asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government has yet received a request for full recognition from the Provisional Government of France and for its representation on certain Allied commissions; and whether he can make a statement on the matter.

Although the French Administration has never put forward any official request in writing to His Majesty's Government for recognition as Provisional Government, yet both in official and unofficial conversations it has been made clear to the British representative in Paris that the French hope and expect that recognition will be accorded at the earliest opportunity. As regards representation on Allied commissions, my hon. Friend will have seen from my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Southwark, Central, yesterday that the question of French membership of the European Advisory Commission is under consideration.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Government are waiting until the election of the Assembly on 7th November before taking a definite decision on recognition?

I think the position of the Government was quite clearly outlined by the Prime Minister in his speech to the House a week or two ago. I have nothing to add to that.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the serious effect this may have on the future if there is any undue delay in the matter?

I am sure that I am aware of all the factors involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the right hon. Member for the St. George's Division (Mr. Duff Cooper) has now taken up the appointment of His Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the French Republic in Paris; and whether General de Gaulle's administration has yet asked for formal recognition as the Provisional Government of France.

My right hon. Friend the Member for St. George's assumed charge of His Majesty's Embassy at Paris on 13th September. As my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Rochester (Captain Plugge) was informed on 5th July, my right hon. Friend holds the personal rank of Ambassador. He has not yet presented credentials as His Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to-day to my hon. Friend the Member for Broxtowe (Mr. Cocks).

Is not the reply of my right hon. Friend an indication that the present situation generally is most unsatisfactory, and cannot be allowed to continue as it is? Would it not be better to clear it up by appointing the right hon. Member officially, and recognising the French Government at the earliest opportunity?

I think my hon. Friend is clearly entitled to make such deductions as he pleases from my reply. I think the reply is clear.

Who has been appointed chargé d'affaires for the interests of the people of St. George's?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any official information as to the German claim to have captured General Bor in Warsaw.

The Polish Government have authorised me to say that on the morning of 4th October they received a message from Warsaw, in which General Bor stated that, as all ways of escape were now closed, he and his staff would have to surrender at midday. There is therefore no reason whatever to doubt that the German claim to have captured General Bor is correct.

Does that not vitiate the accuracy of the information put out by the Lublin Committee, which stated, time and again, that General Bor had never been in Warsaw, and will he convey that information to the Ministry of Information so they may decrease the amount of publicity given to the Lublin Committee's report?

I have no doubt my right hon. Friend the Minister of Information will see the reply to this Question, and my hon. and gallant Friend's supplementary question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the sending of food parcels from London schoolchildren to individual children in Poland has been stopped; and whether arrangements are being made to resume this service.

I understand that the despatch of food parcels to children in Poland had, unfortunately, to be suspended owing to transport difficulties. The resumption of the parcel service to liberated areas is a matter for arrangement in consultation with the Soviet authorities, and, while I am informed that this has not yet been arranged, hon. Members will no doubt have seen Press reports of the distribution of relief in liberated Poland by the Soviet authorities. I cannot say whether the difficulties in the way of the resumption of the despatch of parcels to those parts of Poland still under enemy occupation can be overcome, but the whole question is at present under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the demonstrations which took place in the ex-Italian colony of Eritrea in January and February of this year, in favour of reunion of this territory with Ethiopia; and whether, in fulfilment of the promises made in R.A.F. leaflets dropped in Eritrea, the Government will now declare its intention that the principles of the Atlantic Charter shall govern any decisions concerning the future administration of these African territories now liberated from Italian rule, and the occupants given full and free opportunity of indicating their desires in this connection.

I am aware that interest of the kind indicated by the hon. Member has been evinced in certain quarters in Eritrea. As regards the second part of the Question, the future of Eritrea must await consideration by the United Nations, at the conclusion of peace.

Has not the Foreign Secretary said that in no circumstances is Italy going to get her colonies back; and would there not be widespread opposition to the re-establishment of Italy on our communications through the Red Sea?

