asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, how many States are taking part in the current I.L.O. Conference; and which of these paid their subscriptions for this year and last.

Forty-three States took part in the recent International Labour Organisation Conference at Philadelphia. I am circulating the full list in the OFFICIAL REPORT. As regards the second part of the question, information as to which States members have paid contributions for this year and last year has not yet been published.

May I ask when it will be published? It does seem rather important, in order that we may know how much real attention these States pay to the International Labour Organisation.

My information is that finance is dealt with in private sittings, but that audited accounts are published later, and audited accounts have been published for 1942, but not later. I agree that it would be desirable if they were published more quickly.

Is this not a part of the continual attempt to discredit any form of international arrangement?

If I may say so, I think it is an advantage for any international organisation to make public its finances as soon as it reasonably can.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the German consul and his staff have yet left Tangier.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is satisfied with the steps taken by the Spanish Government to implement the agreement recently made by them with this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is able to report that the German consul-general and his staff have now left Tangier and that the German consulate-general has been closed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how it is that the German flag is still flying over the German consulate at Tangier and that no steps have so far been taken by the Spanish Government to close the consulate in accordance with the agreement with Great Britain and the U.S.A.

I understand that, immediately after the agreement reached between His Majesty's Government, the United States Government and the Spanish Government early this month, of which I informed the House on 2nd May, the Spanish Government made urgent representations to the German Government concerning the closure of the German Consulate-General at Tangier and the departure of German officials connected with it. His Majesty's Government had anticipated that it would probably take some days to complete the necessary formalities. The Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs has now informed His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires that the Spanish Government's decision to close the German Consulate-General in the immediate future is definite, and that it has been accepted by the German Government. I understand that the Consular shield and flag are being taken down at once, if indeed this has not already taken place, His Majesty's Government, who are fully alive to the importance of avoiding undue delay, have no reason to suppose that the Spanish Government do not share their desire to dispose of this matter satisfactorily in the immediate future. It is obvious that the reciprocal obligations contained in the recent agreement hang together, and that no one undertaking can be carried out apart from the others.

In this connection, I am glad to be able to inform the House that satisfactory discussions are proceeding between British, American and Spanish experts in Madrid regarding the technical measures required in connection with the wolfram clauses in the agreement. The Spanish Government have already given instructions for the release of the remaining Italian ships and considerable progress has been made in regard to the departure of German agents from Spain. The Spanish Government have also recently requested the Japanese Government to arrange for the early departure from Tangier of a member of the staff of the Japanese Embassy at Madrid, who has been residing in Tangier in recent months.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, when the German consul has left Tangier, there will be no German nationals of any sort left in this territory?

The position is that a list of all German agents and German personages whom we wish to see removed is being given to the Spanish authorities. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will give me notice of his supplementary question. I think the answer is "Yes," but I would like to make certain.

May I ask whether the British Government have to implement their side of the agreement, before the Spanish Government can satisfactorily implement their side?

No, I do not put it like that. I think we go along together, and I think the account which I have given to-day shows that we are going along together very well.

Do I understand that there is no danger of these German officials moving out of Tangier to Tetuan or somewhere along the coast, and carrying on their machinations outside?

As my hon. Friend may imagine, these problems have been a little bit in our minds.

Has the right hon. Gentleman in mind a time limit within which the German consul and his staff are expected to leave?

As I have said, very likely, by now, the shield has been taken down, which means that the Consulate-General has ceased to function as such. I would not like to talk of a time-table, but I really think it is going well and, broadly speaking; satisfactorily to us and unsatisfactorily to the Germans.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the position with regard to arrangements among the United Nations for the arrest and trial of war criminals.

The House will recall the announcement last October of the setting up of a United Nations Commission for the investigation of war crimes. The Commission held its official inaugural meeting on 18th January last, and has been regularly at work since then.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the trials taking place in North Africa by the French are linked up in any way with this position?

No, Sir.

Will Sir Oswald Mosley be included in the list of war criminals?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any approach has been made to the Japanese Government to allow shipments of supplies and mail to be sent via Vladivostok to British prisoners of war in Japanese hands on the same lines as those allowed for U.S.A. war prisoners.

By agreement with the United States Government, arrangements for despatching supplies via Vladivostok will apply equally to British and American prisoners of war and internees in Japanese hands. As regards mail, if the route via Vladivostok should be opened for correspondence for American prisoners of war and internees, it will be used also for correspondence for British prisoners of war and internees should it prove quicker than the existing route.

Does the Foreign Secretary's answer mean that arrangements have actually been made to send supplies?

