asked the Secretary of State for Air if he can make any statement in regard to the progress of the formation of the Royal Air Force Regiment?

I have no further statement to make beyond assuring my hon. and gallant Friend that the formation of the R.A.F. Regiment is proceeding satisfactorily.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that Royal Air Force personnel stationed in Scotland are frequently paid in Bank of Scotland notes, which are not accepted in Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes in England at face value but at a discount of 2½ per cent.; and will he issue instructions to prevent personnel being thus financially penalised through no fault of their own?

It is usual for Scottish banks to issue only Scottish bank notes to R.A.F. units in Scotland and consequently it is not always practicable for such units to exchange Bank of England notes for Bank of Scotland notes belonging to personnel going to England. I am therefore arranging for free exchange facilities to be provided at all R.A.F. units in England.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is satisfied that adequate hostel facilities exist in London for Royal Air Force personnel who need to secure night accom- modation; and what action is taken to bring these facilities to the notice of air men?

Hostel facilities in London are added to from time to time to meet increasing demands and are at present believed to be adequate. Information regarding hostels is published in Air Ministry Orders. Particulars are also obtainable from the various canteens which are open to members of His Majesty's Forces and from the Railway Transport Officers at the main line railway stations. For the information of officers and airmen from overseas lull details are contained in a special booklet which is given to them on arrival.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies will he ascertain from the Kenya Government whether reconstruction of the Nairobi-Mombassa road is included in the reconstruction programme drawn up by the Central Roads and Traffic Board; and what is the composition of that Board?

Yes, Sir. An inquiry is being sent to the Governor of Kenya on this point and I will communicate further with my hon. and gallant Friend on receipt of the reply. The Central Roads and Traffic Board in Kenya is composed of the Chief Secretary as chairman, four senior officials and five unofficials appointed by the Governor.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, with a view to making the Nairobi housing scheme a well-thought-out model for other governments and local bodies in Central Africa, he will represent to the Government of Kenya the advisability of including adequate outdoor recreational facilities with a community centre and other small amenities by making, if necessary, a slight addition to the long-term loan to cover any extra cost that these may involve?

My Noble Friend appreciates the importance of the inclusion in native housing schemes of facilities of the kind referred to, and he will bring my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion to the notice of the Governor.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can state the amount of Malayan land owned by rubber and tin interests; their gross profit; and the amount of Government revenue derived from this source?

No, Sir. Full information as to the first part is not available in this country; as to the second part, it is doubtful whether full records exist either here or in Malaya. As to the third part of the Question, it is not justifiable in these circumstances to undertake the research which would be necessary to give an accurate figure of Government revenue obtained from rubber and tin.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the method by which elders or tribal representatives are chosen in the Northern Rhodesia copper belt?

The representatives are chosen by the people themselves, usually at an election conducted by the tribes.

asked the Minister of Information why the British Broadcasting Corporation's talk on starvation in Greece, announced for 8 p.m. on Thursday, 5th February, did not take place; and whether it is likely to be given in the near future?

I am informed by the B.B.C. that this talk was not given on the date announced because the Corporation did not feel that the material avail able was adequate to provide a satisfactory programme. The possibility of giving it at some future date is still under consideration.

asked the Minister of Information whether, to counteract any tendency to depression, he will require the direction of the British Broadcasting Corporation to cut out of their pro- grammes dull music and talks which interest few of the public, and substitute for it gay and patriotic musical numbers?

I will draw the attention of the Governors of the B.B.C. to my hon. Friend's Question.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that in the British Broadcasting Corporation news summary of Wednesday, 11th February, Lord Latham was referred to as the chairman of the London County Council, whereas, in fact, the hon. Member for North Camberwell (Mr. Ammon) occupies that position; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the error is not perpetuated in future broadcasts?

Yes, Sir. This error occurred in the 6.0 p.m. news bulletin of 11th February. It was corrected in later bulletins. I have called the attention of the B.B.C. to the matter, and they will take care to avoid a repetition of the mistake.

asked the Minister of Information what steps have been taken to fill posts at the British Broadcasting Corporation and at the Ministry of Information by British-born subjects; and will he make every effort to exclude aliens and ex-aliens from posts connected with either organisation?

