asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent before the war we utilised the services of Germans to represent us in a consular capacity; and whether he will give an assurance that this will not be done in future.

Before the war, only two German nationals held British consular appointments, both in Germany, namely at Kiel and Lũbeck—honorary posts for which no suitable British residents were available. As my hon. Friend was informed when he asked a similar question in April, 1943, all members of His Majesty's Foreign Service, in which the former Consular Service is now incorporated, are British subjects by birth. Honorary posts, such as those I have mentioned, are, and will continue to be, filled wherever possible by British subjects.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the trials of Italians accused of committing acts of cruelty against Allied personnel will begin; and what will be the composition of the court.

No date has yet been fixed for the initiation of these trials and the composition of the courts is still under consideration.

When will any information be available, because Italy has been out of the war for quite a long time?

No, only a part of Italy. The major portion of Italy has only recently been released.

Why is the right hon. Gentleman always so lenient with Italians? I do not quite understand it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what date copies of the Findlater Stewart Report were made available to members of the governing body of the British Council.

Sir Findlater Stewart's Report is still under consideration in the Foreign Office and Treasury, and has not yet been shown to members of the British Council's Executive Committee.

Is it not rather odd that a Report, which was published or issued privately three months ago, should not be shown to the governing body, which consists of eight Members of Parliament and a number of very distinguished people? Is it not a new method of procedure? Will the right hon. Gentleman explain it?

The Report is a confidential document submitted to the Foreign Secretary and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I can, however, assure my hon. Friend that such proposals as His Majesty's Government may have to make upon the reorganisation of the Council in the light of the Report, will be discussed with the governing body.

In view of the fact that this House finds a very large sum of public money for spending by this Council, can the right hon. Gentleman tell us when the House will be given an opportunity of discussing this Report, and, if he is not in a position to publish the whole of it, will he publish a portion of the Report?

Yes, Sir. An announcement has been made to that effect. A full statement will be made about this Report and an opportunity provided for debating it.

In view of the importance of the work of the British Council, does the right hon. Gentleman realise that they are at present in the air and do not know where they are? Is he aware that nobody seems to know what the future of the British Council is to be?

In view of the fact that I have received no answer to my main Question, which was why the governing body had not received the Report, I must take an opportunity of raising this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered representations from the Syrian and Lebanese Governments that, with the termination of hostilities against Germany, no United Nations troops should be sent to Syria or the Lebanon without the prior consent of the Governments; and whether, as they have made it clear that they are prepared to offer all facilities in their power to the prosecution of the war against Japan, this request will be complied with.

I understand that proposals on these lines have been made by the Syrian and Lebanese Governments to the representatives of the French, United States, Soviet and British Governments. His Majesty's Government, for their part, will be prepared to study these proposals sympathetically, but the detailed text of the communication has not yet been received in London.

As the British Commander-in-Chief is, I understand, responsible for this territory, is it not a matter in the first case for the British Government?

I would like my hon. and gallant Friend to put that Question on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that a French man-of-war with Senegalese troops on board has arrived in Beirut and that further ships with more Senegalese troops are expected; and what information or representations he has received from the Syrian and Lebanese Governments on the subject.

One French cruiser has landed a battalion of Senegalese troops at Beirut. I understand that the same ship took off a number of troops from the Levant. Further French troops, not Senegalese, are understood to be due shortly in the Levant. The Syrian and Lebanese Governments have made representations to His Majesty's Government, as well as to the French Government, on this subject, and I understand that they are now engaged in direct discussion with the French Delegate-General at Beirut.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these troops were supposed to be replacements? Did an equal number of troops leave the country?

I have no exact information upon this point, but I understand that a number, slightly smaller than those which were taken into the country, were taken off.

Are we to understand that, in fact, Syria and the Lebanon are to be occupied by Senegalese troops?

That is another question.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether His Majesty's Government propose to reply to the representations received from the Lebanon; and, if such reply is made, will it take cognisance of the fact that the British Government represent one of the guarantor Powers of Syrian and Lebanese independence?

