asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what facilities are afforded to naval officers serving abroad who are desirous of pursuing Parliamentary candidatures to meet representative organisations in England.

It is not practicable, for bye-elections, to grant leave to officers serving abroad to enable them to meet representative organisations or attend selection committees in this country. For the forthcoming General Election I hope to be in a position to arrange for any officer who genuinely desires to pursue a Parliamentary candidature to be given an opportunity to attend before selection committees in this country provided he can be spared from his Naval duty. It must be recognised, however, that there can be no guarantee that passage facilities will be available from the distant stations.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can make any statement about the transfer of warships to the Union Government of South Africa.

The Union Government have recently agreed to take over and man three frigates of the Loch class, our most modern type of escort vessel. The first of these ships has now been commissioned as H.M.S.A.S. "Good Hope." South African sailors have rendered most gallant and efficient service in ships of the South African Naval Forces and in ships of the Royal Navy. In order to assist South Africa in her desire to strengthen her Naval Forces His Majesty's' Government in the United Kingdom decided that these three ships should be transferred as a gift.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state who was the first naval officer to put forward the idea of building a prefabricated port before a joint service committee; and will he give the names of those principally concerned in the development and execution of the plan.

There is evidence that Commodore Hughes-Hallett, Chief of Staff to the Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth, who was then responsible for the naval planning of the operation, was the first naval officer to suggest, at an Inter-Service Conference held by Admiral Mountbatten in the summer of 1943, the creation of artificial harbours by the sinking of blockships. To prevent any misunderstanding, I would add that the idea of making breakwaters with blockships was not new. The real service rendered by naval opinion led by the officer named was to help to make the project a practical proposition. The actual work came from many brains and hands in the Government Departments concerned. Many Admiralty representatives gave valuable assistance, including Mr. F. A. Whitaker, the Civil Engineer-in-Chief and his staff, Lieutenant Commander Lochner, R.N.V.R., Mr. S. A. McCarthy, the Director of Warship Production, and Mr. W. J. A. Davies, the Deputy Director, while the firm principally concerned with the erection of the floating breakwater was Messrs. Cozens & Sutcliffe. Rear-Admiral Tennant was the Flag Officer on Admiral Ramsay's staff responsible for the naval aspects of the operation throughout, and Captain Hickling, later Naval Officer-in-Charge of the Port, was largely concerned in the preliminary staff work.

asked the Minister of Supply whether the computation that £2,500,000 was lost on the bulk purchases of raw cotton for three years ended 31st March, 1944, includes Lend-Lease American cotton imported during that period; whether he will state the separate profit or loss on the bulk purchases of American, Egyptian, Indian, Brazilian and Peruvian cotton made during that period; and what was the amount of the loss on the American Lend-Lease cotton, calculated on the Commodity Credit Corporation's prices as quoted in the New York cotton market, plus charges, and the prices charged to the Lancashire cotton spinners.

No, Sir. Lend-Lease cotton is excluded from the calculation and it would be inappropriate to apply a purchase price to it. As regards the second part of the Question, while the cost of raw cotton has during the war varied widely between different sources, selling prices have been graded in general accordance with their pre-war relation and in such a way as to secure ready substitution of one variety for another as the supply position may render necessary, and in these circumstances it would not be right to allocate profit or loss to cotton from the particular sources.

asked the Minister of Supply in what way it is expected the production industries will compete in consumable goods made of steel when the cost of the raw material is so much above that of other countries.

It is too early to say at what level steel prices will settle in the post-war period, either in this or in the other main producing countries, but the Government are fully alive to the importance of the prices in this country being, so far as practicable, competitive.

asked the Minister of Supply whether his attention has been directed to the progress made in Canada in the utilisation of ammonium nitrate made in explosive factories as a fertilizer; whether he is aware that the Canadians have overcome the previous objectionable quality of caking; and will he take steps to see that this system is made available to those charged with the disposal of ammonium nitrate as it arises from surplus ammunition.

Yes, Sir. Information on this subject received from Canada is being considered in connection with the question of the recovery of ammonium nitrate from surplus ammunition and the conversion of ordnance ammonium nitrate for fertiliser use.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in order to encourage flax-growing in Northern Ireland, he will either restore the grant for the 1945 crop to the original figure of £10 per acre, or fix the price of flax at such an increased figure as will give farmers an adequate return for their expenditure and toil in producing the crop.

No, Sir. It is considered that the price offered should give an adequate return for flax cultivation on land suitable for the crop.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will remove the restriction imposed by Article 6 of the Control of Paper (No. 48) Order, 1942 (S.R. & O., 1942, No. 1817) so as to permit distribution of advertising circulars, printed after 12th November, 1941, and before 14th September, 1942, as large quantities of these circulars still have advertising value, although they will soon become useless except for pulp.

Any such advertising circulars printed after November, 1941, were printed with full knowledge that their gratuitous distribution was prohibited by the Order issued in that month, and I should not feel justified in allowing them to be distributed now.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether soldiers who served with the garrison in Malta during 1941 and have since been serving in Italy, are included in the recently announced leave plan.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War for what reasons the moderate concessions recently granted to Italian co-belligerent troops in this country have now been withdrawn; and whether he will now consider regulating the present equivocal position of these men by agreeing to their enrolment in Italian combatant units for active service with the full status of other allied troops in recognition of their awn desires and of the services already being performed by Italian regular and partisan troops in Italy in the allied cause.

None of the concessions granted to Italian co-operators in this country have been withdrawn. I do not regard the suggestion made in the last part of the Question as being practicable at present. In the meantime they are contributing very effectively in furtherance of the war effort.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he is aware that certain British officers who were transferred into the Indian Army on this account lose their right to vote at the next General Election; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this.

