asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that members of the R.A.F. returning from North Africa and Italy experience as much as three months' delay in getting their pay books transferred to England, during which time they are financially embarassed; and whether he will take steps to speed up this process.

Airmen on returning home from overseas bring their pay books with them. I am aware that there were delays in payment in the past because of the time taken to reach this country of the pay transfer documents which contain essential particulars not included in the pay books. Arrangements have now been made for airmen on disembarkation in the United Kingdom to draw an advance of 75 per cent. of the balance of pay due to them as shown in their pay books, while extensive use is also being made of microgram facilities to secure the speedier transmission of the documents concerned. I hope that these measures will serve to eliminate avoidable delays in future.

Can the Minister say when the arrangement to advance 75 per cent. of the pay books balance came into operation?

On 10th January, 1944.

Is the Minister aware that, as recently as last week, airmen coming from Africa landed with no advance of pay and have had to be helped out privately by their friends?

I am not aware of that, and if the hon. Gentleman will give me particulars of such cases, I shall be very glad to look into them.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the system by which deductions from an airman's pay to the R.A.F. Benevolent Fund are made; and whether such contributions are recognised to be of a voluntary nature.

An airman who wishes to contribute to the R.A.F. Benevolent Fund may authorise the deduction from his pay of a subscription at the rate of half a day's substantive pay per annum. It is well understood by all concerned that this is a purely voluntary arrangement.

Does my right hon. and gallant Friend realise the pressure that can be brought to bear by commanding officers who desire to see their units subscribe well to the Benevolent Fund, by making this something more than a voluntary contri- bution? Will he do everything he can to discourage such action on the part of commanding officers?

No suggestion has reached the Air Ministry that pressure is brought upon men by their commanding officers. If the hon. Gentleman has any information to that effect I shall be very glad to receive it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if he will arrange with the L.P.T.B. for a more frequent service of trains on the various underground railways in view of the altered conditions since the present restricted services were imposed and the need to divert travel from petrol vehicles whenever possible.

During the last two years, the train services of the London Passenger Transport Board have been substantially increased. During the peak periods, there are now the maximum number of trains that the lines will carry. The services at other times are a little less frequent than before the war, but the trains keep their full number of coaches, instead of being reduced in length, as they were then. Taken as a whole, the services now in operation are the maximum that can be operated with the present staff.

Does the hon. Gentleman really indicate that the number of trains operated at the peak period is the same as the pre-war figure?

That is what I am informed.

I would like the hon. Gentleman, if he would, to visit a tube station in the evening when it is being used for purposes other than travel, to see the congestion and realise the risks which are now being run.

That is after the peak period.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if he will give an assurance that all new and renovated passenger rolling stock will contain suitable communication between the guard and every compartment in order that the guard of a train or other qualified train attendant may make announcements to passengers, such as arrival at a station, thereby avoiding the acoustic and other difficulties which at present exist when a train arrives at a station.

My hon. Friend will appreciate that, with the shortage of labour and materials, it would be impracticable to carry out his suggestion at the present time, but I am glad to assure him that it will receive the fullest consideration when the renovation of passenger trains, and the construction of new rolling-stock, becomes possible again.

asked the Minister of Information whether the decision to reinstate Torres in the European Service of the B.B.C. has been carried out.

Mr. Torres is being invited to return to his broadcasting duties at the beginning of next month.

asked the Minister of Information why he has banned the issue of the "Lettera Italiana" circulated by the Free Italy Movement and the Friends of Free Italy to their members.

As my hon. Friend knows, the paper control regulations prohibit new publications during the war, and "Lettera Italiana" could not legally be published unless the Ministry of Supply issued a special licence to enable this to be done. This Ministry is constantly bombarded with proposals for recommending the publication by special licence of journals designed to serve foreign communities in this country. In our view we have gone to the limit already in making exceptions in favour of journals of this kind and we are unable to recommend a further concession in the case mentioned by my hon. Friend.

While not necessarily accepting the Minister's view that a stencilled sheet issued by an association to its members comes within this ban, would he be willing to issue a licence for the publication of the bulletin by the Friends of Free Italy, which is an English association of the highest standing?

Of course I cannot myself issue a licence. I could recommend the Ministry of Supply to issue such a licence, but I do not intend to do so because, as I say, it is quite impossible to start any more papers in foreign languages.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will consider the interests of students of the Italian language in this country, who read every word of that valuable publication with immense profit? There is no other publication in Italian, so far as I know, in this country.

