asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he will state the number of officials employed by his Department overseas who are paid £800 per annum or over; the standard of foreign language proficiency these officials are normally required to possess; and the number actually attaining this standard at the present time.

I assume that the hon. and gallant Member has in mind officers serving in foreign, as distinct from Empire, countries. These officers, as commercial diplomats, are members of H.M. Foreign Service and are required to possess the same proficiency in foreign languages as other members of that service. The number of such officers in receipt of salary of £800 or more is 39 and all of them have knowledge of one or more foreign languages.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say that they all have knowledge up to the required standard of the language of the country in which they are resident?

I could not say that, but they all have the required knowledge in the foreign language up to the standard of the Foreign Service.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that mail from this country addressed to personnel of the 6th Infantry Brigade in Visapur, India, has been greatly delayed; and whether he will ensure that unnecessary delays are eliminated so that mail, including that re-directed because of a change of station not known to home correspondents, reaches its destination in a reasonable time.

I am not aware of delay in the delivery of mail to personnel of the 6th Infantry Brigade in Visapur. If the hon. and gallant Member will furnish me with details, I will gladly make inquiries of the Government of India. I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the necessity for eliminating unnecessary delays in the delivery of mail is fully appreciated by the civil and military authorities in India who have the matter constantly under review.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what safeguards are to be offered to the British officers and Gurkha officers, and other ranks of the Gurkha Brigade, under the new proposals for the Indianisation of the Army in India.

This question is bound up with the future constitutional changes in India. The particular points raised by the hon. and gallant Member are, however, already under careful, consideration in connection with planning for the future organisation of the Army in India. I regret I am not in a position to say more than that.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India why the weekly newspaper, "National Congress," Urdu, formerly published in the Punjab, has not been allowed to resume publication.

Permission to resume publication of this newspaper which suspended publication in August, 1942, was refused on account of the newsprint supply position. This has now deteriorated to such an extent that the Government of India have decided not to allow the publication of additional newspapers of any kind. This decision will, of course, be reconsidered when the supply position improves.

Did this newspaper not have a quota before its suppression and why is it not allowed to assume a proportion of that quota at present?

Immediately a paper ceases to publish it loses its quota and the paper would be used by some other publishing concern. The Government of India today have to look at the position in the light of the present supply which is limited.

Does the hon. and learned Gentleman really mean what he has just said, that if a newspaper is suppressed or suspended its quota goes to somebody else? Is not such a suggestion likely to cause disquiet as indicating a connection between what should be a supply control and a censorship, which should be separate?

I have no doubt that any paper which became available as a result of this paper ceasing to be published would be used by the Government of India for some other purpose.

The hon. and learned Gentleman said "Some other newspaper;" that is quite different.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India why, on 10th December, security was levied against the daily newspaper, "National Herald"; what other action has been taken against this newspaper; and for what reasons such action has been taken.

Inquiries are being made in regard to this matter and I will communicate with my hon. Friend when further information is received.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will arrange to make available to this House any reports submitted to the Government of India by its Press agents in Malaya.

So far as I am aware the Government of India have no Press agent in Malaya, but I will make inquiries.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma, if he will now state what the basis of the franchise is to be at the forthcoming general election in Burma; and how soon he expects to be able to lay proposals before the House.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to his Question on this subject on 10th December. The basis of the franchise is still under investigation in Burma by a special franchise committee of Burman members of the Governor's Executive Council. As my hon. Friend is aware, this is a matter of such complexity and I fear it will be some little time yet before proposals can be laid before Parliament, but all possible steps are being taken to expedite the matter.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that he has said before that these elections are a matter of urgency? It will cause great disappointment in Burma if it is a long time before they are held.

I would like to reiterate the statement I have made, that His Majesty's Government regard this matter as one of urgency, but we have to have regard to abnormal conditions which do exist following three years of enemy occupation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma when, in view of the appointment by the Governor of Burma of an Executive Council, officers of the All-India Service, to whom the Premature Retirement Rules, 1937, apply, will be allowed to take advantage of them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma, in view of the fact that H.E. the Governor of Burma has appointed an Executive Council almost entirely composed of Burmese gentlemen and allotted portfolios to them and thereby virtually reintroduced ministerial government in Burma, when officers to whom the Premature Retirement Rules, 1937, apply will be allowed to take advantage of those rules and will no longer be held as being ineligible under proviso ( b ) to Clause (1) of Rule 2 of the rules.