It is intended in the proposed legislation on electoral matters which will be introduced shortly to include provisions to enable officers holding temporary war-time commissions in the Indian Army to qualify for electoral registration, if they can declare to an address in the United Kingdom. This will cover the persons whom I think my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind.

asked the Minister of Food if he will continue the allowance of 3½ pints of milk per week to old people over 70 years of age during the winter months.

I regret that I am unable to do as my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the Minister of Food if he has considered the programme prepared by the U.S. War Food Administration on the export of wheat, flour and cotton; and if the price basis comparable with that of other exporting countries of these commodities has been adjusted in consultation with His Majesty's Dominions and the Colonial Empire.

I regret that I do not know to what programme my hon. Friend refers, but in regard to wheat and flour, which are my concern, co-ordination of price between exporting countries will, I hope, be assured through the International Wheat Council.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that a person who loses a ration book loses the whole of the tea and soap ration, as well as all the personal and other points for one whole month; and, as this is too severe a penalty, whether he will take steps to see that those in these circumstances are not deprived in future of these necessities.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "No, Sir," except in the case of personal points, which are not normally replaced in respect of the four-weekly period in which they are lost. The second part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can now make a statement on the pay of the W.A.A.F. serving with S.E.A.C.

Yes, Sir. I should first explain that Indian rates of pay for officers are inclusive of allowances except lodging allowance. It has now been decided that the pay of W.A.A.F. officers serving in Air Command, South-East Asia, shall be at rates equivalent to the corresponding Indian rates payable to R.A.F. officers in that Command less a deduction equal to one-third of the pay element included in those rates. The pay of airwomen will be at the normal British rates, to which will be added 12½ per cent. of the corresponding airmen's rates. This addition is in place of the preferential conversion rate for pay at 1 rupee = 1s. 4d., and will, in effect, give the airwomen the same foreign service allowance as the airmen get.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will give the pay and allowances of W.A.A.F. serving in this country of each officer's rank, similar information for W.A.A.F. serving in S.E.A.C., Canada and the U.S.A., and the corresponding information for the R.A.F.

Cash Values of Emoluments of W.A.A.F. Officers of W.A.A.F. "G," A. & S.D., Equipment and Meteorological Branches and of Unmarried R.A.F. Officers in Corresponding Branches.
HOME RATES (DAILY).
Rank.	Pay.				Allowances.								Total Pay and Allowances.
	R.A.F.		W.A.A.F.		Lodging Fuel and Light.		Ration.		Servant (R.A.F. Officers).		Supplementary Board and Lodging (W.A.A.F. Officers).		R.A.F.		W.A.A.F.
	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.
Pilot Officer	11	10	7	10	3	6	2	9	2	0	2	0	20	1	16	1
Assistant Section Officer
Flying Officer	13	6	9	0	3	6	2	9	2	0	2	0	21	9	17	3
Section Officer
Flight Lieutenant	19	0	12	8	3	6	2	9	2	0	2	0	27	3	20	11
Flight Officer
Squadron Leader	29	0	19	4	5	10	2	9	2	0	2	0	39	7	29	11
Squadron Officer
Wing Commander	33	6	22	4	7	10	2	9	2	0	2	0	46	1	34	11
Wing Officer
Group Captain	45	4	30	2	9	4	2	9	4	0	2	0	61	5	44	3
Group Officer
Air Commodore	55	0	36	8	12	8	2	9	4	0	2	0	74	5	54	1
Air Commandant
Air Vice-Marshal	75	0(iii)	50	0	16	4	2	9	4	0	2	0	98	1	71	1
Air Chief Commandant
NOTES: (i) Field allowance when payable is at following rates: R.A.F.—Flying Officer and below,2s. 0d.; Flight Lieutenant, 3s. 0d.; Squadron Leader and above, 3s. 6d. W.A.A.F.—All ranks, 1s. 0d.
(ii) Rates of pay on promotion to the rank only are shown, increments being excluded.
(iii) Applicable only to the Equipment Branch.

Rates of Pay and Lodging Allowance of W.A.A.F. Officers of the W.A.A.F. "G", A. & S.D., Equipment and Meteorological Branches and of Unmarried R.A.F. Officers in Corresponding Branches, serving in South-East Asia Command.
(Rates quoted are rupees a month.)
Rank.		Pay of Rank.*		Lodging Allowance.	Total.
		R.A.F.	W.A.A.F.		R.A.F.	W.A.A.F.
Pilot Officer	…	Rs. 455	Rs. 340	Rs. 20	Rs. 475	Rs. 360
Assistant Section Officer	…
Flying Officer	…	545	400	25	570	425
Section Officer	…
Flight Lieutenant	…	640	485	35	675	520
Flight Officer	…
Squadron Leader	…	915	675	50	965	725
Squadron Officer	…
Wing Commander	…	1,080	800	75	1,155	875
Wing Officer	…
Group Captain	…	1,475	1,095	75	1,550	1,170
Group Officer	…
* Indian rates of pay are inclusive of allowances, except lodging allowance.

The information required by my hon. Friend is given in the following tables:

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will now stand down the A.T.C. on the same lines as the Home Guard.

No, Sir. As my hon. and gallant Friend was informed in reply to his Question on 15th November, it is of great importance that the work of the Air Training Corps should continue even though entries to the Royal Air Force must for some time be on a reduced scale.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many officers, at a station of which he has been informed, tendered their resignations during the month of September last; how many of these officers were over 50 years of age; and what were the reasons of their redundancy.

