asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will publish as a White Paper all the documents relative to events in Greece during the period November, 1944, to January, 1945.

His Majesty's Government have given this question careful consideration but do not feel that the present would be an opportune moment for publishing all the documents in their possession regarding this period.

May I ask two questions? The first is whether it is not essential, in order to have a true picture of the situation, that the documents dating from November, 1944, to January, 1945, should be published. The second is whether the right hon. Gentleman will include statements made by British troops who were taken prisoner by the regular E.A.M. forces and who reported favourably on their treatment and not confine it to statements made by those who were taken by the irregulars.

I have no doubt that, in due course, all the facts of this tragic business will come out. In the meantime, I am quite sure that it would be extremely inadvisable at the present time, from the point of view of securing a settlement between the contending factions in Greece, to add fuel to the flame by publishing a lot of statements which have been made in confidence, and which people never expected to be published.

Would the right hon. Gentleman ask Mr. Leeper to supply further particulars of his first statement in the White Paper, about chaos and disorder in November, as it conflicts with all the statements made by Athens radio, and with the result of the investigations made by the then representatives of the Government?

I do not think that, at this time, any advantage would be served by raking over those embers. Our whole interest in this matter is to get a settlement in Greece. We seem to be on the way to a settlement. I have nothing to add to what I have said.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the objection of the Greek Government to the inclusion of M. Tsirimokos, General Secretary of E.L.D., Union of Popular Democrats, in the E.A.M. delegation for the purpose of discussing conditions of agreement, has the approval of His Majesty's Government.

As my hon. Friend will be aware, M. Tsirimokos is taking part in the conference.

Does that answer mean that the Government are now abandoning the fiction that E.L.D. have broken away from E.A.M.?

I think it simply means that Mr. Tsirimokos is negotiating with the Greek Government at this time. I do not think that we need draw any conclusions from that fact.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if British and American war correspondents in Athens are now permitted to interview spokesmen of E.A.M. and E.L.A.S.

It was decided that up to and during the period of negotiations correspondents should not be permitted to interview the delegates to the Conference. This decision was taken because it was felt that a series of statements to the Press by the delegates might well impede the course of negotiations or even prejudice their outcome. I hope that after the Conference it will be possible to make arrangements for a general Press conference at which full facilities will be given to Press correspondents to interview individual delegates.

Meanwhile, is it not the case that other British civilians, such as the T.U.C. delegates, have been allowed to interview E.A.M. and E.L.A.S. spokesmen? Since the Press correspondents are allowed to interview one side, the Plastiras side, would it not be advisable to allow them to give a complete picture?

I do not think the cases of the T.U.C. delegates and the Press correspondents are comparable. As to the general question, I think the House will appreciate that it would be extremely difficult to get a settlement of this very difficult problem if there was a sort of competition, both sides appealing to their respective publics back at home. I am sure that no good purpose would be served by allowing these interviews now. After the conference is over, I hope that it may be possible to grant such interviews.

Since when has a fair presentation of the case of both sides come to be regarded as competition? Why should my right hon. Friend assume that it would prejudice the negotiations if publicity were given to the E.A.M. side, while it is facilitated and exclusively given to the Plastiras side?

I did not say anything about fair presentation. What I was trying to convey to the House was that it did not really seem to be a very good idea, from the point of view of getting agreement, if delegates came hot from the disputes in the conference room, and gave heated interviews to the Press.

Only one side.

After all the propaganda that has been done by the Government against E.L.A.S., why should there be this special treatment for the other side? Is it not the case that the real reason for not allowing interviews is that they might conflict with what the Prime Minister said?

No, Sir, there is nothing whatever in the suggestion made by the hon. Member.

It is Churchill dictatorship, and nothing else.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he proposes to take in view of the sentences passed by High Courts in Greece against men accused of carrying arms against the State.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been called to the sentences imposed by a military court in Athens on persons accused of bearing arms against the State; and what steps he is taking to check this contravention of the assurance given by him that the act of bearing arms against the State would not be regarded as a crime in itself and would not be punished.

I understand that the Press reports on this particular case may not have given a full account of the proceedings of the court. His Majesty's Ambassador in Athens has been asked to furnish a full report, and, until this has been received, I should prefer to make no statement. I can assure the House that His Majesty's Government expect the Greek Government to honour the pledges which both we and they have given.

Is it not the case that a large number of political assassinations are going on in the name of legal justice, and that these are being carried out by both sides in all the released countries in Europe?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the importance of our future political and commercial relations with the countries of Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa, His Majesty's Government are contemplating any steps to improve the facilities at present available for learning about these countries.

