asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether he will publish a list of the Royal Ordnance factories which will be engaged wholly or partly on the manufacture of housing components, together with details of the components to be made at each factory, and estimates of output.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Enfield (Mr. Ernest Davies) on 3rd December.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if his attention has been called to the fact that a large number of motor cars are standing in the open and deteriorating at the Ministry of Supply storage depot at Chobham, Surrey; has any estimate been made of the loss incurred through depreciation of these motor cars; and is he satisfied that steps have been taken to eliminate such loss.

Of the motor cars now in the Ministry of Supply depot at Chobham, only seven are not military type open two-seaters. There is little or no civilian demand for these two-seaters, but we are adapting as fast as possible all that are needed for the training of Army drivers. It is not possible to assess the depreciation of these vehicles through standing in the open but there is no covered storage for them.

Have any of these cars recently been moved from this storage depot?

They are moved away as they are reconditioned, of course.

How has the Minister ascertained that there is no demand for them?

The Ministry of Transport have not received any requests for permits to buy them.

Will the Minister receive a request, if I make one to him, on behalf of an ex-Service man whose car was requisitioned and who cannot buy another one?

With the greatest pleasure.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production why during November there were a large number of practically unused Morris and Buick motor cars parked in the open at the Ministry of Supply storage depot at Great Missenden, Bucks; when he hopes to be able to dispose of all these motor cars; and how many it is estimated are fit for immediate use.

During the last few weeks five Morris and seven Buick motor cars have been returned to us by the U.S. Army and taken into the depot at Great Missenden. They all need repair and those which the Ministry of War Transport do not require for the use of other Government Departments will be made available for civilian use as soon as the motor industry can recondition them.

:asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production what is the present rate of delivery to U.N.R.R.A. of the lorries so badly needed for relief in the liberated countries.

U.N.R.R.A. has placed requirements for the supply from this country of 14,248 motor vehicles, of which 10,230 fall to be supplied by me from surplus Service stocks. Of these 10,230, 6,622 have already been supplied and deliveries to the docks are continuing at a steady rate of about 100 a day, which is as fast as U.N.R.R.A. is able to ship them.

Is the Minister aware that, according to the most recent information from a most reliable witness, I am informed that the chief difficulty in shifting the necessary food is absence of transport, and will he treat this matter as one of military urgency?

I can assure the hon. Member I realise to the full the tragic urgency of this matter. We have already sent nearly 7,000 vehicles, and they are going forward now at the rate of 100 a day, which is as many as can be shipped.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many motor lorries have recently been authorised for purchase and how many are to be lent by Britain to the Spanish Government; if he has figures of the number lent by the U.S.A.; and for what purpose these lorries are being sent to Spain.

I have been asked to reply. No vehicles have been lent or sold by the British Government to Spain and I have no information of any loan of vehicles by the U.S.A. I am informed by my right hon. and learned Friend the President of the Board of Trade that, since January, 1945, licences have been granted for the export of 40 commercial vehicles to Spain against normal commercial orders.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that on terminating their occupation of military sites in this country American units, in some instances, have destroyed and burned their valuable equipment; and whether he will take steps to secure such of this equipment as may be serviceable for use in this country.

I have been asked to reply. I was not aware of any such destruction and I am informed that a direct order was issued to United States troops prohibiting the destruction of property, personal or otherwise. The disposal in this country of United States military stores is under constant review in consultation with the United States authorities.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when certain huts were being removed they were destroyed and some burned, and that, in some cases, furniture which was in the huts was also destroyed; and will the right hon. Gentleman take steps, if I bring these matters to his attention, to acquire such property for civilian use in this country?

Certainly, Sir. If the hon. Gentleman will send me particulars of the matters to which he refers, I will have the information conveyed to the proper quarter.

May I ask my right hon Friend whether the answer that he gave about the instructions against the destruction of property apply equally to fixed or semi-fixed fixtures in American camps?

