asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now give further information about the death of a British officer with the E.D.E.S. guerillas in Greece; and whether he has any evidence that the E.L.A.S. knew of his presence with the E.D.E.S.

Yes, Sir. The British officer was with an Allied mission attached to an E.D.E.S. band. The E.D.E.S. guerillas left the village in which they were stationed at the approach of an E.L.A.S. force, but the Allied mission remained in their house and were still there when the E.L.A.S. force entered the village. Shortly afterwards, the British officer was shot by an E.L.A.S. guerilla just outside the house. These events took place last October, but it was only on 1st March that information was received that an inquiry into the matter had been conducted in Greece. The results of this inquiry only reached Cairo at the end of last month and are being urgently examined there. A copy of the report is being forwarded to London.

May I ask whether, if the further examination shows that the charge of murder was based upon incorrect information, my right hon. Friend will make a further statement?

Yes, Sir. Obviously I must not prejudge the position, and I can say no more until I have got the document and the matter has been fully examined. Clearly, if there has been any misstatement, we should wish to put it right.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on the crisis which has arisen among the Greek armed forces in the Middle East; and whether, in expectation of a political settlement which now seems possible by the formation of the Venezelos Government, he will assist the restoration of normal conditions in the Greek armed forces by securing an amnesty to those who were involved.

am able to inform the House that the disorders which recently broke out in the Greek Army and Navy have now been almost completely cleared up. It is for the Greek Government to decide what measures shall be taken against those who were responsible for these deplorable incidents in their Forces. It must be remembered that a British officer was killed.

In the hope of putting an end to political disunity the King of Greece has already declared his intention of forming a Government as representative as possible, made up of all trends of patriotic opinion to the exclusion only of those who have collaborated with the enemy against their fellow countrymen in the common cause. His Majesty's Government are in full agreement with this policy and will give the King of Greece and his Government all possible support in its execution.

Will the Prime Minister do everything possible to see that the interests in Greece that are now fighting against the enemy are fully represented in that Government, and give an assurance to the Greek people that we shall not attempt to force King George upon them against their wish?

We shall certainly try to get representatives in that Government of those who are really fighting the enemy; some of them seem to be more busy fighting their own countrymen. With regard to the future of Greece, it has been repeatedly stated that we shall not interfere with the decision of the Greek people, once normal conditions have been more or less restored.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government now recognises Dr. Benes as being the President of Czechoslovakia.

Yes, Sir.

Is it not a fact that Dr. Benes voluntarily resigned the Presidency of Czechoslovakia on 5th October, 1938? By whom has he been re-elected? Will my right hon. Friend, further, bear in mind in dealing with occupied countries, including Czechoslovakia, when these questions arise, that it is not necessarily only the Fascists and the Nazis who may seek to set up Quisling governments?

I am not quite sure that follow my hon. and gallant Friend. We made, if I remember aright, an arrangement, which was announced and approved by this House—I think it was about three years ago—and by it we resumed our relations with Dr. Benes and the Czechoslovakian Government which is here.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that Dr. Benes is not now, in fact, the President of Czechoslovakia, he having himself abdicated?

He has re-elected himself.

That is not the position which His Majesty's Government take up.

Is it not a fact that this outstanding statesman is supported by all the people of his country?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will consider the advisability of consulting with other members of the United Nations with a view to the adoption of a flag, emblem or other symbol to be used, in addition to national emblems, as a visual expression of Allied unity both during the war and in the building-up of the new world peace organisation decided on at the Moscow Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consult the leaders of the other United Nations as to the advisability of adopting a United Nations flag, in order to make clear the international status of U.N.R.R.A. and other United Nations commissions which will be called upon to co-operate in areas now under enemy control.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Minister of State gave to the hon. Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) on 29th June, 1943. As stated on that occasion, this matter is one which concerns all the United Nations, whose views are unlikely to have been formulated as yet. His Majesty's Government doubt, there- fore, whether the very complicated discussions, in which it would be necessary to engage if my hon. Friend's suggestion were adapted, would produce any fruitful result or reveal any consensus of opinion at present. Moreover, these consultations would inevitably take a very long time, and I do not think that this is quite the moment to embark upon them.

Is any flag being used by U.N.R.R.A., or similar organisations, at the present time?

Not that I know of.

Cannot the British Government take the initiative in a matter like this? Why must 'we always say: "This is a matter for all the United Nations"? Would it not be much more impressive to have one flag flying over Hitler's palace in Berlin than a couple of dozen flags, for all the United Nations?

No.

I think that is a matter of assessment.

