asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the delay in releasing clerks S.D. from the R.A.F., which lags considerably behind others; and, in view of the grievance which exists on this account, whether steps can now be taken to expedite the release of these clerks and to give them the same treatment as others in their groups.

I said in my reply to the hon. Members for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) and Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson) on 22nd August last that it was not possible to have a perfectly even rate of release as between all trades in the Royal Air Force. Nevertheless every endeavour is being made by intensive training and re-training to reduce unevenness. Delays in the release of clerks S.D. have already been reduced, and their release is now only two groups behind that of most other trades.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the unrest in the Forces overseas over demobilisation; why the official broadcast announcement that men over 30 years of age and all under group 26 would not be sent to the Far East was not carried out; whether he is aware that orders posted for the 298th Squadron, Equipment Section, R.A.F., S.E.A.A.F., stated that certain trades were held up and on 15th September a list of these trades for which there was no release, including that of equipment assistant, was posted up; and if he will make inquiries into these complaints with a view to ending them.

I believe that the age and service release scheme has, in principle, been accepted as fair by the Service. But, no doubt there are natural anxieties amongst men overseas as to how the scheme will work out for them. But I can assure my right hon. Friend that the age and service principle of release will be adhered to, and that consequently the release of men overseas will be kept in step with that of men at home. Men in early release groups are not normally posted to distant Commands, and we shall certainly keep to this policy. But I know of no official broadcast or announcement such as that to which the second part of the Question refers. I am inquiring into the matter raised in the third part of the Question and will communicate with my right hon. Friend. Meanwhile, I can assure him there are no trades in which there is no release.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will give a list of the trades in the R.A.F. in which the rate of demobilisation has been retarded and arranged differently as between officers and other ranks; and whether he is satisfied that these decisions are in conformity with the undertaking given by the late Government that no decisions of this kind will be taken except at Cabinet level.

With the hon. Member's permission I will circulate a list containing full particulars in the Official Report. As to the second part of the Question, the White Paper on the Re-allocation of Manpower stated clearly that it would be necessary in some Services to deal separately with the several branches, and possibly with trades and ranks in those branches, and I know of no undertaking such as that to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many applications for Class C release, approved by group-commanders, have reached his Department since 8th May; how many have been granted; and what is the procedure in his Department for coming to a decision.

Since 8th May, 1945, 5,930 applications for Class C release, approved by Group Commanders have been received in my Department. 1,054 of these have been granted and 1,232 are still under consideration. We have, moreover, recently been able to relax the rules for compassionate release to keep a small business going, and Commands have been informed that applications of this kind that were previously not granted may be renewed. None the less, Class C releases must remain exceptional. Individual applications are all carefully considered, and they are granted where real distress arising from domestic or business affairs can be avoided or lightened only by indefinite release.

asked the Under-secretary of State for Air whether, since activities of the R.A.F. in Western Europe after VE-Day have been greatly lessened, he will reduce as soon as possible establishments and supernumerary appointments in the R.A.F. meteorological branch to the strict needs of a peace-time service and thus release members of the R.A.F. who have been teachers and wish to return to their schools where they are urgently needed.

Yes, Sir. Establishments and appointments in the Meteorological Branch of the Royal Air Force are being considerably reduced. It is not possible however to reduce them at once to what will be the peace-time level. This, as stated in my reply of 10th October to my hon. Friend the Member for Rothwell (Mr. Brooks), is mainly because of the very heavy responsibilities of the R.A.F. in connection with bringing home men from overseas.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many aircraft, both piloted and non-piloted, were destroyed by Balloon Command between 1939 and 1945.

Twenty-four piloted and 278 non-piloted aircraft were destroyed by R.A.F. Balloon Command between 1939 and 1945.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can make any further statement as to when the Hotel Metropole, the Grand Hotel, the Albion Hotel and the headquarters of R.A.F., Brighton, are likely to be released in view of the demand in the borough of Brighton for their release and the number of suitable sites available elsewhere, where there is no comparable need for the accommodation of families.

As the hon. Member knows, the greater part of this accommodation is used by members of the Dominion Air Forces waiting for shipping to take them home. It is now hoped that shipping will become available towards the end of the year which will enable us to reduce the numbers of Dominion Air Force personnel now accommodated in Brighton. This will permit the release of some of the properties now held on requisition. Whether these particular hotels will be amongst those released on first priority will depend on the result of discussions with the local authorities.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the complaints by airmen returning to this country, of conditions of travel across France; and whether he will take steps in future to arrange for their transport by air.

