asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any action has yet been taken in consultation with the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to prepare a common programme of post-war economic co-operation, so as to carry into effect the objects of the Atlantic Charter, the Lease-Lend Agreement and the Anglo-Russian Agreement?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether conversations have yet been opened with the other Governments of the United Nations, particularly the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, on the question of economic reconstruction after the war; and, if so, what progress has been made?

It is the intention of His Majesty's Government to prepare a common programme of post-war economic co-operation in consultation with the Governments named and other Governments of the United Nations, and considerable progress has been made by the Government in the preparatory work required for their part in the formulation of such a programme.

Then there is no truth in the rumour that the British and Soviet Governments are practically at loggerheads?

I think I can reassure the hon. Member completely on that point.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any expression of sympathy has been sought or obtained from the Vatican in support of the declaration, condemning the atrocities committed on the Jewish people by the German authorities, made by the British and other European Governments and the Government of the United States of America?

The Vatican were officially informed of the joint declaration on this subject made by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and other Governments of the United Nations on 17th December last. The attitude of the Vatican towards all such acts at variance with Christianity and humanity has been frequently stated and most recently by the Pope in his last Christmas Eve broadcast.

Has any statement been made with reference to the recent announcement regarding Jewish atrocities?

Since we made that announcement the Pope in his broadcast condemned the persecution of hundreds of thousands of people who, through no fault of their own, sometimes only owing to their nationality or descent, are condemned to death or to slow decline.

Might not something more specific than that very mild reference be elicited from his Holiness?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will report on any action taken since December, 1942, by His Majesty's Government, separately or in co-operation with the other United Nations, for the rescue of political refugees and of persons threatened by the Nazi policy of exterminating European Jewry?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the urgent necessity to do everything possible to assist the Jewish victims of the fresh phase of German persecution, he will now define clearly the policy of His Majesty's Government towards any Jewish refugee who may succeed in escaping from German-controlled territory?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether steps are being taken, either by His Majesty's Government or in consultation with the United Nations, to offer asylum to refugees from enemy, or enemy-occupied, countries, who avoid extermination by escape to neighbouring territories?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what practical steps have been taken, or are contemplated in the near future, to rescue Jews threatened by the Nazi policy of extermination?

I would refer my hon. Friends to the reply given on this subject yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister.

In view of the fact that the Deputy Prime Minister's answer referred to those who make their way to countries not under German control, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the first step towards getting into a neutral country from an enemy country is obviously to get a visa from Great Britain, and, even if that Visa is never executed, it is of very great assistance in escaping from an enemy country to a neutral? Will that point be very much borne in mind?

I am afraid the hon. lady is misinformed. That situation does not arise now. That was the situation before the occupation of Unoccupied France.

In view of the excellent sentiment expressed by the Government on this very important matter, can the right hon. Gentleman explain why we refused visas for 2,000 French Jewish children, who, we understand, have since been deported to Germany?

I should like to have notice of that question. My right hon. Friend explained that we are engaged on two sets of proposals to meet the situation. One is to do what we can in certain areas for which we are responsible, and the other is to try to get an international arrangement so that everyone may help. This is a matter in which everyone should help.

Has the stage been nearly reached when concrete proposals could be put to the German Government?

I do not know about concrete proposals to the German Government, but I hope there will be concrete results.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that any facilities given to Jewish refugees are given to all refugees?

That is a definite principle in all these proposals.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that expressions of moral indignation will lose a great part of their force unless they are accompanied by the actual initiation of steps for practical help?

The hon. Member heard the Deputy Prime Minister's answer. That is exactly what we are doing in two directions, one within our own limitations and one by trying to get international agreement; and, if we can, we are ready to make our contribution to that arrangement. I do not think the hon. Member's strictures are deserved.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information about the Jewish refugee children in Iran who were hoping to reach Palestine via Iraq?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply to a similar Question on the same subject which was put yesterday by my hon. Friend the Member for Consett (Mr. D. Adams).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the arrival of the Comte de Paris in North Africa has taken place with the approval of His Majesty's Government?

The Comte de Paris has resided continuously in Morocco since 1940. His recent visit to Algiers was undertaken without the knowledge of His Majesty's Government, or, so far as I am aware, of the United States Government either.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the presence of this Pretender can only complicate an already difficult situation?

