asked the Secretary of State for Air in view of the fact that the ordinary wage of civilian workers at aerodromes is, in many instances, as high as that of a bomber captain in operations and higher than that of pilots, gunners and those of lower rank, who are constantly risking their lives fighting, he will take steps to remedy this disparity.

I would refer ray hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. W. J. Brown) on 20th January.

In view of the fact that that answer was given to a supplementary, that the Question referred only to the difference in the rates of pay of the British Forces and the American and Colonial troops, and that it is as long ago as 6th May that any definite answer was given on this point, would my right hon. Friend not give further consideration to the matter, in view of the small amount of money that would be involved?

asked the Secretary of State for Air the total amount of pay and allowances receivable by an officer of squadron-leader's rank while serving at the Air Ministry.

The pay of a squadron-leader serving in the Air Ministry depends on many factors, such as the branch of the Royal Air Force to which he belongs and the length of service in his rank, but is not less than £529 a year, together with an additional allowance for staff posts of £90 a year, and the usual Service allowances.

Is there consultation with other Service Departments in fixing these amounts, to ensure uniformity?

Yes, Sir. These allowances have been fixed only as the result of the findings of Cabinet Committees which have been established since the last war.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the difficulties confronting officers of the R.A.F. in the Central Mediterranean Force in purchasing articles of uniform, clothing and footwear, which do not confront military officers; and will he therefore co-operate with the Secretary of State for War in providing the necessary facilities for the R.A.F. officers, through the Army organisation.

Yes, Sir. I am informed that there has been a shortage in the supply of uniforms for Royal Air Force officers serving in the base areas. Action has been taken and adequate supplies should be available at an early date.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what steps he proposes to take to improve the passenger train service to and from Doncaster and King's Cross.

As my hon. Friend is aware, the passenger traffic on the railways has greatly increased since the war began, but it has been necessary to reduce the passenger train mileage by 30 per cent., in order to carry traffic which is essential to the war effort. As a result, trains in many parts of the country are often crowded. I have, unhappily, no reason to believe that the conditions between Doncaster and King's Cross are exceptional, and I regret that it is not at present possible to increase the number of trains.

Is it possible to do anything to minimise the long delays that take place on this line?

Nobody regrets the delays more than we do; it means a great strain on all concerned; but with sickness, fog, shortness of staff and the immensely heavy traffic, I can only say that the railways are doing their best.

Is my hon. Friend aware that a train for Doncaster left King's Cross 2½ hours late?

I am afraid there is a good deal of late running. The Government are putting every possible measure into effect.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he can make any statement with regard to the railway accident, accompanied by loss of life, which took place at Ilford on Sunday, 16th January.

This tragic accident occurred after dark during a dense fog, when one passenger train overtook and collided with another travelling in the same direction. I regret to say that nine passengers were fatally injured, including three members of the United States Forces, and twenty-eight other passengers were detained in hospital. Prompt assistance was rendered by rescue parties of the local Civil Defence Services, and I want to say how greatly we appreciate what they did. The chief inspecting officer of railways has held his inquiry, but until his report has been received, I am unable to say anything about the cause or causes of the accident. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my deep sympathy with the relatives of those who lost their lives, and with those who were injured.

Will my hon. Friend be able to make a further statement when the Ministry of Transport's inquiry has been completed?

Yes, Sir, if my hon. and learned Friend will put down another Question, I will certainly give him an answer.

asked the Minister of Information, whether, in view of the fact that our losses in bombing Germany's war industries are microscopic in comparison with the amount of damage they do; that the loss of life is small compared with that of land army campaigns and with those which would result from an invasion of Western Europe, he will intensify the publicity of these facts to the public here and in America.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his assistance in disseminating this valuable doctrine.

asked the Minister of Information when he intends to publish the booklet on British Civil Administration in Italian East Africa?

We hope to publish this booklet in the early summer.

In view of the fact that on 29th July the Parliamentary Secretary said that it would be published without any avoidable delay and as quickly as possible, will the right hon. Gentleman produce a glossary of the meaning of words used by his Ministry?

I would also like to make a glossary of the sentence just expressed by the hon. Gentleman, but all I can tell him is that, if he could realise the shortage of printers and the lack of means of production in London, he would understand that it is not possible, unless the Government alter their policy about labour, to produce pamphlets as quickly as he expects.

If the expression "as quickly as possible" means the delay of a year, would it not be more honest towards the House if the right hon. Gentleman would say so frankly at the time and not raise false expectations?