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary attaches considerable importance to this subject, and, after consultation with other members of the Cabinet, he has set up an Inter-Departmental Commission of Inquiry, whose task it will be to examine the facilities offered by universities and other educational institutions in Great Britain for the study of Oriental, Slavonic, East European and African languages and culture, to consider what advantage is being taken of these facilities and to formulate recommendations for their improvement. Sir Roger Lumley has consented to be Chairman of the Commission, which has already started work.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any information as to how many British subjects are on the pay-roll of U.N.R.R.A.; and how many draw salaries exceeding £500 a year.

I regret that complete figures are not available to me at present, since British subjects are recruited by offices of U.N.R.R.A. ouside the United Kingdom as well as by the European Regional Office of U.N.R.R.A. I understand, however, that a report on the personnel and establishment of the Administration is in preparation by the Director-General.

The Foreign Secretary said on 20th December that that report would not be long delayed. Could the right hon. Gentleman give any indication when we shall receive it?

My hon. Friend will realise that it is not my responsibility, but I will look into the matter and see if it can be expedited.

asked the Secretary of Slate for Foreign Affairs if he has any information as to who is the chief executive officer of U.N.R.R.A. in Europe; and for what duties in U.N.R.R.A. has the county clerk of Ayr county council now been offered a position.

I am informed that there is no post of Chief Executive Officer of U.N.R.R.A. in Europe. My hon. Friend is no doubt aware that Sir Frederick Leith-Ross, Deputy Director-General for Administration, is chairman of the Administrative Council, European Regional Office. I understand that the county clerk of Ayr county council has been offered an appointment as a principal officer in the European Regional Office; his duties would consist of dealing with personnel and organisational problems.

In view of the vital importance of this international experiment, does not my right hon. Friend think that an executive head is really an important necessity for its effective working?

The constitution of U.N.R.R.A. was laid down by the Council of U.N.R.R.A. itself, and it is not within the power of His Majesty's Government to vary that constitution.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affars if he has any information as to the function of the U.N.R.R.A. liaison mission in France; and how far U.N.R.R.A. bears responsibility for the provision of petroleum, motor transport and food in that country.

The French Provisional Government is a member of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, and there are naturally very many matters of common interest to the Administration and to the French Provisional Government which would concern the U.N.R.R.A. Liaison Mission in France. This applies especially to the services offered by U.N.R.R.A. in regard to Allied nationals displaced in Germany. I am sure that the Administration would be glad to provide more detailed informa- tion, if requested. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers which I gave him on 31st January. As I told my hon. Friend U.N.R.R.A. has not been asked by the French Provisional Government to deal with supply questions. U.N.R.R.A., therefore, has no responsibility for the provision of petroleum, motor transport or food in that country.

Should it not be made quite clear that U.N.R.R.A. is not responsible for the deficiencies in the supply of food to the French at the present time?

Yes, Sir, I think it should be made clear, but I do not know how I can make it clearer than I have already done.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say if there is any country in Europe where U.N.R.R.A. is functioning?

U.N.R.R.A. has been functioning in Greece, and I hope it will continue to function with increasing effect in that country. As the right hon. Gentleman knows, U.N.R.R.A. can only come into any country in Europe after the military period is over, and at the invitation of the military authority or the Government concerned.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House what organisation is responsible for the provision of food for France, if U.N.R.R.A. is not? Has he realised that there is universal anxiety in this country that we should do our utmost to help France in this very difficult period?

Yes, Sir, I realise to the full the anxiety. The responsibility for providing imports to France is that of the French Provisional Government. They are making such arrangements as they can with the combined Allied authorities to discharge that responsibility.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what percentage of the officers of the rank of squadron-leader and above in the R.A.F. Transport Command have experience of trans- portation problems by reason of previous service with shipping, railway or road organisations.

I regret that the information asked for could not be obtained without an undue expenditure of time and labour.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the United States Air Transport Command the high executive officers have much transport experience; and will he consider appointing in the high executive offices of the Royal Air Force Transport Command men with general transport experience?

Yes, Sir, there are such men there now.

asked the Secretary of State for Air which Government Departments asked for the services of the 62 R.A.F. education officers whom he has recently permitted to resign; whether their resignations were permitted after a recommendation of the appropriate man-power board in each case; and whether these officers are doing what they were permitted to resign to do in the national interest.

