asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made with other countries for the repatriation of permanently disabled prisoners of war?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has under consideration a further attempt to effect with the German Government an exchange of disabled prisoners of war?

Conversations have been proceeding for some time, through the channel of the Protecting Power, but I regret that I am not yet in a position to make any further statement.

I understand that last time negotiations broke down because of the disparity in numbers. That was a breach of international law, but the German. Government did not want to send back more men than they got from us. I hope that if that is the only consideration it will not be allowed to stand in the way.

I fully understand my hon. Friend's feelings and his point. I think he will understand me if I say that I would rather not discuss the matter in public, because that might have some effect on the course of the negotiations.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that everybody is delighted that the negotiations are going on and wishes him every success?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why he has ruled that the British Council may not support the scheme for an anti-Fascist Italian centre in London, analogous to the Allied centres already established by the Council?

My hon. Friend overlooks the fact that Italy is not an Ally but an enemy Power, and my hon. Friend's analogy does not apply. The British Council, whose activities, in any case, are cultural and not political, have lent their support to national centres of Allied countries and of occupied countries whose National Councils are recognised by His Majesty's Government.

Has the Foreign Office given any support to the Austrian centre, which is analogous, and why does the Foreign Office frustrate every attempt by anti-Fascists to organise themselves, whether in a fighting force, by a newspaper, or in a centre?

I do not accept a single one of the hon. Gentleman's remarks, and I repeat that we are not necessarily prepared to encourage enemy aliens to organise in this country.

Will the Foreign Secretary consider giving Austrians the status of friendly aliens, instead of treating them as a defeated enemy?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent His Majesty's Government provided facilities for, or approved of, M. Charles Vallin, Vice-President of the Fascist Croix de Feu, coming to this country; and whether M. Vallin has come to represent the Croix de Feu point of view in the Fighting French movement?

It would not be in the public interest to make any statement in regard to M. Vallin's journey to this country. As regards the last part of the Question, M. Vallin is one amongst a number of French personalities with whom the French National Committee have, it seems, desired to consult, but these consultations are of course the concern of the Committee, and I have no information to give on the subject.

If M. Vallin has come here to represent the Croix de Feu, would the right hon. Gentleman approve of his presence and, activities?

If facilities can be granted to M. Vallin, would they be granted to other people, like, for instance, M. Blum?

Yes; it happens, if my memory serves me right, that M. Vallin came here with M. Brossolette, M. Blum's secretary. The representative Governments or National Committees who bring these people here must take that responsibility.

Is it not open to M. Vallin, like everyone else, to undergo a change of heart?

There is always more rejoicing, etc.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the recent speech of His Majesty's Ambassador in Madrid, delivered in Chelsea, suggesting that the Allied nations should make it more clear what our post-war aims are for the new Europe; and whether he will make such a statement?

The hon. Member will perhaps have seen an account in the Press of a speech which I made at Leamington last Saturday. Parts of this speech dealt with the objectives of our foreign policy, and others with the organisation of relief in Europe.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the speech of our Ambassador in Madrid warrants the very serious consideration of His Majesty's Government, and that His Majesty's Government, along with the Governments of the other Allied nations, should carry out the suggestions of our Ambassador and make the fact public to the people of Europe?

The observations of our representatives abroad always receive the careful thought of His Majesty's Government.

Has the right hon. Gentleman noted the observations of our Ambassador in Madrid on the need for speed in order to achieve victory?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport, to state what arrangements have been made by his Department in regard to the transport of deer carcases by passenger train during the current season?

Yes, Sir. It has been arranged that special vans for this traffic will be provided by the railways at selected loading stations on certain days of the week, and that the vans will be attached to passenger trains. On the day before the vans are required, the senders will tell the stationmasters at the loading points how many carcases they propose to send. The minimum load will be one ton per van. I am much obliged to my hon. Friend for drawing attention to a preventable waste of food.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary give wide publicity to that announcement?

I will do my best, and I hope my hon. Friend will do the same.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport (1) whether, in the course of the investigation made, or being made, into the working of the Government Road Haulage Scheme, Sir Frederick Heaton has met, or taken evidence from, the Advisory Committee as representative of the Hauliers National Pool;

(2) when the report of the investigation into the working of the Government Road Haulage Scheme, made by Sir F. Heaton, will be presented; and whether evidence from the road haulage industry has been invited and taken?