We must await the text of the communication.

Why?

To know what the communication is. His Majesty's Government have promised that they will sympathetically consider the communication.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of His Majesty's Government in regard to repatriating Jewish refugees from Germany and in regard to Jews in Germany.

As regards the first part of the Question, it is still too early for me to be able to make any statement. As regards the second part, it is the policy of His Majesty's Government that all discrimination hitherto applied in Germany, on grounds of race, religion or political belief, should be abolished.

Will the Government guarantee that no country which has discriminated against a minority, will be the country to which that minority is returned, or by which it is kept?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now state the occupation zones in Germany and Austria and their capitals.

No, Sir. Some aspects of the matter are still under consideration by the Allied Governments concerned.

May I ask my right hon. Friend, in view of the fact that these zones of demarcation could easily have been settled a year ago, how it is, now that occupation is starting, that the matter is still unsettled? Is it not leading to considerable confusion?

Hostilities have only just come to an end. The troops are still, necessarily, in their operational positions and cannot take up the zones which have been allotted to them.

Is it not a fact that the zones have been definitely allocated and drawn up?

I think the reply to that point was given in the answer to a Question about a fortnight ago.

Is it not a fact that these zones were demarcated some considerable time ago, that the actual physical occupation of the country does not coincide with those zones, and that no adjustments to make them coincide have been made?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any decision has yet been reached regarding the future of the Dodecanese Islands.

No, Sir. His Majesty's Government realise the strength of Greek feeling about the Dodecanese, but they regard it as essential that changes in the sovereignty over the islands, like any other territorial transfers, should not be decided in advance of the Peace Settlement.

While everyone will agree with the last sentiments expressed by the right hon. Gentleman, can he give any explanation of the recent visit of the Greek Archbishop to the Dodecanese Islands, where, according to Press reports, he planted a Greek flag? Also, according to Press reports, his visit had the blessing of the British representative in Athens.

The Greek Regent asked permission to pay a short visit to Rhodes, to convey the greeting of the Greek people to the Greek inhabitants of the Dodecanese. His Majesty's Government granted this request. It in no way infringes the principle that the future status of the islands must be held over for later settlement.

May we take it that the report that the Archbishop planted the Greek flag in certain or some of those islands is incorrect?

I have no knowledge of that report.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that wounded Canadian soldiers, recently visiting Maldon, Essex, in a conducted party, were required by the organisers of their tour to pay 10d. per head for tea at a Y.M.C.A. canteen, although such payment was refused by the voluntary workers in charge of the canteen; and if he will instruct the commandants of military hospitals that they should not authorise such excursions unless they are satisfied that the organisers of them are in a position to provide free refreshments, if needed, and that wounded Servicemen will not be involved, at least without previous notice, in such expenditure.

The party in question was organised by the British Council, who arrange many excursions for Dominion, Colonial, Indian and Allied European and American troops from hospitals and other units. Wherever possible tea is provided free on these excursions by the owners of the catering establishments or houses visited, but when this cannot be arranged, the men are asked to pay for their own teas. The British Council organiser gives advance information to the liaison officer of the unit concerned about what is involved in any excursion, including expenses of any kind. The hospital from which these particular men came was not a British Military Hospital. I understand that it is the general practice for men to be warned, and if necessary given an advance of pay, before an excursion which is likely to involve them in expense. Sometimes the charges are met from funds at the disposal of the medical unit, but such funds do not exist everywhere.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it could have been arranged in this case—as he says it is so arranged where possible—and that the canteen workers, who are voluntary workers, are indignant that wounded soldiers should be mulcted in this rather mean way?

As my hon. Friend knows, there was no charge made for the tea—

The money was returned.

I agree. But it was anticipated that a charge would be made.

Is it not the fact that the Canadians are a very generous people and would not mind paying 2d. for tea and would not consider that they had been mulcted?

It was 10d., not 2d.

We have had no complaints.

They do not complain, and they never will complain.