Certainly, the Foreign Secretary said that in the hearing of most of us in this House.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman misread the second part of my Question, which asks not whether the United Nations shall come to any ex parte decision, but whether the principles of the Atlantic Charter shall be applied to these territories?

No, Sir, I did not misread the. Question; I would point out that we are not the sole signatories of the Atlantic Charter. The United Nations as a whole are signatories. It is a matter for the United Nations as a whole, and not for us alone.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the union of Eritrea and Abyssinia has not existed since the shadowy days of the 16th century; and will he do his best to save the Emperor of Ethiopia from his friends in this country?

asked the Secreof State for Foreign Affairs if any representatives of British oil companies in Rumania have yet returned to that country; and, if not, under whose auspices these oil and refinery companies are at present being operated.

No representatives of British oil companies have yet returned to Rumania. So far as I am aware, the oil and refinery companies are at present being operated under the existing Rumanian administration, in co-operation with the Allied Control Commission.

Can my right hon. Friend say when the British representatives are likely to return?

I am afraid I cannot give any precise indication. Rumania is a zone of active military operations, and until the position there is cleared up it will not be possible for the companies to send any representatives.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any definite decisions have been reached regarding the compulsory transfer of Germans from East Prussia, Danzig, Silesia and Sudetenland to the German Reich; how many are estimated to be involved in such a transfer, particularly from Sudetenland; whether this will apply to Sudetenland German Social-Democrats and other anti-Nazis; and what method it is proposed to adopt in any discrimination between working-class families to be transferred and those not to be transferred.

I am not at present in a position to make any statement on this subject, which is not one that His Majesty's Government can decide unilaterally, since it concerns many of the United Nations:

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that it would be an outrage to transfer Sudeten Social-Democrats to Germany in any circumstances? Is any attempt being made to define the political affiliations of these people?

I certainly appreciate the considerations in the hon. Gentleman's mind. When I say that I am not in a position to make a statement, that really means that I cannot make a statement.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that these very determined anti-Fascist German Social-Democrats shall not be transferred?

In view of the importance of this matter, and the serious effect that the transfer of these vast populations would have on the settlement of Europe, will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that no decision will be taken in this matter without consulting the House?

Of course the Government will consult the House as far as it is possible to do so, but in many of these matters it is essential to act quickly.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of R.A.F. personnel used to assist in the repair of bomb-damaged houses in the London region since the introduction of the fly-bomb.

Since July last, when the R.A.F. were asked to help, some 2,000 airmen have been continuously engaged on bomb-damage repairs in the London area.

Will not my right hon. Friend agree that, in view of the great damage to house property in London and the shortage of labour, the figure he has given is very small indeed, and that it should be greatly increased to meet the difficult situation which will exist this winter?

The considerations to which the hon. Members refers in the first part of his Question are not those for which I am directly responsible. I am directly responsible to this House for the efficiency of the Royal Air Force and the vigorous conduct of its operations against the enemy. Subject to those considerations, I am most anxious to help those who have suffered from bomb damage.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he will consider using prisoner of war labour to do unskilled work in clearing bomb damaged sites and houses in London so that the time of skilled building labour should not be wasted in demolition and clearance work.

Italian co-operators have already been employed under the Ministry of Home Security on clearance of bomb-damaged sites in London. The extent to which further use can be made of this labour for this work depends on the availability of accommodation in or near London. Skilled building labour is not used on demolition and clearance work, which in London is carried out by the special organisation known as the War Debris Survey under the Ministry of Home Security.

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise the importance of getting on with this job urgently and of not allowing himself to be deflected by any local prejudice on these matters?

Yes, Sir.

Will the Minister state of what Co-operative Society these Italians are members, and, if they are not members of a Co-operative Society, will he use some other word than "cooperators" to describe them?

I dare not mention Camlachie.

May I ask my hon. Friend whether he would suggest that Italian co-operators would work with a better heart if the insults to them made in the Press were to cease?

