asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when he expects that the releases from the Navy will have reached a state where officers and ratings in the same groups are demobilised simultaneously.

:I regret I am unable to forecast when this state will be reached, but the hon. and gallant Member may rest assured that it will not be delayed one day later than is necessary.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is an unfair class distinction here which is greatly resented in the Navy?

No, Sir. I am unaware of anything of that sort. It is simply a matter of fact, that the officers are of such different ages that we have to let all the older ages out first, and therefore in order to maintain the Service we must work in the way we are doing.

Is it an example of the new method of planning that that fact was not seen beforehand?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how far and why the release of instructor officers is behind that of executive officers and what is being done to remove the difference; and what groups of instructor officers are to be released at what dates before the middle of 1946.

The answer to this Question is unavoidably long. I will, therefore, with the hon. Member's permission circulate it in the Official Report.

Following is the answer:

The release of instructor officers is somewhat behind that of executive officers but by the end of the year the difference should be no more than one group. The main reason for this difference is that instructor officers are required to perform important duties in connection with the Educational and Vocational Training Scheme. With a view to removing this impediment to the release of instructor officers large numbers of officers of other branches are being trained to assist them in these duties. The future programme of releases is complicated by the fact that the groups in the middle 20's are comparatively large. Progress must depend largely on the effectiveness of the training scheme which is now well under way and the most that I can say about the rate of release between now and mid 1946 is that the release of the large groups in the middle 20's should be well advanced.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many W.R.N.S. are now stationed at St. Merryn aerodrome, Cornwall; and when this number will be reduced.

:Twenty-six W.R.N.S. officers and 643 ratings are now employed at the R.N. Air Station, St. Merryn. The end of the war has brought no change in the function of this particular air station and no reduction of the numbers employed is at present envisaged.

:Is my right hon. Friend aware that, whatever his reports may be, the fact is that there is a very great change in the activities, and that the general complaint of people all round is that there are a large number of girls doing absolutely nothing and wasting their time?

:I have often had reports of that kind before, but when I investigated them I found that there was no foundation of fact in them. This is one of the largest Royal Naval air stations in existence and it has a permanent peace rôle of important training. If I took the W.R.N.S. away, I would have to replace them with men.

If I submit a report to my right hon. Friend, will he have it properly examined, unlike some other Ministers?

The Royal Navy is always efficient.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty in view of the decision not to proceed further with the Culrose R.N.A. Station, Cornwall, whether he is aware that loads of clinker, stone and tarmac are still being delivered to the site in spite of the fact that this material is needed for the repair of local roads; and if he will now terminate this waste of road material.

:My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension in thinking that it has been decided not to proceed further with this station. It is essential to finish certain parts of the work to prevent serious deterioration, and this applies to the partially completed roads and runways for which this material is required.

:Why is it necessary to complete roads and runways when it has been decided not to complete the aerodrome for some years yet? Is my right hon. Friend aware that all this material and labour is urgently wanted elsewhere, and that there are complaints all round regarding the waste that is taking place?

My hon. Friend is really never satisfied.

No.

We had 1,500 men at work on this aerodrome. I have released 900, specially on his representation, for building work. Unless we complete roads which have been constructed in their foundations and seal up buildings which now require weather-proofing, public money will be wasted. We intend to proceed to a partial use of the aerodrome as soon as it is finished.

:While I appreciate that the buildings must be sealed up, is my right hon. Friend aware that the general feeling is abroad that the contractors are making a very good thing out of carrying stuff to the site which will not be wanted for years?

I do not accept that as a fact.

It is true.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the representations made by the Southampton Harbour Board since April last and of its communication on 13th October, to which no reply has yet been received, regarding the continued use of the River Hamble by naval craft, thus preventing a return to its use by a large number of private yacht and boat owners, hindering normal trading, including yacht and boat building, repairing and servicing in the port of Southampton; and will he consider issuing instructions that naval craft shall cease to use the River Hamble and the mooring sites therein, before the commencement of the yachting season in April next year.