The release procedure applicable to the Armed Forces does not apply to these education officers who are civilians and have given notice of resignation in accordance with the terms of their contracts. Accordingly, it was unnecessary for their release to be asked for by other Government Departments or recommended by man-power boards. In fact, however, some of the resignations were supported by the Ministry of Education and others by local education authorities. I cannot answer for the employment of these officers if and when they leave the R.A.F. Educational Service, but, like other civilians, they are subject to the National Service arrangements administered by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why Air-Commodore L. F. Heald, aged 47, has been permitted to return to civil life; which Government Department asked for him and what National Service is he now doing; and whether other barristers serving in the R.A.F. will be allowed to retire from the service if they so desire.

The special duties on which this officer has been employed have come to an end and since no alternative employment suitable to his acting or war substantive rank is available it has been decided, in accordance with the normal practice, that he should be allowed to relinquish his commission. His release has not been sought by a Government Department. As regards the last part of the Question, the release of officers for whom employment is available in the Royal Air Force cannot be considered except on extreme compassionate grounds or, on the application of a Government Department, for work of urgent national importance.

Is this case in accordance with the War Cabinet's decision, which operates in the case of the Army and the other Fighting Services; and will the right hon. Gentleman review the arrangements under which the Air Force let officers like this out, whereas the Army cannot do so, because of the War Cabinet decision? Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a great deal of dissatisfaction, because the Air Force can let people out, and the Army cannot, and this particularly affects small traders?

Any question about the Army procedure should, of course, be put to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War. The question that has to be considered is whether there is employment available for the officer appropriate to his rank and experience. If there is, he will be retained in the Service. Let me make it clear that this officer was very willing to remain on, and serve in the Air Force if employment had been available to him; but it was not available, and, therefore, it was decided to accept his resignation.

Is it not a fact that suitable employment was not available to this officer because he has no qualifications whatever for the rank he held?

No, Sir; he had admirable qualifications. He has given most devoted and able service during the whole of the war, and for some time before the war; but his experience was concerned solely with public relations, and there is no longer a post available for him.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware of the public concern at the increasing losses in senior officers, members of R.A.F. crews, and individuals playing an important part in the war effort, through air accidents; and whether it is his intention to undertake the fullest inquiry into the causes.

I deeply regret loss of life through air accidents. Every accident is fully investigated, and prompt action taken where necessary. The Chief Inspector of Accidents is available for consultation, and in cases exhibiting unusual features he is associated with the investigation; if he thinks fit in any particular case, he may conduct an independent inquiry. A special Air Ministry Directorate is responsible for examining reports on accidents and bringing to the notice of the Service any remedial measures that may be required. Flying in war time involves certain hazards inseparable from war conditions, but the House will be glad to know that the accident rate of the Royal Air Force has been steadily falling for some time.

Are the machines which are used on these flights sufficiently heavy to deal with bad weather, and are they equipped with radio? Who is responsible for the arrangements for these particular flights? Also, might I ask whether there is any more information which can be given to the House in regard to the machine missing in Italy recently?

In reply to the last part of the question, I regret to say that I have no further information, although I am in close touch with the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief about it. The machine has not yet been found. On the first point, no accidents have been specified in the question. If my hon. Friend will tell me to which accidents he refers, I will give him the answer about the aircraft.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the standard of maintenance of aircraft by ground crews has not deteriorated?

Yes, Sir; I think it is quite clear from the fact that the accident rate is going down that the standard of maintenance by the ground crews is very high.

Is it possible for the Air Ministry to warn pilots that there is nothing to be ashamed of if they avoid a weather risk?

I entirely agree with my hon. Friend, and I can assure him that pilots are fully aware of that.

Is radio equipment used on these machines, and are sufficiently heavy machines used to deal with bad weather?

In so far as it is possible to give an answer to so general a question, the answer is certainly, "Yes, Sir."

Is it not, on the whole, a matter of surprise to my right hon. Friend that there have not been more accidents?

No, Sir; because I am fully aware of the immense efforts that are made to avoid accidents and to reduce the accident rate—efforts which have been successful in a substantial degree.

Will my right hon. Friend consider reverting to the peace-time practice of publishing information about accidents which occur, not in operations, and to give full publicity to those accidents now that the security consideration no longer exists?

The need for security is still very great.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will permit Belgian airmen now serving in the R.A.F. to spend their leave with their wives and families in Belgium.

The possibility of permitting Belgians serving in the Royal Air Force to spend leave in their home country is under consideration by the interested Departments. Meanwhile, applications from Belgian airmen to proceed to Belgium on compassionate grounds will be considered on their merits.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that this is a matter that might have been considered a long time ago, in view of the fact that Belgium has been largely liberated from Germany for some time, and that leave is allowed now to members of the British Army of Liberation in Belgium?

