Written Answers
Royal Navy
Requisitioned Bungalow (Release)
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that Mr. H. Bettis, a disabled ex-Service man, is still awaiting possession of his bungalow at Sea Palling, Norfolk, despite assurances given by the Admiralty some months ago that it would be released to him within a reasonable time; and will he give such instructions as will fulfil the promise made?
I regret that it has not yet been possible to give Mr. Bettis possession of his bungalow. The undertaking to release the property was given on the proviso that it would be given up when alternative accommodation was available. This was unfortunately delayed by circumstances beyond the Admiralty's control but it is now hoped to release the bungalow to Mr. Bettis not later than the end of January.
Christmas Leave (Travel)
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will see that an exception to the ban on Christmas travelling will be made on behalf of men who, owing to overseas service, have not been able to spend Christmas at home for the last three or four years and are now stationed in this country?
The orders issued by the Admiralty give sufficient latitude to com- manding officers to enable them to grant permission to travel to officers and men who have not been able to spend Christmas at home for the last three or four years, provided that their services can be spared for leave at this season.
Food Supplies
British Restaurants (Evening Meals)
asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the lack of facilities for meals and light refreshments in the evenings in important towns and cities, thereby forcing young people into licensed houses; and whether his Department will encourage British Restaurants to open in the evenings to cater for the needs of the Forces and others, especially in industrial areas and districts near military camps?
Local authorities responsible for British Restaurants have been asked to open their restaurants for the provision of evening meals if there appears to be a demand for this service, but experience has shown that the demand is very limited.
Conditional Sales
asked the Minister of Food whether, as the present regulation is bearing hardly on retailers in Northern Ireland, he will have the law amended so that sugar confectionery and chocolate are no longer classified as separate commodities, but that in future, for the purpose of sale they shall be regarded as one commodity?
My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. He has sent me particulars of a case in which a retailer was convicted for making a conditional sale. It is the policy of my Department to prohibit conditional sales in respect of all foodstuffs, and I could not take any action which would make such conditional sales legal.
Surplus Fish (Cold Storage)
asked the Minister of Food whether, in the interests of national economy, he will consider erecting at suitable coastal centres cold storage plants in which surplus fish could be purchased and stored and subsequently issued to the distributors during periods of shortage?
No, Sir. I have no reason to think that additional cold storage plants are required under existing conditions for the purpose suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend.
Fat Allocation (Fish-Friers)
asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that, owing to the shortage of fat, fish friers in Hucknall, Nottingham, can only open half the week; and whether he will consider giving priority in fat to fish friers in mining areas?
In Hucknall, as in other towns where the population has remained approximately static, allocations of fat to fish-friers are being made on the basis of 75 per cent. of their pre-war purchases. I am aware that in consequence of reduction in supplies fish-friers generally have to curtail their normal hours of business. In regard to the last part of my hon. Friend's Question, while I sympathise with the object which he has in mind, I regret that the supply position does not enable me to adopt his suggestion.
Ministry Of Information
Cinema News-Reels (Politics)
asked the Minister of Information whether he will give an assurance that in cases where special facilities for the collection of materials are accorded by his Department to news-reels companies, such as the Paramount Film Corporation, steps are taken to ensure that this material is not presented in the form of sequences and comment capable of interpretation in the terms of party political controversy and that the public interest is the sole criterion in granting such facilities?
It is true that much of the newsreel material about the war is obtained through facilities granted by the Government, but newsreels are not, of course, subject to censorship on political grounds. However, I share my Noble Friend's dislike of the intrusion of politics into newsreels, which offer little scope for genuine discussion. In journalism there is always an opportunity to make a reply to polemics, but in newsreels there is not.
Uncensored News (Neutral Countries)
asked the Minister of Information whether he has devised new censorship arrangements which will pre- vent a recurrence of the circumstances in which news about the Cairo Conference was issued in one Allied country before the agreed date of release through an uncensored dispatch transmitted from a news agency in a neutral country?
The matter is being considered, but I must make it clear that in general no question of censorship arises in such cases. News available in neutral capitals can be and is transmitted by various channels, including radio, to all parts of the world, including enemy territory. Reports of this kind from neutral centres are of a quite different character from the actual issue of official statements at an agreed time in the Allied countries concerned.
International Tin Control
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to continue to support the international tin cartel; and will he state the names of the members of the International Tin Committee and the tin quotas fixed for various territories?
