asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the proposal of the Chinese Foreign Minister for the setting-up of an executive council of the United Nations; and whether this proposal is receiving the consideration of His Majesty's Government?

No such proposal has been received by His Majesty's Government. I presume that my hon. Friend is referring to a speech made by Dr. T. V. Soong in New York on nth October, in which he is reported to have advocated the establishment of an executive council of the United Nations to facilitate cooperation between the United Nations both during and after the war. His Majesty's Government are, of course, always prepared to give full consideration to any proposal which they may receive from an Allied Government.

Before taking any further action would His Majesty's Government require to be approached officially in the matter by the Chinese Government, or can they take action merely on that speech?

I do not think His Majesty's Government can take action on the report of a speech in a newspaper.

asked the Prime Minister when the last meeting of those leaders of the United Nations located in Britain was held; and whether it is proposed that these meetings shall take place at regular intervals in the future?

The last Allied Conference was held on 13th January, 1942. Like earlier meetings it was held for a specific purpose, and further meetings will doubtless be arranged as occasion requires. It would not be desirable to hold formal meetings at stated intervals.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that if these meetings were regularly held, it would not only promote co-operation in the war effort but might well lay the foundation for lasting peace in post-war Europe?

I do not think that it would be useful to hold these meetings at the moment.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has yet come to a decision with regard to establishing a supreme War Council of the United Nations?

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has nothing to add to what has already been said in reply to Questions on this subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on 8th September, in answer to the hon. and gallant Member for Ayr Burghs, my right hon. Friend stated that he would probably deal with the subject in his speech later in the day and that he made no such reference in that speech; and does he not think that, in view of recent statements which have come from abroad, it would be very wise to have some co-ordinating effort for both our war strategy and our victory?

That would seem to confirm the answer I have given that the Prime Minister has nothing to add to what has already been said on the question.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the possibility of setting-up an Allied general staff in London to co-ordinate strategy and to secure effective co-operation between the Allied Governments in the field of production?

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has nothing to add to previous statements about arrangements for the co-ordination of Allied strategy and production which have been made on behalf of His Majesty's Government; except that the arrangements already made both in London and Washington for the co-ordination of production are being constantly developed and improved.

Do his Majesty's Government really think that the present machinery for co-ordinating strategy is adequate for the requirements of a global war?

Would my right hon. Friend consider co-ordinating first, inter-Service strategy before he goes into this wider problem?

asked the Secretary of State for Air the billeting allowances for those who are billeted in private houses, and whether this is uniform throughout the country?

The rates of billeting allowances for airmen were set out in full in the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for New Forest and Christchurch (Major Mills) on 18th March last, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. The rates for officers, which cover accommodation only, are 3s. a night for the first officer and 2s. a night for each additional officer. All rates are uniform throughout the country.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that I am having complaints from the part of Lancashire from which I come that the rates are not uniform—that they are higher in Blackpool than in other parts? Will he examine the question, because I believe the rates are rather too low at the present time and that there ought to be some revision?

I am glad the hon. Member has drawn my attention to this particular point regarding Blackpool. I will inform him of the details of that aspect of the question. The rates are settled for the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, and therefore this is an inter-Services matter.

I meant all the Services. I put this Question to the right hon. and gallant Gentleman because of the case which came to my notice.

Do not most of the inhabitants of Lancashire pay more for accommodation in Blackpool than they do in Leigh?

asked the Secretary of State for Air what arrangements exist regarding allowances to dependent mothers of airmen; and whether these are entirely of a voluntary character?

An airman may claim dependant's allowance to assist him in maintaining the contributions which he made towards the support of his mother before joining the Forces. The arrangements are fully set out in Air Ministry Order A.1082/1941 of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the Air Efficiency Award is equal in status to the Efficiency Decoration awarded in the Army; and whether recipients of the Air Efficiency Award are entitled to add the letters A.E.A. to their names as in the case of the T.D.?