Yes, Sir, that is right, and arrangements made with our American friends give us exactly the same facilities as they give to their own people.

Does that apply to all territories where our prisoners are interned?

I think that, in every single case in which we or the Americans are concerned, we give each other the same facilities as we have ourselves.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state categorically that the Americans have not succeeded in doing any better for their prisoners or interned civilians, than we have?

We have been quite as successful as they have. There has been complete collaboration between us, but neither of us has been able to achieve what we wanted.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider raising the expenses allowance of British consuls-general and similar officials in the U.S.A. to enable them more adequately to represent the British point of view in that country.

The emoluments of His Majesty's consular officers in the United States were reviewed in 1942, when considerable increases were granted to enable them to discharge their representational duties adequately. At the same time, a fund was placed at the disposal of His Majesty's Ambassador to meet exceptional expenditure incurred by consuls on representation. So far as I am aware, the present position in this respect is satisfactory, but I am always prepared to examine sympathetically any applications for further increases which may be recommended by His Majesty's Ambassador.

Is not the Minister aware that, for instance, in one great Middle Western city, where most citizens are of German descent, and where it is particularly important that the views of Germans should be heard, our Consul-General is not able even to belong to the principal club in the city?

I do not know about that. If the hon. and gallant Member has any particular city in mind, where he thinks there is not sufficient representation, perhaps he will let me know.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the same consideration should be given to His Majesty's junior Ministers as is given to consuls?

Will the Minister not send working-class representatives to some of these jobs, to join the trade unions in these particular areas?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will institute an inquiry into the practicability of Great Britain supplying, after the war, simple pre-fabricated houses to relieve the serious housing situation which will be caused in France and other allied countries by allied military and air action.

The capacity of this country to produce pre-fabricated houses is likely to be fully occupied in meeting the needs of our own people. The supply of emergency housing in liberated areas is only part of the general question of how the essential needs of these areas, on liberation, can best be met. This general question is under consideration.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that by next winter thousands of French families may be homeless and in grievous danger of suffering through the action of our Forces; does he realise that it would be not only a practical form of help, but a sound basis for Anglo-French friendship, if such aid could be given; and will he look into the matter very seriously?

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that there are hundreds of thousands of people in this country who are without houses?

We all deeply regret that any devastation is to be caused in France, but many French people also understand that there has been very wide devastation in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what proofs he has received from General Velebit of the colloboration of General Mihailovitch and his supporters with the Germans; and, in view of the fact that General Mihailovitch is a member of the Government of King Peter, recognised by His Majesty's Government, if he has communicated these proofs either to King Peter or his Prime Minister so that they can refute these accusations or else take suitable action.

General Velebit's visit to this country has been concerned solely with military matters. Political questions have not therefore been discussed with him.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that General Velebit has publicly stated that such proofs have been handed to the British Government, and can he explain why we in this country hear nothing of General Mihailovitch except from the United States?

As regards General Velebit's public statement, I do not know to what my hon. and gallant Friend refers. He has not been seen either by me or anyone else at the Foreign Office, and his purpose here is military and not political.

Can the Foreign Secretary say whether any representations at all have been received from Marshal Tito, directly or indirectly, complaining of the participation of General Mihailovitch in supporting the Quisling or German forces in Yugoslavia?

Certainly, there have been a large number of comments by General Tito and others about General vitch. As regards whether we have received anything from him, I would like to have notice of the question, but I think it is quite likely.

In view of the fact that General Mihailovitch is fighting with the Germans and against us—[HON. MEMBERS: "It is not true."]—is it not about time that this anomalous situation was cleared up?

It may be easy for the hon. Member to be absolutely dogmatic about these matters. I do not find it so easy, on our information, to be quite so dogmatic.

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. Is not an hon. Member who assumes a matter of fact of this kind, obliged to produce his evidence?

Every hon. Member is responsible for what he says.

Arising out of the charge made by the hon. Gentleman the Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander), may I ask the right hon. Gentleman, if the information given by the hon. Gentleman is correct, why it is that His Majesty's Government recognise General Mihailovitch and have a military representative with him?

I have already dealt with that question. The Prime Minister ex- plained in his last statement what the position was in respect of General Mihailovitch. I have said that I cannot be categorical like the hon. Member in what is a very obscure and difficult situation upon which we really cannot pronounce ex cathedra.

rose—

This is not a matter which can be dealt with by question and answer.