When he decided to avail himself of the special knowledge and experience of Sir Frederick Heaton in this matter, my Noble Friend did not ask him to conduct any formal investigation into the working of the existing scheme. Accordingly, Sir Frederick Heaton took no evidence from the Advisory Committee, and no report will be published. I would, however, remind my hon. and gallant Friend that the Advisory Committee have always been at liberty to express their views on the working of the scheme direct to my Noble Friend.

Is it not a fact that when the statement first appeared in the Press that this inquiry would be held, a report had been completed by Sir Frederick Heaton? What was the point of making this sham inquiry?

With great respect, I think my hon. and gallant Friend is incorrect. My Noble Friend asked Sir Frederick Heaton for an expert individual opinion on matters which he was then considering. My Noble Friend receives many individual opinions, and is always glad to receive them from any quarter', provided they are constructive and intended to promote the war effort.

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether Sir Frederick Heaton will consider any evidence that the Committee bring forward so that he can make another report in order to make his first report into some resemblance to a proper report?

I have already explained that Sir Frederick Heaton was not taking evidence at all. My Noble Friend, who has to make the decision, will certainly take into consideration any evidence which the Advisory Committee may lay before him.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that an allowance of five gallons per week each is granted to two loud-speaker vans used for party propaganda by the Communist Party of Great Britain, that the vans have been touring the streets of North London agitating for an immediate second front; and whether he will divert this petrol to some purpose more useful to the war effort?

The Regional Transport Commissioner was assured that the vans would be used to encourage the increase of production and the recruitment of women. He therefore allowed five gallons a week for each van.

Does the hon. Gentleman really think that merchant seamen should be asked to risk their lives to bring petrol here for party propaganda?

I have no information except that which the hon. Gentleman has just given me about propaganda, either for a second front or party purposes. I suggest, however, that if he desires to pursue the political aspects of the matter, he would perhaps do right to take up the question with the Minister of Information.

Is it not generally desirable that the Ministry of War Transport should make some inquiries to see that allowances of petrol are being properly used?

We make inquiries for the purposes for which this petrol was asked, and we received assurances. We have no information of the kind now stated except that which has been put to me to-day.

Has the hon. Gentleman made any inquiries himself to see whether petrol is being properly used?

I have not had time to make inquiries, but I certainly will.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware of the waste of coal and man-power in running special trains to and from airports for British Airways passengers who could be carried in the ordinary trains; and whether he will ask the Railway Executive not to authorise such trains as long as special trains for holidays are refused?

I cannot accept my hon. Friend's suggestion that the running of these trains involves a waste of coal. They were authorised because the traffic could not economically or conveniently be carried by the ordinary trains. Apart from that consideration, my hon. Friend will, I am sure, recognise the urgent importance of making the overseas air services as rapid and as reliable as possible. They are not used for pleasure or recreation, and the running of special trains in connection with these overseas services cannot properly be compared with holiday services.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that when people see these special trains running—on one day last month there were fewer than 15 passengers—they find it very difficult to believe that the Government are in earnest in their appeal for coal economy? Will he look again into a matter which constitutes a scandalous case of unfair privilege?

With great respect, I cannot accept the suggestion that this is unfair privilege. I have looked into it very carefully. Nearly every day the addition of the air service coaches to an ordinary train would mean double heading the ordinary train, with a loss of engine power and engines which could be used for heavy freight traffic. This service is only for people engaged on urgent Government work, and if they missed their plane it would be very much against the national interest.

That is not true.

But are we to ask miners to provide coal so that these people can have special privileges?

I have explained that in our view this does not involve a waste of coal. It is, possibly, a coal economy.

Why?

Because light passenger engines, instead of heavy passenger engines, are used.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether, to facilitate lorries getting through towns, he will consider allowing the police to put up temporary direction posts at important road centres that can be instantly removed if circumstances so require?

As I said in answer to my hon. Friend on nth September, the replacement of direction signs must depend upon military considerations. The subject is now being reviewed, and until the necessary decisions have been made, I regret that I cannot add to my previous reply.

