asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the views of His Majesty's Government were sought by the Greek Government in the recent changes in Greek administration which led to the resignation of the Minister of the Interior; and if he is satisfied that the changes will not make more difficult of fulfilment His Majesty's Government's undertaking to ensure complete freedom in the coming Greek elections.

His Majesty's Government were not consulted by the Greek Government. As regards the second part of the Question, I do not consider that there is any reason to doubt that the forthcoming elections will be held under fair and free conditions. It is certainly the intention of His Majesty's Government to do all they can to ensure that this is so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many Greeks are now detained by British authorities in Africa and India; how many have been released and sent back to Greece; and whether he has any information respecting the hunger strike of 3,000 prisoners in a concentration camp near Athens.

The number of Greeks detained by the British authorities in Africa amounts to about 12,000. Of these 8,000 are the E.L.A.S. prisoners sent there during the fighting. Arrangements are in hand to transfer all these men to Greece and it is hoped that 1,500 will arrive in about a week's time. Investigations by Greek Government commissioners sent to Egypt for the purpose indicate that not more than about 200 out of the total number will be charged with offences not covered by the amnesty. There are about 4,000 men still detained as a result of the mutinies in the Greek armed forces last Spring. All these men will be repatriated to Greece as and when transport becomes available. Meanwhile, any who wish to do so are being re-employed in the Greek armed forces. Those who do not accept re-employment and those who, from a strict military point of view, are considered unreliable, must be kept together in camps since they cannot be released in the Middle East. Their repatriation to Greece has inevitably been delayed and they cannot expect to return before the loyal units of the Greek forces in the Middle East. There are virtually no Greeks detained in India. Only two cases are known to the Greek authorities.

As regards the last part of the Question, hunger strikes have taken place in two camps under British control near Athens in which a total of 5,000 men were detained. In both cases the strike ended after an address to the men by the E.L.A.S. liaison officer attached to General Scobie's Headquarters. Of these 5,000 men 150 are charged with crimes not covered by the amnesty. Of the rest all except 18 have now been released.

While expressing appreciation of the action of the right hon. Gentleman, may I ask him whether he can say why these 3,000 went on strike? What was the particular political or economic cause of it?

I cannot say, but I am glad to say that they came back almost at once.

While realising that it is exceedingly difficult to transport these men back to Greece, is there any reason why they should not be liberated and allowed to remain free in the countries in which they are now?

That raises complicated issues, for they have to be fed, administered and taken care of, and it is better that they should go back as soon as transport can be arranged.

With regard to those men who are detained as a consequence of so-called mutiny, are they covered by the terms of the amnesty, and when they return to Greece can they be subject to charges not so covered?

I shall be glad if the hon. Gentleman will put that down. I do not know what the hon. Gentleman means by "so-called mutiny"

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the U.N.R.R.A. organisation is now working smoothly in Yugoslavia; and whether substantial supplies of goods are now being distributed to the civil population.

The position in regard to the operation of U.N.R.R.A. in Yugoslavia is still as stated in the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State to my hon. Friend the Member for the Forest of Dean (Mr. Price) on 14th February. The answer to the second part of the Question is "Yes, Sir."

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the composition of the Provisional Yugoslav Government has now been completed; whether the Government contains representatives of all the main political parties in Yugoslavia; and whether he will indicate the parties which the respective members of the Provisional Government represent, and the names of the ministers.

According to my latest information, the composition of the new Yugoslav Government has not yet been completed. I am expecting its completion to be announced from Belgrade very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the courts before which political prisoners are now appearing in Yugoslavia are conducted by independent judges under prewar legal procedure, or whether they are set up under the jurisdiction of the anti-Fascist National Liberation Committee.

I have received no information of any trials of persons for their political acts in liberated Yugoslavia. If, however, my lion. Friend is referring to collaboration with the enemy, the answer is that in Serbia special courts subject to the jurisdiction of the Anti-Fascist Council of National Liberation have been set up to deal with offences of collaboration. In the other liberated parts of Yugoslavia, the only courts at present functioning are, so far as I am aware, the courts martial of the Yugoslav Army.

