asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received information from the Chinese Government expressing their willingness for students to come to the universities in this country; and, if so, how many are coming and what arrangements are being made for their reception.

Yes, Sir. The Chinese Government decided in September to allow all students holding Chinese or foreign scholarships to proceed abroad, as well as self-supporting students who have passed the Chinese Ministry of Education's qualifying examination.

Sixty post-graduate scholarships were offered last March by the British Council to students to be selected by the Chinese Government, who announced in October that they would select the students on the results of an examination to be held early in December. The British Council will be entirely responsible for the placing, reception and welfare of these students. Four students who have been selected for additional British Council Scholarships by His Majesty's Embassy in Chungking have left China in recent weeks. Thirty students were selected last February for scholarships awarded by the Board of Trustees for the Administration of the Boxer Indemnity Fund. I am informed that these students are likely to leave China for this country next spring. The Universities China Comemittee will be responsible for their reception and general welfare.

I have no information to show whether the Chinese Government intend to send other students than these to British Universities. If they do, I am sure that the British Council will give full co-operation in arranging for their reception.

May I ask my right hon. Friend if the Prime Minister, when he makes a statement in regard to the war situation, will mention the fighting between China and Japan?

I feel sure that my right hon. Friend will have something to say about the Far Eastern war in general.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether these scholarships will be eligible to Chinese women students as well as to men?

I would like notice of that question, but I think that the selection remains in the hands of the Chinese themselves.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement on the political situation in Yugoslavia.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement regarding the present Government position in Yugoslavia.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the Yugoslav political situation.

I would ask my hon. Friends to be good enough to await the statement on the political situation in Yugoslavia which will be made during the forthcoming debate on the war situation.

Will my right hon. Friend have a translation of the Subasich-Tito Agreement published, as I do not think it has been published in this country?

I will gladly look into that matter and put it to my right hon. Friend.

Is it possible to say whether a statement will be made at a stage in the Debate which will make possible subsequent cross-examination?

My hon. Friend will have full scope for all his talents.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will publish as a White Paper the discussions carried on by the Strang Mission to Moscow in 1939.

No, Sir.

Will not the Foreign Secretary reconsider his decision? Does he not think that the publication of this matter will enable people in this country to understand much more fully the position in Poland to-day?

I can hardly imagine a less helpful contribution than to raise again all the arguments about why agreement was not reached in 1939, at this moment when our Armies are jointly fighting the common enemy.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any reply has yet been received from the Soviet Government to the application of U.N.R.R.A. for permission to send relief to Poland.

I understand that negotiations about the transit of U.N.R.R.A. supplies to liberated Poland through Soviet territories are now proceeding between U.N.R.R.A. and the Soviet authorities.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any idea of when these supplies will reach Poland? Poland has been more devastated than any other country in Europe.

I agree as regards the desirability, and negotiations have now begun, as I say. I regret I cannot say how long they will take.

Will the right hon. Gentleman help the case by making representations to the Soviet Government?

I think this is a matter between U.N.R.R.A. and the Soviet Government, rather than a matter for myself, but I will consider what my hon. and gallant Friend says.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether permission has yet been given by the U.S.S.R. for a delegation from U.N.R.R.A. apart from the provision of supplies?

I think that is exactly the point now being discussed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to an article in the "Soviet War News" of 8th January, issued by the Soviet Embassy in London, referring to the Polish Government in London as a flunkey of Hitlerite Germany; and whether he will represent to the Government of Soviet Russia that the publication of libellous statements regarding a Government which is recognised as the lawful Government of Poland by Britain and the U.S.A. does not contribute to good feeling among Allies.

The answer to the first part of the Question is, "Yes, Sir." His Majesty's Government must express their regret at the publication of such insinuations against an Allied Government which they recognise.

Does not my right hon. Friend think it time that this sort of statement should be stopped, as the Polish Government have a cleaner record than the Government of any other country in Europe?