Perhaps it might have been. But the matter is being considered now.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the basis upon which the injured and the dependants of those killed in the explosion at Burton-on-Trent, on 27th November, 1944, will be compensated.

Compensation will be paid on the basis of the awards which those concerned might reasonably expect in a successful action for damages under the Fatal Accidents Act, the Law Reform Act, or at common law. Claimants have been invited to seek legal representation, either through their solicitors or through trade union machinery. All reasonable legal costs will be paid, in addition to settlements for compensation.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what mixture of grass seed has been sown in general on the mesh runways of aerodromes in South-Eastern England.

The mixture used was either one, or both, of two special mixtures to meet the requirements of this type of runway. With my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is not couch grass sown on account of its binding qualities; and, if so, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the fact that this land will take a long time to clear?

I can assure my hon. Friend that we have the very best available advice on the mixtures we use. Perhaps he will look at the list which I am circulating.

asked the Postmaster-General how the total of £22,830,000 paid through postal and money orders to Eire during the years 1939–1944 is made up; and what were the sums paid in each of these years.

As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the prolonged delay in the transport of mail from this country to the American armies serving in France, magazines and newspapers, such as "The Times," taking over three months; and can he give an asurance that deliveries will be expedited.

The answer to the first part of the Question is, Yes, Sir. But the matter is one for the United States authorities, who undertake the transmission of this correspondence between this country and the Continent.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that there are cases in which "The Times" and other publications, and letters, have been sent regularly to American officers in France for the last three months and none has arrived? Is there anything he can do about it?

It is not my responsibility; it is a matter for the American authorities. I have no doubt they will take note of my hon. Friend's statement.

asked the Minister of Works (1) if he is aware that local authorities are seldom, if at all, granting licences to private builders to carry out essential war damage repairs; and what directions on this point have been issued by his Ministry;

Bomb damage repairs is a type of work for which small builders are well suited, and they are being very extensively employed on this task. In areas in which the licensing limit has been reduced to £10, registered builders have been invited to apply for work on war damage repairs under a direct contract either with the local authority or with the Ministry of Works. In the London region, over 6,000 builders have entered into contracts of this kind. There is, however, a considerable amount of work which can best be done by private contract. This includes bomb damage repairs to isolated houses, demolitions and essential maintenance. In the last 2½ months local authorities in Greater London have granted 23,000 licences for this kind of work.

Is the Minister aware that several councils in London are of opinion that they themselves should do these bomb damage repairs, and should have the builders working for them and not for the tenant or owner of the house; and is he also aware that other councils are of opinion that only builders who reside in a council's area should be permitted to do work in that area?

Broadly, without going into detail, the view of the Government is that it is more efficient to tackle this job as a whole, and not to encourage individual owners of property in various streets having their own jobs done privately. This makes the people alongside feel that their neighbours are having preferential treatment. However, there are many cases where a house is isolated, or where there is some other special reason why it should be repaired separately. In such cases licences are granted.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that, through difficulty in obtaining licences to carry out first-aid repairs, building materials are being looted from empty bomb-damaged houses which cannot be properly closed up without work being carried out for which no licence is granted; and will he, in consultation with the War Damage Commission, ensure that such loss will qualify for future cost of works payment.

I know of no specific cases where looting has occurred after a licence to repair the property has been refused. However, if my hon. and gallant Friend will send me particulars, I shall be glad to have inquiries made. As regards compensation for looting, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to my hon. Friend the Member for Moss Side (Mr. Rostron Duckworth) on 17th October last, of which I am sending him a copy.

Is the Minister aware that there have been many cases. May I put this point? When damage takes place, it is necessary to close up the buildings at once, and will he not consider allowing these immediate first-aid repairs to be carried out without licence?

First-aid repairs are carried out with remarkable rapidity. The repair squads are, in most cases, on the job within an hour, very often within half an hour, and the work is almost always completed in under three days and very often less.

Do not the owners and tenants themselves look after their own property as a rule?

asked the Minister of Works whether steps are being taken to authorise the release of houses which were taken for national purposes in order that families may return to their homes as soon as possible.

Yes, Sir. Subject to the continuing needs of the war, we are endeavouring to release as many houses and flats as possible, particularly of the smaller type.

Is the Minister aware that many of these houses are empty, that there is no caretaking of any kind, and that very considerable deterioration is taking place?

