asked the Secretary of State for Air whether members of the R.A.F. who were in Malta during the bombing period are being returned to a home station provided they have been two years in that station.

Yes, Sir. The hon. Member will, however, understand that the posting home of personnel who have completed their tour must be subject to the availability of shipping and the exigencies of the Service.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why ground personnel posted to Iceland before 1st May, 1943, are not allowed more than 14 days' disembarkation leave on return to England, seeing that they did not obtain 14 days' embarkation leave under the new rule before leaving England.

R.A.F. personnel on return to the United Kingdom after a tour of duty in Iceland, which is normally of 12 months' duration, are usually granted 14 days' disembarkation leave. It is not the practice to increase this period where, owing to the needs of the Service, embarkation leave was not taken, and to do so in the case of the personnel referred to by my hon. Friend would involve preferential treatment for this category of airmen.

Do not these people lose both ways? Will my right hon. Friend say why local leave is banned in Iceland?

That is another question, and perhaps my hon. Friend would put it on the Paper. I do not think they lose both ways. They have a shorter tour than most people who go overseas, and their tour of duty in Iceland, although it is only 12 months, is treated as a full tour of duty.

asked the Secretary of State for Air when forms and explanatory memoranda in pursuance of the Parliament (Elections and Meetings) Act, 1943, were issued to units in England; and what progress has been made with registration.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will appoint a certain week and take steps to ensure that, so far as possible, throughout the R.A.F., when each man receives his pay in respect of that week he shall also re- ceive the form necessary in order to be placed on the absent voters' list or to have his vote recorded by proxy, together with an explanation on how to fill it up.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is now satisfied that all personnel in Balloon Command entitled to vote under the Parliament (Elections and Meetings) Act, 1943, have been made aware of their rights; if an officer at the command concerned has been specially detailed for this duty; and, if so, what is his rank.

Full instructions regarding the Service Register as well as an explanatory pamphlet were issued on 25th April. Under these instructions commanding officers are required to afford every facility for declarations and proxy appointments. No information as to the progress of registration, which is of course voluntary, is available. I am grateful to the hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr. Loverseed) for his suggestion, and in order to facilitate the progress of registration, arrangements are being made, where practicable, for a copy of the registration form to be handed to every airman and airwoman at a future pay parade. Officers will be detailed to explain procedure at these parades and will be available to assist personnel in the completion of the forms. Copies of the explanatory pamphlet will also be available. The date of the parade and the detailed arrangements generally, in Balloon as in other Commands of the R.A.F., must depend on the circumstances and location of the unit but it is hoped to cover all units by 1st August.

Why is the Air Force nearly a month behind the Army in this matter, seeing that the War Office did all this on 1st April?

All I can say is that we hope to get it done by 1st August, and I think that will be satisfactory.

Is it not a fact that these explanatory pamphlets are not issued to every officer, or every other rank, but that one copy is kept in the orderly room? Will the right hon. Gentleman consider issuing at least one pamphlet to each officer?

I will certainly look into the point which my hon. Friend has brought to my notice, but there will be officers available to give detailed explanations to the men at the pay parades. Whether we are making available a sufficient supply of these explanatory pamphlets is a point into which I will certainly look.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many officers of the A.T.C. have been appointed during the present war to paid or whole-time positions in the R.A.F. for duty with the A.T.C.; and whether, in view of the disquiet now felt by those officers of the corps who have given years of voluntary unpaid service and who see other officers appointed to paid positions in the corps in which they have had no experience, he will review the whole position and make no such appointments in the future without considering the claims of those officers voluntarily serving in the A.T.C.

Since September, 1939, eight A.T.C. officers who were serving in the Training Branch of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in an unpaid capacity have been appointed to paid or whole-time posts with the Air Training Corps. Posts of this nature generally call for a wide degree of Service knowledge and experience which cannot normally be expected to be possessed by Training Branch officers. The claims of these officers will, however, continue to be considered when any further appointments are necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Air under what circumstances ex-operational and ex-instructional personnel of the R.A.F. are reduced in rank and lose the right to wear wings when posted to ground duties for reasons of medical unfitness.

