asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can make a statement on the preparations made, or the steps that are to be taken by the United Nations to deal with post-war famine and disease and the consequences of oppression; what contribution has the Government made towards the preparations; and will he undertake to have post-war relief ready organised by the Governments without resort to collections or charity?

As stated by the Prime-Minister on 20th August, 1940, the, policy of His Majesty's Government is to arrange in advance for the supply of food to any part of Europe as soon as it is liberated. In view of our own food situation, this policy will call for joint action by other United Nations as well as ourselves. The machinery needed for this purpose is at present under discussion between His Majesty's Government and other United Nations, and His Majesty's Government will do their best to assist when the time comes to the fullest possible extent of their resources. While the effectiveness of any relief plan must depend on inter-governmental action, I anticipate that there will also be scope for the activities of voluntary organisations and I see no reason why their co-operation should be excluded.

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been called to a book recently published under the title of "Is To-morrow Hitler's?" containing criminal libels on the peoples of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and on their Prime Minister, accusing them inter alia of wholesale assassination and terror, of cruelty and savagery, worse than that of the Nazis, and of readiness to betray their Allies by making a separate peace with Hitler, with Stalin as his Gauleiter; and whether he will prosecute the persons responsible for its publication?

I have studied the book referred to, but have come to the conclusion that criminal libel proceedings would not be maintainable.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will endeavour to assist the International Labour Office to secure that all countries comprising the United Nations and those who are friendly to them shall become members of the International Labour Office and be called together as soon as possible to consider post-war plans, including hours of employment, holidays, social insurance, minimum wages and other industrial matters, so that a system of economic sanctions may be worked out to be applied in the case of non-observance of any mutually-accepted international standards?

The question of calling a conference of Member States is a matter for the Governing Body of the International Labour Office, and there is no reason to interfere with the constitutional working of the International Labour Organisation which continues to function. A detailed system of economic sanctions is provided for in the Constitution of the Organisation.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that the Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on the Rehabilitation and Resettlement barely touches the position of the middle class, he will instruct the Committee to explore further the remedial services which would more exactly apply to this section of the community?

The report makes no class distinctions. If my hon. Friend will read the Report again he will see that its recommendations include the provision of higher education, training for the professions, training for semi-professional, technical, executive and clerical occupations, and that in assessing the handicap of disability account is taken of the person's previous experience and qualifications.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that the amount of paper now available for the production of scientific journals published by the Cambridge University Press and other similar bodies is down to 30 per cent. of pre-war supplies and may shortly be reduced to 19½ per cent.; and whether, since this reduction causes delay of many months in the publication of results of research and therefore in their practical application, he will review the whole question of paper supplies for technical and scientific journals and ensure that technological developments essential in the national interest are not obstructed?

The journals of learned societies are treated more favourably than periodicals generally, and I am glad to assure my hon. Friend that there is no present intention to reduce the quotas.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will exempt from the Control of Willow Rods and Willow Sticks (No. 2) Order, 1943, blind basket-makers and trainees who would otherwise be deprived of their sole means of livelihood?

Steps have already been taken, in consultation with the main organisations concerned with the blind, to avoid loss of livelihood by blind persons owing to the Order. It is necessary that so far as possible the materials available shall be used for making baskets essential to the war effort, but if any blind workers are incapable of such work, consideration-will be given to exempting them from the operation of the Order.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a statement as to the preparations which are being made or planned for the re-absorption into civilian life of African troops; and whether the committees which have been set up in Kenya and Northern Rhodesia will deal with the position of native African troops as well as of European and Asiatic service men?

I cannot make a detailed statement at this stage, but the matter is under close investigation by all the East and West African Colonial Governments. The answer to the second part of tile Question is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that in August last Mr. L. D. Kemp, Secretary of the British Honduras Workers Protection Association, was arrested, and remains in custody, being subsequently charged, upon certain recorded impressions only and not upon a verbatim report, of a speech he was alleged to have made, but which he denied; and whether, in view of these irregularities, he will request a report and impartial inquiry into this occurrence?

