asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will define the duties of the R.A.F. Regiment; and what percentage of these troops are at present employed in theatres of operations.

The duties of the R.A.F. Regiment include the defence of airfields and vulnerable points against air attack and the early occupation and local protection against ground and air attack of forward airfields in theatres of active land operations. They are all employed in this country or other theatres of operations.

In view of the fact that this regiment was formed at a time when we were expecting air attacks on our aerodromes, could not these first-class, fully trained troops now be employed in a more offensive rôle?

They certainly will be. It was always in our mind from the very first that they would be employed in an offensive rôle.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why "Target," the R.A.F. review of current affairs, bears a notification that its contents are not to be com- municated directly or indirectly to the Press or other unauthorised persons, since it contains nothing whose publication would infringe security; and if he will remove this restriction.

This review is produced for the purpose of assisting discussion groups in the Royal Air Force and it is considered that restricted circulation best promotes the end in view. In case hon. Members should wish to acquaint themselves with the contents of the review I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Library.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I ask him to explain why it is considered that the restricted circulation promotes the desired end?

Because we want to encourage absolutely free discussion, not led by articles in newspapers and without any fear of repercussions from outside.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether signals technical officers receive trade pay: whether, women who substitute men in this work receive the normal two-thirds of such pay; and whether he is satisfied that all W.A.A.F.'s engaged as signals technical officers do so benefit.

Officers of the technical branch of the Royal Air Force, including those employed on signals duties, receive rates of pay which recognise technical qualifications of a high standard. W.A.A.F. officers employed on specialist Radar duties are already in the technical branch and receive two-thirds of the corresponding R.A.F. rates of pay. The question whether other categories of W.A.A.F. signals officers who hold the requisite high qualifications should also be appointed or transferred to the technical branch is under consideration.

If these women are doing the same kind of work as efficiently as men how comes it that they are receiving only two-thirds of the rate of pay?

That is the normal practice in all Services.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the pay of a sergeant-pilot is 13s. 6d. per day and that of other members of an air crew 12s. per day; and whether, in view of the equal risk and often equal responsibility of all air-crew members, he will consider raising the pay to 13s. 6d. per day all round.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to the hon. Member for Mile End (Mr. Frankel) on 23rd June last and to the hon. Member for Houghton-le-Spring (Mr. Stewart) on 13th July last, of which I am sending him copies.

Is it not a fact that the terms quoted in the Question are really too favourable, and that for the first two years of an air gunner's career he receives only 8s. and not 12s. 6d.?

The facts are that the responsibilities, and the technical qualifications, and the length of training required for the different categories of air crews, vary materially, and we have made every effort to make the rates of pay as fair as possible between these categories.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether it is the intention of the Government that in post-war civil aviation the carriage of the mail shall be alone entrusted to British Overseas Airways Corporation.

The British Overseas Airways Corporation assumed the rights and obligations of Imperial Airways under a contract dated July, 1938, which for 15 years, assured them of the carriage of all mails on routes covered by the Empire Air Mail Scheme. I cannot, of course, say what modification of this contract or what arrangements may eventually be necessary on these and other routes as the result of international discussions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is in a position to make any statement as to the effect of the reduced imports of copper on the position in Northern Rhodesia.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the decision of the Government to reduce the purchase of copper from the Northern Rhodesia mines by 20 to 25 per cent., he can make a statement as to the economic effect of this measure, both as regards the public revenue of Northern Rhodesia and the employment of African labour; and what steps are being taken to obviate unemployment amongst the African mineworkers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the proposal to reduce the output of Rhodesian copper; and if he has any statement to make on the position.

I have been asked to reply. As stated in the recent announcement by the Government of Northern Rhodesia, the effect of the cut in purchases by His Majesty's Government on employment is to be discussed by the Government with the managements of the companies, the Mine Workers' Union and the staff associations. Pending the result of these discussions, my right hon. and gallant Friend is not in a position to state exactly what the effect will be, but there is no reason to anticipate unemployment. With regard to the effect of the cut on the finances of the Northern Rhodesia Government, it will necessarily lead to a reduction in revenue in 1945, but how large this will be it is not possible to say at the present stage.

Is this due to the fact that there is enough copper in the world?

I understand that there is another Question on the Paper on that subject addressed to the Ministry of Supply.