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment, at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can make any statement on the amnesties granted to the Polish-Jewish soldiers who were recently court-martialled; if the amnesties amount to complete annulment of the sentences or only to a stay of execution; if they apply also to the three sailors who were arrested simultaneously with the soldiers and to one or two isolated absentees who have been arrested since; and if he has any information showing to what units the men concerned are to be sent for duty.

Yes, Sir. On 12th May the President of the Polish Republic signed an amnesty decree relating to a number of military offences, including desertions, committed by members of the Polish Armed Forces prior to May 3rd. I am informed by the Polish Government that the amnesty, in its application to Polish Jewish and other deserters, involves complete annulment of the sentences inflicted on them by court-martial. As regards the third part of the question, the amnesty applies in respect of all offences committed before 3rd May whether or not sentences had been inflicted prior to that date. As regards the last part of the question, I understand that the men have been sent to the central Polish depot and will be posted to units according to their qualifications and to military requirements.

I would like to take this opportunity to say that His Majesty's Government warmly welcome the action of the Polish Government in granting this amnesty. I strongly hope that this will mark the close of this unfortunate episode, and that the men affected will now go forward to play their part in the great operations which are impending. I am satisfied that the Polish authorities, for their part, have done and are doing all in their power to stamp out any trace of racial or religious discrimination in the Polish Forces.

While warmly welcoming also this act of just clemency by the Polish authorities, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it would not be rather unfortunate if these men were to be sent back to the same units in which this unhappy situation arose; and, if the Polish authorities, of their own volition, agreed to transfers by individual application to the British Forces, would the British authorities put any obstacle in the way?

I have made it quite clear that, in all the circumstances, we are not prepared to accept these men in the British Army.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if his attention has been called to the action of the Aljezur, Portugal, Council, in advertising for sale a Halifax bomber; whether this bomber is British property; and what action is being taken to prevent it becoming enemy property.

I am informed that the aircraft offered for sale in Aljezur is a crashed German aircraft. No Halifax bomber has been advertised for sale in Portugal.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production why, shortly after his talk to a Stockton-on-Tees factory producing aeroplane propellers, orders were reduced and production cut down considerably whilst at the same time a London factory not previously producing them has received orders for propellers; and if he is aware that some of the labour employed at the Stockton factory has now been declared redundant.

The Stockton-on-Tees factory are engaged on sub-contracts for the manufacture of wooden blades for aeroplane propellers according to a process developed by the London firm referred to. Owing to a change in the type of propellers required for certain aircraft it became necessary to reduce the rate of output of the wooden blades in question. Orders had already been placed with the London firm and these orders were cut down at the same time as those of the Stockton-on-Tees firm. Contrary to the suggestion in the hon. Member's Question no further orders were placed with the London firm. The answer to the last part of the Question is in the affirmative, but I understand that the redundant labour has been re-absorbed in other production.

Does the Minister realise how depressing it is to the people to whom he spoke in such inspiring terms to find that, shortly after his visit, the output per shift was halved and the cost, of course, correspondingly increased, and that those people were for long periods sitting around with hardly any work to do?

I fully realise that it is always depressing when programmes are changed but, unfortunately, for the purpose of both economy and efficiency, it is necessary to change programmes.

Had not the Minister anticipated that change when he spoke to these people?

No, Sir.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will make it clear that naval personnel resident in Malta, at least between the entry of Italy into the war and the collapse of Italian resistance, are entitled to the award of the 1939–43 Star or the Africa Star, whichever is appropriate?

Service ashore in Malta qualifies for the Africa Star in the Royal Navy as it does in the Army. In the Royal Navy, however, this Star will be given only to those who are not qualified for the 1939–43 Star. The dates between which the Africa Star can be earned are those of the entry of Italy into the war and the expulsion of the enemy from the continent of Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to safeguard the conditions and wages of native conscript labour on the sisal estates, Tanganyika, in view of the recent considerable increase of such conscript labour; and will the wages and conditions of the labourers be improved as a result of the increase of approximately 20 per cent, in the price paid by the Government to the farmers.

The wages of compulsory labour are safeguarded by the Compulsory Service Ordinance, which lays down that they shall be not less than the ruling rates for voluntary labour in the area concerned. Other conditions are as prescribed in the Masters and Native Servants Ordinance, and the Administrative and Labour Departments have specific instructions to see that they are satisfactory. The new contract price is based on increases already effective in the cost of estate running (including medical services, housing and welfare), machinery, etc., and will not affect the wages of labour.

May I ask my right hon. and gallant Friend whether the increases to which he refers really cover the full increase in the cost of living, and whether they include the increase of 20 per cent. in the price paid by the Government to the farmers?