I rather thought that the House would feel that what I said was about right.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether any of the numerous Polish newspapers published in London has ever contained a word in mild rebuke of the Soviet Union?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs upon what date His Majesty's Government received from the Ministers representing Latvia, Lithuania and Esthonia formal declarations that the republics which they represented desired to maintain their independence and not become part of the Soviet Union.

The three Ministers referred to in the question made to His Majesty's Government communications expressing their views on the events which had just taken place in the Baltic States and expressing the hope that His Majesty's Government would not recognise the incorporation of those States in the Soviet Union. These communications were received upon 23rd July, 1940.

Has my right hon. Friend read the statement made by the President of the United States to the effect that even the smallest nations have a right to their own independence; and is not this a case where we might apply the principles of the Atlantic Charter?

My hon. and gallant Friend asked when we received these representations and I have told him.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is the policy of His Majesty's Government that Italy shall retain her pre-war possessions in Libya and Tripoli.

The future of Italy's pre-war possessions in Libya and Tripoli must await consideration by the United Nations at the conclusion of peace.

May I ask my right hon. Friend which Italian possessions in North Africa he had in mind when he made the statement on 28th July, 1944, that it was not the intention of the Allied Governments to return to Italy all of her North African possessions?

It seems to me that that was a pretty good statement, and I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that it is still our position.

Will my right hon. Friend say what possessions he had in mind when he made it? That is what is really important.

I think the position is really clear. If my hon. and gallant Friend will look at the statement I made on 4th October, he will see quite clearly what the position was said to be. It is that the Italian Government have no right to the return of any one of their colonies. What is done about the colonies is a matter, in some part, for discussion in the future.

Will Germany be allowed to keep either the Kiel Canal or Heligoland?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now studied the resolutions of the Conference of Arab States at Alexandria; and whether he has any statement to make.

As the discussions in regard to Arab unity are continuing in Cairo in accordance with the provisions of the Alexandria Protocol, it would be premature for me to make any statement except to repeat what has been already made clear, namely that His Majesty's Government are watching with sympathy and interest the efforts of the Arab States to reduce the barriers between them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which governments have recognised the sovereignty and independence of Syria and the Lebanon.

I will, with permission, circulate the list in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

May I ask my right hon. Friend to be good enough to read the list, as it is a matter of interest to the House?

I have no objection, if it is of interest to the House.

The list is:

• "Afghanistan.
• Belgium.
• Brazil.
• Czechoslovakia.
• Egypt.
• France.
• Iraq.
• Persia.
• Poland.
• Saudi Arabia.
• Transjordan.
• United Kingdom.
• U.S.A.
• U.S.S.R."

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government was consulted about the agreement reached between the Soviet and French Governments on the removal from Germany of the Ruhr, the Saar and the Rhine Valley as well as parts of Pomerania and Silesia; and what information he can give the House about this matter.

I am not aware that any agreement on this matter has been concluded between the Soviet and French Governments. The French Foreign Minister made it plain in his speech to the Consultative Assembly on December 21st that, while the subject was discussed at the time of General de Gaulle's visit to Moscow, it was one of common interest to all the Allies and could only be settled by common agreement between them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why it was necessary for a representative of the U.S.A. to be present at the discussions between the representatives of the United Kingdom and Egyptian Governments in connection with the Anglo-Egyptian financial and economic agreement.

My hon. Friend has been misinformed. No representative of the United States of America was present at the discussions in question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the urgent need for increased man-power in the fighting forces of the United Nations, he is in a position to report what steps the Allied Governments of the countries which have been freed of the enemy are taking to conscript their quota of men to swell the ranks of the armies of liberation.

I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the Allied Governments in question are taking all possible steps to this end and that His Majesty's Government are giving such assistance as lies in their power.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any escaped British prisoners of war are imprisoned in Spanish prisons at the present time.

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why facilities were refused to Dr. Negrin to broadcast to a meeting held recently in New York; and whether such refusal was given after consultation with the U.S. Government.