Will there be in these discussions any representative of the African mineworkers, who are not represented in the Mine Workers' Union?

No, they will be represented by the Government of Northern Rhodesia.

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is a large number of white miners whose sole employment has always been copper mining? What does he propose to do about the serious state of unemployment which will arise, unless there is some alternative employment prepared for them?

I think there is no shortage of employment in Southern Africa as a whole.

Is my hon. Friend prepared to receive representations on the part of the Mine Workers' Union of Northern Rhodesia?

I will discuss that with my right hon. and gallant Friend.

As the African workers will suffer more than anyone else from unemployment, surely they ought to be represented.

There is no shortage of employment in Northern Rhodesia and that is not likely to arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what assistance the Government is giving to housing in East Africa.

In Kenya, legislation has just been passed establishing a housing fund from which Government money may be advanced by grant and loan to local authorities. The major part of the funds required will be met from the Colonial Development and Welfare Vote and housing schemes for Africans are now being prepared which will involve expenditure of the order of £500,000. In addition the Kenya Government has been making good use of local materials during the war to carry out small schemes for the housing of its own employees. In Zanzibar, a grant of £6,000 for an experimental scheme for housing improvement in the native town has recently been approved under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act. The other East African Governments are fully alive to the importance of improving housing conditions and plans are being worked out for the post-war period when materials and labour again become more readily available.

How many houses is it anticipated will be built in the next five years?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now received the Report of Mr. Alexander Patterson on his inquiry into the system of probation and on the treatment of juvenile delinquency in West Africa; and, if so, what action is being taken in consequence of such Report.

My right hon. and gallant Friend has not yet received any report from Mr. Alexander Paterson who has just completed his mission in West Africa and will shortly be returning to this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the British Guiana Constitution Order (S.R. & O. No. 1792 of 1943), which was approved at the Privy Council on 11th March, 1943, was not placed in the Library until 1st February, 1944.

The draft of the Order in question had lain on the Table for 21 Sitting Days before it was passed: and there did not appear to be any necessity to place in the Library a copy of the Order as passed. In response, however, to a request made on the 1st of December last by the hon. Member for Dewsbury a copy was placed in the Library a few days later.

If a copy is not placed in the Library, how are Members to know what action the Privy Council has taken?

I understood that it laid on the Table.

The lying on the Table is merely in draft, and after 21 Sitting Days His Majesty can confirm it, but we ought to be informed that he has confirmed it as soon as he has done so.

I will bring the point to the notice of my right hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many trade unions have been registered in Nigeria, the Gold Coast and Sierra Leone; and how many in Kenya, Uganda, Tanganyika and Nyasaland.

According to the latest information available the figures are: Nigeria, 89; Gold Coast, 5; Sierra Leone, 11; Kenya, 2; Uganda, 1; Tanganyika, 2; Nyasaland, nil.

Do these trade unions cater for African workers only, or for both Africans and Europeans?

I understand for Africans.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the men who have been sent out for this purpose are doing a very good job of work?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many British trade unionists have been sent as labour officers to the West African Colonies; and what is the strength of the personnel of the labour departments in the West African Colonies and East African Colonies respectively.

Four experienced British trade unionists have been appointed as labour officers in the West African Colonies. As regards the second part of the Question, the latest annual estimates available provided for an establishment in labour departments, excluding clerical and minor grade staff, of 38 in the East African dependencies and 25 in the West African dependeicies.

Is my hon. Friend aware that these men are doing a very good job of work?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Mr. L. C. Hill who was sent out to Jamaica to advise on the reorganisation of the local government has now completed his work; whether his report has reached the Colonial Office; and whether a copy will be placed in the Library.

Mr. Hill has completed his investigations and his report is in the hands of the Jamaica Government. As soon as copies are received from the Governor the report will be placed in the Library of the House. It is hoped that the report will be submitted to the Legislative Council in May, and Mr. Hill, who is at present in this country, will be returning to Jamaica shortly to assist in putting into operation those recommendations in the report which are approved.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any consideration is being given to the possibility of developing the working of bauxite deposits in Jamaica; and whether Government action is contemplated or whether such development is being left to private enterprise.

It has been decided that the Jamaica bauxite deposits, not being immediately available, could not make a contribution to war needs. The question of the post-war development of these deposits is under consideration and I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

Is not the Minister aware that already there is a movement by American companies to consider the exploitation of bauxite in Jamaica, and is the Colonial Office watching what is taking place?