I tried to explain in my answer that the new price is based on the increase in the cost, including wages, that has already taken place.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any steps are being taken to provide for elected members to the Seychelles Legislative Council; and whether such elected members will be elected by universal suffrage or on a property qualification and, if the latter, what will the qualification be.

As announced in the Seychelles by the Governor on 24th January this year, His Majesty's Government have decided that as soon as possible after the war they will agree to the introduction of elections in respect of up to 3 of the unofficial Members of the Legislative Council, if in the meantime they are satisfied that elections are desired by a substantial and representative body of public opinion amongst that part of the community which will be affected. The franchise would be based on a property or income qualification plus a simple literacy qualification, the gross minimum income qualification being 700 Rupees per annum. In the meantime the number of nominated unofficial Members of the Legislative Council has been increased by three with a corresponding increase in the official membership.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the need to increase production of foodstuffs in Kenya, the Government of Kenya intends to permit Indians to occupy and cultivate lands reserved for white settlers but at present not under cultivation.

No, Sir, that is not the intention. The hon. Member will realise that the Indian community is drawn from trading and artisan, and not from agricultural, classes.

In view of the fact that the land is lying idle, is it not possible to give those Indians who desire it, the use of the land? Although they may be drawn from the artisan class, they are as capable as artisans in this country of cultivating a piece of land and producing a good food growth on it.

I am anxious to increase food production in Kenya to the maximum extent, but I am quite certain this would have little, if any, practical effect, and would create a great deal of disturbance.

I am aware that protests have been made by the Indian community against these regulations, which are similar to those introduced in Uganda and Tanganyika. The regulations apply to persons of all races whose admission is not essential to the war effort and there is no discrimination against Indians. They have been necessitated by the serious position with regard to housing and food, and are not intended to be permanent. Persons temporarily leaving East Africa are exempt from the regulations on their return, provided that they are normally resident there and have not been absent for more than two years.

How can it be said that these regulations are in force because of the scarcity of housing and food, when there is a considerable amount of land available there on which these people could be growing food? The necessary housing could quite easily be made available.

It is not easy to provide the necessary housing accommodation because neither labour nor materials are available. Also, our experience is that the great majority of these Indians who come in, have nothing to do with agricultural work but go into trading or mechanical occupations.

Is it not the case that these regulations had to be made, in order to keep special preserves for the white settlers?

That is quite untrue. In fact these regulations were first made in Tanganyika, where the same considerations do not apply at all.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the accident rate in the Marampa mines for the period 1938–1942, as compared with the years 1933–1937.

I am asking the Governor of Sierra Leone for the figures and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that these figures have increased in recent years?

Until I get them, I am not aware of that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what provisions exist under the Concessions Ordinance, 1931, in Sierra Leone for the regulation of the conduct of mining operations in the Marampa mines; and whether the inspection of machinery introduced last year is being operated.

No provisions exist at present under the Concessions Ordinance for the regulation of mining operations at Marampa, but steps are being taken to amend the Ordinance for the reasons given in reply to a Question on this subject by the hon. and gallant Member for the Isle of Wight on the 20th October last. As regards the second part of the Question the provisions of the Machinery (Safe Working and Inspection) Ordinance apply to that part of the mining process at Marampa in which machinery is employed. Rules under this Ordinance were published on 1st July, 1943, and have been in operation since that date.

asked the Minister of Production what increased allocation of newsprint has been allowed to newspapers during the last 12 months; and what increase of paper has been allocated for wrapping food during the last 12 months.

The allocation of newsprint to newspapers was increased by approximately 11½ per cent. from 27th September, 1943. There has been a decline since October, 1943, of 8 per cent. in the allocations of paper and board which are specifically made for food wrappings.

Could the Minister tell us whether there is a sufficient supply of paper for shops, as it is very inconvenient for people to have to take home unwrapped goods? There is a great shortage of paper, and what there is, is of very poor quality.

I can only say that we have had no serious complaint upon the subject.

Could not the Government issue fewer White Papers?

Can the Minister say whether all the increase of 11½ per cent. in newsprint allocation has been taken up by the newspapers?

Virtually, all.

Are we to take it that if the Minister does receive serious complaints, he will respond to these requests?

I can only respond within the limits of my ability. I would remind the hon. Gentleman that very often the weekly haddock goes home wrapped up in a leading article.

Does not the Minister think it preferable that butchers' meat should be wrapped in white paper, instead of in old newspapers which are collected weekly from customers?

It is preferable, and we are doing all we can in the matter.