Is it not a fact that all the principal flags, whatever their other colours, have a piece of red on them?

The hon. Gentleman has most helpfully illustrated the difficulties which might arise.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any information as to the use which is being made, at present, of the League of Nations buildings in Geneva.

Apart from the offices occupied by the Acting Secretary-General and a comparatively small staff of officials and clerks, and the library, which is open to the public, the greater part of the buildings of the League of Nations at Geneva is at present closed.

Has consideration been given to the possibility of making these premises serve some useful purpose?

I should like to have notice of that Question, although I do not think we can do much about it.

Could they be used as a hospital to nurse the League of Nations back to health?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can give an assurance that, in connection with the proposed publication of certain documents relating to events prior to the outbreak of war, all the relevant documents of the period including diplomatic and service despatches will be included.

As I said in reply to the hon. Member for Stoke on Trent (Mr. Ellis Smith) on 25th March, the proposal is to publish the most important documents in the Foreign Office archives relating to British foreign policy between 1919 and 1939. The aim will be to present a full and accurate historical record, and all the documents necessary to this end will be included in the collection.

Who is to be in charge of this publication? Also, will the actions taken by politicians on the recommendations made by the Foreign Office to the Cabinet be included in the issue?

Professor Woodward has undertaken this task, and I think we are fortunate in getting so distinguished a historian for the purpose. As regards documents, everything in the Foreign Office is available to him.

Owing to the very limited nature of the reply, may I give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what replies he has received to the representations made to the Governments of Turkey, Sweden and Portugal in regard to the despatch from those countries to Germany of vital war materials.

As regards the representations which His Majesty's Ambassador at Angora and his United States colleague recently made to the Turkish Government on the general question of economic assistance to Germany, I am happy to tell the hon. Member that the Turkish reply was most friendly and co-operative in nature. He will also have heard of the announcement made in the National Assembly by the Turkish Minister for Foreign Affairs that, as from 21st April onwards, the Turkish Government had decided to prohibit the export of chrome to Germany or her Allies. I should add that at the same time the Minister for Foreign Affairs made it clear that Turkey would continue to supply chrome to the United Kingdom. As regards Sweden, I understand that my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare, is making a statement after Questions. As regards Portugal negotiations are still in progress with a view to limiting the export of wolfram to Germany. I hope shortly to be in a position to make a statement on this subject.

In regard to Portugal, which country seems the most unhelpful, can the right hon. Gentleman not make representations to the Portuguese Government that the people of this country will not forget that thousands of their sons owe, and others probably will owe, their deaths to the twenty-fold increase of wolfram supplies from Portugal to Germany?

I am not sure that I accept the hon. Gentleman's figures and I am not sure that they are right, but I think I can say that we have made it quite plain to the Portuguese Government that we think we have a right to ask that this traffic shall cease.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his conversations with the Polish Government on the question of anti-Semitism in the Polish forces in this country have now been reopened; if he can give any account of the progress of these conversations; and if the subjects discussed or to be discussed include the possibility of the transfer to the British Forces of those Jews still remaining in the Polish Forces who desire such transfer.

His Majesty's Ambassador to Poland, on my instructions, has brought to the attention of the Polish Government the full report of the Debate which the House held on this subject on 6th April. He has impressed upon the Polish Government the great importance which His Majesty's Government attach to the Polish Government continuing and intensifying their efforts to eradicate any manifestations of anti-Semitism, in the Polish Forces stationed in this country and taking all the steps open to them to ensure that their policy is translated into appropriate action in the lower ranks of the Polish Army. The Polish Government have kept His Majesty's Government informed of the course of the inquiries which they have instituted. Those inquiries are not, however, completed and I am not yet in a position to make a further statement on the matter. As I stated in reply to the hon. Member on 5th April, I am not now prepared to discuss with the Polish Government the possibility of further transfers of Polish Jews from the Polish to the British Forces and this matter was not included in the above conversations.

If, as the latest Polish Government statement alleges, there are comparatively few Jews who are unhappy or persecuted in the Polish Forces, does not that materially simplify the problem of any transfer, from an operational point of view? If only a few dozen or so are involved, it would surely not dislocate our invasion plans?

It is not really a question of the dislocation of our invasion plans. I think the House will understand how delicate and difficult it is from the point of view that here we are, as we all know, with great operations impending. I do not think it is really practicable for me to urge an Allied Government to allow some of their Forces to be transferred to our Forces.

In any further representations to the Polish Government will the right hon. Gentleman's Department use the bluntest possible language, and say that this kind of treatment must not be applied to any rank, and that, in addition, the Polish military authorities in this country, who have violated every principle of democracy—

Order.

