asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he proposes to ask the Egyptian authorities to instal the standard British blind approach system at Almaza airport, Cairo.

As my hon. and gallant Friend realizes, Almaza airport is an Egyptian State aerodrome administered by the Egyptian Department of Civil Aviation. My Noble Friend would, of course, be glad to facilitate the provision of suitable equipment if the Egyptian Government should so desire.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether his Ministry has yet begun talks with the railways and shipping lines interested in civil aviation; and whether he has any statement to make on progress.

Conversations have been in active progress. I am not in a position to make a statement at present but my Noble Friend will do so as soon as possible.

We are taking every step we can, but it does not rest in our hands alone.

In any conversations with regard to civil aviation, will the Minister see that something is done to augment the service between London and Glasgow?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he will make a statement on the future use of Turnhouse aerodrome as a civil airport for Edinburgh.

The future of Turn-house has not yet been settled. My Department is in consultation with the Air Ministry on this subject, and a statement will be made as soon as possible.

Will the Department also consult with the City of Edinburgh in this matter?

If the City of Edinburgh wishes to make any point of view heard, we shall be glad to hear it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation when the White Paper on the Government's proposals for the future organisation of civil aviation will be issued.

My Noble Friend must first conclude the conversations to which he referred in his statement on civil aviation policy on 1st November. The White Paper will then be issued without delay.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say why there is all this delay, since the White Paper should have been issued some time ago? Is there any difficulty or hold-up?

It would have been very easy to have issued a White Paper which would merely have been an expansion of the statement of policy, but my Noble Friend has said that he wishes to include in it the results of his conversations with the surface transport interests. As soon as that is possible, he will publish the White Paper without delay.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether the Government intend to develop regular air freight services independently of passenger and passenger-cum-freight services.

It is the Government's intention that the air transport corporations shall provide adequate transport for all air traffic needs including special freight services where justified.

Does that reply exclude the possibility of privately operated freight services?

It does not exclude the possibility, but all regular scheduled services will be run by the public corporations.

Does that mean that any industry that wished to run regular aircraft from Manchester to Lille or some other service of that kind, would be precluded from doing so?

If it were a regular scheduled service, that would be so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will provide sea and/or air transport to bring to this country some hundreds of civilian men and women who have now been in East Africa several years without a break.

I fully appreciate this need and am glad to say that 586 civilians have been provided with passages from East Africa this month. Subject to military requirements, there will be further opportunities of moving civilians from that area during the next few months.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that any progress that can be made will be very much appreciated, as so many of these people have been in East Africa for a very long time?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make on the subject of interterritorial co-ordination in East Africa.

I have recently discussed the machinery for interterritorial co-ordination in East Africa with the Governor of Kenya, who is Chairman of the East African Governors' Conference. I hope to make a statement on the subject on 12th December.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Italians have been granted permission to work in Nigeria since the capitulation of Italy.

Twelve, Sir.

Will the Minister give an assurance that the Africans and the men who fought in the West African Forces will be given priority over the Italians?

Their needs are apparent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, since the termination of hostilities, any Italians have been granted permission to trade or otherwise carry on business in Nigeria.

Yes, Sir. Six Italians have been granted permission to do so.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that great consternation has been caused in Nigeria by the granting to Italians of this permission to trade?

We have had no evidence of that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the accounts of the Government-owned colliery in Nigeria are kept on a commercial basis; and if the undertaking has been run at a profit since its inception.

Up till now the accounts of this colliery have not been kept on a commercial basis, but it is proposed to put them on to a commercial basis as soon as the necessary accounting staff can be obtained. I have not the figures relating to profits since its inception but the most recent returns indicated a profit.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to give an assurance that all the overheads, including such matters as leave passages for British personnel, are included in the future accounts?

That is a matter which will be considered when the accounting staff is appointed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how the rations in Malta compare with those in the United Kingdom; and if there are any shortages of fats and milk which are likely to affect the health of the population, especially the children.

As the answer is long and contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, circulate it in the Official Report.

Will the right hon. Gentleman investigate the possibility of using requisitioned Italian schooners and landing craft for this purpose?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will look at the statement I am issuing, and then if he cares, 1 will discuss the matter with him further.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can make a statement on the results of the recent general election in Malta; and whether the Governor has accepted the nominee of the Malta Labour Party for the new Executive Council.

Nine Labour candidates and one Independent have been elected to the Council of Government. I understand that the Governor proposes to nominate two of the Labour members to the Executive Council, but I have not yet received his formal recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many people in Malta now fall within the Governor's definition as living in unsatisfactory conditions; and what was the comparable figure 12 months ago.