Is it not the last word in meanness that wounded men taken for a trip should be asked to pay for their own tea?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman why he is answering this Question and whether this is one of the usual activities of the British Council?

Yes, Sir, it is. The British Council arrange quite a number of these tours and they have done a lot of useful work.

Are they allowed expenses for their teas?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what decision has been taken by His Majesty's Government with regard to the employment of conscientious objectors in the Allied Control Commission in occupied enemy territory.

I can assure my hon. Friend that it is not the intention to employ persons registered as conscientious objectors on the British staffs of Allied Control Commissions in enemy countries.

Would my right hon. Friend go further and make it mandatory on all Departments who have to supply British subjects to the Allied Control Commission, that they shall not engage conscientious objectors for this purpose?

I think the reply covers all the persons who will be employed by the Allied Control Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what was the average daily expenditure of petrol by the R.A.F. in offensive operations during the last year of the war against Germany.

During the last 12 months the Royal Air Force has used approximately 1,250,000 gallons of aviation fuel a day on operations in the war against Germany.

Can my right hon. Friend say how soon he expects that a small portion of this amount of petrol will be available for private supply?

That is another question altogether.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how soon he expects to be able to notify local authorities, farmers and others concerned which of the many airfields constructed during the war are to be retained permanently for military or civil aviation.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave him on this subject on 28th February last, to which I have nothing at present to add.

Since the war in Europe is now over, will it not be possible soon for the right hon. Gentleman to add something to that reply? It is very difficult for planning authorities and others.

It is impossible for me to add anything, as I explained in that answer, until large decisions of policy embracing all three Services have been made.

Will priority be given to land in the neighbourhood of large towns of this country to enable local authorities to prepare their plans for the establishment of civil airports?

Priority must be given to the decisions on policy, and until we have those decisions on policy we cannot tell which airfields will be available.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if, before men are transferred from the R.A.F. to the Army, he will give an assurance that they will not suffer in rank or pay; that their special trade experience will not be wasted; and that there will be no risk that their demobilisation may be delayed as a result of the transfer.

As the reply with regard to rank and pay and to release is rather long I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The use of skilled men in the Army is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War, to whose reply of 1st May on this subject I would refer the hon. Member.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there is a good deal of apprehension about this matter in the Royal Air Force, and can he give, broadly speaking, an assurance in reply to the last part of the Question?

May I ask the Minister whether it is proposed to continue these transfers now that the war in Europe is over?

Those transfers which have been approved and planned will, of course, go forward. As regards the last part of the Question, the answer is, "No, Sir." There is no reason to suppose that their release may be delayed, subject to this, that from time to time the rate of release in the different Services may vary according to the requirements of the military situation. But it is just as possible that their release would be accelerated as that it would be delayed.

The reply is as follows:

Rank. —Airmen other than N.C.Os., are enlisted in the rank of private and the question of rank on transfer does not arise, although Air Force service counts towards classification as Private Class 1A. N.C.Os. are promoted, initially, to unpaid acting rank equivalent to the R.A.F. rank (other than acting rank) held immediately prior to enlistment in the Army, but this is converted retrospectively to paid acting rank after it has been held for 21 days. Subsequent conversion to war substantive rank follows Army rules.

Pay. —Substantive pay including good conduct badge pay of the airman is safeguarded on transfer, but does not apply to non-substantive pay which, under normal R.A.F. rules, remains in issue only so long as the airman is filling a post to which this extra emolument is appropriate. Extra pay for special duties would equally be lost if the airman were posted to other duties in the R.A.F.

Skilled men in trade groups other than Group V retain their R.A.F. rate for a period of 12 months, in order that they may have a fair chance of qualifying for an equally favourable rate under Army conditions. Thereafter their pay is in accordance with their Army status and duties subject to the proviso that they will not in any case receive a rate of pay less than that in issue to R.A.F. airmen, Group V, of the rank or classification which they held immediately prior to transfer.

