asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any steps are being taken to restore Tangier to its international status?

The Tangier International Zone is under a provisional Spanish military occupation. British rights in Tangier are covered by the modus vivendi reached with the Spanish Government early in 1941 about which a full statement was made on 26th February, 1941, by my right hon. Friend the then Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. At present no steps can be taken towards a final settlement since it is not practicable during the war for the signatories of the relevant international instruments to enter into negotiations.

In view of the fact that the modus vivendi now in force undoubtedly takes away from us our rights in Tangier, is there any reason why we should not get them back again, and need we go on appeasing these people at the present time?

I am sorry that my hon. and gallant Friend should think I am an appeaser, but it is not exactly the position. Under the modus vivendi our rights are fully safeguarded. It is not possible to negotiate with these countries as things are now.

Would it not be a wise action on the part of General Franco if he made overtures for the restoration of foreign rights?

I cannot answer for General Franco.

Meanwhile Franco wants watching.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now received an answer from the Minister Resident in North Africa regarding the termination of facilities for British news correspondents, other than war correspondents, to operate in North Africa; and whether he can now make a further statement?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Press representatives in Algiers are now limited to war correspondents, or whether civilian correspondents are given facilities to visit that country and report to the British public on the political developments taking place there?

I have now received further reports from the Resident Minister at Algiers about the position of Press correspondents in the North African theatre of operations. These reports make it clear that there has been some misunderstanding which I should like to clear up. It is not simply a question of Allied Force Headquarters giving permission for correspondents to come out and then leaving them to their own devices. In present circumstances all correspondents in North Africa are entirely dependent on Allied Force Headquarters for accommodation, transport and the transmission of messages. These facilities are for material reasons strictly limited, and operational requirements must naturally take priority. It is thus from necessity and not from choice that the Allied military authorities have from the first limited the total number of Press correspondents in the North African theatre. The present quota is two correspondents per newspaper or six per news agency. As a matter of practical convenience these correspondents are accredited as war correspondents, but there is nothing to prevent them being used to report on political as well as military matters.

As I informed my hon. Friend the Member for East Fulham (Mr. Astor) on 14th July, Allied Force Headquarters gave permission for ten additional correspondents outside the quota to go to North Africa for a month at the time of the Giraud-de Gaulle negotiations there, so as to enable leading British and American newspapers adequately to cover this important political event. Concessions of this sort must inevitably be exceptional, since it would otherwise be impossible to keep the total of correspondents within manageable limits, but if any British newspaper can show that it is genuinely unable to cover the field within the existing quota, I will do my best to ensure that its claims will meet with sympathetic consideration.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that out of 93 correspondents in North Africa all but 15 are American, and that the sending back of this half-dozen English political correspondents did appear to be unfair discrimination against the British Press?

My hon. Friend's figures are entirely inaccurate. There are 20 representatives of American news agencies in North Africa and 12 of British news agencies. There are 18 representatives of American newspapers and 18 of British newspapers, exactly the same number. We have Empire representatives over and above that.

Does that answer mean that if any daily newspaper in this country desires to send out two accredited representatives to Algiers, those representatives in Algiers would be given every facility for communicating with their paper?

Yes, Sir. As I pointed out, it is quite immaterial whether those two correspondents they are allotted are military or political; that is for the newspaper itself to decide. But there has to be a limit because of the amount of stuff that has to be transmitted.

Is there a limit of one month during which correspondents may stay there?

That was a special arrangement. The figures I have given of two per paper and six per agency are accurate, and there is no time limit.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the disability from which Prince Paul of Yugoslavia is suffering which necessitated 'his removal from Kenya to South Africa?

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave the hon. and gallant Member on 14th July.

Does this precedent mean that the Government are prepared to give facilities to British political prisoners in this country should they desire to go abroad for the benefit of their health, and if it does not mean that, why has such favoured treatment been given to this foreign Royal quisling?

Might I ask what medical disability the hon. and gallant Member for St. Marylebone (Captain Cunningham-Reid) was suffering from when he left England in the blitz?

Is it not a fact that a characteristic of the cuckoo is that it makes a nuisance of itself in other people's nests, and is not the hon. and gallant Gentleman a cuckoo?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is the intention of His Majesty's and the Allied Governments to restore to Italy, following her honourable capitulation, all her former possessions in North Africa.

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the announcement that the Soviet Government has already named one German general as being responsible for mass murder, similar names can be transmitted direct to the United Nations Commission by Allied Governments now in this country or whether they will, under the circumstances, be sent through the British Foreign Office.