Six officers submitted applications to resign their commissions as they understood that they might be required to relinquish them on grounds of redundancy. All were over 50. The position of these and other officers affected by the contraction of establishments has been considered by a special board at the Air Ministry and decisions will be conveyed to them at an early date. Redundancy is due to the altered requirements of the Service in the present phase of the war.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will issue a statement clearly setting forth the position of education officers in the R.A.F., including their rights to compensation in case of accident; and whether further consideration will be given to assimilating the terms of service of the R.A.F. education officers to those of the A.E.C.

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a pamphlet setting out the terms of service of R.A.F. Education Officers. Their position in respect of compensation for accidents is the same as that of other civil servants. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to-day to the hon. Members for Ilford (Mr. G. Hutchinson) and Kilmarnock (Mr. Lindsay).

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether men with the sight of only one eye are accepted for overseas service in the R.A.F.

Yes, Sir, but in future they will be posted only to areas of temperate climate.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will have immediate inquiry made into the conduct of the men employed on house repairs in West Wickham, details of which have been sent to him.

Yes, Sir. Inquiries have been made and I am sending a full report on the matter to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Works whether the £10 limit of repairs can be applied in Hornchurch and other outer London areas so as to hasten forward repairs.

The application of the £10 limit to heavily damaged areas adjoining the London Civil Defence Region is at present under discussion between my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health and representatives of some of the local authorities concerned. In this connection the position of Hornchurch is being considered.

asked the Minister of Works what is the number of bomb-damaged houses in London which have been repaired; and what is the number still awaiting repair.

I should be grateful if my hon. Friend would await the detailed statement which I hope to make to-morrow.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will name the firms with which the Government has made, or contemplates making, contracts for the manufacture of prefabricated houses; and whether he will publish the terms of the contracts.

The principal firms with which orders have been placed are Briggs Bodies, Limited, the Pressed Steel Company, Limited, Uni-Seco Structures, Limited, Tarran Industries, Limited, and Taylor Woodrow Construction Limited. It would be contrary to established practice to make public the terms of contracts of this kind.

asked the Minister of Works whether it is proposed to increase the production of Uni-Seco temporary hutments and thus allow local authorities to have a larger allocation than at present; and, if not, will he permit other firms to undertake the production of a similar hutment.

These huts are being provided only as an emergency measure during the present winter. The start of deliveries of prefabricated houses in the early months of next year should make the continued production of huts unnecessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made in his efforts to secure that the wives of British citizens, originally of Russian nationality, should be allowed to leave Russia and rejoin their husbands in this country.

I regret to state that little progress has been made. His Majesty's Ambassador in Moscow has done all he can and I raised the question personally when I was in Moscow towards the end of last year. A woman of Soviet nationality does not automatically lose this status on marriage to a British subject and she can only be released from such nationality by the Praesidium of the Supreme Soviet. The Soviet authorities, however, have stated that owing to the war, the consideration of such cases by this body has almost ceased.

asked the Minister of Works if he will look into the serious delay that is taking place in dealing with the applications for payment of holiday money for the 1943–44 period by the Building and Civil Engineering Holiday Scheme Management, Limited; and is he aware that, in some cases, no less than three to four applications have been made and, so far, no replies have been received.

The Building and Civil Engineering Holiday Scheme Management, Limited, is a non-profit making company formed by the building and civil engineering industries to administer the Holidays with Pay Scheme, and I have no authority to intervene in its management.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if he has considered the resolution, a copy of which has been sent to him, of the Women's Guild of the Church of Scotland expressing horror at the deaths of 36,000 persons on the roads since the beginning of the war and the injuries inflicted on 550,000 others and suggesting remedies for this state of affairs; and what action he is taking to put these remedies in force.

Yes, Sir, I have read the resolution adopted by the Women's Guild of the Church of Scotland, and I am grateful to the Guild for their interest in the problem of road accidents. The Committee on Road Safety have considered all the points contained in the resolution. In their interim report, which should be in the hands of my Noble Friend shortly, the Committee have made recommendations on matters in respect of which action can be taken in the early post-war period. During the war it will not, I am afraid, be possible to augment to any considerable extent the measure at present in operation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that hardship is caused to boys and girls of 16 to 17 years of age travelling to the City from outer London areas, such as Hornchurch, after workmen's trains, owing to the high fares they have to pay; and whether they can be given the same facilities as boys and girls of 14 to 15 years of age.

Children under 14 years of age can travel on the railways at half fares. Young persons between 14 and 16 years of age can buy season tickets at half the usual rate, if their headmaster or employer certifies that they require the ticket to travel to school or work. Young persons between 16 and 18 years of age can similarly buy season tickets on the same terms and under the same conditions, if they receive in wages, salary or monetary allowance less than 25s. a week. I think my hon. Friend will agree that, under these arrangements, young persons should suffer no hardship.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if the ancient milestone that was removed in 1940 for reasons of security from the place where the old packhorse track from Horston and Ling Ghyll Bridge met the Roman road from Bainbridge on the buttress of Cam Fell near Settle has been replaced; or if he can state the whereabouts of this stone.

This milestone stood, not on a public highway, but on a moorland track. It was not removed by a highway authority, and no such authority is responsible for its replacement. I understand that a search by local shepherds has failed to reveal its present whereabouts, and I regret that I am unable to provide any clues.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will arrange for the release of one of the Yugoslav ships chartered by His Majesty's Government to take essential supplies of food and clothing, etc., which have been donated in the U.S.A., Canada and the United Kingdom to Yugoslavia.

