asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any arrangement has been come to between U.N.R.R.A. and the Committee for National Liberation in Yugoslavia for the administration of relief from famine and distress in that country.

The introduction of relief supplies to Yugoslavia is at the present stage the responsibility of the Allied military authorities, with whom U.N.R.R.A. personnel are working in association. It is intended that U.N.R.R.A. shall take over this responsibility from the military authorities as soon as circumstances permit, and I am informed that an agreement relating to U.N.R.R.A.'s period of responsibility is under negotiation between U.N.R.R.A. and the Yugoslav authorities concerned.

Will my right hon. Friend make arrangements with U.N.R.R.A. that the food and relief are given to the people of all races and creeds in Yugloslavia, and not only to supporters of the partisans?

I am sure that U.N.R.R.A. will make the best and fairest arrangements possible, but my hon. and gallant Friend will realise that His Majesty's Government are not responsible for U.N.R.R.A.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is the policy of the allied powers to ensure that the people of Yugoslavia have the same freedom to elect the Government they desire on the same basis as the people of Greece.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by the Prime Minister in the course of the Debate on 18th January which fully covers this question.

Can the Minister say at what time he proposes that this election shall take place, and what machinery he is to use?

No, Sir, I do not think I can add anything to the Prime Minister's statement, and I recommend my hon. Friend to refer to it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has now considered the statement made by the French Minister of Information that France hoped for the eventual independence of Syria and the Lebanon; and what steps he intends taking to implement this country's guarantee of the full independence of these countries.

I have made inquiries regarding the statement attributed to the French Minister of Information, but it has not so far been traced. If my hon. and gallant Friend will give details of the time and context of the statement, I will look into the matter further. As regards the second part of the Question, my hon. and gallant Friend will be aware that the independence of the Lavant States was proclaimed by the French Government and endorsed by His Majesty's Government in 1941, and that it has since been recognised by the Governments of the United States and the U.S.S.R. and many other countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will have incorporated in any White Paper setting out the promises made to Syria and the Lebanon the declarations made by General Catroux in June and November, 1941, addressed to the Governments and peoples of these two countries.

I will certainly consider the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the announcement of the French Foreign Minister that France would defend her prerogatives in Syria and the Lebanon and had at her disposal a military force for this purpose; and whether, in view of our guarantee, he will ensure that any negotiations that may take place between the French and the Syrian and Lebanese Governments do not take place under the threat of force.

I have seen, reports of the statement referred to, but my information is that it was not precisely in the terms which my hon. and gallant Friend has quoted. As regards the second part of the Question, the discussions should certainly be free and unhampered by threats of force from either side, and it is the intention of His Majesty's Government if necessary to use their influence to this end.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the danger of misapprehensions going about at the present time in a matter of this kind, and will he take steps to convey to the French Government the view of the British Government that, having guaranteed the independence of the people of Syria and the Lebanon, we should view with considerable apprehension any threat of force being applied to them?

Certainly, Sir, we did endorse the declaration of the French Government. That is certainly true, and we are very much interested in the independence of these States. Nevertheless, I am sure the House would agree that this is a matter primarily for discussion and negotiation between the States themselves, and I doubt very much whether these negotiations are likely to be helped by our debating the matter too much in this House at the present time.

When my right hon. Friend says that we endorsed the proclamation of the freedom of these States, was that not taken, by the Syrians and Lebanese, to be a statement that, in honour, we were bound to see that, having got their independence, they will keep it?

No, Sir, I do not think endorsement of the French declaration is the same thing as a guarantee.

Then what is it?

When we endorsed the declaration of the French Government, we said we recognised the independence of these States, and we have had a Minister there for some time and have had diplomatic representation with these States for some time past.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now received a copy, or a telegraphic summary of the notes addressed by the Syrian and Lebanese Foreign Ministers to the French Delegate-General on the subject of the Syrian and Lebanese armed forces and the diplomatic relations between the States and France.

Copies of the documents in question have not yet reached me.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the Soviet Government does not maintain diplomatic representatives in Finland, Bulgaria, Roumania and Hungary, he has any information how Russia is represented in them.

The Control Commissions in Finland, Bulgaria, Rumania and Hungary being under the general direction of the Soviet High Command, the Soviet Presidents and the Soviet elements of the Commissions represent the U.S.S.R. in those countries.