2,579 families were registered as living in unsatisfactory conditions on 1st November last, as compared with 3,620 families on 1st November, 1944; a decrease therefore of approximately one-third.

Are we to deduce from that reply that the right hon. Gentleman is satisfied with the rehousing measures that are being undertaken?

I will never be satisfied until housing conditions are very much improved.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the circulation figures of newspapers published in Nigeria, Gold Coast and Sierra Leone, respectively.

As the reply includes a number of figures I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will revise the terms of reference of the Harragin Commission of Inquiry into the structure and remuneration of the Civil Service in West Africa to include unestablished and daily paid staffs.

This suggestion has already been fully gone into: but I fear that it is not feasible to adopt it. The conditions of service of unestablished and daily paid staff differ between the four individual Colonies, and there would be difficulties in including these matters within the scope of a commission designed to cover British West Afrca as a whole.

Will the Secretary of State endeavour, once the report of the Harragin Commission is available, to prepare some form of machinery whereby considerable increases in the pay of the unestablished staff take place?

I would prefer to await the report of the Commission before committing myself.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that dissatisfaction has been expressed by the Nigerian Trades Union Congress at the inclusion of Colonial civil servants on the Commission of Inquiry into the structure and remuneration of the Civil Service in West Africa; and whether he will appoint instead independent persons who are in a position to be completely disinterested.

I have received representations from the Nigeria Trades Union Congress on this subject. The decision to entrust this inquiry to a single commissioner was taken only after the most careful consideration. The appointment by me of the Chief Justice of the Gold Coast to be the commissioner was made in the full confidence that he would conduct his inquiries with due regard to the interests of all members of the West African Civil Services, whether European or African.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reply has been given to the request of the Arab League for the return of the former Mufti of Jerusalem to Palestine; and if he will, inform the Arab League that this henchman of Hitler's is an enemy of the British Empire and a war criminal, and that he will be treated as such.

I have received no request of this nature; the second part of the Question does not therefore arise.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is time some definite relationship was determined as between this individual and the British Government?

We must get the man first.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is now able to give the names of the British members of the Commission on Palestine.

I hope to make a statement on this subject very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any statement to make on the civil war in China, in view of the gravity of its repercussions in British trading interests; and what active steps he is taking towards the ending of this situation.

Armed clashes on a considerable scale between the Chinese Government troops and the Chinese Communists have taken place, more especially in North China. Mean-while, negotiations between the Chinese Government and the Communists continue. The Chinese Government also announced recently the postponement of the convocation of the National People's Assembly until 5th May next year, to permit of its being preceded by the meeting of a Political Consultative Council representative of all parties, which will have authority to discuss, and if possible settle, the points at issue between the Chinese Government and the Communists.

His Majesty's Government regard this as an internal problem for the Chinese themselves to resolve. Although there is no evidence that British trading interests have so far been directly affected by the dispute, I am most anxious to see a settlement.

Is the Minister aware that arms are being supplied to either side by two of the old great Allies, and is there not a danger that this might develop into a second Spain? Will the Minister and the Government do what they can to prevent that situation arising?

I am not certain of that. I have no evidence that arms are being supplied in that way.

Will the Foreign Minister state whether discussions with the Soviet Union and America have taken place on the general situation in China?

Have not the leaders of the Soviet Union made a declaration that they recognise one Government in China —that of the Kuomintang?

They recognise us, but they suffer a bit from the hon. Member's party at times.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when he is going to implement the promise made to the hon. Member for Cardiff, South, by announcing the new terms of employment for schoolmasters in the Royal Navy.

As I informed the hon. Member for South Cardiff (Mr. Callaghan) on 20th November, Naval school- masters will be granted commissioned rank, and the problems of detail inherent in this decision are already under active consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will now state the revised post war conditions of service for Royal Navy schoolmasters.

It will not be possible to announce the final post war conditions of service for Royal Navy schoolmasters in advance of those for Naval officers generally. As I informed the hon. Member in my reply of 20th November, then-conditions of service in the interim period are under active consideration.

Have any appreciable number of the "hostilities only" schoolmasters expressed a desire to turn over to active service?

A certain number. I have not got the number in my head, but I will let the hon. and gallant Member know.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that many fishermen are anxious to acquire motor fishing vessels from his Department; whether any vessels are now available; and whether they are to be sold direct by his Department or under arrangements made with the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Secretary of State for Scotland.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir." The information sought in the second part of the Question is contained in the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) on 14th November. With regard to the third part of the Question, any vessels which may become surplus at home will be sold by the Admiralty, but only after consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Scottish Home Departments.

