asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the area of land which has been purchased by his Department for an aerodrome, the place name of which has been communicated to him; how much was paid for this land; and who were the previous owners.

Approximately 1,600 acres have been requisitioned for this airfield. Purchase has so far been restricted to a very few small properties at a total cost of £10,650, although other negotiations are in progress. The land is divided between 35 ownerships, particulars of which I am sending to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that, owing to the high cost of travelling of officers and civilian instructors to the A.T.C. between their homes and their units, the efficiency of the A.T.C. training is being handicapped and if payment of such proper expenses may therefore be authorised in future.

No, Sir. I am not aware that the existing travelling regulations react unfavourably on the efficiency of the Air Training Corps. The regulations are in line with those of the Sea Cadet Corps and the Army Cadet Force.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will give an undertaking that West Indian members of aircrews who have served for more than three years in Britain or Europe will be allowed leave in the West Indies before they are posted to the Far East.

No, Sir, but every effort would be made to give home leave in the circumstances described by the hon. Member.

Would the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the number concerned is very small—perhaps about mo—and that it should, therefore, not be very difficult? It would mean a great deal to these men if they could get away for a time from this climate of ours.

I think my answer covers the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, but if he has any particular case in mind I hope he will let me know about it.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why, when officers and other ranks in the Service are invalided out of the R.A.F. as a result of wounds, no mention is made in the letter notifying the person of his discharge that it is a result of wounds received in action; and whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt among those invalided out as a result of wounds that the reason is defined as ill-health.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for drawing my attention to this point. I agree that the expression "ill-health" is inappropriate, and I am considering the adoption of alternative wording. I do not, however, consider it would be desirable to differentiate in this matter between invaliding due to wounds received in action and invaliding due to other causes such as flying accidents.

While I thank my right hon. Friend for undertaking to review this matter, will he bear in mind in doing so that there is a good deal of ill-feeling in the Service that wounds are put in the same category as minor illnesses and other things not comparable to flying accidents?

I think my hon. Friend is putting his case too high in saying that. This description has been in force for 20 years, and I have no evidence of widespread or deep-seated dissatisfaction. Nevertheless, I agree that the wording can be improved, and I am going to try and do that.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware of the unsatisfactory nature of the accommodation and sanitation at a certain R.A.F. station, of which he has been informed; and if he will take immediate steps to improve its amenities.

Certain improvements at the station referred to were recently authorised, and I understand that the work is well in hand. I am, however, looking into the matter further and will write to my hon. Friend in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of jet-propelled enemy aircraft that have now been destroyed by the R.A.F.

I regret that for security reasons it would be premature to publish this information.

asked the Secretary of State for Air on what ground are education officers in the R.A.F. given lower rank than chaplains in the same units, education officers ranking as flight-lieutenants while chaplains of equivalent service rank as squadron-leaders.

The R.A.F. ranks of education officers vary from pilot officer to air commodore, according to their civilian gradings and/or their length of service. The honorary ranks held by chaplains vary from squadron leader to air commodore, mainly according to length of service. The duties discharged by these two Services are not comparable, and I am not aware that the differences between the R.A.F. ranks accorded to them have, in practice, given rise to any difficulties.

Is not this likely to cause some discontent among education officers?

I do not think so; I think it is fair as between the two. The hon. Lady must remember that chaplains, as a rule, enter the Service at a much older age.

Would it not be much better to give them a title which defines their job? Why not call them "sky pilots," as they are commonly called?

asked the Minister of Works whether Servicemen returning to civil life with their homes requiring second stage repairs will be given priority in this respect.

Local authorities are carrying out these repairs according to a systematic plan. The grant of priorities to large classes would slow down the general rate of progress. Special treatment is, however, given in individual cases of hardship, including those of ex-Servicemen.