I understand that that was so.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if he will explain the circumstances in which the Control of Paper (No. 70) (Economy) Order, 1945; dated 10th November, was decided upon as necessary for maintaining supplies and services essential to the life of the community.

I have been asked to reply. Paper is essential for many supplies and services. An adequate supply must therefore be maintained and be used for the most advantageous purposes from the national point of view.

As the continuance of this control is depriving the public of much essential information, can the Minister say when he expects to be able to remove the control?

No, I cannot say at the present time.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if he will cause rubber boots for farm workers in Kent to be more rapidly available than is at present the case.

I have been asked to reply. I have no evidence of any delay recently in the supply of rubber boots to farm workers, but if the hon. Member has any particular case in mind, I shall be pleased to look into it.

Is the Minister aware that I know a farm worker who required some rubber boots last January, that it took him four months to get the permit, and that he has not got the boots yet? Is there any chance of his getting them soon?

If the hon. Gentleman will send me particulars of the case, I will have it looked into as promised.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the limitation placed on provincial newspapers which are unable to in crease their size, thereby excluding re ports of all new activities and even revived old activities; and, in order that the public may be fully informed on matters of international, national and local importance, he will make increased supplies of newsprint available for such purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can hold out any hope of increasing the supply of paper to local weekly newspapers who fulfil a useful purpose in providing news of local interest in their respective districts.

I am well aware of the public importance, on the grounds stated in these Questions, of making increased supplies of newsprint available to the Press generally as soon as may be. But I am afraid that, for the present, it is not possible to increase the allocations.

Can the Minister give any indication when it is likely to be available, since it is undoubtedly a denial if a free Press?

I cannot do so at the present time. It depends partly upon what happens as regards dollar loans and other matters.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will instruct the local price regulation committees to give more than three days' notice before considering applications, in view of the fact that local chambers of commerce and other organisations concerned cannot properly prepare their cases in the short time allowed; and how much notice was given in cases 5148/129 at Hortus Corner, Hythe, and 5609/135 at 25, High Street, Hythe.

The practice of local licensing committees in this matter is not uniform. The committee for the South Eastern Region publish weekly notices of applications for licences. Local bodies wishing to make representations in any particular case are asked to give preliminary notice of their intention to do so within three days and to lodge representations within a further period of seven days. A longer period of notice would involve undue delay in reaching decisions with consequential hardship to applicants. The usual procedure was followed in the cases to which the hon. and gallant Member refers, but no preliminary notice was received in respect of either of them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement regarding the steps he is taking to enable boarding houses and hotels in Defence Areas to be re-equipped and reopened for the holiday season in 1946.

I am taking all practicable steps to increase the production of the goods which hotels require for their re-equipment. These are, of course, the same goods as are most urgently needed by housewives.

Can the Minister give some slight priority to these people?

I am afraid that would not be welcomed by the housewives.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now consider extending the variety of design permitted in utility furniture production.

Yes, Sir. My Advisory Committee have been working for some time at a number of new designs. Some new models have already been put into production, and more will be available in the coming months.

Will other types of timber be incorporated in the new designs?

We intend to use every type of timber we can that is suitable for the furniture.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the resentment felt by pipe smokers at the recent advance in price, he will control the price of pipe tobacco.

No, Sir. There has been no recent general advance in the price of pipe tobacco. The recent rise in prices only affects certain brands of pipe tobacco made by the Imperial Tobacco Company and is due to an increase in their working costs.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that his department are occupying a block of 12 flats at West Walk, Leicester, that could house 12 families and that alternative accommodation has been offered them at Princess Road, Leicester; and when these flats will be de-requisitoned.

Yes, Sir. The alternative accommodation proposed is not at Princess Road, Leicester, but consists of old houses which it will take some time to render fit for occupation. When they are ready, the flats at West Walk will be evacuated by my Department.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made by the Commission sent to survey the available timber in Germany obtainable as part of reparations; will the timber be suitable for housing; and when and at what rate will supplies be delivered to this country.

