asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies for what purposes the allocation of £5,000,000 to Malaya has been made from the funds provided under the Development and Welfare Act, 1945.

This allocation will be available for any schemes made for Malaya during the 10 years covered by the Colonial Development and Welfare Act, 1945, for purposes provided for by the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if all the Sultans of the Federated and Unfederated Malay States have agreed to the application of the Foreign Jurisdiction Act to their territories; and whether it is intended to set up in these territories one Crown Colony unitary government, or some sort of federal organisation.

The discussions which Sir Harold MacMichael is having with the Malay rulers are proceeding amicably and satisfactorily, but my right hon. Friend hopes to be able to make a full statement soon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, with a view to encouraging the rehabilitation of the Malayan rubber industry, he will raise the price of Malayan rubber for the period up to September, 1946, to the level of the price paid fox Ceylon rubber.

No, Sir. I would refer to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to the hon. Member for Hornsey (Mr. Gammans) on 19th November for the reasons for the difference between' the two prices.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will ensure that all those who are engaged for the Malayan Civil Service as a result of his advertisements in which it is stated that the Straits dollar is worth 2s. 4d., are informed that the purchasing power of the dollar in Malaya may be less.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken to investigate cases of atrocities committed against the Asiatic civilian population of Malaya during the Japanese occupation and to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice.

Military Courts have been established in Malaya by Proclamation whose powers include jurisdiction over persons alleged to have committed offences against the laws in force prior to the Japanese occupation, but committed during that period. Although the military administration is anxious to bring to justice the perpetrators of such crimes, their success in doing so is largely dependent upon the willingness of the local population to come forward with reports. These reports have not so far been on a large scale.With regard to war crimes, a Court of Inquiry was established soon after the reoccupation of Malaya for the purpose of recording available evidence relating to war crimes without distinction as to whether they were committed against the European or Asiatic population. The evidence so recorded is handed over to the local military authorities who are responsible for bringing war criminals to trial before British Military Courts convened under Army Order No. 81 of 1945.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies for what purposes the allocation of £1,500,000 to Borneo and Sarawak has been made from the funds provided under the Development and Welfare Act, 1945; and how much of this sum is to be allocated to Sarawak.

The answer to the first part of this Question is to the same effect as that which I have given to my hon. Friend's Question relating to Malaya. In reply to the second part of the Question, I have not thought it necessary at present to allocate the sum of £1½ million as between Sarawak and North Borneo.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the demand of the St. Kitts Workers' League and the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Union that the Government salt ponds in the island of Anguilla should be operated and controlled by the Government; and whether he will take steps to prevent the lease of the salt ponds being granted to private interests.

I am aware of this request. The Anguilla salt ponds have been leased by the Government since 1894 to a local family. The last extension of this lease expires on 31st March, 1949, and the question of the working of the ponds by the Government will then be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the serious straits to which the sugar-growing industry in Mauritius has been reduced by the depredations of recent cyclones, His Majesty's Government will consider extending financial assistance to the Government of Mauritius to enable help to be given to this industry, on which the economy of the island is almost entirely dependent, to enable it to shoulder a burden which is far beyond the industry's own resources.

I am grateful to the hon. Member for giving me this opportunity to explain the nature and the extent of the assistance which His Majesty's Government have recently offered to the Government of Mauritius to meet the present difficulties.Those difficulties arose out of a series of four hurricanes; one in 1944, and three in the early part of 1945. These have had the effect of reducing the crop from its normal level of 300,000 tons a year to 200,000 tons in 1944 and somewhere in the neighbourhood of 130,000 tons this year. The seriousness of this calamity was increased by the fact that it occurred at a time when the industry had to face expenditure in necessary replacements postponed during the war years and on the replanting of lands diverted from cane to other food crops during the war. His Majesty's Government in considering the representations put forward by representatives of the sugar industry had regard to the importance of the industry to the economic life of Mauritius and have agreed to offer the following assistance: —

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what date His Majesty's Government received a copy of the statement issued from Marshal Zhukov's Central Office in Berlin, dated 9th October, with regard to expulsions from Central Europe into the Russian-occupied zone of Germany.

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to a statement reported to have been issued by the German Head of the Refugee Administration for the Soviet zone. News of this report was received by His Majesty's Government on 10th October. As a result of inquiries which were immediately made, it was learned on 12th October that there was no foundation for the report contained in this statement of an agreement for the evacuation of Germans from Poland, Czechoslovakia and Hungary.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the full terms covering the decision of the Three Powers for the continued expulsions of all Sudeten Germans and the form in which it was communicated to the Government of Czechoslovakia.

The terms of the Agreement reached on 20th November by the Allied Control Council in Berlin on the transfer of German populations cover not only Germans from Czechoslovakia, but also those from Austria, Hungary and all the areas administered by Poland as well. These terms were decided on not by three Powers, but by the four Powers who now control Germany. They were communicated to the Government of Czechoslovakia by the representatives of those four Powers in Prague.The following is the text of the agreement:Plan for the transfer of the German population to be moved from Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland into the four occupied zones of Germany.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is the intention to recognise the new Government in Austria under Prime Minister Figl.

Herr Figl has sent to the Allied Commanders a list of the members of the new Government. The authority of this Government will extend throughout Austria, but, like the previous Government of Dr. Renner, it will, on the same terms, be subject to the supreme authority of the Allied Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what principle or provision of international-law, was based the order from Supreme Allied Headquarters to the Japanese Government to end the feudal system of land tenure and to eliminate absentee ownership.