Men returning by land over this route have had uncomfortable journeys, but my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War is taking steps to improve conditions. At the same time I think it will be agreed that most men are ready to accept uncomfortable conditions, if by doing so they can get home quicker. I am afraid that it will not be possible to provide air transport for all these men, who, after all, can get back by rail. The transport services of the R.A.F. are being and will be strained to the uttermost by the huge task of moving a total of 1,000,000 men and women from all the Services over various routes during the next nine months.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether, in order to foster the development of the Empire air routes and to secure a regular pay load, he will consider approaching the Government Departments concerned and offering them special bulk travel rates to enable them to give annual home leave to Crown servants overseas.

The conditions governing the grant of home leave for Crown servants serving overseas are under consideration by the Departments concerned. All aspects of the suggestion made by the hon. and gallant Member will be carefully examined.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will take steps to see that no person engaged by his Ministry is employed in such a way as to induce or invite anyone to commit an offence.

It is a standing instruction in my Department that no pressure or persuasion is in any circumstances to be used to induce a trader to break the law, and my officers are aware that a serious view would be taken of any breach of these instructions.

asked the Minister of Food what tonnage of sugar, glucose or substitutes thereof were used by the brewers in the year ended 30th September, 1939; and what amount of the same materials he proposes to permit them to use in the coming year.

The tonnage of sugars, including glucose, used by brewers for the year ended 30th September, 1939, was 99,000 tons. The amount to be released in the coming year will depend to some extent on the sugar supply position and the malt situation and has not yet been decided.

asked the Minister of Food what has been the result of his conversations with the trade associations concerned as regards the practicability of imposing by regulation a minimum standard of quality for ice cream.

Discussion is proceeding on the question of a minimum standard to be prescribed for ice cream when the trade have free access to ingredients including milk. As I announced on 4th September, I have decided not to lay down a standard for this commodity at the present time.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that prime quality white fish is still being thrown back into the sea on account of disputes regarding prices fixed by his Ministry; and what steps he is taking to avoid this loss of good food.

Comparatively small quantities of fish were thrown back into the sea on four occasions during recent weeks. In all cases, the fish was small and of such inferior condition that it did not find a market at prices which the fishermen were willing to accept; in no case was the dumping due to disputes over the maximum prices prescribed by my Department. While I am ready to consider any practicable step to avoid the least waste of food, I am doubtful whether special measures to deal with occasional landings of fish of poor quality would be justified or effective.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the fact that household consumers may now select, at the time of re-registration, a different grocer and butcher, he can now state what relaxations he has been able to arrange whereby the household consumer can purchase, and have delivered, milk from the dairy of his own choice.

asked the Minister of Food whether, as the Brighton and Hove area was the last to come under the Milk Zone Scheme, because of the difficulty of arranging the zoning and the strong local opposition, as that opposition still continues and it is now easier for delivery vans to be used, he will consider releasing this area from the Milking Zone Scheme immediately.

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply which was given to the hon. Member for Dumfries (Major Macpherson) on 23rd August. The consultations with the trade have now commenced, and I am considering, with them, whether some relaxation of the present restrictions on consumers in their choice of dairymen can be made without a substantial reduction in the economies at present being secured by retail rationalisa- tion. Consultations are in progress but I am not yet able to make any statement on the subject.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that under existing regulations sufferers from diabetes and tuberculosis are unable to obtain the eggs which their doctors have prescribed for them; and if he will issue fresh regulations giving more consideration to the diets recommended to patients by their own doctors.

I am advised that the present allowances of foodstuffs for diabetic and tuberculous patients are adequate for their needs. I could only allow them extra eggs at the expense of other members of the community, some of whom are suffering from complaints for which eggs are a necessity and I should not feel justified in doing this during the present period of general shortage of foodstuffs. In the circumstances I am afraid I cannot provide diabetic and tuberculous patients with extra eggs prescribed for them by their own doctor.

asked the Minister of Food what is the explanation of the shortage of salt in Oxford and elsewhere.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Sir J. Mellor).

asked the Minister of Food whether he will now permit the manufacture of self-raising flour by country millers, who did not manufacture this flour prior to the war, and thereby save the waste of transport involved in the present system.

While packaging materials have been in short supply new manufacturers and packers of self-raising flour whether situated in town or country have not been licensed. The matter is frequently under review and when packaging material is freely available the question will be reconsidered. I am not aware that when all the circumstances are taken into account, the present system involves any waste of transport.

asked the Minister of Food how much food in tons and by types has been sent from Britain to Europe since the policy of Lend-Lease was terminated.

