asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the anxiety caused to Royal Air Force non-commissioned officers on operational duties by the fact that in the event of being temporarily incapacitated by wounds or illness they are liable to forfeit their rank, which both involves loss of pay and is liable to be misunderstood by the public; and whether he can make a statement on the subject?

My hon. Friend is, I think, under a misapprehension. Airmen who are temporarily withdrawn from aircrew duty on account of wounds or illness do not forfeit their rank.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why members of the Royal Observer Corps should now be compelled to retire when they reach the age of 50 whereas men above this age are recruited for the Home Guard?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will state the exact terms of the age restrictions introduced into the Royal Observer Corps; and whether he has considered the prejudicial effect on the morale of that service of his proposals?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the shortage of man-power he will make a statement on his decision to dismiss the members of the Cardiff Centre Royal Observer Corps who are over 50 years of age and have nearly four years of efficient service to their credit, which has been highly praised by those responsible for the corps during periods of heavy raids and, particularly, as men of this age are still being recruited for the Home Guard and other services?

asked the Secretary of State for Air why it has been decided to replace all members of Royal Observer Corps centre crews over the age of 50 years with younger men from the Royal Air Force; and whether he will consider first combing out the young men who joined the Royal Observer Corps to avoid military service before disturbing ex-service men who, from patriotic motives, joined the Royal Observer Corps before the outbreak of hostilities?

There has been some misunderstanding. There is no intention of making wholesale dismissals in the Royal Observer Corps. All that is at present being done is to replace plotters and tellers over the age of 50 at Royal Observer Corps Centres—who represent a fraction only of the total personnel of the Corps—by immobile young women under 35, whom experience has shown to be particularly well suited for this exacting work. This step has been found necessary in order to maintain at the highest possible level the efficiency of the Centres which are operationally an integral part of the activities of the Royal Air Force Fighter Command. Not only has the work at these Centres become increasingly complex since the war began, owing to the introduction of new technical devices, but activity is now almost continuous throughout the 24 hours, owing to the greatly increased amount of flying which takes place over this country and to the fact that the Royal Observer Corps is responsible for tracking friendly as well as hostile aircraft. The work calls for alert minds, quick reactions and cool nerves, and the age level of those engaged on it must be lowered if it is to be done with the rapidity and accuracy required.

Would my right hon. Friend consider taking this on an individual basis, because there is great variation between men of 50, and many are much more mentally and physically alert than others, and it seems a very hard ruling to rule out an entire class?

In view of the necessity for elucidating the position put by my right hon. Friend, perhaps it would be better if we pursued this matter on the Adjournment of the House?

My answer to the first Supplementary Question is, "Yes, Sir." I have most carefully considered the alternatives which my hon. and gallant Friend suggests, but I have been convinced that the only way to increase the efficiency. of these centres with the necessary speed is to introduce this age-limit in the Centres, and I would only add that I welcome the suggestion of my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for South Cardiff (Colonel Evans).

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that men over 50 have in many cases extremely alert minds, and will he therefore really reconsider this very important point, as his hon. and gallant Friend suggests?

I think it would be possible under the arrangements suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend opposite to explain why the particular and most exacting character of this work demands young, fresh people to do it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the effect of the proposal on the Corps as a whole?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when the particular nature of the necessary reforms is explained the Royal Observer Corps themselves will appreciate the necessity for this improvement?

I am sure that that is so, and I would ask hon. Members to realise that the motive for the introduction of this new measure is not only the protection of our homes and factories in this country, but also the protection of the lives of our air crews.

The right hon. Gentleman has answered the Question, but I want to raise it on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the fact that children are recognised as legal dependants of widows, they will be so recognised for service allowances when the widow joins the Women's Auxiliary Air Force?

The matter referred to by my hon. Friend concerns all three Service Departments. It is being looked into and a decision wil be announced very shortly.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that routine painting of His Majesty's ships by the crews is continued up to the last moment before a ship is docked for refitting and repainting; and whether he will give instructions that unnecessary painting of this kind should not be carried on up to the last moment, in view of the waste of scarce material thereby occasioned?