The Governor of Burma, under the White Paper, administers all Departments of the Government in his discretion notwithstanding the appointment of an Executive Council. Under the Rules governing premature retirement, officers serving in Departments so administered are not generally eligible but they may under an amendment to the Rules made in 1943 be permitted to retire in exceptional circumstances. In the present difficult manpower situation my Noble Friend is not prepared to enter into any general commitment as to the treatment which will be accorded to applications for permission to retire. Each application must continue for the present to be considered on its merits in consultation with the Government of Burma.

Does not this mean virtually the conscription of the civil servants? In view of the fact that it was introduced in 1945 and it was said that it would only be for the emergency, and as war with Japan is over and there has been resumption of civil government, is there any justification for this Rule?

I think the hon. Member will agree that it cannot be said that the emergency is over. There is a very difficult manpower problem in Burma at the present time, and this Rule is retained with great reluctance, but we have to face that problem.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma if he will give an assurance that officers of the All-India Services, who elected to serve on in Burma after its separation from India, will not receive any less generous treatment than their fellow officers in India.

The hon. Member may rest assured that it is the intention of my Noble Friend that those officers who had been appointed by the Secretary of State and who elected to serve on in Burma after separation shall receive no less generous treatment in regard to service conditions generally than their fellow officers in India.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if arrangements can be made to send a medical mission to Hungary in order to fight venereal disease.

As I am informing the hon. Member in reply to another Question, U.N.R.R.A. will shortly be sending medical aid to Hungary. I am confident that the medical services thus supplied will do their utmost to combat whatever disease or diseases they may find to be prevalent in the country.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that answer will give great satisfaction?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action is being taken through U.N.R.R.A. so that starvation in Hungary before the end of January can be avoided.

I am glad to inform the hon. Member that the Central Committee of U.N.R.R.A. has recently authorised the expenditure of £1,000,000 sterling on a programme of help to Hungary. The programme includes medical and sanitary aid and supplies, and emergency relief supplies for children and for nursing and expectant mothers. I understand that U.N.R.R.A. is acting with the utmost despatch, but I am afraid that the supplies are unlikely to arrive this month.

Is the Minister aware that there is a certain amount of food in Hungary, but the difficulty is the transport? If he could possibly get some extra lorries there soon, it would materially help the situation.

Yes, I am afraid that is true of the whole Continent. We are doing our best to improve the whole transport situation.

Is the Minister aware that the need is to expedite these supplies and that everything should be done to bring down the great mortality rate, particularly among children, of whom I understand only one in every four are born alive?

Yes, had U.N.R.R.A. received earlier authorisation, the supplies would have arrived sooner. I think they are doing their best.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can state the numbers of British and Russian troops in Hungary.

There are no British troops in Hungary, except the British Military Mission, which numbers about 60 officers and men. I regret that I have no information to give my hon. Friend about the strength of the Soviet forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what grounds Admiral Horthy was recently released from custody in Germany.

I have no official information about the release of Admiral Horthy, but I am making inquiries and I will write to my hon Friend when a report has been received.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind when he considers the information which he receives, that, under Admiral Horthy's rule, the country joined the Axis in 1939 and undertook the persecution of anti-Axis politicians and also of racial minorities in the country?

Yes, I will bear all that in mind; I am aware of it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the continued occupation by Russian forces of the Danish Island of Bornholm; and whether he proposes to make representations to the Government of the U.S.S.R. with a view to the speedy evacuation of this Danish territory.

Yes, Sir, my right hon. Friend is aware that Soviet forces are still on the Danish Island of Bornholm. He considers that the question of their departure is a matter for direct settlement between the Governments of Denmark and of the Soviet Union.

Is the Minister aware that there is acute distress not merely in Denmark but in every Scandinavian country with regard to this violation of Danish neutrality, and is it not so urgent that the right hon. Gentleman should bring it before the Security Council of the United Nations Organisation?