That is more an attack on the British Council than an encouragement of the Ministry of Information.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Information whether he has considered the article in the "New Times and Ethiopia News," a copy of which has been sent to him, suggesting that Ethiopia was reconquered solely by Ethiopian arms and that an intrigue is in progress by British military authorities to produce a faked plebiscite in certain areas in the country; and if, in view of the prejudicial effect on the Allied war effort, he will take action to stop this propaganda and counteract its effects.

asked the Minister of Information whether he has considered the issue of "New Times and Ethiopian News" of 4th March, 1944, a copy of which has been sent to him, charging the British authorities with a gross breach of faith, intrigues to dismember Ethiopia and a plan for a faked plebiscite by British military authorities in reserved areas; and whether he will cease giving facilities for the publication of this paper.

I have read the article to which my hon. Friends refer. It is plain that the author is trying to champion Ethiopia by blackening the name of this country. But I think that the record of British military achievement in Ethiopia and of our subsequent dealings with that country can stand up for themselves.

Is the Minister aware that this paper, whatever its defects, has been a very useful watchdog in the interests of Ethiopia, and that if this particular article is unjustified, the best way to deal with it is to give a definite assurance that no such plebiscite has been arranged or is contemplated?

I am afraid I cannot agree with the hon. Lady. This paper contains attacks on England which are worthy of Goebbels. It has insulted the British troops who have rescued Ethiopia, and in my opinion it is a poisonous rag.

asked the Minister of Information whether, in view of the continued fall in the output of coal and the strikes in the coalfields, he will re-examine the question of the hours of broadcasting, with a view to closing down the news programme at 11 p.m. thus saving fuel, power and light.

The suggestion made by the hon. Member has been examined several times in the past two years, but it has always been found, after consultation with the Ministry of Fuel and Power, that its adoption would not result in any appreciable saving of fuel.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a recent test from a London power station showed that the result would be an immediate drop in the load of 45,000 horse power, equivalent to a saving of 5,300 tons of coal?

Instead of adopting these artificial devices to solve the fuel problem, might not the Government give a little time to considering their whole policy?

I, fortunately, have only one Department of the Government to represent. I dare say that the question will be read in the proper quarters. I did not quite understand the supplementary of the hon. Member for Gateshead (Mr. Magnay), but if he will send his document to me I will look into it.

asked the Minister of Information whether he can give any information to the House as to the methods employed by the Soviet Government for making known to the people of Russia details of the material assistance we are giving to their war efforts, the achievements of the British Forces by land, sea and air, and also the war-time conditions of work and life of the people of Britain.

The Soviet Press and radio carry current news about the British war effort and the achievements of the British Forces, and information is also given in lectures to Soviet factory workers and the Red Army. The authorities there also undertake on our behalf the sale and distribution of "The British Ally" and "The British Chronicle."

Were the results satisfactory, and is there now closer and more understanding knowledge from our Russian Allies of what we are doing now?

I would not like to make such a great generalisation, but I can say that the sale of our papers in Russia is extremely good; in fact, we are constantly asking the Russians to provide us with more paper to meet the demands. I dare say that, by reading a paper for a long time, people are helped to understand what we are doing.

asked the Minister of Information why no speaker was sent to a meeting, particulars of which have been forwarded to him; why no notice was given to the organisation concerned that no speaker would arrive; and what disciplinary action does he propose to take.

I understand that the speaker had been bombed out in a recent air-raid and had been sent to the country by doctor's orders. Unfortunately, the Ministry's London office were not informed, and they did not know that she was unable to keep her engagement. My hon. Friend will agree that in the circumstances, no action is called for and, in any event, the speaker was not a member of the staff of the Ministry.

When the speaker was bombed out, why did not some official of the Ministry inform the organisation?

I thought I had explained that the official could not communicate with the convenors of the meeting, for the good reason that the official was not notified that this lady could not keep her engagement.

Did the right hon. Gentleman have any complaint from the audience?

None whatever.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider whether the attendance at these gatherings is sufficiently large to warrant continuing the work? Would he also consider the qualifications of these speakers?