Is there an interpreter where these men are working?

Has any attempt been made to discover the experience or knowledge of these Italians, who seem to be keen on repairing bomb-damaged houses? Has any attempt been made to find out whether they are craftsmen or not, and whether they are using this as an opportunity for doing work which they should not be doing at all?

The clearance of debris in the London area is a matter for the Ministry of Home Security and not for my Department. As to whether the men are capable of repairing and building, inquiries have been made; corps have been formed, and, in some areas, they have built their own camps.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether his attention had been drawn to the fact that the present excessive hours being worked by the men engaged on the repairs to bombed houses are causing undue fatigue, with the result that the amount of work being accomplished is less than would be the case if they were working substantially shorter hours; and will he take steps to bring about a change.

I am aware that there is some divergence of view with regard to the hours at present being worked on the repair of bombed houses in London, but the Government, after reviewing all the factors of this very urgent situation, decided to maintain until 8th October a 62hour week. As the hours of daylight become shorter, the hours worked are being progressively reduced to 51½ hours per week in mid-winter.

Is the Minister aware that everybody engaged in the direction of this labour thinks the hours have been excessive, which fatigues the men and is causing general dissatisfaction?

I do not think my hon. Friend can chide me for not advocating a shorter working week. It is the urgency of the situation that has compelled the Government to order longer working hours.

What is the use of saying that when the longer hours produce less output?

I cannot agree with that.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that the commanding officer of a R.A.F. station, of the identity of which he has been informed, recently forbade a local newsagent to supply "The Times" newspaper or the "Daily Worker" to R.A.F. personnel, and that it was only after some delay that "The Times" was again provided in the N.A.A.F.I. reading-room and the messes; if the "Daily Worker" is now once more delivered at this R.A.F. station to such airmen as desire to purchase it; and if he will state the reasons for this discrimination against these two papers.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for drawing my attention to this case. The action taken by the commanding officer was unauthorised, and steps have been taken to ensure that both the newspapers referred to are freely available for purchase at the station in question.

Was the action of the officer influenced by my description of "The Times" as a threepenny edition of the "Daily Worker"?

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will remove the restrictive notice from the cover of "Target," the R.A.F. review of current affairs and topics, in view of the fact that its contents are censored before publication and include nothing of a secret nature, and of the recent removal of the similar restrictive notice from the cover of the A.B.C.A. bulletin.

I have recently reviewed this question, and have decided that this restriction can now be removed.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the position of those who have been seconded to the R.A.F. as education officers as regards gratuity and demobilisation.

The majority of the teachers who have been seconded by local authorities to the Royal Air Force educational service are employed and paid as civilians, although they have been granted commissions. A minority, who are not employed on educational work, are mobilised, and will be treated in regard to gratuity and release in exactly the same way as other officers in the Royal Air Force.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that on or about 11th August his Department issued a letter advising R.A.F. personnel who were being discharged for compulsory enlistment into the Army, that they would be given an opportunity of expressing any preference they might have regarding the regiment or corps that they wished to serve in; that in most cases no such opportunity was given, with the result that much disappointment and resentment were caused; and why this promise was given.

The letter to which the hon. Member refers was issued to airmen on deferred service. Those who were not specially suitable for any trade were given the opportunity of expressing a preference for particular regiments or corps, but they in common with the others, had been told that it might not be practicable to meet their wishes. A minority with special qualifications were posted to Army units where qualified men were urgently required. They were not given the opportunity to express a preference because it would clearly not have been practicable to give effect to it. I regret if this was not made clear to them at the time, but to have posted them to other units would have been wasteful of their skill.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for the unprecedented phenomenon of three comparatively satisfactory replies running, may I ask him if it is not rather unfortunate that some, at any rate, of these men were, so to speak, led up the garden in this way?

I have expressed regret if there was a misunderstanding about the communication to these men but the word "practicable" was intended to be interpreted in the way I have said.