The mission has reported and steps are being taken to organise export from Germany, but as yet I am not able to give estimates as to quantities. Some of the timber will certainly be suitable for housing.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the working party for the cotton industry will be instructed to study and comment on the Evershed Commission Report on the Cotton Spinning Industry.

The report of the Evershed Commission will, of course, be of great interest to the working party, who will no doubt study it closely. As I stated to the House, however, on 15th October, I have made it clear to the chairmen of working parties that matter? concerning the relations between employers and employees, which are dealt with by employers' federations and trade unions, should be considered outside their scope.

Will the working party be able to make a full and adequate report without taking into full consideration and incorporationg part of the Ever-shed Report into their own report?

I should imagine so, but, of course, they can refer to it if they wish.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now state his policy for the importation of raw cotton.

This matter is still under consideration.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say if the future of the cotton futures market is also under consideration?

It is.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the shortage of household linen and the difficulty of replacement, he will encourage the manufacture and distribution of real linen thread suitable for repairing household linen.

Yes, Sir. There is already an allocation of flax for the manufacture of linen thread, and I hope that next year larger supplies of thread will be available for civilian use.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that American buyers of luxury rayon materials are at present in Britain anxious to buy British materials; and will he take prompt steps to enable manufacturers to obtain export licences.

I am glad to say that production has been improving, and I hope that it will shortly be possible to relax the export restrictions. In the meantime there is nothing to prevent exporters from accepting provisional orders.

Does the right hon and learned Gentleman know that, in one case at least, these goods were processed some time ago specially for America, that the firm in question is unable to get export licences, and that the American buyers are here in this country at the moment and will shortly have to go away?

If the hon. and gallant Member will send me particulars of that case, I will look into it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if trade calendars can now be sent to foreign countries without prior payment.

Yes, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider removing the S.R. & O. which makes it obligatory for a charge to be made when sending out trade calendars, in view of the fact that to comply with this order firms are obliged to write to every customer inquiring if they would like a calendar, involving expenditure and wastage on stamps, envelopes, etc., at a total approximate cost of 6d.

Since 19th November the gratuitous distribution of trade calendars and other advertising circulars has been permitted up to 20 per cen. of the weight so distributed before the war or 1 cwt. whichever is the greater. Moreover, it is no longer necessary to ask for payment in advance in respect of a circular which may not be gratuitously distributed.

May I ask my right hon. and learned Friend whether I can have back the penny stamp I paid down for a trade diary?

My hon. Friend had better ask the person to whom he sent it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when it is intended to dispose of the large stocks of C.D. equipment and clothing now lying at various dumps.

Civil Defence equipment and clothing which is the Government's property is being steadily cleared, but I am considering what steps can be taken to speed up the disposal.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he is permitting the importation of manufactured box boards when the English sawmilling and box making industry is not fully occupied owing to the cessation of contracts from Government purchasing departments.

Adequate supplies of the timber required by certain branches of the box making industry are not at present available, but some imports of manufactured box boards can be obtained and thus increase the total supplies available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why a furrier, who has sold a fur collar, is forbidden by Statutory Order from sewing it on the customer's cloth coat.

The prohibition of fur trimmings on women's coats was introduced in order to secure the most economical use of labour and material. Discussions are now proceeding with the trade interests concerned with a view to settling a convenient date early next year for the removal of this and other style restrictions on women's wear.

How is it an economy of labour if someone other than the furrier is permitted to sew the fur collar on the customer's coat?

I think that the hon. Gentleman had better ask my predecessor who put this Order into operation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has considered the letter sent to him from an orthopaedic surgeon drawing attention to the effect upon children's health of the poor quality of children's shoes now being sold in the Cheltenham area; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

I regret that I cannot identify the letter referred to by the hon. Member; but if he will give me further details, I will look into the matter.

Is the Minister aware that I sent that letter to him a week ago, and can he give an undertaking that the quality will be improved in view of the fact that it has a serious effect on their health?