If either the Soviet Union or Denmark had asked for our help or advice in any regard we should have been very glad to give it. I think we may safely trust the Danish Government to do what they think right.

Will the Minister bear in mind that if it had not been for the Russian troops there would be a lot of German troops still occupying the whole of Denmark?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the immense strategic importance of the Island of Bornholm and that the continued presence of the Forces of a foreign Power in Bornholm must be a threat to peace, and will some action be taken?

No relevant consideration will escape our attention.

Is not the last answer but one of the right hon. Gentleman rendered irrelevant by Russian action with regard to Indonesia and Greece?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the plebiscite in Outer Mongolia on the question of the future status of this territory provided for in the Sino-Soviet Treaty of 1945 has yet taken place.

Yes, Sir. The Soviet Press announced that the plebiscite in Outer Mongolia was held on 20th October last. It further reported that 487,409 persons had taken part, and that all of them voted for the independence of Outer Mongolia.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the withdrawal of British forces from French Indo-China and on the casualties so far suffered by British, Indian, Allied and Annamese personnel during the operations there; and if he will give an assurance that before the British forces were withdrawn guarantees of the future independence of these territories were given by the French Government.

As my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for War, said in answer to a Question on 24th January, two brigades and the divisional headquarters will have been withdrawn from Indo-China by 31st January; the third and last brigade will be withdrawn within the next few weeks. Allied casualties during the period from mid-October, when the truce was broken, up to 13th January, were 126 killed and 424 wounded. Of the killed, 3 were British and 37 were Indian. I have no precise information about the casualties suffered by the Annamites and Tonkinese who have opposed our troops; it has been estimated that about 2,700 have been killed. British troops went to Indo-China after the surrender of Japan. They have been engaged on a purely military task, and their presence has had nothing to do with the political or constitutional problems of the country.

But will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that part of their directive was to maintain law and order until the French Civil Government could return, and is he aware that the previous French administration there was extremely oppressive and corrupt, and 95 per cent. pro-Vichy?

Perhaps my hon. Friend has seen the declaration made by the French Government on 24th March—before Japan surrendered. He will see it does promise a great political advance and an internal system founded on freedom of speech and liberty.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that no Great Power and no European Power except Britain has an ambassador to Spain in Madrid; and whether he will recall the British ambassador to Spain.

The policy of His Majesty's Government towards Spain has already been made clear in statements made by my right hon. Friend on 23rd January and 5th December. From that policy the Government have not departed and I have therefore nothing to add.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that it would be most unfortunate if Britain, having the longest record of fighting against Fascist Germany, should then continue to have the longest record of representation by an ambassador in Fascist Spain?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will remember what my right hon. Friend said last week, that His Majesty's Government have on all relevant occasions expressed their dislike of the present regime which abetted our enemies and have forcefully enunciated their anxiety that the present regime should be superseded by a regime popularly supported by the Spanish people themselves.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also bear in mind that for quite a considerable period between the wars, we were the only one of the present great Powers that had an ambassador in Moscow?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the contributions made by the Austrian people towards their own liberation and their endeavours to rid themselves of Nazi influences, His Majesty's Government regards Austria as a liberated country within the terms of the Moscow Declaration of 1st November, 1943.

On 5th January the British Military Commissioner in Austria informed the Austrian Federal Chancellor that His Majesty's Government had decided to recognise Austria as a State, and to recognise the present Government as the de jure Government of that State. The Military Commissioner added that this recognition in no way affected the control exercised over Austria by the Allied Council; that control would be maintained in its present form until a new Agreement could be made by the Governments of the four occupying Powers. His Majesty's Government regard this act of recognition as an important step towards the fulfilment of the Moscow Declaration of 1943; they hope that the control exercised by the occupying Powers may be progressively relaxed until Austria is once more a free and equal member of the comity of nations.

Is the Minister aware that he has not really answered my Question, which was to ask him whether in the view of the Government the Austrian people had made sufficient contribution towards their own liberation and towards the de-Nazification of the country, in order to justify the application to Austria of the terms of the Moscow Declaration, which were that Austria should be treated as a free and independent country and when—

Speech.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will make a statement on the terms of the new agreement to be concluded between the Governments of the four Powers occupying Austria.