Did not my right hon. Friend inform me last week that this country had political representatives, apart from the Allied Control Commission, in these countries? I want to ascertain whether any similar representation is maintained by Russia.

No, Sir. The Soviet are only represented on the Control Commission, As I told my hon. Friend, we have political representatives as well.

Does that mean that the Control Commission has some sort of political and diplomatic status?

No, Sir. It is the function of the Control Commission to supervise the execution of the armistice. Our purpose in having political representatives too, is additional to that, and to look after British interests generally in those countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the facilities for economic assistance afforded by U.N.R.R.A. were brought to the notice of the French and Belgian Governments; at what time was such assistance refused; and what steps were taken by His Majesty's Government to bring to the notice of the French and Belgian Governments the political and military consequences of such refusal.

The French and Belgian Governments are themselves members of the Council of U.N.R.R.A. and have, therefore, always been fully informed of its constitution, terms of reference and its activities.

While that may very well be the case, is it not becoming increasingly clear that the economic power in the hands of U.N.R.R.A. is altogether insufficient for dealing with the needs caused by war on the modern scale?

I think that my Noble Friend is under some misapprehension. I do not think there was ever any question of U.N.R.R.A. being responsible for the whole economic rehabilitation of Europe or the Far East. U.N.R.R.A. has its part to play and other agencies have their parts to play.

Cannot we induce the Government to take a very serious view of the economic situation in France and Belgium and the need for bringing speedy relief in the form of food and other necessities to these people; and does not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the great bearing of this matter on the future of Europe and our relations with those countries?

There is no need for my hon. Friend to induce the Government to take a serious view of this. We are fully conscious of the importance of these matters, and perhaps it would be better if my hon. Friend would await the full statement which I have to make at the end of Questions on this very subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can make any statement on the progress of events in Greece; and if he has now received a reliable report on the trial of persons accused of bearing arms against the State and the application to such persons of the promised amnesty.

As the hon. Member will be aware, an agreement was signed between the Greek Government and E.L.A.S. on 12th February, and I am sure that the House will welcome this most satisfactory outcome to the recent negotiations. The agreement marks a notable advance towards a final and just solution of the differences with which Greece has been divided and tormented. The agreement reaffirms the pledges already given by the Greek Government that there will be an amnesty for all political crimes committed since the disturbances began on 3rd December. The amnesty law provides that the trials of those not covered by the amnesty will be by civil courts and that cases already tried by military courts will be retried by civil courts. No one will be prosecuted for bearing arms against the State.

Would it be possible to convey congratulations to the Minister Resident in the Mediterranean for the very statesmanlike way in which he has contributed to reconciliation in Greece by adopting most of the proposals put forward by the Labour Party Conference and the Government's critics in this House and in the Press?

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he will at the same time convey to General Scobie and the British Army our appreciation of the fact that they made it possible for this happy solution to be reached?

May I ask the Minister whether we can take it that the statements made against E.A.M. will now be withdrawn, as they have no application, in view of the agreement accomplished by E.A.M. representatives at the Conference?

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that on 17th January, at an R.A.F. station of which he has been informed, the senior W.A.A.F. officer read out to W.A.A.F. personnel a message advising them against association off duty with coloured volunteer airmen from Jamaica who were then about to arrive at this station; and if he will make it clear to all concerned that it is not the policy of the R.A.F. to encourage racial discrimination of any kind.

At the R.A.F. Station in question, members of the W.A.A.F. were reminded of the Air Ministry standing instruction that on R.A.F. stations all personnel should observe towards volunteer airmen from Jamaica the nomal standards of service comradeship. No order against association off the station was given and any such order would be contrary to Air Ministry policy. I am, however, taking steps to remove any wrong impression which may prevail.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is now able to reduce the number of civilian skilled technicians and craftsmen employed by the Air Ministry works directorate on maintenance work on sites that have been placed on a care-and-maintenance basis and so enable them to be available to meet the needs of the civil population.

The sites to which my hon. Friend refers must be held ready for operational use at short notice. The labour available for this purpose and for the maintenance of sites in use is less than is needed and I am afraid that a reduction would not be practicable in present circumstances.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider whether it would be possible to employ some of these men concerned at least on part-time, in view of the fact that some of them are not at all fully occupied at present and of the considerable population in the area?

If my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any men who are not fully occupied, I will look into the matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have already sent such information?