The quality of children's shoes is, on the average, not inferior to what it was prewar.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many applications for the release of agricultural workers under Class B have been received by the Leicester W.A.E.C.; how many such applications have been supported and forwarded to his Department by the Committee; in how many cases has his Department recommended release; and how many releases have actually been obtained.

One hundred and nine applications for Class B release under the individual specialist scheme of persons formerly engaged in agriculture have been received by the Leicestershire War Agricultural Executive Committee. Of this number 18 were supported by the Committee and forwarded to my Department which recommended release in five cases. Release has been approved in three cases; one application was rejected by the appropriate authority and the decision in the remaining case is awaited.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the new statement regarding the widening of the scope of block releases which he sent in a recent letter will involve reconsideration of cases which have been previously rejected either by his Ministry or by Service Departments?

The statement made by my right hon. Friend will involve block releases; releases will no longer be confined exclusively to specialists.

Will it involve reconsideration of cases previously refused?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what progress has been made in consultations between his Department and the County Councils' Association on the subject of smallholdings policy; and if he is now in a position to authorise county councils to proceed to supply the great demand for smallholdings in many counties by ex-Servicemen and others.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for South-West Norfolk (Mr. Dye) on 15th October last.

Will my right hon. Friend consider that the men who have been fighting for their country ought to have a piece of land to which to come home, and on which they may desire to earn their own living?

Certainly, Sir, but I would not recommend any ex-Service or other man to enter upon a smallholding without having acquired some knowledge of the undertaking.

Is the Minister aware that men with qualifications, experience and capital are eager to enter a smallholding and that his Ministry does nothing to help?

I am equally satisfied that there is a great demand for houses in this country, too.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when the scheme for resettlement grants, announced by the Minister of Labour to the House of Commons on 15th February last, is to be extended for the benefit of those wishing to resettle in agriculture.

This month, I hope.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will alter the constitution of the Council of Agriculture for England so as to allow for the representation of industrial interests and thus strengthen the link between industry and agriculture.

The Council of Agriculture for England was set up to assist my Department in executing its powers and duties and there is accordingly no statutory provision for the representation of non-agricultural interests on the Council. My hon. Friend's suggestion would necessitate amending legislation, which would not, in my view, be justified on this account.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when the Report of the Farm Buildings Committee is to be published; and what action he proposes to take on the recommendations contained in the Report.

The Farm Buildings Committee appointed by my predecessor in November, 1942, to consider and make recommendations regarding the lay-out, design and construction of farm buildings after the war, reported to him in March of this year. The report is to be published tomorrow. I am circulating in the Official Report a statement of the action I propose to take on its recommendations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will now issue instructions to county W.A.E.C.s to forward all applications for Class B releases to agriculture which they have received and rejected since VE-Day without requiring applicants to re-apply.

No, Sir. The new arrangements for the release of agricultural workers will be conducted under a block release system and individual applications are not necessary. I am sending to the hon. Member a statement explaining the arrangements for the release of agricultural workers under the Class B block release scheme.

Can the Minister say whether the arrangements which he has announced apply to Scotland as well as to England and Wales?

Certainly, Sir.

Will the Minister publish it in Hansard?

Does Northern Ireland get its proper share in proportion to its size?

I presume so.

Mr. Ernest Davies.

May we be told whether it can be published in Hansard?

I have called the next Question.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he will state the total number of Government employees in Newfoundland; the approximate percentage belonging to trade unions; and the numbers employed in the most important services.

As the answer includes a number of figures, I will, with the Member's permission, circulate it in the Official Report.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what progress is being made to wards emigration schemes from this country to each of the Dominions

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Southend (Mr. Channon) on 19th November, to which I have nothing to add.

Will the Minister assure the House that, in these matters, it is not a question of a shortage of shipping which has precluded the immediate taking up of these schemes?

So far as migration is concerned, we are very anxious to have agreement with the Dominions, and it depends on when the Dominions can receive people as to what arrangements will be made.

asked the Under-secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if in view of the contemplated acquisition of the railways of Great Britain and Northern Ireland by the State, he will inquire of the Governments of Canada and Australia as to the results of the State management of railways in these Dominions previous to the outbreak of war and lay the replies before the House.