Will my right hon. Friend reconsider this matter in view of the fact that it is the general policy to give special consideration to the ex-Serviceman, so that when he returns to his home he may have priority in the final repair to his house and thereby give him a home instead of merely a shelter? The number involved at any one time would not be great.

Of course we all have sympathy with the case of the ex-Serviceman. These houses are mostly being done one after another in a row, and leap-frogging from one street to another interrupts the flow of work. By and large the best policy is to get the job as a whole done as quickly as possible.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will have inquiries made as to the progress of the work being done on bomb-damaged houses in a locality of which he has been informed, with a view to hastening the repairs.

Yes, Sir.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the lack of supervision and the refusal of many of the men to do a fair day's work, on homes which have been badly bombed in this district and are now open to the elements, is a public scandal; and what is he going to do about it?

What I am going to do is what my hon. Friend has suggested, to make inquiries and let him know.

asked the Minister of Works whether he can give an assurance that a householder in the London area, who is able to do repair or maintenance work to his home himself, can do it without being obliged to obtain a licence, even though the cost of the work if done by paid labour might exceed £10.

The value of a householder's own labour is not taken into account in assessing the cost of any work carried out by him.

asked the Minister of Works whether he has issued, or will issue, a circular drawing the attention of local authorities and builders engaged in the permanent repair of Georgian windows damaged by blast to the importance of restoring the glazing-bars.

When the time comes to carry out permanent repairs, windows will, of course, be reinstated in their original style.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that some of these windows have been already repaired without the glazing bars?

We have not yet reached the stage of permanent repairs. At the moment we have to get the immediate job done as quickly as possible. Putting in additional bars in the windows would hold up the work.

asked the Minister of Works whether he has any further statement to make concerning the release by his Department of the 253 small flats, each with a kitchen and bathroom, of the location of which he has been informed by letter.

Some 80 of these flats have been released for the housing of bombed-out families. The remainder cannot be released as they are occupied as offices by Government staffs for whom suitable alternative accommodation is not at present available.

What use is being made of the 170 small bathrooms and kitchens by these Government servants? In view of the shortage of accommodation, is it not a great waste to have all these small flats used in this way?

Many of these kitchens are being used for filing and stores. I agree that this is not an ideal way of using these flats, particularly since they are very suitable for bombed-out families. I am looking into the question of alternative accommodation.

asked the Minister of Works what steps he has taken to arrange for the release of the necessary skilled labour concerned with the reopening and maximum production of brick and tile works in readiness for building work.

Having regard to the stocks at present available there is no immediate need to expand the output of the brick industry. However, arrangements are being made for increasing the labour force as soon as this becomes necessary. The large consumption of tiles for bomb damage repair has made it necessary to step up the output. Subject to essential military requirements, arrange- ments have been made for the immediate release from the Forces and industry of all men, other than those serving overseas, who can be identified as skilled tile makers.

Is it the case that so far no houses are being built of the old flint out of which the House of Commons was built? Could it not be used for building houses?

That is going a long way from the Question on the Paper.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can now inform the House of the result of the inquiry regarding loss of naval ratings at Portland Harbour; and if the Government have yet decided the amount of compensation to be paid to the parents of deceased naval rating Peter Traynor.

These ratings entered a tank in which rusting action had taken place causing the absorption of oxygen from the atmosphere, and the cause of death was asphyxiation. Hundreds of these tanks had previously been entered without any untoward results, but the Admiralty are not satisfied that adequate precautions were taken. Compensation will be paid to the relatives, apart from any claim they may have under the War Pensions Regulations, and negotiations will shortly be opened with a view to a settlement on a fair and proper basis.

Then I can take it that, as the case I have cited is considered entitled to compensation, relatives of other ratings are included?

I think my answer implies that in the cases of those who lost their lives.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can now give a favourable reply to the appeal of a certain town council, of whose name he has been informed, for the release of their pier.

I regret that it is still impossible to meet the desire of the local authorities in this matter. My hon. Friend may rest assured that the Admiralty will give permission for the pier to be re-opened to the public as soon as the state of the war makes this practicable.