Should there not have been more thorough consultations with the War Office before that letter was drafted?

I can assure my hon. Friend that there was consultation.

asked the Secretary of State for Air (1) whether the British officials attending the preliminary parleys at Montreal, on 24th October, in advance of the Washington Conference on civil aviation, will have authority to press for any definite attitude on the proposals of Australia and New Zealand for the control and operation of international air trunk routes by an international authority or, failing common agreement on this, the establishment of an Empire air board; what is that attitude; and will Parliament be given an opportunity of discussing British policy before the all-in conference meets;

Discussions between officials at Montreal will be concerned with operational and technical questions connected with the establishment of air routes between British Commonwealth countries. The hon. Member can, I think, be assured that no proposal will be ruled out from discussion which is likely to facilitate inter-Commonwealth co-operation in this important field. Questions of international organisation are for the ensuing International Conference, and, in this connection, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my Noble Friend the Lord Privy Seal in another place on 10th May last. The last part of Question No. 23 should be addressed to the Leader of the House.

Are we to be governed in future, in all matters relating to civil aviation, from another place? Does the Secretary of State realise that he has not answered my question as to how this House is to have any mandating of policy on civil aviation before the Conference meets?

Of course we are not governed by the proceedings in another place; but it sometimes happens that it is convenient for a Minister, in reply to a Debate there, to make a statement of policy on behalf of the Government. As regards the latter part of the supplementary question, I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the Government are most anxious to associate this House with them in their deliberations on questions of policy; but the time is not a matter for me, but for the Leader of the House, and perhaps my hon. Friend will address his question to him.

May I suggest that it is a matter for the House of Commons, and is the House of Commons to have no opportunity whatever, previous to the Conference on 1st November, of deciding matters of vital interest to civil aviation?

I agree that it is a matter for the House of Commons, and that is why I suggested to my hon. Friend that he should address his question to the Leader of the House.

Can my right hon. Friend assure the House that our delegates to Montreal will not go tarred with the brush of State monopoly, but, instead will breathe the fresh and virile air of private enterprise?

They will breathe the fresh and virile air of Montreal in these commercial discussions.

Can my right hon. Friend give the names of our delegates, and can he tell us what was meant by the Lord Privy Seal's expression, on 10th May, "economic competition"?

I cannot give the names of the officials at the moment, and I am not quite sure if it would be in Order for me to interpret here and now a phrase in a speech made in another place.

Is it not the case that there have been no fewer than four Debates on civil aviation in this House, in two of which the hon. Member for West Islington (Mr. Montague) gave the Government bad advice?

The bad advice was monopolised by speakers from that side of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Air (1) whether those who represent His Majesty's Government at the forthcoming Imperial Conference on Civil Aviation are to expound the policy of B.O.A.C. or whether they will have the duty of expounding the British Government's policy with regard to civil aviation;

The arrangements for the forthcoming Commonwealth conversations between officials, have been made not with haste but with deliberation, as a result of consultations between the Governments concerned over a considerable period of time. Our object will be to attain the gratest possible measure of co-operation in the establishment of air routes between Commonwealth countries. Our representatives will, of course, act on the instructions of His Majesty's Government and the recommendations of the officials will be referred to the Governments for approval.

Will this House have an opportunity of knowing what is the policy of the Government with regard to civil aviation, before our delegates are sent to attend the Conference?

No. They are going, as I have said before, to discuss questions that are of an operational and of a technical character. The recommendations of this Conference will have no effect until they have been approved by the Governments concerned, and I think that will be the time when it will be proper to have a discussion.

May I ask the Minister whether, supposing agreement is reached at Montreal on the 23rd of this month, it will mean that the Imperial country or Government represented at Indiana on 1st November will go with that policy, and try to push it across the Conference as an agreed policy?