:I understand the desire of the Southampton Harbour Board to secure the return of their moorings and mooring sites in the River Hamble. Twelve moorings previously in naval use are being released immediately. Every endeavour will be made to release the others as soon as possible; but it may prove necessary to retain many of them at least until June next. My hon. Friend will appreciate that there are now large numbers of naval vessels in this country whose disposal is bound to be a long process. The problem is complicated by manpower difficulties which require the concentration of vessels where they can most conveniently be maintained. The Southampton Harbour Board were informed in this sense in a letter dated 2nd November.

:Is my right hon. Friend aware that the total removal of 12 vessels is useless, as there are 200 vessels moored there, and is he aware that if the vessels are not removed by April next, the position will be serious?

:I am anxious to do all I can to release the moorings, but my hon. Friend must remember the difficulties I have. There are hundreds of landing craft and other vessels which, unless we can dispose of them in the public interest, will be a great public waste. I must find accommodation for them somewhere, but I will release as many moorings as I can.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that if he waits until 200 vessels have been disposed of, the moorings may not be released for years?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the lack of suitable food and climatic conditions in this country, he will take steps to prevent officers and ratings in the Royal Navy from bringing home to this country monkeys and other similar pets.

Civilians are allowed to import these pets and I see no reason to deny the Navy this traditional and simple pleasure.

:Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that I make no reflection on the kind hearts of British sailors, but that I am merely trying to indicate that this climate is foul for such animals?

I should always be glad to receive detailed representations, but I have no doubt that the lower deck would make plenty of representations back.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will consider the position of Danish citizens who volunteered for service with the Royal Navy and who, on demobilisation, are being shipped back to Denmark immediately without having the benefit of the 56 days' leave with pay to which they understood they were entitled; and in view of the fact that some of these men are married to English women, will he take steps to ensure that fair treatment is accorded to them.

These men were given the option of being released immediately and repatriated, or of remaining in the Royal Navy until their age and service groups were reached. They chose to be released, and became entitled to clothing benefit, service gratuities, and post war credits. Had they chosen to remain in the Service, they would have been entitled to 56 days' leave with pay in addition. They were all granted 10–14 days leave whilst awaiting demobilisation.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that owing to security precautions the public is imperfectly informed as to the services of the British Navy; and whether in consequence, he will authorise the issue of a brief official account of its principal actions and operations at an early date.

While it is true that Naval operations in war present peculiar security problems, I cannot agree with the first part of the Question. During the war the Admiralty, in spite of the special difficulties, issued over 5,000 communications to the Press, and arranged for the publication of eight official books on Naval operations, besides which the B.B.C. broadcast 400 Naval items. These were in addition to communiques issued by Supreme Commands. With regard to the second part of the Question, certain special accounts of Naval operations are in preparation, and these will be published as soon as possible.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take care not to make the Senior Service too silent?

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the public is also informed of the important and hazardous work still being performed by the Royal Navy in mine-sweeping?

:We have already mentioned that on two or three occasions, but I think we might do so again. The British public has great confidence in the fact that the Royal Navy is there.

:Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is considerable feeling in the Navy that some of its doings are not recorded as adequately as they might be, and that this is because of a comparative lack of efficiency in the Press Division of the Admiralty?

I do not think that, because we have a much smaller Press Division than most Departments, they are any less efficient.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if it is intended to afford the next-of-kin of members of the Royal Navy under 18 years of age, who sacrificed their lives in the war, the same rate of gratuity as that afforded to the relatives of other men.

:War gratuities paid in respect of deceased R.N. personnel are calculated on the same basis as if the gratuities had been paid to the personnel themselves. Boys who have been drafted to sea are eligible for the same rate of war gratuity as seamen of similar war service.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable feeling on the matter among the relatives of these boys under 18, and will he give the matter close consideration?

If the boys are under 18 when they go to sea, with the ordinary risks of sea and war, they get the same gratuities.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he proposes now to make available for public use the Admiralty geographical handbooks produced during the war by the Naval Intelligence Division in collaboration with the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge; and if he will take steps to see that the series is completed so that every country will be covered by these works.

These books are available for public use in the sense that their issue includes certain institutions, organisations, and individuals, who can use them to the public advantage. The question of sale to the general public is under consideration. As to the second part of the Question, the series was produced to meet the requirements of the Services, and the scope was limited to what was essential for this purpose.

:Is my right hon. Friend aware that very large sums of money were spent and an immense amount of physical effort made by the university members concerned in the production of this series which will be largely thrown away unless the series is completed and made available to the public?