I do not believe him to be of sufficient importance to complicate anything.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made in the release of political prisoners in North Africa?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now make a statement regarding the position of persons of anti-Nazi sympathies interned, imprisoned or engaged on forced labour in French North Africa; whether the request for the liberation of such persons and for the abrogation of all regulations reflecting Nazi ideology has been complied with; and whether those liberated include Spanish Republicans, members of the International Brigade which fought in Spain and persons of Jewish race confined on racial grounds?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now make a statement about the release of anti-Fascist prisoners of war in North Africa, including members of the International Brigade?

His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, as also the United States Government, have lost no opportunity of impressing upon the French authorities in North Africa the importance which they attach to the early release of all persons of whatever nationality who have been detained there on account of their sympathies with the Allied cause. It is known that many of these political prisoners have already been released. There must, however, inevitably be a number of doubtful cases. In order to investigate these, a Mixed Commission has now been set up under the joint chairmanship of the British and United States Consuls-General at Algiers. I hope that the Commission's reports will make it possible for me to give the House fuller information about the prisoners still under detention. In the meantime, the following details have become available.

So far as can be ascertained, no British subjects are now improperly detained in Algeria or Morocco. As regards French nationals, the United States authorities were informed at the end of December that orders had been given to prison camp commanders and provincial authorities in North Africa to release all French nationals who were still detained for having helped the Allied cause. It is hoped that the Mixed Commission will be able to verify that these orders have been carried out. As regards Allied nationals, many of whom were, I understand, members of the former International Brigade, the position at the end of December was that some 200 Poles, over 100 Soviet nationals and a few Czechs and Belgians remained under detention in Algeria. Full details are not available of those detained in Morocco. Arrangements are being made however for the early release of the Poles, Czechs and Belgians. The Soviet citizens will return to their own country as soon as transport can be arranged for them, and His Majesty's Government are in touch with the Soviet Government on this question.

As regards other members of the former International Brigade and other Spanish Republican refugees, I regret that I am still without detailed information. The Mixed Commission is well aware of the necessity for finding a satisfactory solution of this particular problem at the earliest possible moment and one of its first tasks will be to investigate the situation of these people. In the meantime, it should be noted that one of its terms of reference is to obtain for them before their release as good living conditions as possible. I am not aware that any persons have been detained in North Africa solely on account of their Jewish faith.

As regards the question of anti-Jewish laws and other measures introduced by the Vichy régime since 1940, the French authorities are aware of our views and although, as the Minister Resident recently stated, the position is not satisfactory, I trust that the necessary steps will be taken as soon as circumstances permit.

Will my right hon. Friend consider two reports which I will send him from refugees quite recently arrived in this country from North Africa, describing the really cruel conditions which existed until a very short time ago, including forced work in labour battalions?

I will certainly be glad to consider any reports which the hon. Lady sends me.

Does the right hon. Gentleman remember the fact that many of the Free French sympathisers have been locked up not nominally on political charges but on various trumped-up charges, such as desertion or stealing rifles and other things, and will he ask the Commission to take great care to see whether people arrested on supposedly criminal charges were not in fact locked-up for trying to join the Allies?

My hon. Friend will understand from the very long answer which I have given that the authorities have been very active in this matter. I think that the appointment of this Commission is the right way to handle an extremely complicated question, affecting a very wide area, but I will bear in mind what the hon. Member has said.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the Poles, the Czechs and other Allied prisoners of war who are being released will be returned to this country or to the United States of America and not sent to their own countries?

Certainly. Of course they would not be sent back to enemy-occupied territory.

Will the prisoners who are going to be released include those 27 French Communist deputies?

I rather think that they were released some time ago. But I cannot give a definite answer off-hand.

Do I understand that the subjects of Axis Powers who have been put into prison because of their opposition to the Governments of those countries come within the province of this Commission?

Yes, Sir, certainly they do. This Commission is to cover the whole problem of all prisoners, of whom there are many.

Can we have the names of the Commission?

Perhaps I shall be able to give them, but the chairman will be alternately our own Consul-General in Algiers and the United States Consul-General in Algiers.

Shall we include on the Commission representatives of some of the smaller Allied nations?

Perhaps I might be allowed to consider that point. It is not for me to set up the Commission from here, but I did look at the arrangement, and I thought it seemed a very good one.

Will this Commission have the right to see that its decisions are carried out?