May I take it that the right hon. Gentleman will agree to release the pier as soon as possible?

I think I said that.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that men serving in the R.N. receive 26 kroner in exchange for an English £ in Iceland, whilst sailors in the Merchant Navy receive 44 kroner; and if he will explain why this is.

There is no difference between the official rate of exchange in Iceland far men of the Royal Navy and men of the Merchant Navy. If my hon. Friend knows of any specific case in which a rate higher than the official rate has been used, perhaps he will let my right hon. Friend, the Minister of War Transport, have details to enable him to make inquiries.

I have the information from my own nephew, so there is no doubt about it.

The information should be sent to the Minister.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why, when officers and other ranks in the Service are invalided out of the Royal Navy as a result of wounds, no mention is made in the letter notifying the person of his discharge that it is a result of wounds received in action; and whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt among those invalided out as a result of wounds that the reason is defined as ill-health.

No, Sir, the Admiralty Letter sent to officers invalided from the Royal Navy as the result of wounds does not state that they are being invalided on account of ill-health. It informs them of the result of the medical survey on the question of their fitness for further Naval service. Any officer receiving wounds will have been issued with a Hurt Certificate which he can produce, should it be necessary for him after leaving the Ser- vice to certify this fact. It is not considered appropriate that the invaliding letter referred to should be substituted for this certificate. Ratings invalided for wounds not only receive a Hurt Certificate, but have a notation of the wound made on the Service Certificate—K.R. 606 (2).

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the total number of Sea Cadets allowed; how many are at present enrolled; and how many were enrolled 12 months ago.

The total number of Sea Cadets allowed is 50,000. There are at present 43,000 enrolled. Twelve months ago there were 41,300 enrolled.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether steps are now being taken to institute the organised and comprehensive economic survey of Kenya Colony, referred to by the Governor in opening the 1944 Session of the Legislative Council; and whether he can give particulars of the arrangements which are being undertaken.

I have not so far received details of the steps which are being taken, and will ask the Governor for a report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it has now been decided to establish any more information rooms, apart from those mentioned in his reply of 28th September.

Yes, Sir. Three more information rooms have been established in Kenya, at Kiambu, Embu and Nyeri.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman do everything possible to expedite the establishment of as many of these rooms as possible in the shortest possible time?

Yes, Sir, they seem to be proving extremely successful.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the result of the review of the cases of Maltese British subjects interned in Uganda which he promised in July last to institute; and whether, if it is necessary that some should continue to be interned, they may now be transferred to a healthier and more temperate locality.

When these case were reviewed, the advisory committee recommended that all the Maltese British subjects still detained in Uganda should be released, and the Governors have accepted this advice. Arrangements are being made for their repatriation to Malta.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is intended to close down one of the internment camps in Uganda; and whether preference will be given to retaining the camp at Bombo rather than that at Entebbe, in view of the unsuitability of Entebbe on grounds of health as a place of prolonged internment.

On account of the shortage of staff and the need to use the Bombo cantonment for Government servants engaged on urgent and essential work in connection with active land survey and the development of rural water supplies, it has been found necessary to close down this internment camp. Sixty- eight internees and detainees are to be repatriated and the rest transferred to Entebbe. The medical authorities consider that the health conditions at Entebbe are slightly better than those at Bombo.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that there is considerable trouble caused by lake flies at Entebbe and that health conditions in the camp there have given ground for concern; and will he therefore look into the position at Entebbe again, with a view to the possible transfer of the camp to some other place?

Yes, but this is the medical advice that I have.

asked the Minister of Supply if it is intended to bring about the maximum efficiency in the steel industry, the maximum output at the minimum of costs and in the price of steel; and what steps are being taken to apply this policy.

Yes, Sir; the Government are fully alive to the importance of the highest efficiency in steel production and the lowest possible costs and prices, and are giving active consideration to the best methods by which these objects may be achieved.