No, Sir. I think that is a great misunderstanding of the objects of the Commonwealth Conference, which is a meeting of the family of the Commonwealth of Nations to discuss questions of an operational and technical character, which are important to the services between the Commonwealth countries. The International Conference will discuss the broader issues of international air lines throughout the world.

Are we to have a Parliamentary Secretary in this House?

That is a matter for the Government.

I beg to give notice that, owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Prime Minister (1) the duties and responsibilities of the Minister for Civil Aviation;

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether it is proposed to appoint an Under-Secretary to assist the Minister for Civil Aviation; and to whom questions concerning civil aviation should be addressed in this House;

As already announced, the executive day-to-day control of civil aviation is vested by Act of Parliament in the Secretary of State for Air, and no change can be made without legislation. My noble Friend Lord Swinton will be the Minister of Cabinet rank responsible for civil aviation planning at home and abroad. The detailed arrangements to enable my Noble Friend to discharge these responsibilities cannot be settled until he has returned to this country, and has had an opportunity to survey the position himself. I would prefer to make a statement at a later date dealing with the various points raised in these Questions.

Could my right hon. Friend assure the House that this com- promise, which fails to meet the almost unanimous views of the House as to the future organisation of civil aviation, will be of a temporary nature and certainly will not extend far beyond the European war?

I am afraid I cannot accept my hon. Friend's premise.

Will the right hon. Gentleman hand to the Minister when he returns a copy of the Labour Party's policy "Wings of Peace"?

I hope my hon. Friend will send him one.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate, in view of what has been said on the other side, that some of us are rather anxious that civil aviation should be brought into line with the Government policy on transport?

Yes, Sir, I am quite aware of that. I thought my hon. Friend behind me over-estimated the degree to which he was expressing the unanimous opinion of the House.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works if he will give a detailed specification of the Portal bungalow and a detailed estimate of costs.

I have arranged to put in the Library a copy of the specification which has been produced for the information of local authorities. The cost of these bungalows is clearly the cost of the total of the many component items. It can only be determined when the firms have had experience of the mass production of the many parts. The prices will be fixed when an investigation has been completed. In the view of my Noble Friend it is not advisable or good business to announce at this stage the Ministry of Works estimate of what these costs should be.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary see that similar information in respect of the three other temporary houses will be made available to hon. Members?

Will my hon. Friend also cause to be placed in the Library plans and drawings of the latest type of Portal bungalow so that hon. Members could be informed, pictorially, of what is taking place?

Yes, I think I can agree to that.

Are not the Scottish firms qualifying for setting up for the manufacture of these houses?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works if he will supply detailed specifications and estimates of costs of the experimental houses erected at Northolt.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether, in connection with his announced production of kitchen units, equal facilities in regard to price and the release of raw materials will be available to private industry which may be producing superior designs to meet the same purpose.

It is the intention of my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Supply,

Specifications are being prepared for the information of local authorities and I will arrange for copies to be placed in the Library. With regard to estimates of costs, as there are a considerable number of figures involved I am circulating a statement with the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will my hon. Friend also see that private enterprise receives these details as well as this House?

May I ask the Minister what rent is likely to be charged for these bungalows?

That is definitely a matter for the Minister of Health and the local authorities.

Has my hon. Friend abandoned the policy of centralisation of purchase of these materials; and can he give any estimate, now or in the OFFICIAL REPORT, of what is the difference in cost between purchasing centrally, and allowing purchasing to be made piecemeal?

As my hon. Friend is aware from the reply to previous Questions, it is not considered desirable or good business to publish our estimates of the cost now, and, as I said in the Debate in August, we are still negotiating with the firms who manufactured them, with a view to reducing the price. Consequently, it is not possible for me to give a fixed price now, either of central purchase or otherwise.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will institute an inquiry into the present system of naval expenses claims, under which not only do long delays occur in settlement but all claims are cut without the claimant being informed of the reason or having any right of appeal.

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

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if his attention has been called to the financial adoption by Royton in Warships Week of the sloop "Sparrow"; whether this ship was in existence at that date or has since been constructed; and if he can make a statement on the subject.