The Supreme Allied Commander in the Mediterranean decides what supplies shall be taken into the Mediterranean. He estimates what supplies are required for relief; he calls them forward for shipment as and when, in the light of the military situation, and the intake capacity of the ports, he thinks it right to do so. When the Supreme Allied Commander has given instructions that these supplies are to be called forward, my Noble Friend will gladly consider whether any Yugoslav vessels are suitable for taking relief supplies from North America or the United Kingdom to Yugoslavia, and, if so, whether they can be allocated to this work.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if he will arrange for some of our ships which regularly visit South America to have their routes slightly diverted so as to stop at Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, and carry to that country some of the British material which is ready and waiting in this country and is needed there in connection with Brazil's war effort.

My Noble Friend hopes to provide at least one sailing from this country to Brazil in December, and Rio de Janeiro will be one of the ports of call.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that a month has elapsed since a request was made on behalf of all Scottish Members for a meeting with all the Ministers concerned with civil aviation to discuss the question of Prestwick airport; and if he can say when there is any prospect of this meeting being realised.

While the Ministers concerned are aware through other channels of the intention of Scots Members of Parliament to ask for an interview with them, no formal request has yet been made for the interview, but I understand that one will be made immediately my Noble Friend the Minister for Civil Aviation returns from America to this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the percentage deducted from the returns of immunised children sent in by medical officers of health to allow for those children who pass the age limit of 15 years.

The figures supplied by Medical Officers of Health are cumulative and the deduction to allow for children passing the age of 15 therefore gradually increases. It would not be possible without considerable labour to give precise figures of the number of children involved, but the appropriate deductions for the years 1941, 1942 and 1943 were estimated to be 4 per cent., 9 per cent. and 15 per cent. respectively.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that telephone subscribers in country districts frequently have to wait 20 minutes or more for a connection owing to getting no reply from the local exchange, and if he is taking steps to remedy this state of things.

Although the average speed-of-answer has inevitably deteriorated in war-time conditions, the majority of calls are answered by the exchange within 10 seconds and only a very small percentage are kept waiting as long as 30 seconds. Sufficient staff and plant to maintain a good service are provided as far as possible but, during war-time, deficiencies due to shortage of labour or materials do arise. Continued attention is given to these matters and substantial improvement in the service has been effected during the past few months.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the Government factories offered for sale by the Government are to be sold to the highest bidder; and, if not, what are to be the considerations determining sale.

As has previously been stated, these factories will not normally be sold outright, but will be leased to selected applicants. In either case, they will be allocated in accordance with certain criteria of national interest. These were indicated in the full statements about the disposal of Government factories made by my right hon. Friend on 25th July and 20th October.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government of the U.S.S.R. guarantee patent protection for firms who advertise in Russian trade journals.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him to a similar Question yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many trade disputes there have been in Trinidad in the past year; in how many has the Industrial Adviser intervened; and how many persons are now employed in the Industrial Adviser's department.

The complete information for the current year is not yet available. No major trade disputes engaged the Department's attention during 1943, but many differences of a minor character were referred to it. There were seven stoppages of work, and in four of them work was resumed on the advice of the Department. The Industrial Adviser and 10 others are now engaged in the Industrial Adviser's Department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the case of Uriah Butler has been recently reconsidered by the Governor of Trinidad; and whether his case will now be reviewed with a view to his possible release.

The case of Uriah Butler is reviewed from time to time by the Governor in accordance with the practice described in the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Shipley (Mr. Creech Jones) on 21st June.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether arrangements are being made, on the introduction of adult suffrage in Jamaica, for Jamaicans who are serving overseas from their country to take part in the general election.

No, Sir. The matter has already been considered by the Governor of Jamaica, but it has been found that the practical difficulties are too great, particularly in view of the imminence of the election.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a scheme of old age pensions is yet being contemplated in Jamaica.

This question, together with others in connection with social security, is being examined by a Committee in Jamaica.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any decision has yet been reached regarding the attitude of the Jamaican Government and the Colonial Office to the operations of a Canadian company for the exploitation of bauxite in Jamaica.

I am not yet able to add anything to the reply given to the hon. Member on 11th October.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he proposes to take steps to encourage members of the Colonial Service to have families by granting the payment of passages of the children of Colonial civil servants so that they can accompany their parents on their official leaves home.

The provision of passages for children is primarily a matter for Colonial Governments, as each Colonial Government meets the cost of its officials' passages. A number of Colonial Governments do, in fact, make such provision. In some tropical Colonies climatic and other conditions are unsuitable for children, but where this is not the case, I am generally in favour of the grant of free or assisted passages for officers' children.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state briefly what is the relationship between the Crown Agents for the Colonies and His Majesty's Government; and whether preference is given by the Crown Agents to British manufacturers, exporters, or contractors by holding available information and business inquiries emanating from the Colonies,

The Crown Agents for the Colonies act under my authority and supervision as commercial and financial agents in the United Kingdom for the Colonial Governments. In placing orders in this country for supplies required by the above mentioned Governments the Crown Agents endeavour as far as possible to purchase goods of British manufacture. But the hon. Member will appreciate from what I have said that as Government agents they do not deal with business inquiries emanating from the Colonies, and only undertake work on behalf of Colonial Governments on the instructions of those Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in which Colonies committees have been set up to inquire into the possibility of introducing social insurance schemes; whether the committees have met; and whether any reports have been received by them.

A Committee set up in Mauritius reported in 1941. Committees are at present sitting in Jamaica, Trinidad and Ceylon, but I have not yet received their reports.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will consider increasing the number of visits to England of civil servants of Dominion birth or residents who normally would not have the opportunity of visiting England to study problems and exchange views in England at first hand.

I am in sympathy with the suggestion underlying the Question, but until the shipping position improves I am afraid it will be impracticable to make much progress in increasing the provision of sponsored visits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is a recognised policy of our Colonial Governments to float internal loans which would provide an outlet for local savings and surplus capital which could be utilised for internal Colonial development instead of being invested in this country or elsewhere.

