asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any steps are being taken to promote greater political and economic co-operation between the Arab States of the Middle East, with a view to the ultimate creation of an Arab Federation?

As they have already made plain, His Majesty's Government would view with sympathy any movement among Arabs to promote their economic, cultural or political unity. But clearly the initiative in any scheme would have to come from the Arabs themselves, and so far as I am aware no such scheme, which would command general approval, has yet been worked out.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider sending to the Middle East the very best men that the Foreign Office can command, for the purpose of getting together these Arab States? It is a very important problem that might involve the future of Palestine.

I think we are very well represented in these countries, but, as the hon. Gentleman knows, the whole problem is a complicated one of individual national views.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many nations have adhered to the Atlantic Charter; and in which cases ratification is necessary in order that the adhesion may become binding?

Thirty-four nations have adhered to the Atlantic Charter. The Charter is a declaration of principle to which it is open to any Government to express adherence. The question of ratification does not arise.

Are we to understand that it is not binding upon any Government that adheres to it?

I did not say that. Pronouncements can be binding without being ratified.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered the broadcast by Mr. Sumner Welles, on 12th February, urging that now is the time to consider the practical manner in which an international police power could be exercised in the world of the future and the achievement by international co-operation of general economic reconstruction; and whether he will give an assurance that steps are being taken to carry this out now?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered the recent utterances of the Under-Secretary of State, Mr. Sumner Welles, and Navy Secretary, Colonel Knox, urging the United Nations, among other things, to prepare now for post-war collaboration in commercial and economic matters, and thereby avoid possible friction and rivalry after the war is ended; and what response His Majesty's Government intend to make to these appeals?

His Majesty's Government are anxious to co-operate with the United States Administration and others of the United Nations in finding a solution to all these questions, and, as I explained in reply to a Question on 20th January, we have already made considerable progress in preparing the ground for discussions on economic and financial matters.

Are the American and British Governments already working on plans for reconstruction after the war?

Yes, Sir, we are certainly working on them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the statement embodied in Command Paper 6420 that in the immediate amalgamation of the Foreign Office and Diplomatic Service, the Commercial Diplomatic Service and the Consular Service would be merged into a new Foreign Service, he will inform the House of the measures now in process towards this objective?

Yes, Sir. I hope shortly to submit to His Majesty in Council the draft of an Order establishing His Majesty's Foreign Service.

Is progress being definitely made in this direction all the time?

I am submitting the Order to His Majesty. If it is approved, the Foreign Service will come into existence.

Can we have an opportunity for discussion?

I am prepared to consider that. If the House desires a discussion, I will do my best to find facilities, because I should like to feel that I have the approval of the House to go ahead.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in the reorganisation of the Foreign Service, consultation will take place with national organisations representative of the industrial and commercial life of the country, with a view to efficient training of qualified candidates in the various problems relating to the restoration and expansion of British export trade?

The main object of my proposals for the reform of the Foreign Service is to ensure that the commercial as well as the political and consular posts are adequately staffed. Certain consultations such as those referred to by my hon. Friend took place during the preparation of my proposals. I shall welcome the further co-operation of the organisations concerned in ensuring that the necessary training in matters relating to export trade is given both to men joining the Service and to officers visiting this country from time to time later in their careers.

So far as may be convenient, will my right hon. Friend make contact with the British trade organisations overseas, so that their views may be ascertained before coming to a decision?

I will bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.

Will my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House say whether, when he brings before the House the amalgamation of the Diplomatic and Consular Services, he will be able to arrange for the House to have time to consider it in Debate?

This matter was raised earlier at Question time. If there were a desire in the House for a discussion, I should myself like to have it soon, so that I should feel that I had the necessary authority to go ahead with the measures concerned. Perhaps the matter can be raised through the usual channels.

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

I would refer my hon. Friend to my statement in the House on 10th February. Since that date there have been some further releases, but I have not so far received detailed figures in respect of them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is grave dissatisfaction at the slow progress being made? Will he tell us whether our Resident Minister in North Africa is taking action to expedite this matter?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that my right hon. Friend is doing all he can to expedite this matter. Progress is being made. I do not suppose any of us is satisfied with the rate of progress, but I hope it will be continued.

Has my right hon. Friend's attention been called to the very unsatisfactory report which appeared in "The Times" and other newspapers of General Bergeret's Press conference in Algiers?

