asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is the intention that the recent declaration of the United Nations that property, stolen by force, intimidation, or by compulsion to sell at prices and under conditions that amount to robbery, will be restored to the former owners, applies equally to properties obtained in Ethiopia by the Italians?

Yes, Sir. For the position generally I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Consett (Mr. David Adams) on 28th January.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is the intention of the United Nations to insist that the territories in Ethiopia giving access to the sea and taken by aggressive action by the Italians are to be restored to Ethiopia?

I am not certain exactly to what territories my hon. Friend refers, but in any case I cannot speak for the United Nations on this matter, and I regret that I am not in a position to forecast at the present stage what decisions may be taken at the appropriate time.

Will that come within the purview of the United Nations as such and not within our purview absolutely?

I think my hon. Friend must be referring to Abyssinia as it was in 1935 or earlier. That is why I did not feel like commenting on it.

When did Ethiopia last have a sea coast?

That was why I was a little puzzled as to what the Question meant, I think it was about 1890.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any arrangements are being made by His Majesty's Government to assist in the provision of adequate medical services in Ethiopia.

Yes, Sir. At the request of the Emperor of Ethiopia a senior member of the Colonial Medical Service was seconded on 1st February, 1942, for service under the Emperor, who appointed him Director-General of the Ethiopian Medical Services. At the request of the Ethiopian Government the names of four senior non-British medical practitioners have been proposed to them for medical appointments. Every effort has been made and will be made, within the limits imposed by the man-power situation in this country, to meet the Ethiopian Government's further requirements. In addition, the British Red Cross maintains a hospital in Addis Ababa, and the Friends Ambulance Unit has recently despatched an important unit of doctors and medical assistants to undertake medical work in the capital and in the Provinces; they have also supplied considerable quantities of urgently needed drugs.

Is it not true to say that we are doing very much more in Ethiopia in this respect than the Italians did?

I think the fundamental distinction is that the Ethiopians can now live the life they want to lead, whereas they could not before.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement on the 2,000 Jewish children in France who were refused visas for this country and were, in consequence, deported to Germany?

I have no knowledge of any Jewish children in France having been refused visas for this country, and having in consequence been deported to Germany. It is, in my opinion, much to be deplored that any story to this effect should be in circulation, as it has no basis in fact, and is likely to encourage misrepresentations as to this country's attitude towards the refugee problem.

The facts are that the Vichy authorities had declined to allow any Jewish children to leave France. They subsequently modified this decision to the extent of sanctioning exit permits for 500 of the children whom the United States authorities were willing to accept, but they would not agree to advantage being taken of thousands of other visas made available for the United Kingdom, the British Dominions, Palestine and other countries. It may be added that on the German entry into what had been Unoccupied France, the embarkation of even the 500 children for whom exit permits had been granted was stopped. I would emphasise that at the time at which application was made to His Majesty's Government for visas for refugee children to come to the United Kingdom from France there were in fact more visas available for other countries than there were children who were permitted to leave.

Is it not probable that the rather loosely worded statement refers to the refusal of His Majesty's Government at that period when there was still an Unoccupied France to grant visas for children who had near relatives in this country able individually to guarantee their maintenance?

I am dealing with the report concerning these children, and I have pointed out that far more visas were available for several countries than there were children able to come out.

Is the Minister aware that Members were circulated to-day with an anti-Semitic leaflet? Will he draw the attention of the Home Secretary to the fact that it is directed against these children and their relatives in this country?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered the resolution of the Cowdenbeath Co-operative Society, sent to him by the hon. Member for West Fife, requesting that Palestine be opened to Jewish refugees from enemy-occupied Europe and shelter given them in the British Empire; and what statement he has to make?

I have considered the resolution of the Cowdenbeath Co-operative Society to which my hon. Friend has drawn my attention. The general policy of His Majesty's Government was explained to the House by the Deputy Prime Minister on 19th January. As regards Palestine, I would, however, ask the hon. Member to await a statement which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies is, I understand, to make at I the end of Questions.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider conferring with the Home Secretary and getting the alien Regulations modified in order to allow these people to come to this country?