Yes, Sir. The Colonial Office is watching.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the nature of the arrangements in Uganda for the purchase of secondary schools by the Government; what complaints he has had in respect of this; what missionary schools are involved; and what is the total accommodation in Uganda secondary schools for boys and girls, respectively.

In 1943 the Government of Uganda assumed financial responsibility for capital and recurrent expenditure on certain secondary schools, in so far as the receipts from fees, etc., are insufficient; and in return secured representation, jointly with the respective Mission authorities, on the governing bodies of these schools, whose Chairmen are nominated by the Mission concerned. It would be quite incorrect to describe these arrangements as purchase by the Government.

According to the latest reports fears that the system was designed to take away the control of the schools from the denominational bodies concerned have been dispelled. Eight secondary schools have so far been included in the scheme. Precise information as to accommodation is not available. The numbers enrolled at the beginning of 1943 were:—Africans, boys 1,931, girls 150; Indians, boys 313, girls 46.

What action has been taken to provide fuller accommodation for girls, seeing that there is such a disparity between the places for boys and girls in the secondary schools?

I cannot say without notice.

In using the word "secondary," does the hon. Gentleman include technical schools?

I cannot answer that without notice.

Will the hon. Gentleman tell us why there is this apparent discrimination between boys and girls in the Colonies?

I do not think there is any discrimination at all.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how far the proposals placed before him by the Gold Coast cocoa farmers have been, or are likely to be, accepted and operated; and to what extent producers now deal direct with His Majesty's Government without intermediaries.

I presume that the hon. Member is referring to requests by the Gold Coast and Ashanti Farmers Union Ltd. to be allotted a buying agent's quota, under the West African cocoa control scheme. The Union is not qualified under the scheme to receive such a quota, and it has been informed that in the circumstances an exception cannot be made in its case. It remains open to the Union, however, to dispose of cocoa at the full control price to any of the recognised buying agents. The only producers who can sell direct to the West African Produce Control Board are the Co-operative Societies, who are among the Board's buying agents.

Are the Gold Coast cocoa farmers satisfied with this arrangement, and has anything further transpired since the farmers approached the Secretary of State on his visit some time ago?

I cannot give a reply to that.

Would it not be a good idea to send the hon. Member for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on an Empire tour?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport how many railway wagons are owned by private owners; what are the biggest wagons that are now being used; and how many are owned by the various railway companies.

There are approximately 600,000 privately owned railway wagons, of which about 20,000 are of special types. The remaining 580,000 were requisitioned at the beginning of the war. The railway companies own about 660,000. There are some specially constructed wagons which can carry loads of 50 tons or more, but the largest wagons used for normal traffic carry 20 tons.

Have the Government considered the advisability of pooling all the wagons so that there will be better facilities for transport all over the country?

Apart from the 20,000 I spoke of, which would be more nuisance than they are worth, they are completely pooled.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport the number of termini served by the London Passenger Transport Board's special omnibuses run for the benefit of Service men who have to go from one station to another; and if he is satisfied that the arrangements which have been made are adequate.

The London inter-station omnibuses for Service men run from 6.30 p.m. to 1 a.m. between five of the main line terminals. According to the information which I have received the service is, in general, adequate for the purpose which it is designed to serve.

Is my hon. Friend aware that when trains come in during the night or are considerably late the buses to which he refers are not available; and is he aware that there is still grave dissatisfaction?

There is no regular half-hourly service after 1 a.m., but there are some services during the hours 1 to 6.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a great deal of inconvenience is now being caused to Service men in London and to the population generally, and that the transport services are quite inadequate?

If my hon. Friend will find more labour and vehicles we shall be delighted to give a better service.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he has any recent statistics relating to the number of private motor-cars, commercial lorries and omnibuses running on substitute fuels in the United Kingdom; the annual consumption of the various substitute fuels; whether progress is being made in the design and manufacture of producer-gas apparatus; and whether his Department is paying attention to the development of this means of propulsion in connection with postwar transportation plans.

As the answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's Question includes the figures of vehicles licensed to run on a variety of alternative fuels, I will, with his permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I regret that I have no information about the quantities of fuel which these vehicles consume. I am glad to assure my Hon. Friend that satisfactory progress has been made, and is still being made, in the design and manufacture of producer gas units under the Government scheme, and that experience of lasting value is being gained.