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many non-Regular officers were informed in writing by Department QJ of his Ministry in the first six months of the war that their appointment would be for the duration of hostilities, without any reservation that their services be dispensed with for any cause other than inefficiency or unsatisfactory conduct and in what manner the services of such officers will be dispensed with prior to general demobilisation in the event of the officers declining to accede to the request from the Air Council to tender their resignation.

Some 3,000 officers were commissioned in the R.A.F.V.R. during the first six months of the war. The letters of appointment of these and other officers stated that the appointment was for the duration of hostilities. This statement obviously referred to the maximum period of tenure of the commission. The service of all R.A.F. officers is subject to King's Regulations and Air Council Instructions which provide that an officer may be called upon to resign his commission at any time for any reason should the circumstances in the opinion of the Air Council require it, and that if he declines, his commission will be terminated.

Is it not the fact that officers have been requested to resign when their services appeared to become redundant?

Certainly, Sir, as I stated in my answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether an officer who, at the request of the Air Council, has tendered his resignation is entitled to the same period of leave, namely, 56 days, from the date on which he ceases to perform duty, as officers whose services will be dispensed with on general demobilisation; and, if not, what is the period granted.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that non-regular officers in the R.A.F., over 50 years of age, who may be compulsorily required to resign their commissions under A.M.O. A.36, dated 18th January, 1945, are concerned that the conditions of retirement therein stated are financially much less favourable than those outlined in the Government's White Paper on Reallocation of Man Power and the Air Ministry's publication "The Next Phase," circulated in September, 1944; and will he take steps to apply the financial terms of the latter to officers compulsorily retired under A.M.O. A.36.

An officer who tenders his resignation at the request of the Air Council on becoming redundant is entitled to 42 days' leave. In addition, he will, in due course, receive a war gratuity and any post-war credit to which he may be entitled. The release benefits outlined in the White Paper and in "The Next Phase" apply only to officers released after the Release Scheme has started to operate and have been drawn up in the light of the circumstances which are likely to prevail at that time.

Is my right hon. Friend going to put these officers who are now requested to resign their commissions on the same footing as other officers in the matter of leave?

No, Sir. As has been explained to the House on behalf of the Government, it has been decided in respect of all three Services that the arrangements for leave to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers will apply only after the conclusion of stage 1 of the war.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these officers, who were asked to resign their commissions because of redundancy, feel very strongly that they are getting rather a raw deal in this matter, because under the White Paper they were entitled to 56 days, plus one day for every completed month of foreign service, whereas they now get 42 days; and is there any real reason for this differentiation, as the men do not want to resign?

The reasons have been explained to the House, and it is the policy of the Government that the scheme embodied in "The Next Phase" will only come into operation at the end of the first stage of the war.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many members of Norfolk squadrons of the A.T.C. have been directed into the Army; and whether this policy will continue.

I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the Question could not be obtained without undue expenditure of time and labour both in my Department and in the Ministry of Labour and National Service. As regards the second part, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Acton (Captain Longhurst) and my hon. Friend the Member for Maidstone (Mr. Bossom) on 15th November last.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will alter the existing regulations in order to allow officers of the A.T.C. to retain their uniforms upon resignation.

I am looking into this matter, and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend in due course.

Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the original grant of £20 did not cover the full cost of these uniforms; and would he consider allowing these ex-officers to retain such part of that uniform as would be useful in civilian life?

I will certainly look into the whole question.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why, while A.T.S. or W.R.N.S. get seven days' leave, plus 48 hours' leave, and plus 14 days' unpaid leave when they are married, for their honeymoon, W.A.A.F. are not allowed the 14 days on the unemployed list.

Subject to the requirements of the Service, members of the W.A.A.F. are normally granted 14 days' leave with pay, when they get married. For this, they use their ordinary leave, but if there is not enough ordinary leave due to them they are, at the discretion of their Commanding Officers, granted compassionate leave with pay to make up the total of 14 days. I understand that the arrangements in the A.T.S. and the W.R.N.S. are not precisely as stated in the Question, but while members of these Services may obtain more leave in the aggregate when they are married than members of the W.A.A.F., a large proportion of their leave is unpaid.

Will the right hon. Gentleman fill in this gap, which he has admitted, and see that these girls get the same time as the others?