Does that mean that an investigation is being made into the position of the steel industry with a view to preparing a plan to ensure the maximum efficiency after the war?

Yes, Sir, we are conducting such an investigation.

In arriving at minimum prices, is it not necessary to keep in view the price of coal?

The price of coal must always be kept in mind as affecting the price of steel.

asked the Minister of Supply the average rate of profit made in the steel industry; the average rate in the engineering industry; and the average rate of profit allowed under the Ministry's costed contracts.

In the latest period for which complete figures are available, the average return in the heavy steel industry was 9.6 per cent. on employed capital. The corresponding figure for the whole of the industry, including alloys and highly finished products, was 11.1 per cent. Comparable figures for the engineering industry as such are not available. The average return currently earned on Ministry of Supply costed contracts is equivalent to 9.43 per cent. on employed capital.

asked the Minister of Supply the average cost during the war years of structural steel in Britain and Australia at British prices; and the average amount of coal necessary to produce a ton of steel in Britain and in the U.S.A.

Comparative basis prices for structural steel delivered in Australia and Great Britain are: Australia, 13 Australian pounds a ton, which at the present rate of exchange would yield £10 8s. sterling; Great Britain, £14 3s. a ton. The amount of coal required on the average to produce a ton of heavy steel in Great Britain, as compared with U.S.A., is in the ratio of 2 to 1½ the difference being mainly due to the higher grade ore available in the U.S.A.

Does not this reply disclose a serious state of affairs, indicating that we are not using our coal to the best advantage in this country?

No, Sir, on the contrary. My reply relates entirely to the relativity of coal to ore.

Does it not indicate that coal has got to altogether too high a price?

asked the Minister of Supply whether all the iron railings removed from public and private premises in the county of Gloucester have now been used; and, if not, what steps does he propose to take to dispose of the remainder.

The railings in question have gone into the steel works, except for 90 tons in a merchant's yard in Gloucester which are awaiting the necessary labour to prepare the material for melting. Steps are being taken to obtain the labour required.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the firm of Smith Bros., Glasgow, supplied meat to the value of £1,500 to a firm of restaurateurs in Glasgow without a permit from the local food office; and if he will take steps to have this firm removed from the list of authorised meat traders.

I am aware of the case referred to by my hon. Friend. Inquiries, however, showed that the supposed firm of "Smith Brothers" did not in fact exist. The second part of the Question, therefore, does not arise.

Is it within the knowledge of the Minister's Department that a firm was being covered up by the use of this name? What steps does he propose to take to proceed against the firm who actually supplied the stuff and were using "phoney" invoices?

We cannot prove that the firm in question actually did supply the stuff. As the hon. Member knows, unfortunately the prosecution against the retailer failed. We do not, as a rule, revoke licences or put people out of business unless they have had a conviction in a court against them.

In view of the unsatisfactory conclusion of this inquiry, will the Minister take power to impound documents in such cases, so that the originals cannot be destroyed between the inquiry and the case coming to court?

Yes, Sir, if it is possible, as I know that documents mysteriously disappeared in this case.

asked the Minister of Food if he will make a statement with regard to black-market transactions in linseed oil now under investigation; and whether prosecutions are contemplated.

While the investigations referred to by my hon. Friend are not yet complete, some of the persons concerned have already been brought before the court. The matter is, therefore, sub judice, and it would be inappropriate for me to make a statement.

asked the Minister of Food (1) if having regard to the undertakings given by his predecessor in connection with the Perry Report further consideration is being given to the proposals of the milk industry in connection with the setting up of an independent Milk Industry Council, with the Statutory Milk Marketing Boards and a Milk Distributors' Board acting in an administrative capacity under the control of the Milk Industry Council;

No proposals have yet been submitted to me by the milk industry in regard to the post-war organisation of the industry, but I assure my hon. Friend that when such proposals are received they will be given careful consideration.