If the hon. Member is making any comment on the proceedings of a court-martial that is out of Order.

I apologise if I have made a mistake and if I have unintentionally rendered myself liable to misunderstanding. May I put it this way? Will my right hon. Friend in the course of any further representations he makes to the Polish Government, point out that this House has not been satisfied—[HON. MEMBERS: No"]—with the previous statement and will he see, in addition, that these non-Jewish Russian Poles are also saved from similar treatment?

I thought my answer made it plain that we have spoken in the frankest, as in the friendliest, terms to an Allied Government. I am quite convinced myself from what has been said by the Polish Prime Minister himself that everything possible is being done by the Polish authorities. I hope the House will not adopt any contrary assumption, which I am sure is mistaken.

In view of the possibility of great dissatisfaction arising in the Polish Forces, which might be inimical to any Allied action, will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the request made to him in the Question?

The hon. Member means about the transfer? I am extremely sorry, but I have explained that at the present juncture I cannot put pressure on a Government, or invite any Government, to allow any part of their Forces to transfer themselves to our Forces.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at the same time as the Polish military authorities are insisting on retaining Polish Jews in the Polish Army, the Polish naval authorities are refusing to allow British Jews serving in the British Navy, to serve in Polish destroyers and are insisting that they shall be put ashore even though they are members of British naval detachments manning ships lent by the Admiralty?

I know nothing of that. I will be glad if the hon. Member will give me any evidence, but it does not affect the main thesis, which I feel I must lay down, that at a time like this, I cannot encourage the transfer of Forces from one country to another.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that some 30 Jewish Servicemen have been sentenced by Polish courts-martial, under authority granted to Allied Governments in this country by Parliament, to terms of imprisonment of from one to three years, although the circumstances in which these men were arrested were similar to those in which about 200 other Jewish Servicemen and women were transferred recently from the Polish to the British Army without punishment; and if he will negotiate with the Polish Government to secure the commutation of these sentences.

I am informed that 21 soldiers have been sentenced and that the sentences vary between one and two years' imprisonment. They were charged with absenting themselves without leave with the intention of evading service in the Polish Army. One year's imprisonment is the minimum sentence laid down for this offence in the Polish military code; the maximum sentence is 15 years.

As I stated in reply to the hon. Member on 5th April, the arrangements made for the transfer of some 200 Polish Jewish soldiers to the British Forces constituted an entirely exceptional departure from normal practice. Since that time, the Polish authorities have instituted a full inquiry into the men's grievances and have taken steps to remedy them. Moreover, on 13th March, the Polish Minister of National Defence issued an order to the Polish Army, in which he warned all ranks that the pardon granted to the earlier deserters must not be regarded as a precedent, and that in future the penalties provided by law for desertion in wartime, would be enforced against all who refused to do their duty as Polish citizens, The men recently sentenced all absented themselves from their units after this order had been issued.

In the circumstances, I regret that I am not prepared to intervene in the manner which the hon. Member suggests, understand, however, that the sentences are subject to confirmation by higher Polish military authority. I am sure that in considering the matter the Polish authorities will give full weight to the extenuating circumstances.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, although they absented themselves after that warning, it was only because conditions had not in fact been ameliorated by the excellent instructions issued by the Polish Government, and therefore the circumstances were really precisely the same as those in which the previous groups were accepted by us?

I do not think so. I have carefully considered this matter. It has also been considered by the Cabinet. With every desire to do what we can in the matter, I think that my answer goes as far as we can go.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a state of things highly prejudicial to discipline in the Polish Army would be created, if it got abroad that deserters could secure the protection of the British Parliament?

Is it not a fact that most of these soldiers have returned to duty while awaiting confirmation of their sentence?

I think that is so. I am not quite sure.

Will the Foreign Secretary use his kind offices to enable those of us who feel strongly on this matter to meet Polish representatives to plead the case of these unhappy people?

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has himself seen the Polish Prime Minister on this subject, and I do feel that perhaps we ought to continue to use the ordinary channels.

Can the Foreign Secretary see to it in dealing with this problem that none of these Polish soldiers shall be punished on British soil in excess of that which would be imposed on British soldiers for similar offences?

I think it is quite clear from the answer I have given that that is not so.

Is it not evident that the Polish military authorities are doing their very best to stamp out this anti-Semitism; and are there not limits which prevent us from interfering with discipline in the Polish Army?

Is not the equivalent punishment in the British Army, imprisonment for life?

