asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that certain workers in an aircraft factory which had been declared a protected place, were prosecuted on 26th May for distributing literature in the factory which entailed dismissal upon the grounds of serious misconduct; and whether the customary right of the workers to distribute literature and to hold meetings will be preserved in such protected places in future?

Yes, Sir. The Directions which my hon. Friend has in mind are of common application to all factories which are protected places, and they have been made in the interests of war production. They prohibit the distribution of literature with certain exceptions, such as works notices, works magazines, trade union journals and publications and Government publications. They also prohibit the holding of meetings in protected places without permission.

Is it a matter of serious urgency to stop the old privileges of the workmen to have a meeting and distribute their own literature relating to shops stewards?

These orders have long been in operation. They are in the interests of war production, and they have never been challenged.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether his technical departments are still experimenting with self-propelled bombs; and whether inventions connected with this principle continue to be encouraged?

It would not be in the public interest to give this information.

May I ask that my right hon. and gallant Friend should not forget this important issue?

My hon. and gallant Friend can rest assured that I shall not.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production, how many players took part in the rehearsals of a play in the canteen of an aircraft factory of which he has been given the location; if, as only one employee of the firm took part in those rehearsals, proper supervision was made over the outsiders who came into the factory to attend those rehearsals; and why his Department is not concerned with how long the rehearsals took when they were held in an aircraft factory from which the public is ordinarily excluded?

The Answer to the first part of the Question is 15 to 20; to the second "Yes," Sir; and to the third, because neither production nor security was affected.

Is it not a fact that in any' factory under the supervision of the Department a lot of outsiders can be brought into the factory in order that a play can be given there on a Sunday?

The canteen of this factory is just within the entrance gates, and there is a considerable space between the canteen and the factory itself. It was in the canteen that these play rehearsals took place, and there were security arrangements made to see that unauthorised persons should not go beyond the canteen.

Were these security arrangements made by a security officer who was later dismissed for being incompetent?

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production the number of 20-seater coaches and other motor vehicles used in connection with the production of a play rehearsed and produced in an aircraft factory, the location of which he is aware of; what total mileage was travelled by these vehicles on this business; what quantity of petrol was used; who authorised the use of motor vehicles and petrol on a play that had no bearing on the repair or production of aircraft; and whether he will order an investigation into the reason for these abuses and the punishment of the culprits?

One 20-seater coach. was used on 2nd April, one on 4th April and two on 5th April. The total mileage covered by these coaches and other vehicles used was 528 miles; 42 gallons of petrol were used. The use of the coaches and the petrol were authorised by the management. The last part of the Question is a matter for my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power.

Had these journeys anything whatever to do with the production of aircraft, and will the Minister report the matter to the Minister of Fuel and Power so-that the necessary steps may be taken to see what is to be done with those who were responsible?

I do not think in every case we should say that it is a waste of fuel to take entertainments of this sort to a service station or to some of our factories and canteens. It may be a matter of opinion whether this play was a good one, but I think, in general, it is good to have entertainments for the workers in the factories.

Is not the Minister aware that the Home Secretary dismissed an eminent public servant for exactly the same offence?

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether, when the managing director of the aircraft factory, of which he has been informed, gave his assurance that there would not be present so many executive officers at similar meetings, he was given to understand that meetings to discuss future plays were contemplated by the managing director?

No future plays were mentioned, but I have no desire to limit the power of the management to organise plays, entertainments and social functions for their employees where these do not interfere with production or security.

If executive officers absent themselves from the necessary work of producing aircraft to attend the production of a play, is that not an entirely different matter from sending E.N.S.A. to entertain the workers?

On the last Question day I gave my hon. Friend the assurances I have received from the general manager of this staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether Royal Air Force officers, compulsorily retired on the sole ground of age, receive 42 days' leave on full pay and allowances the same as Army officers?