Air Force service is reckonable in the Army for increments of pay and reclassification in the rank of private. Paid non-commissioned service in the Air Force in an equivalent or higher rank counts towards qualifying for war substantive rank in the Army, and for the increment granted to sergeants after three years in that rank. Air Force service during the present war will also be reckonable for war service increments.

Release. —Men in the earlier release groups are not eligible for transfer; R.A.F. service will count for release purposes, and as the rules for calculating age and service group numbers are the same for both Services, a man's group number will not be affected by transfer.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will arrange for a mass flight of British aircraft to take place at an early date over London and other great cities without detriment to the continuing responsibilities of the R.A.F.

I will bear my hon. Friend's proposal in mind, but in the meantime the Royal Air Force has heavy commitments.

Would my right hon. Friend tell the House why it is necessary that this honour should only be enjoyed by one of our principal Allies?

I am not aware that any of our Allies have flown over London, but in the meantime, as I say, the Royal Air Force has very important things to do, including the bringing of prisoners back from the Continent of Europe.

When and if this display takes place, will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that it will not be at midnight or after midnight?

asked the Secreretary of State for Air what is the total weight of bombs dropped by the R.A.F. and the American Air Force, respectively, on Germany and German occupied territory year by year since the war began.

As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

In view of the part that Bomber Command played in the final victory, will the right hon. Gentleman see that adequate publicity is given to the work that they have done in the last five years?

I am most anxious that adequate publicity should be given. We have done a good deal with that object in view in the past, and certainly we are contemplating giving full information to the public later.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see to it that, in doing so, he does not attempt to settle the great controversy of whether the war was won by bombing or by His Majesty's Army?

The reply is as follows:

The above figures are in long tons. They do not include the weight of bombs dropped by the Tactical Air Forces.

asked the Minister of Information how many employees of the B.B.C, technical and non-technical, are employed in Scotland and how many in England.

The number of the B.B.C.'s staff in Scotland is 386. 208 of these are engineering staff. The total number employed in England is 10,607, of which 3,170 are engineering staff. These figures for England include the staffs employed on all the overseas services of the B.B.C.

Can the Minister tell us when an equitable proportion of employment and activity will take place in Scotland, so that a reasonable restoration of revenue can be had there in order that this Parliament's discriminatory taxation will cease?

My hon. Friend must recognise that, long before he came here, Members for all Scottish divisions have been pressing for an increase in Scottish regional organisation, and the minute that the war in Japan is liquidated, and perhaps before that, great improvement will take place in broadcasting arrangements in Scotland, so that there is really no injustice to the old country.

asked the Minister of Information whether the censorship of mail and prohibition of parcel post between Great Britain and Northern Ireland will now be brought to an end.

asked the Minister of Information if he is now in a position to state whether the censorship on postal, telegraph and telephone communications in this country is now to be abolished or in what direction relaxations have already taken place and are expected to take place in the future.

I apologise for the length of the answer. All internal censorship in this country has now ceased. The censorship of mails and of documents carried by pasengers, from Northern Ireland and Eire to Great Britain, has also ceased. Within 30 days there will be an end to the censorship of mails, and of documents carried by passengers, from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. The censorship control of parcels and freight, the examination of telegrams and the control of telephone calls between the two countries will also by then have ceased. Within 30 days the censorship of mails between the United Kingdom on the one hand and Gibraltar, Canada and the United States on the other hand will have ceased. No other censorship of mails to the British Dominions and Colonies now remains. Censorship of the mails to Eire and to other overseas countries will continue until the Allied censorship in Germany and Austria and other controls in Europe are strong enough to prevent the escape of war criminals and to enable property and securities looted by the enemy to be traced. The period in which this remaining censorship operates will be made as brief as possible. Until the end of the war with Japan censorship of all kinds of overseas telecommunications will be maintained because of the danger of interception by the Japanese.

Can my right hon. Friend say when the tapping of telephone calls will stop?

If my hon. and gallant Friend had obliged me by listening to my answer, he would have discovered it then.

Then what is that continual tapping we still hear?