Will my right hon. Friend obtain reports of the number of cases with which these special anti-Fascist courts have dealt?

I will see whether I can get them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that persons of Polish nationality form, according to the census of 1931, a majority of the inhabitants of the city of Tarnopol; and what steps the Allies are proposing to take in order to safeguard the rights of the Polish majority in this city as well as those in the cities of Vilna and Lvov.

The Polish census of 1931 did not give separate population figures for the city of Tarnopol. The figures for the whole province of Tarnopol showed that neither by language nor by religion were the Poles in an absolute majority, though they did form a majority in the urban areas as a whole. The Poles in this area have under the agreement concluded in September, 1944, between the Lublin Committee and the Government of the Ukrainian republic of the U.S.S.R. the same right as those in other parts of Eastern Galicia to transfer to the West of the Curzon Line.

If the right hon. Gentleman will look up the figures again, he will find that in the city of Tarnopol the Poles have an absolute majority of 77 per cent., and a similar majority in the administrative district of Tarnopol. Further, will he put in a word for the thousands of Poles, Ukrainians and White Ruthenjans who have been arrested and deported to unknown destinations?

I am dealing with the last part of the question in another answer. One of the reasons why we were so anxious that these conversations in Moscow should proceed and reach a conclusion was in order that this situation, and reports of various kinds, may be finally checked and, I trust, the situation disposed of. I believe I have given accurate figures but I will check them again.

Do not those figures include Jews and Greek Catholics as well as Polish Roman Catholics?

I do not know. I did not quote the figures.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any reply has now been received from the Government of the U.S.S.R. giving permission for a delegation or supplies from U.N.R.R.A. to reach Poland or any districts in Russia where Polish or other deported persons are in need of assistance; and whether similar permission has been given for missions or supplies to be sent by any bodies other than U.N.R.R.A.

I am informed that the Russian authorities have promised U.N.R.R.A. facilities for the transit of supplies to Poland. Arrangements for the transit of a delegation are not yet concluded, but the despatch of supplies is not being delayed on that account. As regards the last part of the Question, I have no information.

Considering that the U.S.S.R. was one of the three Great Powers which initiated U.N.R.R.A., is not this very long delay, lasting over two months, in giving permission for a personal delegation very unsatisfactory? Why should Russia be afraid of impartial observers?

I am neither responsible for the Soviet Government nor for U.N.R.R.A. All I can do is to give the House information. I also regret the delay and I am glad that at last shipments have apparently begun.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can yet inform the House as to the result of his inquiries from the Soviet Government in regard to the arrest of the wife of the Polish Prime Minister and other Red Cross workers recently in Warsaw.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any statement to make concerning the arrest in Poland of Mme. Arciszewska, wife of the Polish Prime Minister in London.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has now received any report with regard to the arrest in Poland of the wife of the Prime Minister of Poland.

The Soviet Government have informed His Majesty's Ambassador at Moscow, in reply to the inquiries which he made upon my instructions, that to meet the wishes of His Majesty's Government they are taking steps at once to set Madame Arciszewska free.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information as to why this lady was arrested?

I have been given some but I thought, in the light of the conclusion of my representations, the House would think it wiser to leave it there.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether an approach has been made to the Soviet Government with a view to securing cancellation of the decree of the Lublin Committee outlawing the Polish underground army.

I have no evidence that any decree has been issued by the Lublin administration outlawing the Polish Home Army as a whole. The Home Army has been formally dissolved by the Polish Government in London. Many of its members, however, are alleged to have resisted the Lublin administration's measures of registration, conscription, etc., and to have refused to submit to its authority. This administration have announced their intention of taking severe measures against these allegedly irreconcilable elements of the Home Army, and against supporters of the Polish Government in London, and special courts have been set up to hold Polish treason trials. In the view of His Majesty's Government, if the necessary atmosphere of confidence is to be created, which alone can ensure the success of the present consultations in Moscow, it is imperative both that the Lublin administration should take no measures against Poles merely because they do not recognise their authority and that such Poles should cease active resistance to the local authorities, which endangers the lines of communication of the advancing Soviet armies. His Majesty's Government will continue to use their influence to this end.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the proper treatment of the Polish underground army is a vital preliminary step to obtaining lasting accord between Russia and Poland?

