asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any evidence that works of art stolen from enemy-occupied countries are in the personal possession of Nazi leaders?

There have undoubtedly been cases where works of art have been removed from occupied territory and sent to Germany. I have also seen reports in the Press to the effect that certain art treasures have passed into the personal possession of Nazi leaders, but I have no official confirmation of this.

Will the return of every object of art stolen from the plundered peoples be a condition of any armistice?

I should have thought that that would have been a very suitable condition. But my hon. and gallant Friend will remember that the Allied Governments made a declaration in January last that works of art, and indeed other property, sold by the Germans to neutral countries would not possess a clean title.

Did we not manage something of the sort after the Napoleonic wars?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the British Embassy in Washington refuses to request the American authorities for exit permits for women, having both British and American nationality, who wish to travel to this country accompanied by their children to rejoin their husbands; what is the reason for this discrimination against a class of British subjects; and whether he will issue instructions to end the present practice?

I am glad to be able to inform my hon. Friend that His Majesty's Embassy at Washington have recently been empowered to support, at their discretion, applications made to the State Department by women of British and United States nationality with children.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many British Embassies and Legations there are now; and how many of these are regularly supplied with Hansard?

There are now 20 British Embassies and 29 British Legations abroad, some of which are already regularly supplied with Hansard. I am, however, considering the possibility of supplying Hansard to all our Missions abroad.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now publish the full Armistice terms with Italy, or, if not, make some further statement thereon?

I have nothing to add to the statement which I made in the House on 10th November.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been considerable leakage in Italy and other countries about the terms of this Armistice? Will he not consider making a statement?

I am aware that there has been considerable leakage and that various reports of what the Armistice terms contain have appeared in the Press, but I would advise my hon. Friend not to pay too much attention to them, since they are probably inaccurate. This instrument of the Armistice does not concern His Majesty's Government alone, and we are not able to decide alone whether publication is desirable or not.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the relationship between the Yugoslav National Defence Council under General Tito and the Yugoslav Government in Cairo?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the steps taken by the Yugoslav partisans to establish a Provisional Government in the liberated areas of Yugoslavia involve any change in the relations of His Majesty's Government with the Yugoslav Government in Cairo?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will define the attitude of His Majesty's Government to the Provisional Government of Yugoslavia newly set up under Marshal Tito?

I have at present no further information than what has appeared in the Press, to the effect that a Supreme Legislative Committee and an Executive National Committee of Liberation, with the status of a temporary Government, have been set up in Yugoslavia under the auspices of General Tito, the leader of the partisan forces. Nor am I as yet in a position to say what will be the relations of these two bodies with King Peter and his Government, recognised by His Majesty's Government as the legitimate Yugoslav Government, and now established in Cairo.

Are we still supporting General Mihailovitch?

Our policy is to support all forces in Yugoslavia which are resisting the Germans. As things are, we are giving the partisan forces more support than those of General Mihailovitch, for the simple reason that the resistance of the partisan forces to the Germans is very much greater.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that this may present us with the first opportunity of carrying into effect the principles we have enunciated of recognising Governments in liberated territories which have been chosen by the people we have liberated?

The hon. Member is mistaken in saying that it gives us the opportunity now: it will give us the opportunity when the territory is liberated, and we shall take advantage of that opportunity. Our policy is always to allow the people we have liberated to choose their own Governments.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any estimate of the respective military forces behind these two leaders?

That is another question, and I cannot answer it now.

Is the right hon. Gentleman sure that he is not arguing in a circle when he talks of giving more support to those who are making more resistance and vice versa? Can he tell us what are the relations between the two sets of communiqués, those of Mihailovitch and those of Tito? Also, where is the so-called Yugoslav Freedom radio station?

The last part of the question I shall have to see on the Paper. The second part and the first part I must confess I did not understand.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that very important issues are involved in these questions, and cannot we have the fullest information at the earliest possible opportunity?

Yes, Sir, the House will have the fullest information at the earliest possible opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will arrange for Governors who are in London on leave or duty to meet hon. Members?

The hon. Member will appreciate that, owing to the varying duration of visits and to the pressure of official business, it would not be possible in some cases to make any definite or formal arrangement. I welcome, however, as many opportunities as possible for informal contact between Governors and hon. Members, and on this basis and subject to the limitations I have mentioned, I will gladly bear in mind the suggestion the hon. Member has made.

Would not my right hon. and gallant Friend be a little more definite, and say that, subject to the limitations he has mentioned, he will arrange for such meetings?