Yes, Sir. It is a policy which has been put into practice in some places and which will, I hope, be adopted in others as circumstances permit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if Colonial Governments other than the Government of the Gold Coast which already imposes no duty, have considered the desirability of admitting motor-cars and bicycles free of import duty.

I have referred the matter to the Governors of the African Colonies for their comments, and I will communicate with my hon. Friend when I receive their replies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what food has been bought by the British Government in our Colonies during the war and subsequently destroyed; what was its cash value; and whether the practice has now been stopped.

His Majesty's Government have during the war made certain purchases of food in the Colonies, either under obligations already entered into or in order to prevent serious distress amongst Colonial producers, in quantities exceeding what it was possible in the conditions at the time to ship; and after making full use of local storage and the possibilities of local utilisation, we have been obliged to authorise the destruction of this surplus. There is at the moment no necessity for action of this kind to be taken to dispose of any surplus food products in the Colonies, and I hope that circumstances will not again oblige us to have resort to destruction.Action of this kind has been necessary in the case of West African cocoa and Jamaica bananas; in addition, His Majesty's Government have financed in Fiji and British Guiana the purchase of sugar cane and its disposal at periods when the prospects of shipping would have made it wasteful to manufacture the cane into sugar. Details of the quantities involved and costs are as follows:

Commodity.		Colony.		Period.	Quantity.	Cost.
Cocoa	…	West Africa	…	1939/40–1942/43 crops	21,072 tons	£2,917,132
Sugar	…	Fiji	…	1941 crop. Sugar cane equivalent to:	39,544 tons of sugar	£248,468
		British Guiana	…	1943 crop. Sugar cane equivalent to:	33,308 tons of sugar	£242,870

As regards Jamaica bananas, the total quantity purchased but not exported during the period from 9th November, 1940, to 30th October, 1943, was approximately 15,500,000 count bunches. A large part of this was disposed of by local sale or free distribution, but precise figures are not available of the balance which was required to be destroyed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that officials responsible for Colonial administration in the territories adjoining Southern Rhodesia are never given an opportunity to visit Southern Rhodesia; and will he approach the Southern Rhodesian Government with a view to making arrangements for an interchange of visits between officials in Southern Rhodesia and neighbouring territories in order that advantage may be obtained from such an interchange.

I agree that exchanges of visits between officials of the three Territories should be encouraged to the fullest possible extent, and it will be one of the functions of the Standing Central African Council to promote the closest contact between their administrative and technical services. I will draw the attention of the Governors of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland to the terms of the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, how many Indians in Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika volunteered for active service outside those territories; and what proportion they represent of the total Indian population of those territories.

I regret the particulars are not available. But I am taking steps to obtain the information and will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member when it has been received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention was drawn, some months ago, to the refusal of the Registrar of Trade Unions, Cyprus, to register the Pan-Cyprian Schoolmasters' Association; whether in other Dependencies applications for registration of trade unions have been made to the local registrar and refused on similar grounds; and whether steps can be taken to inform registrars that a more liberal interpretation of the law should be given.

Yes, Sir. But following a judgment of the Supreme Court of Cyprus, the Association has now been registered as a trade union. As regards the second and third parts of the Question, I have not heard of any similar instances, but my hon. Friend will appreciate that as the powers of the Registrar in each Dependency and the rights of applicants are determined by the local law it would be improper for me to give directions to registrars on the interpretation of the law.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give the schemes which have been submitted under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act by the Government of British Guiana and the schemes which have been approved by the Colonial Office.

A number of projects for assistance under the Act covering education, housing, social welfare and irrigation are under consideration. Up to the present 45 schemes and five supplementary grants have been made in favour of British Guiana, involving commitments totalling £1,024,188. Thirty-four of these schemes, with three supplementary grants are included in the returns of schemes made under the Act up to 31st March, 1944, included in Command Papers Nos. 6422, 6457 and 6532.

Schemes made under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act, 1940, in 1944–45, .e. after 1st April, 1944.
D		£
328	Education Officer: Appointment for 5 years	5,500
332	Government Probation Officer: Appointment for 5 years	4,670
347	New Infirmary Block, Leprosy Hospital	12,570
365	Drainage and irrigation department: grant of approximately 50 per cent. of the cost of the establishment of the department	83,340
392	Land Settlement Officer: Appointment for 5 years	5,000
395	Dredging of Georgetown Bar	12,500
405	Livestock improvement, Rupununi District	1,850
430	Housing of head teachers of rural primary schools	26,050
432	Training and appointment of 2 officers for 4 H Club work	6,460
443	Social Welfare: Appointment of officers, provision for building community centres, etc.	26,450
446	Rice expansion: Grant £67,650 and loan £116,150 for development of rice cultivation, purchase of equipment, etc.	183,800
214A	Carnegie Trade Schoolt—Cookery and Dressmaking classes	625
312A	Mackenzie Airfield: Supplementary grant for extension of runways, etc.	88,900

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has any statement to make as to the failure of the Bahamas Legislature to introduce the secret ballot.

Yes, Sir. Since the statement made in my reply to the hon. Member for Hamilton (Mr. Fraser) on 4th October, the Governor has addressed the House of Assembly on the closing of the Session on 20th November, expressing his regret that the House has not passed the legislation extending the secret ballot to the Out Islands and stating that he feels that the House would like to have an opportunity of reconsidering its decision. The legislation in question will be reintroduced into the House next Session, shortly after the Christmas Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether he is aware that the Government of Northern Rhodesia has given official sanction and circulation to a declaration that European employees of copper mining companies in the event of a partial strike preventing operations shall in effect be stood off without pay and if they do not accept this treatment will be dismissed: why the Government are thus officially co-operating in the companies' harshness towards their employees; and what steps he will take in the matter;(2) whether he is aware that the Government of Northern Rhodesia has given official sanction and circulation to a declaration that any European employees of copper mining companies who go on strike will not be released under the Emergency Powers Regulations or granted exit permits from the Colony; why the Government is thus officially co-operating with the companies in fighting the demands of their employees; and what steps he is taking in the matter.