In view of new facts which have come to light, and the new situation which has arisen, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment on Friday of this week.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that a number of Ukranian, White Russian, and other Orthodox Christian soldiers of the Polish Army have recently absented themselves without leave, on the grounds of certain grievances which they allege they suffer from; that these men are now liable to court-martial; and whether he will use this good offices with the Polish Government to see that these grievances are redressed.

Yes, Sir, I am aware of this case and have instructed His Majesty's Ambassador to Poland to seek further information on the subject urgently from the Polish Government.

In view of the fact that these Orthodox Christian soldiers of the Polish Army have lost whatever roots they ever had in Poland, and therefore are not spiritually part of the Polish Army, will my right hon. Friend see that, if it is technically possible, they shall be transferred to the British Army?

We have approached the Polish Government on the subject, and I must surely allow them to give us their statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the purpose for which facilities have been granted to trade union representatives to visit Italy.

Facilities were granted at the request of the Trades Union Congress for the visit to Italy of one or two trades union representatives, in order that they may be able to ascertain the possibilities of organisation among the Italian workers and the possibilities of rebuilding the Italian trade union movement. The purpose of the visit is purely exploratory.

Is it the intention of the Government to grant similar facilities to members of other associations desiring to proceed to Italy in the interests of post-war trade, or for other purposes?

No other request has been received. This request was made to the Government, and it was considered, and we saw no reason to object to it. If my hon. and gallant Friend has other proposals no doubt he will let me know?

Would they be considered sympathetically?

That is what we always try to do.

Would it not be possible for the young Tory Progressives to go to Italy?

asked the Secretary of State for Air what sums of public money have been paid to, or expended on behalf of, the British Overseas Airways Corporation for each of the financial years 1940–41, 1941–42, 1942–43 and 1943–44.

With my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT particulars of the amounts paid from Air Vote 8 (Civil Aviation) to meet the difference between the cash expenditure and the revenue of the British Overseas Airways Corporation for the financial years in question.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the British Overseas Airways Corporation has rendered annual accounts, with statements, particulars and reports, as required by Sections 22 and 23 of the British Overseas Airways Act, 1939.

Yes, Sir. Statements of Accounts and Reports have been laid before the House for the years 1940–41, 1941–42 and 1942–43.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many aircraft, the property of the Crown, are now being operated by the British Overseas Airways Corporation.

The British Overseas Airways Corporation are at present operating 106 aircraft allotted to them by His Majesty's Government for purposes connected with the war.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why his Department has decided to abandon the policy of direct labour upon all R.A.F. stations, and handed over responsibility with regard to repairs and maintenance to private contractors; what number of men are at present employed on this work; to what firms contracts for the future have been allocated; and the stations affected throughout the country.

There has been no change of policy, and both direct labour and private contractors' labour are being employed on repair and maintenance at R.A.F. stations, in varying proportions. About 4,500 men are employed by the Air Ministry on building maintenance and repair at R.A.F. stations, and some 8,500 by contractors. Contracts have been le: to some 250 firms, covering all stations in this country with a few exceptions.

Am I to understand that there is no change in policy with regard to the employment of men at the aerodromes West of the Severn? Is it now stated that there are no private contractors taking over what hitherto has been undertaken by the Ministry itself?

No, Sir, there has been no change of policy with regard to the employment of labour, both direct and indirect. We vary the proportion of men employed, direct and indirect, because we have a fixed allocation from the Ministry of Labour of men we are allowed to employ directly. Therefore, if we require certain specific trades of men, beyond our fixed allocation of labour, we let out a contract for maintenance.

That is evasion. Is it not a fact that quite a large number of stations West of the Severn, which hitherto have been run directly by the Ministry, are now to be transferred to private undertakings?

No, Sir. I cannot tell the hon. Member about individual stations, but if he will let me have particulars of any individual stations, I will look into them. I want to make it clear that there is no change of policy with regard to direct and indirect labour, but we vary our proportions, in accordance with the allocation of labour made to us by the Ministry.

Is it not the case that direct labour is more extravagant?

asked the Secretary of State for Air what are the special and differentiating reasons which justify the R.A.F. granting commissions and uniforms to education officers and then employing them on a civilian basis and giving them a lower rate of pay than comparable officers, both in the R.A.F. and in the other Services; and wheher he will now make an inquiry into the matter.