As it is of more recent creation, the Air Efficiency Award will be worn after the Efficiency Decoration. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend take steps to remove this inequality, so that officers and men can use the letters A.E.A after their names or alternatively the letters T.D., in the same way as Army officers do?

No, Sir. If the Government were once to start on the slippery slope of allowing the holders of medals not awarded for gallantry to use initials after their names the practice would become so common as to be scarcely worth any distinction at all. There is the Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserves Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, and there is the Board of Trade Rocket Apparatus Volunteer Long Service Medal. For these the appropriate initials would be R.N.A.S., S.B., L.S. and G.C.M. and B.T.R.A.L.S.M., and I think the hon. Member would see that for holders of these medals to have these long strings of initials after their names would not be really very suitable.

While appreciating the humour of what my right hon. and gallant Friend has said, may I ask whether it would not be right and proper to see that the Air Force are put on the same footing as the Army in this matter because officers in the Army are allowed to put these letters after their names? Why should not those in the Air Force be put in the same position when they receive similar awards?

Because in the case of the Army the decoration is for officers only. In the case of the Air Force we have a common decoration for officers and airmen.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the ascertained results of our bombing raids over Germany, he will consider whether, instead of the more frequent employment of smaller forces, it is not desirable to concentrate large numbers of aircraft against specific areas, even if at longer intervals?

I can assure my hon. Friend that his suggestion will be borne in mind.

Will the Minister bear in mind that Bomber Command is the only arm of our Services which is able to strike at Germans in Germany, and will he therefore see that all the resources of Bomber Command are utilised to give the maximum effect?

I am sure that the Commander-in-Chief, Bomber Command, will take note of what my hon. Friend has said.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why officers of the Women's Royal Naval Service working at the Admiralty or at the Women's Royal Naval Service headquarters do not receive the allowance given to officers of the Royal Navy working at the Admiralty; and whether he is taking any steps to remove this anomaly?

It has recently been decided to pay Admiralty headquarters allowances to officers of the W.R.N.S. at two-thirds of the rates payable to naval officers of the same relative rank. Payment will be retrospective to 31st July, 1942.

Upon what principle is the two-thirds allowance based?

It is in accordance with a policy which is common to the three Services.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty in the case of girls born between 1918 and 1922, hitherto retained in important civilian work but now urged to volunter for the Services, what are the qualifications demanded of them before they can be accepted as volunteers for the Women's Royal Naval Service; whether he is aware that such girls are being told at Employment Exchanges that they have no hope of acceptance unless they can say that they have relations in the Navy; and whether he will make clear that entry into this Service depends on personal merit and suitability, not on family connections?

I welcome the opportunity of dealing up any misunderstanding on this Question, and as the answer is somewhat long I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the previous experience of flying and service with the Fleet Air Arm of the present Chief of Naval Air Services?

Although the present Chief of Naval Air Services has not served in the Fleet Air Arm, he has had considerable experience of this Service in important sea appointments during his distinguished career. Both as Flag Officer in command of the Battle Cruiser Squadron, which in those days included the aircraft carriers of the Home Fleet, and as Commander-in-Chief, China, he has had operational and administrative control of important units of the Fleet Air Arm. Admiral Dreyer was also for 2½ years Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff during a period when one of the functions of that appointment was the superintendence of naval air work.

With the greatest possible respect for this very distinguished Admiral, may I ask whether there is no younger man with practical experience of flying who could suitably be promoted to fill this very important position?

There is no suggestion that there is not such a person, but, at the same time, it was felt by the Board of Admiralty that, taking into consideration the difficulties of that time, Admiral Dreyer was the most suitable person to occupy the post.

How long is it since this Admiral was on the active list?

Is not the Minister aware that there are naval officers who have had very considerable flying experience in the Fleet Air Arm but who have not been employed in connection with naval aviation during the whole course of this war?

Is it not a fact that there are junior flag officers who have had long experience in the Fleet Air Arm and who have not been employed, although they are perfectly capable of taking this job, instead of an elderly, though very distinguished, flag officer being brought back?