When my right hon. Friend says that the censorship of parcels and mails from Great Britain to Northern Ireland will cease within 30 days, does that mean it may cease in a considerably shorter time?

Yes, Sir, we are doing everything we can now to put the censorship on real constructive work.

asked the Minister of Information what arrangements have been made for continuing the foreign languages broadcasting to Europe and elsewhere; what funds have been allotted to this service; and under whose control and direction it will operate.

At present the B.B.C. continues its foreign-language services which are financed as hitherto out of the Broadcasting Vote. The services directed to Europe will shortly be reduced in scale. No long-term arrangements have yet been made.

Will my right hon. Friend give the House an assurance that no licence questions or departmental questions will prevent our continuing to give an efficient news service to Europe, especially in these coming months?

My hon. Friend's suggestion will, of course, be carefully considered, but I do remind the House that they have pressed strongly for a curtailment of the activities of the Ministry of Information. [HON. MEMBERS: "Not all of them."] Well, it is no use saying "Not all of them." You cannot knock off just one of them. I say, therefore, that we shall do our best to provide an adequate service to Europe, but it seems to be quite impossible to keep the Ministry of Information going on its present scale, because we have to defer to the decision of this House taken a long time ago, that when the war was over we should fade away.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take note of the fact, if he has not already done so, that in France, Belgium and other countries in Europe there is at the present moment a most profound interest and desire for information from this country and about British institutions in general; and will he not reconsider the policy of His Majesty's Government with regard to the curtailment of the B.B.C, and the curtailment of the activities of the British Council, especially designed for this purpose, which seems practically to ensure that we shall miss a great opportunity?

That is a matter for the Prime Minister, not for me. I must say I am surprised that, just as we expected our funeral arrangements to be made, such great efforts should be made to keep the Ministry of Information going. All I can say is that the hon. Gentleman's suggestion will certainly be borne in mind and I will refer it to the Cabinet.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the desire that the British view of life should still be spread to other countries, does not in any way involve the continuation of the whole of his Ministry? Will he bear in mind that already the European service of the B.B.C. is in process of disintegration, and that they are losing a lot of their best officials?

My hon. Friend does not appear to realise that the European service of the B.B.C. was a service established by His Majesty's Government and by the Ministry of Information, and not by the B.B.C. Governors, and therefore we have to face up to the fact. It may be that what is said here to-day may have an impression on the Cabinet, but at the moment we definitely must cut down on the Ministry of Information. I am very touched at these signs of solicitude for our existence, but I am afraid it is too late now to perpetuate this Department.

Does my right hon. Friend notice that all the pressures for the continuance of these broadcasts come from people of Left Wing tendencies?

They also come from some of the best broadcasters in this country.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say on what date and on what Motion this House reached the decision to which he referred?

I cannot remember on what Motion, but I can remember that about a year and a half ago the Ministry of Information was the principal whipping boy for the Government and the House was obviously quite determined to fulfil the promise made to them, I think by Lord Templewood, that the Ministry of Information was a war-time Department.

The House took no decision.

In view of the answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment along with a matter of which I gave notice earlier.

asked the Minister of Information what steps have been taken to develop the foreign publicity services of his Department and to co-ordinate them with the European activities of the British Council and the B.B.C.

As soon as a British diplomatic mission is established in any liberated country in Europe, arrangements are made with the Foreign Office for the appointment of a Press Attaché with appropriate staff. His work is to provide the usual information services about the United Kingdom and the British war effort. The work so done is co-ordinated with that of the B.B.C. and British Council by exchanges of information and discussion.

These officers are recruited from Post Office staff and the qualifications required are a good knowledge of postal procedure and practice, and personal qualities of a high standard. Selected officers are given training before appointment.

In addition, 49 serving members of the Metropolitan Police Force are seconded to the Post Office Investigation Branch for special duties and ten retired police officials of various ranks are employed

asked the Postmaster-General what are the numbers, qualifications and salaries of officials or others employed by him to detect and prevent the thefts of articles entrusted to his care.