I have said that the question of sale to the general public is under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many men and women of the Services at present stationed in India, Burma or the Far East, he plans to bring home in ships of the Royal Navy in each of the months of December, January, February and March in the coming winter.

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will publish in the Official Report an exact list of the properties that his Department has under requisition in the Maidstone Parliamentary division.

Yes, Sir. The list was published in the Official Report of Monday last, columns 1040–1.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that every item in this list, except one, was an industrial space, and that their use is very essential to Maidstone, and will he make every effort to release these properties as soon as possible?

The President of the Board of Trade is saying that to me about every district in which the Navy happens to be, and I am doing my best to meet him.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider plans to reconstitute the Inter-Services Topographical Department so as to make this work available in time of peace, not only to the Service and other Government Departments, but also to industrial and commercial concerns.

:Yes, Sir. This matter is already under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that about 100 W.R.N.S. left this country for Ceylon as recently as 1st October; and whether, observing that it is the intention to withdraw by the end of the year all W.R.N.S. stationed in Ceylon, such drafting has now ceased.

:I am aware of the recent draft of W.R.N.S. to Ceylon but I have no knowledge of any intention to withdraw all W.R.N.S. stationed in Ceylon by the end of this year.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that about half of this party were disembarked at Malta and returned to this country?

No, Sir; I would like to have notice of that question. All I can say is that the Women's Royal Naval Service who have been despatched on this route are sent out—at least when they are despatched—to relieve W.R.N.S. who have been demobilised.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many Dakota or other transport aircraft, other than replacements, have been transferred from the United Kingdom or Europe to India and S.E.A.C. since VE-Day.

The number of transport aircraft in Air Command South-East Asia has increased by 45 per cent, since VE-Day. In addition, a number of bomber and maritime squadrons in South-East Asia have recently been employed on transport and supply duties. The number of aircraft established for transport services from United Kingdom to India is now more than four times greater than it was on VE-Day.

:Can we take it from that reply that my hon. Friend is now satisfied that the transport bottleneck in that part of the world is being dealt with adequately?

I would not like to say, with so much transport being used.

Would it be possible to give figures instead of percentages?

No, Sir, there are security objections to that.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air whether, in view of the discrepancy between the figures for Class C releases on compassionate grounds given by his Department on 22nd October and those given by the Ministry of Labour on 16th October for Class C release in September, namely, Army 3,202, R.A.F. 37, and R.N. 33, for period 1st September to 12th October, he will now make an up-to-date statement.

The figure given for Royal Air Force releases in Class C by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour referred to releases which had been recorded during the month of September. My own figures related to releases approved for the period 18th June to 22nd October. The number of Class C releases from the R.A.F. which had been approved up to the end of October was 2,142.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air to what extent the shortage of uniformed personnel in the accounts section of the R.A.F. is being overcome; how many new entrants in this trade are required in order that their demobilisation may be equalised with the rest of the R.A.F.; and when this equality is expected to be attained.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what further steps are being taken to improve the rate of releases from the accountants branch of the R.A.F.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he anticipates that the inequalities to which the accounts trade of the R.A.F. are subject in the matter of relief will have disappeared by 31st December; and, if not, by what date is it proposed to remove them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is satisfied that sufficient personnel are being trained in equipment and accountancy to even up release groups in these branches; and whether Kirkham is to be used for training any further personnel.

:Five hundred and fifty additional accountant officers and 4,650 additional airmen for the accounting trades are being provided during the 12 months ending 31st May, 1946. To this end an intensive programme of training is proceeding, at the rate of 65 officer entries a month, on a six weeks' course, and 170 airmen entries a week on a five weeks' course. We mean to increase these figures either by opening another school or by expanding Kirkham which is fully occupied. In addition, wherever possible, airmen mustered to other trades are being employed on routine accounting duties. We are thus doing our utmost to help the accountant trades, but I am afraid I cannot yet give a firm date for bringing-them up to the average rate of release—it will not now be by 31st December. This is a result of the speed up in the release of other trades. In general, the faster you go the more difficult it is to keep even as between trades.

:In view of the very disappointing reply which we have just heard, may I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he can state the total requirements of this branch, and whether he has. also taken into consideration the fact that some of the people who are now being retained may be demobilised before the end of the period which he has just given and thereby delay other later groups?