Oh, yes, this Commission was appointed under the Supreme Allied Command in North Africa, and I must make it plain that the American authorities have been most anxious and active in promoting the work of this Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the great hardship suffered by Mr. S. H. Jones, of 122, Oldbury Road, West Bromwich, by reason of the fact that he has contracted the rare disease of myasthenia gravis while serving in the Royal Air Force, he will consider granting him a compassionate allowance?

As the hon. Member is aware, the disability from which this ex-airman is suffering is not regarded as attributable to his service in the Royal Air Force, and I regret that there is no authority under which any form of allowance could be granted to him from Air Force Funds.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say how it is that one of the reasons given for not granting any allowance was the fact that this man was patriotic enough to join up before the war and that this disease was contracted before the war, because I understand that if it had been contracted later, he would have been eligible for an allowance?

The only reason is that the disease is not attributable to his service.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is satisfied with the results of substituting young girls for men over 50 years of age in the Royal Observer Corps?

It is too early yet to pronounce upon this matter, but there is no reason to suppose that the results will be less satisfactory than in the case of similar employment in the operations rooms of Fighter Command.

May I ask whether an adequate number of really competent girls have been found for this work?

They are being found.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the experience of many officers of the Volunteer Reserve of the Royal Air Force in positions in civil life in which they achieved high reputations for organising, administrative and executive ability, more of them will be promoted to air rank where it would be possible for their abilities to be made more use of?

It is the policy to promote to air rank the best officers available, irrespective of whether they are regular or non-regular.

In view of the well known fact that there are some thousands of these very highly qualified men from civil walks of life now serving in the Volunteer Reserve, surely there must be more than three of them who would qualify for air rank, and would it be possible for the right hon. Gentleman to have a comb-out to see whether he could not find more men with excellent brains who might be made use of than are being used at the present time?

I am not sure that my hon. Friend appreciates that the great majority of the posts which are of air rank have to be filled by officers with flying experience, whereas the great majority of the officers to whom he refers are without flying experience. Subject to that consideration, I can assure him that our object is to choose the best men for the posts, irrespective of whether they are regular officers or not.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any of our fighter-bombers are equipped so that they can also dive bomb?

No, Sir.

Would it not be advisable to have some of those fighter-bombers so equipped that they could also serve as dive-bombers under suitable conditions?

No, Sir; because the effect of that would be to impair their performance as fighters, and it would be very unfair to the pilots who have to fly those aircraft.

Have we abandoned the policy of producing dive-bombers?

We have never produced dive-bombers, but they are coming to us from the United States of America.

Are we using dive-bombers?

There are dive-bombers in squadrons now in active theatres of war.

In view of the fact that the Prime Minister stated in the House last July that the majority of Air Marshals and others of high rank opposed dive-bombers, how is it that dive-bombers were ordered two years previously, and—

rose—

asked the Secretary of State for Air, how many Allied bombers were destroyed over Germany and Western Europe up to 31st December, 1941, and how many during the year ended 31st December, 1942?

The number of Allied bomber aircraft operating from this country which were reported lost over Germany and Western Europe up to 31st December, 1941, was 1,242. The number in 1942 was 1,337.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production on what grounds he has approved the transaction between the Napier Company and the English Electrical Company; how much Government money is employed in each concern; whether he is aware that compensation on a basis of salaries, involving large sums of money, is being awarded to directors of the Napier Company who have failed to produce adequate results; and whether he will vary this agreement?

This matter concerns my Department only to the extent of a change in management control and the acquisition of certain fixed assets by the Department from the Napier Company. I am satisfied that this change will be for the benefit of production. It is undesirable on security grounds to divulge the total of Government assets operated by the company, but I am prepared to let my hon. Friend have the figures privately if he so wishes. The compensation paid to the retiring directors of the company was entirely a matter for the shareholders, and I have no power to vary the arrangement arrived at.

Inasmuch as the money was provided by the Government in order to carry this transaction through, does the Minister think it right that men who have drawn substantial salaries for a good many years, and have failed in their job, should be compensated? Is he aware that the compensation, if it is free of tax, as I understand it is, amounts to something like £300,000?

The money for compensation was not provided by the Government, and it is not a question for the Government but one for the shareholders only.

Is it not a fact that the Government did provide £750,000 in order that this transaction should be carried through?

That is not the reason why the money was provided, nor was it paid for that purpose.

It came from the Government.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether the board of directors of the aircraft factory to which Mr. Marden has recently been appointed controller continue to draw their fees and salaries as before?