Officers of the Royal Air Force Educational Services are appointed as civilian teachers, and paid as such. They are granted commissions in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, to facilitate their mobilisation should the need to mobilise them arise, but it is not considered justifiable to grant Service pay and allowances to those who, in fact, retain their civilian status. As regards the last part of the Question, my right hon. Friend has decided, with a view to surveying the problems that will arise during the transition from war to peace and in planning the education side of the peacetime Air Force, to appoint a Committee, regarding the membership of which he has been in consultation with my right hon. Friends the President of the Board of Education and the Secretary of State for Scotland, to inquire into the functions and organisation of the Service and into the duties and conditions of employment of education officers, and to recommend such changes, if any, as may be considered necessary or desirable.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that that answer will be received with much satisfaction?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will take steps to ensure that for the present no one shall be employed at, or have access to, an air base, either in use or under construction, within the bounds of Northern Ireland, except a person who is a native of and resides in, the United Kingdom.

No, Sir, and I am advised that the security safeguards for men so employed are already adequate.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that there is grave dissatisfaction, particularly among the Americans, about the employment of outside people upon these air bases and aerodromes, especially those convenient to the Border? It has been expressed in the public Press.

No, Sir, I am not aware of any great dissatisfaction, and I cannot think that any dissatisfaction which was expressed would really be of much substance, unless the person expressing dissatisfaction had full knowledge of the security measures that we take.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether he can give any figures for the output of aircraft from Short Brothers' factories in the 12 months since the change in management compared with the preceding 12 months.

Yes, Sir. The output for the 12 months' period up to 3rst March last, during which the new management was in charge of the Short Bros group, showed an increase over the preceding 12 months of 69 per cent. overall in aircraft delivered, as well as a considerable volume of spares. The average number of workers employed during the last year was less than that in the preceding period.

Do these results not prove the correctness and the value of the action taken by the Minister at that time; and will he bear in mind that these results will give great satisfaction to the trade union movement, whose members have demanded that national interests and efficiency should be put before vested interests?

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether he is aware that the proposed terms of the Government expropriation of the business of jet-propulsion engines and the terms exacted from the directors of Power Jets, Limited, are regarded by many of the smaller shareholders as unfair; and if he will reconsider this matter.

No, Sir. The terms were negotiated with the directors, and the shareholders will have the opportunity of recording their votes, for or against, at the meeting of shareholders which is shortly to be held.

Is this policy being applied to a specific company and a specific invention, or will it be applied to other inventions of national importance, owned by the bigger combines?

This is not a policy; it is a specific case, in which certain premises and machinery have been provided by His Majesty's Government, who now wish to resume them on fair terms.

Is it not unfair, say, to a small shareholder who is a prisoner in Japanese hands, that this question of his shareholding—a small one—should be decided in his absence?

That is a matter of company law.

asked the Minister of Information the purpose of the visit of Miss Freya Stark to America; and for what period and at what expense this visit has been arranged by his Department.

Miss Freya Stark is a member of the Middle East staff of the Ministry of Information. She was granted leave of absence in order to visit America to deliver lectures, at the invitation of the Oriental Institute of Chicago. Her salary and her travelling expenses are being paid by the Ministry. As, since her arrival, she has been invited to speak by other public bodies, the date of her return is not yet decided.

Can my right hon. Friend give an assurance that there is no founda- tion for the statement that she has gone out there to spread pro-Arab propaganda and to support the policy of the Wnite Paper?

I can give such an assurance. Miss Stark is a distinguished scholar, who has been followed throughout the United States by a number of persons anxious to traduce her. I wish to put it on record that her visit has nothing to do with Arab propaganda.

Would my right hon. Friend agree that Miss Stark is one of the great authorities on the Middle East and a most admirable person to represent British culture in America?

indicated assent.

Is it not clear that the only persons allowed to go to America are those prepared to support the Government's policy?

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that the Hungarian Government has been broadcasting statements to the effect that the Anglo-Saxons are dropping dolls, rattles and other toys filled with explosives; and what steps he is taking to counteract this propaganda which is detrimental to the war effort.

When the Germans dropped their paratroops in Hungary and occupied all the principal Government departments they included some of Dr. Goebbels' merchants of lies. These representatives of the German propaganda Ministry seem to suffer from laziness of imagination. For they have resurrected the fly-blown story of explosives in dolls and rattles which was blared out early in the war by German radio stations, and long since laid aside.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Bulgarians are using the same old lie; and would he make it clear, in all our broadcasts in that part of the world, that people who do broadcast such lies, will have a very high priority on the list of war criminals?

I do not think you can really give a high priority on the list of war criminals to liars—at any rate, professional liars trained by Dr. Goebbels.

Will the Minister satisfy himself that we have the means of covering Hungary on medium wave radio in order effectively to counter this propaganda?

We certainly have the means. In fact, the radio facilities available to the Government at the moment are unexampled throughout the world.

