asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any cases have been brought to his notice regarding serving members of the Foreign Service whose salary and emoluments are now quite inadequate to meet the high cost of living which has been reached in some countries oversea; and whether any special contingency account exists to assist British representatives serving abroad to meet additional expenditure or pay off liabilities which were not foreseen when they accepted their appointments?

There have been a number of cases when the emoluments of members of the Foreign Service abroad have proved insufficient to meet their reasonable necessary expenditure. In all such cases steps have been taken to remedy the position. No special contingency account exists. Increased expenditure of this nature is paid out of voted money.

In view of the fact that the high cost of living is likely to remain for some time, may I ask my right hon. Friend to keep this matter under continuous review in his Department, in relation to the expenses of Missions abroad? I am sure that it would not be the wish of Parliament or the nation that any of our Foreign Service representatives should get into personal debt.

I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. Certainly we shall keep the matter under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the position of civilians injured in road accidents by the negligent driving of United States service vehicles and the refusal of the commanding general of the American Forces in this country to submit the cases to the jurisdiction of the civil courts; and whether any steps are being taken to obtain a satisfactory settlement of this matter with the Government of the United States?

These matters are at present under active discussion with the Government of the United States and the United States authorities.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this great general principle applies to accidents caused by Dominion troops in this country, and will he see that a proper investigation is carried out into the whole question?

As the matter is at present under discussion with the United States Government, I do not think it would be wise to enter into it now.

Is it not an extremely unsatisfactory state of affairs when one's constituents are getting killed or injured and there is no recourse open to them in law?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the American Army issue a document which purports to be an award by a tribunal, and that they thus act both as defendant and as judge?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement about the decisions of the conference of delegates from the Arab States of the Middle East which met recently in Cairo?

If my hon. Friend will kindly inform me what conference he has in mind, I will be glad to give him any information possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make efforts to procure the inclusion of representatives of the French Committee of National Liberation on all international committees dealing with European reconstruction in which French interests may either immediately or ultimately be affected?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the French Committee of National Liberation do not propose to recognise any policy for the post-war treatment of Germany in the formation of which they have not participated; and whether he has any plan whereby France may be associated with the discussions of such matters by the other Allies?

I have noted the statement issued by the French Committee of National Liberation. It is the desire of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom that representatives of the French Committee of National Liberation, as of the Allied Governments, shall be associated with all discussions relating to European reconstruction when this is appropriate.

Will my right hon. Friend similarly consult representatives of Yugoslavia and Poland, when their interests are specifically under consideration?

Certainly, Sir. The interests of all our Allies will be borne in mind.

Will the right hon. Gentleman recognise that France has a very special interest in the treatment of Germany?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the Foreign Jurisdiction Order (Egypt), made by His Majesty on 24th September and which came into operation on that date, was not available in the Library until 2nd November?

A copy of the Foreign Jurisdiction Order (Egypt) was forwarded to the Librarian of the House on 26th October on which date the Order appeared in the London Gazette. It is impracticable to issue in this country Orders-in-Council which operate in other countries until it is known that copies have reached and are available in the country concerned, and copies of this Order did not reach Egypt till the middle of October.

Is it not important that when an Order is made which is subject to challenge in this House it should be made available to the Members of this House at the earliest possible moment?

I think it is desirable that Orders of this kind should be available in this House at the earliest practicable moment, but the earliest practicable moment is the moment immediately after it has been received in the country concerned.

Having regard to the fact that it is our own Government that made that decision, and since we might want to challenge that decision, ought it not to be open to us immediately to do so, instead of there being a delay of six weeks?

I am informed that Orders of this kind under the Foreign Orders Jurisdiction Act have in fact never been laid in this House before they have been issued.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Ambassador to Spain has protested against the acton of the Spanish Government in sending a message of congratulation to the Japanese puppet government in the Philippine Islands?

No, Sir. I understand that the United States Government, who are principally concerned, are giving this matter serious consideration. His Majesty's Government are of course in close consultation with them.