As I say, the facts about the others are not quite correctly stated in my hon. and gallant Friend's Question. The W.A.A.F. get a rather different scale, and I have no reason to believe that the arrangements which they have do not give them satisfaction.

Since they feel they have a grievance, will my right hon. Friend look into that?

Yes, but I have made careful inquiries and I am sure there is none. Actually, if we did try to assimilate our arrangements to those of the other two Services, I am afraid the result would be that the members of the W.A.A.F. would probably get more leave and less pay, and that members of the other Services would get more pay and less leave, and no one would be satisfied.

asked the Secretary of State for Air for what purpose the privately owned stores, of whose location he has been informed, were requisitioned by his Department; what the stores are used for now; and whether it is intended to release them for trading purposes at an early date.

These premises were requisitioned in 1942 for use as part of a W.A.A.F. reception centre. They now form part of a personnel despatch centre. I regret that I cannot hold out hope of their early release.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that Lancashire workpeople are very war-weary and would like to take advantage of the amenities of this store and café when having their brief holiday in this seaside resort?

I can only say that I should not wish to keep these premises a week longer than was absolutely necessary for the requirements of the Service. If my hon. Friend has any other proposals to make, with regard to alternative premises available in the vicinity, of course, I shall be very glad to consider them.

Is it not a fact that large numbers of R.A.F. and W.A.A.F. have gone overseas, thus releasing more suitable accommodation than these stores?

I can assure my hon. Friend that I have looked carefully into this since he put this Question on the Paper, and we require these premises in that vicinity.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether there is a maximum age limit to R.A.F. personnel sent to the Far East; and how those in the upper age group will obtain repatriation as the war proceeds.

Yes, Sir. Subject to the requirements of the Service, the maximum age for posting to the Far East is 42 years for airmen below the rank of sergeant, and 50 years for airmen of that rank and above and for officers other than Regular officers and officers who volunteer. Officers and men serving in the Far Eastern theatre will be repatriated on completion of their tour of duty or earlier if they become eligible for release under the Government Scheme for release of transfer from the Forces.

Can the Minister clarify the matter, as there is a great deal of misunderstanding among the Servicemen themselves?

If my hon. Friend will look at the answer which I have given, he will find it quite clear.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will publish the findings of courts of inquiry into accidents to aircraft of R.A.F. Transport Command where casualties have resulted to officers of the Navy and Army or to civilians on flights outside active operational theatres of war.

I shall always give the House as much information as I can about accidents to R.A.F. aircraft, but it would be contrary to long-standing custom, and would not be in the public interest, to disclose the findings of courts of inquiry, which are privileged. The foreknowledge that they might be published would impose a restraint upon both court and witnesses, whereas it is essential that all concerned should speak freely, and if need be criticise fearlessly, without regard to rank or person.

Can my right hon. Friend inform the House whether, if it appears in the Press that certain types of aircraft which will be used for civil aviation have been involved, such statements will be corrected to show there is no fault in the construction of the type of machine concerned?

I shall be most anxious to give to the House, on my own responsibility, all possible information about accidents to R.A.F. aircraft.

Will the right hon. Gentleman have regard to the constitutional difficulties which might arise if he refuses the request of this House to publish the report of the court of inquiry concerning the death of two hon. Members?

That is another question. I am asked here about accidents to Transport Command aircraft, and the accident to which my Noble Friend refers has nothing whatever to do with Transport Command.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that the machines used by Transport Command are given all those facilities to make flying safe that are provided for operational needs?

Oh, certainly, Sir.

Is it not a fact that all Service courts of inquiry and their findings are confidential?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he has any statement to make on the recent air accident in which British officers and officials lost their lives on their way to the conference between the Prime Minister, President Roosevelt and Marshal Stalin; whether the B.O.A.C. or the R.A.F. is responsible for the arrangements for these flights; and whether it is his intention to hold a special inquiry on the causes and circumstances of this loss.

I deeply regret the loss of life caused by this accident. The aircraft was a York belonging to the Royal Air Force. It was of standard design and fitted with standard equipment. The Royal Air Force pilot and crew were highly experienced. The aircraft was obliged to come down in the sea. A court of inquiry to investigate the cause of the accident is now sitting. As regards the second part of the Question, flights of this kind are carried out either by aircraft of the Royal Air Force or aircraft of the British Overseas Airways Corporation depending on the availability of aircraft and the route flown.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a good deal of serious concern in the public mind at these accidents; and in view of the fact that this might have happened to any of the aircraft engaged on this flight, can he give us an assurance that all the machines engaged in the Prime Minister's flight were given adequate mechanical supervision and inspection right throughout the journey?