That, of course, is being considered. The figures I quoted would satisfy the needs before the increase in general release by four groups which I announced; to meet that increase we are now training still more men for the accounts section.

Will they ever catch up?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that because of the amount of overtime worked by the R.A.F. Accounts Section the personnel, while ordered to attend the one hour per day of E.V.T., which consists of general lectures, are not allowed to attend voluntary E.V.T. classes in subjects of use after demobilisation; and if he will take steps to have this altered.

:Owing to pressure of work it is not always possible to spare airmen in the Accounts Section for E.V.T. in Service time. I am, however, issuing instructions that in such circumstances the men should not be compelled to attend the weekly—not daily—period of one hour's training in modern citizenship if this results in their being required to work additional overtime in their trade. I am making inquiries to see whether it may be possible to provide E.V.T. facilities for them if they desire to use them in their own time.

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that the whole of this Section is being subjected to most unfair treatment and will he take active steps to see that they are not forbidden to take part in the voluntary classes?

:The Accounts Section has been subjected to very heavy pressure of work—that is perfectly true and inevitable—but we cannot provide them with E.V.T. facilities in Service time because they are so hard worked. We are now going to try and provide them with the opportunity for E.V.T. out of Service hours.

Has the hon. Gentleman considered the case of the man which was put to him some time ago where the Service authorities have offered E.V.T. service on condition that the man forwent his leave, and will he discourage that practice?

If it was a voluntary offer, the man was at liberty to refuse it, and I do not see any objection.

Is the Minister aware that they are not getting their day off a week?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that 117 houses are presently held on requisition in Scotland by his Department; and what steps are being taken to release these houses forthwith.

:Yes, Sir. We are releasing houses in Scotland as fast as we can. Twenty-one of the 117 held are already in course of release; half should be gone by the end of this year, and some three-quarters by 31st March, 1946. The problems presented by the rest are under urgent examination.

asked the Under-Secretary of. State for Air whether he has considered complaints from men serving in the R.A.F. at Hong Kong that there is a shortage of cigarettes for them to purchase; that mail from England reaches them erratically; and whether he will take action to rectify these matters.

Members of the Royal Air Force were living under field service conditions in the first stage after the liberation of Hong Kong. But things are now improving. They can now buy N.A.A.F.I. supplies including 70 cigarettes a week, and there is now an air mail service three times a week.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why 205 Group, R.A.F., complete with its squadrons and wings, is being transferred from Italy to some other field of overseas service.

This transfer is being made as part of the redeployment of the Royal Air Force.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that large numbers of Radar operators in the R.A.F. are now redundant to requirements but are being held at their overseas stations with nothing useful to do; and, in view of the effect of this idleness on the morale of the men concerned, whether he will bring these men back to this country to enable them to visit their homes.

:There is a surplus of Radar operators in one command—Mediterranean and Middle East. I am obtaining the proposals of the command for finding useful work for these men. It would not be practicable or fair to others to give these particular men special home leave.

Does not the hon. Gentleman think that these men would be better employed in this country than wasting their time abroad?

Some men may be posted to this country, or elsewhere, overseas.

Then why not demobilise them?

Because you cannot demobilise them unless they are in the age and service group which has been reached. The hon. Member knows that.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will now give an assurance that the log books of all deceased pilots will ultimately be made available to their next-of-kin.

:Yes, Sir. Certain legal formalities are now being completed, and an announcement will be made in the Press, probably before the end of the year.

May I thank the hon. Gentleman for that decision, which will be very welcome?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that airmen, transferred to the United Kingdom by R.A.F., M.E.D.M.E., for Class C release, are being held by No. 2 Wing, R.A.F. Station, Hunsdon, Hertfordshire, pending posting to a home unit; and whether he will give authority to No. 2 Wing to deal with applications for release.

:I am glad to announce that we have brought in a new system to ensure that members of the Royal Air Force are able to get to their homes quickly on returning from overseas for Class C release. Applications recommended by overseas commands are now sent to the Air Ministry and, on approval there, the airman is sent direct to the dispersal centre in this country for immediate release.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is prepared to increase the existing basis of one period of leave in the year to two periods per year for service personnel in Iceland.