If my hon. Friend will say exactly what arrangements, I will be a little more definite.

That Governors should be invited to meet hon. Members informally.

Hon. Members must themselves take a little initiative in the matter.

Could not arrangements be made through the all-party Panel to meet Governors on leave?

I do not think that the all-party Panel or a very big meeting is necessary. In many cases hon. Members would get much more advantage from a meeting of a less formal kind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a statement regarding the functions of the Standing Advisory Committee for Local Native Councils recently set up in Kenya; and whether, in connection with this advisory committee, a provision can be made to secure direct representation by Africans upon the Legislative Council?

The functions of this Committee are to advise the Governor-in-Council on the draft annual Estimates of the Local Native Councils, and on such other matters as the Governor may refer to it. With regard to the second part of the Question, as I informed the hon. Member for Shipley (Mr. Creech Jones) on 21st April, I think that we should see how this Advisory Committee works before taking up the question of direct representation in the Legislative Council.

Does not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman think that this is a suitable opportunity to arrange for some direct representation by Africans upon the Legislative Council, or is it the policy of the Government not to allow Africans to become members of the Legislative Councils in their own territory?

No, Sir, it is obviously clear that it is not in the interest of the Africans to throw away the safeguards of present representation until one is certain that African representatives will be able to play their proper and fair share in the Legislative Assembly. Here is a way of trying them out, and if this experiment is successful, we will proceed to further progress.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why no African has been appointed to sit on the Government Committee to consider further settlement in Kenya; whether any settlement policy has been approved both by the settlement section of the Agricultural Production and Settlement Board and by Parliament; and whether he is aware that the Rev. Beecher, appointed to represent East Africans on the Kenya Council, himself considers the whole system of Native representation unsatisfactory?

The Government Committee is the Settlement Section of the Agricultural Production and Settlement Board. As I explained to my hon. Friend on 3rd November, this is primarily an executive body concerned only with settlement in the European areas and African representation would not be appropriate. The Board will implement the policy of closer European settlement in the Highlands which was approved by the then Secretary of State before the war. No new policy has been formulated. With regard to the last part of the Question, I am aware of Mr. Beecher's views on the question of African representation on the Legislative Council.

Will not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman, in view of his knowledge of the Rev. Beecher's views, reconsider this question, as surely a man on the spot who takes such an interest in Africans has a point of view well worth consideration?

A memorandum on the subject was submitted to me when in East Africa, and I have asked the Governor for his observations upon it.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman announce the result of his reflections on the matter?

I am always anxious, in answer to any question, to give the result or lack of result of any of my reflections.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether sympathetic consideration has been given to protests against the refusal of admission to Kaduna College of Southern boys domiciled in the Northern Province of Nigeria; and whether, if admission cannot be granted, any steps are being taken to provide suitable educational facilities?

I have no information regarding any protests of the nature described by the hon. Member, but the Acting Governor is being asked for a Report on the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether the construction of a road bridge across the Forth, near Queensferry, has now been decided upon as a post-war development; and whether arrangements are proceeding with the interested local authorities so that the necessary legislation may be prepared?

As I informed my hon. Friend in answer to a Question on 22nd September, my Noble Friend has come to no decision about the construction of a road bridge across the Forth.

Is the Minister aware that the answers on this matter are looked upon in Scotland as simply not being good enough, and is he also aware that this fully matured project was before the war looked upon as being approved for bringing into operation whenever the circumstances would permit, and why is this negative attitude taken now?

I said that my Noble Friend has come to no decision either favourably or unfavourably, but I would point out to my hon. Friend that this is a question of priority. We shall require, after the war, a great number of development works for the improvement of the transport system, and my Noble Friend must choose to do first those which are most urgent and which will give the biggest economic return.

Do we understand that certain priority projects have been decided upon and that this is not one of them?

No, Sir, I did not say that.

Has the Noble Friend referred to come to any decision on any post-war matter at all, and, if not, why not?

He has.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether his reply is not a further argument for the right of Scotland to manage its own domestic affairs, and should not his Noble Friend transfer the power of decision to the Scottish Office?

Will my hon. Friend's Noble Friend keep in mind the social necessities as well as economic considerations in regard to projects of this kind?

Yes, Sir, he certainly will.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will make a statement about the leave allowed on repatriation to members of the Merchant Navy who have been prisoners of war?