I do not know what my hon. Friend means by criticising my colleague the Parliamentary Secretary as saying that he would produce it "as quickly as possible." That is the situation. Some of these books take not a year but a year and a half to produce. When the hon. Member understands the printing conditions here in London, he will realise that everything possible is done to speed up publication.

If that is the situation, how was it that we have been getting hundreds upon hundreds of pamphlets about the Education Bill?

I am not responsible for the issuing of those pamphlets, but I am surprised that the Noble Lady should object to pamphlets on the Education Bill.

The Noble Lady objects to procrastination on the part of the Government.

asked the Minister of Information whether the B.B.C. under-takes any broadcasts to Ireland in the Irish language.

No, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that broadcasts are made to Ireland from Germany in the Irish language?

I am well aware that broadcasts in Irish are made from Germany to Ireland, but I think that Dr. Goebbels does not realise that the majority of the people of Ireland understand English.

asked the Minister of Information if he will arrange to make available to Members copies of the new edition of the pamphlet, "What Britain has done."

Yes, Sir; I have arranged for this pamphlet to be available to hon. Members at the Vote Office.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he will give an assurance that every encouragement will be given to firms and industries developing new methods of house construction, such as prefabrication of houses, with a view to speedy mass production when the war ends.

Yes, Sir. A Controller of Experimental Building was appointed last summer with the special duty of assisting private enterprise and local authorities to develop new methods, materials and fittings for house construction by advice and by arranging for the issue of licences and other facilities where the proposal appeared likely to be of value. The Controller works in close contact with the Burt Committee which, as I informed by hon. Friend the Member for Dumbarton (Mr. McKinlay) on 26th January, had already considered 249 suggestions and had recommended that facilities be granted in 36 cases.

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether full advantage is being taken of the experience in prefabrication of houses in the United States of America, particularly in the State of California?

As my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, my noble Friend sent a deputation to America to inquire into the methods of building in America and that report will be available at the end of the week.

Will the co-operation of the building trades be assured in connection with the prefabrication of buildings?

I do not quite understand my hon. Friend's question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now considered the housing position in Nottingham; and whether he has a statement to make.

Yes, Sir. My right hon. and learned Friend is aware of the serious housing shortage in Nottingham, which, I am afraid, can be equalled in many other areas. Owing to the overriding demand for labour and materials for war purposes, we are not yet in a position to start any general programme of house construction, but the Government are considering whether it may be possible before long to initiate preparatory work, so as to expedite building when the time comes.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the total pay and allowances receivable by an officer of lieutenant-commander's rank while serving at the Admiralty.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for East Fulham (Mr. Astor) on 17th December last.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) whether flying time counts as sea-time for purposes of promotion for naval officers;

All service in a ship of war at sea as defined in King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions, including employment on flying duties, counts as sea-time for the purposes of promotion of Executive Officers. In the case of Executive Officers who, owing to essential war requirements, are retained for prolonged periods in shore appointments, the Board of Admiralty has given an undertaking that such service will not adversely affect their chances of promotion to Commander or Captain provided that they have the minimum periods of sea-time laid down in King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of unlawful enemy attacks upon illuminated hospital ships, illumination will be discontinued.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Eye (Mr. Granville).

Will the right hon. Gentleman publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT references to the relevant International Conventions referred to in that answer?

It is rather long, but I will consider that.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is prepared to extend to the locally-entered staffs employed in His Majesty's dockyard at Malta a uniform amount of war bonus regardless of the amount of basic pay up to £850 per annum, as has been agreed on the National Whitley Council for British civil servants.

The scheme of war bonus applicable to the locally-entered staff in H.M. Dockyard, Malta, is that in force for the corresponding staffs of the Malta Government and of the other Service Departments. This scheme represents the results of exhaustive examination given to the subject as recently as last autumn and based upon local conditions in Malta.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a great deal of indignation in Malta both about the amount of war bonus and about the way it operates, and ought not his Department, as the biggest employer on the Island, to set an example?

I am aware of the extent of employment given by the Admiralty in Malta but it is obvious that these local persons must be considered, through the Colonial Office, in relation to all the conditions of employment in the Island.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what steps have been taken to try out, under seagoing conditions, the McLeod steam turbine unit, which successfully passed its bench trials in May, 1939.