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's unsatisfactory answer, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Inter-Allied Information Committee is compiling a detailed record of war criminals; and whether this is the only body in this country which is keeping such a list?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. The second part does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he expects to be in a position to announce the results of his negotiations with the United Nations concerning the rescue of Jews from Nazi-occupied Europe?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the growing public uneasiness caused by the comparative inaction of the United Nations in succouring the tortured Jewish people of Europe; and whether he will follow precedent and suggest the appointment of someone of international experience and repute of the Nansen type to focus attention on the difficulties of the position and effect a remedy?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in conjunction with the Allies, he will explore further avenues of help for the Jews and seeks the assistance of neutral countries in a united effort to prevent Hitler from exterminating the Jewish race in Axis and subjugated countries?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will initiate representations by the United Nations to the German Government to permit Jews to leave the occupied countries of Europe; offer protection to Jews liberated or escaping from the occupied territories; facilitate the transfer of Jews to, and their asylum in the territories and colonies of the United Nations; urge on neutral countries the desirability of receiving as many Jewish refugees as possible until, with victory, plans can be made for their permanent settlement; and make available the fullest possible facilities for the immigration of Jewish refugees into Palestine?

I would remind my hon. Friends of the statement made in the House by the Deputy Prime Minister on 19th January. The only truly effective means of succouring the tortured Jewish, and, I may add, the other suffering peoples of Europe, lies in an Allied victory. In devoting all their energies and resources to this end, the Governments and peoples of the United Nations are, therefore, seeking to bring relief to all the oppressed. As regards such measures of relief and rescue as may be immediately practicable, the House will recall the proposals announced by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies in respect of Palestine. These will be put into operation as rapidly as facilities can be arranged. In addition to this a considerable number of refugees of Allied nationalities have arrived and continue to arrive in this country. As regards international action, I am not yet able to say when I shall be in a position to make a statement. I do not think that Dr. Nansen's appointment by the League of Nations, which was made some considerable time after the last war, affords any useful precedent for dealing with the difficulties experienced in war-time.

While unwilling to embarrass the Government about this matter, and fully realising that there is no great hope until an Allied victory has been won, may I ask whether it is not the case that the right hon. Gentleman assured the House that whatever contribution this country could make had better wait until it could form part of a united effort by the Allied nations? Further, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the declaration of the Allied nations was made 10 weeks ago and that many of us ate afraid that by the time the Allied nations have concerted their plans there will be nobody left to save?

I do not think it is at all true to say that nothing has been done by this country unilaterally even since the declaration was made [Interruption]. Well, that was the impression I got. My right hon. and gallant Friend's statement about Palestine clearly showed what was happening and people are still arriving here. But there are some matters, such as assurances to neutral countries, which must be done in consultation with the United Nations and can hardly be done by us alone.

Having regard to the difficulty of making simultaneous agreements with a number of countries in advance, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he would not dismiss entirely from his mind the possibility of sending an envoy to the various countries concerned with the idea of expediting negotiations?

I would not dismiss that from my mind, but I doubt myself whether it would expedite matters.

Is it not true that the Jewish people are the only people on behalf of whom this House rose in mute homage, and is not that one reason, among others, why we should be allowed to have a Debate on this subject in the near future?

if I thought it would assist progress, I certainly would not oppose it. The only doubt of the House is whether such a Debate would facilitate matters.

Is the Minister satisfied that we are taking all the unilateral action we can? Can he do anything to expedite an announcement about multilateral action?

I am sure that the hon. Gentleman and the House will feel that this country has a pretty good record in this matter, although that does not mean to say that we would not like to improve upon it. As regards the second part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary Question, I am doing what I can, but this question is rather baffling in some aspects.

Is it not a fact that the Government are already taking a certain amount of action which could not be announced in the interests of the victims themselves, and possible victims?

It is true that a certain amount of negotiation is going on now which I would not like to make public.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recall that when the Colonial Secretary announced what was being done in Palestine, he expressly said, in reply to a Supplementary Question, that that formed no part of Great Britain's contribution and was not intended to do so, that it was purely Palestine's own effort, and that our contribution was being reserved so that it would form part of a united plan? Has not the time come when our effort should be made as an example to the others?