As I told my hon. and gallant Friend in answer to a Question on 10th November last, merchant seamen who returned from enemy camps were at that time given one month's leave with basic pay and subsistence allowance. Since I gave him that answer the arrangements have been revised and improved. In future the leave granted will be one month for any seaman who has been in captivity for fifteen months or less and a further week will be allowed for each additional period of three months up to a maximum of two months. This will include any leave due to the prisoner when he was made prisoner.

Will my hon. Friend—because he has shown a good spirit in this matter—continue wherever possible to assimilate the conditions of merchant seamen to those of the Navy?

I am much obliged for what my hon. and gallant Friend has been good enough to say, and I will certainly consider this point, and I ought perhaps to add that this new arrangement will apply to all seamen whether fit to return to sea or not.

Will this new arrangement be made retrospective in respect of those seamen who had been repatriated and had returned back for duty before this arrangement came into operation?

I will consider my hon. Friend's suggestion, but retrospective arrangements are sometimes very difficult to carry out.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what steps he proposes to take on a petition signed by 327 Oxford residents containing allegations against a laundry imposed on them by force under the zoning scheme the name of which has been communicated to him?

I have consulted my hon. and gallant Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, who is, I understand, arranging to meet my hon. Friend the Member for Oxford (Mr. Hogg) to discuss this petition and the problems involved.

Does the hon. Gentleman accept this principle that, having forced a particular retailer on a particular client, he becomes responsible if the retailer is incompetent or dishonest?

Perhaps it would be better not to accept any principle before the conference that is to be held with the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food has accepted my principle?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will abolish the one-way traffic regulations in London with a view to reducing distances of travel and stoppages and thus curtail petrol consumption?

Every one-way traffic scheme in London has been reviewed, and two-day working has been restored wherever it was considered that the balance of advantage was in favour of so doing. My hon. Friend will recognise that, in some places, two-way working might cause traffic congestion, might increase the risk of accidents, and might require more police control. If, however, my hon. Friend has any special cases in mind, I shall be glad to make inquiries.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether it is intended to consider the linking up of the Manchester Ship Canal with the Humber; and will he invite interested people to submit evidence as to the need for the proposal and its practicability?

I am always ready to receive proposals for the practical improvement of the transport system of the country. The project for a ship canal to link the Mersey and the Humber, however, involves such difficulties that I am afraid it would serve no useful purpose for me to issue invitations of the kind which my hon. Friend suggests.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it would require 160 locks, with an average lift of 10 feet each, to get ships over the high ground between these places?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether it is intended to organise the ports on a more efficient basis for post-war purposes to land the loads at the ports nearest to the places where they are required, cutting out overlapping as far as possible; and if it is intended to benefit from our war experience in transport in every possible manner in framing post-war plans?

In considering the organisation of the ports after the war, the principle which my hon. Friend puts forward in the first part of his Question will certainly be borne in mind. During the war, many expedients have of necessity been adopted in the organisation of transport which would not be economical or convenient in time of peace; but much of our experience has been of lasting value, and my hon. Friend may rest assured that it will not be forgotten in the preparation of our post-war plans.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the Port of London still has vast plans for extension, and is it not a fact that they have concentrated on London, which has suffered under a serious handicap during the war, whereas other ports, much bigger and very much cheaper, have been neglected?

Those considerations will be borne in mind by my Noble Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware of the need to reduce transport charges to the minimum after the war, to put it on an efficient national basis, speed up deliveries and cut out all unnecessary overhead charges; and what action has been taken to these ends?

My Noble Friend has under active examination the complex problems of post-war transport. As he has said in another place, his objective is a transport system so co-ordinated and run that it can provide and does provide the best possible service for the least real cost to the community as a whole.

When the Minister is examining these questions will he take into consideration that the people of this country, after 20 years of the service, are determined not to be held back by the kind of people who put the supplementary to the last Question?

Is this co-ordination to be under national ownership?

That is another question.

Is my hon. Friend considering the transport system of the Western Isles?

Everything is being considered.

Can the hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that no avenue will be left unstoned?

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that a publication which was issued for many years called "The Parliamentary Gazette," is not now published; and as it contained information in regard to Questions, columns spoken, Divisions figures, &c., which was useful to Members and others, will he take steps to make available to Members either by having a similar publication issued or by other means the information which was contained in the publication named?