I have received a full report from the Governor on this case. Mr. Kemp was detained under British Honduras Defence Regulation 18 on the grounds that he had acted in a manner prejudicial to public safety or defence. Mr. Kemp made an objection to his detention to the local advisory committee, but when he appeared before them he refused to avail himself of his right to present his case, and, the Committee were therefore unable to make any recommendation. On the information before me I consider that the action taken by the Governor was justified. Mr. Kemp was released in December last subject to certain restrictions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of persons detained or imprisoned arising out of political disturbances in Ceylon, or charged with political offences; and what Ceylonese journals have been suppressed or had restrictions imposed upon them for political reasons?

According to my information there are 10 persons in Ceylon detained under Defence Regulations on security grounds. I am glad to say there have been no political disturbances recently in Ceylon. With reference to the last part of the Question, I have no information, but will ask the Governor to furnish the particulars desired.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the plight of the removal trade in the Birmingham Regional Area, owing to the unfair regulations which, since June last, limit their trade operations to a restricted radius while allowing firms in other regions to operate as in pre-war time; and will he review the regulations in order that if restriction is necessary to save rubber and petrol it should be applied generally all over the country and not to one particular region?

My hon. Friend is mistaken in thinking that the removal of furniture has been more severely restricted in the Birmingham area than in other parts of the country. Issues of fuel for the movement of furniture are made in Birmingham, as elsewhere, only when alternative means of transport are not available. It has recently been decided that the movement of furniture for distances of more than 60 miles shall not take place by road save in exceptional circumstances. This rule will be everywhere applied.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will now accelerate permission to the railway authorities to display on all stations the name of the station in larger and more visible lettering, in view of the difficulty experienced by members of the Services and the public generally in determining when they have reached their destination on sections of the line with which they are unfamiliar?

As my hon. Friend will understand, this matter is one in which I must be guided by the views of the Defence Departments. Certain relaxations were made last autumn with their consent, and I do not think I can usefully put forward further proposals at the present time. I am informed that the railways have installed, or have under preparation, a number of new station name signs which accord with the modified regulations; other stations will be equipped as labour and signs become available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether, in the commandeering of laid-up private motor-cars, the Government will except those motor-cars owned by maimed ex-Service men who, in the national interest, stopped using their motor-cars in order to conserve petrol?

So far it has not been necessary compulsorily to acquire laid-up cars from private owners. Should this have to be done, I cannot give any undertaking not to acquire cars belonging to any particular class of owner, but I am glad to assure my hon. Friend that wherever possible, account would be taken of any special hardship which might be caused.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will identify any regulations under statutory authority which relieve drivers of service motor vehicles of civil obligations?

I have been asked to reply. The following regulations relieve the drivers of service vehicles from certain requirements relating to the driving of vehicles on the roads:—

(1) Defence Regulation 72.

(2) The Motor Vehicles (Variation of Speed Limit) Provisional Regulations, 1940.

There are other regulations which exempt service vehicles from certain requirements as to the use of vehicles, the observance of which is to some extent a responsibility of the driver.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what facilities exist at Murmansk for the treatment of sick and wounded British merchant seamen?

Until the late summer of last year, our merchant seamen who were wounded or ill in Murmansk were received in Russian hospitals, the facilities of which were generously placed at our disposal by the Soviet Government. We were then enabled to arrange for the establishment of a British hospital unit in Northern Russia. This unit, which is staffed by British Naval officers and ratings, now deals with all sick and wounded British merchant seamen at Murmansk. We have also proposed to the Soviet Government the establishment of a second British hospital unit at another port in Northern Russia. This has been agreed to in principle, and I hope that it may shortly be at work.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether his attention has been drawn to the presence at a wedding in Buckinghamshire of 33 motor-cars, most of which had travelled at least 37 miles; and whether he will take further steps to check up the consumption of petrol in this county?

My attention has been called to a report published recently in a local newspaper of allegations to this effect. I am informed that the number of cars attending was not 33 but nine; that the owners of five cars attended the wedding in the course of legitimate visits to the village, and that the remaining four cars were private hire-cars from Buckingham, the nearest railway station. The village in question is well within the inner radius of private hire-cars from Buckingham. I have no information suggesting that any of the cars had come from a distance of 37 miles and I have no reason to think that any special measures of enforcement are necessary in Buckingham.

asked the Minister of Information whether the services of Mr. Alfred Curthoys in his Ministry were satisfactory; and why he released him from his public duties in order to manage a publicity campaign on behalf of private interests against the Beveridge scheme?