I do not think my right hon. and gallant Friend said that, and, with respect to my hon. Friend opposite, I think he is really making a distinction where there is no distinction at all. The important thing is to try and find places to which these people can go, and in that sense Palestine is obviously a contribution.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how the Suez Canal is now managed; the number of directors acting; how many are British; what other countries have Directors on the Board; and where are the permanent headquarters?

As I stated on 21st October last in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Bilston (Mr. Hannah) the effective control of the Suez Canal Company is now wholly in the hands of the London Directors, who are eight in number, and who are, of course, all British subjects. The Board, which now exercises no control, consists, in addition, of French, Egyptian and Dutch Directors. The permanent headquarters of the Company are in Paris.

Is there still an annual report showing the tonnage and the finances of the Suez Canal?

I do not think so. I think those matters are kept secret now.

Does not my right hon. Friend think it would be advisable to retain this state of affairs after the war?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there have yet been any consultations about doing away with the present League of Nations and forming a new one with a new name?

As I indicated in the Debate on the Address on 2nd December last, the policy of His Majesty's Government is to support the maintenance during the war of as many as possible of the League's services, which should be capable of performing valuable work after the war. I also indicated on that occasion some of the attributes which His Majesty's Government consider indispensable for whatever form of international organisation emerges after the war.

Is it not of absolutely first importance that the international work of the health organisation should continue during the war?

Yes, Sir; that is covered by my answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any official information as to the truce between the authorised leader of the Yugoslav forces fighting in Yugoslavia and the Italian military authorities which recognises the occupation by Italian forces of a number of districts in Herzegovina?

No, Sir.

Although the right hon. Gentleman has not any official information, has he any information whatever as to the reported agreement which has been existing between the leader of the Yugoslav forces fighting in Yugoslavia and the Italians, and as to the occupation of certain districts in Herzegovina by Italian troops, an agreement which has been broken by the Axis Powers sending in Quisling forces?

I have heard rumours, but I have no confirmation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries, because there are reports on this subject which are rather ominous?

I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman has considered the full meaning of what he said about making inquiries, as it is enemy-occupied territory, but naturally we do all we can to obtain reliable information about an extremely complicated and tangled situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement on the Soviet Government's allegation that General Mihailovich has been collaborating with Axis forces in Yugoslavia?

No, Sir. I am unable to make any statement on the matter, which I understand is under discussion between the Soviet and Yugoslav Governments.

Is there a liaison between the Yugoslav propaganda which is put out through the B.B.C. and the free Yugoslav propaganda which comes from further East?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put that Question on the Order Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will invite Madame Chiang Kai-shek to visit this country when she has completed her visit to the United States of America?

Yes, Sir. An invitation to visit this country was extended to Madame Chiang Kai-shek towards the end of last year, and has been repeated since. I understand that Madame Chiang's health has not so far permitted her to make definite plans. But now that she is happily well again we have some reason to believe, and every reason to hope, that this distinguished lady will visit us before returning to China.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will authorise the preparation of a series of handbooks on subjects likely to arise in the peace settlement analogous to the handbooks prepared for the Peace Conference of 1919?

Yes, Sir. Material is already being collected for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the possibilities of civil aviation after the war, His Majesty's Government have opened up negotiations with any Power, particularly the United States of America, with a view of arriving at agreements in relation to the freedom of the air and landing ports, in order to avoid convicts between the interests involved?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Duddeston (Mr. Simmonds) on 17th February.

Is the right hon. Gentleman taking note of the Debates that took place recently in Washington on this very important subject, and may we take it that in civil aviation Great Britain will not be left out in the cold?

I strive to take note of all Debates abroad and at home.

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether he is yet in a position to make a statement with regard to the recommendation of the Joint Air Transport Committee that there should be a Standing Committee of both Houses of Parliament to consider the immediate and distant future of British air transport?

As the House is already aware, the whole problem of the future of civil aviation is under active examination by the Government. In present circumstances it is not considered that the appointment of a Standing Committee as suggested would be appropriate.

When are the Government likely to make a report to the House on civil aviation?

I am unable to give a date.

Will it be in the near future?

I hope so.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he will now put plain glass into the windows of the Libraries and Committee Rooms of the House of Commons?