To enable Dr. Negrin to send a message for amplification at the meeting in question, it would have been necessary to give him facilities for the use of the transatlantic telephone. In wartime this telephone is only available for Government or Government-sponsored calls, Press calls or approved broadcast transmissions and its use is very strictly controlled. The granting of facilities to Dr. Negrin for political purposes would have constituted an unwarranted exception. There was of course no question of debarring Dr. Negrin from using freely the usual facilities for transmitting his message by transatlantic cable. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative.

Would it not be correct to say that if somebody of whom His Majesty's Government approve, such as General Plastiras, asked for the use of this telephone, permission would have been granted immediately?

I do not follow my hon. Friend's geography; General Plastiras is not here. This matter was brought to my notice and was settled in accordance with the practice we have followed. I think it only fair I should tell the House that foreign Governments resident in this country only have the use of this telephone on the rarest possible occasions, and that there would have been no case at all in my judgment for making this exception.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there are any foreign correspondents with the Soviet armies.

So far as I am aware, there are no foreign correspondents permanently accredited to the Soviet armies.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any reason for that, as all the American and British Armies have correspondents? Has permission for correspondents been refused by the Soviet Government?

My hon. and gallant Friend will realise that it is not for me to say what reasons the Soviet Government may have for not having correspondents with their Armies.

Can my right hon. Friend tell us whether the "Daily Worker" has a correspondent with the Soviet Army?

If not, why not?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the policy and work of the United Nations War Crimes Commission and, in particular, on the reasons for the resignation of Sir Cecil Hurst.

The United Nations War Crimes Commission was established in October, 1943. With the exception of the U.S.S.R. all the European Allies together with the Governments of Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, India, China and the United States are represented on it. The purpose of the Commission is to investigate all cases referred to it by any of the Allied Governments of atrocities committed by, or by order of, the nationals of any of the countries at war with any of the United Nations against nationals of the United Nations; to record and assess all available evidence upon such atrocities, and particularly on atrocities organised and committed in accordance with deliberate policy; and to report to the Governments of the United Nations cases in which the Commission is satisfied that an atrocity has been committed, naming, where possible, those wham they consider responsible.

The Commission has recently presented its first lists to the Governments represented on it. Since its establishment it has also produced a number of recommendations which have been forwarded to His Majesty's Government and the other Governments represented on the Commission. In some cases action has already been taken with a view to giving effect to these recommendations, but in general they relate to action which would have to be taken jointly by the military authorities of the Allies, and their consideration has therefore involved full consultation with the Government of the United States in the first instance. The recommendations put forward by the Commission include proposals as to method of trial of war criminals, which was dealt with in the Declaration on German atrocities published at Moscow on November 1st, 1943. The members of the Commission have recently been informed of the steps which have been taken, so far as His Majesty's Government are concerned, in regard to the more important recommendations which they have made. His Majesty's Government are anxious to facilitate in every possible way the work of the Commission, the importance and value of which they fully recognise.

As regards the latter part of the question, Sir C. Hurst resigned for medical reasons and on his doctor's orders. As has already been announced, his place has now been taken by Lord Finlay.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether the more important recommendations of the Commission, to which he referred, have been accepted by His Majesty's Government, apart from the question of consultation with the other Allied nations; and also whether there has been, in fact, as has been frequently stated, a fundamental difference of opinion on certain matters between the Commission and His Majesty's Government?

As regards the first part of that supplementary question, as I say, some of the recommendations have been accepted, and some require consultation with Allies. The answer to the last part of the Question, is "No, Sir." I think there is a good deal of misunderstanding which I hope my answer will help to clear up.

When the right hon. Gentleman said in a speech, or a statement, the other day that our treatment of Hitler and his accomplices after the war would be political, rather than judicial treatment under the war criminals regulations or decisions, what did he mean by that exactly? Is any attempt being made to whitewash Hitler and company?

There is another Question on the Paper on this subject.