:The complete tour of duty in Iceland, except for a crew, has not exceeded twelve months, with leave before leaving the United Kingdom, and on return. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply of 10th October when I stated that it was hoped that the withdrawal of the R.A.F. Contingent from Iceland would be completed over the next six months.

:On the assumption that all these personnel are not withdrawn from Iceland, will the hon. Gentleman then be prepared to reconsider his reply?

I think the hon. and gallant Gentleman will find that they are withdrawn.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the comparative figures of the strength of Bomber Command Headquarters at the height of the bomber offensive and at the present time.

The strength of Bomber Command headquarters at 1st April, 1945, was 1,622 Royal Air Force and Women's Auxiliary Air Force personnel of all ranks. The strength on 1st November was 1,534, but this includes nearly 500 men and women of all ranks who are primarily lodgers making temporary use of this good Service accommodation. The number of those who are anything but lodgers will now fall more rapidly.

In view of the fact that the operational role of Bomber Command is now finished, is not the Minister rather disturbed by the figures he has given of the present-day strength?

Has the hon. Member noticed that there is an additional 500 drop in the force employed at headquarters? They are merely accommo- dating people doing other work, or rather units, in these headquarters.

Could not these lodgings be used for civilians rather than for R.A.F. personnel?

No, Sir, because it enables other civilian lodgings in the country to be vacated if these people are brought in.

Could the Under-Secretary say what all these people—not only the lodgers—are doing?

Bomber Command is very actively engaged in the trooping programme.

Will the Under-Secretary state if the figure he has given includes supernumerary personnel at Bomber Command headquarters?

I should need notice of that.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what use is being made of the Earnley bombing range and the Selsey advanced landing grounds; and whether they can now be restored to food production.

This range and the landing grounds went out of use at the end of October. The range will be released when it has been cleared of unexploded missiles. I hope that the landing grounds can be freed at the same time.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many aerodromes involving how many acres have been derequisitioned since 8th May, 1945.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he has yet-decided which of the service aerodromes can now be released and made available for fanning purposes.

Since 8th May derequisitioning has been completed or is in progress at 29 airfields, comprising 7,500 acres. A further 40,000 acres have been let for agricultural purposes. In addition, 78 airfields have been made available at the request of other Departments as storage depots and camps, thus enabling factories, private houses, schools and hotels to be given up. Until the size and character of our post war air force are decided it will be impossible finally to choose which airfields are to be kept and which released.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the country is disturbed by the fact that out of 600 airfields only 29 have been released, and is he further aware that this delay in derequisitioning is holding up both house building and food production?

No, Sir, only 29 may have been derequisitioned, but 78 more are being used by other Government Departments, which frees other and more important property.

Is the hon. Gentleman having the runways removed before the airfields are derequisitioned, so that they are available for agricultural purposes?

That differs in different cases.

What is the good of turning these airfields back if they cannot be used?

But the runways comprise a very small area of the whole airfield—[Hon. Members: "Oh"]—compared with the whole area of the field.

What are the real reasons for holding on to satellite aerodromes, which apparently have no real purpose under present conditions?

I do not think that a satellite aerodrome is necessarily less suitable for permanent use than many of the parent ones which have only hutment buildings on them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that many officers and other ranks in the R.A.F. are now forced to seek civilian employment with no recommendations other than their rank and decorations and a final testimonial from their last commanding officer who may only have known the person concerned for a short time; and whether he will assist officers and other ranks on release by giving them a certified true copy of their assessments throughout their service lives as a testimonial.

We are going to issue instructions authorising senior officers to supply written statements to officers, both R.A.F. and W.A.A.F. who have served under their command at any period and about whom they have adequate knowledge. Such statements should describe the character and special aptitudes of the officer.

Airmen and airwomen leaving the Service on release are given a service and release book and a statement of service which provide similar information. The attention of commanding officers is being specially drawn to the necessity for completing these forms in such a way as to provide the maximum assistance to airmen and airwomen in their future careers. In addition, the commanding officer will be authorised to make a special statement about an airman or airwoman who is applying for a professional post.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the position of clerks, special duties, whose release groups are falling behind many other trades in the R.A.F.; that many of these men and women were part of the staffs of operations rooms and have since been transferred to other duties whilst retaining the classification of clerks, special duties, and that they are, in effect, filling the places of people in release groups later than their own; and whether he will take steps to remedy this grievance.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what is the position and prospects of the trade of clerks, special duties, as regards release.