I regret that I see difficulty in complying with the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion. Most of the metal window frames in these rooms have been severely damaged by blast and would require to be renewed before glass could be installed. In view of the shortage of labour and materials, I hope the proposal will not be pressed at the present time.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that at any time after about 10 o'clock in the morning, when the sun gets up, Members who wish to work in the Libraries and Committee Rooms have to do so in Stygian gloom? If we cannot have God's daylight, can we have some better artificial light?

I have been through the Libraries and have seen and have consulted Members working in them. Naturally I should like to be able to reinstate the glass and to give natural as well as artificial light. We are doing the maximum that we can.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he is aware that railings to the value of £1 10s. were removed, without due consideration, from allotments in Ilkley, resulting in a loss of food due to the moorland sheep invading the allotments; and whether he will allow the people employed on this work to exercise their initiative instead of having to interpret rules literally?

Certain railings to allotments in Ilkley, the place, I understand, to which the song about the hat refers, which were scheduled for removal by the local authority under the Direction of the Minister of Supply, were dismantled after consideration of the circumstances. In consequence of subsequent representations locally the railings are now being reinstated. The risk of damage to crops by moorland sheep in this area is difficult to assess in individual cases, but the local officers of the Ministry of Works endeavour to exercise the discretion granted to them in this matter in such a way as to secure a due balance between this risk and the demand for scrap metal. I am happy to inform my hon. Friend that that has now been satisfactorily achieved.

In view of the shortage of material and labour, and realising that this kind of thing is happening in thousands of instances, will not my hon. Friend give the local people a little scope for using their own intelligence instead of merely having to interpret rules literally? We are wasting £100 worth of food for the sake of 30s. worth of railings.

I am rather apprehensive that my hon. Friend's percentages are a little too high, but the demand for scrap metal is very real and definite. There always is local consultation. In this case a mistake was made, and it is being repaired as speedily as possible.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give the total number of casualties in killed, wounded and missing suffered by the British Navy from the commencement of the war until 31st January, 1943, and equivalent numbers under each heading during the corresponding period of time during the last war?

I regret that it is not in the public interest to give the information for which the hon. and gallant Member asks.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will state, to the last available date, the total losses among members of the Forces and the Merchant Navy since the outbreak of war, in dead, wounded, missing and prisoners of war?

The information desired by my hon. Friend relating to the Armed Forces of the Crown has already been asked for and is in course of preparation. As regards the Merchant Navy, it would not be in the public interest to give the separate figures asked for.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any representatives of social studies have been appointed to the Colonial Research Committee?

Yes, Sir. The development of the work of the Committee made it clear that it would be of value to have among them persons with knowledge of social and economic studies and of business affairs. I am glad to announce that Professor Carr-Saunders, Sir Hubert Henderson and Sir John Caulcutt have now joined the Committee to represent these aspects.

Have any natives been appointed to this Committee?

I am as anxious as anyone else to associate natives of the Colonies with various kinds of work, but this is a committee of research experts sitting in London the whole time, and my sole consideration must be to get the best experts for the particular job.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in respect of the West African Nursing Service, he will consider the desirability of granting appointments to local candidates, who have every necessary qualification, in preference to European candidates unconnected with West Africa, who may possess additional qualifications not essential to the post applied for?

All local candidates in West Africa are fully eligible to be considered for any nursing appointments for which they are qualified. But the local governments must decide what qualifications are necessary in any particular case. I am confident that the desirability of affording the fullest possible scope to local candidates is appreciated by all concerned.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman look into this matter again, owing to the feeling that undoubtedly exists that a fair chance is not being given to local candidates with sufficient qualifications, who are turned down in favour of people with extra qualifications which are not necessary?

I will look into it, but I am sure the hon. Gentleman will agree that while it is most desirable that wherever possible Africans should be appointed, we should not achieve that object by lowering the standards which otherwise would be thought necessary.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman appreciate that while there is no desire to lower the necessary qualifications, unnecessary qualifications should not enter into the question?

What have the Colonial Office done to have a decent scheme for the training of Colonial nurses in Great Britain?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put that Question on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent the Overseas Nursing Association is a recognised Government agency; the relationship between it and African Colonial Governments; and whether he can arrange that it includes coloured African ladies nominated by the Government and by African organisations?