A statement is appended. I may add that before the statement was finally agreed upon the Governor discussed it personally with the President of the union, who, apart from suggesting one amendment which was accepted, raised no objection to it. It was sent officially to the union on the 24th October, since when no communication commenting on it has been received from them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what active steps are being taken for providing secondary and technical education for European children in Northern Rhodesia, in view of the information that no vacancies will exist for Northern Rhodesian children in 1945 in Southern Rhodesia, thus leaving an only alternative of sending Northern Rhodesian children to the Union of South Africa schools.

The Northern Rhodesia Government is at present examining the Report of a Committee appointed to consider whether facilities for secondary education beyond form 11 for European children resident in Northern Rhodesia should be provided by Government within the Territory or at schools in a neighbouring country. As regards the immediate future I have already asked the Governor for a report and I will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as it is received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in order to make it more representative, any plans are on foot for the revision of the Legislative Council of Nigeria.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the prospective new Gold Coast constitution with an unofficial majority on its Legislative Council, whether it is also proposed to reconstitute the Nigerian Legislative Council with a view to securing wider representation of Nigerian inhabitants.

I am not at present in a position to make a statement with regard to constitutional development in Nigeria.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what lines it is proposed to reconstitute the Freetown Municipal Council; what functions and powers it will posses; whether all its members will be elected; and the scope and nature of the electoral franchise.

I have not yet received from the Governor particulars of the proposals for reorganising the Freetown City Council, but I understand that it is intended that there should be an unofficial majority. It is hoped that the Bill to give effect to the Governor's proposals will be published early in 1945.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a further Report by Sir Frank Stockdale on Development and Welfare in the West Indies will be published.

It is hoped that a further report on development and welfare in the West Indies will be published early next year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it will be determined that Africans who enter the Tanganyika Civil Service in Grade 3 and are proved to be capable of entering Grade 2 should be paid at the same rate for similar work as that paid to non-Africans.

This is already provided in the regulations; moreover, if an African has reached the maximum of Grade 111 before promotion to Grade 11, he receives two immediate increments of salary upon entering the latter grade.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many exit permits from Palestine have been granted during the last year; how many are now awaiting approval; by whom and on what grounds; and for what destinations these permits are applied for.

I have no information on the subject, but I am making inquiries from the High Commissioner for Palestine.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the prices charged in the canteens run by Spinneys, Limited, to members of the Palestine Police Force are substantially more than those charged to members of the Services by N.A.A.F.I.; and what steps he proposes to take to do away with this anomaly.

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part of the Question, the whole matter is at present under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the share capital of Spinneys, Limited, in Palestine; who owns the shares; what were the profits of the company for the years 1938 to 1943; and how these were distributed.

I am not in possession of this information; but I am asking the High Commissioner for Palestine whether it is available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Irgun Zvai Leumi is controlled in any way by the New Zionist Organisation, or by any other Jewish body in Palestine or elsewhere; or whether it is an entirely independent association deriving its membership from all the other Jewish parties and organisations.

The Irgun Zvai Leumi was formed in 1937 by the late Vladimir Jabotinsky, the leader of the New Zionist Organisation. A representative of this body has recently stated that the Irgun does not accept its discipline and does not consult it as to its activities. I should prefer not to specify its exact affiliations, but it is certainly not controlled by any reputable or responsible Jewish body.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can state the number and give details of the outrages committed in Palestine by terrorists since 1st January last.

The following is a summary of terrorist outrages in Palestine since 1st January, 1944:

(All the incidents recorded have been reported in the Press and the majority of them have also been mentioned in replies to Questions in Parliament.)

29th January.

Explosions which occurred at the Government Transport Agency Car Park at Jaffa wrecked one lorry and damaged others. A Jew arrested near the scene admitted to being a member of the Irgun. The Irgun openly accepted the responsibility in a letter to the Hebrew Press.

3rd February.

An Arab taxi-driver surprised two Jews tampering with a wall near the entrance to St. George's Cathedral, Jerusalem, and warned a Police patrol who pursued the Jews; the latter opened fire fatally wounding an Arab civilian. The lows escaped. Subsequent examination of the Cathedral wall indicated preparations to plant an electrically-operated infernal machine in the wall.

12th, 13th February.

Bomb outrages were perpetrated at Jerusalem, Haifa and Tel-Aviv against Immigration Offices causing damage to buildings and to archives at Jerusalem and Tel-Aviv. There were no casualties. The Irgun openly admitted responsibility for the outrages in a letter to the Hebrew Press.

14th, 15th February.

In Haifa two Jews carrying a suspicious parcel were challenged by a British Inspector and British Constable. The Jews opened fire, fatally wounding both Police Officers, and made good their escape. The parcel contained Stern Group literature.

24th February.

A bomb placed in a runway outside the garage of a Deputy Superintendent of Police exploded under his car as he drove out. The car was wrecked, but the officer escaped with superficial injuries. A second bomb planted by the side of the road was exploded as a Police traffic car containing 4 Police Officers was passing. The car was damaged, but the occupants escaped serious injury. A third unexploded bomb was subsequently found concealed at the side of another road. These outrages were thought to be attributable to the Stern Group.

26th February.