The acts of the Supreme Commander on behalf of the Allied Powers are based on the Potsdam Declaration, which, under the Instrument of Surrender, the Japanese authorities recognised and agreed to carry out. The abolition of the feudal system of land tenure and of absentee ownership is intended to implement those parts of the Declaration under which the Allied Governments are pledged to remove the obstacles to democratic development in Japan and to eliminate influences which tend to make for war.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make regarding the return to Italian administration of all Italian provinces, excepting Venezia, Giulia and Udine.

Yes, Sir. In accordance with a decision of the Combined Chiefs of Staff, almost all the remaining Italian territory now under Allied Military Government will be transferred to Italian administration on 31st December, 1945. The transfer will include the islands of Lampedusa, Linosa and Pantellaria; but it will exclude Venezia Giulia and the Province of Udine. The transfer of these territories, and any withdrawal of Allied troops which the Supreme Allied Commander may determine, will be without prejudice to any rectification of the Italian frontiers which may be made in the treaty of peace. The Province of Udine is being retained under Allied military government solely for military reasons and not because it is in any sense a disputed area. Allied Military Government Officers will be with- drawn from the territory to be transferred. A small number of Allied Commission Liaison Officers will, however, remain, to help in making the transition from Allied to Italian administration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Anglo-French Agreement on the subject of the Levant States provides for the complete evacuation of French troops from the Lebanon.

Yes, Sir. The Agreement provides for the withdrawal of British and French military forces by stages from both the States of the Levant.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will publish the text of the Anglo-French Agreement on the subject of the Levant States.

The publication of the Anglo-French Agreement about the Levant States is now under consideration, but the date on which it takes place will, of course, have to be agreed with the French Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will arrange for the publication, in summary, of the principal information in the hands of the Government as to the import needs of Europe and the corresponding world resources, with a suitable proviso as to the latter being also required for the needs of other parts of the world.

As my right hon. Friend promised in answer to a Question on 5th December, preparations are being made to consult the Governments of the other countries principally concerned about the publication of the White Paper which the right hon. Gentleman proposes.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent His Majesty's Government propose to assist the Government of the Sudan in initiating schemes for the economic development of the country.

His Majesty's Government are ready and, indeed, are anxious to help in schemes for promoting the welfare of the Sudanese people, and they have not forgotten the contribution of.the Sudan to the victory of the Allies in the war. The Government realise that the Sudan Government will be unable out of its own resources to pay for all the measures that are required, and that without financial help many schemes that are greatly needed would have to be curtailed or postponed.

As my hon. Friend is aware, grants are made to the Colonies for their development programmes under the Colonial Development and Welfare Acts; and, since His Majesty's Government have been closely associated with the administration of the Sudan, they think it appropriate that they should make a contribution towards the cost of the schemes which the Sudan will need. His Majesty's Government will, therefore, seek Parliamentary authority, by means of estimates from time to time for Grants in Aid, to provide £2 million over a period of four years. An estimate for the first payment will be laid before the House at the first convenient opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will prohibit the sale of surplus armaments and war-like stores to Spain.

No armaments or warlike stores have been supplied from the United Kingdom to Spain since the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. His Majesty's Government considered the matter again last April, and again decided that no war material should be supplied to Spain. His Majesty's present Government have since decided to prohibit not only the export of arms to Spain but also the export of other goods of a semi-military character which might strengthen the Spanish armed forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply has been returned to the French Government's note on the desirability of breaking off relations with General Franco's regime: and if he is aware that such a breach would be welcomed by democratic opinion in this country.

This subject is being actively considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arrangements were come to under the tripartite agreements with Persia, whereby the Russians are now enabled to sink wells or prospect for oil in that zone of Persia which they are at present occupying.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the Treaty signed on 29th January, 1942, by the Governments of Iran, the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom. There is no provision in that Treaty which gives the signatory governments the right to sink oil wells or to prospect for oil in Iran.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what agencies or depots are available for the transmission of old warm clothing and footwear to inhabitants of countries in Northern and South-Eastern Europe; and whether he will call public attention to these agencies or depots and to the great and immediate need for such articles.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for this opportunity of explaining the machinery which exists for enabling the charitable public to give second-hand clothing and footwear for the relief of the inhabitants of Northern and South-Eastern Europe. There are a number of British Societies which receive second-hand clothing and footwear and despatch it abroad. In countries where U.N.R.R.A. is operating, the despatch and distribution of the clothing is carried out by that administration. Persons who desire to know the nearest address to which clothing can be sent, and who want other information, should write to the Secretary, Council of British Societies for Relief Abroad, 75, Victoria Street, London, S.W.1.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what address persons wishing to send clothing for general relief in Europe, through U.N.R.R.A., should deliver their parcels.

Under existing arrangements gifts of clothing for general relief in Europe in countries where U.N.R.R.A. is operating are normally sent to U.N.R.R.A., c/o L.E.P. Transport Limited, either at that company's head office, Sunlight Wharf, Upper Thames Street, London, E.C.4, or at any of its branches established in most large towns in the British Isles.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken to protect British trade interests in Shanghai.