The Overseas Nursing Association was founded in 1896 for the purpose of providing fully trained nurses from this country for private and hospital work in the Colonies and among other British communities abroad, and to facilitate in any other way the work of nursing. Although it is a private and voluntary organisation, the association acts at the request of the Colonial Office as an agency for recommending candidates to the Secretary of State for Government nursing appointments in the Colonies which it is desired to fill by recruitment from this country. The association has no relationship with African Colonial Governments, and in the circumstances the particular suggestion made in the last part of the Question does not seem appropriate.

Does not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman agree that it is highly desirable that as this association has considerable influence, some African ladies should be included on it? Will he not make a suggestion in the right quarter?

I will certainly think over it and see what can be done, but it must be someone who is a whole-time resident in this country and also has some special knowledge of nursing.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the speech of Dr. Goebbels last Friday, informing the German people of Germany's intention of waging total and radical war against us beyond any extent that can be imagined to-day; and will he take steps to notify the German people, by broadcast and other means available, that this country has sufficient stocks of death-dealing gas to destroy the whole of the population of Germany, civilian as well as military, and at their first attempt to do this to us we shall retaliate against them in the same way?

I am not sure that the passage in Goebbels' speech to which my hon. Friend refers bears the interpretation which my hon. Friend appears to attach to it, but the position of His Majesty's Government in regard to retaliation in the use of gas was made clear by the Prime Minister in his broadcast statement of 10th May, 1942, and remains unchanged.

Has my right hon. Friend's attention been drawn to a statement by a lady who was released from internment in Germany only a few weeks ago, who said that the German population, although many of them are strongly anti-Nazi, were fighting on the German side because they feared measures of extermination against the German people; and is not the kind of measure suggested in the Question likely to increase the support of the Germans for Hitler?

asked the Minister of Production whether he is aware that shock-proof motors are being specified by several Departments where the machines to which they are attached are not shock-proof; and whether, in view of the delay in production and increase in cost; he will take steps to stop such specifications?

I am not aware that shock-proof motors are being specified by several Departments as suggested by my hon. Friend. Electrical equipment of special shock-proof construction is only required for use on board His Majesty's ships where, for obvious reasons, particular operational considerations apply. I am assured by my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty that he will consider some relaxation of the more stringent shock-proof requirements, in any case where production difficulties were likely to hold up deliveries and operational efficiency would not be impaired.

asked the Minister of Production whether he is satisfied with the supply of steel; have any orders or delivery dates been delayed because of steel supply difficulties; what action is to be taken to expedite and increase the supplies of steel; and has any action been taken to increase the productive capacity of the steel industry?

Steel supplies are in general adequate to meet essential war needs. The difficulties that have arisen from time to time have not been abnormal, being mainly related to particular classes of steel. These have been largely overcome. Shipping difficulties place some limit on the expansion of steel supplies, but our limited native resources in raw materials have been and are being adapted to the utmost to supply the types of iron and steel required for the war effort.

Is the Minister satisfied that our present production capacity will meet our war needs?

Is the Minister aware that there are thousands of tons of steel buried in coalmines which is unusable in the pits? He had better go down and take a look.

Does the Minister recognise the great blunder made by the Government in keeping nearly half the blast furnaces idle immediately before the war?

Will the present production capacity meet the planned need of the Ministry of Production?

Yes, Sir, taking into account the importations. Of course our total productive capacity in steel is insufficient to keep up our full war effort. We have to rely on a balanced quantity from the United States, which, of course, is planned for.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, as a larger supply of flax is indispensable for the successful prosecution of the war, he will encourage the farmers of Northern Ireland to grow more flax by increasing the price of the 1943 crop in proportion to the increased cost of production; and whether, in the case of scutched flax, he will fix no more than three grades of fibre with a difference of 1s. per stone between each grade?

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir." As announced last October, the price for 1943 is being substantially increased over that for 1942 by the addition of an acreage subsidy. As regards the second part, the existing grades are designed to meet the spinning requirements and it would not be desirable to reduce their number.

I am greatly disturbed by the number of farmers who have told me that they are ceasing to grow flax, and I would like to ask whether my right hon. Friend is aware that after consultation with the farmers the Ulster Fanners' Union have reached the conclusion, which they have pressed on the Minister of Agriculture for Northern Ireland, that owing to the increased cost of production flax cannot be produced at less than 35s. or 40s. per stone; and that there is a strong feeling that there should be fewer grades?

We are in the closest possible touch with the Ministry of Agriculture for Northern Ireland, and our arrangements are all made in association with them.