The whole of the surplus of clerks S.D. has been posted for duty against vacancies for clerks G.D. and to the accounting trades. This is one of the methods which we must use for evening out releases between trades. The release rate of special duties clerks is thus kept in line with that of general duties clerks; for November, they are two groups behind the average.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how they compare with accounts duties personnel?

Speaking from memory, I think they are six groups behind.

If that is so, why are they being posted to accounts duties?

To even out the rate and increase the rate of release in the accounts branch.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if it is the intention of the Government to close down R.A.F. meteorological offices where the work is predominantly civilian in character and where, in many instances, the stations are given over almost exclusively to forecasts for farmers.

:Local meteorological offices which are not required are being closed whether their work is mainly service or civilian. None of them gives forecasts for farmers. These forecasts are issued from the Central Forecast Station of the Meteorological Office.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the R.A.F. are performing the work of Colonial civil servants in British East Africa in these meteorological offices, and will he take steps to withdraw the personnel?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will issue a table showing the present maximum rates of pension for direct entry officers of the medical, general duties, dental, equipment, accounts, legal and music branches, reaching the substantive rank of flight-lieutenant, squadron-leader, wing-commander and group-captain, respectively, indicating in each case the number of years qualifying service; and a similar table for officers promoted from the ranks pre-September, 1939, and post-September,1939.

:I am circulating a statement in the Official Report.

:Will my hon. Friend study the table and consider whether it is fair that the promoted warrant officer, irrespective of the rank he reaches, should receive only one-third of the pension of the officer who is a direct entry officer?

:Without expressing an opinion on that, I might say that the table refers only to the past, and not to the new scheme which will be brought in for the postwar Air Force.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why R.A.F. personnel, dispatched from England to Singapore in September, on the "Duchess of Richmond," had their tropical gear, including mosquito-nets, removed; and when these will be replaced.

These men were origin ally destined for Okinawa and were kitted up as a self-contained unit; on the defeat of Japan, they were sent to Singapore. Owing to the change of destination, certain items of tropical kit, including mosquito nets, were withdrawn before the unit sailed, on the assumption that they would be supplied from India. This assumption was wrong and was due to an administrative error which I deeply regret. Mosquito nets have now been issued locally to 80 per cent. of the men, and nets for the remainder are being flown from India and should now have arrived.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what complaints he has received regarding the conditions under which airmen are obliged to live in Singapore; and what action he has taken to improve these.

I am making urgent inquiries into living conditions for members of the Royal Air Force in Singapore about which representations have been made to my Noble Friend. If my hon. Friend will be good enough to put down his question again next week, I hope to be in a position to provide him with full information.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will issue instructions to Goosepool aerodrome to cease flying operations after 10 p.m. in order that the inhabitants of Sadberge, Fighting Cocks. Middleton-St. George and Middleton-one-Row may be allowed to have a proper night's rest.

:I am afraid I cannot do that. This is an important O.T.U. and night flying must be learnt by its pupils. But we shall make every effort to avoid disturbing the inhabitants of Sadberge, Fighting Cocks, Middleton-St. George and Middleton-one-Row.

Does not the hon. Gentleman think that there is sufficient time for night training in the five hours before 10 o'clock without disturbing these rural villages?

That is usually so, but occasionally weather conditions make it impossible, and we cannot make a hard and fast rule.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the present strength of the W.A.A.F.; and how this compares with the figure of the month immediately preceding the termination of hostilities in Europe.

The strength of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force on 31st October, 1945, was 112,650. Immediately before the end of hostilities in Europe, it was 157,280.

Is release in the W.A.A.F. proceeding in accordance with the publicly announced programme?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will now take eels off the list of main dishes in hotels and restaurants.

No, Sir.

:Is the Minister aware that eels are not only nutritious but are full of fat, that there are plenty available and that a large number of people will not, unfortunately, make them their main course at a meal? Why does he not take steps to stimulate the consumption of this food?

:The hon. Gentleman no doubt desires stimulation of the breeding of eels—