It will be open to all the Allied Governments, including those established in this country, to submit direct to the proposed United Nations Commission for the investigation of war crimes any evidence in their possession regarding war crimes committed by enemy nationals against nationals of the United Nations.

Have we here now any German agents or others who are guilty of mass murders or who, it is suggested, are guilty of mass murders?

I should like to have notice of that.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arrangements exist to associate the Foreign Office with the civilian administration under the Allied Military Government of Occupied Territories?

I presume my hon. Friend refers to the Allied Military Government of Italian territory occupied by the Allied Forces under the supreme command of General Eisenhower. This, as its name implies, is a purely military administration responsible to the Allied Supreme Commander. The administration is conducted in accordance with the policy laid down by the United States Government and His Majesty's Government jointly in instructions to General Eisenhower. The Foreign Office, like other interested Departments of His Majesty's Government, are naturally consulted in the preparation of these instructions.

While thanking by right hon. Friend, might I ask him whether the necessary existing ban on political activities in Sicily would automatically be applied in other territories as they are occupied?

No, Sir. I think our position would be that we would wish to judge each case on its individual merits.

Is it intended that the ban on political activities should be very prolonged?

The hon. Member may know how long it is going to take to knock the Germans out of Sicily. I do not know.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether His Majesty's Government, in co-operation with the Government of the United States of America, has under consideration the promotion of measures of democratic self-government in connection with the Allied Administration in Sicily; and whether steps will be taken to enable the Italian people in Sicily to elect on a democratic franchise their local and municipal governing authorities?

As stated by the Prime Minister on 21st July, the administration of Sicily is an Allied Military Administration, provisional in character. The hon. Member will understand that military considerations, especially when operations are still proceeding in the island, are paramount. At the same time, the dissolution of the Fascist party organisation, for which the Allied Military Government provides, is in itself a guarantee of the tree re-emergence of democratic and liberal ideas in Sicily.

Is it the declared policy of the Allied Governments to encourage all people everywhere to adopt the democratic way of life, as against Fascism and Nazism? Is it not important that an example of that practice should be shown now in Sicily?

That is certainly so. That is why the proclamation which accompanied the Allied landing made it quite clear that one of the principles of the Administration must be the elimination of the doctrines and practices of Fascism.

Does that mean that now that Fascist control has been abolished and, therefore, municipal control by Fascism has ceased, the people of Italy will be able to elect their own representatives?

As I have explained, Allied military government has been established. That is the only possible form of Government at a time like this.

Does my right hon. Friend think it would be easier to prepare a register of electors in Sicily than it would be in this country?

Would not the best immediate step in this direction be to invite that great Sicilian democrat Don Sturzo to return to the Island?

What is the position of the mayors of the various towns in Sicily during this period of military control?

I cannot possibly answer that question, which covers a large number of persons. The position is that Fascist government has to go, and there is a military government instead. We have to see how long that provisional government is necessary. I cannot possibly say how long it will be now.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Government were informed in advance of the intention of the Soviet Government to establish a Free German Committee; and whether the British Government propose to recognise a similar or an identical committee?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Free German Committee, formed in Moscow, has been established with the knowledge of, and under the auspices of, His Majesty's Government and the United Nations?

His Majesty's Government were not informed in advance of the establishment of this Committee. They do not propose to recognise any similar Committee in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action he proposes to take in connection with his information regarding Swedish naval officers serving in the German Navy and German naval officers serving in the Swedish Navy; and on what date this reciprocal arrangement came to an end?

According to my information, no such arrangement ever existed I understand that no German naval officers have ever served in the Swedish Navy, and that no Swedish naval officers have served in the German Navy since the last war, with the exception of two or three officers who carried out courses in the 1920's.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now able to announce recognition of the French Committee of National Liberation as the trustee of all French interests?

I have at the moment nothing to add to my statement in the House on Wednesday last in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for East Aberdeen (Mr. Boothby).

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that recognition has now been given by all the Governments of the occupied territories, and can he explain this delay in recognition by the United Kingdom?

I told the hon. Member last week that we were in consultation with other Allied Governments on the subject. I pointed out then what is still my view, that it is desirable that the great Powers should act together in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what conditions need to be fulfilled before Rome could be regarded as an open city?

If the Italian Government approached us in this matter we would consider the question in the circumstances then existing.

Now that we are aware that an invitation has been given to the Italian Government, it would surely be desirable for the House to know whether the conditions are reasonable or not?