Future control policy in Austria will shortly be considered by the Allied Council in Vienna in the light of recent recognition of the Austrian State and the Austrian Government. It is the desire of His Majesty's Government that control should be progressively relaxed.

Can the Chancellor use every effort to speed up the conclusion of this Agreement in view of the fact that it is quite impossible for the Austrian Government to make the necessary plans for the recovery of Austria's disrupted economic condition while matters are so uncertain?

The Agreement in question will have to be dealt with by the Allied Control Committee, and it is anticipated that it will be brought before them within the next few days.

Why is it necessary to keep nearly 1,000,000 troops in occupation of this unfortunate country, Austria, which has never shown Fascist leanings?

We have nothing like 1,000,000 troops in Austria.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the mission of Sir Archibald Clark Kerr to Batavia had the prior approval of the Netherlands Government and of the Indonesian Nationalist leaders.

In accordance with the usual practice, the Netherlands Government were informed of the proposal to appoint Sir Archibald Clerk Kerr as a special Ambassador with a mission in the Netherlands East Indies, and they at once agreed. The Indonesian Nationalist leaders were not informed, but there is some reason to think that they also will welcome the presence of Sir Archibald Clark Kerr.

Would it be a fair assumption that this British Mission will take the place of the proposed Netherlands Parliamentary Commission, which many of us think would be of very doubtful efficacy?

I cannot possibly answer what the Netherlands Parliament or Government would decide.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has considered the telegram from the hon. and gallant Member for Aston (Major Wyatt), the contents of which have been communicated to him; and if, while doing everything possible to secure a peaceful settlement in Indonesia and the speedy withdrawal of British Forces, he will take steps to avert the danger, in the present delicate situation, that intense provocation may be caused by the arrival in Indonesia of large Dutch forces.

Yes, Sir, I have considered the telegram from the hon. and gallant Member for Aston. Of course, the Government will give full weight to what the hon. and gallant Member says, and my hon. Friend may be sure that, in everything they do in the Netherlands East Indies, His Majesty's Government will carefully consider the effect their action may have on the prospects of a peaceful settlement.

Has my right hon. Friend considered Dr. Sjahrir's last statement, as reported this morning, and is it not the case that very good results have so far been achieved by the employment of the Peace Preservation Corps?

I have considered Dr. Sjahrir's last declaration, and I think that some of the co-operation he gave has been satisfactory, and I hope it may be extended. In fact, some Dutch troops have been landed in Batavia, to replace Dutch Colonial troops, and the results have been most satisfactory.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say what the hon. and gallant Member for Aston is doing in those parts?

I understand that he is on the Parliamentary Delegation to India.

But this is about Indonesia, and they are not the same place.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent British troops are being used to assist the Greek Government in suppressing the monarchist revolt in Greece.

The troubles at Kalamata began with the murder of the local leader of the X organisation, of two of his bodyguard and of his six year old son. According to the Police report these murders were committed by Communists, and members of the X organisation retaliated by killing two Communists and wounding others with a bomb. Demonstrations followed, after which armed bands of the X organisation, in uniform, armed with automatic weapons, and acting in military formation, took control of the town. When Greek Government forces arrived, the X bands withdrew, taking a number of hostages with them, some of whom were murdered before the remainder were released. It would be an exaggeration to describe these events as a monarchist revolt; but they constitute a lamentable example of local disorder. British troops were not involved, since the outbreak was dealt with promptly and efficiently by the Greek Gendarmerie and by units of the Greek Army. British troops would, of course, have given their help, had it been required to restore order. This episode shows how essential it is that private armed bands, both of the Right and of the Left, should be disarmed, in order that Greece may be freed at last from the menace of extremist violence. As the Government have declared, one of the purposes of the presence of British troops in Greece is to assist to this end.

Will the Minister make it clear that British troops in Greece will, if necessary, be used with just as much energy in the suppression of any revolt from the Monarchy of the Right, as they were used in December, 1944, in the suppression of an alleged revolt of the Left?

I think I have said so in terms in my answer.