Really I cannot give an assurance about "right throughout the journey." I can give an assurance that the maintenance arrangements of Transport Command are highly efficient, and I shall be very glad indeed to give the fullest possible information when my hon. Friend the Member for Oxford (Mr. Hogg) raises this Question on Thursday.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the allegations which have been made, in private, in many quarters, that on this exceptionally difficult flying route the types of machines used are not suitable for the appalling storms and electrical disturbances which constantly arise?

Certainly, I will very gladly give my attention to the point which my Noble Friend has raised. At the same time, if he wishes my opinion, from my personal knowledge so far as it goes, I think that this machine was entirely suitable for the route on which it was flying, and that machines of this type have been flying on routes to the East with great success and with a very low rate of accident for some long time.

Are any other Departments associated with the right hon. Gentleman's Department in this court of inquiry? Otherwise, will it not be the fact that the Air Ministry will be inquiring into the behaviour of the Air Ministry and coming to the conclusion that there is nothing wrong with the Air Ministry?

There is no Department in the State which has such a tremendous incentive to maintain a low rate of accident, and to improve it by every possible means.

May I have an answer to my question? Is it intended to associate any other Department of State with the court of inquiry into this accident?

No, Sir. The court of inquiry is now sitting. A most thorough and searching inquiry will be made and no Department, as I have said, has a greater interest in obtaining the facts than the Air Ministry.

Will my right hon. Friend take steps to inquire particularly as to a statement which has been made in various quarters that this plane came down into the sea, owing to a shortage of petrol; and in view of a somewhat similar statement which has been made in connection with another accident, will he carefully inquire into this matter?

Let me put my hon. Friend's mind at rest on one point. I do know that for the flight that was planned for that aircraft, there was a wide and ample margin of petrol supplied, but certainly that is a point which will emerge in the course of the inquiry.

May I ask whether inquiries will be made whether some of these accidents are not due to the fact that the importance of the journey is so very urgent, that these trips are undertaken where, ordinarily, they might not be undertaken in view of the weather conditions prevailing?

An inquiry will be made into each specific accident. It is very difficult for me to answer questions referring in general terms to these accidents. I think I ought to tell the House now that in the month of January—because Transport Command deserves and requires the confidence of the House in carrying out its duties—Transport Command flew 4,000,000 miles without a single accident involving death or injury to a passenger.

May I ask the Secretary of State, in view of the fact that he now has a number of these inquiries on his hands and that we shall only get half an hour on the Adjournment to-morrow, whether he will make representations to get a full day's Debate on this? In any event, will he see that a statement is made to the House of Commons when he has expedited the findings of these inquiries?

I have always stated that I am most anxious to give the information to this House. This Command needs the strength which the confidence this House can give it and I regard it as my responsibility to give this House the necessary information.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether his attention has been called to the serious position arising out of the closing of certain parts of a new factory, erected in Openshaw, Manchester, for the purpose of storage, resulting in the stopping of skilled men and unskilled men and women; and why a new and up-to-date factory, with all modern amenities, should be used for such a purpose, in view of post-war reconstruction instead of a much older factory.

The closing of a part of the factory was due to a change in the production programme and the desirability of relieving the labour position in the North west. The accommodation is being used temporarily with the consent of my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, for the storage of aircraft components awaiting final assembly. It is essential to store these components within a reasonable distance of the plant where they are to be assembled and there are no other suitable premises available. The placing in alternative employment of the workers concerned is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service, but I understand that no undue difficulty is expected in placing the workers in other employment.

In view of the information which has come to me only this morning that three engineering firms are waiting to take over part of this factory, will my right hon. and learned Friend consider releasing the factory at once?

This matter has been very thoroughly considered, in association with the Board of Trade, the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Production, and the action taken is considered to be in the best interests.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production for what purpose his Department is using certain premises which have been indicated to him; and whether, as these premises are situate in a heavily populated area, he intends to release them for ordinary trading purposes at an early date.