Information on this subject is being assembled, and I will have it circulated in the Official Report as soon as it is available.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what powers of dismissing collaborationist officers of the Greek police and Gendarmerie are possessed by the British Police Mission to Greece; and whether the Mission has as yet made any recommendation as to the fitness of Colonel Evert, Chief of the Athens police, to continue in his office.

:By agreement with the Greek Government, the British Police Mission have full powers of organisation and administration in the Greek Police Force and Gendarmerie, including such questions as appointments, promotions and transfers, but ultimate responsibility rests with the Greek Government. Under the Varkiza Agreement special purge councils have been established; their function is to review the records of officers and men in the Police and Gendarmerie. I understand that in the case of Colonel Evert as a result of their investigations this officer was exonerated.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will take immediate steps to improve the organisation and expedite the work of the Passport Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is satisfied with the conditions in the Passport Office and the arrangements made for the reception of applicants, or what changes are contemplated.

Arrangements have been completed to extend the Passport Office, and additional staff will also be provided. Moreover, I expect the abolition of exit permits, announced on 30th September, will ease the congestion experienced at the Passport Office. These measures, I hope, will aid both the public and the overworked staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which European Governments are regarded by His Majesty's Government as determined to establish peace, order and democracy; by what methods His Majesty's Government propose to effect the policy of stamping out propaganda prejudicial to such Governments; and how this is to be reconciled with the policy of seeing that all parties in every country have facilities to express their views.

Europe is in a state of flux and I do not propose to divide the various States into categories as is suggested. His Majesty's Government stand for freedom of expression, which sometimes takes the form of propaganda of varying kinds.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the question of international control of the atomic bomb and of atomic energy was discussed at the Council of Foreign Ministers recently held in London; and whether he has any statement to make on the matter.

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the situation in Poland where, though a particular party cannot compete in the elections as an independent party, its members can affiliate to other parties and so take their part, is accepted by His Majesty's Government as fulfilling their policy, that in reconstituting Europe all parties in every country should have facilities to express their views.

The Polish Provisional Government have pledged themselves to His Majesty's Government and the Governments of the United States and the U.S.S.R. in the terms of the Crimea Agreement on Poland to hold "free and unfettered elections as soon as possible on the basis of universal suffrage and secret ballot," in which "all democratic and anti-Nazi parties shall have the right to take part and to put forward candidates." It is not yet clear from the information at my disposal that all parties answering this description at present enjoy in an equal degree the necessary facilities for organising themselves, holding meetings and putting out publicity material through the Press and broadcasting. I am watching the situation closely.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if His Majesty's Government has protested to the Government of Poland against the atrocities inflicted on German women and children in connection with their expulsion from the newly-occupied Polish territories in Eastern Germany.

I have urged the Polish Government to suspend all further expulsion of Germans for the time being, as they were invited to do by His Majesty's Government, the United States Government and the Soviet Government after the Potsdam Conference. The Polish Ambassador in London recently assured the Foreign Office, on instructions from his Government, that strict orders had been given to stop all further expulsions of Germans from Polish-occupied territory.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what discussions have been taking place at 21st Army Group headquarters and at Frankfurt, with regard to the return to Poland of 500,000 diplaced Poles and Polish army units; and whether he is satisfied that the promise made to the Poles that no one should be forced to return to Poland against his will is being carried out.

His Majesty's Government initiated a conference, which took place in Berlin last month, and at which arrangements were made for the repatriation of Poles from the British, United States and French zones. At a later meeting concluded a few days ago the Polish and Soviet authorities gave their final agree- ment to the repatriation movement starting eastward at once, at the rate of 3,000 persons per day, rising, it is hoped, to 5,000 daily. No one is compelled to make a final choice now as to whether or not he will avail himself of these facilities. Nevertheless it is understood that out of 500,000 displaced Poles, 300,000 have already opted to return and it is, of course, the earnest hope of His Majesty's Government that the conditions made available by the Polish Government for those who return will be such as to encourage the vast majority of Polish nationals to decide in favour of repatriation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what measures the British authorities are taking in arranging for the repatriation to Poland of 500,000 Polish displaced persons now in the British zone with special reference to their security when repatriated, in view of the measures threatened in an official announcement, January, 1945, issued by the Lublin Committee declaring the necessity for extirpating members of the Polish Home Army and followers of the Polish Government in London.

As regards the repatriation arrangements which have so far been made I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to-day to my hon. Friend the Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes). He will see that only those are being repatriated who have expressed a wish to go, and are therefore presumably satisfied as to the treatment they will receive.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent His Majesty's Government is committed to support at the Peace Conference the existing provisional frontier between Poland and Germany; and whether this support is in any way contingent on the adoption by Poland and other eastern European States of a social and economic policy which is calculated to promote both the welfare of the inhabitants of those regions and the peaceful economic development of Europe as a whole.