His Majesty's Government are parties to the Agreement for the International Control of the Production and Export of Tin, 1942, which was published as Cmd. 6396 and terminates on the 31st December, 1946. I append a list of the members of the Committee and the standard tonnages of the various parties to the Agreement. The present rate of quota is 130 per cent., but if any party was in a position to export tin in excess of the quota, it would of course be increased as no party to the Agreement wishes to limit the production of tin in present circumstances.
Following is the list:
MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL TIN COMMITTEE APPOINTED IN SEPTEMBER, 1942
Belgian Congo
- Monsieur Theodore Heyse.
Bolivia
- H. E. Senor Don A. Patino, R. (Voting Member).
- Senor Don Juan Penaranda.
- Senor Jorge Ortiz Linares.
Malaya
- Sir John Campbell (Voting Member).
- Mr. V. A. Lowinger.
- Mr. W. J. Wilcoxson.
- Mr. J. H. Rich (Adviser).
Netherlands East Indies
- Dr. G. H. C. Hart (Voting Member). (Since deceased.)
- Mr. P. H. Westermann (Voting Member in Dr. Hart's absence).
- Mr. J. B. Peyrot.
Nigeria
- Sir John Campbell (Voting Member).
- Mr. G. L. M. Clauson.
- Mr. Dermot J. Mooney.
- Mr. J. Ivan Spens (Adviser).
Table of Standard Tonnages (Article 4 of the Agreement) | |
Tons
| |
| Belgian Congo | 20,178 |
| Bolivia | 46,768 |
| Malaya | 95,474 |
| Netherlands Indies | 55,113 |
| Nigeria | 15,367 |
| 232,900 | |
Tanganyika (Post-War Land Settlement)
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that there is much uncertainty as regards the possibilities of post-war European land settlement in Tanganyika, both in and outside that territory; and whether he will take an early opportunity of clarifying the position?
I know that a statement on this subject would be welcomed. It is, however, a matter which must be considered as part of the general post-war development policy in Tanganyika, and I regret that I cannot add at present to the statements which have been made in the Tanganyika legislative council.
East Africa
Research (Co-Ordination)
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, following the recommendation of the Anglo-American Caribbean Commission in the case of the West Indies, he will arrange to set up an East African Co-ordination Research Council, to include representatives of Northern Rhodesia and Nyassaland as well as East Africa?
The general desirability of regional organisation of research is a matter to which the Colonial Research Committee has drawn attention in its Progress Report for 1942–43, which has just been laid before Parliament. The question of providing such co-ordination in East Africa is under consideration, but I regret that I am not at present in a position to make any statement.
Labour Conditions
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has under consideration the advisability of sending a labour adviser to inquire into and make a report on labour conditions in East Africa?
I agree that a report on labour conditions In East Africa would be most useful, but as I explained on 3rd December, my labour adviser is at present on a visit to West Africa, and I do not wish to cut short his inquiries there or to delay his return to this country to render a report. The question how, in these circumstances, my hon. Friend's suggestion could best be carried out is one which I shall bear in mind.
Transport, Eastern Region (Licence Application)
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will ascertain from the Transport Commissioner for the Eastern Region when Messrs. Whattoff & Co., Ltd., of Kirton, Lincolnshire, may expect a reply to their letters of July and October, addressed to him?
The Regional Transport Commissioner for the Eastern Region has now replied to Messrs. Whattoff & Co., and has expressed his regret at the delays which have occurred in dealing with their correspondence. The licence for which the firm applied has been issued.
Building Materials, Northern Ireland
asked the Minister of Production why, in the negotiations with the Northern Ireland Government regarding the allocation of necessary building materials, he stipulated that only 750 houses must be built there since, approximately, 20,000 houses are required in Northern Ireland and whether he will accord to Northern Ireland equal treatment with Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom where many houses have been built and are in course of erection?
The limiting factor in this case is supplies of steel and timber, and 750 houses is the top limit for which I am at present able to authorise release of these materials. When steel and timber can be diverted from essential war requirements to housing, further claims will, of course, be sympathetically considered. As regards the second part of the Question, I am not to be taken as agreeing that this decision involves less favourable treatment for Northern Ireland than for the rest of the United Kingdom.
Household Furniture (Ownership)
asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been drawn to the present position of the housewife who, when deserted by her husband, is also deprived of the household furniture which she has helped to provide out of the housekeeping allowance; and whether he proposes to introduce legislation to remedy this grievance?
Furniture in a home belongs to the members of the household with whose money it has been bought or to whom it has been given. I cannot hold out hopes that in the present circumstances final consideration can be given to the point raised but the question whether further protection is needed to prevent a deserting husband depriving his wife and family of necessary household furniture has been noted.