It is the usual practice for ships' companies to paint and red lead their ships during refits. In wartime, ships are in harbour for such a short time that every opportunity for red leading and painting rusted structures must be seized. No doubt the painting referred to by my hon. Friend was done to save work during the docking period and spare the ship's company for leave. I cannot agree that such work is wasteful.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to Field Marshal Smuts' recommendation that an authoritative special supreme staff of scientific naval and air experts should be established to supervise a new campaign against U-boats; and whether he proposes to take any action in this matter?

I have been asked by the Prime Minister to answer this Question. The campaign against U-boats is constantly and energetically studied and supervised by the Staff and experts of the Admiralty, Air Ministry and Coastal Command, and by a very large band of associated scientists, many of whom are highly distinguished. Our liaison with our Allies is very intimate. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister informs me that Field Marshal Smuts authorises him to say that, after examination, he was satisfied that all necessary measures are being taken.

Will the Government arrange for a Debate on the U-boat menace, not in Secret Session, but at an open Sitting?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will raise that matter with the Leader of the House.

asked the Minister of Production whether the three scientific advisers recently appointed to his staff will be permitted to consider the recommendation recently made by Field Marshal Smuts that, in view of the fact that we have in this country some of the finest scientific genius in the world, a new supreme staff of scientists and other experts should be established to deal with the U-boat menace?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which he has just been given by my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the quantity of beer and spirits imported into the West Indies since January, 1942, to latest available date?

The information requested by my hon. Friend is available only in respect of British Guiana, British Honduras, Trinidad, Grenada, and Barbados, and covers the six months ended June, 1942. During that period a total quantity of 97,410 gallons of ale, beer and stout and 60,548 gallons of spirits was imported into the Colonies named.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman tell me just what shipping space it takes to transport this stuff to the West Indies?

No, Sir.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman tell me just what shipping space it takes to transport this stuff to the West Indies?

This is a question about beer and spirits going into the West Indies.

But they take shipping space.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that some months ago, when this issue was raised along with the question of foodstuffs, hon. Members received information that this trade was being encouraged to keep open post-war markets?

I think we are trying to maintain in the West Indies the same delicate balance between hard necessity and normal human frailty as we do in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any further action has been taken to restore the legality of the Jamaica Railway Employees' Union; what action has been taken against those members of the union alleged to have engaged in subversive activity; and what was the precise nature of their offence?

The Authorised Associations Regulations were cancelled by the Governor of Jamaica on 19th November, and trade unions are now free to resume their former status with the assurance of the Jamaica Government's recognition, and sympathy with their legitimate activities. The members of the Jamaica Railway Employees' Union referred to were detained in the public interest under Regulation 18 (1) of the Jamaica Defence Regulations, 1940, which corresponds to Regulation 18B of the United Kingdom Defence Regulations. With regard to the last part of the Question, I am awaiting a further despatch from the Governor about the reasons which led to the detention of these persons.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that his reply will give great satisfaction both here and in Jamaica, by reason of the fact that the Railway Employees' Union is now legal, and can he say when the report concerning the alleged subversive activities will be available to the House?

I cannot say when I shall receive it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he will be able to present to Parliament the detailed report on the various schemes of welfare and development initiated by the Stockdale Commission in the West Indies?

As the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Mathers) was informed on 22nd October, a report on progress under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act will shortly be laid on the Table of the House. I will endeavour to expedite the report.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman bear in mind in taking up his new duties that this Commission was appointed nearly two years ago and that the report was promised several months ago?

I will make the report available as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of Colonial subjects and aliens, respectively, at present detained under Regulation 18B in Jamaica; whether Mr. A. W. Domingo is still under detention; and when his case was last under revision?

At the end of October there were nine British subjects and four enemy aliens detained under Jamaica Defence Regulation 18 (1), which corresponds to Regulation 18B in this country. The case of Domingo was reconsidered by the Advisory Committee in August. They were unable to recommend his release in Jamaica and the Governor accepted this advice.