Are we not showing far too much consideration for the convenience to the invader?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether, in the light of further information supplied to him, he is now prepared to give instructions for the issue of priority passes to members of local authorities and approved persons on business who reside at intermediate points on omnibus routes so as to enable them to attend the various meetings of their respective authorities and generally attend to their public duties?

I am looking into the specific cases which my hon. Friend has just sent me, and I will write to him about them as soon as possible.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind when making this inquiry that many of these men have to get up between two and three o'clock in the morning and stand in queues for as long as three-quarters of an hour while seven or eight buses pass them before they are picked up? These men not only give their services to the local government but do their ordinary work in the mines.

I am most anxious to make it possible for these men to do their public work as well as their other work, but it is a complicated matter, and each case has to be dealt with on its merits.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has any plans this winter for mitigating the inconvenience caused when the last collections of letters take place generally at 4.30 p.m. in outer and 5.30 p.m. in inner London?

I am not aware that the arrangements which were in force in London last winter caused any serious inconvenience to the public, and in order to meet the conditions prevailing during the long hours of darkness, I propose to make the same arrangements this winter.

Could there be a larger number of principal post offices where a slightly later collection is made so that anyone who really needs to post letters later can find a post office with a later collection within reasonable reach?

I should like to consider that.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning the approximate number of houses from which iron railings have been collected; the total tonnage so far recovered; the number of houses in respect of which compensation claims have been received; and to what extent claims at a rate in excess of the standard rate of compensation of 25s. per ton have been made?

At the end of August last the iron railings had been removed from approximately 2,000,000 houses and the weight of metal recovered for scrap was 310,315 tons. Compensation had been claimed in 307,000 cases. Of these only 27,000 were for sums at a rate in excess of 25s. per ton, but 20,000 had now been settled within that rate. The small balance of 7,000 cases remains. Negotiations in respect of these cases are now proceeding, and I am glad to be able to say that, apart from incidentals, it has not hitherto been necessary to pay compensation at a rate in excess of 25s. per ton.

Can my hon. Friend explain how many tons of this iron have already been used and how many still remain in the collectors' dumps?

No, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning whether, in view of the backward state of planning in the Welsh counties, he will immediately appoint a Welsh regional advisory committee to co-operate with his Regional Planning Officer for Wales; and whether, in connection with the promised legislation for town and country planning, he will make provision for a separate planning department for Wales and Monmouthshire?

My Noble Friend is aware of the backward state of planning in some Welsh counties, and this is one of the problems to which the recently appointed Planning Officer for Wales is giving his attention. The possibility of appointing an advisory committee on town and country planning in Wales will not be overlooked, but, before my Noble Friend took such a step, he would desire to consult the Advisory Council on Welsh Reconstruction Problems. In answer to the last part of the Question, I am not in a position to make a statement regarding forthcoming legislation, but the position of Wales will be borne in mind.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in connection with the Debate on Army Pay on 10th September, he will institute inquiries why advance information was given to some sections of the Press on the evening of 9th September, which appeared in the morning Press oh 10th September just prior to the Debate which took place, which gave an outline of the Government's intentions, and had not been made available to Members of the House of Commons prior to the holding of the Debate?

I am informed that in accordance with a well-established practice, which has proved useful in securing informed editorial comment, a representative of the Government gave off-the-record information and guidance to the Press and answered questions about the Government's intentions on Service pay.

Is not my right hon. Friend a very old and experienced Parliamentarian, and had he not been in office, would he not have been the first to complain about this? Is it not impossible to uphold the prestige of the House in Debate if information is given out in the Press on- the very morning on which the Debate is held and has to be repeated over and over again? I am sure my right hon. Friend will sympathise with my protest in this matter, as he has always shown such very great concern for upholding Parliamentary traditions.

I hardly know how to acknowledge my hon. Friend's remarks.

asked the Prime Minister whether steps are to be taken to implement the recommendations contained in the Final Report of the Expert Committee on Compensation and Betterment?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave yesterday in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for East Wolver-hampton (Mr. Mander).

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of recent attacks by armed parties from neutral territory and the ease with which enemy agents can at present get information as to British and United States Forces in Northern Ireland, an effective boundary under military control will now be established between the United Kingdom and neutral land frontiers; and whether the censorship and control of travel at present in force between two portions of the United Kingdom will be transferred to traffic and mail between the United Kingdom and neutral territory?