Is the Minister satisfied that producer-gas devices are suitable for omnibuses, and has he considered the complaints of the effect of fumes on passengers?

That is another question, but I have considered the complaints that have been made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if he will state the number of accidents that have occurred on British railways which his inspectors have reported might have been avoided if some form of automatic train control had been in operation; and how many lives were lost in those accidents since the committee which his Department appointed to re-examine the problem of automatic train control issued their unanimous Report in 1930.

During the 13 years from 1931 to 1943, there were 23 accidents, the reports on which showed that some form of automatic train control might have prevented or mitigated the effects of the accident. In these accidents, 104 lives were lost.

Having regard to the evidence which was given at the recent inquest following the accident at Ilford in which a very respected Member of this House lost his life, will the Minister consider the desirability of bringing this railway into line with the Great Western Railway in the matter of automatic train control?

As my hon. Friend is aware, when the war began, the L.M.S. and the L.N.E.R. were experimenting with the Hudd system. The Southern Railway, having experimented with automatic train control, adopted the system of coloured-light signals, which they preferred. I will consider what my hon. Friend has said, however, and see whether anything can be done.

Is the Minister aware that the officials of the Southern Railway agreed to automatic train control in 1930?

Yes, Sir, but they changed their minds.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport, if he is aware that, despite his assurances that the omnibus services to the Penallta Colliery, South Wales, would now be adequate, some 80 tons of coal were again lost on Wednesday, 26th January, by reason of the failure of the service; and if he will take some further action to remedy this position.

I am aware that on 26th January, one omnibus arrived at Penallta Colliery about an hour late, because the driver overslept. Disciplinary measures have been taken.

Is the Minister aware that on the two following days there were further breakdowns, with a serious effect on the output of this colliery, and will he take adequate steps to deal with it?

I understand that this is the only breakdown that has occurred for a considerable time. If my hon. Friend will let me have details I will look into it again.

Is the Minister aware that a Question was put to him the week before last, and that a number of cases have been reported since 29th December?

Is there any reason why these drivers should not have alarm clocks?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if he is in a position to state when the departmental committee considering the question of a Forth-Clyde ship canal will conclude its deliberations; and will its Report be published.

I understand that the departmental group who are considering the question of a Forth-Clyde ship canal are now awaiting information which may not be received before the end of February, or even later. I cannot, therefore, predict when their deliberations are likely to end. Since certain questions of national security may be involved, my Noble Friend thinks it wiser to make no decision about the publication of the report, until it has been received.

Is the Minister aware that there will be a definite demand for publication of this Report when the time comes?

Yes, Sir. Of course, consideration has been given to the point that the case of both sides must be made public, and I fully agree, but there are matters which cannot be made public and my Noble Friend thinks it better to wait until we see the Report.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport, if, in order to assist drivers, both civilian and military, he will reinstate signposts in inland areas of England.

Yes, Sir. I am doing everything in my power to ensure that the signposts shall be restored as soon as possible in all parts of the country.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if, in his plans for post-war road policy, he is prepared to seek the necessary powers to prohibit road advertisements.

I am glad to assure my hon. and gallant Friend that I will take an early opportunity of considering his proposals in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Town and Country Planning.

Will the Minister make sure that no Member of Parliament ever has his picture put up on the hoardings?

Will the Minister draw the attention of local authorities to the fact that they do not at present exercise their powers?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport how many passages to the U.S.A. and Canada were authorised during the year ended 31st December 1943.

My hon. Friend will realise that my Ministry is not responsible for authorising passages to Canada and the United States. I am, however, obtaining information about the number of passengers who travelled to these countries in 1943, and I will write to him as soon as I can.

asked the Minister of Information whether he can give an assurance that it is a standing instruction of the Postal and Telegraph Censorship that no private letter is copied and circulated for the information of permanent and temporary civil servants unless it is essential for those civil servants to see the material in the interests of the Defence of the Realm.

If, as I assume, my hon. Friend includes the efficient prosecution of the war in the term "Defence of the Realm" I can give him the assurance for which he asks. The instructions as to what information shall be reported to any Government Department are kept under constant review, and the principal object of that review is to ensure that the contents of a letter are not reported unless it is essential for the carrying out of the duties of that Department directly relating to the prosecution of the war.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider reducing the charges for sending air letters and air-graphs to and from members of the Forces serving overseas.