Explosions occurred at the Income Tax Offices at Tel-Aviv and Haifa causing extensive damage to buildings. An unexploded bomb was also found at the Income Tax Office, Jerusalem. There were no casualties.

2nd March.

A British Constable saw two men posting pamphlets in a Tel-Aviv street. On approaching them he was shot in the back by a third man. The assailants escaped. Pamphlets were those issued by the Stern Group.

13th March.

A Jewish Constable was murdered at Petah Tikvah.

16th March.

The Police challenged a man in a Tel-Aviv street who drew a pistol and made off. The Police opened fire, whereupon the man threw away his pistol and a package he was carrying. The package contained three sticks of gelignite, a fuse detonator and rivets. The pistol was loaded. The man was captured and subsequently identified as a leading member of the Stern Group who had been wanted by the Police for over three years.

19th March.

The Police saw a suspicious looking character carrying an attache case, standing at a street corner in Tel-Aviv. When the man saw that he was being watched he ran away and dashed into a house with the Police in pursuit. He tried to escape on to the roof but, finding the door locked, turned and fired at the Police. They returned fire and killed him. There were no Police casualties. The attache case contained ten rounds of revolver ammunition and Stern Group literature.

23rd March.

At Tel-Aviv, three British police were killed and one slightly wounded in separate incidents in one street. At Haifa bombs were exploded at police headquarters. Three British constables were found dead when extricated from the wreckage, and three injured. At Jerusalem a number of men wearing articles of police uniform entered police headquarters by means of a ladder. They were disturbed by an assistant superintendent of police, who opened fire. The intruders returned fire and killed him. Bombs which the party had brought with them and deposited subsequently exploded causing serious damage but no further casualties. At Jaffa explosives were discovered in an air-raid shelter below police headquarters. The building was evacuated and shortly afterwards explosions occurred damaging the building but causing no casualties.

1st April.

A British inspector, accompanied by a Palestinian police sergeant, acting on information received that a wounded man was lying in a house at Haifa, entered the House to find within four Jews, one of whom was wounded. Three men escaped through the window. The wounded Jew threw a hand grenade which fatally wounded the sergeant and slightly wounded the inspector. The Jew subsequently escaped but was afterwards found in a Jewish hospital in a dangerous condition. A search of the house revealed military uniforms, arms, electrical appliances and equipment for the production of Stern Group literature.

5th April.

A mobile police patrol in Tel-Aviv approached a man in order to question him. The man opened fire and wounded a British constable. The assailant, who was wounded, was arrested.

6th April

Acting on information received a police party surrounded a house in the Yavniel Jewish Colony near Tiberias where wounded men were reported to be hiding. Firing was opened from the house and after exchange of shots two Jews in the house were killed. Both were found to be armed with pistols. There were no police casualties.

9th April.

Three unknown persons passing a British police billet in Northern Tel-Aviv fired shots at two British constables on duty outside the billet, simultaneously throwing a grenade. Two British constables and a Jewish constable were slightly wounded. The assailants made off before assistance arrived.

10th April.

A determined, but unsuccessful, attempt was made on the life of a deputy superintendent of police, who was fired on when driving in Tel-Aviv on the way to divisional police headquarters. The officer, who returned fire, escaped injury. The assailants made off before assistance arrived.

10th May.

A Jewish police constable of the C.I.D. was shot dead by an unknown assailant when leaving his house in Tel-Aviv. The assailant escaped.

17th May.

On the night of the 17th May, three Arabs in a taxi were held up outside Ramallah by a road block consisting of boards studded with nails which punctured the tyres. When the taxi stopped an explosion occurred which blew it off the road. On extricating themselves the Arabs were surrounded by 30 Jews dressed in khaki shorts and shirts who ordered them to proceed on their way. When the Arabs walked away the Jews, who were armed with submachine guns, rifles and pistols, opened fire wounding two Arabs. A police party which turned out on hearing the shots found the taxi and the Arabs, but the assailants had made off. Immediately thereafter eight men dressed in khaki entered the Broadcasting Station at Ramallah overpowering and disarming the guard. After unsuccessfully questioning the operator in Hebrew as to the use of the transmitter and the best way of wrecking the building they fired a number of shots causing damage to apparatus and eventually left the building. There were no casualties.

18th May.

A few hours later, a police ambush patrol on a road in the foothills north-east of Lydda was fired on by the occupants of a truck approaching from the Lydda direction. The patrol returned the fire, some of their bullets penetrating the windscreen. The vehicle stopped and about six persons alighted and disappeared in the darkness. Shortly afterwards two more trucks coming from the same direction pulled up some distance away and about 18 persons of both sexes got out and ran away. The three trucks were found to contain a small quantity of gelignite and boards studded with long nails. It was later learned that on the 17th May three truck-owners from Petah Tikvah were commissioned for work at a point outside Petah Tikvah. On arrival they were attacked, removed from their trucks and bound; they were released on the morning of the 18th May.

14th July.

An attack was made by terrorists on a building in the centre of Jerusalem which houses the Jerusalem District Police Headquarters and the District of Jerusalem and Bethlehem Land Registry. The attack began with a number of minor explosions, accompanied by shooting and throwing of hand grenades. Three large explosions took place in succession doing extensive damage to buildings and starting a conflagration. The ground floor was completely gutted. Between 15 and 25 persons took part in the attack, some of them dressed in clothes resembling police uniforms. They used one or more taxis which had been seized from their drivers at the point of the pistol, and besides employing gelignite bombs and hand grenades appear to have been equipped with tommy-guns and automatic pistols. Responsibility for this outrage was afterwards acknowledged in pamphlets distributed by the Irgun. An Arab supernumerary constable and an Arab watchman lost their lives in the attack. A Jewish supernumerary constable was also dangerously wounded. Two British constables were detained in hospital suffering from shock and six other British police received superficial injuries. Jerusalem District Land Registry records were very extensively damaged by fire and from water used in fire brigade operations, and it was found necessary to close the Registry sine die.