Would it not be an act of courtesy to associate ourselves with any protest which the United States may in fact make?

As I have stated, we are in close consultation with the United States Government on this matter, and we shall do our best to fall in with their wishes.

Would the right hon. Gentleman not consider relieving notorious supporters of Franco from any positions they hold in the Government?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the names of the six States which paid their full contributions to the League of Nations out of the 45 States which are members; and how long a defaulting State may be considered to remain a member?

Yes, Sir. The following six countries paid their full contribution in 1942: United Kingdom, India, Canada, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. As regards the second part of the Question, I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Basingstoke (Squadron-Leader Donner) on 27th October.

As the League of Nations has now become almost entirely supported by the British Empire, would not a permanent Imperial Conference serve a more useful purpose?

I would not like to leave the impression with my hon. and gallant Friend that it is only these countries who have made their contribution. In addition to the countries I mentioned four countries not called upon to contribute have made token payments, and various other countries have paid up their arrears of contributions. In general I think it would be a great mistake to do anything to weaken an institution to which it is obvious His Majesty's Governments in all the Dominions attach so much importance.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he could publish a list of Members of this House who failed to give their contribution in support of the League in accordance with the promise made at the last General Election?

Are these Questions an indication of the Conservative attitude towards international arrangements?

How much longer is it proposed to continue the silly farce of Geneva?

You fellows liked Munich much better than Geneva.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether his plans have yet matured for establishing permanent terminals in this country for civil air traffic; and, if so, where they are likely to be located?

Airport specifications to meet the post-war needs of civil air transport are now being prepared, but the location of the airports required cannot be finally decided at the present time.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether he can make a statement about the dis- missal of Mr. Venner; whether he has inquired whether the dismissal was due to Mr. Venner having made certain complaints to the hon. Member for North-east Leeds with regard to the misuse of manpower; whether these complaints were true; and, if so, what action is being taken?

Notice of discharge was sent to Mr. Venner on 21st October, 1943, on the ground of redundancy. It had no connection with Mr. Venner's complaints to my hon. Friend, of which I and my Department did not become aware until four days later. I am not able to comment on the complaints in question pending completion of an investigation for which I have arranged.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is preparing detailed plans for motorways?

No, Sir, I am not at present able to make the detailed plans which would be required for the construction of motorways. I can, however, assure my hon. Friend that all aspects of future road policy, including the desirability of making motorways, are under active consideration.

Has the mind of the Government changed since the hon. Member made his speech at Bournemouth, stating that plans for motorways were far advanced, or has the mind of the Government merely become more vague?

No, Sir. "Plans" is an ambiguous term. I meant merely plans for the design and lay-out of roads, not the plans based on siting and so on, which are required for construction.

What is the difference between active consideration and any other kind of consideration?

Active consideration means that we are getting on.

Is it appreciated that the scheme for motorways published in 1937 is of major importance, and that until a decision is given planning in many areas is held up and nothing is being done?

If the hon. Member is referring to Sir Charles Bressey's Report, I am answering a Question upon that in a moment.

I am not.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production who authorised the uniform of the Civil Defence officer for the Treforest trading estate?

I am informed that the uniform, which is similar to that provided by many firms for their officers, was authorised by the Committee of Factory Occupiers set up to supervise the operation of the joint fire guard scheme on the trading estate.

Was this forced upon the occupier by the officer of the Ministry of Aircraft Production who causes fire-watching to be so expensive wherever he appears?

On the contrary, when we asked whether we could give any assistance a negative was returned.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether greater publicity will be given to the necessity of sharing taxi-cabs, particularly at railway stations?

I am considering, with the railway companies, whether anything can be done at railway stations, by the display of notices or otherwise, to encourage the sharing of taxicabs.

While appreciating my hon. Friend's reply, might I ask whether he is aware that more has to be done to publicise this matter? The co-operation of the public should be sought, and the taxi companies should be made to realise the necessity.

We are going to take all the measures in our power to achieve that.