This Question deals, among other things, with British Empire and Colonial territory. I thought the hon. Gentleman had Palestine in mind, and I suggest that he should wait to hear what my right hon. Friend has to say at the end of Questions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make regarding the admission to Palestine of Jewish refugees from enemy and enemy-occupied territories.

Yes, Sir. As stated by the Deputy Prime Minister in his answer to Questions regarding the relief of Jewish refugees on 19th January, His Majesty's Government have been working out certain practical proposals. Some weeks ago the Government of Palestine agreed to admit from Bulgaria 4,000 Jewish children, with 500 adults to accompany them on the journey. Since then the necessary negotiations have been taking place, through the Protecting Power, with Bulgaria to secure permission for exit. I am glad to tell the House that these negotiations have now been successful. Steps are being taken immediately to organise the necessary transport, but I must point out that the practical difficulties involved are likely to be considerable. Arrangements had previously been made to admit some 270 Jewish children from Rumania and Hungary, and some of these are now in transit to Palestine. It has now been decided to admit further children from these countries up to a total of 500.

His Majesty's Government will be prepared, provided the necessary transport facilities can be made available, to continue to admit into Palestine Jewish children, with a proportion of adults, up to the limits of immigration permissible for the five-year immigration period ending 31st March, 1944. The numbers involved are approximately 29,000, still available under the White Paper. The usual conditions governing immigration would have to be fulfilled. My right hon. Friend will realise that the very considerable difficulties involved in making the necessary arrangements for transport and for the accommodation and sustenance in Palestine of such large parties of refugees may limit the numbers that can be handled under this procedure.

While thanking my right hon. and gallant Friend for that contribution to the solution of the problem, which the whole House feels to be one of the greatest tragedies of the war, may I ask whether he will continue to pursue investigations with a view to the emigration of Jewish refugees, particularly children, to other mandated territories and to suitable British Colonies?

The Question applies only to Palestine. My right hon. Friend knows that in many other Colonies there are not only grave difficulties in providing food, but those Colonies have also contributed very largely to the relief of refugees from other places.

Would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman tell the House, if he can, what steps have been taken to induce our new Ally, Iraq, to permit the transmigration of those refugees who have visas, and whom the Palestine Government are prepared to admit, so as to reduce the very heavy burden on transport to which he has referred?

I think that satisfactory arrangements have now been made.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman also approach Turkey?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman will realise that when I speak of transport facilities and negotiations that have to be undertaken, I must be referring to Turkey.

Is there any necessity still to preserve the numerical limit laid down in the White Paper, and could arrangements be made for any number of Jews temporarily to reside in Palestine?

No, Sir. I think, although this goes far beyond the limits of this Question, that it is essential, from the point of view of stability in the Middle East at the present time, that that arrangement should be strictly adhered to.

Do not the claims of humanity come before your quota restrictions? Why not take all you can get under all conditions?

Winning the war is the most important thing of all.

In view of the great difficulty of getting children in large numbers out of the enemy-occupied countries, would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider whether a larger proportion of adults could not be taken in Palestine and elsewhere, even if it is necessary on security grounds to intern them until they can be vetted?

I do not agree that it is any- more difficult to get children out than adults, and the Jewish Agency in their conversations with me have stressed the point that the Jewish community as a whole desire to save the children first. I am prepared to accept that and act upon it.

Would not saving the lives of many thousands of Jews also help to win the war?

The hon. Member will realise, I hope, that I am proposing, in this, measures to save the lives of many Jews.

In view of the trend of some of the Supplementary Questions, would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman make it clear that, in announcing this policy of the Palestine Government, he is not intending to limit the efforts made by the Government to that one, and that the Government are continuing their efforts, in consultation with the other United Powers, to see what further measures of practical constructive relief may be carried out?

That is certainly so. This Question' and answer refer only to the part Palestine can play.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) what steps are now being taken to purge the North African administration of Fascist and pro-Fascist elements;

(2) what steps have so far been taken to release De Gaullists and other anti-Fascist prisoners in North Africa; and what estimated number of such prisoners are still detained?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered the resolutions passed by the Dunlop Rim and Wheel Company, Limited, shop stewards and the Coventry East Branch of the Association of Engineering and Shipbuilding Draughtsmen, copies of which have been sent to him, asking for the removal of M. Peyrouton and all other pro-Vichy elements from the Government of French North Africa, and for the establishment, at the earliest possible moment, of a government capable of winning the support of the French people; and what action he proposes to take?