My hon. Friend will see that I have dealt with that point, not exactly in his terms, but in rather a similar way.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the British Ambassador at Moscow has access to full information about what is going on in East Poland?

I should be obliged if my hon. Friend will put that down. The question of information in Poland is one of those at present under discussion in Moscow.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will release for the purpose of first-aid repair work quantities of plaster board now surplus to requirements at aerodromes in Suffolk and Bedfordshire.

Yes, Sir, this is already being done, not only in Suffolk and Bedfordshire but generally throughout the country.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether (1) in view of the fact that during the war ex-warrant officers in the R.A.F. promoted to officer rank have been expected to bear equal responsibility with the non-ranker officers, he will now take steps to remove the substantial anomalies with regard to rates of pension for R.A.F. ex-warrant officers;

(2) whether he is aware that the maximum retired pay for a group captain who has been promoted from warrant-officer rank is £317 per annum as against a maximum of £750 in the case of group captains, general duties; and what steps he proposes to take to reduce this differ- entiation which operates so excessively to the disadvantage of the man promoted from warrant-officer rank;

(3) whether he is aware that a warrant officer commisioned before 2nd September, 1939, is limited to a maximum pension of £317 a year, whilst a man commissioned from A.C.2 after 3rd September, 1939, can earn retired pay up to £407 per annum; and when he expects to be able to rectify these anomalies.

The scale of retired pay of officers who have served continuously as such is not strictly comparable with that appropriate to officers who have been commissioned from warrant-officer rank, since the former takes into account the fact that the full responsibilities of officer rank have been carried throughout the officer's career. The rates of retired pay of officers who, on commissioning, whether before or after the outbreak of war, were serving as airmen (including warrant officers) on regular engagements, are however now being examined in connection with a review, at present in its early stages, of the rates of retired pay, and the regulations under which they are granted, in the Services generally.

Can my right hon. Friend give any indication when a decision would be taken on this subject?

No, I am afraid I cannot, while the review is in progress.

Will my right hon. Friend also bear in mind that while what he says in the first part of his answer is correct, the officers have incurred further expenditure in education and that it is absolutely necessary that some satisfactory answer should be given?

Yes, Sir, certainly that will be borne in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that R.A.F. personnel discharged on medical grounds have been kept waiting over two months for the issue of civilian clothing; and will he take steps to ensure a much shorter waiting period.

Airmen who are invalided from the Service normally receive their civilian clothing within fourteen days. A few who cannot be fitted from the standard range of sizes have clothes specially made, and in some cases of this kind delays of the order of two months have occurred. I regret that in present circumstances some delay is inevitable where clothes have to be specially made.

Does the Minister appreciate that when a man leaves the Service without a civilian suit and has to wait two months before one is provided for him he is placed in very great difficulty in finding civilian employment? What steps does he propose to take to see that such men are provided for if they cannot get civilian employment?

I see and regret the difficulty in which it places a man if he cannot get his clothes for two months, but the hon. Member must realise that I, too, am in a difficulty, in the present state of shortage of clothes, in providing for people who require suits of special sizes.

Will the Minister make it clear that 90 per cent. of the men discharged on medical grounds take a suit on the day of their discharge and that the trouble arises with the difficult cases?

I thought I had made that clear, but I am obliged to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether members of the R.A.F. Educational Service are to receive an outfit of civilian clothes in common with other members of the Armed Forces when they leave the R.A.F.; and whether they are eligible for similar gratuities.

Unmobilised officers of the Royal Air Force educational service are employed and paid as civilians and are accordingly ineligible for the release benefits to be granted to mobilised officers.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production if he is aware of the long delay that is arising in giving manufacturing concerns disposal instructions for redundant material belonging to completed and cancelled contracts; and will he arrange for the contracts disposal branch to accelerate these instructions.