Has any report been made as to the exact charge against Mr. Domingo?

I shall have to inquire into that. I am going into the whole case.

asked the Minister of Production whether he is satisfied that he possesses adequate information regarding processes, inventions, designs and patent rights relating to the production of synthetic rubber, in order to judge what would be the most appropriate processes to establish in this country?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Production whether he will take all practicable steps to increase the number of factories and contracts allocated for war production in Scotland?

Yes, Sir. Under the measures announced by my right hon. Friend in reply to the right hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Greenwood) on 14th October, the Regional Boards are surveying the most congested districts with a view to transferring either work or complete firms to the less congested areas. In determining such transfers and also the allocation of new work, my right hon. Friend and the Supply Ministers are paying special attention to the claims of Scotland.

Is my hon. Friend aware that in the central industrial belt of Scotland there is still a feeling among both workers and employers that the productive capacity, buildings and energy are not yet fully taken up?

That is an aspect of the matter which is being carefully considered, but I would tell my hon. Friend the question of buildings is perhaps the aspect of the matter which is causing the greatest difficulty.

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is a considerable opinion in Scotland which does not desire war factories alone, which would be scrapped at the end of the war, but wants the Ministry to keep an eye to the future with a view to the transference of the factories to peace-time activities?

The Ministry are certainly aware of this feeling, but as to how far it should be taken into account at the present juncture is another matter.

asked the Minister of Production whether he can assure the House that the recommendations and suggestions contained in the 18th Report from the Select Committee on National Expenditure, especially those in Sections 4, 9, 10, 16, 17 and 23, are being adopted as rapidly as possible?

The bulk of this report relates to matters of administrative arrangement which have been the subject of confidential correspondence between the Committee and the Prime Minister. With regard to many of the principal recommendations contained in the Report, I would refer my hon. Friend to paragraph 7. Other suggestions made in the Report are being studied by the Departments concerned, and a written reply will, as is customary, be furnished to the Committee as soon as possible.

What is the use of committee meetings and considered replies when urgency of action is put forward in the Report? Can the hon. Gentleman assure the House that the advice of officers and men with recent battle experience is being sought and acted upon.

There is no lack of a sense of urgency in any of the Departments concerned. The answer to the hon. Member's second question is "Yes."

Will not the Cabinet consider handing over this business entirely to this special Expenditure Committee, because they can manage it best?

Is my hon. Friend aware that it usually takes six to eight months to get an acknowledgment from the Department? Will he see that action is taken within as many weeks on this occasion?

That does not apply to the Question on the Paper. The Committee have specifically commented on the promptitude with which the last Report has been dealt with.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in the interests of inshore fishermen, in order to conserve valuable food, and in view of the fact that large parts of the North Sea and English Channel are not now being fished, he will consider the possibility of reducing the size of fish that may be marketed to eight inches and of allowing a somewhat wider discretion to local port officers in the matter than they possess at present?

The minimum size limit of nine inches for sea fish sold for human consumption has been operative since 26th October. The effect of the Order is being carefully watched but it is too early to consider the question of amendment. It would not be practicable to have local modifications of the Order.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a great deal of very valuable foodstuff is being thrown back into the sea at many ports? Does he not think the time has come to stop this and to give the port officers reasonable discretion to prevent wastage of food?

I do not think that is the case. This small fish is not, in many cases, fit for human consumption. There have been many complaints from distributors that they are being required to take fish which the public do not want.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a large proportion of the small fish thrown back die, and will he consider giving the people the benefit of eating them rather than giving that facility to other fish?

On the whole, the flat fish that are thrown back do not die. It is important that they should not be caught under the length of nine inches, because otherwise they have not spawned, and the fishing grounds are denuded. The small fish are not what the distributors or the public want. They merely add to the weight of the catch without adding to its value as foodstuff.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that informed opinion in the trade thinks that the limit has been made too big, with the result that in many parts so much of the catch has to be thrown back that the fishermen find it unprofitable to put to sea at all?