I apologise for the length of the answer. I have seen the resolution to which my hon. Friend the Member for Nuneaton (Mr. Bowles) refers. I would point out to my hon. Friends that these are French territories and that General Giraud's administration is a French administration. It is not a French Government properly so-called, nor aprovisional, nor even a prospective Government, but it is for the time being responsible for the administration of certain parts of the French Empire. The prime responsibility in these matters rests, therefore, upon Frenchmen, and the first interest of the United States Government and of His Majesty's Government is to see that everything possible is done by this French administration to promote the Allied war effort in these territories. I am glad to say that the Allied Commander-in-Chief is receiving full collaboration in every sense from the French administration and that the troops under General Giraud's command are playing their full part in the fighting in Tunisia.

The problem of administering a territory like North Africa, with its mixed population, is not an easy one, particularly at a time when military operations are still going on in the territory. Nor is it easy to adapt for purposes of war the administration of a territory which has been out of the war for two and a half years. Nor can we expect that the deep cleavages between Frenchmen can be easily bridged.

But already important progress has been made. The House will have seen the joint communique issued by General de Gaulle and General Giraud after their meeting at Casablanca and the official statements issued by them on their return to London and Algiers. General de Gaulle and General Giraud are to exchange liaison missions to carry still further the contacts established between them at Casablanca. His Majesty's Government welcome this development.

So far as the release of political prisoners is concerned I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave on 20th January, when I announced the setting up of the mixed Commission. But hon. Members will have seen the public statement about his policy in internal matters recently made to the Press by General Giraud at Algiers. General Giraud as made it clear that in his view there is only one political test to be applied in North Africa. It is that, whoever the individual may be, and whatever his political views may have been, he should be prepared to fight and to work against the common enemy. I do not think that hon. Members would ask for a better test than this. In this same interview General Giraud is reported to have said:

"The British are right to support De Gaulle. He is the only Frenchman who has spoken for two years with the voice of France."

Despite the many difficulties, it is true to say that a start has been made both for the reconciliation between Frenchmen and for the readjustment of internal conditions in North Africa. Much yet remains to be done, and in neither respect is the situation as we should wish to see it. But we must realise that these are problems which can best be solved by Frenchmen.

In these matters there is no difference of policy between His Majesty's Government and the United States Government. Both Governments wish to see the maximum effort put into the military campaign, and for this purpose wish to see unity in all ranks of Frenchmen who are willing to fight the Axis. Both Governments wish to see the traditional freedom that has flourished on French soil once more re-established both in North Africa and in France itself. For this very reason they are agreed that nothing must be allowed to distract them from the first and imperative duty of developing the maximum military effort upon which all else depends.

In view of the fact that the men who were previously in command of the military forces in Syria fighting us are now in charge of military affairs in North Africa, how does the right hon. Gentleman expect to get full co-operation from them in the fight against Hitler?

I invite the hon. Member to look fully at the statement which General Giraud made and which was reported in the "News Chronicle" on 1st February. I think he will see there what is being done, and for my part I can only repeat that I think we should give these arrangements the best chance to work out, and we should give to Frenchmen the best chance to come together.

Do the Government agree that the people are not fighting this war in order to make the world safe for Girauds to live in?

General Giraud is an extremely gallant French soldier. I should feel very proud if I had his record in fighting Germany.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman's answer really indicate that we are trying to be on two sides at the same time and are fighting Fascism with Fascism?

What it indicates is that we are doing our utmost to bring about the unity of Frenchmen who want to fight the Germans.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that there is a very strong division of opinion in this country and in the United States of America on this matter, and that many of us will not be enthusiastic about events in North Africa until we are satisfied that the pro-Vichy elements are eliminated in the first instance, and that political prisoners who are in prison because they opposed the Vichy Government are released? Does the right hon. Gentleman understand that?