In view of the undertaking given by his predecessor that some action would be taken, will the Minister now take the initiative himself, in a matter which is of so vital an importance to the health of the people?

Of course, the question of how far the present methods of milk distribution will be continued will have to be considered at the appropriate time. There is another Ouestion on that subject on the Paper to-day.

asked the Minister of Food why his Department has bought butter from New Zealand at a price above the normal wholesale price in New Zealand.

I understand that in New Zealand, as in this country, the wholesale price of butter is reduced by subsidy in order to stabilise the cost of living.

Has the Minister's attention been drawn to the Debate on this subject in the New Zealand Parliament and if not will he obtain particulars of it?

I will certainly look it up with interest.

asked the Minister of Food to what extent issues, free and at cheap rates, of milk, fruit juices and cod liver oil to children have declined since the increase in cash allowances to fighting men's children made many of them ineligible for free issues; what proportion of the increase in the cash allowance would be absorbed by a regular purchase of these foods; and whether he proposes any action to restore the consumption of these foods by fighting men's children to its old level.

The reply to the first part of the Question is "nil, 15 per cent and 25 per cent. respectively," comparing August and September with the previous six month's average. The average weekly cost of the full allowance of milk, orange juice and cod liver oil is 1s. 6d. There is no evidence that families not entitled to free supplies cannot meet this expenditure.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend answer the middle part of the Question? Does not a purchase absorb 50 per cent. of the increase in the cash allowance? Does he not think that the decline in the consumption of these vital foods is a serious matter on which he ought to consult the Treasury and the Service Departments to see whether consumption can be restored to its old level?

It is not really 50 per cent., I am told, of the increase in the cash allowance.

What is it then?

The additional cash allowance of a corporal or lower rank ranges from 3s. to 10s., together with 3s. for the first child, 4s. for the second and 5s. for each additional child.

asked the Minister of Food if he will outline the procedure to be adopted regarding the release of raw material for the production of ice cream; and whether his Ministry are able and intend to stipulate the quality of production.

Manufacturers who were receiving allocations of controlled materials when the ban was imposed on the 1st October, 1942, were entitled to have their allowances restored as from 10th December last. In addition, skim roller powder is being allocated on the basis of fat entitlement. It is not my present intention to exercise control over the quality of production.

Is the Minister aware that the procedure of this allocation completely rules out the small man in all parts of the country except London, and benefits only the big makers of ice cream? Is the Minister aware that he is definitely sending these small people into the black market for their milk?

I know there is a problem there. The first thing we did was to restore the allocations as at the date when they were cut off, and then we based this extra roller skim milk on the fat allocation. I know that, as it has turned out, it has hit some people hard and I am going into that matter. My policy will be to be as fair as I can all round.

Is the Minister prepared to receive representations from the hard-hit people?

Officials of my Department are already meeting them.

asked the Minister of Food whether, having regard to the necessity of ensuring adequate nutrition, the Government propose to continue priority supplies of milk to expectant mothers and children after the war; and if so, what steps is it proposed to take to allocate supplies to dairymen and to be assured that dairymen deliver the priority milk as authorised.

asked the Minister of Food whether, having regard to priority needs, it is proposed to regulate the distribution of milk by means of a statutory milk distributors' organisation; and what steps it is proposed to take to regulate the activities of the Milk Marketing Board in connection with distribution.

No change is contemplated in the present priority arrangements so long as cousumption of milk by the general public has to be restricted. It is as yet too early to say what changes if any may later be made in regard to milk distribution.

Would my right hon. Friend give an assurance that this matter will be reviewed at the earliest opportunity?

Before we can get over this difficult milk supply position, I do need some 350,000,000 gallons of additional liquid milk per annum. I do not say that we shall not make some alteration in distribution arrangements before we reach that figure, but it will be quite a considerable time.