When the Warship Weeks adoption scheme was introduced, in order to meet all the requests from local authorities, it was necessary to include in the scheme not only completed ships but also those under construction or in the new building programme but not yet laid down. At the time of her adoption by Royton and district H.M.S. "Sparrow" was in the third category. Since then developments in the war situation have caused changes in priority which have very much delayed the completion of H.M.S. "Sparrow," and I am afraid that it will still be some considerable time before she is ready to sail the seas. I appreciate the disappointment which this long delay has caused to the people who so generously adopted this ship, and have therefore offered them a frigate in her place which has already seen active service. I understand from a letter of 5th September from the town clerk that the council have accepted this offer. I hope that the link between this vessel and the people of Royton will be close and friendly.

Is the First Lord of the Admiralty aware that, as a result of the hope expressed in a letter of July, 1942, by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that a lasting association might be formed between the townspeople and the ship, school children have been writing continuously ever since and no notification whatever was given by the Admiralty for two years, until in July of this year the council made inquiries; and should not some notification have been given previously?

I certainly think it was unfortunate that a confidential notice was not sent earlier that the ship had not been proceeded with so rapidly.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that even a worse fate has befallen H.M.S. "Firework"?

Certainly not, Sir.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if his attention has been directed to the inquest held last week on four naval ratings at Portland; was there a test made before they entered the tanks; why were there no respirators issued to these men; and is it the intention of his Department to compensate the parents of Ordinary Seaman Peter Trainor, aged 20, of 70, Flinders Street, Liverpool, for the loss of their son.

An inquiry into this regrettable accident has been held by the naval authorities, but the report has not yet reached the Admiralty. I will communicate with my hon. Friend when I have fuller information. Any claims for pensions in respect of these casualties will fall to be considered in the normal way by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions under the Naval War Pensions Regulations. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my sympathy with the relatives of the deceased ratings.

Although I am not directly concerned with the other ratings involved, I have great sympathy with their relatives. I want to know particularly however about the expenses of the funeral and the arrangements for the family of Peter Trainor, whose death was due to an accident, not brought about by the lad himself but by the neglect of someone else.

I would like to await the examination of the report of the board of inquiry, but I shall be very glad to discuss details with my hon. Friend, to see if it is possible to arrange anything. I would not like to commit myself to a public statement, until I have seen the details.

If I put down another Question next week, will the First Lord be able to give me an answer?

I am prepared to see my hon. Friend to-day, if he chooses.

If the facts are as stated in the Question, it seems that the boy's death was caused through negligence; and if such is the case, will the right hon. Gentleman see that the Admiralty pay compensation, and do not leave it to the Ministry of Pensions, otherwise the father of the lad will be subject to a means test to see whether he is to receive a pension or not?

I am sure that my hon. Friend will allow me to examine the report of the board of inquiry when it comes up after previous examination by the experts. I would not like to make any statement at the moment.

Can I put down another Question?

I have already said that I will see my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether improvements in the pay and conditions and terms of service of trained Africans in the Soil Conservation Service in Kenya can now be made.

The question whether the present terms of service provide adequate remuneration for this staff is under consideration by the Kenya Government, and it is hoped that a decision will be reached shortly.

May I ask the right hon. and gallant Gentleman whether he will hurry these discussions, which have been going on for such a long time?

I have asked for a further report.

In view of the large number of Questions on the Paper still to be answered and the fact that we have only reached Question 39, I ask that the answer to my Question may be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT. [Interruption.] I do not suppose I shall get any credit for setting that example.

I hope that the result will be satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the serious overcrowding of patients at the Mulago Hospital in Uganda; and what steps are proposed by way of immediate remedy.

Yes, Sir. A free grant of £477,500 has been made under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act for the construction of a new hospital of 1,100 beds. The Governor proposes to increase the present accommodation to 700 beds in temporary buildings while the new hospital is under construction.