Of course, I understand that there are divisions of opinion in this country and in the United States of America, and we are perfectly entitled to hold our different points of view. All I ask the House to-day is to give these arrangements the best chance to work out.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what action has been taken against officials of his Department for negligence in connection with the Liverpool frauds; and whether he has consulted with the Admiralty with a view to removing the officials responsible?

My Noble Friend is in consultation with the Admiralty in connection with the investigations into this difficult matter, but these investigations are not yet complete. For this reason, I cannot yet make any statement, but I hope to be able to do so in the early future.

Is my hon. Friend aware that these investigations have been going on for a very long time and that, unless considerations have been changed recently, the only man who could have detected these frauds is a man earning £4 10s. a week? Will he look into that matter?

I will look into all aspects of the matter. There were appeals in this case, and the last of the appeals was only decided last week, so that there has been no great loss of time.

As the appeal has been settled, will my hon. Friend look into the question of the accountancy system and see if these cases cannot be avoided by proper supervision?

Yes, I will have that aspect of the matter examined.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport how long it will be before the improved lighting in railway trains, recently announced, will be installed on trains in the Glasgow, West of Scotland and Edinburgh areas, respectively?

The lighting of trains in the areas to which my hon. Friend refers will be improved as rapidly as the supply of materials and labour allows. I regret, however, that in the Glasgow area some delay will be inevitable, for the reason that the limited supply of labour available to the railway companies is fully engaged in repairing malicious damage to passenger rolling-stock. I am grateful to my hon. Friend for this opportunity of explaining that vandalism in railway trains, especially in the Glasgow area, has become a most serious problem. During the last three months more than 2,000 carriage windows have been broken, 1,500 window straps torn or cut, 1,000 war-time lampshades broken or torn off, and the upholstery in 320 compartments cut, in addition to other considerable damage to the carriages. During 1942 more than 43,000 electric bulbs were broken or stolen from trains in Scotland. As I have already said, these mischievous acts by irresponsible travellers will seriously delay the introduction of improved lighting since the necessary repairs must absorb the labour and materials required.

Has my hon. Friend made any investigation into the reasons for this?

The public authorities have made every endeavour to find out why it is going on. It seems to be pure vandalism of the most reprehensible kind.

It is only recently that the railways put glass in. Workers' trains have been notoriously ill-fitted.

Perhaps my hon. Friend will furnish me with details.

Who supplied the hon. Gentleman with these facts, because in 3½ years' travelling in the West of Scotland I have only seen two cases of a broken window and destroyed upholstery?

The facts are supplied by the railway company, but photographs have been published, and there is no doubt about the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether, as his Department officially informed the Press on 23rd January that batteries for providing improved lighting on the main railways would be available almost immediately to enable passengers to read newspapers in comfort, and that all trains and public vehicles, with certain exceptions, would have uniform lighting, he will now say on what dates he anticipates each of these improvements will be achieved?

I regret that inaccuracies in the newspaper report to which my hon. Friend refers have caused misunderstanding. The facts are as follow: An officer of my Department spoke to a reporter of the changes and improvements in lighting which we are hoping to introduce. He said that, among other things, we are arranging that the lights in trains shall no longer be swiched off while the trains are standing at station platforms. He said that this could be done almost immediately in electric trains to which current is served direct, but that it could only be done in trains in which the lighting is done by batteries when there is a through switch control. My hon. Friend will observe that none of this referred to improvements in the lighting itself, nor to the provision of batteries. No mention was made by my officer of uniformity of lighting or of public service vehicles. I regret that I cannot yet say at what dates the other improvements in lighting can be introduced, since this must depend on the labour and materials which can be obtained. I have, however, asked the companies to inform me at frequent intervals of the progress they have made. My hon. Friend will understand that there are such great differences in the rolling-stock, and in the lighting systems adopted by various companies, that uniformity of lighting is impracticable.

asked the Minister of Information whether his attention has been drawn to the dissatisfaction felt at the misleading statements published in the Press regarding the availability of foodstuffs; and whether he will take steps to ensure that information supplied to newspapers by the Ministry of Food and other Government Departments is reproduced with strict accuracy?

