiralty occasionally publishes accounts of particular successes against U-boats and will continue to do so on suitable occasions. This, so far as I am aware, is the practice of the United States Naval Authorities.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has completed his examination of certain evidence, photographic and documentary, bearing on the subject of camouflage; and whether he is now in a position to make a statement thereon?

Yes, Sir. I regret that I have nothing to add to the letter dated 22nd December addressed to my hon. Friend by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, and the suggestion which it contained.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether there is to be an official inquiry into the loss of His Majesty's Ship "Prince of Wales" and His Majesty's Ship "Repulse"?

Reports concerning the sinking of His Majesty's Ship "Prince of Wales" and His Majesty's Ship "Repulse" have now been received and are being examined. On completion of this examination a decision will be taken as to whether a further inquiry will be necessary.

Will the result of the investigation be communicated to the House?

Any salient facts about the happenings which can be communicated to the House, under conditions which will safeguard any special points from the enemy, will be communicated to the House.

Does my right hon. Friend remember that a somewhat similar promise was made with regard to His Majesty's Ship "Glorious" and that we have not yet had any information?

If an inquiry does take place, will the terms of reference be wide enough to establish the responsibility for these ships being sent to the East without aircraft protection?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply (1) whether he is aware that the attention of the Rubber Control Board has been constantly drawn to the likely shortage of reclaimed rubber for a considerable period prior to the Malayan situation; and why the Rubber Control Board stated that no steps were to be taken as there was sufficient plant in the country to satisfy post-war demands;

(2) whether, when setting up Government regenerating plant for the treatment of rubber salvage in various parts of the country, he will undertake to see that steps are taken to ensure the use of the new efficient methods, particulars of which have already been furnished to the Ministry, and that the same consideration for the extension of plant will be given to those firms outside the Rubber Reclaimers' Association?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply, in view of the loss of our main sources of rubber, whether he is satisfied with the policy hitherto pursued by the Rubber Control Board in regard to the extension of the reclaimed rubber industry?

The question of a large expansion of the reclaim industry in this country was fully considered by the Ministry of Supply a long time prior to the outbreak of war with Japan, but, having regard to the great pressure on our resources for new constructional work of more immediate war significance, it was decided not to proceed with such a plan. Steps are being taken in the light of the changed situation to extend production by the most expeditious and efficient methods from whatever source they come.

Is it not a fact that the control has been, and still remains, effectively in the hands of the plantation and tyre-producing interests in the industry, and that those interests deliberately tried, up to the very time of the Japanese invasion of Malaya, to prevent any development of the retreading or reclaiming industry in this country?

The Control is advisory to the Minister. The responsibility is in the hands of successive Ministers of Supply.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the reclaiming and retreading of rubber have been going on for many months, and that it is an increasing industry which is being effectively carried on?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these industries have been on a very small scale and that Messrs. Dunlop's and other big tyre-producing interests have done their best to discourage any expansion of plant up to the beginning of the war?

That is not the Question I was asked. The Control advises the Minister, and successive Ministers of Supply are alone responsible for the decisions taken. It would not be proper for them—nor is it their desire—to shelter behind the advice given by the Control.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply why the persons responsible for the maladministration in the Rubber Control have been retained in the new Control Board, which has recently been formed?

I am unable to accept the suggestion that there has been maladministration in the Rubber Control.

Is it not a fact that the members of this Control are drawn from the big rubber-producing industries?

The members of the new Board are representative of all those who have knowledge of the rubber industry.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction that exists among employees at the Royal Ordnance Factories at the clocking-on system that operates when transport is delayed; that more time is deducted than is actually lost; and will he have this matter examined to see whether a mutually satisfactory arrangement can be made with the workers and his representative?

Although the matter has been brought to my notice as Chairman of the Ministry of Supply Industrial Council, I am not aware that serious dissatisfaction exists. Payment to employees in Government establishments who arrive late because of failure of transport is made from the five-minute point next following their arrival. This practice is not less favourable to the employee than that adopted in industry generally.

If I send tire hon. Gentleman particulars of my grievance, will he examine it?

Certainly.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether any decision has been taken to hand over to private enterprise those factories now owned and run by the State?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether a decision has been taken with reference to the transfer of State factories, works and organisations to private companies; if so, what was the nature of the decision, and when was it taken?

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply which I gave yesterday to Questions on this subject. The decision was taken early this month.

Are we to accept the reply as being evidence that there is no intention on the part of the Government to transfer these nationally-owned industries to private interests?

There is no such intention. As I explained in the reply to which I referred, the intention is to ask certain firms to help us to launch some of these new factories, but when they are in running order, they will revert to the normal Royal Ordnance factory system.

How many factories have been so handed over?

I would rather not give details about the number of ordnance factories.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply for what reason the circular letter, of 11th September, from his Ministry instructing local authorities to prepare schedules of iron railings for requisition omitted to impose on the surveyor the obligation to notify the owner which of his possessions it was proposed to confiscate?