That is rather a different question. All I can say to my hon. Friend is that these meetings take a great deal of organising. We certainly make no effort to thrust them on the community. As the Minister, I am always full of anxiety about what speakers or lecturers may say on platforms, because in the end some remark is brought to the attention of this House, and I have to justify my perambulating orator.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether grants under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act, 1940, can exceed £5,000,000 in any one year if in any previous year, or years, they have fallen below that figure;

(2) how it is intended that schemes which have been approved under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act, but not put into effect owing to war-time difficulties, shall be carried out, in view of the fact that unspent balances cannot be carried forward.

The Colonial Development and Welfare Act provides for expenditure on schemes for Colonial development and welfare up to a maximum of £5,000,000 in any financial year. Money not spent in any year cannot be carried forward, but can be reprovided in the subsequent year; of course, within the maximum limit. The statement of policy (Cmd. 6175) expressly stated that during the war it could not be expected that expenditure would reach the limit, but it also said that the limit would be subject to review and could be increased by Parliament. I can give an assurance to the House that a review will be undertaken before there is any likelihood of the annual expenditure reaching the maximum figure. Such a review would include not only the point raised in the Question, but the general adequacy of the provisions of the Act in the light of the experience gained since 1940 of the post-war requirements of the Colonies.

Does not that mean that it will be necessary to raise the maximum, in view of the fact that the Act expires in 1950, and that under present arrangements it will not have achieved what it was set up to do?

I stated in the House, in the Debate last spring, that, according to the experience gained in the last few years, it would seem that the maximum laid down under the Act was going to be inadequate for present requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what expenditure under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act has been approved; and how much has been spent on Africa as a whole, the East African territories and Northern Rhodesia in particular.

As the reply necessarily contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Does the Minister contemplate sending out a mission under the Development and Welfare Act, as the amount of money spent in these territories so far has been very small indeed?

No, I do not think that is the way to proceed. During my tour through these territories, I spent much time trying to see that appropriate machinery was set up in each Colony in order to prepare the plans. I do not believe that bodies in this country can really prepare detailed plans for a Colony of which they have no acquaintanceship.

Has not this action in the West Indies been very successful?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has issued, or intends to issue, any recommendations or instructions to all Colonial Governments with regard to arrangements for the retraining and suitable employment of European and non-European disabled Service men.

Yes, Sir. I welcome the opportunity of making a statement on this matter. As it is rather long, I propose to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I take it that the right hon. and gallant Gentleman will see that his answer gets publicity in the required quarters?

It will be printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the statement:

My purpose is to secure that, as far as the Government measures can prevent it, throughout the Colonial Empire, as in the United Kingdom, no disabled service man should find himself compelled by reason of his disability to subsist on charity. The resettlement in civil life of Colonial persons disabled as a result of enemy action (including their training to a new occupation where that is necessary) is an obligation of the Colony in which they live. The establishment of rehabilitation centres is likely to be a matter of considerable difficulty and expense in providing the specialised staff and equipment, and it is clear that the best results are likely to be achieved from the establishment of a few highly-efficient institutions, each serving as wide an area as possible, rather than relying on small institutions which can provide neither the specialised medical or surgical treatment, nor the training necessary in many cases to provide an alternative means of livelihood for the disabled person.

Rehabilitation centres are being established in Accra, to serve Nigeria, the Gold Coast, Sierra Leone and the Gambia, and in Nairobi, which will accept disabled service men from all the East African territories, and also from Mauritius and Seychelles if required. At each of these centres the facilities provided will, it is hoped, include a vocational training centre (under a supervisor trained in modern methods), at which the men will be taught such trades as will afford them a reasonable prospect of earning a livelihood. The Palestine Government have put forward specific proposals regarding the medical problems of rehabilitation and are now considering the problem of vocational training. In Malta also these problems are under close examination. I have addressed the Governors of a number of other Colonies with a view to ensuring that local arrangements are prepared in detail.

Colonial Governments are being given particulars of the facilities provided for disabled men, both service and civilian, in this country, and are being asked to consider whether any special legislation is required locally, such as is contained in the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act. In considering questions of rehabilitation of Colonial persons, the fullest use is being made of the knowledge and experience of the Ministries of Health, Pensions, and Labour and National Service. The training of blinded persons for employment in the Colonies presents a special problem, on which St. Dunstan's and the National Institute for the Blind have been good enough to promise their co-operation. Colonial disabled service men who are brought to this country are eligible for all the facilities provided for British troops, and a few cases are now under treatment and about to start their training before they return to their homes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the consideration of minimum standards of social policy in dependent territories by the Conference of the I.L.O., to be held in Philadelphia on 20th April, he can make any statement as to the attitude of His Majesty's Govment towards the draft recommendations; and whether the Colonial Office will be specially represented at the Conference.