"The Parliamentary Gazette" was a product of private enterprise. A large part of the information given in it is still accessible in other books of reference. Information concerning the length of speeches made by hon. Members or their persistence in asking Questions would no doubt be interesting, but I could not justify the expenditure of taxpayers money for such a purpose.

asked the Postmaster-General whether Dr. Basil Steele of Regent's Park receives any remuneration from his Department as surgeon, London Post Office Corps, St. John Ambulance Brigade; was this appointment made or approved by his Department; whether he is aware that as this doctor is in medical partnership with his brother, Dr. Russell Steele, a local post office doctor, he frequently has to attend Post Office employees under the Post Office medical arrangements; and, in view of his publicly expressed anti-semitic views, whether he will reconsider the desirability of making alternative medical arrangements for Jewish postal employees in this district?

The answers to the first two and the last parts of the Question are in the negative. Dr. Basil Steele deals with Post Office cases only when Dr. Russell Steele is unavoidably absent.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman answer the last part of the Question?

I did. I said it was in the negative.

Is it proposed to make a new arrangement to allow Jewish employees to have alternative arrangements?

There is no necessity for that.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can now make a statement in regard to the installation of radio receivers in motor-cars?

I regret that I am not yet in a position to convey a decision to my hon. Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works why material and labour were made available for the repair of fire damage at the Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, premises of Messrs. Woolworth?

Part of the ground floor had been requisitioned and restored to provide accommodation for the Ministry of Food. When the promises were vacated by the Ministry of Food that part of the ground floor which had been restored became available for use by the company. The first floor of the building remained in use as a café. The local authority required the company to carry out safety works for the protection of the public, including the provision of emergency exits, and a licence was issued for work estimated to cost £450, being the minimum amount necessary to cover essential work only.

Are we to take it that the answer is that the premises were restored at the instigation of the Ministry of Food for their use? If that is the answer, it is not true.

What I told my hon. Friend was that the premises had been requisitioned by my Department for the Ministry of Food for the issue of rationing cards, and for several months they were in possession. Then the premises became available to the company.

Is my hon. Friend aware that I was mainly responsible for the requisitioning of the place for the issue of cards, and it is not true to say that the premises were restored for that purpose. They were used in the condition they were in.

I have given the hon. Member the information in my possession.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he will schedule, as an ancient monument, the fabric of the Church of Saint John the Evangelist, Micklegate, York, which is in danger of being demolished to provide the site for a rest garden.

My Ministry is not aware of any immediate intention of demolishing this building to provide a site for a rest garden, but inquiries are being made and I will inform the hon. Member of the result.

Is not my hon. Friend aware that a deputation waited on York City Council recently on behalf of the Yorkshire Archæological Society and Yorkshire Philosophical Society, including the Dean of York, and that the City Council is adhering to its intention to demolish the church and make a rest garden? Will my hon. Friend take immediate steps to see that that is prevented?

The church has ceased to be used for ecclesiastical purposes for a long time, and it was stripped of its fittings and sold to York Corporation. We are informed that discussions have taken place with the corporation, and as far as I know it is not intended immediately to demolish the church. We are making the necessary inquiries.

Has not the war already destroyed more than enough of our ancient buildings?

Is not the right time for action by the Ministry now, before steps have been begun to demolish the church?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works why he is proposing to inquire into the earnings of the paint industry; when the inquiry will begin; and how will it be conducted?

It is a well recognised practice that the appropriate Government Department should satisfy itself that the prices of important commodities are reasonable. My Noble Friend proposes to inquire into the earnings of the paint industry in order to implement his responsibility in regard to the prices of building materials. Discussions have already begun with the industry. The inquiry will be conducted, as is usual in these matters, by an examination of the accounts of certain representative firms.

Will the inquiry distinguish between those firms which have been made richer by Government action and those which have been made poorer under the concentration scheme?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works what further scheme of concentration for the building industry is in contemplation beyond the voluntary grouping scheme for the repair of bomb-damaged houses?

No scheme for the concentration of the building industry is either in operation or under consideration.

Is my hon. Friend aware that his answer will go a long way to relieve considerable anxiety on this score among small builders all over the country?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he can state the general result of the mission to the United States of the hon. Member for Maidstone (Mr. Bossom) and other constructional experts; and what use will be made of their conclusions in view of our post-war building programmes?

The four members of the mission are now busy writing their report and it is my Noble Friend's intention that it shall be published as soon as possible. It will cover a variety of matters, including organisation, technique, methods and new materials, which will be helpful in the preparation of standards and design for post-war building.