May I ask my right hon. and gallant Friend whether he has given instructions for this matter to be pressed on with all possible speed?

I do not need to give instructions. The Governor himself is perfectly aware of the necessity for expedition.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what requests he has received for the gradual transference over a period of years of Government offices from Entebbe to Kampala on the grounds of public convenience and economy; whether such recommendations have been endorsed by the Governor; and whether he will give this matter favourable consideration when examining the Colony's programme and plans for postwar development.

The transfer of the Government offices to Kampala has been suggested by non-official bodies, but no official proposal has yet been received from the Governor, though I am aware that it has been engaging his attention. It is stated in the Uganda report on Post-War Development, which I recently placed in the Library, that the provision of new central offices might well find a place in a loan programme to be drawn up after the war.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the various Government railways in the African Colonies are co-operating financially and otherwise with local airway developments and with road transport and bus companies as is now being done elsewhere; and if not, will he urge them to do so as soon as possible to avoid future complications.

None of the Government railways in the African territories for which the Colonial Office is responsible, at present participate financially in local airway development, although some Government railways operate road transport service. I entirely agree with my hon. and gallant Friend that the closest co-ordination of all transport activities is desirable. I know that the Colonial Governments share that view, but I will again bring the point to their attention.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is now in a position to report on the review by West African Governments of disability pensions paid to members of West African forces.

Yes, Sir. This matter has been carefully considered by the West African Governments. The increase of 50 per cent., which has hitherto been payable under the provisions of local legislation in special circumstances, is to be paid in all cases. The awards are now considered adequate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now received the Report on the cocoa operations of the West African Produce Control Board.

The Report has been published to-day as a White Paper, and is now available to Members at the Vote Office.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will consider taking steps to increase the authority and powers of the local councils in Palestine so as to enable them to play a more responsible part in local administration.

The progressive extension of the powers of local authorities is a matter which has engaged active attention of the Palestine Government during recent years. An ordinance is in process of enactment empowering the High Commissioner to set up village councils.

Can my right hon. and gallant Friend say whether the powers of the local councils in Palestine will be equal to those of the local authorities in this country?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question down.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why it has been found necessary to introduce in Palestine a draft Bill to enable an issue to be made of premium bonds; whether he can give particulars of same; and whether there is any precedent in any part of the British Empire for raising money in this way.

Having regard to the general financial position and the dangers of inflation, the Palestine Government and His Majesty's Government are anxious to raise in Palestine as much money as possible by local borrowing. After most careful consideration of all methods it was decided that premium bonds would make the strongest appeal to the population of Palestine. It is proposed to issue 100,000 bonds of £10 each. The bonds carry interest of 1 per cent. Premia will be paid quarterly. The first bond drawn each quarter will be redeemed for £1,000 and 158 others will be redeemed for smaller amounts. A premium bond issue was made in Cyprus and India in 1943.

Seeing that the proposal for premium bonds has been turned down repeatedly in this country, may I ask the right hon. and gallant Gentleman why he thinks it advisable to apply this gambling idea to a Mandated Territory, where the people cannot be consulted; and does he think that Palestine should be encouraged to gamble?

The circumstances are entirely different. In Palestine to-day there is an acute danger of inflation through war conditions, and there are not the leisurely circumstances in which this proposal has been considered in this country. A further difference is that, whereas this country is well accustomed to ordinary family savings, so far that has been a failure in Palestine.

Can my right hon. and gallant Friend give the House any information about the actual rate of interest on these bonds, allowing for the premium paid?

I said "I per cent."

I know, but that does not allow for the premium.

If I can get an actuary, I will have it worked out and send to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make regarding recent terrorist outrages in Palestine.