As the reply is necessarily rather long I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the statement:

As regards the prevention of theft, supervising officers at Post Office buildings and at railway platforms exercise vigilance to ensure the safety of the mails, and it is also the duty of all employees of the Post Office to safeguard mails when they are in their custody. In addition, seven senior outdoor supervising officers are employed on inspectorial duties of a general nature covering the safety of mails in transit. These officers are on a salary scale £435£515.

A specific responsibility for the detection of thefts is placed also on the Investigation Branch, which is part of Post Office Headquarters. Excluding some 20 general clerical staff the Branch is staffed by 117 officers graded and paid as follows:

throughout the country in a temporary capacity.

The Investigation Branch staff work in close co-operation with the staff of the local Post Offices: in all London District Post Offices and the larger Provincial Post Offices supervising officers are specially detailed to assist in local inquiries; the Investigation Branch staff also work in close co-operation with the various Police Forces throughout the country—including the Railway Police.

asked the Post master-General the revenue collected from B.B.C. licences in Scotland.

The revenue collected from broadcast wireless receiving licences in Scotland during the year ended 31st March last was £481,106.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will make regulations that telegrams be written wholly or partly in block letters.

I hardly think it suitable to make the use of block letters compulsory, but it is most desirable that telegrams should be so written, particularly the name and address of the person for whom they are intended. Badly written telegrams are apt to cause delay and mistakes in transmission.

asked the Minister of Works how many persons are employed in the special repair service section of his Ministry; what is their total remuneration: and for what period it is intended to continue this service period.

About 5,500, most of whom are building trade operatives; their total remuneration is about £40,000 per week. The need for the continuation of this service will at intervals be reviewed.

Is the rough average of £8 a week customary in the building trade?

Of course, a certain number of these men are not building trade operatives and this is an entirely mobile labour force and therefore receives certain certain additional allowances, such as subsistence allowance. Otherwise they receive ordinary London rates of pay.

Is it not a fact that many of these men have to keep two homes going?

That is one of the reasons why they receive special allowance.

asked the Minister of Works what was the labour cost of laying a rod of brickwork of houses on cottage estates in 1938 and the present time and what time was occupied or allowed for such work on the average in 1938 and what time is similarly occupied or allowed at the present time.

No accurate information is available as to the cost of laying a rod of brickwork on cottage estates in 1938, nor have any estates of this kind been erected since the war. I regret that there is, therefore, no basis on which to make a useful comparison.

Do I understand that the right hon. Gentleman cannot give any comparable figures as to the cost of erecting brickwork in 1938 and now?

Perhaps the hon. Member will discuss the matter with me, so that we may arrive at some other suitable yardstick by which we could compare the two.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that the cutting out of Sunday work by men engaged on the repair of bomb damage in London and the increase of the work on weekdays by half an hour per day has reduced the average rate per hour earned by these men; and what steps he is taking to remove the unrest caused by this alteration.

The cutting out of Sunday work must, of course, result in some reduction in earnings. However, as I explained to the House last week, I am convinced that continuous working for 7 days a week is neither efficient nor economical and is in the long run, prejudicial to health.

Is not the Minister aware that cutting out Sunday work and increasing the working hours on weekdays results in workmen getting less money because they lose their double time?

Is it not true that the Common Wealth Party call themselves the Christian party, and ought they not to keep the Sabbath?

That has nothing to do with this Question.

I am not proposing to answer the hon. Lady, but in answer to the hon. Member for Skipton (Mr. Lawson) I want to say that I am convinced that the decision I took was the right one. Moreover, it was taken on the unanimous advice of the official representatives of both the trade unions and the employers.

asked the Minister of Works whether he has examined the position in provincial areas where there is a substantial amount of bomb-damage repair work outstanding; and whether he now proposes to return any labour from London to these areas.

The need for labour for bomb damage repair in London is still very great and large releases of men cannot yet be contemplated. I am, however, arranging that men will be allowed to return to provincial cities where there is still a heavy programme of repairs outstanding and where there is a particularly acute shortage of labour.