His Majesty's Government are in no way committed to support the existing provisional arrangements at the Peace Conference. As regards the second part of the Question, the policies followed by the Polish authorities in the territories now placed under their temporary administration will certainly influence the attitude which His Majesty's Government will adopt in any eventual discussion of a final territorial settlement in these regions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of certain efforts, examples of which have been submitted to him, to compel members of the Polish forces in Germany to return to Poland against their will, he will give an assurance that no measures are being taken or will be taken either in this country or in any other areas under British command or occupation for the repatriation of Poles who do not wish to be subject to the present Government of Poland.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is in a position to make a statement regarding his recent conversations in London with the Norwegian and Danish Foreign Ministers.

The Norwegian Foreign Minister paid a visit to this country towards the end of August, and I was very glad to be able to discuss with him personally on 29th August a number of matters which concern our two countries. The Danish Foreign Minister happened to be visiting London about the same time, the purpose of his visit being partly personal and partly concerned with the affairs of the Danish community in London. I naturally welcomed the opportunity of meeting him on 28th August and going over various current questions with him. Both conversations were cordial and helpful.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the feeling in many parts of the country that Italian prisoners of war should now be returned to their own country, he can make a statement setting out the intentions of the Government in this connection.

His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have decided in principle that the repatriation of Italian prisoners of war in this country to Italy shall begin as soon as this year's harvest is completed and as soon thereafter as transport is available. Recent developments have made the shipping position even more difficult than hitherto, and it is therefore impossible to fix any definite date for the beginning of this repatriation. Nevertheless, every effort will be made to ensure that repatriation is started before the end of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, as his message on 23rd September to the British Ambassador to Spain concerning the arrest of Spanish politicians was an interference in the domestic affairs of another country, he will give the House the reasons for this action.

In the two recent cases, to which I assume the hon. Member is referring, I first assured myself that the charges were of a political nature. I then instructed His Majesty's Ambassador in Madrid unofficially to emphasise to the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs the widespread interest aroused by the arrest of these two men and the dismay which would have been evidenced had they been executed. I make no apology for my action, for which there are precedents, and I am gratified that my representations were not without effect.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Senor Don Louis de Olivares y Brugueva, at a reception given in his honour by Mr. de Valera on 23rd August, described himself as accredited to Ireland; and whether he will make it clear to the Spanish Government that their representative is not accredited to Northern Ireland.

I have no information to confirm the first part of the Question. In any case, I do not consider it necessary to make a communication on the subject to the Spanish Government, since they are, I am sure, fully aware of the relevant distinction.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether in view of the widespread public interest in the announcement that the Gestapo had prepared a list of proscribed organisations and individuals in Great Britain, he will cause the list to be issued as a White Paper.

His Majesty's Government have no official knowledge of this list. Further inquiries, however, are being made.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make about the withdrawal of Allied troops from Persia.

I am indebted to the right hon. Member for giving me the opportunity of informing the House on the subject. The House will remember that the question of Persia was discussed at Potsdam, and that an arrangement was made for the immediate withdrawal of Allied forces from Tehran. The British withdrawal under this arrangement has now been almost completed, and M. Molotov has assured me that the decision regarding the withdrawal of troops from Tehran has been put into effect from the Soviet side. It was also agreed at Potsdam that the question of further stages in the withdrawal of Allied troops from Persia should be discussed at the first meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers. Since Potsdam, of course, the position has been changed by the ending of the Japanese war, which automatically brings into effect the provision of the Anglo-Soviet-Persian treaty that British and Soviet troops will complete their withdrawal from Persia within six months of the end of hostilities.But since the question was on the agenda of the Council I thought it as well to make His Majesty's Government's views on the matter quite clear, and I

therefore wrote the following letter to M. Molotov:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can promise a reduction to pre-war rates in the cost of postage in the near future.

I cannot anticipate my next Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will, when framing his next Budget, consider abolishing the 33⅓ Per cent. Purchase Tax at present levied on spring interior mattresses.

I will certainly consider my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now able to state what is the position of British subjects who invested their money in German sterling loans; and will he take steps to ensure that the claims of these pre-war bondholders will not be subordinated to reparations.

I cannot add anything to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on 23rd August.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the shortage of offices and small workshops available for letting in London, what steps he is prepared to take to protect existing occupiers of office and workshop accommodation from being ejected by their landlords after long periods of tenancy unless considerably increased rents are paid.