Aircrew of the categories referred to by my hon. Friend retain both rank and flying badge on being withdrawn from aircrew duty on account of wounds or sickness.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether married men with three years' overseas service are eligible for return to Great Britain; and whether the bulk of these men travel home by sea.

As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to a similar question given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Stockport (Sir A. Gridley) on 22nd March. The answer to the second part is "Yes."

Am I right in saying that the answer to the first part of the Question is that men with three years' service overseas are eligible for return to this country?

Yes, Sir, married men.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider sharing any accommodation that the R.A.F. possess in ships, with soldiers, so that they may have an equal chance of coming home after three years?

No, Sir. I have an obligation to these men to see that everything I can do is done to get them home at the end of their normal tour. If the Army can come down to our tour, I shall be delighted, but I must do my best to carry out my obligations to the men for whom I am responsible.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware of the discontent arising from the fact that Jamaican airmen receive a substantially smaller allowance for their families than British airmen; and whether, in view of the increased cost of living in Jamaica and the prospective increase in the pay of British airmen, he will have the question of a corresponding increase for Jamaican and other colonial airmen sympathetically considered.

I have not received evidence of any discontent, but rates of family allowances payable in Jamaica and other Colonies are now under consideration. I will, in due course, be glad to inform the hon. Member of the result of this examination.

Will it be related to the cost of living, so that any increase which has taken place in the last few years will be made up by corresponding increases in pay?

I think I had better wait until I see the results of this examination before I answer that question.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production if he is satisfied with the provisions that have been made for transport to maintain the supply of essential materials to aircraft factories during the period of heavy road traffic in the near future.

This matter has received the most careful attention from my Department, and arrangements have been made which should reduce to a minimum any interference with the traffics in question.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman bear in mind that any arrangements to supply by parachute would require the co-operation of the civilian population? Has that point been taken into consideration?

I will certainly bear that matter in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken in Tanganyika as a result of the investigations of Dr. Muir into leprosy five years ago; why the Chazi settlement has been closed and the Church Missionary Society's co-operation in the case of lepers in the Turiari district refused; and why the services of Dr. Wallace, a special in leprosy, could not be extended, as proposed by the Church Missionary Society, and thereby prevent lepers wandering about and infecting more villages.

As the answer is necessarily rather long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I take it that some action has been taken in this matter?

The hon. Gentleman will find quite a long list of them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Palestinian Government has considered again its policy in regard to financial participation in the maintenance of the health institutions organised by the sick fund, Kupat Holin, of the General Federation of Jewish Labour; and why the Palestinian Government refuses to receive a delegation from this body to discuss the working of the health arrangements and some amendment of the Government's existing policy in respect of social insurance and mutual aid institutions.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to correspondence which the Director of the Sick Fund (Kupat Cholim) had with the Chief Secretary, Palestine, last year about the responsibility of Government towards the health of workers. In his reply of 5th August, the Chief Secretary drew attention to an address by the Palestine Reconstruction Commissioner which acknowledged that it was the duty of the State to provide at least some measure of social security for its citizens, but explained that the matter required detailed study. The Director of the Sick Fund was invited to get in touch with the Reconstruction Commissioner for this purpose, but the organisation have so far not availed themselves of the opportunity to do so.

Is the Minister aware that representations have been made for a full discussion with the authorities in Palestine on the whole of this problem but, so far, the organisations concerned have not been able to get agreement with the Government that such a deputation shall be received?

Here is an invitation as long ago as last August for this party to visit the Reconstruction Commissioner, who is the man chiefly concerned, but so far they have not availed themselves of the opportunity.

asked the Secretry of State for the Colonies whether the report of Sir Cosmo Parkinson can be available on the following points: Mauritius Constitution, trade union, conciliation and industrial law, greater financial provision for Government poor house, condition of Jewish refugees, disturbances last year at the Bellevue sugar estate and implementation of the Orde Brown Labour Report.