Repeated representations have been made to the Chinese authorities to secure the early repossession by their owners of British properties in Shanghai. Some progress has recently been made. The matter will continue to be pressed. As to the general question of the protection of British interests in Shanghai, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to the hon. Member for Bury (Mr. W. Fletcher) on October 31st. This question is receiving, and will continue to receive, the urgent attention of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government still propose to adhere to the policy proclaimed by the then Prime Minister in the House on 24th May, 1944, of allowing the peoples of all countries now associated with the United Nations to choose whatever form of democratic government they liked, but of not allowing any form of Fascism to be restored or set up in any country with whom we have been at war.

On 24th May, 1944, the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Woodford (Mr. Churchill) said as follows:

"It is understood throughout Italy, and it is the firm intention of the United Nations, that Italy, like all other countries which are now associated with us, shall have a fair and free opportunity, as soon as the Germans are driven out and tranquility is restored, of deciding whatever form of democratic Government, whether monarchical or republican, they desire. They can choose freely for themselves. I emphasise, however, the word ' democratic ' because it is quite clear that we should not allow any form of Fascism to be restored or set up in any country with whom we have been at war."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 24th May, 1944; Vol. 400, c. 768.]

These words accurately describe the policy of His Majesty's present Government.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production the number of tanks, 25-pounder guns, antiaircraft guns, guns of all calibres and landing-craft, produced during November, 1945; and how many he estimates will be produced during the month of December.

During November, 1945, we produced 86 tanks, no 25-pounder guns, two anti-aircraft / coast defence guns, 33 other guns and 76 amphibious freighters. It would not be in the public interest to give figures of current output.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production the various items that go to make up the cost of the £45 per ton that makes up the cost of the secondary aluminium used in the emergency bungalows.

My Department obtains supplies of secondary aluminium from the trade by tenders from smelters, and the price of £46 per ton, accepted as a result of these tenders rules the outside market. Current costs are obtained as a check on the fairness of this price. It would be contrary to established practice to give details of them.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if all the works that are now making the temporary emergency aluminium houses are completing these for, approximately, the sum of £1,365; and if he will give the highest and the lowest price in the different works.

The cost of fabrication of the aluminium house is only a portion of the total cost. The sum of £1,365 is the estimated average cost over the total number of houses it is proposed to build, and includes delivery, erection and other costs as set out in the reply given on 27th November by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works to the hon. Member for Coatbridge. As regards the last part of the Question, it is contrary to established practice to reveal contract prices.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether he will state at what approximate price are being offered to the public old aircraft, the property of his Department, of the Taylorcraft, Auster and Moth types.

As stated by my right hon. Friend in reply to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Macclesfield (Air Commodore Harvey) on 10th December, the sale of surplus light aircraft is by open competitive tender. They are not being offered at fixed prices.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production how many heavy bombers, medium bombers and fighter aircraft were scrapped during the month of November; and how many he anticipates will be scrapped during the month of December.

During November we broke down 131 heavy bombers, 124, medium bombers and 222 fighters. The corresponding numbers we expect to break down this month are 97, 73 and 175. These are, of course, all damaged or obsolescent aircraft.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production how many heavy bombers, how many medium bombers and how many fighter aircraft of all types were produced during November; and how many he estimates will be produced during December.

During November we produced 347 military aircraft. It would not be in the public interest to give figures of current output.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what percentage of men in each of the release Groups 35 to 45 will be released by midsummer.

It is estimated that 99 per cent, of ratings in Groups 35 to 39, 98 percent, in Groups 40 to 42, 97 percent. of Group 43, 96 per cent, of Group 44, and 95 percent, of Group 45, will be released by mid-summer.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how soon a settlement of the back pay due to Stoker 2nd Class Ernest Nicholson, R.N., C/Kx. 547009, may be expected, having regard to the fact that the naval authorities have had this matter in hand since July last and the man is suffering extreme hardship.

I am glad to inform my hon. Friend that authority for the payment of the back pay due to Stoker Nicholson has now been issued.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many Allied capital ships were sunk or damaged by torpedoes fired from aircraft in the Second World War; the numbers of other naval vessels sunk or damaged; and the tonnage of enemy transports, supply or merchant ships sunk or damaged by this weapon.

Four of our capital, ships, 16 other naval vessels, and 404,500 tons of our supply and merchant shipping were sunk or damaged in this manner during the war.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give a definite date for the derequisitioning of Burnham Beeches, and the reopening of the common to the public.

I hope to be able to release this site by the end of February, 1946.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of British soldiers who have lost their lives from attacks by German people in the British zone of occupied Germany since the cessation of hostilities.

This information is not immediately available in the War Office. I am calling for a report from B.A.O.R. and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, to help the Forces to get home at Christmas and the New Year he will consider a scheme whereby a motor car owner desirous of helping, goes to his nearest military or R.A.F. authority and offers to convey so many people to a certain place on a given date, the authority to give a letter confirming the arrangements and entitling the motor car owner to an extra ration of petrol on his December or January basic ration to meet the loss involved.

Owing to the complicated arrangements to be made with many hundreds of Army and R.A.F. units and sub-units all over the United Kingdom it would not be possible to arrange a workable scheme of this kind in time for the Christmas period. I would also refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 12th December to a Question by the hon. Member for Twickenham (Mr. Keeling).

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the Southern Command order prohibiting troops from travelling by rail, to or through London, between 22nd and 29th December, for the purpose of easing civilian travel; and whether he will take steps to cancel this order as it is a contravention of the pledge given a few weeks ago that there would be no restriction on rail travel for troops this Christmas.