I think my answer pretty well covers the subject.

Will my right hon. Friend continue to bear in mind the excellent results which have flowed as a result of our bombing of military targets in Rome?

asked the Secretary of State for Air what damage was done to the Basilica of S. Lorenzo during the recent bombing of Rome?

The air photographs so far taken, which were necessarily taken from a great height, do not reveal any damage to this Basilica, which is only 800 yards from the S. Lorenzo marshalling yards. The hon. Member will no doubt be aware, however, of the statement issued by Radio Vatican defining in detail the extent of the damage.

May we take it that the fabric of the church is untouched, so far as we can learn?

I am afraid I cannot add to the hon. Member's information about the damage to the church. The damage to the marshalling yards was exceedingly satisfactory.

Will my right hon. Friend make these photographs available to hon. Members, for their own inspection? In view of the proved impossibility of bombing targets in the vicinity of Rome without damage to ancient monuments, could this policy be revised?

I do not think it would be advisable to ask for facilities for showing these photographs, because hon. Members could not really obtain any information from them.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the instructions given, and the precautions taken, to avoid the destruction of objects of religious significance and cultural value in Rome were of an unusual character; whether intimations similar to those conveyed to the people of Rome have been, or will be, conveyed to inhabitants of other centres of aerial attack; and whether the announcement of the American President that no response was made to his proposal that Rome should be declared an open city has also been conveyed to the Italian people?

All practical precautions were taken to avoid damage to religious and cultural buildings in Rome. As for the second part of the Question, it has been made clear, by broadcast and leaflets, to all the people in the occupied territories in Germany and Italy that the Allied nations intend to attack from the air all centres working for the Axis war machine. Repeated warnings have been given that any civilians who remain in the vicinity of such centres do so at their own risk. As regards the last part of the Question, I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Information that the B.B.C. Italian programmes have conveyed this information to the Italian people on a number of occasions.

Were the instructions which were given and the precautions which were taken of an unusual character? In view of the new regime in Italy and the change in the political situation there, if a satisfactory reply is given by the present Government to Mr. Roosevelt would Rome then be declared an open city?

The second part of the question is hypothetical. As for the first part, I have nothing to add to my original answer.

Has the Minister made it clear to the people of Rome that Mussolini wanted the favour of bombing this country, and could he send them a list of the churches which have been bombed here?

I think my right hon. Friend the Minister of Information has made that abundantly clear.

Had we not better wait to see which way the cat jumps before we ease up on our aerial bombing of military targets?

Most certainly. The Prime Minister said yesterday that our policy is to visit Italy with an avalanche of fire and steel.

Has not his Holiness the Pope himself declared, through Radio Vatican, that Rome could easily be made an open city?

I am sure hon. Members have seen the pronouncements of the Pope, which have been published in the newspapers.

Have they been sent to Eire?

Would my right hon. Friend not agree that it is not our policy to exact an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth? Will he also agree that it is impossible to avoid damage to ancient monuments when bombs are dropped from a height of 20,000 feet?

I can assure the hon. Member that the policy of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth is entirely foreign to our thought. We are concerned only with bombing important military targets. We cannot be prevented from bombing important military targets because, unfortunately, they happen to be close to ancient monuments.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the same principles of discrimination that are applied to Rome are being and will be applied to other centres?

The same principles are applied to all centres. We must bomb important military objects. We must not be prevented from bombing important military objects, because beautiful or ancient buildings are near them.

Was there any discrimination shown when both Italians and Germans came over this country?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether any official reply has been received to the repeated request to the Italians to capitulate; and whether he is satisfied that the apologies for bombing Rome serve any useful purpose and that these requests and apologies are not having the opposite effect to that desired?

No, Sir. No official reply has been received to the message in the name of the President and myself, unless the disappearance of Mussolini is to be construed as his own reply to it. As regards the second part of the Question, His Majesty's Government have not made any apology for bombing the marshalling yards near Rome. On the contrary, if they are repaired and hostile military traffic is resumed, they will no doubt have to be bombed again.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether Mussolini is in the South of Ireland or not?

asked the Prime Minister whether he can give the House any information as to the political, military and social consequences of the recent air-raids on Rome?

All my information on this subject is highly encouraging.

My right hon. Friend will, of course, appreciate that I put the Ques- tion down before his stimulating description of the fantastic events of the last few days.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what governmental assistance and facilities were given to Sir William Beveridge on the occasion of his recent visit to the United States of America?