No, Sir. Sir Cosmo Parkinson has visited certain Colonies in the course of the last two years, including Mauritius, on behalf of my predecessor and myself; those visits have been undertaken mainly with the object of making personal contacts and discussing matters of concern to the Colonies with the Governors, and they do not lend themselves to the preparation of written reports. If, however, there is any particular point regarding Mauritius on which the hon. Member wishes for information and will be good enough to communicate with me, I will gladly give him such information as I can.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the promised consultations between the Government of Northern Rhodesia, the Mineworkers' Union and two mining companies have taken place; whether an amicable agreement has now been reached; and whether he can give any information as to how the African miners will be affected by the cut in copper production.

As the answer is necessarily rather long, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the high value of the work being carried out by the British trade unionists appointed as labour advisers to the Government of British Guiana and Trinidad, he will cause similar appointments to be made in Jamaica, Barbados, Bahamas and Bermuda.

I am anxious to see the experiment of appointing British trade unionists as labour officers extended. I qui consulting the Governments of the territories named by the hon. Member, with a view to ascertaining whether they now desire the appointment of trade unionists as labour officers.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider the advisability also of appointing one federal labour adviser, and then having subsidiaries, if that is desirable?

That is quite a different question, but there is, of course, a labour expert attached to the staff of the Stock-dale Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received the report of the Franchise Commissions in British Guiana and Trinidad; and, if so, what action he proposes to take on it.

I have received the report of the Trinidad Franchise Committee and hope shortly to discuss it with the Governor, who is now in this country. I have also received the main report of the British Guiana Franchise Commission, but I understand that some members propose to make reservations about certain sections of the report and these have not yet ben received. I am therefore not yet in a position to make a statement.

Cannot any of these re-pods be placed in the Library?

I will see what can be done.

In view of the very considerable delay which has taken place in the case of British Guiana, will my right hon. and gallant Friend see to it that waiting on these reservations does not unduly hold up action on the whole matter?

Of course, when a large number of people, especially representing one community, have these reservations to make, it would be inappropriate to act before we have got them.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman bear in mind that the delay in forwarding these reservations may be a device to hold up any action of any kind?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the estimated number of people in Jamaica in need of employment for whom no work can be found; and what provision is made for their welfare.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the present position of unemployment in Jamaica; how many men have been sent this year from Jamaica to the U.S.A. for farm work in the States; and the approximate number of Jamaican labourers now working in the U.S.A. under agreements between the Governments of Jamaica and the U.S.A.

I am asking the Governor for the latest unemployment figures and will communicate with the hon. Member when I receive his reply. A number of works of public utility are being carried out in Jamaica, some of them with assistance provided under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act, and a sum of £185,000 was made available from revenue in 1943–4 for relief works.

Has the right hon. and gallant Gentleman considered the possibility of utilising any portion of this unemployed labour in Jamaica on the preparation of sites for future land settlement?

Yes, Sir, all these proposals are being put into action where possible, but the hon. Member must realise that one of the chief difficulties in Jamaica at the moment is shortage of imported material. I hope that that will be alleviated through the very helpful action of the American Commissioner on the Anglo-United States Caribbean Mission.

In view of the grave shortage of labour in Trinidad, is it possible for my right hon. and gallant Friend to arrange for the transfer of overflow labour in Jamaica to Trinidad?

The great difficulty is getting them from Jamaica to Trinidad, which are something like 1,200 miles apart.

Is there any provision made for these workers who are left unemployed?

We are finding them work.

Is any provision made when they do not get work?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that Question down.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Fair Labour Code, recently produced by the Industrial Relations Committee in Jamaica, has been accepted by the employers and trade unions; and what are the main provisions.

I have not yet seen the Fair Labour Code, but I am informed by the Governor that the certificate of agreement was signed by representatives of the leading Employers' Associations and the representatives of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union and the Trade Union Council of Jamaica. Copies of the Code have already been despatched from Jamaica and I will arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House as soon as they are received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many workers are employed as relief workers in Jamaica in order to relieve unemployment; what are the rates of pay; were the trade unions consulted in fixing these rates; and whether they are comparable with the rates ordinarily paid for similar employment.