I am aware of this order which, as explained by my right hon. Friend yesterday in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Newport, had the effect of extending the period of Christmas leave of those soldiers in the Command who would otherwise have had to travel by rail between 22nd and 27th December.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the value of munitions supplied to Turkey during the war period; and what were the conditions under which they were supplied.

During the war period munitions have been made available to the Turkish Government under the terms of the Armaments Credit; 1938, and the Armaments Credit, 1939, to a total value of £34 millions. In addition, between 1st April, 1943, and 15th June, 1945, certain war materials to a value of approximately £26 millions were supplied to the Turkish Government on Mutual Aid terms in the general interests of the United Nations. The Turkish Government has been notified that with effect from 16th June, 1945, munitions will be supplied only on repayment.

asked the Secretary of State for War why, as the Press is not censored, they are not given access to intelligence reports and, in particular, to documents upon which the Hitler Report was drawn up by British Intelligence authorities.

The fact that the Press is not censored does not necessarily mean that it has access to official reports and documents which the responsible authorities consider should not be disclosed.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement on the strikes of Indian workers against loading supplies for Indonesia that have taken place in Singapore; whether the strikes still continue; whether any strikers have been arrested and brought to trial; and how many of the strikers have been ejected from Government-owned boarding houses in Singapore.

I have called for further information on this matter and will write to the hon. Member when it is received.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many enemy capital ships were sunk or damaged by torpedoes fired from aircraft; the numbers of other naval vessels sunk or damaged; and the tonnage of enemy transports, supply or merchant ships sunk or damaged by this weapon.

Twelve enemy capital ships, 59 other.naval vessels and something over 1,200,000 tons of enemy merchant shipping were sunk or damaged by torpedoes fired from aircraft of the Royal Air Force and Naval Air Arm during the war.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air, why 87 airmen in Grade III (W.E.) medical category have been posted to Austria, contrary to the conditions laid down in A.M.O. A/652, 1944, as amended by A.M.O. A/9, 1945.

I am afraid the wording of these Air Ministry Orders is out of date. We are amending them to cover postings to Austria as well as to Germany, which is already provided for.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why the 205 Group, R.A.F., were moved from Italy; why members of the 214 Squadron were deprived of 14 days' United Kingdom leave to which they were given to understand they were entitled; and what action he is taking to remove the men's grievances, as this particular squadron was the last to move from Italy and therefore the other squadrons in the group had priority for United Kingdom leave.

I am afraid there is little I can add to the reply which I gave on 12th December to the hon. Member for Chester (Mr. Nield). I am sending my hon. Friend copies of that reply together with the other detailed replies I have given. I am extremely sorry that some members of 214 Squadron were disappointed in their hopes of home leave. This is, however, a matter where it would not be fair to make an exception in favour of one squadron; on the other hand, I do not think there is any question that this squadron has suffered in regard to home-leave by comparison with others that were moving about the same time or later.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when the hon. Member for Upton, West Ham, may expect an answer to the letter sent to him on 21st November, with which was enclosed a petition signed by 176 men stationed at North Front, Gibraltar, concerning Colonial pay.

My hon. Friend will by now have received my letter of 14th December.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the Commander-in-Chief, Transport Command, when entrusted with the task of carrying out large scale trooping operations, was advised by experts with experience of trans-continental air line operation.

Yes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many of the accidents which have occurred since the trooping scheme started, have taken place when flying on the main-trunk routes, and how many on unscheduled routes.

Trooping flights are all on scheduled routes; so I am afraid there is no comparison to be made such as that suggested by the hon. and gallant Member. There have been 11 accidents involving casualties in the course of the trooping programme.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of airmen and airwomen released from June to 30th November, 1945, in the accounts trades; and the number of new recruits trained in the same period for the same branch of service.

From June to 30th November we released 450 airmen and 1,054 airwomen of the accounting trades. 1,800 new recruits are under training for this trade, and the first 100 completed.the course by the end of November. Besides these recruits we have allocated 2,700 serving airmen and airwomen for accounting work. More than 1,900 of these had already been trained by the end of November. In addition, many other airmen and airwomen have been temporarily helping out on routine duties.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air by what date it is estimated that the accounts branch will be brought into line with other trades for release purposes.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 5th December to the hon. and gallant Member for Lewes (Major Beamish). We shall shortly be publishing a new forecast of releases for February and March.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air to what extent the release rate of the cooks' and butchers' trade of the R.A.F. is level with, or lagging behind, the normal release rate.

The release of cooks in the R.A.F. is four groups behind most airmen.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is now in a position to state whether there is any improvement or worsening in the rate of release in the Accounts Branch of the R.A.F.

Yes, Sir, the accountants are catching up. They were nine, are seven, and will be just over five groups behind in January.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air (1) the numbers of tradesmen of the R.A.F. who are being misemployed; the average time during which such tradesmen are so misemployed; and the maximum time such tradesmen are so misemployed;(2) the numbers of members of the W.A.A.F. who are being misemployed; the average time during which such members of the W.A.A.F. are so misemployed; and the maximum time such members of the W.A.A.F. are so misemployed.

As I said in my answer of 12th December to the hon. and gallant Member for Horncastle (Commander Maitland) the "misemployment" of airmen and airwomen is on a large scale and precise figures are not available. Periods of "misemployment" also vary widely and no maximum period is laid down. The term "misemployment" is a figure of Service speech and merely means full employment of men and women in other than their normal trades. It is both useful in itself and essential in reducing unevenness in releases.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is in a position to state what the strength in personnel of the postwar R.A.F. will be, and, if not, when a statement may be expected.