Is not war itself a lie?

asked the Postmaster-General when the Museum Exchange will be transferred from manual to automatic operation; and what steps he proposes to take in the meantime to render it less inefficient.

Conversion of the Museum Exchange to automatic working should be effected in the early Autumn of this year. Meantime, everything possible is being done to ensure satisfactory service, having regard to the age of the existing equipment and to the shortage of trained engineering and operating staff.

In order to prevent the spread of anger and despondency, would the Minister have placed in all telephone booths in London advice to the people ringing up the Museum Exchange that, if they do not at once get the ringing tone, they should not replace the receiver straight away, but wait, as this is the cause of all the trouble?

It is a very old equipment there, but the staff is as good as it can be in the circumstances. The hon. Member's suggestion can be looked into, but I cannot promise to carry it out. It seems to me rather a sweeping one.

I was not criticising the staff. I realise that the staff and the machinery are old—[Interruption]—

Withdraw.

I hasten to withdraw the statement, which was quite unintentional, and to say that the staff may be tired and the machinery is old, but that does not in any way affect the printing of slips of paper to be placed in telephone booths elsewhere.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that, as recently as 7th April, at Chatham, a man on discharge from the Royal Marines was issued with the old type of blue suit, utility, a white collar to wear with his Service khaki shirt, a tie of an entirely different colour, a cloth cap and a pair of Service boots and was informed that he could obtain something better by accepting a voucher and paying 30s. at one of the establishments of a well-known tailor; and will he arrange for the improved conditions which have been inaugurated for the men discharged from the Army to apply to men discharged from the Navy.

The arrangements for the issue of civilian clothing to men discharged from the Royal Marines are identical with those in the Army, supplies for the Royal Marines being obtained from Army stocks. The items of clothing issued in the case referred to were of the standard types obtained from the Army clothing stores. As regards the second part of the Question, whatever improved conditions are adopted for the Army will be introduced for the Navy also.

Does the arrangement still exist that sailors on demobilisation are given a voucher which is only negotiable with Montague Burton, or has there been an alteration in recent weeks?

That does not arise out of this Question, but I promised my hon. Friend that we would look into that matter, though I cannot give him the exact date when any change will take place.

May I ask my right hon. Friend if this man is a constituent of the hon. Member's or a constituent of mine?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how it has happened that an ordinary seaman, whose name has been given to him, was passed as medically fit for service in the Navy, although he can only follow a sedentary occupation owing to dropped arches of the instep; and why his Department refuse to rectify this blunder by agreeing to this man's discharge from the Navy.

This man was found fit for service by a medical board set up under the National Service Acts. He has recently been examined and been found fit for sedentary duties on which he is employed. Men with foot defects are accepted for certain duties in the Navy, and I regret I cannot sanction his discharge from the Navy on medical grounds.

Do I understand that the Minister has so lowered the standard of physical fitness required for the Royal Navy, that he will now accept men who can only do sedentary work?

No, Sir. The actual length of service of this man is quite considerable, and he is doing most useful work on duties which I cannot specify.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if, in view of the fact that some units of the Sea Cadet Corps are unable, owing to the limitation of their numbers, to accept all who wish to join, he will take steps to increase the establishment.

If the hon. Member will send me details of the units he has in mind, and the extent of the unsatisfied demand, I will consider whether there is any possibility of increasing their strength.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I ask whether it is a fact that the limit of establishment was fixed by the Treasury because, otherwise, it would make for larger grants?

No, Sir. I think the matter has been one of consultation between the two Departments, but it also has reference to what vacancies are likely to occur in future in the Royal Navy and the Merchant Service.

Is the Minister not aware that if he wished, and the staff were available, he could quadruple the numbers in six months?

There are quite a number of difficulties, and there are reasons, other than the purely financial, which led us to fix the limit.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will make grants to units of the Sea Cadet Corps to enable them to pay approved rent for their headquarters.

Grants are already paid to units of the Sea Cadet Corps for purposes connected with the training of the Unit, which may include payment of rent for headquarters.

Is the Minister aware that the grant made was quite inadequate to meet anything of the cost of headquarters; and is he prepared to reconsider the matter, in view of the fact that some units may have to close down because of the financial difficulties?

No unit in that position has yet been brought to my notice, but, as I explained to the hon. Member for Kilmarnock (Mr. Lindsay) some time ago, this matter involves the capitation grant paid to them, which is administered by the Navy League, who make grants in special cases, with the aid also of their private subscriptions. No case has been brought to my notice of special difficulties.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if a retired naval officer, who is recalled for service in war and retains his health, is entitled to expect to be retained on full pay for the duration of the emergency except for misconduct of a grave nature or other serious offence under the Naval Discipline Act.