Any reduction in the charge of 6d. for an air letter posted in this country would I fear increase the mail loads beyond the limits of the aircraft capacity available. The number of air letters sent from the Forces overseas is controlled by a rationing system, and it has therefore been possible to fix the charge at 3d. I think the charge of 3d. for airgraphs to and from the Forces overseas is reasonable, having regard to the actual costs of operating the service.

Would my hon. Friend estimate the additional cost of reducing air letters from 6d. to, say, 3d.?

I could not do that without notice.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he proposes to make any changes in the arrangements for issuing civilian clothing of non-austerity design to demobilised sailors: why men who refuse to accept the mass-produced suit as now offered from stores are given in lieu of cash a voucher which is only negotiable at Messrs. Montague Burton, Limited; and if he will immediately put an end to this practice.

With regard to the first part of the Question, the arrangements which shall apply to the issue of civilian clothing to sailors when they come to be demobilised are at present under consideration by the Admiralty in conjunction with the War Office and Air Ministry and other Departments concerned. The second part of the Question appears to arise from a misconception of the practice on discharge from the Service during wartime. Sailors discharged from the Navy are not offered a suit from Government stores; they are offered the choice of a voucher exchangeable for a suit at any branch of Messrs. Montague Burton, Ltd., and if they do not wish to accept this they are given a cash payment which is the same as that allowed to the other two Services and represents the wholesale price of a comparable suit. The third part of the Question does not arise.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why, and when, such a monopoly was arranged, and who authorised it, and why sailors should be treated differently from members of the other Fighting Services?

I am not aware that they are treated differently in principle at all. The number of men so demobilised is comparatively small in war-time, and I think that the contracts Department, because of the smallness of it, gave the contract to one firm; but the whole matter is being reviewed.

When was it authorised?

Does the First Lord not think that this decision is most unfair to the co-operative societies?

Would the First Lord also consider the point of view of my constituents, 3,000 of whom are engaged in manufacturing 50s. suits?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what are the assumptions on which the rates of pay and allowances of naval officers are based.

The basis of the pay code including allowances and pensions for naval officers is that the Navy should provide a career comparable financially with that of the other Services of the Crown and the professions generally.

When these rates of pay are fixed, is there any assumption that the officers or their wives have private means?

No, Sir——

The hon. Member must not ask that question. It was struck out of his original Question, and he must not repeat it in a supplementary question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the serious position regarding riddles for householders; and whether consideration has been given, in the interests of fuel efficiency, to the releasing of materials for the making of riddles.

The Government Departments concerned provide ample material for riddles. Output is only restricted by the labour involved in making them up.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that Russia will be entitled by its recent decision on devolution to 16 separate nation representation at any conference of a world peace organisation to be set up after the conclusion of present hostilities, His Majesty's Government will consider granting similar status to parts of the British Empire, including Scotland and Wales, where the population is much larger than in some of the 16 separate Russian units now established.

It is still too early to say what the precise effect of the recent changes in the constitution of the U.S.S.R. will be. But in any event changes in our own constitutional arrangements will, I feel sure, spring from the needs and character of our own people, rather than from any comparison with the constitutions or population of other States.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a feeling in some quarters that His Majesty's Government are not keeping step with the march of events in diplomatic circles?

Is he also aware that the need for Home Rule for Scotland has been fully established? Why do the Government delay its introduction?

That is a question which should have been put to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

Is it not a fact that the Dominions had separate representation at the last Peace Conference and is this one of the questions likely to be discussed between Dominion Prime Ministers in their meeting in the summer?

That is an entirely different question, and perhaps my hon. Friend will put it on the Paper.

Is the Deputy Prime Minister not aware that the Secretary of State for Scotland is in favour of Home Rule for Scotland, but is being held back by the Deputy Prime Minister and others?

I am not aware of that.

asked the Minister of Production (1) the number of firms who have received capital assistance from public funds; the number who are managing agency schemes and the number who are running shadow factories; and will he publish a White Paper giving the names of the firms and the amount of public funds advanced to each concern;

(2) the total amount of public funds that have been or are proposed to be expended in capital assistance schemes and the total amount on agency or shadow factories; and what policy is it intended to apply to this public expenditure in the post-war period;

(3) what safeguards have been introduced to see that the capital assistance given to firms is used to the best advantage of the nation; is he satisfied with the efficiency of the firms who have received assistance; and how many directors have been nominated by the Government.