There are at present no powers to control rents of business premises, and we are not satisfied by any evidence that has come to our notice that we should be justified in seeking the necessary powers of control.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether Messrs. S. G. Brown, Limited, of Victoria Road, Acton, W.3, which is owned by the Government, is to continue to be owned by the Government.

The future of this company is under consideration, but I am not yet able to say what the ultimate decision will be.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of officers and of men of the Royal Navy and reserve forces who were known to have been in prisoner-of-war camps in Germany and who are now unaccounted for.

One officer, one rating and one corporal, R.M. Inquiries are still proceeding.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty for what reasons his Department is releasing civil servants who joined the Navy under Class B on condition that they return to Admiralty Civil Service; and what steps were taken to co-ordinate this arrangement with the demobilisation scheme as a whole.

The hon. and gallant Member doubtless has in mind the transfer to reserve of a number of men who were Admiralty Civil Servants when they joined the Navy in order that they might carry out urgent civilian work under the Admiralty. These man were required to meet a critical situation in the staffing of vital services, particularly in connection with the Pacific Fleet. These arrangements, which are no longer in operation in view of the ending of the war in the Far East, were not part of the general demobilisation scheme, and were, in fact decided upon many months ago. The men concerned are liable to recall to the Navy at any moment should circumstances require.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware of the demand made by naval personnel that on demobilisation they should receive foreign service leave with pay as do members of the other Forces; and if he will take steps to amend the existing regulations to make this possible.

Yes, Sir. The position to which the hon. Members refers has resulted from the improved conditions under which foreign service leave is now granted to the Army and the Royal Air Force. Proposals to adjust this situation have already been formulated and are being actively considered by the Departments concerned.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether naval personnel who were transferred from the R.N. to the Army in the latter part of 1944 are entitled to receive any prize money.

I am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply which was given to the hon. and gallant Member for South Paddington (Vice-Admiral Taylor) on 22nd February last. The matter is one that concerns a number of other Departments besides the Admiralty and inquiries have taken longer than previously expected.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has any statement to make about the explosion in H.M.S. "Vanguard."

Two men were killed and a third who was seriously injured has since died as a result of this tragic occurrence. Damage to the ship was only superficial. It has now been established beyond reasonable doubt that the explosion was caused by explosive methane gas which was being evolved owing to the sediment in the bottom of the basin in which the ship was afloat, and had entered certain compartments of the ship. The firm concerned has always been most careful in the precautions taken to prevent the accumulation of gases both toxic and inflammable. Every effort is being made to try and prevent the repetition of this kind of accident.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that there are still four Pluto buoys moored off Dungeness roadstead, in the East Bay, as well as other war-time obstructions which are preventing herring fishing; and if he will see that they are cleared before the drifting season begins in October.

Instructions are being given to lift the buoys referred to by the hon. Member, as well as certain other small buoys in the area also associated with the Pluto pipe-line. I am not aware of any other war-time obstructions to fishing in these waters.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is now satisfied with the conditions at Chatham Naval Barracks.

No, Sir, but there has been considerable improvement in the last six weeks and conditions are less crowded than they were. A number of camps have been obtained for the purpose of relieving the over-crowding and others are being brought into use as quickly as possible.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty on what ground the R.M.P. (Special Reserve) are excluded from the War Gratuities Scheme.

As stated by the former Prime Minister in the House of Commons on 8th March, 1945, the Government, after considering all the classes of the community analogous to Service personnel to whom war gratuities should be given, decided that this benefit should be extended, on a reduced scale, to certain members of the Civil Defence Services where remuneration throughout the war had been related to Army rates of pay. The Royal Marine Police Special Reserve is a force of civilian police whose pay is not, and never has been, related to Army rates. It is regretted that the Reserve is, therefore, not eligible for war gratuities.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what decision has been arrived at in regard to the future of the Studland training area now under Admiralty requisition.

:The Admiralty has no further requirement for the Studland training area, but before the area can be de-requisitioned, it will be necessary to clear it of any unexploded missiles. This will be done with as little delay as possible but it may be some time before the area is completely safe.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a statement on future Malayan policy.