The possible utilisation of this type of engine has been considered on a number of occasions. Owing to certain features of the design, it has not, however, been considered desirable to fit an experimental engine into a sea-going ship, in view of the risks which would be involved in the event of a failure under existing conditions at sea. No application has been made by any private ship owner for such an engine to be fitted, either in new construction or in an existing vessel whose engine requires repair or replacement.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, since then, the invention has been received very favourably by eminent professional men and marine engineers and also by technical officers of Government Departments; and would he not consider the advisability of trying it out at an early opportunity?

I have had a great deal of advice from people in the profession and industry about this matter, but it is almost impossible to deal with the subject by Question and answer. If the hon. and gallant Member is particularly interested, I should be glad to discuss it with him or refer him to the naval authorities concerned.

Is it not a fact that a ship was made available, but it foundered before reaching port and there has not been any offer since then?

I would like to have notice of that Question. I have no recollection of it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of public complaints that retailers of sugar in Uganda have refused to supply this foodstuff to Africans although it was in stock; what legal action has been taken, to avoid such discrimination; and whether sugar is still in short supply.

My right hon. and gallant Friend has received no report that sugar has been refused to Africans in Uganda, but he is making inquiries in the matter and will communicate with the hon. Member in due course. With regard to the last part of the Question, sugar is in short supply in East Africa, owing to the greatly increased local demand, the needs of neighbouring territories and a reduction of production last year owing to mechanical breakdowns at certain factories in Uganda.

What steps are being taken to see that a larger quantity of sugar is being produced to provide for local needs?

There is no evidence, so far as I know, that there is any unfair discrimination, but, of course, this is being watched by the Government at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action is being taken to provide accommodation for African labourers working on the main road from Uganda to the Belgian Congo; and whether he is satisfied that adequate provision is being made for their welfare.

So far as my information goes, there is at present no constructional work in progress on the main road between Uganda and the Belgian Congo, but I presume that the hon. Member is referring to the movement of migrant labour between these two territories. The Governor of Uganda has recently forwarded comprehensive proposals to provide for the welfare of such labour and work has already started on a two-year programme for the construction of rest camps, hospitals and first aid posts, from the Congo Border to Kampala. Food will be supplied when necessary free-of-charge to labourers moving along this route in search of work.

Is the Minister aware that until recently, apparently, quite a number of these labourers were unable to find accommodation, and is that disability now overcome?

I think the hon. Member will see from my reply that every effort is being made to overcome that difficulty.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that his Department will not allow proceedings to be taken by local authorities under Section 6 of the Food and Drugs Act without his permission; and whether he will now amend this decision.

Section 6 of the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, has been suspended so far as it relates to food as from 1st January, 1944, by Regulation 1 of the Defence (Sale of Food) Regulations, 1943. So far as proceedings under the new Regulations are concerned, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Wigan (Mr. Foster) on 10th January.

As, unfortunately, I do not know that answer may I ask my right hon. and gallant Friend if he would allow some latitude to local authorities?

The point, I gather, is that before this Order is enforced the consent of my Ministry has to be obtained. That is necessary. These are prosecutions in regard to general labels and it would be unfair if traders who used them were prosecuted successively in different areas for the same offence.

asked the Minister of Food if he can give any information in connection with the 20,000,000 lbs. of bacon that is being sent to this country by the Canadian Meat Board and how it will be distributed.

I am much indebted to the Canadian Government and to producers in that country for all they are doing to maintain our bacon supplies. As such supplies become available in this country they will be distributed in the normal way.

Although that figure appears to be enormous, is it not a fact that it will not necessarily mean any likelihood of an increased bacon ration for domestic consumers during the next three or four months?

No, it will not. This is the time of production of the biggest part of our supplies of bacon, and this figure, although it looks large, will not do anything more to help us and I hope it will do that—to maintain our present ations.

But it will be in readiness when the war is over.

I think we shall have eaten it before then.

asked the Minister of Food how many of the oranges lately imported from Spain have been or are about to be forwarded to Eire; and why they were not released for hospitals or for domestic consumption in this country.

asked the Minister of Food why approximately 10,000 cases of oranges, which are being brought from Spain in British ships, are being allocated to jam manufacturers in Eire; and if the necessary arrangements could be made for their use in this country.

asked the Minister of Food why Seville oranges imported from Spain have been made available to Southern Eire; whether the benefit of specially low freights was passed on to the Irish purchasers; and whether any steps have been taken to ensure that the marmalade they manufacture will be re-exported to this country for the benefit of the British consumer.

asked the Minister of Food why approximately 5,000,000 oranges which could not be used by British marmalade manufacturers were supplied to Eire jam manufacturers; why a portion of this consignment was not made available to British housewives for making marmalade with their surplus sugar; whether the oranges supplied to Eire were brought from Spain to this country in British ships at special rates and are also being conveyed to Eire in British ships; and what payment is being received from Eire in respect of fruit and shipping respectively.