Whilst absolutely agreeing with the right hon. Gentleman's answer, in view of the fact that the organisation was outlawed by Mr. Papandreou in October, 1944, because of its collaboration with the Germans during the occupation, may I ask if the right hon. Gentleman would say under what circumstances that ban was apparently lifted so that the present Greek Prime Minister had to state that from henceforth the X organisation would be denounced as illegal?

I am afraid I could not give my hon. Friend a detailed answer, but the Greek Government are taking vigorous action, and are closing all offices in Athens and district.

My right hon. Friend referred to a police report. Have His Majesty's Government no better information than that emanating from a Fascist-controlled organisation?

I have very little reason to doubt that that report is entirely true.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say what happened to the hostages taken by the Monarchists?

Some of them were killed. First reports said 14, and the last, I think, was six, but it may have been more. The remainder were released after the Greek troops had issued an ultimatum to the leader of the X organisation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that he has the support of the majority of public opinion in this country in pressing for and welcoming the earliest possible hearing by the U.N.O. of the charges brought by the U.S.S.R. against Britain in respect of Greece and Indonesia; and whether he will give an assurance that he will continue to press for the same object.

The Security Council of the United Nations exists to deal with disputes or misunderstandings between the Member States, and His Majesty's Government confidently hope that it will be used for that purpose whenever it is required. They are more than willing that the Council should examine any charges made against Great Britain, so that our good name may be cleared, and they are satisfied that in pursuing this policy they will have the widest national support. My hon. Friend will be aware that the Security Council will be dealing with the dispute between Iran and the Government of the Soviet Union this afternoon. Thereafter, the questions of Greece and Indonesia will be considered.

Is it reasonable to hope that the British Government will continue to demand an investigation of these charges, whether or no the Soviet Union succeeds in avoiding a similar allegation with regard to Persia?

That is a hypothetical question. I think my answer was pretty clear.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the extent of the financial liability assumed by His Majesty's Government for the maintenance of the Polish Second Corps in Italy under the command of A.F.H.Q.; what is the approximate sum this Corps has cost the Exchequer from the recognition of the present Polish Government to date; what are the Army regulations forbidding indulgence in political activities and particularly in such activities hostile to any of our Allies that are applied to this force by A.F.H.Q.; why it is permitted to use a cipher of its own, to broadcast, to publish political pamphlets, newspapers and reviews; and why it is kept under arms.

As the answer to this Question is rather long, I will with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

His Majesty's Government have assumed responsibility for the provision of the necessary funds for the maintenance of the Polish land forces under British command, pending arrangements as to their ultimate disposal. The cost to His Majesty's Government of the Polish troops in Italy is approximately £2,000,000 a month. Polish armed forces under British command are subject to regulations similar to those in force for British troops, in that, as soldiers, they are forbidden to take an active part in political proceedings.

As regards the fourth part of the Question, the Polish 2nd Corps is allowed to use cypher for its operational messages in accordance with normal army procedure, but the cypher is available to the British authorities; no facilities for broadcasting have been placed at the disposal of the 2nd Corps; it has the same facilities for printing its own publications as any formation under British command.

As regards the last part, the Corps is kept under arms pending a settlement of the whole question of the future of the Polish armed forces, which is under discussion between His Majesty's Government and the Polish Provisional Government; the two Governments are agreed in desiring that as many men as possible should return to Poland.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Dr. Srecko Bataga, holding high appointment in the Slovene education department of A.M.G., Trieste, is being tried, in absentia, in Ljubljana as a war criminal on charges of being a former member of the Domobranci and torturing persons suspected as Partisans; that 11 other former members of the Domobranci are acting as teachers; that the Primorski Dnevnik paper was suspended on 27th November for stating that A.M.G. education seemed run by Fascists; and whether he will rescind the suspension of this newspaper and secure the dismissal and handing over to justice of all war criminals in the employ of A.M.G. in Trieste.

I have asked for a report on the points raised by my hon. Friend, and I will write to him when it is received.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are a number of persons being tried by the Yugoslav Government as war criminals and that there is a good deal of misunderstanding in regard to the attitude of His Majesty's Government in handing these people over?

asked the Minister of War Transport whether, in view of the unhelpful and discourteous attitude of many employees, including regulators, of the L.P.T.B., he will suggest to the Board that regulators and inspectors should wear numbers in the interests of the travelling public who may wish to identify them.