I know. That is one of the difficulties.

asked the Minister of Works (1) whether, in view of the newly announced Government policy on housing, he will make an early statement to the House;

I assume that these Questions refer to recent Government statements to the effect that we are aiming at changing over from temporary to permanent house building more quickly than had originally been anticipated. If this change-over proves practicable, it will ultimately result, not in any loss, but in a very substantial economy. The necessary technical studies and experimental work are being pressed forward. As soon as these are completed I will make a further statement to the House. In regard to the first two parts of Question No. 40, I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Member for Maidstone (Mr. Bossom) on 1st February, and to the hon. Member for Barnstaple (Sir R. Acland) on 6th December, of which I am sending him copies.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider, in view of the changes announced by the Government, issuing a White Paper to the House as soon as possible?

I will consider the most appropriate way of informing the House of the Government's policy.

asked the Minister of Works what has been the cost of building the prototype of Portal type prefabricated houses; the cost of advertising them; and the cost of showing them to interested people and the public generally.

The experimental work, together with the construction and exhibition of prototypes and mock-ups of the pressed steel bungalow, has cost very approximately £80,000. No expenditure has been incurred in advertisement.

Is it not a fact that, in view of this important change, £80,000 has been absolutely wasted?

Not at all.

Could the Minister say what happened to the tools specially ordered by the Government for the construction of these houses?

They have not been moved.

asked the Minister of Food what was the consumption of honey in the United Kingdom in the years 1938 and 1944, respectively.

The estimated quantities are 8,000 tons in 1938; 6,000 tons in 1944. They include home produced and imported honey.

Can the Minister say whether he is satisfied with the production of home-grown honey, and does he consider that his right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture has been putting enough "pep" into home production?

In reply to the first point, the answer is "No, Sir." I should like more honey, but it depends very largely on whether the bees can collect the honey in suitable weather.

asked the Minister of Food if it is with his approval that British Restaurants enter into competition with ordinary firms of outside caterers for the supply of refreshments at public functions; and if he is aware that this practice is greatly resented by private catering firms who are finding it difficult to carry on under present day conditions without this additional handicap.

The function of British Restaurants is primarily that of providing meals for those whose work or business makes it necessary for them to take a meal away from their homes in localities where adequate catering facilities are not otherwise available. So long as these activities are not interfered with and charges are made on a commercial basis Local Authorities responsible for these restaurants are left free to decide whether to use these facilities for the purposes referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend.

May I ask my right hon. and gallant Friend if he approves of this competition between independent catering firms and British Restaurants?

Is the Minister aware of the discontent of certain caterers through the dumping down of these restaurants in the vicinity of other competing restaurants, and of the serious grievance because British Restaurants can get ample supplies of food whereas caterers cannot?

No, Sir. The supplies, both to British Restaurants and to caterers, are based on the number of meals served.

Will not the Minister state frankly that in the vast majority of cases where these public functions take place, local caterers can neither supply the labour and material nor are they interested in contracting at all, and that only British Restaurants can do the job?

asked the Minister of Food what price self-suppliers and caterers receive per pound for half of the carcase of a pig they are obliged by regulation to sell to his Ministry; and what is the price per pound paid to the ordinary feeder of pigs for pigs sold otherwise than under this regulation.

The prices are the same for pigs falling within the same weight range, and I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT what these prices are for different weights of pigs.

Does my right hon. and gallant Friend deny that, in the case of a pig, for every 20 score the Ministry of Food pay 3¾d. per pound less than the factory price?

No, Sir, it depends on where the home producer of the pig sends his pig. If he sends it to a butcher he gets a lower price than if he sends it to the Ministry's wholesale agents, because we put in the meat subsidy between the two.

asked the Minister of Food how many tons of filleted fish were sent in recent days from cold stores in London to Milford Haven; and with what object.

Between 20th and 26th January, 47 tons of frozen fish were consigned from London cold stores to Milford Haven to make up deficiencies in fish supplies in the area served by that port.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the great fishing port of Milford Haven has carried on for at least a century without taking supplies from the great consuming centre of London; and will he take steps to prevent transfers of this kind, which are really unnecessary?

This was quite exceptional and was due to the fact that we had not enough fish in the South Wales area, and our policy is to try to equalise supplies over the country as a whole.

If that is so why not send the fish to Plymouth, Bristol, Cardiff and other Western towns instead of railing it 260 miles to Milford Haven and then half way back again?

asked the Minister of Food why the entire shipment of 1,000 tons of Newfoundland filleted cod and headless flat fish ex "Umtali" was sent from London Docks to Aberdeen, Hull and Grimsby.