During the war, the employment of officers is not being terminated solely on grounds of age but only when they are unsuitable for further employment or when no further employment is available for them. The question whether there should be any increase in the amount of leave with full pay which is granted to officers whose employment is being terminated is at present under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Air who was responsible for the officially inspired statements, issued last week, to the effect that the Imperial Air Forces in Libya had retained superiority over the enemy throughout the recent campaign; that the greatest concentration of enemy dive-bombers never exceeded 30 and that the Royal Air Force were now using a new antitank aircraft; how did the enemy succeed so swiftly in bringing up troops, guns and transport and establishing forward air bases on the heels of our retreating forces; and, in view of the conflicting evidence and the unexpected defeat suffered by our arms, whether he will institute an immediate inquiry into the facts and report the results to Parliament with the least delay?

I would ask my hon. Friend to await the full Debate promised yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, when these and other questions can be dealt with.

Surely my right hon. Friend is instituting urgent inquiries into this matter so that the House may be informed in the Debate as to the facts of what appear to be a series of disastrous misstatements?

I can assure my hon. Friend that I am in constant communication with the Commander-in-Chief, who keeps me very fully informed, and if the opportunity is afforded me I shall be very glad to make a statement on the subject,

Do I understand that the right hon. Gentleman will then be prepared to answer the specific question as to who is responsible for issuing these misleading communiqués? Is he aware of the deplorable effect upon Service men of being told things which they know not to be true?

I cannot be held responsible for newspaper correspondents' articles, but for anything which is issued with official inspiration I am fully responsible.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether it is or is not a fact that we had air superiority during the Libyan campaign?

My right hon. Friend must have heard General Auchinleck's testimony to that effect, which the Deputy Prime Minister read out in this House yesterday.

But surely the right hon. Gentleman cannot escape responsibility for officially inspired statements which were reported in the Press by military or air correspondents, and it is that question which I put to my right hon. Friend which he has not answered?

There is no question of escaping responsibility. I have just asserted in reply to the Noble Lord opposite that I am responsible.

Is it not the fact that quite independent sources of information outside General Auckinleck's statement have testified to the fact that we did have air superiority, and that there was the utmost co-operation between the Royal Air Force and the Army in Libya?

Yes, Sir, my hon. and gallant Friend is quite right.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the total strength of the staff employed full time, both at headquarters and in the regional areas, in running the Air Training Corps; and what is the annual budget?

The total full-time staff is 199, of whom 20 are employed in the Air Ministry and 98 at the headquarters of the Corps and 81 elsewhere. The total annual cost of their pay and allowances is about £63,000.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is yet in a position to give a reply to the request made to his Department, on 26th March last, on behalf of the locally-entered clerical staffs at Malta, for their claim for war bonus to meet the increased cost of living in Malta to be referred to the arbitration tribunal?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which was given to him on 19th May. It is not possible to reach a decision on this question until the reply from the Governor of Malta is received.

Is not the Minister aware that unions have a right to go to arbitration on matters of this kind whether the Department agrees or not? Is he aware, secondly, that the Government pledged themselves when this agreement was made for arbitration that cases would be referred to arbitration within one month, and will he take steps to see that the establishment division conforms to the agreement made by the Government with the Civil Service organisations?

I think my hon. Friend will agree that there is not very much to be gained by going to arbitration before the reply is received from Malta, because that reply may mean that no need for arbitration arises.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what arrangements have been in force and are now in prospect for the treatment in hospital or otherwise of members of the Women's Royal Naval Service at home ports and elsewhere in order to prevent cases of various types of infectious diseases, such as infantile paralysis, measles, &c., being treated in the same ward and sometimes in neighbouring beds?

Members of the W.R.N.S. are entitled to the same medical treatment as other naval personnel. When a member of the W.R.N.S. is diagnosed as suffering from an infectious disease, she is admitted for treatment to the zymotic department of a naval hospital or sick quarters, where cases of different infectious diseases are segregated from one another in separate wards or cubicles. If suitable accommodation were not available at a naval hospital or sick quarters, she would be transferred to an Emergency Service hospital or isolation hospital.