No, Sir.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that very valuable foodstuff, in the form of pilchards caught off the Cornish coast, is being thrown back daily? If they cannot be used immediately, will he see that proper tinning arrangements are made?

I think the hon. Lady is aware that pilchards do not come within this Order.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the increased difficulties of fish and chip fryers and caterers in the North Midlands and Yorkshire areas to obtain adequate supplies of fish to provide meals for war workers and their families; and whether, as this form of catering is similar to, and as popular with the workers as, British Restaurants, he will examine the merits of their claim for increased supplies?

I am aware that fish fryers and retailers in many districts cannot obtain all the fish they require, but this is mainly due to the decline in the volume of landings under war conditions. The arrangements now in operation for the distribution of fish provide that all traders will receive their due proportions of available supplies; it would not be possible to increase the entitlement of one section of the industry without hardship to others.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that many of these caterers provide midday meals for thousands of war workers who have no canteen facilities or British Restaurants? Are not they entitled to some kind of favourable consideration, in view of the useful contribution they are making in feeding the people in industrial areas?

I am fully aware of the service rendered by these restaurants, but I do not think that the House and the country would agree that any section of the trade should have more favourable consideration than any other.

Will the hon. Gentleman use his influence to institute a general inquiry into the distribution of fish?

The position is being watched very carefully daily.

Why is it that since the zoning scheme was introduced only hake have allowed themselves to be caught?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why, for the purpose of establishing British Restaurants, some local authorities have been authorised to make contracts, as agents for his Ministry, on a cost plus profit basis under the terms of the draft prime cost contract, provided by the Ministry of Home Security for emergency use only?

Local authorities are responsible for any building work necessary to enable them to establish British Restaurants. Subject to the Ministry's approval of estimates of expenditure, local authorities make their own arrangements for carrying out work within the limits laid down by my Department. My Noble Friend is of opinion that it would not be desirable to deprive local authorities of freedom to enter, in suitable cases, into contracts based upon the form of prime cost contracts issued by the Ministry of Home Security. To do so would be to run the risk of delaying the opening of British Restaurants which in many instances have been a matter of great urgency, as, for example, where workers have been billeted in an area in which catering facilities were inadequate. If, however, expenditure were incurred by a local authority in excess of the amount approved as a result of excessive profit being allowed on a cost-plus basis, my Department would disallow such excess.

As the local authority has no financial interest, and the supervising officer is appointed by the local authority, what adequate guarantee is there against extravagance at the expense of the taxpayer?

It is not right to say that the local authority has no interest—

I said financial interest.

—or financial interest either, and there is certainly a close check by the Department on any tendency towards excessive expenditure.

How can the hon. Gentleman say that the local authority has a financial interest? The ratepayers make no contribution whatever.

Certainly it has a financial interest. It has to make the restaurants pay, and it has to meet, the capital cost over a period of years.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why the grocery and provision business of G. Rowell Ward, of Stradbroke, Suffolk, is not allowed any male assistants in the same way as other comparable businesses in this district, in view of the fact that it serves a large number of customers in a wide rural area; and whether he will remedy this matter?

I know of no ground for supposing that the business of G. Rowell Ward is not allowed to employ male assistants. I am aware of certain other circumstances in connection with the business to which my hon. Friend has drawn my attention, but if he will give me details of any further difficulties, I shall be glad to examine the matter.

Will the hon. Gentleman take into consideration that the present owner, a widow, has five sons serving in the Forces and that her husband died of overwork; and will he recommend to the appropriate Department that the eldest son should be allowed on compassionate grounds to come back from the Forces to assist in running this business?

I am well aware of the particular hardship in this case, where five sons have volunteered for service. It is not within the province of my Department to make an application of the nature to which my hon. Friend refers, but if he will discuss it with me afterwards, I shall be glad to see what can be done.