The circular letter required local authorities to give public notice of intention to conduct the survey, and again, when notified by the Ministry of Works and Buildings that a clearance scheme was to be carried out in their area, to publish in the local Press and exhibit in public places notices indicating the streets and places from which it was intended to remove the railings.

Surely, notice ought to be given, as it is incumbent upon the unfortunate owner, if he wants to make an appeal, to do so within 14 days, and is it not a fact that these surveys are made largely by voluntary women workers who are really not competent to carry out the work?

That is another point. One of the difficulties in giving notice to individual owners is that often a great number of different people have an interest in some of the railings, and it is very difficult to trace all of them.

Is the Minister aware that sometimes only six or seven hours' notice is given?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply (1) what steps are being taken, and in prospect, for the manufacture of synthetic rubber; and what in general is the crude rubber, rubber waste and synthetic rubber position in this country to-day;

(2) whether he will publish the names of the reconstituted Rubber Control Board, with their credentials for the work, and direct their attention to the fact that it has been the studied policy of the new tyre interests to encourage waste and destruction of tyres by every commercial means; what steps are being taken to prevent this and also to make proper use of waste rubber and synthetic rubber?

The question of the manufacture of synthetic rubber in Great Britain is being considered in relation to the general question of Inter-Ally supply. It would not be in the public interest to give particulars of our supplies of rubber. Every possible step is being taken to economise in the consumption of rubber in tyres and other manufactures and to make use of the available supplies of waste. I will circulate particulars of the composition of the Rubber Control Board in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

If the position with regard to crude rubber and rubber generally is satisfactory, would it not be very much better to give very full particulars about it?

My hon. and gallant Friend will realise that I woud not wish to publish the stocks.

What steps are being taken now effectively to use synthetic rubber?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether arrangements have been made to collect discarded tyre covers unfit for remoulding as part of his scrap-rubber campaign?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the results of his consultations with the representatives of milk producers regarding a national milk price which will take adequate account of present-day costs of production and the national necessity to maintain milk supplies?

The proposals on this subject which have been made by the Milk Marketing Board for England and Wales, in agreement with the National Farmers' Union, are being closely considered, but I am not at present able to make a statement.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that statements have been appearing giving detailed results?

I am not responsible for those statements, and my answer is that I am not in a position to make a statement.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food how the difference between the producer-price and the consumer-price of potatoes is apportioned to wholesalers and retailers, respectively?

The difference between the fixed grower's price and the maximum retail price is apportioned on the following basis: to wholesalers, from 40s. to 55s. per ton depending on the distance of transport; to retailers, from 50s. to 62s. 6d. per ton according to the variety and class of potato. These are maximum margins which are reduced by competition.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what are the duties of local potato supervisors; and whether they are empowered to take over general average crops, as well as those showing signs of disease?

Area potato supervisors are local officers responsible to divisional potato supervisors for carrying out instructions issued by the potato division, including the purchase of sound as well as deteriorating stocks offered by growers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of grievances existing with small shopkeepers respecting the alleged price-cutting of canned goods rationed under the Points Scheme; that, as they are not permitted to engage in collective buying, an inadequate margin within the price unfairly penalises them; and whether he will consider any representations made to him on the matter by organisations of that type of shopkeeper?

As I stated in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster (Mr. Evelyn Walkden), on 9th December, there is nothing improper in any trader selling price-controlled foodstuffs at less than the maximum price which is prescribed by Order. I cannot agree that the trade margins which have been fixed by the Ministry are inadequate for any class of trader. I will, however consider any representations which my hon. Friend wishes to send to me.

Has the Parliamentary Secretary had any representations from representative bodies on this point?

I do not think we have had any representations on this particular point, although there have been representations on other aspects of it.

Do these instructions mean that the maximum price is also the minimum price, whatever the profits?

The maximum price is the maximum price which may be charged. It is not a fixed price.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what changes are in prospect in the system of egg collection and distribution as between the producers, the packing stations, the wholesalers and the retailers; and whether he is aware that co-operative packing stations are dependent for their solvency on the system whereby they deliver their goods direct to retailers?

The only changes in prospect are those necessitated by the urgent need for the fullest possible economy in transport. Packing stations through their national organisation have been asked to prepare schemes for the pooling of their transport for the collection of eggs. Schemes for various parts of the country have been submitted and are under consideration. They do not affect the sale of eggs by packer wholesalers to those retailers who have nominated them as their egg suppliers.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that packing stations, many of which are co-operative in character, are genuinely afraid the work which they have built up over so many years may now be destroyed?

If my hon. and gallant Friend cares to make any representations, I shall be very glad to look into the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the order for an increased production of potatoes and carrots, he is aware of the large accumulation of these, which merchants are reluctant to buy or remove, as they themselves have their storage places filled; and whether, as the position is at present discouraging to growers, he will consider taking over of these crops, and not leaving the responsibility for depreciation and loss entirely on the grower?