With regard to those recommendations which require consultation between the Allies, have His Majesty's Government expressed any view for or against to the Commission?

We have consulted our Allies, and we have told our Allies what we thought.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any information regarding the present food situation in France; what help has hitherto been given by U.N.R.R.A.; and what assistance has been or is being given by His Majesty's Government and/or U.N.R.R.A., in transport equipment particularly.

As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War on 5th December to the hon. Member for Northampton (Mr. Summers). With regard to the second part of the Question, the provision of relief supplies and transport equipment for France does not fall upon U.N.R.R.A. This has hitherto been the responsibility of the Supreme Allied Commander, who has provided lorries, railway material and other equipment for both operational and civil purposes. Arrangements have now been made whereby the French Government will be able also to import supplies on their own account.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any further statement on His Majesty's Government's proposals with regard to the trial of Hitler and Mussolini.

I have nothing to add at present to the Declaration on German Atrocities issued as the result of the Conference held in Moscow on 1st November, 1943, under which the major criminals whose offences have no particular geographical localisation will be punished by the joint decision of the Governments of the Allies. I would also refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Sir G. Mander) on 4th October last.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent the Spanish Government has now complied with the terms of the agreement concerning Tangier and Spanish Morocco announced on and May, 1944.

I stated on 27th September in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend that the German Consulate-General in Tangier had been closed and its entire staff withdrawn. All the German agents resident in Tangier have since been expelled, but there remain some seven German agents in Spanish Morocco for whose expulsion we are continuing to press.

I should also mention that in accordance with the terms of the agreement, the Japanese Military Attaché was withdrawn from Tangier.

asked the Secretary of State for Air, whether, in view of the fact that the present salary and expenses of the Director-General of the B.O.A.C. have now been stated, he will say what the salary and expenses, respectively, were for each year since his appointment.

I am informed by the Corporation that they fixed the present salary of the Director-General at the time of his appointment. i.e. in May, 1943, and that it has not been varied since. The amount of his expense allowance has likewise not been varied in respect of service at home. Between June and October, 1943, a slightly higher rate was authorised by the Corporation in respect of service abroad, since when there has been no variation.

Are we to understand that the expenses allowance of £1,000 a year is a purely personal matter while serving at home?

I think my answer is quite plain. There is no trap or trick about it. He receives a salary of £5,000 a year and the allowance of £1,000 a year has not been varied since October, 1943. I am asked about a variation. The only slight variation occurred between June and October, 1943, in respect of foreign travel.

asked the Prime Minister who will be responsible for the drafting of the pamphlets that are to explain important matters of social legislation to the British forces in India; and what means are to be used to present divergent views when this legislation is of a controversial nature.

These pamphlets will be prepared under the authority of the Minister or Ministers responsible for the particular policy described. The object of the pamphlets will be explanation, not advocacy, and the second part of the Question, therefore, does not arise.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that, if these pamphlets take the form of an explanatory description of the Government White Paper, they will inevitably be propaganda for the Conservative Party at the next election? Surely, in fairness there should be some space in the pamphlet devoted to the opposition.

asked the Prime Minister whether, before deciding upon the recent addition of 250,000 men to the United Kingdom combatant troops, discussions took place with those of our Allies who are less heavily mobilised, with a view to examining whether it would be more advantageous to the Allied war effort that these extra troops should be provided from sources other than the United Kingdom.

No, Sir.

Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that the extent of their mobilisation, as shown in the White Paper on the British war effort, indicates that this unilateral procedure cannot succeed much longer? Would he see that there is some consultation with regard to Allied man-power, in the same way as there is in regard to Allied material resources?

Will the right hon. Gentleman also bear in mind the importance of keeping British units up to full strength?

Will the Government make such representations as are asked for in the Question before even thinking of sending women abroad?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has now considered the re-allocation of personnel as between the Army nursing sisters and the R.A.F. nursing sisters with a view to equalising the period of overseas service.