Does my right hon. Friend understand that other bombed out areas have even greater need in some ways than London, because they have been entirely wiped out?

The hon. Lady may be glad to know that Plymouth is one of the cities to which we shall return men, also Hull, Yarmouth and Lowestoft.

asked the Minister of Works whether it is proposed to extract from the millions of German prisoners captured by the Anglo-American Armies all builders, skilled labourers and craftsmen, for the purpose of rapidly enlarging on an immense scale the available labour force for the construction of new houses as well as for bomb-damage repair work in this country; and what approach has been made to the trade unions in this connection.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Hornsey (Captain Gammans) on 9th May. The Minister of Labour and I have discussed this matter fully with the representatives of the National Federation of Building Trade Operatives, as well as with the Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors.

Can my right hon. Friend give us an assurance that no vested interests have been, or will be, allowed to obstruct this programme?

I am not aware of any.

asked the Minister of Works why it was proposed to use pressed steel instead of earthenware for basins in temporary houses.

More than two-thirds of the total number of temporary houses allocated up to date will have earthenware basins. In the case of the others, steel basins are being included as part of a built-in pressed-steel fitment for the sake of simplifying production.

asked the Minister of Works when the contract for the slabbing of the Kendal Drive site at Slough was let to a contractor; when this work will commence; when it will be completed; and by what date it is expected that the prefabricated houses will be erected and ready for occupation.

A contract was let on 5th May. Preliminary work is starting this week. Slabbing should be completed during July and the houses should be ready for occupation one month later.

Can my right hon. Friend say why there was delay in issuing the contract, as the local authority completed their work on the site as long ago as early March?

I was not aware of that delay, but I will make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Works for what purpose temporary structures are being erected in Westminster Hall.

These temporary structures are being erected in Westminster Hall to accommodate the Vote Despatch Office and the Sales Office, which will have to be moved when the demolition of the remains of the House of Commons' Chamber begins.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that this historic building should be cluttered up in this way?

If my hon. and gallant Friend can suggest any better place I will consider it.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will give an assurance that a strong up-to-date Navy, with a regular replacement programme, is the policy of the Government.

Yes, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to support that policy for many years to come?

It is a policy I have always supported.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of Dutch shipbuilding orders being placed with the U.S.A. owing to our inability to give delivery, he can give an assurance that the shipyard workers and engineers at present employed in Tyneside shipyards and engine works will be fully occupied for the next ten years.

The Dutch Government and our other European Allies have recently been offered the opportunity of placing orders for merchant ships in this country in order to assist them in replacing war losses. It is expected that substantial orders from Holland will soon be placed in the United Kingdom. His Majesty's Government will, of course, seek to ensure full employment in the shipbuilding industry in accordance with their employment policy, but I cannot at present forecast the future scale of the industry as a whole or in any particular area.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication as to how long work will be available?

Not in reply to a question. The hon. Lady is asking me to make a prophecy as to what is to happen 10 years hence.

What steps is the Minister taking to ensure the continuity of employment which he has indicated to the House?

Both sides of the industry, employers and workers, are engaged with representatives of the Ministry of War Transport and the Admiralty in making what plans they can in that matter. They are in fullest consultation.

Can the Minister say whether the work will be divided, in proportion to the work which has been done for the Admiralty, between the various shipyards in the country?

I indicated in the Debate on the subject that we shall take every possible step we can, when we know more details of the post-war position, to balance the building as far as possible.

Is not the only way to guarantee continuous employment for the Government to take over the shipyards, and run them?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will arrange for one or more of the surrendered German U-boats to be brought up the Thames and placed on public exhibition.

Arrangements are being made for at least one U-boat to be exhibited publicly at various ports, including London. Details of the places and times will be made available as soon as possible.

With reference to the Thames, will the Minister bear in mind the suitability of Gravesend?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether further action has been taken on the Lef-konico shootings in Cyprus; why the interview with the mayor, on 27th March, was censored in the "Cyprus Post"; why the official statements issued to the Press were the only statements allowed to appear; and if he is satisfied that these were accurate.