That does not alter the fact that when Admiral Dreyer was appointed he was regarded as the most suitable man for the post.

Can the Minister say what were the dates of the experience to which he alluded, and what were the services of the Admiral for five years before this appointment?

I could not, without notice.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that, in assessing dependants' allowances, pensions awarded in respect of sons killed in this war are taken into account and may in fact result in substantial allowances being withdrawn, his Department will adopt the same principle as applied by the Assistance Board and ignore pensions for assessment purposes?

The arrangement suggested by the hon. Member raises issues which affect the regulations for dependants' allowances common to all three Services, and possibly also the Regulations governing the award of war pensions. It would not, therefore, be possible for the Admiralty alone to make a decision on this matter. In the particular case which I assume the hon. Member has in mind, the total of the war pension plus the dependants' allowance was in fact more than the amount of the dependants' allowance issued before the pension was awarded.

Is the Minister aware that the information sent to the Admiralty shows that a woman is 6d. worse off in these circumstances than she was before, in relation to the allowance? Will the right hon. Gentleman make the appropriate representations, in order that the Services may be brought into line with the concession which the House of Commons has wrung from the Front Bench in relation to pensions awarded for sons killed in the war?

Concerning the case in which the hon. Lady is particularly interested, there are certain complications, and I should be quite prepared to meet her on the matter.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what assistance has been afforded to Mr. George Constantinesco in the development of the water-craft referred to by him in his letter, dated 7th September, 1939, to the Director of Naval Construction?

Mr. Constantinesco has given the Admiralty no technical information about the watercraft referred to. In the absence of such information the Armiralty have been unable to support his request for priorities for the supply of building and other materials, which he states he requires in order to develop his invention. The Admiralty have, however, helped Mr. Constantinesco by arranging for an aircraft engine to be supplied for use in his experiments.

In view of the fact that three years and more have elapsed since Mr. Constantinesco offered to place the secrets of his invention at the disposal of the Director of Naval Construction, is it not time that something more was done? Could not the First Lord of the Admiralty consult with the Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Cabinet in order to find some way of using the services of inventors?

It is true that this matter has been under consideration for three years, but not by the Admiralty. The Admiralty have during the whole of this period asked this gentleman to furnish information to them, and he has refused to do so, notwithstanding explicit assurances by the First Lord with regard to secrecy. As a matter of fact, twice during the course of this year my right hon. Friend has assured this gentleman in personal letters that if this gentleman will trust the First Lord he will see that Mr. Constantinesco gets a square deal.

In view of the unfortunate history of some of the inventions of this gentleman, will the Admiralty keep a very close eye on the public purse in this matter?

Is it not a fact that this gentleman was responsible for one of the most important inventions during the last war, and if he has similar contributions to make how, is it not very serious that all this time should have elapsed?

What is expected of this gentleman is that he shall do what everybody else has been asked to do in this matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how far the Commission, headed by Sir Frank Stock-dale, has proceeded with its task in the West Indies; how many Reports have been received; whether these will be published at an early date with particulars of the action already taken upon their recommendations; and what other steps are contemplated to give effect to them?

The Comptroller's organisation is making satisfactory progress with its task. Over a hundred reports have been received from the Comptroller, chiefly in support of particular proposals which have resulted in schemes under the Act, but including some general reports on different subjects. To publish all such reports would not, in the opinion of my Noble Friend, give information of the nature desired. A comprehensive report upon progress made since the Act came into force, together with the statutory annual return of schemes in respect of the year ended the 31st March, 1942, will, I hope, be laid upon the Table of the House in the near future. In regard to the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply circulated in answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Shipley (Mr. Creech Jones) on 8th October, 1941. I would add that difficulty in obtaining suitable staff and material, owing to war conditions, has inevitably delayed some of the schemes made under the Act.

While thanking the Minister for his answer, may I ask for his assurance that all is being done that can be done to expedite progress in these matters?