As I have stated in answer to a previous question, I cannot accept the implication in the first part of the Question, though I am aware that there is some cause for complaint. The Board assure me that they can readily identify a regulator or inspector if the time and place of any incident is given. It is unnecessary, therefore, for them to wear numbers.

Is the Minister aware that these regulators and inspectors do not assert their authority at all, that they are terrified of the ordinary bus conductors or conductresses, that they do not help the general public and cannot even say "Boo" to a goose?

I can hardly square the fact that they cannot say "Boo" to a goose with the allegation that they terrorise other sections of the community.

asked the Minister of War Transport what steps he proposes to take to prevent the present confusion on the No. 11 omnibus route in London.

With a high frequency service such as this on a relatively short route which passes through a large number of congested traffic points, some "bunching" of omnibuses is bound to occur, especially when there is a shortage of inspectors. The London Passenger Transport Board expect to improve the time-keeping on this route as more inspectors become available.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any idea of the fantastic situation caused by these buses going along in coveys through Central London, the first one being full up while all the others are empty?

Yes, Sir, I have used this route myself for many years.

That is why it is so bad.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he is aware of the overcrowding of London tubes and omnibuses during peak periods; what steps he is taking materially to improve the situation; and when he anticipates that these steps will become effective.

As a general rule, in the Central London area the train services provided by the London Passenger Transport Board at the peak periods are the maximum that can be operated, but if my hon. Friend has any particular cases in mind I shall be happy to make inquiries. Since 1st September, 1945, the Board have increased their mileage by 360,000 a week, and further improvements are being made as more vehicles become available.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he is now in a position to make a statement regarding the consistent late running of the following L.M.S. express trains, the 10 a.m. Glasgow (Central) to Euston, 10 a.m. Glasgow (St. Enoch) to St. Pancras, 8.40 a.m. Perth to Euston and 10 a.m. St. Pancras to Glasgow (St. Enoch).

The running of these trains is recognised to be unsatisfactory, and I regret that their unpunctuality was aggravated in December and early January by the heavy holiday traffic and by fog. I am in consultation with the railway companies regarding the possibility of overcoming the various difficulties that are giving rise to delays to passenger services generally.

Will the Minister remember that this matter has now been under the consideration of his Department for at least three months, and can he hold out any hope that, in the not too far distant future, passengers on these trains—and there is a very large travelling public between London and Scotland whose journeys are really necessary—will benefit by some improvement?

I am aware of the difficulties, and it is my intention to convey them to the Railway Executive Committee.

Will there be more efficient service when the railways are nationalised?

Will the Minister also bear in mind that the 8.20 from Perth runs so late now that it is impossible to make appointments in London before noon?

I should like to make it plain to the House that the control of trains is entirely in the hands of the railway companies, and it is my intention, aware as I am of the growing dissatisfaction, to convey it to the proper quarter.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether, in view of the congestion on trains which serve Gravesend, he will see that the through Gillingham trains do not stop at Woolwich and, if possible, Dartford.

No, Sir. To eliminate the stop at Woolwich would cause serious inconvenience to the considerable number of people working in the Woolwich area who use these trains at present. As regards the stop at Dartford, I would refer my hon. Friend to my answer to his question on 5th December last.

Will the Minister represent to the Southern Railway the necessity for improving train services to Gravesend during the peak hours, because during those hours most of the accommodation is being used by passengers en route, thus causing a great congestion?

I will be only too pleased to direct the attention of the Southern Railway to the remarks of my hon. Friend.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make with regard to the resignation of the hon. Member for Stoke from the office of Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade.

No, Sir.

May I ask the Prime Minister whether he considers the resignation of a Minister during the Parliamentary Recess to be so trivial a matter as not to warrant explanation or so difficult a matter to explain that he prefers to pass it over in silence?

I am sure that the right hon. Gentleman, even with his experience, will realise that it is quite contrary to precedent for the Prime Minister to make statements on matters of this kind. No one observed that precedent more closely than my right hon. Friend the present Leader of the Opposition.

Will the Prime Minister tell the House what was the nature of the quarrel between the Parliamentary Secretary and his chief?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider setting up a Royal Commission for the purpose of making recommendations for the introduction of a national wage policy for all industries throughout the country.