The number of R.A.F. sisters is relatively small and the shortage of nursing sisters is as acute in the R.A.F. as in the Army. Transfers to the Army—even if desirable on other grounds—would not materially help to solve the Army's problem.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the period of four-and-a-half years' overseas service for a girl serving in a hospital in a tropical climate undermines her general health, and that when she sees someone else in the same theatre being sent home at a much earlier date she becomes bitter and demoralised?

That is another question.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in order to equalise the period of overseas service between the Services, he will consider some reallocation of man-power as between the R.N., the Army and the R.A.F.

Every opportunity will be taken to reduce the time of service overseas for the Army but there is, I regret, no hope of achieving this by transfers from the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. Hon. Members will be aware of the figures given by the Secretary of State for War in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for South-East Essex (Mr. Raikes) on 19th December. Such transfers as are now to be carried out are intended to increase the striking power of the Army.

Having regard to the statement about re-allocation which was made over the wireless during the Recess, cannot my right hon. Friend tell us a little more about what re-allocation is taking place and what the purpose of it is if it is not to equalise the period of overseas service?

The hon. Member had better put that down.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can add anything to the official statement already published in connection with the recent increase in sinkings by U-boats of Allied ships in the Atlantic Ocean.

No, Sir. All statements on this subject are limited to the monthly joint statements by the President of the United States of America and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the views officially expressed by the United States Secretary of State as to the possible future status of Cyprus in relation to the problem of Greece; and if he will give an assurance that Cyprus will continue to form part of the British Empire, and that there is no question of it being ceded to Greece or any other country.

I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave on 8th November last in reply to a Question addressed to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister by my hon. Friend the Member for East Fulham (Mr. Astor), a copy of which I am sending to my hon. and gallant Friend.

In view of the paramount importance of maintaining good relations between the United States and ourselves, will my right hon. Friend take such steps as lie in his power to inform public opinion in the United States that British subjects bitterly resent outside suggestions that British citizenship should be taken away from those who enjoy it?

Is not this part of the Empire over the liquidation of which the Prime Minister said that he did not intend to preside?

asked the Prime Minister if he has any statement to make in respect of the command of the land forces on the Western Front since the end of August, 1944.

No, Sir.

Having regard to the fact that correspondents three weeks ago revealed changes on 1st September, that a chance article which passed the censorship revealed opinion in America, and that since then other things have been said, is it not time we were told about these operational changes?

I have nothing to add to the reply I have given.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will give the names of the members of the committee which has been appointed to advise and assist the Medical Research Council in promoting research into electro-acoustical problems relating to the design and application of instruments in the alleviation of deafness; and whether he has anything to report as a result of the labours of this committee.

The names of the members of the Committee are as follow: Dr. W. G. Radley (Chairman), Mr. E. J. Barnes, Sir Lawrence Bragg, Mr. N. Fleming, Dr. C. S. Halpike, Mr. L. C. Pocock and Dr. T. S. Littler (Secretary).

The Committee have formulated a detailed programme of research, and investigations in which physicists are collaborating with otologists and physiologists are in progress. The investigations now in hand will necessarily take some time to complete, and it is not anticipated that the Committee will be in a position to make any recommendations before the end of the year.

Will my right hon. Friend give the same practical sympathy to those who are totally and partially deaf as is meted out by the Government to those who are totally or partially blind?

I hardly think that that arises out of the question of the appointment of this Committee and its work, but of course we all have that sympathy.

Will the right hon. Gentleman place at the disposal of the Committee Members on the Front Bench for operational purposes?

asked the Lord President of the Council how many Statutory Rules and Orders were issued in 1944; how many of these were printed; and for comparison, the corresponding figures for 1943.

I have been asked to reply. The number of Statutory Rules and Orders issued in 1944 was 1,479 of which 1,074 were printed in the Statutory Rules and Orders series. The corresponding figures for 1943 are 1,792 and 1,380.

Will my right hon. Friend be prepared to relate that substantial reduction to the agitation in this House?