Should not the delicate question as to who pays the double fare be made clear, as well as the question of how far the taxi proprietors are to profit?

I believe that the Home Office have that under consideration.

Is it not essential that, as in the United States, a proper schedule of fares should be made compulsory?

That is under consideration.

Would my hon. Friend take into consideration the practice of the police at London railway stations of stopping Service men from sharing taxis? The taxi men are very concerned about it.

I have never heard of that being done by the police. Service men are in the habit of sharing taxis, and I have been in consultation with the Home Secretary on that very point.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that a transport reorganisation scheme for the movement of coal was put into operation during the last war which brought about a saving to the railways of 700,000,000 ton-miles; whether he has put into operation any positive scheme for the reorganisation of coal transport to deal with the shortage of wagons and locomotives, which has been steadily increasing over the last three years; and what proportion of the total tonnage of goods traffic carried by the railways was represented by coal-class traffic before the war and at the present time, respectively?

As my answer is rather long, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport (1) whether the zoning of coal deliveries round depôts includes the assignment of a limited number of merchants to supply the requirements of a defined segment of the zone; and what precautions are taken to prevent overlapping;

Only the "more drastic" schemes eliminate overlapping between merchants or groups of merchants within the zone. They do so either by limiting individual merchants to specified districts, or by excluding them from districts where their share of the total trade is small. If my hon. Friend sees no objection, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of the 27 places where these "more drastic" schemes are now in force.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport why, having regard to the complexity of the Emergency Powers (Defence) London Passenger Transport Order (S.R. & O., No. 1514, 1943), no explanatory memorandum was attached?

No covering memorandum would add to the information given in the Order itself, unless it included lengthy quotations from the London Passenger Transport Act, 1933, and other documents. As the Order does not materially affect the general public, I decided that die additional expenditure involved would not be justified.

asked the Prime Minister to whom Questions should be addressed relating to the work of E.N.S.A. among the three Services, the Land Army, the factory workers, miners, etc.?

E.N.S.A. is a subsidiary of N.A.A.F.I. Questions about N.A.A.F.I are usually addressed to the Secretary of State for War. It may, however, be more convenient to address Questions about entertainments provided for a particular Service to the Minister responsible for that Service.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed to adopt a system of national military training after the war?

I hope so: but it is too early to pronounce.

asked the Prime Minister whether the speech made by the Home Secretary on Government control and economic affairs to the Fabian Society recently represents the policy of His Majesty's Government?

My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary informs me that he made it clear at the beginning of the speech referred to that he was speaking as a Socialist to his fellow Socialists of the Fabian Society. There was no implication in the speech that he was speaking for the Government.

Will the Prime Minister make it clear that members of the Coalition Government have a perfect right in this Government, as in previous Governments, to speak to their own political associations as my right hon. Friend does to the Conservative Association and as Liberals do to the Liberal Association?

I do not think that any particular advertisements of these facts are needed from me. In my view the less divergencies are emphasised the better.

asked the Prime Minister whether the views on State control of industry after the war expressed by the Secretary of State for the Home Department at a public meeting in the Caird Hall, Dundee, on 3rd October last, represent the policy of His Majesty's Government?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave on 12th October last in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for South Croydon (Sir H. Willaims), to which I have nothing to add.

Is it the intention of the Government to ease the situation on the other side by making a declaration that it is the purpose to withdraw the controls immediately the war is finished?

No, Sir. This would not be the moment at which I should be inclined to make any new declaration.

Can the Prime Minister say whether the views of the right hon. Gentleman the Home Secretary are having any influence on the Government?

We derive the greatest advantage from the counsel of the Home Secretary on a great many subjects, and I hope we shall long continue to do so.

But apart from deriving counsel and guidance, has the right hon. Gentleman any intention of ever applying any of these suggestions?

My hon. Friend is dealing with the speech delivered in the Caird Hall, Dundee, and I should not Eke to try to unravel this tangled skein at this moment.

Will the Prime Minister support the Home Secretary in the statements that he makes?