No oranges now being imported from Spain have been or are going to be sent to Eire. The other parts of the Questions do not, therefore, arise.

Could the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether the decision to send these oranges to Eire was in fact taken in his Department and later countermanded as a result of Press publicity and the putting of Questions on the Order Paper?

No, it was not that way at all. There was an idea in my Department that that might be a good thing to do—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"]—but before it was published in the newspapers at all, it came to my notice and I thought differently.

Could the man who had that idea be reprimanded?

May I ask whether my right hon. and gallant Friend will have regard to the rule that what goes on in a Department is not a matter about which a Minister can reply at Question Time? May I have an answer?

If I went beyond the bounds, I apologise to the House.

How came it that such a very important matter as this was suggested, at a time when the whole feeling of the House and people in the country is very strong, and that it required my right hon. and gallant Friend's veto to stop it? Will the Minister answer that question?

I am, of course, fully responsible for what happens in my Department. I would have taken the responsibility if, afterwards, I had altered it the other way, and it had been done. I was explaining to the hon. Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) how this actually occurred and I think we had better leave it there. I think the Departmental decision is now the right one.

rose——

I think these oranges are too explosive.

asked the Minister of Food whether he can give information in connection with the announcement that he is to buy all the Colonial export of sugar up to the end of 1946; and can he say how it is to be distributed.

In reply to the first part of the Question I have nothing to add to the statement made on 26th January by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies. In reply to the second part, the purchases mentioned will represent only a small part of the United Nations' requirements, and so long as the present international and national distribution arrangements continue these supplies will be distributed through that machinery.

asked the Minister of Food whether he can give any information in connection with the 7,000,000 tons of butter sent to this country from the Dominions and how it is being distributed.

I am afraid that the amount is 7,000,000 pounds not 7,000,000 tons. Had it been the latter, I could have discontinued the rationing of butter; as it is, it will be distributed in the normal way to meet the domestic ration.

The newspapers are responsible for the figures. I must apologise for being wrong.

The error did not start with my hon. Friend; it was an error in some of the newspapers.

asked the Minister of Food under what statutory authority he has included in the Emergency Powers (Defence) Food (Restriction on Dealings) Regulation (S.R. & O., No. 1769, of 1943) paragraph 4, subjecting the provisions of the Order to any directions given by him; and if he will give an undertaking that any such directions shall be published and presented to Parliament.

The authority is Regulation 55; the directions may be either general in which case they are printed and published as statutory rules and orders or they may, in rare cases, be individual, in which case they are served on the individual concerned.

Is it not a fact that paragraph 4 is putting the whole of this great nation under emergency administrative authorisation, without any possibility of Parliamentary attention?

No, Sir. In practice, any general direction given under it is issued in exactly the same way as the Order itself was issued. It is laid on the Table and treated as a Statutory Rule and Order.

asked the Minister of Food what quantities of port and sherry have been imported into Great Britain from Portugal and Spain, respectively, during the last 12 months; and what proportion of these imports were for distribution to British citizens and what proportion to members of the United States Forces.

It is not in the public interest to publish details of importations during war. In reply to the last part of the Question the answer is that 70 per cent. went to British citizens.

Would it not be more conducive to the health and happiness of both British and United States troops if we imported oranges and lemons instead of port and sherry?

We are importing both.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend bear in mind the excellent addition to our war-time diet which these products provide?

As the wines and spirits are purchased on Ministry of Food account, can the Minister give us any undertaking that there will be any control to see that consumers do receive these wines and spirits at fair prices?

asked the Minister of Supply if he sanctioned Major-General Gilbert Szlumper, his Director-General of Supply Services, addressing the Engineering Industries Association on Tuesday, 25th January.

No, Sir.

Can we be informed what action has been taken by the Minister in view of the fact that this man took part in political controversy? Is it the practice of civil servants to indulge in political controversy and, if so, what happens?