Every effort is being made to issue disposal instructions to contractors for redundant contract arisings with all practical speed; the main difficulty encountered at present is in obtaining storage space to which redundant materials can be moved pending their final disposal. If the hon. Member has a particular case in mind and will be good enough to give me particulars I will gladly investigate it.

Is the Minister aware that disposal instructions often take as long as six months, while very valuable floor space is occupied, and firms are prevented from changing over to peace-time production?

We have had one or two complaints of interference with changeover, but none of them have been established, on inquiry.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production for what reasons he decided to site the new research station in or near Bedford.

The siting of such an establishment bearing in mind the need for future development is a matter of great difficulty and there are very few places in the British Isles that are suitable. After a careful review of all possible sites, and consultation with all other Departments concerned, it was decided that the new Establishment should be set up near Bedford since that site best fulfils requirements, and in particular because:

1. It is reasonably near, and easy of access from, London, the principal aircraft works and the Universities in Oxford, Cambridge and the Midlands.

2. A large existing airfield is available with good flying approaches and it will be possible to extend at least one run-way to the great length that may ultimately be required for such an experimental establishment.

3. Weather conditions in this area are favourable for flying.

4. The site allows an architectural layout adequate to the needs of the Establishment and,

5. Electric power can be made available to meet the very heavy load expected to be required.

While thanking my right hon. and learned Friend for his very long and explicit answer, may I ask him whether he does not agree that, since His Majesty's Government are attempting to attract private enterprise into the development areas, there is an overwhelming case for His Majesty's Government doing the same with this establishment? Moreover, is he not aware that there are other runways and other railways—and also other universities than those of Oxford, Cambridge and London?

I am quite aware of that. A very careful review was made of all the development areas but unfortunately it was ascertained that in none of them were the circumstances suitable.

Can we take it for granted that this will not be laid down by the Government as a reason for establishing other Government works, as it is entirely against all the principles of national planning of industry in which we believe?

This is not a Government works. This is a research establishment, which has to be in very close association with the headquarters staff and it is one of the matters which must be borne in mind, with a view to avoiding waste of time in traffic.

Is the Minister aware that proximity to London has been the reason for establishing almost every factory there during the last 10 years, in spite of the position in the depressed areas?

That has not been so with the new factories which my Department have put up, many of which have been in the depressed and development areas.

Where is there a university outside Oxford and Cambridge, in this country?

There are a large number, many of them equally good.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman be willing to receive a delegation from the West of Scotland to discuss the difficulty, and to see whether we can help him out a bit?

I am afraid it would be of no value. We have very thoroughly examined the West of Scotland for this purpose.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is the intention of his Depart- ment to retain the administration of the coastguard service after the war.

The administration of the coastguard is at present carried on by the Ministry of War Transport, acting as agents for the Admiralty, who assumed control of the force in 1940 under emergency powers provided in the Coastguard Act. The post-war arrangements will be considered as soon as the time is ripe, but I think that at present it would be premature to attempt to reach a final decision.

When the time comes after the war, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the very great benefit which will accrue to the Navy from the retention of the coastguard system, and also the benefit that will flow to the public from the fact that the Navy controls the coastguard service?

I am sure that all the lessons of the war will be taken into account.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that the coastguard service under the old organisation, in which Service personnel was employed, was much more efficient than the present organisation, and will he not consider reverting to the old Service coastguard organisation?

I must say that I have been very satisfied with the coastguards during the war.

asked the First Lord of The Admiralty how many fishermen have been released from the Navy in order to pursue their pre-war occupations; and what qualifications are required.

Over 400 fishermen have been released up to the present. Preference is given to men with prior claims on an age and length of service basis subject to the requirements of the ports. As far as it is practicable, the men are chosen from those domiciled at the ports from which they are to be employed.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the upper age limit for naval ratings posted to service on a foreign station; and if he will make provision to permit men in their forties who have served two years on such stations to be transferred for service in Home waters.