Will any sale be on a basis that a fair chance will be given to the smaller fishing fleets of the South coast?

There is nothing to prevent them bidding, but I think we should take the highest bid, whoever makes it. There will be great variety and different sizes —45 feet, 60 feet, 70 feet and 90 feet boats —but I do not think they will be shut out.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will consider giving fishermen the first refusal of any Admiralty vessels of possible use to them whenever it is decided that these vessels are for disposal.

All Admiralty surplus fishing vessels will be offered for sale in the first place to fishermen.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will en sure that any Admiralty vessels offered for sale to fishermen are priced at the lowest possible level.

The intention is to negotiate prices on the principle laid down in the White Paper on disposals, that is, prices fair and reasonable in relation to the current prices of similar craft.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind, when these prices are fixed, that these fishermen form the backbone of the Royal Navy, and will he keep the prices, in view of this fact,' as low as possible?

Will the Minister give priority to ex-members of the Royal Navy?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why release of naval V.A.D. s is being delayed compared with V.A.D. s with the R.A.F. and the Army.

Compared with the Army and the R.A.F., the Navy has throughout the war, and still is, responsible for a larger proportion of the hospital treatment of its own personnel. The duties of the medical branch of the Royal Navy have not, therefore, diminished to the same extent as in the other Services. The entry of recruits and the closing down of auxiliary hospitals should result in a speeding up of the release of Naval V.A.D.s. The closing down of three auxiliary hospitals is now being actively considered.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a real feeling of grievance that some of these girls are not fully occupied and that quicker release could be made, compared with what is happening in the other two Services?

I am not aware that there is, in relation to the number of beds to be covered, any real lag behind in the Naval V.A.D. but I shall be glad to look into any specific case brought to my notice.

Is the Minister aware that, at a naval hospital in Dumbartonshire recently there were seven nurses in charge of six patients, and does he not think that, at least, one of them is redundant?

Is it not a fact that this trouble with Naval V.A.D.s is largely due to the fact that there is a shortage of sick-berth stewards in the Navy at the present time?

Yes, there has been a severe shortage of sick-berth ratings because, in the earlier part of the war, very few of the men joining the Navy wanted to go into that branch —they all wanted to go into the fighting branch of the Service —and we are having difficulty now in getting them trained.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the groups being released from the R.N. this month and the comparative release groups of men serving under T124/X engagement.

The branches which are common to the T124/X personnel and R.N. General Service are the supply and engine-room branches. By 31st December we are scheduled to reach group 25 in the supply branch and group 26 in the engine-room branch. This applies both to the T124/X and general service personnel. The average rate of release for the Royal Navy will, by that time, have reached group 31.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why, on 9th November, Group 24 was still waiting in Ceylon, while Group 36 had been reached in other naval bases in India; and what the position is now.

As hon. Members are already aware, it is impossible to release the different branches of the Royal Navy at the same rate. So far as I know, there has been no case of difference in the rate of return to this country of groups of ratings of the same branch in Ceylon and India. If the hon. and gallant Member has any specific cases in mind, and will let me have details, I shall be glad to have them investigated.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the rate of release of V.A.D.s, who are serving with the R.N., is based upon the same principles as those applicable to V.A.D.s serving with the Army and the R.A.F., or what principles are being applied to the demobilisation of these women.

Yes, Sir.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether he will now say if demobilised naval personnel will receive an additional day's release leave with pay for each month's overseas service; and if appropriate payments will be made to those already demobilised.

Recent improvements in the foreign service leave schemes of the Army and the Royal Air Force upset the relativity of the Naval scheme. To restore the balance, it has now been decided to grant Naval personnel additional leave on release on the basis of one day's leave for each completed period of three months overseas service. This new leave, which will be known as "Special Overseas Service Leave," will not be granted in respect of service abroad for which foreign Service leave is granted on dispersal. This decision will apply retrospectively to all personnel dispersed since 18th June, 1945, in both Class A and Class B.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this concession will apply to the R.A.F. personnel serving in the Fleet Air Arm?

I am not sure that this personnel is not already covered by the R.A.F. regulations, but I will look into it.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that C.E.R.A.s and E.R.A.s holding C.P.O. rank are being detailed on some ships for patrol duties; and will he take steps to ensure that these skilled and experienced ratings do not have their already heavy duties increased in this manner.