8th August.

The High Commissioner was motoring with Lady MacMichael to a farewell function when the car, under police escort, was ambushed just outside Jerusalem on the Jerusalem-Jaffa road and fire was opened with tommy-guns from the side of the road. The High Commissioner was slightly wounded in the hand and thigh and his A.D.C. was shot through the lung and seriously hurt. The police driver was also seriously wounded. The police subsequently discovered at the spot a quantity of hand grenades, two sub-machine guns, a sack containing bombs capable of being exploded electrically from a distance, and miscellaneous ammunition, explosives and equipment. Several men were seen running from the engagement and entering the Jewish Settlement of Givat Shaul; this was later confirmed by police dogs. Preparations at the scene of the crime had, apparently, been made under cover of bogus survey operations. The police cordoned the Settlement immediately, but no one there volunteered or gave any useful information.

22nd August.

The Jaffa Divisional Police Headquarters and two police stations on the Jaffa-Tel-Aviv border were attacked by armed Jews. The attackers, in three separate parties each numbering about a dozen men, were armed with home-made bombs, grenades and submachine guns, and one party arrived and left in a truck. The way was prepared for the attack by mining of the roads and rail crossings in the neighbourhood and by laying booby-traps. A large ambush party lay near the Divisional Headquarters. Where road junctions were mined posters had been left bearing warnings by the Irgun. The attackers were driven off by small arms fire, except at one police station where the Palestinian personnel on guard were out-numbered. Fourteen rifles were taken from this station. Minor damage was done to the buildings by bombs. Casualties were one British constable wounded, one Arab constable and one Jewish temporary additional constable seriously injured. Six suspects were arrested, one of whom was wounded by police fire and was seen to throw away a bomb.

27th September.

Attacks were made on four police stations by members of the Irgun. They were planned and executed by a force estimated to have been at least 150 strong, armed with bombs and automatic weapons. There were casualties among police and civilians, and considerable damage was caused to police buildings. Casualties were 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.

29th September.

A senior British police officer of C.I.D. was assassinated while walking to his office in Jerusalem. The assailants escaped.

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.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether normal civil administration has been resumed in the Solomon Islands and the Gilbert and Ellice Islands.

The military situation in these areas does not yet admit of complete resumption of normal civil administration; but this is being advanced as rapidly as circumstances allow.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether favourable consideration will now be given to the abolition of forced labour in Kenya, in view of the statement of the Attorney-General in the Legislative Council on 18th April last that there were in Kenya some thousands of unemployed male persons.

The Attorney-General's statement related to unemployment amongst Asians and not amongst agricultural workers. The employment of compulsory labour is kept under constant review and will be discontinued as soon as circumstances permit. My Labour Adviser is at present in East Africa and this is one of the matters which he is looking into.

asked the Minister of Information whether the story and photographs about the four German boys who acted as snipers, which recently appeared in the Press, came through Ministry of Information channels.

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will arrange to offer the bound volumes of HANSARD to the State libraries of the 48 States of the U.S.A. as a contribution by His Majesty's Government to the increase of knowledge in the U.S.A. about Great Britain and the Colonies.

The presentation which my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind would be spoilt if it were made by the Ministry of Information at the public expense.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the circumstances under which a serving sailor is entitled to submit his views to his Member of Parliament; and whether these include criticisms of service conditions.

As regards Service matters, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 20th May, 1941, to the hon. Member for London University (Sir E. Graham-Little). On all other matters a serving sailor is entitled to correspond with his Member of Parliament as freely as he wishes.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is in a position to make any general statement on the broadcast messages sent out from Singapore on behalf of prisoners of war and civilian internees.

All transmissions from enemy radio stations are monitored in the British Empire. When messages from prisoners of war or civilian internees are picked up, next-of-kin are advised of the fact, and any personal messages are passed on to them.

asked the Minister of Health what facilities will be given for refreshing their clinical experience to those medical officers returning from the war who wish to undertake independent practice, in view of the lack of experience of general medicine in the case of medical officers who have for several years been in the Services and whose principal duties have dealt with measures of sanitation and hygiene.

Proposals have been under discussion with representatives of universities and others with the object of enabling medical officers released from the Forces who had not before serving become established in practice to obtain three or six months' clinical experience in hospitals under expert guidance before going into practice, and also of providing short refresher courses for those who were previously general practitioners. It is intended to circulate particulars of the scheme, as soon as it has been settled, amongst serving medical officers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any statement to make about the amount of the fiduciary note issue.

Yes, Sir. The Treasury, acting under the power conferred by Section 8 of the Currency and Bank Notes Act, 1928, as subsequently amended, have authorised an increase in the amount of the fiduciary note issue by £50,000,000 to £1,250,000,000 as from 4th December, 1944. The Treasury Minute will be laid before Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of men employed in the Metropolitan Police who have been injuriously affected by the Police Act of 1921.

If my hon. Friend has in mind the number of men now serving in the Metropolitan Police Force who joined the force between 1st July, 1919 (the date from which the scale of ordinary pensions embodied in the Police Pensions Act, 1921, was applied to serving members of police forces) and the 28th August, 1921 (the date when the Act came into force), the answer to his Question is 3,516.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production if he can make any statement as to whether all types of American bomb-sights have been made available for manufacture in this country.

Yes, Sir. Full technical information of all types of American bomb-sights has been received by my Department, but it has not been necessary to manufacture any of the American types in this country.