Mr. Marden was not appointed Controller of the factory in question, but was elected by the Board as deputy chairman and managing director. The question of the fees and salaries paid to the directors is one for the company. I understand a reorganisation is proceeding, and no doubt payments will be continued in those cases where there are continuing agreements and where services continue to be rendered.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether he will consider setting up stamping machines so as to avoid the process by which letters to be sent require, perhaps, three separate stamps to be bought, licked and stuck on?

(2) whether he will introduce into the House of Commons a stamping machine to avoid postage stamps and the attendant expense in labour and material?

I am not aware of any coin-operated stamping or franking machine which is not open to serious disadvantages. Even if a satisfactory machine of this kind were available, it would be necessary to produce it in quantity in order to replace the very large numbers of automatic stamp-selling machines in Post Office use; and this would entail a considerable expenditure of skilled labour and material which could not be contemplated at the present time. Considerations of labour and material also preclude any question of adapting automatic stamp-selling machines to sell 2½d. stamps.

Have not Neo-Post perfected a stamping machine which operates under Government licence and is in use by the Post Office, and could not one be installed by way of experiment in the House of Commons?

That is another question. I will consider it.

asked the Postmaster-General whether in order to avoid the disorganisation of secondary school classes in Wiltshire, he will issue an instruction that secondary scholars are not to be taken into permanent Post Office employment before the end of the secondary school course upon which the parents have agreed with the education authorities?

The Post Office has no desire to encourage secondary school pupils to leave school prematurely against the wishes of the local education authorities, and in 1941 instructions were issued to head postmasters in Wiltshire not to recruit such pupils unless the education authorities were willing to release them. If in any special case a head postmaster still desired to recruit a pupil despite the objections of the education authorities, he was to consult his headquarters before taking any action. I regret to find that these instructions were overlooked in one recent instance and two girls were irregularly recruited locally without reference to headquarters.

May I take it that my right hon. Friend realises the extreme objection to any action of his countervailing the action and policy of the Government with regard to secondary education?

I have no desire at all to interfere with the education of secondary school pupils. The only point I keep in mind is that sometimes the fortunes of a family change, and it becomes advisable for the boy to get good employment. Then, if everybody is agreed, I am unwilling to refuse him entry to the Post Office where he can get a good career, not a blind-alley occupation, and can rise to any position which his talents justify.

Although the right hon. Gentleman desires not to interfere with the course of secondary education, that is precisely what he is doing all along.

No, Sir, that is not the case.

asked the Postmaster-General why, in the case of parcels sent to His Majesty's ships, including merchant vessels, there is a varying charge dependent upon whether the ship is in home waters or not, in view of the fact that the senders cannot and ought not to have or pass on this information; and whether he will consider the advisability of charging, in ail cases, the ordinary inland postage rates?

The postage rates for parcels addressed to His Majesty's ships in foreign waters, including merchant vessels taken up for naval or military service, are higher than those applicable to parcels for such ships in home waters because of the higher costs of transmission. Although senders should not, and probably do not, know the precise location of a ship, they are frequently in a position to judge whether a ship is at home or abroad. However, since the hon. Member raised this Question on 9th December, I have given further consideration to the subject and have decided that inland rates should be charged on parcels for His Majesty's ships whenever the sender of a parecl does not know whether the ship is abroad or not. Instructions to this effect are being issued to Post Office counter staffs and will come into force on 1st February.

Thank you.

asked the Postmaster-General the average time anticipatorily allotted to the transmission of a Services airgraph when the scheme was introduced; and what is the actual average time now taken with such messages?

It was expected that the average time of transmission of airgraph mails to the base in the Middle East would be about two weeks and to India and South Africa about three weeks. In practice, the transmission times vary considerably, but the present average times are eight days and 15 days respectively. These times do not include the intervals between posting and the despatch af the airgraph film from this country, the time required for the photographic processes at the distant end, or the time, depending on the location of the addressee, required to effect delivery, all of which are subject to considerable variation.

When does the right hon. Gentleman expect a service to open up for North Africa?

That matter is now under consideration. I cannot give a date yet.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the system of recordak photography, and the later stages of developing and processing for the airgraph service are under the complete control of the Post Office; and what arrangements are made with Messrs. Kodak, Limited, in this connection?

The whole of the photographic work in connection with the airgraph service is performed on behalf of my Department, and of the other postal administrations concerned, by Kodak, Ltd., under arrangements to be embodied in a formal agreement, the precise terms of which are at present the subject of negotiation with the Company.