No, Sir, not necessarily. The continued employment of any such officer must depend upon his suitability for the appointments, if any, which are available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what crops are purchased by the West African Produce Control Board; what profits have been made on transactions in each crop by this board during the past three years; and how far these profits have been devoted towards the subsidy of prices paid to West African producers.

The West African Produce Control Board now purchases cocoa, groundnuts, palm oil and kernels, copra, benniseed and ginger. Of these all but cocoa are sold to the Ministry of Food or other buyer at the average estimated cost, and no question of profit arises. As regards cocoa, a report on the Board's cocoa operations and the financial results is in course of preparation, and I propose to lay it before Parliament. As my hon. Friend will recollect, Parliament will be invited at the proper time to vote a sum equivalent to any profits realised on the transactions of the Board either for return to the cocoa producers or for expenditure on objects of benefit to them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will take steps to secure that, in all concessions for the working of minerals, provision shall be made to ensure the observance of the terms of the International Labour Conventions to which His Majesty's Government is a party.

The practice in the Colonial Empire is to ensure observance of the terms of International Labour Conventions by the enactment of legislation in the Colonies to which they have been applied and not by the insertion of special conditions in individual contracts.

Would not the insertion of the conditions in the contract be a valuable example to other nations to ensure the proper carrying out of the conditions?

I cannot see that, if the matter is covered by legislation in the Colonies, there is any benefit at all in inserting similar provisions in individual contracts.

Would not the insertion of the conditions in the individual contract help the individual worker to realise that something is being done to educate him for his position?

What the hon. Member suggested was that it should be in the contract with the companies. I think the men would be much more likely to realise their rights by learning through legislation passed in the Colony.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give an estimate of the proportions of the citrus crops of Palestine which are, respectively, sold in the natural state, bottled, canned or processed and not used.

The season, of course, has not yet ended, but, subject to this, it is probable that 50 per cent. of the total crop is used, and exported in its natural state, that 10 per cent. is used for citrus products, and that 40 per cent. is not used.

Is it not still very unsatisfactory that 40 per cent. of this valuable crop is allowed to go to waste, and, in consequence of the loss to many settlers involved, should not the suggestion of dehydration be reconsidered?

We are trying to increase the process as much as possible, but there is a definite limit to the demand.

Is there not a demand for processed orange juice in this country, and will there not be an enormous demand for it in Europe as soon as it is liberated?

I did explain, in answer to a previous Question, that there are difficulties there of what machinery you can get and what process you can employ in Palestine.

asked the Secretary if State for the Colonies how many doctors have resigned from the Jamaican medical service during the last three years; and what were the reasons for their resignations.

I am asking the Governor of Jamaica for this information and I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as it is received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the new Constitution for Jamaica has been approved by the Legislative Assembly; and whether the date for the elections under the new Constitution has yet been fixed.

The Constitution has been accepted in principle, but in a change of this magnitude there are numerous details which require careful consideration. The majority of these have been disposed of, but a few points of importance remain to be settled and these are under consideration locally. It is not yet possible to state when the elections will take place.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the Barbados Conference, held under the auspices of the Anglo-American Caribbean Commission, in view of its importance as the first experiment in regional conferences containing representatives of the people of a number of different colonies.

Yes, Sir. I am glad to inform the hon. Member that the Conference has been successful and was a promising beginning to this important experiment. Its recommendations will be considered by the Governments concerned. I have not yet had a full report on the recommendations of the Conference but printed copies of the report should be available shortly and I will then place a copy in the Library of the House.

Can we take it that, if this departure in Colonial administration is the success that we hope it will be, the Colonial Office will extend the practice?

I hope so.

asked the Prime Minister what are the Government's proposals for the improvement of service pay and allowances.

asked the Prime Minister if he is now in a position to make a statement on pay and allowances for members of His Majesty's Forces.

The Government have decided to make certain increases in the pay and allowances of members of the Forces and their families. These are set out in a White Paper which will be available in the Vote Office later in the day.

May we take it that if, after reading the White Paper, which the House will no doubt do with very great interest, the House would wish to have a day for discussion, the Government will be in a position to give the matter consideration?

I think the reading of the White Paper is the first step.

On a point of Order. In answering Question No. 45 to-day the Prime Minister stated that the Government's proposals regarding Service pay and allowances were embodied in a White Paper which would be available to hon. Members. I understand that this White Paper is now in the Vote Office but will not be available to Members until late in the day. Can you, Mr. Speaker, indicate whether there is any reason why the White Paper should not be released to Members forthwith?