No, Sir. I have not heard of any dissatisfaction. With regard to the second part of the Question, my hon. Friend will appreciate that the manner in which information coming from Government Departments is presented in the newspapers is a matter for the editors themselves.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will consider amending the compensation for requisitioned motor-lorries and trailers, as at present a requisitioned vehicle is valued at an official low figure and a heavy outlay for a new vehicle is incurred by the original owner; and whether he will take the value of the replacement vehicle and discount from that figure the period of use which the old vehicle has served?

The payment to be made in compensation for a vehicle acquired under the Defence (General) Regulations is governed by the provisions of section 4 (7) of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939. I am advised that to pay compensation on the basis suggested by my hon. Friend would not be in accordance with these provisions.

Does the hon. Gentleman consider it better to retain an injustice than to try to remedy it?

I must apply the law. If the hon. Gentleman is suggesting an amendment of the law, that raises broad issues which would have to be dealt with by the Treasury.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the shortage of cycles and the desirability of everybody avoiding unnecessary travel by motorbus or train, he will issue instructions that safe accommodation be given Post Office employees for the storage of their cycles, and where enclosed accommodation cannot be found a responsible individual be placed in charge of the parking place to prevent theft?

Accommodation is normally provided by the Post Office at the risk of the user for the private cycles of members of the manipulative staff who live more than one mile away and use cycles in going to and from work. This accommodation is generally on Post Office premises, where the arrangements for safeguarding are satisfactory, but exigencies of space at a few offices preclude the provision of special accommodation on Post Office premises. I could not undertake to arrange for special staff to look after the machines. As regards the administrative offices, the practice adopted is that in force throughout the Civil Service, and accommodation is only provided in cases where the office is difficult of access by ordinary means of communication.

In view of the war conditions, could not my right hon. Friend see whether he can do something to make it safer for Post Office employees to travel by bicycle, which is much to be encouraged in view of the idea that everybody should not use trains and buses as far as possible?

I agree with my right hon. Friend. Postmasters do as much as they can, but sometimes they cannot do as much as they would like because there is not enough room.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning whether he will consider introducing into the present Commons Chamber lighting with a higher ultra-violet content, preferably daylight?

I assume that the lighting which the hon. Member has in mind is the fluorescent tube lamp. The adaptation of the Chamber to lighting by this method would involve extensive alterations to the present lighting system, including the changing from the present direct current system to alternating current. If it is the wish of the House, I am of course prepared to look further into the question, but I hope that in view of the shortage of labour and materials the proposal will not be pressed at the present time.

Would the Minister consider occasionally opening the windows so that at least we could have normal daylight on our proceedings?

Does the Minister realise that if he does open the windows we shall not get ultra-violet rays?

Would the Minister also look into the question of the lighting of the Library and other parts of the House which are in a state of inspissated gloom?

Is there any reason why we should not have plain glass in the windows?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Caribbean Products Company, Limited, Jamaica, is awaiting a reply to their application made some two years ago for permission to manufacture toilet soap in the island; and whether, as the establishment of this new business would assist the coconut industry, relieve unemployment and aid in the economic development of the Colony, he will have the application promptly examined and reported upon?

I understand that my hon. Friend is referring not to an application for permission to manufacture toilet soap, but for permission to import the necessary machinery. I have no information regarding this application, but I am making inquiries and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

Is the Minister taking steps to deal with the delay in giving a reply to these people in Jamaica?

I am not prepared to accept the view that there has been delay until I have been able to find out the facts in the case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the report of Major Orde-Browne on labour conditions in Mauritius is to be published, and, if so, when it will be available?

Yes, Sir. The publication, which will include also a report on Ceylon, has now gone to press, and will be released as soon as copies have been received in the Colonies concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the American technical mission visiting Brazil to study alternative uses for surplus cocoa; and whether he will seek information as to these investigations in order to adopt any of its conclusions or proposals in respect of surplus British Colonial cocoa?

I understand that the technical mission which visited Brazil several months ago had general terms of reference to investigate the whole of the raw materials and industrial production of Brazil. The investigation covered, amongst other things, the position of the Brazilian cocoa industry. No formal findings of this part of the Mission's report are available, but I am making inquiries about it.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say when these inquiries are likely to result in information which he might be able to give to the House?