Detailed information as to the working of Government-owned railways in the Dominions is contained in official publications issued by the respective Governments, and my Noble Friend sees no reason for any special inquiry.

Would not the Undersecretary think it desirable, in view of the statement made with regard to the nationalisation of transport in this country, that further inquiries should be made into the circumstances under which these projects were a complete failure?

I cannot accept the view that they were a complete failure. The hon. Member will find that most of the Dominions have very successfully operated Government railway undertakings.

May I suggest that the Minister should put the whole of these Reports in the Library so that we can have a look at them?

If there is any demand for that, we will be pleased to consider it.

Will the Minister simultaneously study the services and financial results of those railways run by private enterprise?

asked the Under-secretary of State for India why officer Groups 21 to 24 of the Indian Army have had their release dates deferred.

Group 21 of the Indian Army had been called forward by the Government of India and was either in transit camp or en route thereto at the time it was decided in October that the release programme for officers would have to be revised. This group proceeded by sea to the United Kingdom during November for release. In regard to Groups 22 to 24, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Bewdley (Major Conant) on 12th November.

asked the Under-secretary of State for India if he is aware that in the amending of electoral rolls in Orissa, the factory owners are alone to supply the names of eligible factory workers; and if he will take other steps to secure the compilation of a true register.

As my hon. Friend will be aware, one seat out of a total of 60 in the Orissa Legislative Assembly is reserved for a representative of Labour. In connection with the preparation of the electoral roll for this Labour constituency only, the electoral rules provide that the registering authority shall call upon factory or mine managers to supply the names of eligible workers employed in the factory or mine. In addition the elections officer is required to call upon every recognised trade union operating in the Province to supply a similar list of its members and officials who are qualified to be included in the roll. I have not received any information indicating that a true register is not being compiled.

Is not the Minister aware that there is very strong complaint about this matter of selecting representatives from the factories, and would it not be better to deal through the recognised trade union officials, or to get the shop stewards to deal with the matter instead of the managers?

I have already said that I have not received any complaints, and I refer the hon. Member to the fact that, in my answer, I said that we do utilise the activities of trade union officials.

But is the Minister aware that, according to cables received here, it is the managers who select the representatives, and that that is a very undesirable state of affairs?

Nevertheless, it is the law.

But cannot we change the law?

Can the Minister tell us what proportion of the names included in the trade union list does not appear on the list compiled by the factory managers?

asked the Under-secretary of State for India what are the arrangements for allowing the different parties in India to broadcast their policies during the elections.

No arrangements have been made to allow the different parties in India to broadcast their policies during the elections.

Why is this, seeing that this country benefited by the broadcasts made in this country?

I am informed by the Government of India that an attempt to grant equal facilities to all parties in India to broadcast their full policies would be attended with great difficulties.

Is it not a fact that not more than one family in 90 has a wireless set in India, so who on earth would listen to it if we did broadcast?

Does my hon. and learned Friend appreciate that broadcasting even to the 30,000,000 electors in India would be of great value, and as we overcame the difficulty in regard to small parties in this country, could it not be done over there?

I do not think the setup of political parties in India is quite as easy a matter as it is in this country.

asked the Under-secretary of State for India if he is aware that in the Punjab the announcement regarding the revision of electoral rolls was made in the Press on 29th September, 1945; that the names of the offices where applications were to be made was announced in Lahore on 3rd October, 1945; that such announcement was not made outside Lahore until a later date; that the announcement was by news-item only and not by beat of drums or poster; and that the last date for applications for names to be placed on the register was fixed for 9th October, 1945; whether he is satisfied that the register compiled in these circumstances is a correct register of those entitled to vote; and what steps he will take to cause a further register to be properly compiled in the Punjab before the forthcoming elections.