As the hon. Member was informed in reply to a Question on 18th April, the Governor has appointed a Commission of Inquiry to report on this incident. The Commission has completed the taking of evidence, but has not yet submitted its Report. The question of what action should be taken will be considered in the light of this Report. In the interest of the maintenance of public order, the Governor decided to place restrictions on the publication in the Press of reports and comments on the disturbance from 26th to 28th March, pending the opening of the inquiry. I see no reason to suppose that the official communiqués contained an unfair statement of the facts, so far as they could be ascertained at the time.

In view of the very considerable public interest which this incident has aroused, the protests of political parties, and the decision of the newspapers themselves to cease publication altogether for a number of days, is it not about time that some consideration was given to this rather illiberal Press system, and that much more liberal measures were adopted towards publications in Cyprus?

This censorship lasted for only two days—from 26th to 28th March—and was necessitated by the fact that wholly inaccurate statements, involving multiplying the casualties, by 10, 20 or 100 times, were circulated, which, obviously, had an effect on public order.

Is the Minister aware that the Mayor gave an interview in which the precise facts were stated, and that the censorship was applied to that interview although the Government themselves issued a statement which was not accurate?

It could not have delayed that statement by more than two days, or probably one day.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plans have been made for the rehabilitation of Malaya; whether discussions have been proceeding with economic and other interests in these territories; and whether any policy has yet been formulated in regard to political relations.

As regards the first part of the Question, plans in all fields for this purpose in Malaya are being completed as far as possible. His Majesty's Government are taking all steps in their power to ensure that the people of Malaya receive supplies on liberation, and that essential public utilities and other industries are restored as soon as military circumstances permit. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the affirmative. The subject of the third part of the Question is receiving careful study, but I regret that I am not in a position yet to make a statement.

May I ask when we shall have an opportunity of knowing what the plans in regard to Malaya are likely to be? Is the Minister aware that already a number of private companies are making statements to the effect that agreements have been reached with the Colonial Office, and in view of that is it not time that a White Paper was published which would give us some knowledge of the Government's intentions?

I would like to give any information possible. I will look into the question whether this is an appropriate time, or whether I shall be able to give fuller information a little later.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if His Majesty's Government have now had an opportunity of considering the Report of the Jamaican Economy Policy Committee, of which Dr. Benham, Economic Adviser to the Comptroller of Development and Welfare in the West Indies, is chairman; and whether he has any observations to make.

The Economic Policy Committee was appointed by the Governor of Jamaica and the Committee reported direct to him. The report is now under consideration by the Government of Jamaica, and I have no observations to make on it at this stage.

Am I to take it that this matter does not come under review at the Colonial Office? Will not my right hon. and gallant Friend also express himself on it?

My hon. and gallant Friend will realise that Jamaica now exercises a very considerable degree of self-government, and any observations I have to make would naturally be very much influenced by the views of the Jamaica Government.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if he will take immediate steps to see to the placing of a passenger and cargo vessel on the Glasgow-Campbeltown service.

A cargo steamer sails from Glasgow to Campbeltown on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of each week, and returns from Campbeltown on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. For passengers, there is a daily air service and an omnibus service twice a day in each direction. Passengers can also travel by a daily steamer from Glasgow to Tarbert and from there to Campbeltown by omnibus. Before the war, two ships worked on this route. One of them has been sunk, and the other acquired by the Admiralty for Naval service. I regret that there are no suitable vessels now available to replace them.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this is penalising very important agricultural areas; and will he not take the matter more seriously?

Of course, I regret the service is not better, but considering that we are still working in war-time conditions and there is great strain on shipping, I consider that the facilities both for passengers and for cargo are very good.

Would it not be better to run a steamer from Wemyss Bay direct to Campbeltown rather than from Wemyss Bay to Tarbert with a bus service from Tarbert to Campbeltown—a very roundabout way?

Of course, it would be more convenient, but many people in many parts of the country have had to put up with great inconvenience.