Is it not true that milk supply to soldiers in hospitals is already being cut down and that tuberculous cases cannot get enough milk? Does not the Minister think it is about time that he seriously considered putting more grain into cows and less into beer?

My Noble Friend can rest assured that cows are the first priority for any feeding-stuffs, and that the full amount of feeding-stuffs is provided, so that we can get the maximum amount of liquid milk in this country. I have no information whatever that there is a shortage of milk in hospitals. In fact, the latest returns show that hospitals are getting more than they have ever had before.

asked the Minister of Food whether the restriction on the sending of turkeys by post by private individuals applies to such individuals throughout the United Kingdom or only to those in Northern Ireland.

I have made an Order prohibiting, except under licence, the consignment and transport from Northern Ireland to Great Britain and the Isle of Man during the period 26th November, 1944, to 31st January, 1945, of gift parcels of poultry exceeding 7 lbs. gross weight. No corresponding restriction has been imposed on the consignment of poultry from other parts of the United Kingdom.

Does that mean that farmers in this country, who can receive visits, when they wish, from their relatives, can send them Christmas presents of turkeys, while farmers in Northern Ireland, who have not received visits from their relatives on this side during the last five years, are not permitted to do so?

Any genuine gift of a turkey from Northern Ireland to a friend will get a licence. In fact, I am told that about 18,000 licences have already been given, but the position was really getting to the point that people were saying that the turkeys were gifts when they were really sales to people who wanted to sell them over here.

asked the Minister of Food if he has examined the rashers of solid bacon fat sent to him which a Streatham resident was compelled to accept from the South Suburban Co-operative Society as part of his ration; and will he take steps to stop this practice.

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is "Yes, Sir." In recent weeks a portion of the bacon issued to meet ration requirements has been fat bacon of this kind, which is good wholesome food. The alternative would have been to reduce the bacon ration.

Would it not be more correct to say that it is good wholesome fat? There is really no trace of bacon in it. Is the Minister aware that many people are refusing to accept this fat, with the result that the retailer has to give more fat to those people who are accepting it? Will he please examine the situation to see whether he can retain these fat bellies in cold storage as a reserve?

Unfortunately, we were faced with the position either of reducing the bacon ration or making some of it up with this fat bacon. I take the view that it would be a bad thing, at any rate in the winter months, to reduce the bacon ration if it can be kept going as it is.

Has the Minister not missed the point, that there is a lot of fat going out masquerading as bacon?

If I had not sent out that fat—and in fact a piece the hon. Member sent me had one streak of lean in it—I would not have had enough bacon to have kept the bacon ration going.

asked the Minister of Food in how many cases his Department's costing director, who visited Covent Garden market on 7th December, discovered serious short weights in packages containing vegetables; is he aware that retailers are compelled to accept these packages without protest or go without supplies in future; and what action he proposes to take.

The invoices concerned are not yet all available. I am, therefore, unable to say how far, if at all, the packages of vegetables investigated by the Director of Costings on 7th December fell short of the declared weights. With reference to the second half of my hon. Friend's Question, it is difficult for my Department to protect retailers if they will not provide information regarding breaches of Orders.

While fully appreciating the difficulty of the situation, may I ask my right hon. and gallant Friend seriously to tackle this problem, because his Director found 14 lbs. of earth in a package which should have contained 56 lbs. of carrots, and that is not an isolated case—it is quite usual—and if retailers protest they are penalised? There is a short market and they would not be supplied.

It is quite true we weighed some packages, but we have not yet got the invoices to show my Director of Costings what weight the package was shown by the invoice as containing.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the injustice done to retailers of vegetables, namely, cauliflowers which are sold by the grower with foliage and have to be trimmed by the retailer in order to comply with a food order, thereby reducing the weight very considerably; and if he will take action to rectify this unfair position.

No, Sir. The Green Vegetables Maximum Prices Order provides allowances to the retailer designed to cover the average cost of trimming cauliflower to comply with the Order.