I agree that the speech in question did touch upon certain matters of a highly controversial nature and that it was the kind of speech which should not have been made by a civil servant. However, I think hon. Members will appreciate that temporary war-time Government officials, who previously have held responsible and prominent positions in business and public life, are liable on occasions to forget that as civil servants they are now expected to hide their light under a bushel. I have spoken to this official and he fully appreciates the position. He is rendering valuable service to the Ministry, and I propose to leave the matter there.

Had this man been a Socialist or a working man, some other action would have been taken, and in view of the fact that action is regularly taken against our people who are responsible for indiscretion, what action does the Minister contemplate taking against this well-placed man?

I have explained to the hon. Member that I have made the position clear to this official, who fully recognises that he has infringed the regulations, and I think that this question and answer will have the effect of bringing this matter to the notice of other officials similarly placed. It is a difficult position for these people who have only just come into the Government service.

Does my right hon. Friend not agree that this gentleman is and always has been one of the hardest working individuals in the country?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this civil servant stated at the meeting that he had great experience in Government Departments; that he prided himself on having served in at least six of them, and used that experience for political purposes?

If so, he must have served in each of them for a very short time.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, if it is impossible at once to resume the import of esparto grass, he will help in the preliminary reorganisation necessary to that import such as arrangements for leases from the French for the collection of the grass, the re-establishment of transport and the restoration of facilities at the ports which will require months to reorganise.

Inquiries are being made in North Africa on the arrangements necessary for a resumption of the importation of esparto grass when the shipping position renders this possible.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that a firm, of which he has been informed, is being forced to close down by the withdrawal of its labour; whether, in the interests of war production, he will see that this case is reconsidered with due regard to the facts that the firm's total staff amounts to nine men and two women; that they are specialists in the design of a particular type of equipment which requires to be adapted to the needs of each particular case; that the products of this firm, although small in volume, represent a matter of key importance; and that it is desirable to preserve specialist undertakings of this kind as an important factor in British industry.

The decision to discontinue the issue of licences for materials for the manufacture of trailers at this firm is in accordance with the general policy of easing the load in areas where labour is scarce. However, in view of my hon. Friend's Question I am looking into the circumstances of this particular case.

Will the Minister give us an assurance that he is jealously watching the interests of small firms of this kind, so characteristic of business, and that he will not allow global labour allocations to overwhelm him?

I am very glad to give my hon. Friend that assurance. I entirely agree with him as to the value of these small firms, and I am just as anxious as he is to see that they are fairly treated. I am going into this particular case and will get in touch with him afterwards.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of these small firms are being closed down and the available labour is being transferred to larger firms?

That is just the point in question.

asked the Minister of Supply why his Department is obstructing the visit to the U.S.A. of Mr. Gormley, of international Chemical Company, Limited, London, whose associated companies in Canada and the U.S.A. rank as the largest manufacturers of penicillin and who are prepared to put all their knowledge and experience at the disposal of the British company so that large-scale manufacture of penicillin can be commenced at the earliest moment.

Mr. Gormley has sought the support of the Ministry of Supply for his application for an exit permit to visit North America for the purpose of investigating penicillin production and for certain other purposes. In the absence of evidence that his visit would be likely to increase supplies of penicillin, I do not feel able to support his application. Technical experts are already visiting penicillin plants and mould culture establishments in America and the information they obtain as to processes and equipment will be made available to any manufacturers in this country who satisfy the Ministry of Supply that they are in a position to undertake the production of penicillin.

Is it not a fact that my hon. Friend's Department have granted a virtual monopoly of penicillin to three or four firms only, that their output is disappointing—not 1 per cent. of the demand—and, with thousands of lives in jeopardy in the near future, why should this American and Canadian offer be refused?

We have not granted a monopoly to three firms. The production of penicillin at present is in its infancy and is at the experimental stage. Patent rights and any other developments which may occur during the war, have been pooled and will be made available to any manufacturer who is in a position to make penicillin.

Who are the employers of the people already sent to the United States?

That is another question.

But the hon. Gentleman said that certain experts had gone and we want to know who they represent.

I should like notice of that question.

Is the Minister aware that the production of penicillin in the United States is far ahead of our production, and will he realise the importance of taking every possible step to increase the production in this country?

The production of penicillin in the United States is ahead of the production in this country but it is not adequate to the demand in the United States. We are making every effort to get information from the United States for use in this country.

Does the Minister not think that in view of the great advantages offered by penicillin, every possible avenue should be explored and not a moment be lost?