Yes, Sir, we are pressing forward with the utmost expedition.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent food rationing has been put into operation in Barbados; and whether similar action will be taken in other West Indian Colonies?

The consumption of rice and edible oil is at present subject to restriction in Barbados and an individual rice rationing scheme is being prepared. In addition the necessary organisation has been set up to enable more comprehensive rationing to be introduced if necessary. As regards the other West Indian Colonies, a comprehensive rationing scheme has been drawn up in Trinidad, and I expect shortly to receive further information from the other Colonies.

The Minister said, "if necessary." Has it not come to the knowledge of the Government that food rationing is necessary?

I said it would be extended to other commodities. There are certain difficulties about the institution of a comprehensive system of rationing in the Colonies.

Is the rationing relative to the normal low standard prevailing in the West Indies, or to a more ideal standard?

It is relative to the difficulties we have to face in obtaining supplies from abroad.

How does it work?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in the West Indies research is proceeding towards the preserving of the banana industry and also in connection with the production of sugar; and the respective sums allocated thereto?

Considerable research is being, and has been carried on in connection with both the banana and sugar industries in the West Indies, and substantial sums have been expended on it both from public and private funds. The work is carried on in so many territories and with the co-operation of so many different agencies that considerable labour would be required to ascertain precisely what sums are devoted to these purposes, but my hon. Friend may be assured that these matters are regarded as of the first importance here and in the West Indies, and there is no danger that the work will be stinted through lack of funds.

Will a report be issued to Members in due course?

I will make whatever possible report I can. As my hon. Friend knows, I am always anxious to give information consistent with the difficulty of devoting a great deal of labour necessary to obtaining information from different sources.

Is It not a fact that all these subjects are under the constant review of the Tropical School of Agriculture in Trinidad, and would it not be possible to place the annual report of that body in the Library of the House?

Oh, yes, but I was asked to give such comprehensive figures that I was naturally concerned about the difficulty.

asked the Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport the methods at present in use for the mitigation of frostbite injuries to which all wrecked seamen, particularly those sailing in Arctic waters, are liable?

Full instructions for the prevention and treatment of frostbite are given in a notice issued by the Ministry of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. Each man is provided with a rubberised protective suit to guard against exposure in lifeboat or raft, in addition to the means provided in the lifeboats and rafts themselves for protecting the occupants against exposure. Specially designed protective clothing is issued to crews of ships employed in Arctic waters. Oil is also provided for further protection and for massage, but I am not yet satisfied that the importance of using this oil is properly understood by seamen, and I am indebted to my hon. Friend for this opportunity of saying that this and other aspects; of the matter are now under active consideration.

As I have witnessed some of the cases where people have been affected with frostbite, I appreciate the answer given, but I do wish the Ministry of War Transport to watch this matter very carefully, not only from the aspect of merchant seamen, but also from the aspect of those serving in the Royal Navy.

I fully share the hon. Member's anxiety about the number of limbs lost through frostbite and foot immersion, and I hope our measures will be even better than in the past.

Are we to understand that there is rubberised protective clothing for every seaman sailing in Arctic waters in British ships?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what progress is being made in fitting passenger and cargo steamers with machines for making sea water drinkable?

My. Ministry have made every effort in their power to secure an apparatus which will give seamen and others who are cast away in lifeboats an adequate supply of drinking water. The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has investigated, on behalf of my Noble Friend, various methods of converting sea-water into drinking water, and the conclusion has been reached that the most suitable apparatus for use in a lifeboat would be a small still. Such a still must have a high standard of efficiency in view of the restricted space available for storage of fuel in lifeboats. Experimental stills have been made and are now under test, and I hope to have early information in regard to their performance.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what progress is being made with the supply of the new belt-scrubbing apparatus, which in certain cases enables steamers to be de-fouled afloat without incurring the delay and expense of dry docking?