Sir William Beveridge visited the United States as a private person in response to an invitation from the Rockefeller Foundation. His Majesty's Government supported his application for the necessary United States visa, and I have no doubt that while he was there he received all the usual facilities from His Majesty's representatives in that country.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that Sir William Beveridge is reported to have made a speech in which he said that those who did not accept his scheme in toto were a lot of stuffy old gentlemen?

No doubt that was well deserved. I cannot explain the connection between that expression of opinion and a voyage across the Atlantic.

Would the right hon. Gentleman inquire of Sir William Beveridge whether he is paying any subsidy to the hon. Member for Bournemouth (Sir L. Lyle) for advertising him?

Was Sir William Beveridge referring to Members of Parliament?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he will undertake to send immediately to Clydebank the flying squad of his Department to plan for rehousing, temporarily or otherwise, the victims of air-raid damage in that burgh?

The flying squads are maintained by the Ministry of Works primarily to assist local authorities in cases where, immediately after an air raid, the problem of first-aid repair to houses is beyond the local labour resources. The squads are not organised or intended for new house building. The general responsibility for the provision of new houses rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland who is doing everything possible to accelerate the provision of both permanent and temporary housing in Clydebank.

Is not my hon. Friend aware of the fact that in my hearing last week he stated that there were 3,000 members of the flying squad who went all over the country putting up temporary houses where there were new factories? Surely, it is as important to see that the workers in Clydebank, who are doing priority No. r work, should have houses, but they have not houses, and they have not had houses since the blitz. This has gone on for over two years.

I think my hon. Friend has drawn a wrong deduction from what I said. The primary responsibility of the flying squads is to assist local authorities immediately after a blitz to do repairs. Some of the other workers were constructing preliminary camps in order to assist the housing of the building trade and civil engineering workers when they went on to the sites, and they were not to engage in general building.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works the approximate number of bricks used in the erection of the brick blast wall outside the police quarters in Palace Yard, Westminster, near the Members' entrance; and the labour cost and the number of man-hours involved in laying them?

The wall is constructed of Fletton bricks, the dimensions being 9ft. x 9ft. x 1ft. 2in. with end piers 1ft. 6in. x 9ins. It is reinforced with ¼inch mild steel rods and top splayed and weathered with cement and sand rendering. The approximate number of bricks used in its erection was 1,400. The labour cost was £10 19s. 4d. for 48 bricklayer hours with one labourer, and 8 scaffolder hours with one labourer, making a total of 112 man-hours altogether. This cost is too high, and over six weeks ago, when the matter was brought to my attention, I took immediate steps to see the official concerned, and gave instructions that closer supervision must be exercised in the future.

Are we to understand that on the work in question only 20 bricks per hour were laid?

I think that if my hon. Friend's arithmetic were checked by what I have said, it would show that it was much more than that.

Was it not more costly to lay the bricks than to make them?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why police officers, being officials approved by the Government, have been refused permits to fish when off duty in the sea from their own boats?

In tidal waters along the East, South and South-West coasts of England from Berwick-on-Tweed to the boundary of Devon and Somerset near Lynmouth Foreland, vessels normally used for private or pleasure purposes must be immobilised unless their owners are in possession of a permit. For security reasons, it is not possible to grant permits to owners of this class of vessel to engage in pleasure fishing in the open sea.

Are we to understand that police officers who are themselves engaged in security work cannot receive permits from the flag officer in charge? Is it not perfectly absurd?

I think it is obvious that these officers who may wish to fish in their spare time from their own boats must be treated exactly like all other citizens.

Will the right hon. Gentleman have the whole question of fishing near the coast reconsidered?

It has been under the most careful consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether full-time fishermen are allowed to take members of the public to sea with them under existing Admiralty regulations?

No, Sir. It is a condition of the issue of a fishing permit, which the skipper of every British fishing vessel must possess before proceeding to sea, that no passengers are to be carried.

Does the right hon. Gentleman see any danger to public security in full-time licensed fishermen having an opportunity of taking passengers to sea?

On all these matters I have to be advised by those who are experienced in security and, based upon their actual experience, I accept their advice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there is any shortage of qualified medical practitioners in any of the Colonies; and whether efforts will be made to enlist the services of alien doctors now granted temporary registration in this country when peace brings their present jobs to an end?