I have no information on the points raised by the hon. Member and the Governor of the Punjab is being asked for a report. I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as this report is available.

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that, as many of these electors are illiterate, a news-item is of no value so far as providing information about the election is concerned, and was there any arrangement of any kind made to get a Parliamentary delegation from Yugoslavia to visit India to see that the election is conducted fairly?

asked the Under-secretary of State for India if he is aware that in Sind Province every application for inclusion on the electoral register has to pass through a judicial inquiry by a subordinate judge for final disposal; and whether this is compatible with the conduct of free elections.

Applications for inclusion on the Sind electoral register do not have to pass through a judicial inquiry by a subordinate judge for final disposal as suggested in my hon. Friend's Question. It is only at a later stage that any claims or objections that might be submitted have to be disposed of by the revising authorities, who are subordinate judges, except in Karachi, where the revising authority is the judge of the Small Causes Court.

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that in this matter also there have been many serious protests; and in view of the fact that under Tory rule the Indians were more accustomed to bullets than to ballots, will he make it as easy as possible to enable people to ballot?

If my hon. Friend will give me any particulars as to when the law has not been carried out, I will certainly look into them.

Is the hon. Gentle man who put that supplementary question aware that prominent Members on this side of the House were members of the Indian Franchise Committee which framed the franchise upon which—

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. Is it in Order for the right hon. Gentleman to ask a question of the hon. Gentleman across the Floor of the House?

I do not mind if I can answer it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he is aware that in the Punjab illiterate voters have to state, in the presence of the election officer and the agents of all the candidates, for whom they wish to vote; and whether any steps will be taken to obviate this violation of the principle of secret ballot.

It is not the case that illiterate voters in the Punjab are compelled to act in the manner suggested. The relevant Punjab Electoral rule provides that, if any elector is, by reason of illiteracy or infirmity, unable to vote in the ordinary way, the presiding officer shall, at his request, and in the view of any polling agents representing the candidates who are present, make a cross on the ballot paper according to the direction of the elector and shall cause the ballot paper so marked to be placed in the ballot box.

I am not quite clear whether I heard the beginning of that answer, in view of the talk which is going on here, but I would ask my hon. and learned Friend whether he agrees that the state of affairs as outlined in my Question exists, and is authorised to exist by the law to which he referred earlier?

No. Sir, on the contrary, I said just the opposite. I said it is not the case that illiterate voters in the Punjab are compelled to act in the manner suggested. I then quoted the rule, but if my hon. Friend has any information showing that the rule is not being observed, I will look into it.

But is it not a fact that the illiterate voter in the Punjab has to indicate on the paper where his X is to be placed, and the names of the candidates are visible to the agents and to the presiding officer, so, therefore, substantially the facts suggested in the Question are accurate?

No, Sir. Unless the elector makes the request, the presiding officer does not take the action suggested.

Does that mean that he does not vote unless he makes a request?

That is for the electors.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he is aware that in the recent provision of the electoral rolls in the Punjab, a 12-anna revenue stamp was required to be affixed to each application for registration; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this state of affairs.

In view of the limited time available to bring the electoral rolls up to date for the forthcoming elections, the Governor of the Punjab made rules under which the rolls are levised on the basis of applications from the individuals affected. A fee of 12 annas was imposed under these rules to discourage frivolous applications, which could not have been dealt with in the time available. No action could now be taken by the Governor to change this system as the elections are due to begin soon and must be completed by the end of February.

Would my hon. and learned Friend say whether that particular Regulation made by the Governor is also allowed to him by the rule to which my hon. and learned Friend referred earlier, and whether he agrees with it?

I am not concerned to express my agreement; I am here to indicate the facts in reply to my hon. Friend's Question. All I can say is that the rule to which he refers was made by the Governor in his own judgment, and is therefore well within his constitutional powers.

Is there any other Province where the same principle operates?

No, Sir.

Then does it not seem to be rather an anomalous position, to which the attention of the Viceroy should be drawn?

I can draw the attention of the Governor to this, but I am afraid it is now too late for him to do anything about it.