That has nothing to do with me. We only receive the Papers and issue them as instructed by the Government Departments, who usually say that they shall not be issued before a certain time. But, as I have said, the matter is outside my province.

Then may I ask the Patronage Secretary to state when this White Paper will be available, and why it should not be made available at once?

I was not aware that the White Paper was in the Vote Office. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in his reply said it would be available later in the day. I do not know what time the release has been arranged for and, as I have said, I did not know the Paper had arrived.

Will the Patronage Secretary use his good offices to secure the issue of this White Paper now, as its contents may have a bearing on the points which Members desire to raise in the Debate on the Budget Resolutions?

I now understand that the White Paper has not yet been delivered, and I take it that the hour of release has been fixed in accordance with the usual publicity arrangements.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that Members will not be behind others in receiving this White Paper?

I am sure it is the desire of the Government that this House should have the earliest possible information.

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform the House what is the hour for release?

I have not that information.

May we have an assurance that we shall see this White Paper before we see its contents in he Press?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is satisfied that at the forthcoming meetings of the Dominion Prime Ministers the Colonies will be adequately represented in all matters which may be raised affecting their present and future political status and economic well-being; who these representatives will be; and whether he will ensure that every care is taken to see that no decisions are implemented without prior submission to the appropriate colonial legislative assemblies for their consideration.

It is intended that the Secretary of State for the Colonies should be present when any question which may affect the Colonial Empire comes up for discussion, and also at other times. As regards the last part of the Question, I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that while the interests of the Colonial Empire will be vigilantly watched I could not submit to such a sweeping inhibition as he proposes.

Are we to understand that no representatives of the Colonies will be present in England at these meetings?

No, Sir, Sir Godfrey Huggins is at present representing Southern Rhodesia. That is not incompatible with representation of the Colonies but otherwise the Colonies are represented by the Secretary of State.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether a representative of the Indian Empire will attend this conference?

Not only the Secretary of State but Sir Firoz Khan Noon and the Maharajah of Kashmir. They have both already attended our regular meetings.

Will there be a representative of the Congress?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the naval sub-committee of the House of Representatives, at Washington, recently decided to recommend that immediate steps be taken to acquire permanent possession of the bases in the Western Hemisphere leased to the U.S.A. by Great Britain; and if he will give an assurance that such a demand from the Government of that country will not be entertained by His Majesty's Government before Parliament is consulted.

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been drawn to the recommendation of a committee of the United State House of Representatives for the permanent possession of the bases leased from Britain; and whether he will give an assurance that the policy of His Majesty's Government remains unaffected in this matter.

I am aware that there has been a Press report to this effect. The House may rest assured that there have been no developments calling for a review by the Government or the House of the existing position in this matter, which remains unchanged.

Will the Prime Minister be good enough to answer the latter part of my Question? If a request of the kind mentioned comes from Washington officially, will the House of Commons be entitled to debate the subject before His Majesty's Government accede to such an arrangement; and will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind his promise that he will not preside over the liquidation of the British Empire?

I welcome all the aid I can receive from so valiant a supporter.

As the provisions of the Atlantic Charter provide that there should be no annexation without the con- sent of the population, do not the same provisions apply to British Dominion territories as well?

There is not the slightest question of any cession of British territory—not the slightest.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the growing feeling that the manufacture of penicillin is tending to become a monopoly of the firms in the Therapeutic Research Association, he proposes, as in the case in Canada and the U.S.A. to permit its production by all firms who wish to manufacture.

Any fears of monopoly in this matter are unfounded. Firms outside the organisation in question are making penicillin and the general policy is to encourage production on the widest practicable lines.

asked the Minister of Food whether he has considered the protest of the West Lothian food control committee regarding the method of filling the recent vacancy for a food executive officer in the county; and whether he has decided upon any change to give more consideration to the views and possible recommendations of voluntary food control committees when such vacancies arise.

Yes, Sir. Provision is already made for food control committees to submit nominations for food executive officers. I am sorry that for reasons of which I believe my hon. Friend is aware, the committee referred to was not asked whether it had any nomination in this case. I do not consider that any change is needed in the present procedure to which the attention of the divisional food officer concerned has been drawn.

Have there been any cases in which food executive officers have been transferred from one part of the country to another; is the Minister satisfied that the best available appointment was, made in this case, and will he keep in mind Scottish views on this matter?

I am satisfied, having gone into it, that the best appointment was made in this case. The other point raises a rather wider question but it is certainly the normal practice to invite a recommendation at the same time from the local food committee.