I am not at present in a position to add to the first part of my reply to the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. W. J. Brown) on 10th October.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many forecasters were in employment in the meteorological department of the R.A.F. in the United Kingdom on VE-Day; and how many are now in that employment.

For the Home Commands of the Royal Air Force the figure was 1,054 on VE-Day. It is now 809.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when the hon. Member for Upton, West Ham, may expect an answer to his letter, sent on 21st November, concerning complaints on accommodation, etc., of R.A.F. personnel at R.A.F. station, Leiston, near Saxmundham.

My hon. Friend will by now have received my letter of 17th December.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air whether he is now prepared to reduce the number of personnel in R.A.F. airfield and roadway construction companies now employed in the construction of an airfield at Hong Kong to a bare minimum, in view of the amount of native labour readily available there.

The local labour at Hong Kong needs training, organisa tion and recuperation after the experiences of the last 3½ years. Subject to these limitations the Cormmander-in-Chief is arranging the maximum use of local labour and confining R.A.F. personnel chiefly to training and supervisory duties so that the number retained in Hong Kong may be reduced as rapidly as possible.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Air what qualifications are required by British civilians and foreign civilians, respectively, to be conveyed on Transport Command aeroplanes; and why surplus air transport aeroplanes are not used for bringing back service personnel from the Far East for demobilisation.

In order to get an air passage both British and foreign civilians must satisfy the appropriate Government Department that "their journey is really necessary "—in the national interests or is a deserving compassionate case, and they pay their fares. Unfortunately we have no surplus transport aircraft available to increase the trooping programme. On the contrary, we have pressed into service converted bomber aircraft which are by no means ideal for the job.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Air why the trade of dental mechanic in the R.A.F. is closed to new entrants who have civilian experience of this work and have applied for transfer on remustering, while the trade of dental mechanic is held back seven groups in the R.A.F. demobilisation scheme.

We originally closed the trade of dental mechanic because we estimated that we could meet our requirements without delaying the release of airmen already serving. But the amount of dental work for members of the Air Force about to be released has upset the estimate. We have now reopened the trade to men with the required civil qualifications. The release of dental mechanics is two, not seven, groups behind that of most airmen.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when a decision will be arrived at by his Department with reference to a plea for the re- duction of a sentence inflicted on an R.A.F. Flight-Sergeant submitted to him on 30th October last.

The hon. and gallant Friend will by now have received my letter of 14th December.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air when a decision will be given in answer to the application made to his Department on 24th September, for the return of L.A.C. K. G. Williams to this country on urgent compassionate grounds; and when effect will be given to the decision reached.

I regret the delay in dealing with the original application for a compassionate posting for this airman. His subsequent application for Class C release on business grounds was approved on 8th December. I have signalled the Command in urgent terms for information as to when this airman will be repatriated. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is doing anything to enable houses to be repaired or reconditioned now that the former arrangement under the Rural Workers Housing Act has been stopped.

Subject to labour being available which is not required for building new houses, or other more urgent housing work, licences to carry out repairs and reconditioning may be obtained, in the case of work costing not more than £100,from the local authority, and in the case of other work, from the Regional Licensing Officer of the Ministry of Works.

asked the Minister of Health, despite his decision to withdraw the application of the Essential Work Order from bomb-damage repair work as from 17th January, whether this type of work will continue to carry W.B.A. priority; and whether the payment-by-results scheme will be applicable

W.B.A. priority will, for the time being, be applied only to contracts for repairs to seriously damaged houses on a lump sum basis. The answer to the second part of the Question is "No, Sir."

asked the Minister of Health how many houses, including C (b) houses, in the London C.D. region still require repairs to bring them up to the standard laid down in Ministry of Health Serial No. 25.

According to local authority estimates the figure on the 6th December, 1945, was 606,270 which includes 37,571 houses in the C (b) category. In this connection, however, the hon. Member should have regard to the terms of Circular 219/45 and Serial Note No. 166 copies of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of his recent decision, whether as from 17th January next, no work on bomb-damage repair in the London region will be permitted to be carried cut under the cost-plus system of contract; and whether he will state any exceptions which are to be allowed.

17th January is the date from which the Essential Work Order ceases to apply to war damage repairs in the London Civil Defence Region. The position with regard to cost-plus contracts is set out in Circular 219/45.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give figures relating to bomb-damage repair in the London C.D. region, showing, as from 1st August last, the total number of houses repaired up to or above the standard laid down in Ministry of Health Serial No. 25; the number of such houses which had already previously been repaired up to the provisional emergency standard laid down in Serial 57; and the number of such houses which were so severely damaged as to be uninhabitable and were ranked as C (b) houses.

The number of houses in the London Civil Defence Region repaired up to or above the standard of Serial Note 25 since 1st August, 1945, is 182,398. Of these, 11,333 were C (b) houses and 2,390 were houses which were unoccupied but which were not classified C (b). It is not possible to say how many of these houses had previously been repaired to the standard laid down in Serial Note 56.

asked the Minister of Health whether the fixed price contracts for bomb-damage work, which are to be obligatory as from 17th January, will represent the total cost of the works, and include the cost of material as well as the labour, etc.; and whether these contracts will be let by competition.