I am asking the Governor for the desired information and I will communicate it to the hon. Member on its receipt.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Report of Mr. Hill, on the reorganisation of local government in Jamaica, has yet been published; whether Mr. Hill's recommendations are now being put into operation; and what the chief recommendations are.

The Report has been published in Jamaica; and I understand that its proposals are to be debated shortly in the Legislative Council. Until that is done they cannot, of course, be put into operation. I am placing a copy of the Report in the Library of the House.

If there are no shipping facilities for the transference or migration of labourers between islands in the West Indies, how is it possible to get the shipping to transfer them from Jamaica to the United States?

That is quite a different matter. It arose, I think, on a previous Question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now received a Report from the Government of Kenya on the question of the direct representation of Africans on the Kenya Legislative Council; and, if so, what action he proposes to take on it.

I have just received a further despatch from the Governor on this subject, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say when he expects to be in a position to do so, because there has been very great delay?

It is also a very important matter. The Government have certain further inquiries to make locally, but I hope to be in a position to make a statement in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total financial commitments for the approved schemes under the Colonial Development Act to date; the amount of the actual issues; and the respective amounts for the West Indies and the rest of the Colonies separately.

Commitments under schemes approved to date are West Indies £4,600,067, the rest of the Empire £3,827,482, making a total of £8,427,549. Issues from the Vote to 31st March last were West Indies £1,246,419; rest of the Empire £923,574, making a total of 2,169,993.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that the railway companies only permit a limited number of drivers of taxi-cabs to ply for hire on the station approaches in Manchester and in those cases only in return for an annual rent of £7 16s. for each taxi-cab; that, as a result of this, as from Monday, 8th May, very few taxi-cabs have been delivering passengers to, or collecting passengers from, the station approaches in Manchester; and what action he proposes to take.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if he is aware that railway companies only allow a limited number of taxicabs to ply for hire on station approaches in Manchester and charge £7 16s. per annum for the privilege from each taxicab; and if, in view of the threat of taxi-cab owners to withdraw their services, with consequent inconvenience to the travelling public, he will allow all licensed taxi-cabs free access to the station approaches.

The railway companies make a charge of three shillings a week for every taxi-cab which they authorise to ply for hire on the station premises at Manchester. I understand that they have offered to allow all taxi-cabs to use the station stands, up to the specified capacity of the stands, provided they receive the same total payment as they now receive by way of acknowledgment rental from the authorised taxi-cabs. I am asking the Manchester and Salford Owner Drivers' Association if they are prepared to accept this proposal.

Is my hon. Friend aware that as a result of a similar dispute between railway companies and cab-owners in London more than 20 years ago, the railway companies permitted cab owners free access to the stations; and in view of the serious inconvenience that is suffered by the travelling public in that part of Lancashire, will he give reconsideration to this question? Manchester is only asking to come into line with London.

Yes, Sir, but I think the conditions in London and Manchester differ rather widely. The railway companies maintain that in peace time the existing arrangement secures a better service for the public, and there is certainly a strong argument in favour of that view. I think that their present proposal would solve the present difficulty if it were accepted, but I thought it right to ask the Association if they would agree.

Will my hon. Friend take care in any negotiations he has with railway companies on this point to see that Manchester is not put in a worse position than London? I live in Manchester. Manchester is as important as London.

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

asked the Minister of Information if he is satisfied that the staff of the British Information Service in the U.S.A. is adequate for the work which it has to perform; and if, in view of the vital importance of explaining adequately to the American people the war effort of Great Britain, he will consider an increase of staff.

There is a steady increase in the number of requests for information and assistance received by our staff in America from the American Press, radio and film industry. I have no doubt that there is work enough to employ a much larger staff were it not for the overriding need to conserve British manpower.

Is it not the case that the bureau in Chicago in particular, which is doing admirable work but has to cover a vast area, is still very seriously understaffed?