Chief and engine room artificers are not customarily required to undertake duties such as patrols except in case of necessity. They are, however, required to be capable of such duties and their employment on them must be left to the discretion of the commanding officer of the ship.

Can my right hon. Friend give us an assurance that this will not become the general practice?

I have indicated that it does not generally so happen, but conditions vary so much from time to time that you must give the commanding officer some discretion.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that contrary to Art. 626 of K.R. & A.I., C.E.R.A.s are being placed in messes separate from E.R.A.s in H.M. L.S.T.s; and will he take steps to bring this practice to an end.

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. Can we have this Question translated first?

Perhaps the First Lord understands it. I do not.

The design of these ships had to be settled as a matter of the highest operational urgency before the final complement had been fixed. The present arrangements which provided for one C.E.R.A. being placed in the chief petty officers' mess, were made with a view to accommodating the men as comfortably as possible. The possibility of enlarging the engine room artificers' mess is under consideration.

What does L.S.T. stand for?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in some of these vessels arrangements have already been made whereby chief engine room artificers can mess together, and will he look into the matter again with a view to making this the practice in them all?

I will look into that.

If there are to be any more of these L.S.T.s built, will the First Lord have a fresh look at the question of accommodation on board, because it is very poor at the moment?

The principal purpose of a landing ship tank is to accommodate tanks, and we try to do it with as small a crew as possible.

Will my right hon. Friend make sure there are some decent tanks to put in them?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the increased cost of living, he will consider raising the service pensions of officers and men of the R.N.

Naval officers' retired pay has already been largely adjusted in relation to the change in the cost of living by the operation of the Pensions Increase Scheme which affects retired pay of less than £6oo a year. Naval ratings are, for the most part, in receipt of pensions on the 1919 scale. These were based on a cost of living figure higher than that prevailing today, and have suffered no cost of living cuts. Nevertheless, they are eligible for increases of up to 30 per cent, subject to the usual conditions of age, and means, under the Pensions Increase Scheme.

Will the First Lord consider reviewing this matter in connection with postwar Service conditions?

The whole of the postwar conditions are under examination, and I will have a look at the proposals as soon as they come up, to see how the position of retired pay is affected.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that there is no education officer in Singapore, so that officers who are shortly to be demobilised are at a disadvantage with regard to the Forces preliminary examination; and if he will remedy this matter.

I am pleased to inform my hon. Friend that an officer of the schoolmaster branch was transferred to Singapore early in November. In addition, an officer of the instructor branch will shortly leave for Singapore to take up the post of Port Education Officer.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will give instructions forthwith for the release of a factory in Lower Kent Street, Leicester, particulars of which have been sent to him, since it is nearly empty and is required for ex port trade purposes.

I hope to be able to release these premises in the Spring of next year.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the gross emoluments, including family allowances, payable to a lieutenant in the R.N. serving in Far Eastern waters and the pay of an officer of similar rank serving in the same theatre under T124/X engagement.

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

asked the Minister of Food the quantity of cereals grown in the United Kingdom during the year 1945 which has been assigned for brewing, distilling, the food of the people and feeding-stuffs, respectively.

The estimated usage of the cereals grown in the United Kingdom during the crop year 1945 –46, in thousands of tons, is as follows:

asked the Minister of Food if any machinery exists where by persons desirous of relinquishing a proportion of their points in order to send food to the starving populations of Europe are enabled to do so; and if not, will he make the necessary arrangements together with appropriate publicity.

The answer to both parts of the Question is "No, Sir."

Is my right hon. Friend aware that public opinion in this country is entirely opposed to the attitude which he is adopting; that a large meeting at the Albert Hall recently protested in favour of voluntary contributions? May I have an answer to that question?

No, I am not aware of it.

Then will the Minister himself please attend the next meeting on this subject?

The hon. Gentleman must ask questions in the proper way.

I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give an assurance that full use will continue to be made of the milk-producing potentialities of those areas in Scotland which were out- with the operations of the Milk Marketing Board at the outbreak of the war, but which have since been included, or are about to be included, in their operations.

I can give the hon. Member the assurance for which he asks while the present system of control continues.

asked the Minister of Food if he will consider increasing the ration allowances, particularly eggs, milk, cheese and butter, to tubercular cases; and consider making more fish available to these cases.

Tuberculous patients are allowed a priority supply of 14 pints of milk a week in addition to normal rations and allowances, and I am advised that this provision is adequate for their needs. Fish is not rationed, and the amount which may be purchased is not restricted by order.