Fixed price contracts are not obligatory for all war damage repairs from 17th January, 1946. The position is set out in detail in Circular 219/45. Fixed price contracts do not necessarily include the cost of materials as well as of labour. The contracts will generally be let by competition but may be negotiated.

asked the Minister of Works, in view of the fact that 40 temporary prefabricated houses have been allocated to the borough of Saltash, why none of these have yet been delivered; and if he will rectify this matter and see to it that priority is given to this badly bombed borough.

The housing authority have not yet handed over any sites to the Ministry of Works for the erection of the temporary houses allocated to them. When sites are made available the work on foundations and house erection will be undertaken as expeditiously as possible.

asked the Minister of Works if, in connection with the temporary housing programme, he will state the amount paid to the managing companies in respect of organising distribution centres.

The negotiations with regard to the fees to be paid to managing companies for organising distribution centres have not yet been concluded. Meantime advances on account have been made to some of the contractors for their services on house production and distribution centres combined, but the proportion of these advances applicable to distribution centres alone is undetermined.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he is aware that on grounds of public health a Bedford four-wheel drive chassis for a cesspool emptier is urgently required by the Whitstable Urban District Council; that application for the same was first made in April, 1945; that a further application supported by the Ministry of Health was made to his Department on 25th October and remains unanswered; and when the council may expect to receive a licence to acquire a new vehicle.

This is a Service type chassis of which there is no production for civilian use, but I am informed that a reconditioned ex-Army 3-ton chassis of the type required could be made available by the Ministry of Supply, who wrote to the Council on 8th October. No reply to that letter can be traced in either Department.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether arangements can be made for the omnibus service from Bounds Green to Muswell Hill Broadway to be run at a later hour than 10.45 p.m., which is a source of inconvenience to the travelling public.

The London Passenger Transport Board hope to run this service up to about an hour later than at present as from 13th February, 1946.

asked the Minister of War Transport (1) the number of passengers booked per day at Coalburn, Lesmahagow, Blackwood, Stonehouse and Larkhall Stations, on the L.M.S. Railway, during the week ended 1st September, 1945; and the corresponding week in 1939;(2) the number of season ticket holders, including weekly season ticket holders, travelling from Coalburn, Lesmahagow, Blackwood, Stonehouse and Larkhall Stations, on the L.M.S. Railway, during the week ended 1st September, 1945; and the corresponding week in 1939.

The following tables give the information for which my hon. Friend asks so far as it is available. The records for 1939 as regards Blackwood and Stonehouse have been destroyed.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he will investigate the late running of trains of the Southern Railway system with special reference to those serving South-East London.

If my hon. Friend will let me know which service he has in mind I shall be glad to look into the matter.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether the ss. "Talma" is still used for the transport of troops; whether the same number of personnel is carried; and what alterations have been made to make transport more comfortable, to avoid disagreeable incidents such as occurred when men of a certain Army unit showed their displeasure by leaving the ship.

The "Talma" is still employed as a troop transport in the Far East. I have received a report that, on one occasion, following complaints of overcrowding after embarkation, the officer commanding troops in collaboration with the military embarkation commandant arranged for 140 other ranks to disembark. I am looking into this matter further and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of War Transport how many ships are standing idle in the harbours of Copenhagen because of shortage of fuel; and, as the provision of fuel to those ships would mean that greater supplies of Danish bacon, butter and eggs would be made available to the workers of this country, what steps are to be taken by His Majesty's Government.

I am informed that there are no ships standing idle in Copenhagen because of shortage of fuel. The second part of the Question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he is aware that the Borstal prisoner, Arthur Clatworthy, was reported, at the inquest at Portland, to have died of a comparatively rare form of pernicious anaemia; and what that form was.

I am informed that the medical term for the condition is agranulocytosis.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Prison Commissioners held an inquiry into allegations of ill-treatment of Arthur Clatworthy at Wormwood Scrubs; when such an inquiry was held; and if any statement was taken from Clatworthy or from his parents for the purpose of this inquiry.

When Mrs. Clatworthy, after visiting her son in October, reported that he had told her he had been ill-treated, a statement was taken from the son, and thereupon reports were called for from Wormwood Scrubs prison as to the incident which occurred in March. The full information then obtained made it clear that the allegation was unfounded.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Arthur Clatworthy was transferred from Wormwood Scrubs to Portland Borstal Institution; when he first became in need of medical attention there; and when he was transferred to Weymouth Hospital.

Clatworthy was transferred from Wormwood Scrubs Prison to Portland Borstal Institution on 17th May, 1945; he was first admitted to hospital on 13th July, but his symptoms subsided after treatment and he was discharged from the prison hospital on 23rd July. He was readmitted to the prison hospital on 27th August and was transferred to Weymouth Hospital on 24th September.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners there are in Holloway Prison to each officer; how many Borstal girls to each officer at Aylesbury; what were the corresponding figures in 1938; whether he is satisfied with these figures; how many of the officers at Aylesbury have had less than six months' service; how many of them have been recruited from the women's services; what standard of education is required in a recruit; what theoretical or practical training is given and by whom; how many officers on probation have resigned or have not had their appointment confirmed; and what steps he has taken to obtain trained staff through the various university departments for training social workers.

A good deal of research will be necessary to produce this information and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement about a distur- bance which occurred on Thursday 13th December, at Aylesbury Borstal Institution.