A shortage of qualified medical practitioners has occurred in some Colonies, mainly as a result of secondments for military service, and a number of Colonial Governments have, under powers conferred by the Emergency Powers (Colonial Defence) Order in Council, extended recognition to alien doctors on lines corresponding generally to those permitting such doctors to practice in this country. In regard to the second part of the Question, I have nothing to add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, in reply to my hon. Friend's Supplementary Question on 20th May.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the importance of cost of-living surveys to social progress and the fact that they have been instituted in a number of British Colonies, steps will now be taken to carry out a cost-of-living survey in Tanganyika at the earliest practicable date?

There is a Cost of Living Committee in Tanganyika, and the Civil Service bonuses mentioned in the answer I gave to my hon. Friend on 14th July were arrived at after inquiries instituted by this Committee into comparative individual budgets for 1939 and 1943. I am placing a copy of the Committee's Report in the Library of the House.

asked the Prime Minister (I) whether there is any committee or individual whose duty it is to co-ordinate the training of the three Cadet Corps?

(2) whether he is satisfied that there is inter-service co-operation in the training of the three Cadet Corps; and whether members of these Corps have any opportunity of training for combined operations?

The Inter-Services Cadet Committee is responsible for all matters of common interest and for cooperation between the three Cadet Corps. This Committee has under it a training sub-committee, to which are referred any training matters requiring detailed investigation. It is at present considering a common syllabus for basic training in the three Cadet Forces. It is not proposed to include combined operations in this syllabus, but where members of the three Forces are in the same camp they carry out some of their training together.

They all have different grants at present. Could not they be unified?

That is a matter that should be considered by the Inter-Services Cadet Committee. It is for them to make recommendations to the various Ministers and through them, if necessary, to submit them to me as Minister of Defence.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is intended that Sir William Beveridge's inquiry into the problem of unemployment will receive encouragement and support from the Government?

I have no statement to make to-day which would add anything to the replies given to my hon. Friend on 27th January last, and to my hon. Friend the Member for East Islington (Mrs. Cazalet Keir) on 13th April.

Will the Prime Minister assure the House that he does not intend to resign in favour of Sir William Beveridge?

asked the Prime Minister whether assurances have been given by each of the Allied European Governments represented in this country and presently at war with Japan, that every aid will be given to the war effort of the United Nations against Japan in the event of the war against Italy and Germany having been previously concluded?

Yes, Sir. Under the United Nations Declaration each of the Allied European Governments represented in this country and at war with Japan has undertaken to employ its full resources, military or economic, against those members of the Tripartite Pact and its adherents with which such Government is at war and not to make a separate armistice or peace with the enemies.

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether any indication, formal or informal, has been given to the United States Government that His Majesty's Government intend to adopt a policy of monopoly for post-war air transport?

No, Sir.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman know that the semiofficial statement which emanated from Washington last week and was published in the British Press was based on a misapprehension?

I have not the least idea.

Has the right hon. and learned Gentleman read the Home Secretary's speech on the dangerous evils of monopoly?

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether, in view of the fact that the principle of children's allowances has been accepted by the Government, he can gave an approximate date when the necessary legislation will be submitted to Parliament?

Considerable progress has been made in working out the details of the scheme of children's allowances and, though some details remain to be settled, I am now in a position to arrange for the preparation of draft clauses in a form which, subject to further examina- tion, would be available for incorporation in a Bill. I cannot at present give any indication of the date at which the necessary legislation will be introduced.

asked the Minister of Production whether he can make a statement on production; the percentage increase in output for the first six months of 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, respectively, in tanks, aircraft, guns in typical types; the percentage of time lost each year in industrial disputes and the number of women employed on production for each year?

I do not think it would be in the public interest to give a detailed series of figures in relation to particular weapons. But as a general indication I can say that the total production of munitions has risen approximately as follows:

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform us on what basis his comparison of production is made? Is it on weight or on price or merely on the amount disbursed from public funds, because without that knowledge his figures are utterly worthless?

I cannot give my hon. Friend a detailed answer to that. In the case of aircraft it is based on structure weight, and in regard to some items of equipment like guns they are compared with numbers. Those are perfectly proper comparisons to make.

Is it not a fact that in the case of aircraft a comparison on a structure weight basis is being made between a period when single-seater fighters were predominant and a period when heavy bombers became our main product?

One reads from time to time that a number of bombers are lost. Are instructions given to replace them at the earliest opportunity?

asked the Minister of Production whether he is satisfied that we are obtaining the maximum output from our production capacity; that the system of the allocation of orders secures the best results; that waiting time is reduced to a minimum; and are delivery dates maintained?