Is it not a fact that there have been instances recently of people suffering from various types of infectious disease being placed in beds alongside other beds?

I do not think so, but if my hon. and gallant Friend will give me particulars of any case I will inquire into it.

Cannot something be done to increase the accommodation which is required for the observation of these cases, because it was omitted when the hospitals were first built?

I will consider that.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any major change is contemplated in naval building programmes in regard to the future construction or conversion of capital ships?

The naval programme is kept under constant review in the light of operational experience. I am sure, however, that my hon. Friend will not expect me to give in public any details of the programme as now constituted.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many officers are now employed full time in organising the sea cadets; and what is the approximate cost involved?

At the present time 14 officers are employed full time in organising the Sea Cadet Corps. Of these, four are attached to university and school units and are for temporary duties only; nine are regional and area officers for open units, and one is at headquarters. These 14 officers draw pay and allowances at the rate of approximately £9,000 a year.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the urgent measures taken in March to bring rice production in British Guiana to a maximum to meet the needs of the West Indies; whether he is aware of complaints from that Colony that the measures taken to expand production are inadequate; that the committee appointed to increase and supervise rice production does not command public confidence; and that owing to the unsatisfactory policy in the past, rice exports have fallen from 29,000 tons in 1933 to under 9,000 in 1941, whereas the demand for rice in the West Indies is-at least 40,000 tons?

The measures taken to increase the production of rice in British Guiana included the fixing of remunerative prices to growers, the growing of rice on sugar estate lands and the commencement of further large irrigation works. The committees entrusted with the task of encouraging food production have recently been reorganised on a regional basis, and the question of further cultivation of rice and other food-stuffs on sugar lands has been discussed with the sugar interests both here and in British Guiana. The small crop in 1941 was due primarily to drought, and it is expected that production henceforth will be on an adequate scale, having regard to the importance of growing also in-creased quantities of other foodstuffs and fodder crops.

Is the Minister aware that the Press of British Guiana, together with statements by public persons there, indicate the necessity for some alteration, failing which the desired crops will not be obtained?

We are pressing this matter forward with the greatest possible urgency.

How far now does the supply of rice fall short of the actual needs?

Does my hon. Friend mean in that particular Colony or having regard to the possibilities of export?

Does my right hon. Friend recognise the importance of improving health measures in British Guiana in order to improve production?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, what opportunities the local legislative councils and local organisations in the West Indies are given to keep informed of, and to express their opinion on, the development schemes proposed under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act.

Schemes pro-posed under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act are drawn up on the advice of the Comptroller and his expert advisers, who will have consulted the Colonial Governments and local interests. The financial aspects of the schemes, when approved, come before the Legislative Councils of the Colonies concerned in connexion with the annual estimates.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is considerable dissatisfaction in the West Indies, and will he endeavour to see that the intentions of the Government are more generously fulfilled?

As a matter of procedure, I think my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. The procedure is very much the same as ours; the annual Estimates are the occasion when the Legislative Council naturally discuss these matters.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent the barrack dwellings in Trinidad, which the 1937 Commission recommended should be swept away, have been demolished and alternative accommodation provided; and what proportion of workers and their families have been transferred to better accommodation?

I regret that the information desired by my hon. Friend is not available in the Colonial Office: but the Trinidad Government has made considerable progress in its housing schemes. I Would invite my hon. Friend's attention to the reply given to a Question by him on I2th May. If my hon. Friend desires, I should be glad to send him a copy of a recent report from the Governor on housing in Trinidad.

Would it not be possible at least to inquire from the Governor of Trinidad exactly what progress has been made, so that we might have some idea as to whether a certain portion of these barrack houses has been demolished?

That is why I suggested sending this recent report to my hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Trinidad legislature has rejected a motion to subsidise imported foods for the poorer classes; the result of Government consideration of means of maintaining and, where possible, reducting price levels; and what action has been taken in the West Indian Colonies either to subsidise foodstuffs or secure reasonable price levels for the benefit of the Native population?

The Answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. On 27th April, the Legislative Council of Trinidad rejected a motion recommending such subsidisation of the price of certain foodstuffs as would bring price levels back to those prevailing at the outbreak of the war, and adopted unanimously a resolution recommending careful consideration of measures of subsidisation calculated to prevent further rises in the Erice of staple foodstuffs widely consumed y the poorer classes of the community. No report has yet been received from the Governor of the action taken in consequence of this resolution.

Is the right hon. Gentleman likely to take any action regarding other Colonial Governments, so as to keep an eye on the situation and speed up any necessary developments?

Yes, Sir; I am much obliged to my hon. Friend for putting this question. It is a matter on which we feel very strongly.

Has my right hon. Friend power in cases of this kind to compel the local Governments to act?

As the noble Lord knows, the powers and the exact constitutional positions of the Colonies vary so much, that I cannot give a general answer to that question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that persons in Jamaica, leasing their property to United States engineers, on behalf of the United States Government, are required to sign a printed form of lease under which any dispute as to the amount of compensation for any damage found at the termination of the lease must be left to the sole decision of Washington, one of the parties concerned, and that this is not enforceable in court; and whether he will make representations to the United States authorities whereby such cases shall be heard by an independent tribunal.

No, Sir. Inquiries are being made, and I will let my hon. Friend know the result.

asked the Minister of Information whether, in the interests of our national reputation for fair dealing amongst Oriental peoples and to diminish opportunities for Nazi propaganda amongst them, he will consider the appointment as co-head with Mr. Hillelson of the Near-East Department of the British Broadcasting Corporation of one of the two distinguished Orientalists and British Moslems, whose names have been sent to him?

I cannot accept the implication that our national reputation for fair dealing amongst Oriental peoples will be enhanced by an unnecessary duplication of duties in the B.B.C. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will forgive me for reminding him that one of those whom he calls the two most distinguished Orientalists is already engaged on full-time work for the British Government.

Is the Minister not aware of the necessity there is at the present time for doing nothing further to offend Moslem opinion, that we must take that into account, and that in order to do that it will be very worth while to bring back from abroad one of the two distinguished British Moslems whose names I have already sent to him?

All these points have been taken into account. May I give the hon. and gallant Member this advice: that it also upsets Moslem opinion if encouragement is given from time to time to the belief that the B.B.C. or the Minister of Information shows too much favouritism to other races?

asked the Minister of Information whether any Moslem is included in the staff of the British Broad-casting Corporation which is responsible for the broadcasting of news and information to Islamic countries; and, if not, whether one, or more, will be appointed as a mark of appreciation of the support to the Allied Nations given by Moslems everywhere?

I am grateful to my Noble Friend for giving me an opportunity to publish the fact that rather more than half of the B.B.C. staff concerned are Moslems.

Is-the Minister aware that there is a most unfortunate impression which is quite untrue, and which should be dissipated, in certain Moslem countries that in any dispute with Congress Hindus or Palestinian Jews there is a bias in favour of Hindus or Jews in this House and the Press? Is it not most desirable to correct that by speaking rather frankly to some hon. Members who tend to give that impression in this House?

I entirely agree with the sentiments expressed by my hon. Friend.

Is that not due to the fact that Jews have enlisted in far greater numbers—[Interruption].

That is quite untrue.

asked the Minister of Information what steps are being taken to provide the Russian people with any information as to the British war effort, more especially in its relation to the assistance in munitions and supplies, which has been rendered by this country to the Soviet Union?

The Ministry have had their share of the misfortunes of war in their publicity activities in Russia. The ship carrying the newly-appointed Press Attache and his staff was torpedoed and, though they were happily saved, the large consignment of books and other printed publicity which they took with them was all lost. Since their arrival a month ago they have reached agreement with the Soviet authorities, on various new measures. These include the publication of an illustrated weekly in Russian and the establishment of a British library in Moscow. A steadily increasing number of British films is being regularly despatched. My hon. and gallant Friend will appre- ciate that our activities are hampered by the long and difficult journey-between this country and Russia. However, the despatch by wireless of Press matter about the British war effort has been steadily increasing and has now reached an average rate of nearly 20,000 words a day.