I think we are very seriously understaffed in New York, Washington and Chicago, but we are held up by lack of man-power and lack of dollars.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the claims of those men who have lectured in America in peace-time with very great success, and have a very big following in that country?

No, Sir. I will not consider the claims of lecturers. I have had a pretty rough experience of some lecturers in the United States, and I have no intention of using them.

Have not some of them done us a great deal of harm by preaching peace on any terms?

asked the Minister of Information if he will place in the Library copies of the booklets and other matter issued by British Information Services, New York.

The British Information Services in New York issue a great deal of material, most of which has a topical interest only. It would be a burden to the Library and to Transatlantic transport to bring over the bulk of it, but I will gladly supply the hon. Member with the material issued on any particular subject that he may have in mind.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that answer, might I ask whether, in view of the high value and general interest of some of these excellent publications, samples of them can be placed in the Library for the information of hon. Members?

Yes, Sir, I will get a few samples; but I can promise only a very few. May I say that all the statements made here to-day, paying such high tribute to my officials in the United States, are the best encouragement to them in their hard work?

asked the Minister of Information how many officials have been appointed by his Ministry in each of the Dominions in order to explain the United Kingdom war effort.

None, Sir. As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Dominions explained in his answer yesterday, the Ministry of Information has no staff of its own in the Dominions.

Would my right hon. Friend suggest to his colleague in the Dominions Office that it is not really enough to have one official in Australia, for example, and one in the Union of South Africa, to carry on such a very large task?

It would be better if my hon. Friend would communicate direct with the Secretary of State for the Dominions.

Has not my right hon. Friend got more influence than I have with the Secretary of State?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Information how many officials in the Ministry are charged specifically with the duty of sending material about the United Kingdom war effort to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa and Eire, respectively.

The total number, exclusive of clerical and typing staff, is fifteen. There are four for Canada, three for Australia and New Zealand, two for the Union of South Africa, and one for Eire. The work of the remaining five concerns all these territories.

Will the right hon. Gentleman keep in mind the fact that despite the very good work done by these officials, and despite a great curiosity in the Dominions, there is still a lot of ignorance of the British war effort?

I quite agree with my hon. Friend, but I never thought that I should live to see the day when the House of Commons would be encouraging me to take on a lot more staff at the Ministry of Information.

Is the right hon. Gentleman making full use of Mr. Brockington, one of our best broadcasters, who has now returned to Canada?

My noble Friend must remember that Mr. Brockington has a full-time occupation in Canada.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any arrangements are made for the provision of free meals to juvenile workers in the Post Office.

Under a scheme recently introduced in the Civil Service, arrangements have been made for boys and girls under 16 years of age employed in the Post Office to obtain, free of charge, from a staff canteen, British Restaurant, or other suitable catering establishment, a midday meal of the value of one shilling. I am glad to say that 6,300, out of a total eligible staff of about 7,200, are receiving these meals. The majority of those not receiving them live near their work, and prefer to take their midday meal at home.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will give an assurance that in the future his Department will cease to recruit boys from secondary schools at 14 plus, thus encouraging parents to break their contracts with educational authorities to keep their children at school until 16 years of age.

It is the policy of the Post Office not to encourage secondary school pupils to leave school prematurely against the wishes of local education authorities; and head postmasters throughout the country were instructed in March, 1943, not to recruit secondary school pupils, unless local education authorities were willing to release such pupils unconditionally from further attendance at school. If my hon. Friend will, give me particulars of any instance in which these instructions appear to have been disregarded, I shall be happy to have inquiry made.

asked the Prime Minister who is representing Newfoundland at the present Empire Conference.

My Noble Friend the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs is attending the meetings of Prime Ministers and will watch the interests of Newfoundland should any matter affecting Newfoundland come up for discussion.

In view of the fact that Newfoundland will be a tremendous asset as a world air terminus for the future of civil aviation, will my right hon. Friend see that the rights and interests of the islanders, as well as the interests of the whole Empire, are safeguarded?

That seems to be a proposition to which I could certainly give support.

As there is a difference of opinion over the pronunciation of Newfoundland, will the Prime Minister make it clear what is the correct pronounciation?