The premises to which my hon. Friend refers are being used for the production of aircraft equipment of urgent operational importance I regret that there is no prospect of releasing the premises for civilian trading until the demand for this equipment is substantially reduced

Is it not a fact that a large number of other factory premises are being released? Is it not possible to stop production in this heavily populated area like this?

It would not be possible without forgoing instruments which are needed at the present moment for operational purposes.

asked the Minister of Information why the report of a Conservative Party sub-committee was given special publicity in the B.B.C. news bulletins on Tuesday, 16th January, including the address from which the report could be obtained; and if he will request the Governors of the B.B.C. to seek opportunities of advertising similarly the publications of the Labour, Liberal, Communist and Common Wealth Parties.

There was nothing extraordinary about the publicity given to this pamphlet. The B.B.C. find that during 1944 a number of pamphlets published by the Labour, Liberal and Common Wealth Parties received notice in this way.

Can the Minister tell us why the Communist Party is left out?

I am afraid it is because my hon. Friend is not on comradely terms with the B.B.C.

Would the Minister define what is meant by "not on comradely terms"? Would he explain what that really means?

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether, in the case of these other parties, the publicity which was given was as thorough? Were the parties' addresses included, and the prices of pamphlets, and so on?

I have not looked into the details of this matter, but I am quite certain that the B.B.C. holds the balance fairly between all parties.

Is it not true that a great many people believe that the B.B.C. is far too biased to the Left?

Can I have an answer to my question?

One of the great virtues of the B.B.C. is that extremists on both sides of the House dislike it so much.

Is the Minister aware that the I.L.P. has been left out and that that evidently shows some bias against the I.L.P.?

I must draw the attention of the Governors of the B.B.C. to the fact that they have overlooked that important Fourth Party.

asked the Minister of Information if, in view of the obvious value to the Nazi cause of the British Press and B.B.C. continuing to give prominence to the German version of the news about the Russian advance, he will issue daily informed and confidential advice to the Press and B.B.C. stating the facts accurately and thus placing the German propaganda in its proper light.

The Ministry of Information have no news about the current progress of Russian operations which is not simultaneously available to the British Press and B.B.C. through their own resources. The Russian official communiqués and Marshal Stalin's Orders of the Day deal only With accomplished facts and they can be relied upon to put in their true perspective all the efforts of German propaganda to anticipate the news.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware cases are occurring with increasing frequency of looting in houses when war damage repair contractors and workers are engaged by the local authorities to carry out war damage repairs and that no personal responsibility exists between the owner or tenants of the houses and the repairers concerned; and whether the local authority or the contractor will be compelled to make good such loss.

Where repairs are carried out by the local authority the latter can be held responsible by the householder for any loss due to negligence, in the same way as a private contractor. The question appears to suggest that larceny is being committed by repair workers on a large and growing scale. The facts are that nowhere has sufficient evidence been produced to enable the police to prosecute in any single case. I do think that in fairness to those concerned my hon. and gallant Friend should have made of his facts before making allegations of wholesale dishonesty against this body of building trade operatives all parts of the United Kingdom

asked the Minister of Works the present position where, through enemy action, immediate first-aid repairs are urgently required to be carried out to a building; and whether owners or tenants are authorised to carry out such urgent work themselves, instead of waiting sometimes several weeks for local authorities to take the necessary action.

asked the Minister of Works how far his regulations envisage the prosecution of tenants or occupants of houses who carry out repairs themselves without employing outside labour and without using material other than what they themselves possess.

Householders are, of course, free to carry out their own repairs themselves provided that if the work costs more than £10 in the case of South-East England or £100 in other parts of the country, they obtain a licence. In estimating cost account is taken of all materials used, whether purchased or previously in the possession of the householder. However, the value of the householder's own labour is not reckoned in the cost.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in many cases the £10 has already been spent, and that there is often not time, when fresh damage has been caused by enemy action, to fill up forms? Cannot he authorise the spending of £3, £4 or £5 in cases of urgent necessity for immediate repairs of such things as burst pipes, when householders cannot wait for permission?

Yes, Sir, provision is made for that.

Not in my right hon. Friend's answer.

Provision is given for emergency action in cases such as burst pipes.

Even if the £10 limit has been reached?

Yes, Sir.

Is it not a fact that in many cases people have been prosecuted and fined for using material which they had themselves and for giving their own labour? Is not that bureaucracy run mad?