This apparatus has been developed by my Ministry in consultation with the inventor. Its purpose is to de-foul vessels abroad which, by reason of their long- stay in tropical waters, have lost speed through marine growths and which cannot be dry-docked overseas without delay. The use of this emergency apparatus enables the vessel to be scraped, so that she can return at an adequate speed to the United Kingdom or elsewhere. The vessel can then be dry-docked in the normal way. A number of sets are already in operation overseas, and further supplies are being sent to parts where they are most required.

asked the Minister of Information whether it was with his knowledge and approval that his article entitled "Colour Bar Must Go," published in the "Sunday Express," was released by his Department for our Colonies but prohibited from despatch to Panama, Pittsburgh and Chicago; and whether he has any statement to make?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's Question is, "No." In holding up the publication of this article in the United States, one of our officials, like Midshipman Easy, showed an excess of zeal. He knew that the article had been written many months ago in order that the Ministry of Information should place on record their disapproval of a lack of hospitality shown to some members of a group of West Indian editors who visited England. When this article was recently published in an English newspaper without any consultation with the Ministry of Information, the official took the view that this article if cabled to America might be connected with the arrival of American Negro troops in England and might seem to be a piece of gratuitous advice to one of our Allies as to how it should deal with its own subjects. This, he felt, would lead to serious misunderstandings as to the real purpose of the article, and accordingly he stopped it from being transmitted to America. His intentions were good, but his action was pedantic, and must be looked upon as one of the occasional aberrations of a well-regulated censorship.

In view of the satisfactory nature of my right hon. Friend's reply, am I to understand that this article, with whose lofty sentiments I entirely agree, can now be released for publication in any part of the world?

Yes, any, paper which likes to publish this dully-written collection of truisms is quite welcome to do so.

asked the Minister of Information whether all features of British Broadcasting Corporation broadcasts which might legitimately be regarded as likely to create differences of opinion or offend religious or moral instincts, including the recent play which depicted the defeat of Britain, are first submitted to and passed by the Governors of the British Broadcasting Corporation; and whether public complaints submitted either to the British Broadcasting Corporation or to the Ministry of Information are passed on to the Governors for their guidance?

I should be exceeding my duty if I were to cross-examine the Governors of the B.B.C. about the arrangements they make for discharging their responsibility for all questions of taste or propriety relating to broadcast programmes. Complaints about such matters addressed to the Ministry of Information are sent to the B.B.C. for the information of the Governors.

Is it not undesirable, from every point of view, that the Prime Minister should be represented as making terms with Hitler after the defeat of Britain, as was done in this play; and can any influence be exercised by my right hon. Friend's Department on this matter?

I do not know anything about the play to which ray hon. and gallant Friend refers, but I will certainly call the attention of the Governors of the B.B.C. to his complaint. It is very difficult for me to follow every word uttered by the B.B.C., because they issue 3,000,000 words a week.

If the B.B.C. issued nothing which was likely to lead to difference of opinion, might they not just as well close down altogether?

What is wrong in occasionally reminding the public that we might be defeated?

Would not my right hon. Friend suggest to the Governors that they should strengthen their advisory committees, which were weakened at the outbreak of the war?

I do not think that advisory committees are the best method of arranging these matters.

asked the Minister of Information why South Wales was not included in the itinerary of either the Turkish, Swedish, or Brazilian editorial delegation during their recent visit to this country, particularly in view of the economic interests which existed between these countries and the Principality before the war?

I am sorry that, having regard to the time available for visits outside London, it was not possible for us to arrange for the Turkish delegation to visit South Wales. The arrangements for the Swedish and Brazilian delegations are the responsibility of the British Council, and if my hon. and gallant Friend would put down a Question I am sure my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs would be glad to answer it.

Does my right hon. Friend not consider that it would be advisable for the British Council, when organising these most important delegations, to consult the Government Departments chiefly concerned?

Far be it from me to advise the British Council, which was carefully separated from the Ministry of Information so that the pitch of my Department should not stain its blameless record.

asked the Minister of Production the counties in Scotland where subsidised factories are situated; and the number and location of subsidised factories in Fife and Lanarkshire, respectively?

asked the Minister of Production the number of subsidised factories in Scotland and the number situated in the county of Lanark, respectively?