Could our Embassy in Moscow do something rather more original than has been done?

I do not think so. The Ambassador is very publicity-minded. He is working against very difficult conditions at the present time. Both the Ambassador and the Press Attache, I am certain, are doing all in their power to increase knowledge of English ways of life in Russia.

Are there any facilities for printing British propaganda in Russia in the same way that there are ample facilities for printing Russian propaganda and information about their war effort in Britain?

I thought I had dealt with that in the answer which I gave the hon. and gallant Gentleman. There are facilities in Russia, but I do not think they are the same facilities as exist in England.

Has any printing machinery been placed at the disposal of the British propaganda officials in Russia?

Yes, Sir. We could not print a weekly paper if we had not the use of machines.

Has my right hon. Friend considered radio, and has he given consideration to the suggestions I made in my two speeches on this subject on 3rd July last year and 17th February this year, namely, that transmissions on the short wave in English from Russia should be broadcast on the medium wave band in this country, and vice versa, so that the great masses of listeners could receive them instead of limiting this to the very privileged few who possess short-wave receivers?

Is it not time we had some other propaganda than Russian? What about Australia, Canada, America and the rest? I think we are making a great mistake.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will consult with the First Lord of the Admiralty and the Secretaries of State for Air and War with a view to making arrangements whereby once or twice a day there shall be issued a brief comprehensive British war communiqué embodying the official news from all fronts, land, sea and air, thereby ensuring equal publicity for all three services?

I am obliged by my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion, and I shall gladly discuss it with the Service Ministers.

Will my right hon. Friend regard it as a matter of urgency in order to put a stop as soon as possible to the unregulated competition of publicity which has been going on between the Service Departments, a competition in which the Admiralty and the War Office have so often been left badly in the rear?

I will certainly start these conversations as soon as possible, and I shall be helped, I suppose, in conducting them by the statement just made by my hon. and gallant Friend.

Does not the Admiralty stand for the old idea that the Navy is a silent Service?

I should think that that is probably true.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) the actual sums of money paid to each of the Wholesale Meat Supply Associations to date; the rate at which this commission is calculated; whether it is related to the pre-war trading of the wholesalers in these associations; and the number of men fully occupied in this work;

With the hon. Member's permission I will circulate a statement showing the sums paid to each of the Wholesale Meat Supply Associations for periods up to 27th March, 1942, that is, to the end of the Associations' last financial year, and also showing the numbers of men employed by each Association. I regret that on grounds of public policy it is not possible to give information as regards the rates at which payments are calculated. Such particulars would indicate the quantities of meat consumed, and, therefore, the population in the different areas. The rates are applied to the through-put handled by the respective Associations and the-rates are established on a varying basis, to allow for necessary differences in distribution expenses in different areas and for the amount of pre-war trading grouped in each area, so that the balance available for net distribution to members in different parts of the country is kept approximately the same as would have been the case had only one national organisation been set up. The Associations are responsible for the physical handling and distribution to retail butchers of all frozen and home-killed meat and offals issued to meet the rationed needs of, civilian consumers. They also distribute meat to meat manufacturers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, in relation to the Metropolitan district, what principles have operated to fix the amount of house-charge in addition to the 5s. maximum meal charge at hotels and the like; in how many cases will this make the charge the same as before the new Order; and in how many cases will the present permitted additions make the total greater than before?

As regards the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's Question, the principle which has in general been followed in granting licences to hotels and restaurants to make house

Is the hon. Gentleman entirely satisfied that the scheme is functioning satisfactorily? Is there not a good deal of redundancy and of unnecessary expense, which is added to the cost of meat?

I have no evidence to that effect.

Is the hon. Gentleman prepared to review the whole scheme?

Certainly.

Would my hon. Friend speed up this review, because this Order, which was intended to reduce prices has given Government sanction to an increase which is entirely unjustified, and of which everybody is taking advantage?