This recommendation of 53 Articles has been drafted by the International Labour Office for discussion at the International Conference, at which representatives of my Department and a member of the Colonial Service will be included in His Majesty's Government's Delegation. Many of the principles contained in the draft recommendation are already being applied in the Colonial Empire, and the attitude of His Majesty's Government is generally favourable. I should prefer to avoid any detailed statement which might be regarded as limiting free discussion at the Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now arrange for the selection and appointment in the early post-war period of an organiser with wide and appropriate experience, for the further development of cottage and rural industries in the African Colonies.

I am obtaining information from the East and West African Governments on the prospects and possibilities of the development of cottage and rural industries. Until I receive this information I regret that I can add nothing to the reply which I gave on the 28th October last.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman expect the information fairly soon?

Fairly soon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the absence of effective trade union development in the East African Colonies, he will consider repeating the experiment which proved successful elsewhere of sending out British trade unionists to foster local trade union development.

Yes, Sir. As indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mr. Riley) on 8th March, I am anxious to see this experiment widely extended, and was glad to note for example that considerable support was expressed for a departure of this kind in a debate in the Kenya Legislature in December last. I hope that this will be followed up.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman making arrangements for sending out such a mission, or does he contemplate doing so?

It is not a question of sending out a mission. What the hon. Gentleman refers to is the appointment of trade unionists—people experienced in the trade union movement in this country—as Labour Officers in the Colonies.

Have not the trade unionists who were appointed Labour Officers in the Colonies in the past done very valuable service?

They have been very successful indeed.

And they are still working there?

Oh, yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that, despite the commission of inquiry now sitting in Mauritius, considerable discontent exists respecting alleged maladministration of food control; and whether, in view of strikes and disturbance, resulting in injuries and arrests, special investigation will be made through a Royal Commission or otherwise, on which there would be labour representation.

As regards the first part of this Question, wide measures of food control are necessary having regard to the isolated position of the island and its dependence on imported supplies. My adviser on Wartime Food Supplies has recently visited Mauritius to assist the local authorities with his expert advice on their problems of control and distribution. As regards the second part of the Question, the Commission of Inquiry was appointed by the Governor with my approval to report on the disturbances, and on the information before me I see no reason to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion for the appointment of a Royal Commission.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether we are likely to have a Report available to this House?

No, I am afraid I could not.

Shall we have no information at all?

I did not say that. I said I could not, at the moment, say what information is likely to be available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Jewish refugees deported from Palestine over three years ago because they entered it without Palestinian certificates are still interned in Mauritius; and whether he will arrange for these persons, where suitable for employment, to be released for arms or civilian employment in Palestine or elsewhere and for their families to be sent back to Palestine.

There are some 1,400 Jewish refugees in Mauritius. Opportunities have been afforded for service with the Allied Forces to refugees who are suitable. Some 80 Czechs left the Island in 1942 for service with the Allied Forces but there were so many desertions from among those sent to the Middle East that the Czech military authorities cancelled the departure of further volunteers. These were given an opportunity of serving in His Majesty's Forces in the Pioneer Corps but they declined. It is open to any refugee in Mauritius to volunteer for service with the Pioneer Corps. In addition, eight Polish Jewish refugees left Mauritius in April, 1943, for service with the Polish forces in the Middle East. As regards the question of employment outside Mauritius these refugees are, in the circumstances of their transfer to Mauritius, precluded from entry into Palestine, and it has not been found possible up to the present to make arrangements for their employment elsewhere. As regards the last part of the Question, so far as I am aware four men who volunteered and were accepted for service with the Forces left their wives in Mauritius one has been admitted to the United Kingdom, and approval has been given for the admission of another.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of the circumstances under which these people originally tried to enter Palestine illegally and that the subsequent terror in Europe has fully justified their attempt; and that if they tried it on now they would have been admitted to Palestine? Is it not rather hard that they should be penalised for over three years for an attempt which would have been perfectly successful and justified if it had happened now?

The main thing is that in Mauritius they are in perfect safety.