A great number of undertakings engaged on war production are in receipt of Government assistance, in one form or another, and if the hon. Members would get into touch with me and let me know what form of assistance they have in mind I will do my best to provide them with the information which they require.

asked the Minister of Production whether, having regard to the fact that the national production effort is in many respects approaching its full capacity, he contemplates any, and, if so, what, measures for the more efficient allocation of production resources?

Yes, Sir. The proposed measures are first, to spread the demand for power, transport, housing and, above all, labour, more evenly by transferring the key personnel and plant of selected undertakings out of the congested areas. Secondly, I propose a number of measures for dealing with firms whose use of scarce resources is wasteful. In some cases the remedy will consist of a rearrangement of work or of an improvement in management. In others we shall try to secure a more effective use of resources by grouping or by affiliation. Where all else fails we shall prohibit a firm from accepting further orders. This last is a serious step and will be taken only after exhaustive examination, in which the local knowledge of Regional Boards will be a safeguard against mistakes.

In all these measures I shall co-operate closely with my colleagues in charge of the Supply Departments, who are constantly engaged in dealing with various aspects of this problem. As a corollary to these measures, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has amended the Location of Industry (Restriction) Order in such a way that it is now necessary to obtain a licence for any manufacturing undertaking coming into existence or changing the nature of its activities, whatever its size, and the previous exemption in the case of premises of less than 3,000 square feet has been abolished.

Does this mean that in future contracts are to be sent to where the people are instead of driving the people from one district to another?

It means that there will be a general rearrangement all round on the lines my hon. Friend suggested.

Let us be clear about this. For a long time contracts have been sent to some areas where there is very little mobile labour, and other districts have had to supply this labour, and this is causing dissatisfaction. Do I understand that it means a reversal of that policy?

I have answered that question. That is certainly one of the aspects we shall have to follow, but there are many others of a similar kind.

Has the attention of the Minister been drawn to the serious state of affairs in one of our most up-to-date production works by virtue of the fact that the management say there is no work? Dissatisfaction is growing among the men and has he made any investigation about it?

If I could have particulars, I would be glad to look into it.

Are the Government readjusting their strategic difficulties which hampered the distribution of industry at the outbreak of war?

I hardly think that that arises out of the present Question.

asked the Minister of Production whether he will take steps to ensure the closest liaison between troops using tanks operationally and those responsible for design and production in order that the lessons of experience can be acted on with the minimum of delay?

Machinery already exists which ensures the closest liaison between units using tanks in the field and all concerned with the design and production of the vehicles. These arrangements are constantly under review by the War Office and the Ministry of Supply, in consultation with myself, with a view to studying the criticisms and suggestions of the Fighting Forces and ensuring their application in design and production at the earliest possible moment. There are various channels of communication between the user in the Middle East and development and supply in this country. I would draw the hon. Member's attention in particular to the announcement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War, on 5th May last, in which he announced the formation of Operational Research Groups working with the Army in the field. Valuable information is also obtained from officers returning from the Middle East, and, in addition, representatives of manufacturers have visited the fighting troops in order to get first-hand information of how their products were behaving and could be improved.

Does that imply that there has been a quickening-up in the situation which some time ago was considered unsatisfactory? Further, does this liaison also exist between American designers and manufacturers of tanks and the troops who use American vehicles?

There is an American representative on the Tank Board.

How is it possible to have complete and effective liaison if we have such frequent resignations from the Tank Board? If there is no stability at the top, how can there be any liaison?

The changes were intended to be an improvement.

Then why did Mr. Oliver Lucas resign and come back within 10 days?

Have any reports been received from any of these operational groups?

I have seen reports from such a section, but whether they were under that designation at such time I cannot say.

Does that mean that officers serving in tank units in the field come back to this country, visit manufacturers and explain their difficulties?

I think so.