There is no upper age limit for service abroad. The manpower situation makes it impossible for me to agree to the suggestion in the second part of my hon. Friend's Question.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many of these men are in their forties and have served for several years in tropical waters, and that they are suffering badly as a result? Could nothing be done to bring them nearer home, even if they have to continue to serve?

We do everything we possibly can. The length of the tour abroad is about 2½ years. The fact is that I could not man the Fleet if I were to make widespread arrangements of the kind the hon. Member has suggested.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman give sympathetic consideration to the point put by my hon. Friend? Could he not give instructions that men of that age should, when possible, be sent home?

We do as much as we can in that connection and sympathetic consideration has always been given in that way, but I am afraid my hon. and gallant Friend must recognise that I have a very great problem in manning the Fleet with men of experience in leading rates.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can make a statement on the proposed use of the River Crouch as a dump for disused craft and scrap; and if he will give an assurance that there will be no permanent interference with the amenities of this estuary.

The Admiralty have no intention of using the River Crouch as a dumping ground. It may, however, be necessary to arrange for surplus craft to be laid up in the area pending disposal. The hon. Member may rest assured that full account would be taken of the amenities of the estuary if, and when, such temporary arrangement became necessary.

Is it expected that these arrangements will have to continue for very long after the war?

I am afraid I cannot make any firm promise. It depends a great deal on the celerity with which surplus craft of that kind can be disposed of.

But will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that Burnham-on-Crouch is a great yachting and sailing centre, and a popular holiday resort of the simple kind, and that its amenities and the livelihood of its people will be seriously threatened unless these things can be got rid of pretty quickly?

I am sure that we shall take every possible precuation to make the inconvenience as little as possible, but I am afraid I shall get the same representations from almost every estuary in the country.

No, many of these are quite different.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to make pertnanent the war-time regulations for public control of the railways.

Under the Railway Control Agreement of 1941 the railways will remain under Government control for at least one year after the cessation of hostilities, and probably longer, There will, therefore, be ample time for the consideration of the important questions of the future.

Will my hon. Friend take care that this great public service is not handed back to private enterprise?

Has my hon. Friend done anything to preclude the possibility of any railway company concentrating its productive work in such a way as to make some of their smaller plants derelict as soon as the war is over?

During the war their production is fully controlled in the national interest.

Is it not a fact that a continuation of war-time controls after the war is not desired by the Liberals of this country?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if he is aware that the restrictions imposed by his Department on the carriage of various building materials and fittings by rail are causing delay in the carrying out of repairs to war-damaged premises in some districts and if he will give permission for such materials and accessories to be moved by rail to places where they are required for such purposes.

I have received no information that repairs to damaged premises have been delayed by the restrictions which have had to be, imposed on the normal acceptance and movement of traffic on some sections of the railways. There are special arrangements whereby consignments of building materials urgently required for the repair of bomb-damaged buildings may be secured, in spite of any traffic restrictions. If my hon. Friend will let me know of any cases which he has in mind, I will make inquiries.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if he is aware that on certain suburban L.N.E.R. lines some coaches have complete lighting and others partial; and whether he will arrange for all carriages to have complete lighting and for the remaining shades to be removed.

I am making inquiries, and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I can.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what discussions he has had with Glasgow corporation regarding plans for the construction of an underground railway in Glasgow and district for the purpose of relieving traffic congestion in the post-war period; and whether he proposes to inaugurate an inquiry into this urgent question.

No proposals for the construction of an underground railway in Glasgow have been made to my Department, and there have been no discussions with the corporation on the subject.

Is the Minister aware of the desirability of relieving the tremendous congestion in Glasgow, and will he draw the attention of the Glasgow corporation to the need for developing some form of underground railway in order to relieve that congestion?

On so important a matter as an underground railway, I think I ought to await some initiative from the Glasgow corporation.

Are there any plans ready? Has the Minister been informed of any by the Glasgow corporation?

I am not aware of any such plans.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport the number of additional new and secondhand vehicles made available to controlled haulage undertakings during the last two years and the number of such vehicles made available to hired undertakings, giving the figures for Scottish undertakings separately.