The primary responsibility for dealing with criminal outrages, including those in which the criminals use arms, rests on the civil authorities, who can call for the assistance of the military authorities if need arises. Appropriate arrangements have been made in Northern Ireland for the provision of such assistance if required. I understand the Government of Northern Ireland are satisfied that the situation is well in hand. As regards control of the land boundary careful examination has shown that such a scheme as my hon. and gallant Friend suggests would not be the best method of preventing leakage of information. For this purpose other measures are taken which I am advised are more appropriate and effective. It would not be practicable to adopt the proposal in the last part of the Question to dispense with the existing control over traffic and communications from Great Britain.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that the responsibility for the defence of the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, from attack from without is an Imperial responsibility of the Government of the United Kingdom, that these attacks were from without, and that at the present time there is no serious attempt made to prevent information from Northern Ireland, even as to the passage of convoys which are visible from the coast of Antrim, from going down to organised enemy organisations in Eire?

I have never pretended to regard the situation as satisfactory, but the arrangements made go a considerable way to mitigate the danger.

How long are His Majesty's Government going to tolerate the murder of our constables on the border of Eire, as happened at Clady, County Tyrone, on 5th September? Will not my right hon. Friend give vent to his righteous and well-expressed indignation?

I see no reason to withdraw my trust from the regular processes of British justice.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has now been able to consider the full reports from the Service Departments on the Dieppe raid and, in particular, upon the support afforded by the Royal Air Force to the Army; whether he is satisfied that that support was adequate and effective; and whether any further measures are to be taken to meet the demands of the Army for still closer support from the air arm in future actions?

During the course of the operation the Military Force Commander made a signal which included the statement that air support was "faultless." The answer to the second part of the Question is "Yes." As regards the third part of the Question, the problem of air support for the Army is under constant examination.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information regarding the performance of the tanks that were landed, and is the report encouraging?

I have not in my mind at present any special information on the subject. I understand that they were held up by the altogether unexpected strength of blocks at the ends of the streets, which it had not been anticipated they would not be able to destroy by the fire of their guns. I have not any other particular item in my mind on the subject. They were, I believe, Churchill tanks, which no doubt explains the friendly interest in their performances, but I have not heard that they acquitted themselves with any marked lack of propriety.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give some attention to the matter of the gun mountings of these Churchill tanks that were used in the Dieppe raid?

They are under the most continuous study, change and improvement. A very large number in this country are being tested in every way, but the point that the hon. Gentleman has made will, I am sure, attract the attention of the Service Departments concerned.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will explain how the House should reconcile the announcement made on 8th September that most of the Dieppe invading force came back with the official statement of the Canadian Minister of National Defence that, of 5,000 Canadian troops involved in the raid casualties totalled 3,350, of whom 2,717 were killed or missing?

In my Statement of 8th September, I was referring to the assaulting force as a whole, the greater part of whom were brought back by the Royal Navy. There is no inconsistency with the statement of the Canadian Minister of National Defence, who was referring only to casualties among the Canadian troops who took part.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make any general statement on the total losses during the raid?

Some statement has been made in Canada. I do not know whether we need be so very meticulous in giving the exact figures. The enemy have made their statement, and they do not know how many we got back safe. I do not think there will be any advantage in it, but the losses were very heavy and went up to nearly one-half.

The losses were five-sixths of the Canadian Force, therefore the total force was 6,000, and the casualties appear to be more than half.

There seems to be some discrepancy in the arithmetic, but the facts that I have given are correct. When I say five-sixths, I am bound to say it might have been four-fifths. I did not myself divide the figures. It may be that between five-sixths and a half there might be some small discrepancy. If so, I greatly regret it.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider making recommendations for the creation of an order of efficiency which could be conferred upon industrial workers, male or female, in recognition of meritorious service in the advancement of the war effort in factory or workshop?

Proposals of this kind have recently been very carefully examined. It is considered that a more extended use of the existing awards would be preferable.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the United States a similar order has had very great effect?

I have asked for reports about that.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the Parliamentary deputation to Chungking, he will consider asking both Houses of Parliament to pass a resolution of sympathy, encouragement and good will to China to be sent there with the deputation?