These questions raise a number of detailed points, and the answer is in consequence somewhat long and contains a number of figures. I will therefore, with his permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Supply whether the reduction of imports of copper from Rhodesia has been accompanied by an equal reduction of imports from other sources of supply.

The proposed reduction of Northern Rhodesian copper production will not begin to take effect until April, and will not enter fully into effect until June. It will not materially affect imports into the United Kingdom until some months thereafter. The question of the adjustment of production in and importation from other sources of supply is being taken up through the appropriate Combined Board machinery.

Has a reduction of imports from a part of the British Empire been made sooner than a reduction from foreign countries?

Negotiations for reduction in respect of parts of the British Empire have been started before the negotiations with other countries.

Do I understand, therefore, that preference is being given to foreigners over Empire countries?

Have costs of production entered into account in this reduction? Was not Rhodesia one of the cheapest?

There is very little difference in the cost of production. In fact, Rhodesia is not the cheapest.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is now able to make a statement on the question of granting pension rights to Mr. E. W. Russell, who has completed 53 years in the Civil Service, and is now employed by his Department.

For the reasons which have already been explained to the hon. Member, Mr. Russell is not eligible for the grant of a pension.

Arising out of that most unsatisfactory reply, will the Parliamentary Secretary represent to his chief that he should raise this matter with the Cabinet, with a view to getting a decision in this kind of case?

I have noticed that the hon. Member has been putting down Questions about similar cases to a number of Government Departments. If he wishes to challenge the general practice which is adopted throughout the Civil Service, he should address his Question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

If the Parliamentary Secretary will allow me to conduct my business in my own way, I will be glad if he will see that no other member of the staff of the Ministry of Supply is treated in this way.

The hon. Member has written to the Chancellor and has had an extremely full statement about this particular case. So far as this case is concerned it has been dealt with in accordance with the normal practice adopted throughout the Civil Service. If he wishes to raise a question of general principle he should, as I say, address it to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

For the benefit of other hon. Members, can we be informed why a civil servant with 53 years' service does not receive a pension?

The hon. Member is calling in question the general principle and practice adopted throughout the Civil Service.

Why should not a Minister of State accept some responsibility for conditions existing in his Department, and, if he finds them unsatisfactory, make appropriate representations to the Cabinet if that be necessary? Can I have an answer to that question?

It is perfectly well known to the House that there are well established regulations which apply to the Civil Service as a whole. The hon. Member is surely aware that one Department cannot draw up a separate set of rules of its own.

I am suggesting that all Departments should deal with their own affairs.

asked the Minister of Supply (1) what new buildings he has authorised to be erected for the production of penicillin; and will he state their extent, cost, completion dates, occupiers and owners;

(2) what existing buildings he has authorised to be used for the production of penicillin; and for whom were the premises requisitioned.

It is regretted that it is not in the public interest to publish the information asked for.

On a point of Order. Members are sent here to serve this country and their constituents, and surely there can be nothing against the public interest in this Question.

Ministers hide behind that formula all the time.

On a point of Order, I wish to raise a matter, Sir, which affects the protection of Members against the Government at Question Time. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply, in refusing to answer Questions 51 and 52, pleaded the public interest. If you will turn to the Order Paper, I think you will find it difficult to understand how the public interest can be at all affected by a reply to these two Questions. Is it not a fact that you, Sir, are our protector in this matter, and that the Government have, on many occasions, abused this formula to conceal from Members information to which they are undoubtedly entitled? May I respectfully submit that, in this instance, it is not the public interest which is involved, but the protection of certain monopolies, to which the Ministry of Supply are giving certain favours, in this regard as in others? I ask for your protection, Sir, in such a case.

Any Minister can refuse to answer Questions. The responsibility is his. I cannot direct the Minister to give an answer on this matter, though the House may be dissatisfied with the Minister.

Does it not go slightly further than that? It would be perfectly proper for the Government, over a whole range of issues, to adopt this formula and we would be in no position to say whether they were telling the truth or not. Is there not an obligation also imposed on you, Mr. Speaker, to see to it that Question Time, which is the privilege of hon. Members, is not eaten into by the abuse of another privilege?