I was always brought up to call it Newfoundland, but I am not absolutely sure that New-found-land is not more correct.

asked the Prime Minister whether arrangements are being discussed at the meeting of Prime Ministers for the promotion of better mutual knowledge amongst the peoples of the Empire and for the setting up of adequate machinery after the war to ensure that the world shall be kept informed about the Commonwealth and the Empire as a whole.

In view of the wide range of subjects already under discussion, and the limited time available, I doubt whether it will be practicable for this question to be discussed specifically at the current meeting. I may add that this knowledge about the Empire is growing at a pretty quick rate.

Will the Prime Minister see that the part that Labour and Socialism are playing in the Dominions is made clear?

asked the Minister of Production whether he is aware that quantities of new war metals and alloys for the experimental manufacture of civilian goods are being released in the U.S.A.; and whether he is prepared to make a similar release in this country.

I am aware that small quantities of materials are being released for experimental work in the U.S.A., but only where this does not interfere with supplies needed for war production. In this country, in view of our limited labour and capacity, it is not possible at this stage of the war to make any general release of materials for this purpose. I should, however, be prepared to consider any case in which special reasons could be given for exceptional treatment.

Does that include general releases, which are just as vital to our post-war trade and the turnover to peace as exceptional cases?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that important post-war projects are being held up because there are not sufficient light alloys available? Does he not think that the time has come to reconsider the whole question?

I cannot give any general assurance. I am prepared to consider the whole question, but the needs of war production must come first.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the release of these materials in America instead of in this country will give America a flying start in the world market?

I would draw the attention of my hon. Friend to a statement in the Press, last March, by the War Production Board, that no priorities for raw materials for post-war work can be permitted in the United States if it diverts any man-power, technical skill, or facilities from war production.

asked the Minister of Production if he will make it possible for Dominion and Colonial troops in this country to visit factories or other places connected with their pre-war trades or professions or with trades or professions they wish to take after the war, near their stations during their 24 hours' leave, and elsewhere during their longer leaves, so that they may learn about what can be done in Great Britain; and, in the case of factories doing secret work, make concessions concerning visiting regulations in their favour.

I am considering my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion, and will communicate with him later.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that a system of compensation obtains at certain Government factories, of which he has been informed, in place of the Workmen's Compensation Act, that the workpeople have been asked to declare which system they prefer, but the condition is laid down that those who vote for the Workmen's Compensation Act should give their reasons in writing; and will he see that this ballot be taken without any such conditions being imposed.

Each employee in the Royal Ordnance Factories is free to exercise an individual choice in this matter, without giving reasons. Perhaps my hon. Friend will let me have details of any case in which reasons have been asked for.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it is almost impossible for new employees at the factories to understand the form which is presented to them, and that, consequently, they sign under a misapprehension?

No, indeed; I have looked at the form, and it is really very simple.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in accordance with the Report of the National Expenditure Committee, the flax factories have been inspected by the factory inspectors; and whether they made any recommendations for the improvement of conditions of work.

Yes, Sir; and all practicable steps are being taken to improve the dust-extraction plants in these factories.

Are the factory inspectorate satisfied that everything possible is done?

Yes, Sir, they are cooperating fully with us.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean the medical, as well as the lay, inspectorate?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Supply how many prosecutions were instituted for the violation of the several Regulations covering the control of tins, cans, kegs, drums and packaging pails; how many were successful; and why it was necessary to repeat the same words seven times in the same Order.

So far as I am aware, no prosecutions have been instituted under these Orders. I assume that in the last part of the Question my hon. Friend is referring to the No. 10 Order, of 19th August, 1943. For purposes of legal clarity, it is considered proper, when referring in one Order to a number of others, to cite them by name.

In view of the fact that there were no prosecutions under these Orders, does the right hon. Gentleman think it was worth while issuing them at all?

asked the Minister of Food if, in view of the announcement from the food mission to Australia and New Zealand that the Dominions are likely to increase the supply of meat to this country, he will consider an increase in the meat ration to those workers engaged in heavy work in the war industries, including agriculture, where canteen facilities are not available.