In view of the fact that this service will be more widely used after the war, particularly by commercial firms, will he not agree that it should come entirely under Post Office control?

The question of post-war policy on this is rather hypothetical at the moment, but at the time the airgraph service was introduced there was great delay to Service mails due to their diversion round the Cape of Good Hope, and it was necessary to take advantage of this firm which possessed the equipment and trained personnel who could operate it in all parts where it was being used.

Considering that the right hon. Gentleman is now negotiating some sort of agreement with Kodak, will he bear in mind the possibility of this process being acquired by the Post Office, and therefore belong to the State, and not be utilised to make profits for a private firm?

Certainly, that possibility will be borne in mind.

Will this agreement terminate at the end of the war, or is the agreement contemplated a permanent one?

I am sure that the agreement will make some provision for its termination.

At the end of the war?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can make any statement on the recent operations against the U-boat menace?

I regret that it is impossible to give full information about recent operations against U-boats without assisting the enemy. I can say, however, that we have been heavily attacked by U-boats in recent months and have taken heavy toll of the attackers. Details of operations against U-boats will be published whenever this can be done without assisting the enemy.

Is the Admiralty in a position to give us this information in Secret Session? I would like an answer.

My hon. Friend should put that Question to the Leader of the House.

Mr. Speaker, if I am in Order, I will now put it to the Leader of the House. I want to know whether, in Secret Session, the Government will be in a position to tell us what means they are taking to get control of the U-boats other than simply building ships to be sunk?

The hon. Member should put that Question on the Paper; he cannot expect the Minister to answer without notice.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many lieutenants, Royal Navy, now hold, or have held, temporary higher rank?

I presume my hon. Friend refers to the war period only. The number of lieutenants, Royal Navy, who have been promoted to temporary higher rank since 3rd September, 1939, is 99.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that, where it was held before the war that command of destroyers and small craft should be held by lieut.-commanders and commanders, it is only fair that those temporary ranks should be given to lieutenants now holding commands owing to the shortage of officers of higher rank?

The number which I have given to my hon. and gallant Friend does not include R.N.R. or R.N.V.R., where there is a very large number of those officers holding the ranks to which he refers.

My Question refers to lieutenants of the Royal Navy and not the R.N.V.R.; and is there any reason why the principle of the Army that the rank goes with the job should not be applied to the Royal Navy?

This is the naval practice, as my hon. and gallant Friend knows, which has been carried out.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply of the right hon. Gentleman, I give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the intentions of his Department as regards the construction of fast merchant vessels?

The policy of the Admiralty has been and will be to build, in consultation with the Ministry of War Transport, the ships which with the labour and resources available will give the best results, having regard to the need of providing within those resources for the requisite numbers of escort ships.

My right hon. Friend knows that that is not a reply to my Question. I asked what are the intentions of the Government in respect of the construction of fast merchant ships. Is our shipbuilding policy vis-a-vis the United States unified, and has he seen the statement made by Admiral Lang, head of the American Marine Commission, that they are now re-adjusting their shipbuilding policy and intend in future to build fast ships?

The policy of the Admiralty, as I have given it, has been consistent from the commencement of the war; and, with regard to the statement to which my hon. Friend referred, I can say that there is close consultation between the Admiralty and those responsible for American shipbuilding. They have been in constant consultation since the commencement of the war.

Is it not a fact that the policy of the Admiralty in respect of the construction of merchant ships has proved futile as one of the means of dealing with U-boats, and will the Government now reconsider their shipbuilding policy?

Certainly we cannot accept the statement put by my hon. Friend. We cannot admit it, and I would like to say that this matter has been dealt with very fully by my right hon. Friend the First Lord on many occasions, when, I may say, my hon. Friend did not take advantage of the opportunity of hearing what was said.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is quite impossible as a matter of practice to increase the average speed of convoys quicker than the enemy can increase the average speed of the U-boats?

In view of the reply, I want to ask the Leader of the House whether he will consider at a very early date allowing the House to discuss this question, which is fundamental in relation to the war effort?

I would like a moment to think over that proposition. My recollection is that it has recently been discussed in secret.

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. Can I get an explanation, as I am anxious to understand the proceedings of the House, why an answer was refused the hon. Member for Dumbarton Burghs (Mr. Kirkwood) by the Leader of the House and an answer has been given to my hon. Friend the Member for Seaham (Mr. Shinwell)?

They were two quite different questions.