I am looking into this question myself to see that this regulation, which is, basically, absolutely necessary and sound, is not applied with undue rigidity. There will always be isolated cases, in which a regulation is not being sensibly applied, but I believe they are very few. It is, however, particularly difficult to apply this regulation to those who do their own work or carry out their own building, but I am looking specifically into this type of case.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware of the large amount of property in the London area which would be available as accommodation if there could be some increase in the limit of £10 per annum for repairs; and if he can give any indication when he proposes to amend this limit.

I do not know to what accommodation my hon. and gallant Friend is referring. Any labour needed for such a project could, of course, only be obtained by withdrawing it from other war damage repair work at present being undertaken. In view of the large amount of outstanding repair and maintenance work in the London area, I do not see any prospect of relaxing the licensing limit for some time to come.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are thousands of people tramping the streets of London for weeks on end while there are plenty of houses in which they could be accommodated? It is a matter of a few pounds.

We have a limited amount of building labour to do an enormous job. We are trying to spread a very little butter over a very large piece of bread. It is a question of priorities. These are, in the main, allocated with a view to obtaining the maximum number of dwellings for the labour expended.

May I send my right hon. Friend a letter on the subject?

Certainly.

Why not employ German prisoners of war?

asked the Minister of Works why it is that, at a time when no buildings repairs exceeding £10 in value are allowed without a licence in London and the Home Counties when such repairs are most urgently required, building repairs up to £100 in value are allowed without a licence in the rest of the county when they are not nearly so urgent.

The purpose of the reduced licensing limit in London and the Home Counties is, to concentrate, as far as possible, the limited building labour and materials upon bomb damage repairs and other essential work. However, I am aware of the rapidly accumulating arrears of repair and maintenance work in other parts of the country. I should, therefore, be prepared to consider sympathetically any requests for the extension of the £10 licensing limit from local authorities in other areas where particular difficulties are being experienced.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that the policy that he is following results in materials and labour which might and should be available in London and some of the Home Counties being used for less essential purposes in other parts of the country?

That just is not so.

On what basis does the right hon. Gentleman work when he imposes a £10 limit on London and some of the Home Counties and does not extend that to the rest of the country?

London's need has been greater and more pressing and one hesitates to impose these restrictions unless it is absolutely necessary. I think it may very well become necessary in certain other areas and I shall not be at all surprised if I get requests from some of the larger provincial authorities asking that the lower limit should be extended to them, in order to enable them to use their labour more efficiently.

Would not the universal extension of the limit mean the attraction of more building labour from London?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Works if he can give an assurance that in allocating supplies of sheet lining materials for temporary houses full consideration will be given to the requirements of permanent prefabricated dwellings and two-stage houses; and what supplies of such materials are likely to be available in the immediate post-war period.

Yes, Sir. In planning the production of sheet lining materials, full consideration is being given to the requirements of housing of all kinds. Sufficient supplies should be available to meet anticipated requirements in the immediate post-war period.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in the trade the fear is that the bulk of the material is being used for temporary purposes, when vast quantities will be needed for permanent houses?

I think my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. In planning the production requirements for these types of materials, we have taken into account the permanent housing programme just as much as the temporary housing programme. I am advised that there is not likely to be any acute shortage of sheeting materials for the post-war programme.

asked the Minister of Works what offer has been made by the Swedish Government to this country in relation to prefabricated houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I am exploring the possibility of obtaining permanent, prefabricated timber houses from Sweden. Certain discussions on this subject have taken place with Swedish representatives. Meanwhile, I should prefer not to make any detailed statement on the subject.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered getting from Sweden prefabricated open air shelters in order to extend accommodation in existing houses in London?

Perhaps the hon. Lady will let me have particulars of what she has in mind.

Has my right hon. Friend sent a mission to Sweden to investigate the question and publish a report on their return and, if not, will he consider doing so?

While the discussions are going on I should prefer not to be pressed further on this point.

asked the Minister of Works how many man-power hours were expended in laying the 9½-inch brick foundations for the prefabricated houses at the L.C.C. estate at Matting-ham, Kent, built by or for his Ministry; why it is considered necessary to put in 14 courses of 9½-inch brickwork with similar foundations to carry a prefabricated coal shed; and if this type of substantial foundation is to be the standard for all similar structures.