My Noble Friend is most anxious to pursue the review speedily.

What is to prevent a per-son who is not satisfied with what he gets at one hotel going to another?

Probably time and money.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the total amount of money paid by the Government to livestock auctioneers by way of compensation and for any other services rendered by them, respectively; the number of livestock auctioneers fully occupied in the service of his Department, and the total annual remuneration paid to them?

No payment is made by my Department to livestock auctioneers by way of compensation. Livestock auctioneers have acted as county chairmen of auctioneers, district chairmen of auctioneers. Government buyers and certifying officers. The sum of £498,968 has been paid in respect of salaries and expenses of these part-time officers. In addition, the sum of £2,382,504 has been paid in respect of headage charge on the number of stock handled at the markets. The number of livestock auctioneers fully occupied in the service of the Ministry in connection with the Meat and Livestock Control Scheme is nine. The total of their salaries is £6,890 per annum.

Is any other Department—the Ministry of Agriculture, for instance—paying sums to these people?

I have no knowledge of any other Department doing so. If the hon. Member has any information, perhaps he will let me have it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, whether he is aware that visitors to Llandudno, where most of the hotels have been requisitioned for Government purposes, have to stand regularly in queues, outside and inside for a considerable time before they can be served with meals at cafés and restaurants; and will he take steps to remedy this, either by opening a British Restaurant or otherwise.

It is true that a number of hotels in Llandudno have been requisitioned for Government purposes and that the normal catering facilities for visitors have been reduced. As my hon. Friend is aware, the Government are urging the population to restrict travel to a minimum in present circumstances. There would, therefore, seem no proper reason for making special provision for holiday visitors to Llandudno. In reply to the last part of my hon. Friend's Question, my hon. Friend is no doubt aware that British Restaurants are provided to meet the requirements of workers who, owing to war conditions, experience difficulty in obtaining hot, nutritious meals at a reasonable price.

Is. the hon. Gentleman aware that Llandudno is peculiar in this respect; that the facilities for meals there are worse than in any other town in England, Scotland, and Wales; that people who travel on business through Llandudno cannot get meals; and that workers actually employed in the town cannot get meals without waiting half an hour for them?

I know that there are special conditions in Llandudno; but the Question referred to holiday visitors, and it is clear that special facilities should not be provided for holiday visitors.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has considered the difficulties which may arise as a consequence of the almost total withdrawal of the subsidy to the 23,723 small producers of bread in England and Wales; and, in view of the importance of a widely-distributed system of bread production, which must not be made uneconomic to the producer, will he undertake to review within a reasonable time the effects of the abolition of the subsidy on the small producer?

All bakers receive a subsidy of 7s. 9d. per sack. This subsidy remains. The only subsidy which has been withdrawn is the temporary additional subsidy which was granted last October at rates varying from 4s. to 2s. per sack. The continuation of this additional subsidy was dependent upon the results of an inquiry into the cost of manufacturing and distributing bread. The inquiry has now been completed for England and Wales, and a careful examination of the figures shows that bakers as a whole would receive an adequate return on bread without the additional subsidy. Appreciating the special difficulty of small producers, my Noble Friend has decided to pay 2s. per sack on the first eight sacks of weekly output for a further short period, and to collect data as to costs in a week in July. The reply to the last part of my hon. Friend's Question is in the affirmative.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it is true that large bakers do not require any further subsidy; but that he is paying this 2s. to large bakers, who do not want it, and to small bakers, to whom it is a tremendous help, enabling them to keep their businesses going?

It is important to bear in mind that a costings examination was made by an accountant of the Department and an accountant appointed by the bakers. That examination showed that there is no justification for the subsidy, but, in deference to further representations, this subsidy is being continued in this form until further costings can be obtained.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that hirers of motor cars and taxi-cab drivers in the provinces have no radius limit for journeys such as obtains in the Metropolitan area; and will he apply a similar maximum mileage to the provinces?