Children's Allowances (Court Of Appeal Decision)
asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the verdict of the Court of Appeal in the case of Lewis and others versus Walker; and whether he will instruct the district auditor not to appeal against the decision that children's allowances can properly be regarded as an ingredient in salary rates?
My right hon. and learned Friend has seen the judgment of the High Court. The district auditor is an independent officer and my right hon. and learned Friend is not empowered to instruct him as to the prosecution of an appeal. It is a matter on which he would naturally be guided by the advice of counsel.
Fire Guard Duties, Liverpool (Women)
asked the Home Secretary what action he intends to take to implement his promise to Liverpool in regard to women fire-watchers; whether he has considered the objections put before him some months ago on amenities, danger to the women and vulnerability of the dockside area; whether he will proscribe the area as suggested by the city council; and will he consult with the Liverpool authorities before regulations are issued?
My right hon. Friend has decided to issue a direction under Article 20 (1) of the Fire Guard (Business and Government Premises) Order, 1943, exempting women from fireguard duties outside their working hours at business premises at Liverpool in the dock and warehouse area along the riverside, but he is not prepared to extend this exemption to the commercial districts lying to the north of this area. The Regional Commissioner on his behalf is at present discussing with the Liverpool city council where best the boundary of the proposed "special area" can be drawn.
Factory Dispute (Directions To Workers)
asked the Minister of Labour whether he can make a statement on the dispute at a factory of which he has been informed?
Difficulty has arisen at this factory through the refusal of a number of men to perform duties allotted to them in accordance with a recent agreement between the management and the union. Directions under Defence Regulation 58A have been given to a number of the men concerned to perform the services in question. Any appeal against these directions will be for consideration by the local appeal board in the first instance.
Raf Bomber Command (Attacks On Germany)
asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can give an estimate to the nearest 100,000 of civilians killed in Germany as a result of raids by Bomber Command or to the nearest 1,000,000 of the number of persons rendered homeless, in view of the claim by his Department that of the towns so raided some have been rendered completely uninhabitable and others reduced to 25 per cent. of their normal capacity?
I regret that I cannot give a reliable estimate of the number of persons killed or rendered homeless as a result of Bomber Command's attacks on German targets.
Unrra Conference
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the decision of the conference at Atlantic City to withdraw schemes for the long-term economic rehabilitation of Europe from the competence of U.N.R.R.A. and to rely on European Governments without machinery for international co-operation represents the policy of His Majesty's Government?
I cannot accept my hon. Friend's suggestion that anything has been withdrawn from the competence of U.N.R.R.A. nor that the problem of long-term economic rehabilitation of Europe is being overlooked. The resolutions passed by the Council of U.N.R.R.A at Atlantic City represent the unanimous agreement of the 44 countries represented on the Council.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether steps will be taken to publish the Reports of the conference of U.N.R.R.A. at Atlantic City?
The resolutions passed by the Council of U.N.R.R.A. at Atlantic City were made public by the Council. I propose to issue them here in the form of a White Paper and, if it meets the wishes of the House, a statement will be made on the subject when the report of the British delegation has been considered.
Indian Army Allowance
asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that non-Regular British officers are restricted to half the Indian Army allowances when serving with Indian Army units, owing to an Order enforced as from 1st November, 1942; that before that date they did get full allowances; and whether, as they have the same expenses as the officers in the units to which they are attached, he will review the matter and consider admitting the full rate?
British emergency-commissioned Officers serving with Indian units were restricted to half-rates of Indian Army allowance from the outbreak of war. The decision which was enforced from 1st November, 1942, related only to certain small categories of British Service officers drawn from the Territorial Army and some of the British Army Reserves when serving with Indian units. I do not see my way to modifying the decision which has been reached in agreement with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War.
Prisoners And Detainees (Release On Medical Grounds)
asked the Home Secretary whether any statistics are available, giving the number of prisoners or detainees who have been released on medical grounds of suffering from phlebitis or thrombophlebitis or have been transferred to outside institutions for treatment for these complaints?
As regards the general policy in the case of prisoners I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 9th December to my hon. and gallant Friend, the Member for Handsworth (Commander Locker-Lampson). As there pointed out, the question of release depends not on the particular type of disease but on the effect of the disease on the individual and the degree of danger which continued imprisonment may entail. The detailed information asked for could not be obtained without a laborious examination of the individual records of prisoners and detainees who have been released on medical grounds or transferred to outside institutions for hospital treatment, and I should not feel justified in diverting officers at the present time to undertake this work.