Is it proposed to allow time for the discussion of this Report, or will it be like the Report of the Expenditure Committee, who have issued more than 100 Reports while we have had only one day during the war for their discussion?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works how many houses he proposes to build during the first six months of 1944?

I assume the hon. Member has in mind the experimental houses referred to by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Production on Tuesday, 30th November which it is proposed to build to demonstrate the possibilities of various methods of construction A first instalment of 12 houses, in six pairs, is contemplated. In addition, eight other houses are being built for the Building Research Station to enable full-scale scientific research to be made into problems of building construction generally.

Are we to take it that the sole contribution of the Ministry of Works to housing within six months is 20 houses?

My hon. Friend ought to address that Question to the Ministry of Health or the Scottish Department. It is not the policy of my Department to initiate housing schemes. We have nothing to do with that. We only build.

Will any of these 20 houses be built in Scotland?

No, Sir.

Why are none to be built in Scotland?

If the hon. Gentleman will inquire of the Secretary of State for Scotland, he will get his answer.

Did not the hon. Gentleman tell us that this was quite apart from the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State, and that the idea was for his Department to show the types of buildings?

Yes, Sir.

Where are these houses to be built?

I prefer to wait for a week or so before giving that information.

Are these houses to be built purely for demonstration purposes or will they be available for occupation afterwards?

They are primarily for demonstration purposes, and they will be available for occupation later.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that a Petition signed by over 4,090,000 electors for increases in the weekly amount to old age pensioners was presented to the House on 2nd November, 1943, by the hon. Member for Bridgeton (Mr. Maxton); that this Petition has not been submitted to the Committee on Public Petitions for them to consider whether such Petition should have a hearing from the Bar of the Chamber; and will he consider making arrangements to have the Standing Orders on Public Petitions examined with a view to renewing the custom of allowing such petitioners to plead their case before the House?

The Petition to which my hon. Friend refers was found, when examined, not to comply with the Rules of the House. In accordance with the usual practice it was, therefore, not submitted to the Committee on Public Petitions, whose function, I would remind my hon. Friend, is to classify and prepare abstracts of Petitions in whatever manner the Committee considers best suited to convey to the House all requisite information respecting their contents. With regard to the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to what I said on 3rd November last arising out of the statement on Business.

If there were two mistakes in the Petition, would it not be as well if it were sent to the Committee so that they would be able to advise further petitioners on the course they should take? Nobody knows what to do, and it appears that we are keeping members of the public from their rights of appealing to the House.

I am not in a position to alter the Rules of the House. They are laid down, and petitioners have to comply with them.

If the Petition is not in Order to go before the Committee on Public Petitions, have the Government taken any notice of the fact that 4,000,000 persons desire a change in the old age pension position?

That is another question altogether.

What is the reply to it?

I have already replied.

Could my right hon. Friend say in what respect the Petition failed to comply with the Rules of the House and whether any intimation of the defects has been conveyed to the petitioners?

First, it was not addressed to the House; and second, it prayed for public money which was not recommended by the Crown.

I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the first opportunity, as it wants clearing up.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the conditions now obtaining and having regard to the rates of pay of soldiers of the Dominions and United States Forces, he will now re-examine the position and consider an increase of pay for the lower ranks of the British Navy, Army and Air Force?

As already explained, it is not possible to make any useful comparison between the rates of pay of members of the Forces of the United Kingdom and those of the Forces of the Dominions and the United States of America, where the general economic conditions, including wages and prices, differ considerably from those obtaining in this country. With regard to the present position of members of the United Kingdom Forces, I find no ground for departing from the view expressed in the answer to my hon. and gallant Friend on 6th May last.

Would my right hon. Friend reconsider the question in this light, that the conditions, economical and otherwise, mean that costs and prices in this country are the same for all ranks in all Forces, and as large numbers of American and Dominion Forces receive pay which puts the British soldier at a great disadvantage, will he take steps to put an end to this manifest injustice to the British Forces?

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the great disparity which continues to exist betwen the remuneration paid to men in the Services and the rewards paid to civilians in industry outside?

Will my right hon. Friend appreciate that while it is impossible for the Government to make the comparison, the men in the Forces are making it? It is not a matter of spending their pay in other countries. The American and Dominion soldiers and our men are spending the money in this country, and that is where the comparison should be made.

I am well aware of it, and everybody is aware of it. I do not know whether my hon. and gallant Friend is suggesting that it is possible to equate the money rates of remuneration to troops who are serving in the same theatre of war with those of countries where conditions are very different. I suggest that he should examine it.