I cannot, of course, reply to the hon. Member's Question except in very general terms. We have not yet reached the maximum output from the capacity being used, but there has been a great improvement in the efficiency both of workers and of managements; and we expect this improvement to continue. The system of allocating orders is being continuously improved, and having regard to the need of keeping production running I am sure that it secures the best results possible. In general, waiting time is reduced to a minimum, and delivery dates are as far as possible maintained.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that production is now so great in this country, as a result of the efforts of industry generally and of the workers' output in particular, that that output cannot be increased except by improved organisation and greater efficiency in technique? Is he satisfied that the Supply Departments are giving attention to these two problems?

Yes, Sir.

Is it not a fact that there are more workpeople standing idle in the factories than at any other time for months past?

That is a different question, but unemployment figures are considerably down.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that this kind of misrepresentation is causing a great deal of con- cern and ought not to be indulged in, in view of the record of the people of this country?

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the system of State control can only be conducted at a loss of thousands of millions sterling per annum?

asked the Minister of Production whether he can give an estimate of the combined output of the Axis and their satellite countries and the output of the United Nations for the years 1942, 1943 and 1944, respectively; the output of India, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa; and are steps being taken to secure output from North Africa and to use it as a base for repairs?

The best estimate that I can give is that in the second quarter of 1942 the total munitions production of the United Nations was little more than twice that of the Axis countries. In the second quarter of 1943 the United Nations production has been more than three times that of the Axis. In the same quarter of 1944 we expect to produce more than four times the present Axis output. To the present United Nations munitions production the British Empire contributes rather over 22 per cent. of the whole. These Islands contribute about 17 per cent. of the whole and the rest of the Commonwealth and Empire about 5 per cent. I can assure my hon. Friend that all steps are being taken in consultation with the appropriate Allied authorities to secure from North Africa its maximum contribution to the war.

Is the production from Soviet Russia included in that production of the United Nations?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Production whether he proposes to extend the system of suggestion boxes in factories; and, if so, on what lines?

My colleagues and I have done and will continue to do everything possible to encourage the use of suggestion boxes in factories. Several articles on this subject have appeared in the "Production and Engineering Bulletin" and a number more are planned. The Bulletin has a wide circulation among firms in engineering and allied industries.

Would my right hon. Friend emphasise to industry that that system is of no use unless adequate rewards are given for suggestions which are adopted?

Can we have a suggestion box for the Cabinet?

asked the Minister of Production whether he will consider the possibility of some increase in the import of newsprint in order that newspapers and book publishers shall be able to keep the public adequately informed about the many post-war problems now being discussed?

I regret that present circumstances do not permit any increase in the supply of paper and newsprint. I will, however, keep the claims of publishers in mind whenever it becomes possible to make increased supplies available in this country.

When considering this question, will my right hon. Friend also think of it in terms of pulp, in view of the fact that the British paper mills are now only working at 15 per cent. capacity?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the shortage of newsprint is having a serious effect on the production of text books for children and adolescents, and ought he not to consider this as a very urgent matter for the education and training of our people?

I agree with my hon. Friend. We will increase the allocations as soon as we can, but it is not practicable at the moment.

asked the Minister of Supply what progress is being made in the manufacture in Britain of calcium carbide; and what percentage of the nation's requirements is now being manufactured in this country?

There are two factories in this country for the production of calcium carbide, one of which is being extended, but it would not be in the public interest to give particulars of home output or of imports.

Is the question of expansion of the home manufacture of calcium carbide being considered by the Government as part of a post-war employment programme?

That expansion is entirely for war purposes.

asked the Minister of Supply what is the product to be manufactured by the new subsidiary company of British Celanese known as Celanese Plastics Development, Limited, for which he has authorised the release of materials for plant; and whether the production is to meet Government orders?

Presumably the hon. Member is referring to the project which was the subject of his Question on 7th July. It would not be in the public interest to disclose the name of the product concerned, but I am able to assure the hon. Member that its use will be controlled by the Government for approved purposes.

Is the Minister aware that one of the largest manufacturers of this substance have had their plant idle for the last 18 months, and in encouraging and giving privileges to these large firms is he not making it impossible for the small firms to keep their heads above water?

No, Sir. These matters cannot be determined by demands at a given moment, but reasonable forecasts must be made as to the future course of things. The increase in capacity has reference only to the possibilities of increased requirements.

But why not use the plant already in existence in the country? Where are British Celanese going to get their labour?

All these matters were the subject of consideration when the plan was determined upon. It is true that there has been plant available for the present demand but on all estimates that can reasonably be made that plant will be fully required.

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.