Like all other road haulage firms, controlled undertakings, which form part of the Road Haulage Organisation, buy their own vehicles themselves. The records which are kept do not distinguish between new vehicles bought by such undertakings and new vehicles bought by other operators. I regret, therefore, that I am unable to give my hon. Friend the figures for which he asks. The purchase of second-hand goods vehicles is not subject to the Control and Acquisition of Motor Vehicles Order.

Is my hon. Friend aware that controlled undertakings get the necessary sanction from his Department to acquire new vehicles, and that these permits are denied to hired undertakings of smaller men?

I am assured that that suggestion is without foundation. Indeed the controlled undertakings complain that they are less well treated than other people, because the Government have a financial interest in the result, and are more careful about the purchase of vehicles.

Will my hon. Friend take up this matter with his Edinburgh office and get a return of the additional vehicles being operated by controlled undertakings to the detriment of hired undertakings?

That is a wider question. If my hon. Friend will write to me about it I will see what I can do

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if he can give the figures of cyclists killed on the roads during February, when the black-out was partially raised, as compared with the casualties caused to cyclists during the similar period last year and in a pre-war year.

I regret that the figures of road accidents in February are not yet available. Perhaps my hon. Friend will be good enough to put down another question in the early future.

asked the Minister of Food the reasons for his refusal to recognise the British Tomato Growers' Union; and whether, in the absence of recognition, he proposes to give consideration to the complaints of the members of the union against the existing Tomato Order.

I can assure my hon. Friend that all representations addressed to my Department, whether from associations or from individual growers, are and will be given most careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Food the cost per cwt. of producing beet sugar in this country in each of the years 1938 to 1944; and how much of this cost was paid by public moneys in the form of subsidies, deficiency payments, etc.

As the answer is rather long and includes a table of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Food to what he attributes the present shortage of coffee; and whether he has any plans for improving the position.

The answer to the first part of the Question is that more people are buying it; the answer to the last part is that when we can import more we shall.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the increased weight of one pound allowed for letter packets sent to France and four pounds to Belgium, he will permit these packets to include food.

asked the Minister of Food whether permission can be given for packages of food and medical necessaries to be sent to France or any other liberated territory, through some appropriate organisation in this country, at least where evidence is furnished that the designated recipients urgently need such gifts for medical reasons.

The suggestions made by my hon. Friends, and other matters affecting supplies for civilians in liberated territories in Europe, are being carefully considered. I am not at present in a position to make any statement on the subject, but I hope that it will be possible for such a statement to be made shortly.

asked the Minister of Food whether he has come to any conclusions regarding the memorandum, re cently submitted to him by the Scottish Federation of White Fish Catchers, protesting against reduction of summer prices; and can he now make a statement.

asked the Minister of Food if he has reached any decision on the request of Scottish inshore fishermen for a review of the proposed summer prices for white fish.

I am not able to make a statement on the matter at present, but hope to do so shortly.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give a list of the local authorities who showed a deficit on their British Restaurants at the close of the financial year 1942–43.

Yes, Sir. I will send a list to my hon. Friend within the next few days.

asked the Minister of Food if it is his intention to increase the rations of agricultural workers and members of the W.L.A. in the coming months.

I would refer the hon. Member to the full reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for East Norfolk (Colonel Medlicott) on 16th January last.

Why is it that, although reports constantly appear in the newspapers, obviously inspired by the right hon. and gallant Gentleman's Public Relations, or Press, Department, nothing is done about this matter? Will he take into consideration the fact that industrial canteens have given industrial workers hot meals all through the war, while nothing has been provided for agricultural workers?

It is obvious that we cannot run industrial canteens in the country districts, but we are giving them meat pies and the extra cheese rations. My hon. Friend will find full details in the reply to which I have referred him.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will take steps to make full use of the available supply of whale meat, which is at present going to waste.

Whale meat has a strong fishy smell, and there is therefore considerable difficulty in getting people to take it. If my hon. Friend knows of any way of getting over these difficulties, perhaps he would be good enough to let me know.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend allow Members of this House to taste and sample this meat?