Yes, Sir. His Majesty's Government have given careful consideration to the future of Malaya and the need to promote the sense of unity and common citizenship which will develop the country's strength and capacity in due course for self-government within the British Commonwealth. Our policy will call for a constitutional union of Malaya and for the institution of a Malayan citizenship which will give equal citizenship rights to those who can claim Malaya to be their homeland. For these purposes fresh agreements will need to be arranged with the Malay State Rulers, and fresh constitutional measures for the Straits Settlements. I should make it clear that the British character and British citizenship attaching to all the present Settlements will not be affected by the constitutional measures we have in mind.The Malayan Union will consist of the nine States in the Malay Peninsula and of the two British Settlements of Penang and Malacca. The Settlement of Singapore at this stage requires separate constitutional treatment and in view of its special economic and other interests provision will be made for it to be constituted as a separate Colony. His Majesty's Government are, however, well aware of the many ties between Singapore and the mainland, and that these ties may well work towards ultimate union. This will be a matter for the Governments of the Malayan Union and Singapore to consider in due course.The peoples of the Settlement of Penang (with Province Wellesley) and Malacca will lose none of their rights as British citizens, and it is as British Settlements, with their own appropriate institutions of local government no less than those in the States, that Penang and Malacca will form part of the Malayan Union. His Majesty's Government have carefully considered the new constitutional measures necessary for the political, economic and social advancement of Malaya, and have decided that fresh Agreements with the several Malay Rulers need first to be arranged which will enable His Majesty to possess and exercise full jurisdiction in the Malay States. Sir Harold MacMichael has accordingly been appointed to visit Malaya as a Special Representative of His Majesty's Government to arrange Agreements with the Rulers for this purpose. When His Majesty possesses jurisdiction, it is intended by Order in Council to constitute the Malayan Union.There will also be created a Malayan Union citizenship, for which the qualifications will be birth in Malaya or a suitable period of residence. They will be citizens of Malaya, with all the rights and obligations which that term implies. No one must rely upon past privilege, or regard Malaya simply as a source of material wealth. While it is to the advantage of all the world and not only Malaya that the production of her mineral and agricultural resources should be restored and developed by industry and research, it is right that the Malayan people should be assured of their full share in the rewards of their industry and should be able to feel the country's wealth reflected in their own standard of life.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider the introduction of insurance schemes for agricultural crops in the Colonies to save Colonial peoples from loss and ruin following natural misfortune such as hurricane and cyclone.

Yes, Sir; I am considering how far it may be practicable to introduce such schemes as are suggested.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the Report on the West Indies Development and Welfare Commission will be made available; and whether he will arrange for such reports to be published at frequent intervals.

The Report of the Comptroller for Development and Welfare in the West Indies for the years 1943–44 was published on 4th October. It is the intention that such Reports should be published at regular intervals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made with workmen's compensation legislation in Kenya; and when the Orde-Browne Report on East African labour conditions will be published.

Workmen's compensation is now engaging the attention of the Kenya Government, and I am asking the Governor to report when he expects to be able to proceed with legislation. As regards the second part of the Question, the Report will go to the printers this month.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in allocating facilities for increasing export trade, he will consider the special claims of East Anglia, particularly with regard to unused factory areas, materials and man-power.

Yes, Sir. Every effort is being made to ensure that all available resources are used for the development of our home and export trades.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further steps he is considering to assist and encourage manufacturers to meet the shortage of WX and OS sizes of women's utility clothing, corsets and footwear; and whether he can give any assurances of an early improvement in the position.

I have no evidence of any exceptional scarcity in the larger sizes of footwear, and I cannot usefully improve on the general arrangements at present in operation to encourage the production of WX and OS sizes of women's utility clothing and corsets. But if my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind any special difficulties of individual manufacturers, I am prepared to look into them. The supply of outsizes should improve progressively as more material and labour become available for textile and footwear production.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the great difficulty experienced in obtaining women's and children's shoes; if the best grades are still being manufactured solely for export; and when does he expect to be able to announce an increase in the quantity of children's and women's shoes for the home market together with a substantial improvement in their quality.

Yes, Sir, I am aware of the difficulties, which are common to all classes of footwear. I am doing all I can to enable production to be increased, and I hope that the steps which have been taken to speed up the return of labour to the footwear industry will shortly begin to produce a general improvement in supplies. Exports of footwear are still limited to what is required to meet the essential needs of certain Empire countries and account for a very small percentage of total production.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is, since peace was declared, the number of cigarettes which are being sent abroad duty free; and what steps he is taking, in collaboration with the Service Departments, to prevent these duty-free cigarettes being sold to citizens of foreign countries.

The concession of duty-free gift parcels to troops overseas was withdrawn on 12th September, except for gift parcels to members of the Forces serving in H.M. ships and in the Far East. The number of cigarettes sent abroad since the cessation of hostilities could only be ascertained at the expense of much time and labour in the Departments concerned which I do not think would be justified.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish the weekly figures of British imports and exports by countries.