Names of British-born subjects to fill posts in the foreign services of the B.B.C. are submitted by University Appointment Boards, the British Council, the Central Register and other sources, as well as by personal application. The qualifications of all such candidates are carefully considered. It is not practicable to ban the employment of aliens in the Corporation's foreign services on account of the fact that sufficient British subjects with the necessary linguistic qualifications and local know ledge are not available. The employment of aliens and ex-aliens in the Ministry of Information, as in other Government Departments, is only permitted if the man concerned possesses special qualifications or experience and if no suitably qualified British subject is available. Those foreigners who are employed by the Corporation and by the Ministry are rendering valuable service to the nation, and I would deprecate any imputation upon their loyalty or ability.

asked the Minister of Information whether the salaries paid to aliens or ex-aliens employed in the monitoring service of the British Broadcasting Corporation, ranging from £385 to £595 per annum, or from £3 to ¥ a week, include free billeting or other allowances; and if so, what are these allowances worth, in addition to the salaries?

This matter relates entirely to the internal administration of the staff of the B.B.C. and I do not think that it should be made the subject of public discussion.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will give the reasons why Messrs. Shankland, Whitley and Marriott resigned their posts at the British Broadcasting Corporation?

No, Sir. This matter relates entirely to the administration of the B.B.C.'s own staff.

asked the Minister of Information (1) whether a man of German extraction called Wolff, a man of Hungarian extraction called Forbat and a man of Austrian extraction called Behran are still employed in the monitory service of the British Broadcasting Corporation; what salaries, including allowances, do they receive; and have they access to any confidential documents or information;(2) whether a Hungarian, or ex-Hungarian subject, named Tanzer, is still employed by the British Broadcasting Corporation as a German monitor; and what are his qualifications for the post?

I do not think that it is in the public interest that I should disclose particulars about individuals employed by the British Broadcasting Corporation, more particularly those of foreign extraction who may have relatives in countries occupied by the enemy.

asked the Minister of Information for what purposes the grant of, approximately, £6,000,000, made to the British Broadcasting Corporation for extra war effort, has been expended?

All moneys granted to the B.B.C. are expended upon the efficient maintenance of its broadcasting services both at home and overseas.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether he is now in a position to announce the names of the Welsh representatives on the Central Planning Authority?

No, Sir. Though my Noble Friend has given preliminary consideration to the planning machinery for physical reconstruction, some seasonable time is required for completing arrangements. The first step must be the introduction of the legislation referred to in the Government statement of nth February.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he can now indicate the conditions on which motorcar tyres will be available to the public when the present prohibition on purchases is lifted?

I hope to announce the scheme for licensing civilian tyres shortly. In the meantime, the standstill Order remains in operation.

asked the Minister of Supply why an overriding commission of from 1s. to is. 10d. for every ton of scrap-iron which passes through the furnaces of all British steel works is still being paid to four firms of scrap-exporters, in spite of the fact that this commission was originally paid, before the war, in return for a guarantee that these firms would cease the export of scrap to countries abroad and confine their deliveries to British steelworks only; and, as the export of scrap is now for bidden by Government order and the commission in question is therefore being paid for no consideration at all, will he arrange for the payment of it to cease?

The total levy on scrap delivered to steel furnaces is 1s. a ton, of which not more than half goes to the four firms referred to. The main purpose of the agreement is to organise the supply of scrap to steelmakers on a fair and equitable basis. The sums received by the scrap dealers are spent on services which are of benefit to production, and I see no reason for disturbing the arrangement.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how much it would cost to restore the cuts imposed on retired officers' pensions in 1935?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which the Secretary of State for War gave him to-day to a similar Question. The corresponding figures for Naval Officers' retired pay are, £157,000 immediately, and £280,000 at the end of the war.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the anxiety felt by farmers and poultry-keepers on account of the delay in announcing higher prices as a result of the increased costs of production; and when this announcement may be expected?

Following separate meetings with representatives of the English and Scottish National Farmers' Unions respectively, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and I yesterday met representatives of the two Unions on the subject of agricultural prices. A final announcement will not be long delayed.

asked the Minister of Labour in which places and to what extent has the Government proposals for the sitting up of industries in the county of Durham to meet the post-war situation; and will local authorities be helped and encouraged in the setting up of industries in their areas financially and otherwise?

I have been asked to reply. No specific proposals for the setting up of further industries in the county of Durham after the war are at present under the consideration of the Government. I can, however, assure my hon. Friend that, in carrying out their general policy for urban and rural development which I announced in the House on 11th February, the Government will take into account the industrial potentialities of all parts of the country. The Minister of Works and Planning will guide local authorities in England and Wales in the formulation of planning schemes, but no decision has been taken to grant financial assistance to local authorities for the purpose of setting up industries in their areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made with the Robertson proposals for the recruitment, training and reconstruction of the diplomatic and consular services?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Southwark (Mr. Martin) on 11th February.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give instructions that, in future, the countries, now called Iran and Thailand, shall in future be known officially in this country as Persia and Siam?

Yes, Sir. I will make arrangements accordingly in so far as is practical.