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir." Mr. Curthoys resigned his post at the Ministry in order to take up employment in a private business.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the new shipyard training school has now been put into operation?

The arrangements for opening this training centre are practically complete and training will commence in a few days' time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether conversations have been, or are in progress, between the Governments of the United Nations on the measures to be taken to ensure freedom in self-determination by all European States, in accordance with the terms of the Atlantic Charter, on the cessation of hostilities?

Conversations are continually in progress between the Governments of the United Nations with a view to expediting victory and so restoring the exercise of their liberty to the enslaved peoples of Europe at the earliest possible moment. The hon. Member may rest assured that these conversations, which already cover such immediate post-war problems as relief, will be extended to cover in greater detail the other important issues arising out of the Atlantic Charter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information about the recent visit of Count Bethlen to Rome; and whether an attempt was made there by him or any other representative of the Horthy regime to initiate discussions through the Vatican with any of the United Nations?

There have been Press reports on this subject, but I have no confirmation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport the qualifications and experience of the Transport Commissioner for the Birmingham area, the method of his appointment, and his salary?

In the course of a distinguished public career, Sir Arnold Musto has had more than 27 years wide engineering and administrative experience in the Indian Service of Engineers. He was appointed by the Minister of Transport in January, 1940, on the recommendation of a Selection Committee. The Selection Committee chose Sir Arnold Musto from a number of candidates whose names were on the Central Register, and five of whom were interviewed. His salary is £1,500 a year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how much money is being spent by the Colonial Office on publications during the current financial year; and whether this small expenditure is adequate to dispel public ignorance upon Colonial affairs both in this country and abroad?

Information is not at present available as to the amount spent by the Colonial Office on publications during the current financial year. Moreover, any figure which could be stated would not give even an approximate indication of the efforts made to dispel the public ignorance on Colonial affairs. In this connection I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for the Isle of Wight (Captain P. Macdonald) on 20th January.

asked the Minister of Health how many beds are empty at the tuberculosis hospital at Standish, Gloucestershire; and the reasons why so many beds are empty in view of the long waiting list of patients?

The number of beds at present out of use at Standish House Sanatorium is 100. Of these 40 are children's beds which have had to be kept empty until satisfactory air raid protection, now nearing completion, could be provided. The opening of these beds, however, and of the 60 beds for adult patients, depends on getting additional domestic staff at the sanatorium and my right hon. Friend is making every effort, in collaboration with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service, to remedy the present staff shortage there as quickly as possible.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Departmental Committee on Valuation for Rates found in their Report that any of the allegations, which the Committee was set up to investigate, were well founded?

My right hon. Friend does not think that any useful purpose would be served by an attempt to indicate the Committee's procedure or the conclusions reached in the Report which, for the reasons already given, he has decided not to publish at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health what representations he has received from local authorities and other property owners in regard to the condition of cottages and houses in rural areas; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this position?

I have received various representations from time to time, and I am consulting with the Rural District Councils Association as to arrangements which might be made to effect every possible improvement that limitations on supply of labour and materials may permit.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning what action is open to a landlord who receives complaints from tenant farmers that labour employed on the farms will not remain unless urgent repairs to their houses are carried out; whether the existing machinery for obtaining licences for carrying out urgent repairs can be revised; whether local builders may now have returned to them tradesmen whom they formerly employed and who have been engaged on special work erecting camps, etc., having regard to the necessity of ensuring that the conditions of agricultural workers are kept at a proper standard?

As regards the first part of the Question, owners or tenants of farm properties may carry out without licence repairs on any property, as defined in Defence Regulation 56A, up to the limit of £100 in any period of twelve months. Repairs exceeding that figure require a licence from my Department unless they are carried out by local authorities, in which case they require neither licence nor authorisation. As regards the second part of the Question, applications for licences to repair farm workers dwellings are referred to the Ministry of Agriculture, and where that Department makes a favourable recommendation, a licence is ordinarily granted. My information is that these arrangements are working well and I have no evidence that the machinery for obtaining licences needs revision. As regards the third part of the Question, the urgent needs of the Government building programme make it impossible for the time being to arrange for the return to their former employers of men transferred to work on the programme. The Ministry of Labour however pay special regard to the difficulties of rural areas when the question of the withdrawal of labour arises and in particular, men over military age are riot withdrawn unless substitutes can be provided beforehand.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning whether he will arrange for periodic inspections of how the lift work in Government offices is carried out; whether he will cause instructions to be issued that messenger boys and girls shall not utilise the lifts for going down unless burdened by trolleys of papers, etc.; that the lifts shall not be used by any person wishing to reach the first floor; if any examination is made of the expenditure, of electric power on lifts; and what instructions have so far been issued on this subject?