The report published in a London morning newspaper that on Thursday last there was a serious out-burst of rioting at the Women's Borstal Institution in Aylesbury, that relief officers were rushed from Holloway Prison, that the Governor had reported to the authorities that the staff could no longer deal with the situation and a number of officers had tendered their resignations is entirely false. No such disturbance took place. I ask the Press to be on its guard against the dissemination of unfounded or exaggerated reports of incidents in prisons and Borstal Institutions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is now in a position to announce the terms of reference and membership of the committee promised to deal with the closing hours of shops and cognate matters.

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Scotland and I are appointing a Committee with the following terms of reference:

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will make a statement in regard to the food situation in India, with special reference to Bengal.

I circulated to the House on 15th October a statement dealing with the food situation in Bengal. Since then the prospects of the main winter rice crop in Bengal have improved considerably, the earlier drought having to a large extent been offset by late and abnormal rains in October. Damage by flood in certain areas has been balanced by a better yield elsewhere. The crop has still to be harvested and accurate estimates are not yet possible, but the Government of India and the Government of Bengal now have reason to hope that the outturn this year will not be much less than 95 per cent, of last year's crop, which was regarded as average. The price of rice has continued to fall slowly but steadily. There will still be a deficit to be met and it must be borne in mind that even an average crop in Bengal is insufficient to feed her population of 65 million on a reasonable standard. But the authorities are now in a much better position to deal with the situation than before. The Bengal Government now hold considerable working stocks of rice and they have at their disposal the necessary transport and storage facilities to enable them to distribute these stocks to any area where a threat of shortage may arise. Stocks of rice amounted at the end of October to about 350,000 tons. Rationing of the population of over 4 million in greater Calcutta has been functioning smoothly for some time past and, as elsewhere in India, it is being gradually extended to other urban areas. Preparations have also been made to introduce controlled distribution in rural areas in case of emergency.Unfortunately two serious calamities have recently occurred in other Provinces. The tidal wave, which accompanied the cyclone in the Bay of Bengal a month ago, destroyed stocks and standing crops of rice in some East Coast districts of Madras, and losses there are estimated at about 400,000 tons of rice. Damage to the extent of; about a further 500,000 tons to crops of millets wheat and rice is reported from Bombay and Mysore as a result of the failure of the October rains in those areas. But the Central Government now have an efficient system of planned movement of cereals from surplus to deficit provinces which has been in operation for the past 2½ years and has enabled the Government of India, with the assistance of imports from abroad, to give effective help to any Province which may find itself in difficulties through failure of the crops or other causes.The food situation in India gives no grounds for complacency and substantial assistance in the form of cereal imports from abroad is still necessary. With this assistance, however, the administrative measures which have been taken in India should prevent the recurrence of famine in Bengal or elsewhere in India.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India how many officers are redundant in Group 27, Indian Pioneer Corps, 18 A.B.P.O.; how many officers have applied for transfer and posting to another unit where they can be usefully employed and have either not had their application forwarded or had it refused.

I am asking the Government of India for a report, and on its receipt will communicate further with my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Information how many newspapers and periodicals published in this country during the war under foreign auspices and with British official co-operation still continue; what is the amount of paper being used by such publications; and what contribution towards them comes from public funds.

Twenty-six periodicals, newspapers, news bulletins and magazines still appear under foreign auspices and with British official co-operation. The weekly paper consumption is approximately 12 tons. Contributions from public funds are at present at the rate of rather more than £6,000 a year, and will very shortly be reduced to about £4,000. In addition, there are a number of such periodicals which were officially assisted during the war and still continue to publish without official help.

asked the Minister of Information why, when in 1938 it took salaries representing 26.43 percent, of the total B.B.C. income to mount programmes costing 24.66 per cent, of that income, it now takes salaries representing 44.83 per cent, of that total income to mount programmes costing 20.12 per cent, of that income.

The figures quoted in the Question relate, respectively, to the year before the outbreak of war and to the last year of the war in Europe. The different proportion in the latter year is due to the development of the B.B.C.'s wartime services, undertaken at the Government's request; in particular, the foreign language services, in respect of which the cost of programmes is relatively small in relation to salaries; the monitoring service, which involves staff costs but not programme costs, and the engineering services, which were very greatly expanded to enable British broadcasts to be heard in Europe and throughout the world.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation the reason for the continued failure to provide the necessary heating in the hangars at Croydon and Hum used by B.O.A.C.

At both aerodromes delay has been caused by shortage of labour and by difficulty in obtaining the necessary fittings. At Croydon the hangar heating system is already in full operation. At Hum the system is expected to be completed during January.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps should be taken by individuals wishing to apply for a grant or loan under the Inshore Fishing Industry Act.

The arrangements for the grants and loans which may be made by the Ministers under the Act arc being drawn up in consultation with the Treasury. They will include information as to how applications should be made and a public announcement will be made shortly.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that there is a shortage of table and cooking salt in the Aston Division of Birmingham; and whether he will take immediate steps to see that adequate supplies are made available in the shops of Aston within the next few days so that housewives may have salt for cooking Christmas dinners.

I have received no complaints of shortage of salt in the Aston Division of Birmingham. If my hon. and gallant Friend has evidence of any particular difficulties I shall be pleased to look into the matter.

the Minister of Food when it will be possible to raise the present rations of agricultural workers and coal-miners to the present ration level of the British soldier, which has more than twice the calorie value of the civilian ration.