Weekly figures are not compiled, and, with the great fluctuations which take place from week to week in the movement of goods, publication of weekly figures would not be of value.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that many clothing manufacturers who are not members of nucleus groups are unable to obtain sufficient cloth of any kind in exchange for the coupons obtained through sales of clothing at their shops; whether he can give any indication as to how much longer the present system is to continue and what modifications he proposes.

No, Sir. A proportion of the utility cloth is set aside for manufacturers who are not members of nucleus groups, and non-utility cloth is not distributed under any allocation scheme. The present system will be reviewed as soon as an improvement in supplies will permit.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that firms in Northern Ireland are having difficulty in getting in touch with companies in England who have left their old addresses during the war; and if he will consider broadcasts asking companies who have left their old addresses to make their new addresses known to their old clients.

The difficulty to which the hon. and gallant Member refers is not peculiar to Northern Ireland, and I am considering suitable methods of calling the attention of firms to this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he will be able to release the Carltona Factory, Victoria Road, Willesden, at present only used for the storage of furniture, so that it can be used for food production purposes.

The release of these premises has been engaging my attention and, with the aid of the new arrangements for expediting derequisitioning, I hope to see the factory returned to the owners within two months.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he approved the sale by the manufacturers, for the benefit of charities, of undelivered duty-free parcels of tobacco and cigarettes, addressed to British prisoners of war in Germany, without any refund being offered to the individuals who ordered the parcels to be despatched.

At the end of the European war many parcels could not, for obvious reasons, be delivered, and the only satisfactory way of dealing with them was to sell the parcels back to the manufacturers and to hand the proceeds to Committees of Service Comforts Funds. Due notice of this intention was given in the Press by the Council of Tobazcco Manufacturers and no objections were raised. In the majority of cases it would have been extremely difficult, if not impossible, to trace the original consignors.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the case of the closing of war factories or their removal to other centres in Northern Ireland, he will provide alternative employment through the establishment of new industries in these areas.

Yes, Sir, the attention of industrialists is being drawn to the facilities available in Northern Ireland; and arrangements have already been made to turn over those Government-owned factories, which have become surplus to requirements, to selected contractors for peacetime industry.

asked the Minister of Labour what arrangements have been made for the early demobilisation of those who volunteered for the Services from Northern Ireland.

Volunteers from Northern Ireland, like other members of the Armed Forces, will be released in order of age and length of service. If a particular individual is a key specialist urgently required for reconstruction work it is open to the Government of Northern Ireland to apply for his release in Class B in advance of his normal turn.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why intending travellers to Northern Ireland are still required to complete Form P, Application for grant of travel permit card or exit permit; and if exit permits cannot be entirely dispensed with, whether the application form will be simplified.

Form P was originally intended as a combined form on which applications could be made for a travel permit card or exit permit or both. Exit permits for Ireland were abolished shortly after VE Day, but existing stocks of Form P continued to be used up pending the introduction of a simplified form which is now in use. The new form asks for only those particulars necessary for the issue of a travel identity card, by which name the old travel permit card will henceforth be known.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in assessing war bonuses and war gratuities, particularly on demobilisation, and pensions, he will take into account the service rendered by men and women engaged in CD., especially if they were conscripted before they joined the Armed Forces of the Crown, such as firemen, bomb disposal, rescue squads and police.

All men and women who have served for six months or more since 3rd September, 1939, in a whole-time paid capacity in the Auxiliary Police or Auxiliary Fire Services or in the Civil Defence General Services qualify for a war gratuity in addition to any gratuity for which they may qualify by virtue of service in the Armed Forces.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the lack of technical schools or colleges in North Wales, he will amend the present regulations governing the deferment of apprentices so as to enable the District Manpower Board to accept evidence of study through a bona fide correspondence college for the National Certificate in place of evidence of attendance at an established technical institution.

As my hon. Friend will now be aware, I wrote to him on 6th October about this matter asking for details of his proposal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that men who joined the Palestine Police Force under a contract of service for a period of three years or the duration of the war, whichever is the shorter period, are being compelled by the Inspector-General of that police force to complete the full period of three years in contravention of the contract which they signed; and what steps he is taking to see that the contract is honoured.

I have received a number of complaints regarding this matter on which there has evidently been a misunderstanding. There is no intention of retaining these men for the full three years contrary to the provisions of their contract.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether His Majesty's Government were made aware of the negotiations for the 50-year oil concession between the Emperor of Ethiopia and the Sinclair Oil Corporation before the conclusion of the agreement.

I would refer the Noble Member to the reply I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Middles-brough East (Mr. A. Edwards) on this matter.

asked the Minister of Information what is the present cost of his Ministry; and how many persons are at present employed.