Is it not a fact that a large proportion of these people are not qualified either by age or sex for service in any part of the Armed Forces, and is it not equally true that all these people have been kept in enforced idleness for three years in Mauritius, and is it not now possible to allow them to be engaged upon useful labour on the island?

They are engaged in useful labour on the island. They are not kept in enforced idleness, and everybody able and willing to work is working in the camp.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say how long that has prevailed?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the unrest among the inhabitants of Mauritius due to increasing prices and a steep rise in the cost of living; whether he will consider the regulation of prices of essential commodities and also fix minimum wages in consonance with the increased cost of living.

The causes of the recent unrest in Mauritius are the subject of an investigation by a Commission of Enquiry. All possible measures of control of price and distribution of essential commodities are being constantly taken by the Colonial Government. Minimum wage rates for categories of monthly employed workers have been increased as recently as the beginning of this year.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether the increases correspond with the increased cost of living for workers in Mauritius?

If the hon. Gentleman will look at the very full answer which I gave on 19th January, he will find all the information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the Government's intention to amend the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance in Trinidad; and when can legislative action be expected.

Yes, Sir. I am asking the Governor to inform me when legislative action can be expected.

Is the Minister aware that the workpeople have been promised this legislation for a very long time, and that they have been very patient, and can he assure tie House that this matter will be expedited?

I am trying to find out. The only difficulty is that there is to be a meeting later in the year of all the officers in the West Indies on the question of workmen's compensation, and the Government may think it better to hold up the legislation until after the meeting.

Is it not a fact that, 12 or 13 years ago, the Colonial Office provided a draft scheme of workmen's compensation recommended for adoption in all Colonies? Why should we still be waiting for information?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question down.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Demerara Bauxite Company in British Guiana does not allow their employees to be in membership of any kind of trade union organisation; and whether he proposes to take any steps in the matter.

My information is that membership of a trade union is not a bar to employment by this company. A full report from the Governor is, however, now on its way to me.

Is the Minister aware that, according to Press reports in this country, trade unions are prohibited by this company, and that workers in the bauxite mines are not allowed freedom of association?

I am not aware of that. On the contrary, a letter was sent to the labour union by the Commissioner of Labour, with the authority of the company, stating expressly that membership is not a bar to employment by the company.

Is it not highly undesirable, both in this country and the Empire, to force men to join a trade union if they do not want to do so?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made with the introduction of the new constitution in Jamaica; whether the census returns on which the electoral roll is based has been completed; and when a general election will take place.

Good progress has been made in the preparations for the introduction of the new Constitution in Jamaica. The census returns on which the new electoral roll will be based are already in the hands of the Jamaican Government. It is not possible at present to state when a general election will take place.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the recommendations of the Franchise Committee set up in British Guiana and Trinidad three years ago have now been received and made public; whether census arrangements have been made in preparation for an extension of the franchise; and will he make a statement showing the present position and prospects.

I have received and am considering the report of the Franchise Committee in Trinidad. It will be published in the Colony together with Government's proposals for action on it as soon as these have been drawn up. I understand that a report signed by 11 of the 21 members of the British Guiana Franchise Commission has been submitted to the Governor, together with a minority report signed by one member. The Governor is awaiting the comments or signatures of the remaining members of the Commission. No special arrangements have yet been made for a census in connection with the possible future extension of the franchise in either colony.

Is the Colonial Secretary alive to the necessity for expediting this matter?

Yes, I am very much alive to it. I gather that it will be unnecessary to have special arrangements for a census. With regard to the position of British Guiana, the chief obstacle is that six members did not sign the Report, but said they would forward comments to the Governor. These have not been received.

Can we have these Reports placed in the Library?

As soon as possible, I will lay them before the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many official positions in Nigeria are held by the wives of British Colonial officials and traders.

Complete figures are not available here and the Governor is being asked for a report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the salaries paid in Nigeria to European and African doctors, respectively, with the same qualifications.

There are two scales of salary in Nigeria for Government medical officers who are required to have similar minimum professional qualifications. Those not domiciled in West Africa and appointed by me to the Colonial Medical Service start at £660 and rise by increments to £1,200. Those domiciled in West Africa and appointed locally start at £400 and rise to £720.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say why there is this distinction, and whether it is not a fact that Africans domiciled in Nigeria have a definitely lower salary than Europeans who come to do the work now?

I dealt with this matter rather fully last week, in answer to a Question.