Domestic rations will be increased for everyone as soon as the supply position permits. It would be contrary to general policy to raise the rations for any particular category of workers, as this could only be done at the expense of the remainder of the community. As regards the latter part of the Question, the hon. Member's suggestion that the soldier's ration has double the calorie value of the civilian ration is entirely without foundation.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will make a statement on the case in which a large quantity of milk was recently stolen in course of transport with serious results to the supply in certain districts.

A road tank containing about 1,450 gallons of milk was stolen from a parking place in Basingstoke in the evening of nth December and was found empty next morning in a cul-de-sac in the same town. The milk was being transported to North London but its loss had no effect upon the supply position in that area as additional supplies were immediately made available from another depot. Every effort is made to trace the culprit.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that a firm manufacturing homoeopathic medicines was recently refused an allocation of sugar which was required to enable them to fulfil an important export order from Stockholm; and whether, in view of the importance of expanding the export trade, especially in directions of this kind where the value of the exports greatly exceeds the value of the necessary materials which have to be imported for their manufacture, he will give this matter reconsideration at the earliest opportunity.

Yes, Sir. An allocation of sugar is being made to this firm to meet export requirements.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the hardship to British subjects whose income is derived from a property trust fund in U.S.A., in that they have to pay both British and U.S. taxes on it; and what action he proposed to take to remedy the grievance.

The steps authorised by Part V of the Finance Bill will validate the agreement with the U.S.A. signed last April.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the financial provision, both short term and long term, at present contemplated for the universities is based on the assumption that the number of full-time students, other than research students, will remain at approximately the 1938-39 figure, or will rise substantially above it; and, if so, by what percentage the number is expected to rise within five years.

There is no question of limiting the number of students to the number immediately before the war. I hope for a substantial increase. The chief factor limiting the rate of increase is the number of teaching staff and I cannot, at present, give any estimate of how fast staff can be effectively built up.

asked the Minister of Works how he reconciles his instruction to use plate glass for the re-glazing of shop windows with that issued by the Board of Trade that it must be used for utility furniture.

I am not clear as to what my hon. and gallant Friend means by an instruction; licences for the re-glazing of shop windows are issued on a scale consistent with the available supplies.

asked the Minister of Works the position in regard to the negotiations with the trade unions initiated by the Coalition Government to secure the adoption of an effective system of payment by results in the building industry.

The two sides of the Building Industry have agreed to set up a committee to consider whether it is practicable to devise such a workable system of payment by results as would lead to a further reduction in building costs. My discussions with the industry are proceeding.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will consider instituting a commission of inquiry into the prices and efficiency of the cement industry.

Yes, Sir. I have decided to set up an independent Committee of inquiry with the following terms of reference:

" To review the financial structure of the Cement Industry, and its ancillary industries, including the manufacture of cement sacks; and, in the light of this investigation, to report upon the price structure of the industry, with particular reference to the prices charged to merchants and to the various classes of users of cement."

The Chairman of the Committee will be Mr. A. fforde, who is a Solicitor, and the other members are Mr. S. J. Pears, a Chartered Accountant, and Mr. E. de Stein. The Secretary of the Committee is Mr. A. Miller, of the Ministry of Works, to whom all inquiries should be addressed. I may add that I am assured of the cooperation of the industry with this Committee.

asked the Minister of Works what orders have been placed for temporary buildings to supply educational needs until permanent building is possible; with what contractors have the orders been placed; and. when it is expected the first temporary buildings will be erected.

The temporary buildings to be used for educational purposes are drawn from the stock of huts purchased for general Governmental requirements. The buildings consist of a concrete frame, asbestos roofing, and brick or clay-block walls together with doors and windows. These are not ordered as a complete unit from any one contractor, and numerous contractors are concerned. The first classrooms should be erected in April, 1946.

asked the Minister of Works the number of and the approximate total amount of wages and salaries paid per month to personnel attached to his Department in connection with the temporary housing programme.

The number of staff employed on the temporary housing programme is 1,570. Of these some 700 are clerks of works, etc., employed in supervising the site work and erection. The monthly cost in salaries and wages is £67,430.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the recently imposed maximum prices for women's non-utility outerwear at their present levels will handicap British novelty fabric manufacturers in the production of new and original materials; and, in view of the present opportunities for extension of our export trade from a development of this business, he will adopt alternative methods of preventing profiteering which will not hamper the production of high-grade new materials.

I have no reason to expect that the control will have the effect suggested, and the answer to the last part of the Question is accordingly in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the shortage of bottles for medical supplies which is impeding medical practice, and which is due to lack of labour; and if he will include skilled glass-bottle makers as eligible for release under Class B.

Glass bottles generally are in short supply, but priority is given to bottles required for food, drink and medicines. I am considering urgently with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour what further steps can be taken to increase the labour force in the industry, including the return of skilled workers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the risk of lead poisoning in the potteries has been substantially eliminated, but that the risk from silicosis is still present; and whether he will give favourable consideration to the building of new factories and the rebuilding and improvement of as many such existing factories as merit a continued existence.

Yes, Sir, and I am anxious to facilitate the rebuilding of potteries so far as the available building resources permit, not only to prevent industrial disease, but also to provide modern and efficient working conditions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the anxiety in the perambulator industry caused by the granting of manufacturing licences to about 30 individuals and firms, although existing manufacturing facilities are more than sufficient to cope with the output required by the public; that the potential output of existing manufacturers is greater than that of prewar years; and if he will give instructions that no further manufacturing licences shall be granted until it can be proved that the existing manufacturers have not the facilities to produce what is required by the public.