The present rate of gross expenditure of the Ministry of Information is estimated to be approximately £5,000,000 a year. The number of staff employed in the United Kingdom on the 30th September was 2,310, and overseas approximately 3,000.

asked the Minister of War Transport if, now that the war is over, Ministers and officials are going to give up the priority badges displayed on their motor-cars.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give an assurance that instructions will now be given to all Departments to ensure that as much in- formation will be made available by them to the Press for the benefit of the public, as before the commencement of war.

I doubt the need for any general instruction. I am sure that Departments are aware of the desirability of providing as much information as possible for the benefit of the public. Subject always to current manpower, printing, and paper shortages, special attention is being given to the resumption of the publication of statistics.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India when Captain E. W. Morrel, having been commissioned without option into the Indian Army, applied for retransfer to the British service; when G.H.Q., India, dispatched his application to the War Office; whether he is aware that on 25th September the War Office had not received it; and what steps he has taken to trace it.

This officer's application, which was dated 23rd April, 1945, was forwarded to the War Office by G.H.Q., India, on 23rd June, 1945, and I understand that the War Office have now arranged for his transfer to the British Service with effect from 1st October, 1945.

asked the Attorney-General if he will state the facts upon which the Director of Public Prosecutions drew the attention of the Manchester and Salford Co-operative Society to the provisions of the Corrupt Practices Act, 1854; and on what grounds it was decided that a corrupt or illegal practice had been committed by the society.

To state publicly the facts taken into consideration by the Director of Public Prosecutions in arriving at a decision in an individual case would, in my view, constitute an undesirable departure from accepted practice. In answer to the second part of the Question, a formal Opinion from the Law Officers was not asked for in this case, but the Director of Public Prosecutions reported he full facts to the then Attorney-General with a recommendation that the matter could be properly dealt with by a caution. That recommendation my right hon. and learned predecessor approved.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will consider the desirability of making Members of Parliament justices of the peace during their period of office.

The responsibility for the advice given to the Crown in relation to the appointment of Justices of the Peace, outside the Duchy of Lancaster, rests with the Lord Chancellor. It has long been the practice of successive Lord Chancellors not to apoint M.Ps. as J.Ps. for the area of their own constituencies. Until he has had an opportunity of obtaining a general survey of the whole question, my Noble Friend thinks it undesirable to depart from this practice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present policy regarding the naturalisation of aliens and in particular enemy and ex-enemy aliens who are refugees in this country.

Naturalisation has been generally suspended since June, 1940, except for the cases of married women who are eligible for readmission to British nationality, and a very few exceptional cases where the naturalisation of an alien has been necessary to fulfil some specific requirement in the national interest.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present purpose of the registration forms which hotel visitors are required to complete in addition to entering their names in the visitors' book; and when will their use be discontinued.

Steps are being taken to amend the provisions which have required British subjects during the war to furnish certain information in addition to the statement of their nationality in the hotel register. The object of the requirement was to enable information to be obtained about all persons visiting areas regulated under DR. 13A, a regulation which was revoked on 28th September.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the White Paper and statement will be made available to Parliament concerning the circumstances that resulted in the murder of Lord Moyne in Egypt, and indicating the assistance that has been, and is being, given by the Jewish Agency in Palestine and other Zionist organisations in co-operating with British and Egyptian police authorities to break up and disrupt the terrorist bodies that were responsible for this and similar crimes.

After consideration it has been decided not to publish any White Paper or statement on these subjects.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visits per year are permitted to a Borstal boy; and how many such visits have been received on an average each year by men imprisoned in Dartmoor.

A youth detained in a Borstal institution is entitled to receive 13 visits a year, but the average number of visits paid to each person detained is about two a year, and the available figures do not suggest that the number of visits paid to Borstal institution is governed by the accessibility or otherwise of the particular institution. During the first six months of 1945, when the daily average population was 601, 89 visits were paid to convicts in Dartmoor Prison. But in any event the analogy between visits to young persons undergoing Borstal training and to persons sentenced to penal servitude is not a sound one, and no useful inference can be drawn from such a comparison.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the post of Governor of Holloway Prison was advertised before the recent appointment was made; what condi- tions as to age and qualifications were imposed; and how many applications were received.

Yes, Sir. This post was advertised. The advertisement did not impose conditions as to qualifications or age, but it stated that desirable qualifications included administrative ability, experience in the control of a large staff, real interest in the rehabilitation of delinquent women and girls, and experience in dealing with women and girls, and it was made clear that applications from able women in any profession would be considered; 89 applications were received.