The current instructions on the use of lifts issued in September, 1942, provide that passenger lifts are only to be used to carry persons for a minimum distance of two floors upwards and three floors downwards save in exceptional circumstances, and that officers charged with the duty of making economies in fuel generally should include in their review the use of lifts and, in consultation with this Ministry's engineers, close down either wholly or for part of the day any lifts where the traffic does not warrant their use. I see no reason why messengers should not be allowed to use the lifts to the same degree as other persons.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can readily state the extent to which the working hours of young persons permitted in Crown factories are in excess of statutory limits, and those permitted by special emergency Orders to individual private firms exceed the limits prescribed by general Orders?

There is no difference in principle in this matter between Crown and private factories. In both cases emergency modifications of the normal statutory provisions as to hours of young persons are authorised either by a specific permission for the particular factory under a general Order or by a special Order for the factory. The schemes of working hours and intervals so authorised vary according to the circumstances of the particular factory and cannot readily be compared with the detailed statutory provisions as to normal hours and overtime. They do not necessarily mean longer hours; it is often a matter of authorising a scheme which does not altogether fit in with the statutory provisions or, where a special Order is made, with a scheme for which a permission could have been granted under a general Order.

asked the Minister of Supply whether his technical departments under Dr. Roffey and Dr. Fox are now responsible for the settling of specifications to be used by the rubber industry?

The technical department under Dr. Roffey and Dr. Fox gives technical advice, as requested, as to changes in specifications to the departments responsible for the production of stores involving the use of rubber.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will take immediate steps to extend the use of those rubber substitutes which are recommended by his technical departments as being the best which can be produced from available raw materials?

Within the limits of available raw material, labour and manufacturing capacity, every step is being taken to extend the use of those rubber substitutes which have been technically approved.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will expand the reclaiming industry to produce 50,000 tons per annum, such a figure not to include the manufacture of crumb rubber, which is not a plastic material, and the incorporation of which depends upon the quantity of plastic available in the rubber compound?

The capacity already arranged for is adequate in relation to requirements and to supplies of scrap available.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is satisfied that there is now effective co-ordination between the Service Departments and the Rubber Control in respect of the setting of specifications and the allocation of raw materials?

Yes, Sir. I am satisfied that there is no lack of co-ordination between the purchasing Departments and the Control in these respects.

asked the Minister of Production whether he has laid down a long-term policy regarding the provision and use of substitutes for rubber, based on the assumption that American synthetic rubber will not be forthcoming in the quantities anticipated?

Since the entry of Japan into the war our policy has been to reduce consumption of rubber to a minimum, both by revision of specifications and by increased use of approved substitutes. This policy must be continued until the necessity for it has been overcome.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he has considered asking the City Corporation to demolish the building opposite Queen Victoria Street fire station, acquired for the purpose of widening Queen Victoria Street, with a view to removing from opposite the entrance to the fire station a derelict empty building?

The building opposite Queen Victoria Street Fire Station acquired by the City Corporation for the purpose of widening Queen Victoria Street is not an empty, derelict building, but is occupied by the Cleansing Department of the City Corporation. There is a shortage of accommodation in the City, and for that reason, and in view of the shortage of labour, I do not think it would be opportune to adopt my hon. Friend's proposal at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether German-officer prisoners of war are saluted by their guards?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the British and Australian prisoners in Japanese hands are compelled to work in factories; and what are the International Red Cross Regulations affecting such work by prisoners of war?

I understand that some prisoners of war in Japanese hands are so employed. The work of prisoners of war is regulated by Section III of Part III of the International Convention of 1929 about the treatment of prisoners of war, of which I will send my hon. and gallant Friend a copy.