The site in question comprises 11 temporary bungalows. The man-hours expended on laying the brick-work for the foundations were 683, an average of 62 for each house. In the case of two houses where the ground falls away below road level, a more than normal amount of brick-work has had to be undertaken.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that the actual foundations in this case, measured in terms of bricks and man-power, are equal to one-fifth of an ordinary permanent brick-built house? Is not that appalling waste?

I cannot on the spur of the moment comment on the hon. Member's mathematical calculations. We are obliged, particularly in London, to accept from local authorities sites which we should reject in other parts of the country. The available space is so limited that we have to put down small numbers of temporary bungalows on blitzed sites, often very uneven. In other parts of the country we should insist on a flatter site capable of accommodating not less than about 50 houses. In the case in question we had to take a site for only 11 houses. I see no way out of this difficulty in London.

asked the Minister of Works whether his Department has given further consideration to the use of light metal alloys for permanent and temporary roofing; and with what result.

Yes, Sir; the use of light metal alloys for roofing, as well as for many other purposes, is being considered. These investigations are not yet completed.

asked the Minister of Works what is the position regarding the production of foamed slags; whether foaming plants are being adjoined to all steel works; and what production and price are being aimed at.

There are at present three foamed slag plants in operation together producing about 125,000 tons per annum. The provision of capacity for a further 500,000 tons a year is under consideration by various steel works. It is hoped that the price can be reduced considerably, but I am not able to quote precise figures.

In view of the desirability of saving costs of transport of this important new material, will my right hon. Friend try to ensure that foaming plants and steel works are in each important region in the country?

This is, of course, primarily a matter for the steel works themselves, but that is our desire and intention. I must point out, however, that not all steel works are suited for this process.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the headway made on currency and proposals for an international investment bank at the Bretton Woods Conference, it is proposed to prepare the way for other international agreements on problems of trade, commodities and full employment.

These matters are being carefully explored.

What does my right hon. Friend mean by exploration? Will he say specifically whether, in fact, negotiations are proceeding with the United States on commercial and trade matters?

The matters are being discussed in great detail.

asked the Minister of Supply what is the relationship between his Ministry and Iron and Steel Disposals, Limited; and what proportion of the share capital of this company is owned by the Government.

Iron and Steel Disposals, Limited, is a non-profit making company, incorporated under the Companies Act, 1929, with a nominal share capital of £1,000, none of which is owned by the Ministry. It operates however on instructions from the Ministry. It is financed from public funds and the assets of the Company will, on winding up, be handed over to the Ministry.

asked the Minister of Supply what is the value of surplus iron and steel disposed of by Iron and Steel Disposals, Limited, since it was set up; and what is the value of similar material disposed of through other agencies during the same period.

The value of the surplus iron and steel disposed of since July, 1943, by Iron and Steel Disposals, Limited, is £1,312,000. The value of that disposed of through other channels during this period is not readily available.

Will the accounts of the company be open to investigation by the Comptroller and Auditor-General.

I should require notice of that Question; they are open to the Ministry of Supply.

asked the Minister of Supply for what purpose the privately-owned stores situated at a place, of which he has been informed, were requisitioned; to what use they are now put; and whether it is intended to release them for trading purposes at an early date.

The premises referred to were requisitioned and are being used for the storage, pending disposal, of surplus Service clothing and textiles. I cannot say how soon it may be possible to release them.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that this place has been very heavily bombed and that the people engaged in the trade are very anxious to rehabilitate themselves again?

I am very conscious of that.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the matter again?

I have looked into it, and I am not in a position now to say when we may be able to give up the premises.

asked the Minister of Supply whether there has been any change in the membership of the Tank Board since he last gave the names to the House.

Yes, Sir. The Chairman of the Tank Board is now Mr. C. D. Gibb, who is also executive head of the Armoured Fighting Vehicles Division. Mr. Gibb has succeeded Commander Micklem who, as has already been announced, was released at the end of last year to return to Messrs. Vickers-Armstrongs Limited. The Director-General of Artillery has been appointed to the Board and certain other changes have followed upon internal changes in the War Office and the Ministry of Supply. I am circulating particulars of the present membership in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

In future will my right hon. Friend make changes without being asked?

Will my right hon. Friend tell us whether the strength of a Division is greater than the strength of the people who have served on the Tank Board?

I do not follow my hon. Friend's question.

Are there not hundreds of people who have served on it since it originally started? How many chairmen have there been?

Certainly not hundreds.