I must point out that this House is not responsible for everything which the Governors in India do; they are responsible on their own account for their actions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he is aware of the fact that the election campaign amongst the workers of Jamshedpur is seriously handicapped by the fact that since 1940 no less than 30 of their leaders have been expelled from Jamshedpur, and will he take steps to advise the Bihar Provincial Government that these expulsion orders arc incompatible with the holding of free elections.

I have no information on this matter but am making inquiries. I will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

May I ask the Under-secretary of State for India if he has any information as to the time which the gentlemen who arc asking these Questions have been in India?

Is the Under-Secretary aware that I was in India until last May, and that I, also, have been asking Questions?

Is the Under-Secretary aware, following the supplementary question raised by the hon. Gentleman opposite, that I am as much entitled to speak about India as he is entitled to speak about the working-class? In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the several replies given to myself and to the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher) to the series of Questions which we have been asking, I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment on an early occasion.

asked the Under-secretary of State for India whether, as the monsoons this year have been below the average, he can give an assurance that both he and his advisers in India are satisfied about the food situation, especially in Bengal, and have no cause for apprehension of famine.

The food situation in India will continue to require constant watching but my Noble Friend, who is in continuous touch with the Government of India on this subject, sees no cause for apprehension of famine whether in Bengal or elsewhere in India.

It is not a fact that, in places where in the past this situation has prevailed, there have been complaints of no special steps being taken to avoid it, and are any special steps being taken to avoid it in future?

If the hon. Member would care to put down a Question next week, I will endeavour to make a full statement on this subject.

May I ask the Minister whether, in view of the fact that a large part of the trouble in the Bengal famine was due to the appalling publicity on the part of the Government of Bengal, what steps they are taking now to make quite sure that everybody in Bengal knows what the situation is and whether there is likely to be a shortage or not?

I have just said that, if my hon. Friend puts down a Question next week, I will endeavour to make a full statement.

asked the Under-secretary of State for India whether travelling and recreation facilities for Indian troops have now been improved; and what representations respecting these have reached him in recent months.

My Noble Friend has not received any representations on these matters in recent months, but I can assure my hon. Friend that there has been steady improvement in the provision of amenities for Indian troops and in the conditions of railway travel.

May I ask the Minister whether he is now satisfied that conditions in regard to relaxation and travelling for British and Indian troops respectively are approximately equal?

I would not be prepared to say that today they are approximately equal, but I can say that it is the declared purpose of the authorities in India that amenities available to Indian troops shall reach a standard fully equivalent to that for British troops.

asked the Under-secretary of State for India what are the categories of persons other than military personnel for whom aircraft facilities are granted between Britain and India; and approximately how many civilians have arrived from, and departed to, India by aircraft and by other means respectively.

I am asking the Government of India to let me have particulars of the numbers of civilians who have left India for the United Kingdom by air and sea respectively during the last 12 months, and on receipt of their reply I will communicate with my hon. Friend. The other points raised in the Question come within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of War Transport.

Can we take it, mean-while, that there are facilities for persons to travel from India to this country and vice versa?

Yes, Sir.

Before large numbers of civilians are brought back from India by air, will my hon. and learned Friend consider sending a few aircraft to Rangoon to bring back some of the troops now overdue for Python repatriation?

That is another question.

asked the Under-secretary for State for Burma what progress has been made in the preparation of electoral rolls and the other preliminaries to a general election in Burma.

The preparation of the electoral rolls cannot be undertaken until the basis of the franchise has been settled. This is under urgent examination in Burma and proposals will in due course be laid before this House.

Since my hon. and learned Friend has now indicated definitely that Burma is to have self-government within the next four-and-a-half years, will he do all he can to expedite this matter, so that Burmese politicians can have as much experience as possible of representative government?

I can assure my hon. Friend that this is, in fact, being treated as an urgent matter.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Burma if he will make a statement on the Governor of Burma's intentions in regard to the five vacancies on the Executive Council.