Would the Minister tell us how he has arrived at the decision that this rationing is adequate?

I am advised by my experts in the medical profession.

asked the Minister of Food the grounds for refusal of a catering licence to the Barnet Young Conservative Youth Centre.

Owing to the shortage of food no licences are at present being granted to clubs such as that mentioned by the hon. Member which did not previously provide catering facilities unless real hardship would be caused if the licence were withheld.

Is it not a fact that this licence was twice unanimously recommended by the local food committee, and that every other youth centre was granted a catering licence on that occasion?

These licences are only granted where the Minister of Education recommends them. [Laughter] I repeat that. I am not looking after any one political party on this issue, and in this case I am advised that I shall be unable to give a licence without adding many hundreds of others.

Will the Minister say whether the Leicester Road Club in Barnet has not a licence, and whether that Club is not run by the chairman of the Labour Party?

I must remind the hon. and gallant Member that the rules for questions apply to supplementary questions, and these lay down that a question must not contain inferences or imputations.

Is the Minister of Education frightened of the youth of Barnet being educated in Conservative principles?

asked the Minister of Food if he will take steps to ensure that, at the first auction, boxes of fish are so labelled that they show whether the fish contained comes from the near, middle or distant waters and the date upon which the fish was caught.

No, Sir.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman on what data he has formed his reply of "No"?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he hopes to be able to state if it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to extend the Development Areas provisions of the Distribution of Industry Act, so as to bring industrial development to the Islands and Highlands of Scotland.

My right hon. Friend is in close consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland in the matter. It is not our present intention to propose the scheduling of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland as a Development Area. Our aim is to secure a stable and high rate of employment throughout the country, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has already initiated a series of measures designed to facilitate, the development of the economic resources of the Highlands. We shall continue to give full consideration to any proposal to attract or expand industries in these areas.

Is my hon. Friend aware that we are extremely alarmed at the continuity of lack of policy; that as far as the Highlands are concerned the only developments taking place are for the export of power for the rehabilitation of other parts of Scotland; and that we would like some development in the Highlands for ourselves?

Controversy has taken place in this House in regard to the advisability of the industrialisation of the Highlands of Scotland, but there are other areas of Scotland besides the Highlands about which we are very concerned, and a relatively large number of unemployed are in those areas. The Highlands will benefit from the introduction of hydro-electrical development, and from the Herring Industry, the Rural Water Supply and other Acts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the total number of licences granted to traders who have acquired the goodwill of existing businesses; and the number granted to co-operative societies, multiple stores and other traders, respectively;

(2) the total number of retail business licences granted for the opening of new retail businesses up to the last available date; the number granted to multiple stores, co-operative societies and other traders.

Between 1st January 1942, when the Location of Retail Businesses Order came into force, and September 30th, 1945, 17,849 licences were granted for the opening of new businesses. Of these, 327 were granted to multiple stores; 94 to co-operative societies, and 17,428 to other traders. During the same period, 17,146 licences were granted to traders who had acquired the goodwill of existing businesses. Of these, 370 were granted to multiple stores; 338 to co-operative societies; and 16,438 to other traders.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will arrange for the granting of priorities of deliveries for machinery necessary for the production of chemicals and raw materials required for the production of goods for export purposes; and what administrative machinery is available for representations to be made by manufacturers who wish to apply for such priorities.

Owing to the difficulty in assessing priorities between one user of machinery and another, it is generally best to leave the machinery makers and their customers to decide on the order of delivery. But special arrangements can be made for exceptional cases which deserve overriding priority. In these cases, the machinery-user should submit his case to the department which deals with his industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantity of plantation rubber and latex he anticipates it will be possible to ship to this country during the next 12 months.

The International Rubber Study Group at its recent meeting estimated that supplies of natural rubber available in 1946 might reach approximately 600,000 tons. It is not yet possible, however, to say in what proportion supplies will be allocated among the various consuming countries.

Has my hon. Friend read in this Question the words:

'it will be possible to ship to this country during the next 12 months"?

There are certain home needs that will have to be considered, and if my hon. Friend has any special case he would like to be considered by the Department and will send it along to us, we will see that consideration is given to it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the heavy damage caused in Folkestone and Hythe and the dislocation of trade which still exists, he will have a report prepared on the industrial and economic situation of these two towns.

No, Sir. Our regional controller and those of the other Departments concerned are in close touch with the situation in these two towns and we see no reason to ask for a special report.