Notwithstanding any increased supply of meat that may be received from Australia and New Zealand, the overall supply will not permit of any increase in the existing ration.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that a case has been made out for the agricultural worker, who has no industrial canteen and whose wife is not able to go to a British Restaurant? Will he take into consideration, too, the fact that the agricultural worker will be working beside voluntary harvest workers, who will have an additional ration during harvest time?

Certainly there is a case to be met, but not by a system of differential rationing.

asked the Minister of Food why there are such short supplies of beef and mutton and so much pork is provided for rations.

A considerable priority in beef supplies is necessary for the feeding of the Armed Forces of the United Nations, not only in this country, but in America and also in the Southern Pacific. A large proportion of the supplies of mutton, lamb and beef which normally come to this country from Australia and New Zealand are not at present available for civilian consumption here. In substitution for these imports, we are at present receiving meat, mainly pork, from the United States.

Is the Minister aware that pork is very gross feeding and very unsuitable for hot weather; and can he say why we are importing so much pork?

The question, as my hon. Friend will recognise, is substantially a question of what we can get, and I think most people are agreed that pork is a great deal better than nothing.

Is the Minister's Department not aware that, from May to August, pork is a very unpopular item in the dietary with the housewives of this country?

They would rather have it than nothing.

asked the Minister of Food if he- is aware that although the Skipton Urban District Council has been considering the matter since 1940, no British Restaurant has yet been established in Skipton; and if he will either require the local authority to establish a British Restaurant, or institute a public inquiry into the delay in this case.

I am informed that the Skipton Urban District Council has now undertaken to establish a British Restaurant, and is at present considering the tenders which it invited last month for erection of the necessary building.

Can I have an assurance that the Department will press this local authority to get on with the job, because they have been discussing it for four years?

That is a matter, as my hon. Friend knows, for the local authority.

Did not the electors of Skipton send the hon. Member here to press it upon the right hon. Gentleman?

He has done so.

Is it a fact that there is no hall available in Skipton for the British Restaurant?

So the Skipton local authority decided.

asked the Minister of Food if he can now say to what extent it is the practice to refuse supplies of oranges, lemons and tomatoes to men pensioned from the Army on the ground that they were not in business in 1940; and whether he proposes to redress this injustice to ex-Service men.

New retailers of the kind to which my hon. Friend refers are treated precisely the same as other retailers to whom new licences are granted. The last part of my hon. Friend's Question does not therefore arise.

Does the Minister not appreciate that it is not the soldier's fault that he was not in business in 1940, because he was in the Army? Is it really considered just that, when soldiers have been told that they are going to be given facilities to trade, they should be treated like this?

The hon. Member has gone wrong in one important particular. The relevant date is not 1940 but 1939, and that makes all the difference.

That does not really make any difference to the principle, and, owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter again.

asked the Minister of Food whether the licensing policy to allow ex-service men to resume trading after the war includes milk retailers, their roundsmen and staff.

No, Sir. The arrangements which my right hon. Friend recently announced for granting licences to ex-traders who have been discharged from the Forces to enable them to reopen their former businesses do not at present apply to milk retailers.

May I ask if the Minister will further consider this matter? Why are milk retailers not included, and why is it necessary to issue licences at all? Why cannot ex-Servicemen come back and resume their old occupations without this trouble?

I am glad to be able to assure my hon. Friend that this matter is being very carefully considered. The reason for any difference in the treatment of milk retailers is that the methods of distribution of milk do not allow precisely the same arrangements to be made, but my right hon. Friend is considering the matter with the very greatest sympathy.

Will my right hon. Friend consider oranges for ex-Servicemen at the same time?

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that large numbers of eggs are being sold in the market under his Department's control at Maidstone for hatching purposes and are being re-sold at a considerable profit in nearby markets for human consumption; and whether he is taking any steps to stop this illegal traffic.

The answer to both parts of the Question is "Yes, Sir."

Could the Minister say when some action is going to be visible in this matter?