In view of the fact that I have been in communication with the hon. Gentleman's Department for several weeks and that the position is serious, will he now give me an assurance that something will be done?

The Question refers to an apparent prohibition for this firm to employ any male assistants. I know of no such prohibition. The question of the sons is a different one.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will give details of the disciplinary action that has been taken against the proof readers of an Order, dated 3rd November, 1942, amending the Feeding-Stuffs Order, 1942?

In this particular case the officers in question have received an injunction, the general intention of which is to secure that they will not do it again.

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that if a proof reader in a private firm made such puerile mistakes, he would get the sack; and why does he not make an example of these proof readers? What was the cost to the public of this error?

I scarcely think that that is fair. Two junior officers, in checking a very long and complicated schedule, omitted to observe in two cases that "licence" was spelt "linseed" and "make" spelt "cake." That is not an error which demands any such drastic action as the hon. Member suggests.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what position Mr. Calder holds in his Ministry; and what were Mr. Calder's connections with bacon factories previous to his appointment?

Mr. Calder is a head of branch in the Bacon and Ham Division of the Ministry. He had no connection with bacon factories before his appointment to this Ministry.

Will the Minister take steps to dissipate the idea, which is widely held, that Mr. Calder and Mr. Short are a law unto themselves and control the ham and bacon business of the country for the benefit of the big ham and bacon factories?

I scarcely think that that is a fair reflection to make on these officers: There is no doubt that they are doing their job competently and with integrity.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will have some of the bread made of flour, oats and barley put in the Tea Room?

I shall be glad to, adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion when the arrangements now being made for supplying flour of the kind to which he refers are further advanced.

Will the hon. Gentleman also get in touch with the firm in Edinburgh which is producing oatmeal bread?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether provision for rusks, lately put upon points, may be included in the ration books of children under a certain age?

No special provision is required. Rusks may be bought with the points in the child's ration book, and all children receive the same number of points as adults.

asked the Secretary of State for War what number of A.F. 194 D's have been received in respect of field officers during the past two years; and how many of these have had no action taken on them for over 12 months?

Since 1st January, 1941, about 6,500 confidential reports on A.F.B. 194 D on field officers have been received in the War Office. All these reports are carefully noted. They are then considered whenever vacancies arise in appointments to which this form relates. The number of appointments filled in this period is naturally very much smaller than the number of recommendations received on this form.

Is the Under-Secretary aware that on a great number of the forms no apparent action is taken for 12 months or over, and is the position in process of being remedied?

My hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that the recommendations which are received in the War Office must refer, and can only be made operative in relation to the number of vacancies that may exist.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that although he has recently conceded that officers going on courses should not lose temporary rank, many officers nominated for courses are posted temporarily to staff or regimental appointments and thus lose temporary rank during that period and during the following course; and whether he will issue immediate orders to remedy this?

When an officer who has held temporary rank for an unbroken period of not less than 30 days is struck off the strength of his unit solely by reason of his having been selected to attend a course, such rank is regranted to him with effect from the date of the beginning of the course. In addition, as was announced by my right hon. Friend on 16th November, an officer holding temporary rank will retain it during any intervening period between the date when he leaves his unit and the beginning of the course (as well as, as hitherto, during the course), provided that he is not posted in the meantime to a vacancy in an establishment carrying a lower rank. Such postings will be avoided as far as possible.

Can we take it as a result of that answer that any officer recommended for a staff college and in consequence having to do an attachment away from his unit, will no longer lose temporary rank?

That is so, except for one qualification, that if ah officer holding, for example, the rank of major is appointed temporarily to a regiment where the vacancy is one for the rank of captain, he will have to revert to his rank of captain.

Does not that bring out the point that a number of officers may lose temporary rank when recommended for a staff course?

To the extent that before he goes on to the course he is posted to a unit in a vacancy which carries lower rank, and while he occupies that position he must revert to the rank which corresponds to the position. In other words, it is impossible for a major to do the work of a captain and hold the rank of major.