I could not possibly say.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of recent official statements regarding immigration, settlement and land policy in East African Colonies, he will announce a comprehensive policy at an early date, to include Tanganyika European settlement, and in particular, the safeguarding of native rights and effective treatment of the African land problem?

I am not aware what are the precise official statements which my hon. Friend has in mind. The question of general development and the possibilities of settlement in East Africa are continuously receiving attention, but I do not think that an announcement of a comprehensive policy could usefully be made at this juncture. My hon. Friend may be assured, however, that African interests, with regard to both present and future needs and opportunities, will be most carefully borne in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information respecting industrial disputes in Cyprus; what steps have been taken to meet the 175 per cent. rise in the cost of living; how many have been arrested and sentenced in connection with strikes; and what action is proposed to meet Cypriot economic needs and growing political demands?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement regarding the present crisis in Cyprus caused by the increased cost of living and the suppression of trade union activity designed to secure a remedy; and whether he will order the release of imprisoned trade unionists and arrange for the ban against anti-Fascist clubs and centres to be lifted?

I apologise to the House that the answer is necessarily a long one.

Read it at the end of Questions.

With permission, I will circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

In view of the importance of this matter, might it not be more convenient for the right hon. and gallant Gentleman to answer this Question at the end of Questions?

Perhaps it would be more convenient to allow us to get through a few more Questions.

On a point of Order. May I ask, Mr. Speaker, whether you are aware that through these Questions not being answered now some of those who are interested in this very important matter will not be able to elicit further information from the Secretary of State, and should not that be possible, seeing that other Members have opportunities to do so?

There are a large number of Questions remaining, and the Minister has said that this is a very long answer.

On a point of Order. The Questions which were addressed to the Colonial Secretary were put off in deference to the convenience of the House and because of the large number of Questions. Might we not ask for those Questions to be dealt with now? [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] I think the House would be willing to give time.

It appears to be the wish of hon. Members that they should be circulated by means of the OFFICIAL REPORT.

On that point of Order. May I respectfully point out that the answers circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT as a rule are statistical in character, whereas those with which we are concerned are of a different character, and that if the course now proposed is taken as a precedent, many answers of a most valuable kind may not be given by Ministers upon the Floor of the House at all?

That is a hypothetical question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that, in spite of considerable unemployment in Seychelles Colony, the Government have amended the Compulsory Service Ordinance to apply to males between the ages of 14 and 55 for compulsory labour upon Government and private estates; whether he can state the wages, hours and conditions imposed; and why no representative of labour was appointed to the Agricultural Board concerned?

I am not aware of the existence of considerable unemployment in the Seychelles. The Compulsory Service Ordinance was made applicable to persons between the ages of 18–45 to enable the necessary labour to be obtained for food planting and other essential services. It is not intended that the Order shall be applied to compel persons to work on private estates. As regards the second part of the Question, detailed information as to wages, hours and conditions of work are not at present available, but the law provides that persons required to work shall receive the ordinary rates of pay current locally for such work. The Governor is sending a report by mail which will, no doubt, contain full particulars. As regards the last part of the Question, I am asking the Governor for information as to the constitution of the present Agricultural Board.

Does the Minister not consider that it is a reactionary policy to compel people to work when they are willing to work if they have decent conditions?

These people are compelled to work in their own interests, because the food situation there is extremely difficult, and steps have got to be taken to increase production.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now say whether the liaison officer has been appointed in the Panama Canal area where labourers recruited by the United States Government from Jamaica are employed, who complained of bad food, housing and ill-usage; whether he is aware of recent complaints that the wages of these labourers contracted for were not being paid; and what steps he is taking to remedy these matters?

Yes, Sir. An officer has been appointed as Labour Representative of the Jamaica Government in this area: and it will be for him to investigate any complaints made by Jamaican labourers there.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to recent labour unrest in Kenya; whether this affects both conscripted and non-conscripted workers; how far it is connected with low wages, rising prices and food shortage; what action is being taken to deal with the situation; and whether the Kenya Legislative Council has, or is about to, consider a measure of labour legislation?