The suggestion made in my hon. Friend's Question was carefully considered. It was felt, however, that as the Lord Chancellor and the Speaker had been asked to select the personnel of the delegation it would be appropriate if the delegation were supplied with a joint letter signed by the Lord Chancellor and the Speaker to General Chiang Kai-shek expressing the admiration and sympathy felt by the British Parliament and the British people both for the Chinese people and for General Chiang Kai-shek in particular as China's leader.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the effect which a letter signed by the Lord Chancellor might have in that country?

I think we should not in any way depart from precedent in entrusting our representations in these matters to the highest authorities in both Houses of Parliament.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman remember the record of the Lord Chancellor?

If I were to try to remember everyone's record, I should be fully employed.

asked the Prime Minister which Department of State is now responsible for initiating the prosecution of miners for absenteeism?

In England and Wales prosecutions for infringement of the Essential Work (Coalmining Industry) Orders, as recently amended, will be instituted by the Ministry of Labour and National Service, acting in consultation with the Ministry of Fuel and Power. In Scotland such prosecutions will be in the hands of the Lord Advocate.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether we have helped the production of coal by prosecuting and imprisoning miners for violating these orders?

These questions have been decided by the House, and it is in pursuance of legislation and with Parliamentary authority, that this action has been taken.

asked the Minister of Production whether, in view of the fact that the basic materials required for the production of Neoprene synthetic rubber are coke and limestone, he will reconsider the possibility of erecting a plant for the production of this material in this country?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The basic raw materials for the production of Neoprene are available in this country; but the relative effort required for the erection of a plant with a substantial output and the length of time necessary to get it into production are such that its erection in this country would not, having regard to the production already arranged in the U.S.A., be justified.

Would it not be more advantageous to erect a plant for such rubbers as Buna and Buryl?

All these questions have been carefully considered, having regard to other claims upon the plant and material available, and it has been decided that this is one of the cases where manufacture could best be entrusted to the United States.

Will my hon. Friend consider the possible developments and production of rubber as a by-product of carbide from the works now functioning in this country?

I should not like to say that we have reached finality in our consideration of the subject, and, should any new circumstance arise, the policy will be reconsidered, but at present we are quite satisfied with the arrangement made to produce in the United States.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the people of the United States are profoundly dissatisfied with the arrangements made for the production of synthetic rubber there?

I think there is a good deal of dissatisfaction on all kinds of subjects in both countries. We have to weigh all the considerations.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the present method of manufacture of synthetic rubber is most extravagant and that there are many processes by which it could be made in this country far more economically than that to which the hon. Gentleman has referred?

We cannot pursue the subject any further.

asked the Minister of Production to what extent the discussions with the United States Government leading up to the decision only to erect one type of synthetic rubber plant in this country revealed serious difficulties over patent rights; and to what extent they played a part in that decision?

No difficulties regarding patent rights have been encountered in the consideration of this subject.

Is it not true to say that the patent rights are held by foreigners, including the enemy? Is not that the position?

That is another question. I did not say that there were no patent rights. I said that they had not given rise to any difficulty. All the main patent rights are held in the United States, but they have not affected our consideration of the subject at all and have not stood in the way of our decision.

asked the Paymaster-General whether consideration is being given to a policy of maintaining basic wages at the level prevailing at the close of hostilities with a view to preventing prices falling to a depression level after the war?

The Government are giving active consideration to measures necessary for a policy of stabilisation after the War which would avoid both depression of prices and inflation. In framing such a policy the question of the level of wages is one factor which must be taken into account.

asked the Paymaster-General whether there is any official committee investigating the problems of post-war civil aviation; if so, upon what date it was appointed and when it last met?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given yesterday to the hon. Member for Shrewsbury (Mr. A. Duckworth). The Inter-Departmental Committee on Civil Aviation was appointed in August, 1941; it last met in January, 1942, and thereafter submitted certain questions for the opinion of His Majesty's Government. These questions are now being considered.

Does it not really show, as this Committee met last in January, 1942, and as this matter is of vast importance to the Empire after the war, that it is not being-taken as seriously as it should be?

No, Sir, it shows no such thing. It shows that the matter is one of extreme complexity and difficulty, and its importance can hardly be overrated.