There has unfortunately been a recrudescence of Jewish terrorist activities in Palestine. On the night of 27th September attacks were made on four police stations by members of the Irgun Zvai Leumi, the military organisation of the New Zionist organisation. They were planned and executed by a force estimated to have been at least 150 strong and armed with bombs and automatic weapons. There were casualties among Palestinian police and civilians and considerable damage was caused to police buildings. Casualties were also inflicted on the terrorists and two men were arrested, one of whom had been wounded. Quantities of ammunition, two bombs and Irgun flags were seized. On the morning of 29th September a senior British police officer, Mr. J. T. Wilkin, of the Criminal Investigation Department, was assassinated while walking to his office in Jerusalem. The assailants escaped. On the night of 5th-6th October the Tel Aviv offices and stores of the Department of Light Industries were raided by 50 persons, some of whom were armed, and textiles valued at £100,000 were removed. The raiders announced themselves as being members of the Irgun Zvai Leumi.

Can my right hon. Friend tell the House whether His Majesty's Government have any information as to how automatic weapons and ammunition are procured by these people; and what steps will be taken to prevent such occurrences in the future?

I am afraid that there have, during the last five years, been a great many troops moving about in the Middle East and that undoubtedly a certain number of arms have either been stolen from them or, in some cases, sold by them.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that those of us who are in touch with opinion in that country, are most alarmed by the information which is reaching us that both sides are arming preparatory to civil war after the war? Will he consider publishing a White Paper on the subject, as the majority of people in this country have not the least idea of the seriousness of the situation, and the terrible strain placed upon the administration in Palestine?

I agree with my Noble Friend that it is most important that people should realise the very tense situation there. I will consider in what way we can bring it to the public's attention.

May I ask whether an order has been issued, or will be issued, stating that all unauthorised persons in Palestine having arms must surrender them to the authorities?

It is, of course, already a criminal offence to have unauthoirised arms.

Cannot the Minister make it clear that the action of these elements in Palestine is execrated, not only by the responsible leaders of Jewry there, but also by the whole of the Jewish population, who are willing and anxious to give every kind of assistance to the authorities to see that this kind of thing is stopped?

Yes, Sir, but verbal denunciation is not, in itself, enough. What we want, and what we shall hope to get, is the active collaboration of the whole of the Jewish population in Palestine.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the law in Jamaica regarding mineral rights; does the freehold owner of land possess a right to ownership of undisclosed minerals; what is the position with regard to bauxite; and if the Colonial Government or the Colonial Office is taking any action regarding the production of bauxite in Jamaica.

In Jamaica mineral rights, except over precious metals and oil, belong to the owners of the surface soil. It has been decided that Jamaica bauxite is not required for the war effort, and accordingly no action is at present being taken by the Government for its production. I am in consultation with the Governor on long-term policy.

Can the Secretary of State say whether the American companies are being established in Jamaica to exploit the production of bauxite, and what action is going to be taken?

The buyers of private land showing possibilities of bauxite have been warned by the Government that as part of the long-term policy restrictive legislation may be introduced and may be retrospective in effect.

asked the Prime Minister when it is proposed to publish the full armistice terms to the Italians.

As far as His Majesty's Government are concerned, the terms will be published when it seems appropriate to the United Nations to do so.

Having regard to the manifest difficulties caused by the absence of this knowledge, will my right hon. Friend assure the House that everything is being done by everyone concerned, to enable the Armistice terms to be published?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this House and the country are very largely without information on the question of whether the Allied Forces in Italy are receiving help from the Italians, both militarily and from the point of view of labour forces? If I ask him a question on this subject next week, will he reply fully on the matter as a result of his experience in Italy?

Perhaps the Noble Lord will put that question down.

asked the Prime Minister what progress has been made in the establishment of a co-ordinating agency for the many Service benevolent funds in order to prevent overlapping and ensure that cases of hardship are dealt with expeditiously.

The co-ordinating agency which was formed last year has, I understand, been dissolved.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise how essential it is, if delay is to be avoided by ex-Service men in obtaining assistance from war aid societies, that there should be a coordinating agency? Will he take urgent steps on the matter?