The disputes primarily concerned Railway and Public Works Department employees in Mombasa and to a lesser extent in Nairobi, and in no case did the stoppage last more than three days. A tribunal appointed to settle the disputes found that the unrest was due to the rise in cost of living, and awarded increased allowances in lieu of rations, fuel and housing to employees on the lower scales of pay, and in addition, in Mombasa, a cost of living bonus. Where-ever possible rations, fuel and clothing are to be issued in kind. I have no information as to whether or not any of the workers concerned were conscripted. So far as it known, the Kenya Government are not at present' contemplating the introduction of any additions to their present labour legislation.

Was not a measure rejected by the Council recently?

I am not aware of that, but if the hon. Member asks for information on that specific point, I will find out.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory position with regard to the production of utility furniture; and what steps he intends to take in order to accelerate supplies to satisfy the demand?

Substantial quantities of utility furniture are now being made. My right hon. Friend is taking all possible steps to expedite production, but for some time at least the demand is bound to exceed the supply.

Is the Minister aware that at the end of January there was no designated firm in the Midlands zone for the manufacture of utility kitchen furniture, and does he consider that progress is being made when that is the state of affairs?

The whole of this procedure has been drawn up with the idea of providing for an adequate quantity of furniture to be made in all the districts in so far as materials are available.

May I ask whether arrangements can be made so that a customer can see what it is he is actually buying, rather than having to buy from a catalogue, which is very unsatisfactory?

That may eventually be possible, but for the moment stocks are so short that we want to get all the furniture we can into the hands of the people who need it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give any information in connection with the charge made on 26th January against Mrs. A. S. Ascough, Buckingham Road, Brighton, of stealing 80,000 coupons; whether he is aware that Inspector Collyer gave evidence that 11,000 coupons are not accounted for; and how the woman in question obtained these coupons?

This case is still sub judice.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of mechanical loaders now in commission in the mines of Great Britain; the increase in the number since 3rd September, 1939, and the effect of these machines upon safety and output where they have been put in commission?

The development of power loading in the coalmines of this country is still in the experimental stage. About 20 such machines are now at work, but no accurate information is available as to the number working at 3rd September, 1939. The results so far achieved are encouraging. The Ministry is studying closely the safety issues involved.

While thanking the Parliamentary Secretary for the answer given, may I ask whether he is aware that the men in the pits in Lancashire view with grave apprehension the question of the safety factor in connection with the introduction of these machines, and will he make a note to warn inspectors of mines that special attention should be given to the safety question in connection with the introduction of these mechanical loaders?

In addition to making a note of it I can assure my hon. Friend that I have called the inspectorate into consultation in regard to the safety conditions involved in the introduction of this type of machinery generally, and he may take it that we are watching this question very carefully.

Have these machines been introduced without the prior consent of the Department and the inspectorate?

No, I do not think so.

asked the Prime Minister whether, when the Foreign Secretary was appointed to the War Cabinet and Leader of the House, he was relieved of some of his duties at the Foreign Office, as it is impossible for him to carry out all those duties efficiently?

The Foreign Secretary of the day has always been a member of the War Cabinet. My hon. Friend can rest assured that my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary would not have undertaken these extra duties if he had not been satisfied that he could discharge them.

Has not the Foreign Secretary been appointed Leader of the House since then? He is Leader of the House, a member of the War Cabinet and Foreign Secretary, and anybody who has heard his answers to-day will understand that his duties as Foreign Secretary are tremendous. May I further ask whether the Home Secretary fulfils his duties equal to the Foreign Secretary?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider approaching the United States Government immediately with a view to obtaining agreement as to the post-war conduct of world air transport, such agreement to include a pooling of transport aircraft supplies?

This is doubtless one of the many subjects which will call for consideration with the United States Government and other Governments, including those of the Dominions and India. I am not at present in a position to say when such discussion will begin.

Is the Minister aware that there is growing concern in the country in regard to the importance of this matter and that the concern is now being increasingly shared by our airmen, who desire to have some prospect of carrying on their skill after the war?