I am afraid I am a life-long opponent of Socialism.

asked the Minister of Production whether butadiene can be made from alcohol or coal; and whether, as this is an essential ingredient of buna rubber, he will cause experiments to be made so that the manufacture of synthetic rubber can be developed?

I am informed that butadiene can be made from alcohol or coal and that a good deal of information is available regarding the processes. The importance of synthetic rubber production in this country as a war measure is affected by the fact that supplies are now obtainable from the United States. I have recently however undertaken to make materials and building labour available for a scheme for making synthetic rubber by a company in this country if I can do so without affecting production of higher priority.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether, in carrying on this production, there is any competition or any attempt to stop it by the rubber producers?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Production whether he has now completed his inquiry into the matter of producing synthetic rubber in this country; and when will a decision be reached?

I have now authorised the issue of the first requirements of materials to the company referred to in the replies given to my hon. Friend on previous occasions. The company is financing the project itself and I have informed them that I will authorise the use of building labour and further materials so far as they are available and not required for work of higher priority.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say the amount of production with which this industry is to experiment? Is it to be on a large scale or on a small scale?

I cannot from memory give the exact production, but it is a commercial production and not an experimental one.

Do I understand that the right hon. Gentleman is going to encourage it for all he is worth?

I must encourage it only to the extent that it does not interfere with work of higher priority.

asked the Minister of Production whether he is aware that large quantities of Service dress caps, metal buttons and woven or metal badges are sold in shops to non-commissioned members of the Forces, despite such caps being normally unauthorised and despite plastic buttons and printed or plastic badges being free issues; whether he releases materials for the manufacture of these articles; and whether, in the interests of security and of economy of materials and labour, he will prohibit the sale of any non-commissioned clothing or equipment normally issued officially?

No releases of material are made for this purpose, but no doubt there are stocks of the finished articles and the small quantities of material that are required for work of this kind are not impossible to obtain, for instance, from scrap. A prohibition of the sale of such goods would not be warranted as a means of saving the very small quantities of material that may be used.

Would my right hon. Friend ask the Service Departments to investigate this wasteful duplication of equipment and also to examine the question of security?

Yes, Sir, I will get into touch with my right hon. Friends.

asked the Minister of Production why, as we have a surplus of rubber in the country, long-distance road-transport contractors are compelled to purchase part-worn, retread and other unserviceable tyres?

The supplies of natural rubber in the British Empire must be shared with our Allies, and the needs of the United Nations require that economy in the use of rubber should not be relaxed. Road transport contractors are not required to use part-worn and retreaded tyres which are unserviceable.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether it is a fact, as stated in the Question, that there is a surplus of rubber?

If we were waging the war alone our supplies of indigenous rubber in the British Empire are more than sufficient to meet our own requirements, and there is a substantial exportable surplus, which is sent to the United States.

asked the Minister of Production whether he is aware of the concern with which the workers at a certain war factory in Renfrewshire view his decision to cease production very shortly; and whether he can arrange for alternative products at this factory so that its trained and efficient personnel can be retained?

The question whether alternative work can be found for the factory in question is being investigated as a matter of urgency, but I am unable to say at present what success is likely to attend our efforts.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that a number of these people are due for discharge in the next few days and that it is a matter of great urgency? Will he consider meanwhile allowing production to continue pending a further decision?

I know that it is a matter of urgency. The date to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers is 16th November. There are one or two projects under consideration. I will keep closely in touch with the matter in the next few days.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is deep feeling in Scotland about the closing of factories? Will he give particular attention to this factory, which is new and well equipped, and see that it is kept going?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this factory, which in the past has suffered a great deal of distress, is very up to date and very capable? Will he not consider making an effort to see that its first-class machinery can be used?

The machinery is of a very special nature. Our difficulty is to get alternative production. I would not minimise the difficulty, but I am doing my best.

asked the Minister of Supply the type and name of British tanks, of which production is continued, mounting guns over 3-inch calibre, which are considered battleworthy?

It is clearly not in the public interest to give any such information.