No, Sir.

Does the Prime Minister realise that this is an all-important matter? Why is it that the Government have no coherent policy for wages? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this method of leaving it alone or passing it on will not do any longer?

That, of course, is quite another question. The Government have a coherent policy on wages, but the hon. Member's suggestion for a Royal Commission is not an appropriate way of dealing with this matter.

Is it not a fact that there is no known policy for wages by this Government, and that it is an absolute scandal?

asked the Prime Minister how many Ministers of the Crown left this country on official missions during the recent Parliamentary Recess; what countries were visited; what was the object of the respective journeys; what results were achieved in each case; and what was the total cost to public funds.

Seven Ministers of the Crown were out of the country during some part of the recent Parliamentary Recess.

The Lord President of the Council visited Canada and the United States to make personal contacts with Ministers and leading personalities in those countries.

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs visited Moscow for discussions with Monsieur Molotov and Mr. Byrnes.

The Secretary of State for the Colonies visited West Africa to preside over the first meeting of the newly-formed West Africa Council.

The Minister of Education visited Gibraltar and Tangier en route for Malta where, at the request of my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty, she inspected the work of the Admiralty educational establishment with reference to general arrangements of adult education in the Services.

The Minister of Food visited the United States. The chief purpose of the visit was to discuss with the United States Secretary of Agriculture the international aspects of the serious and urgent problems relating to the supply of cereals, especially wheat and rice.

The Minister of Civil Aviation visited Bermuda to discuss with Canadian delegates a bilateral agreement on transatlantic air services, the return of Newfoundland air bases and other matters of mutual interest.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster visited Germany in his capacity as the Minister responsible for handling the affairs of the British element of the Control Commission for Germany.

I am confident that no responsible body of opinion will question the great value to the nation of these varied personal contacts on the part of His Majesty's Ministers with our friends overseas. I regret that in the time available I am not able to say what was the total cost to public funds of these visits.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that at the British-American Civil Aviation Conference in Bermuda on 17th January last, Mr. G. P. Baker, of the U.S. State Department, claimed that the Bermuda Conference was linked with financial talks betwen the two countries, and that the U.S. State Department felt that civil aviation and telecommunications should be handled concurrently with the loan discussions; and whether he will make a statement on the views of His Majesty's Government on this subject.

The civil aviation discussions are not specifically linked with the arrangements for the loan and associated agreements, but the settlement of any outstanding economic questions between the two countries must obviously conduce towards mutual understanding in our economic relationships.

Now that we have accepted the Bretton Woods proposals, may I ask that we shall not give way on any British civil aviation matter which, hitherto, we have always refused to abandon?

I should not be prepared to say anything so definite as that. Quite obviously, there must be a certain latitude on both sides in such negotiations.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government have made representations to the U.S. Government that British and Canadian participation in the forthcoming atomic bomb tests in the Pacific is desirable and consistent with the principle of joint experimentation developed during the war.

Yes, Sir, the participation of Britsh representatives in these trials is at present being considered in consultation with the United States authorities.

Will the Prime Minister say whether this country has any rights in the atomic bomb at all now?

That seems to be a different question altogether.

I do not like such putting-off technique.

Will the representatives in this matter be military men and not merely Press observers?

Clearly, they will not be Press observers; they will be official representatives.

asked the Prime Minister whether in order to allay the anxiety now felt both by 18 year olds seeking a career, and by officers commanding pre-service training units, as to their future, he will recommend some relaxation of military service in respect of those boys, who, before joining the Forces, voluntarily give up their time to cadet units and become efficient.

I have been asked to reply. While I appreciate the zeal of these boys in preparing themselves for military service and have much sympathy with my hon. Friend's suggestion I am afraid that in present circumstances it would not be practicable. I will, however, give my hon. Friend an assurance that his suggestion will be fully considered in connection with any future scheme of military training that may be introduced.

If a cadet, after four years' training and gaining a certificate of proficiency, is treated, when joining other Forces, the same as a person who has had no training, is not that equivalent to the military authorities saying that such training has no value?

If the hon. Gentleman will read my answer, he will find that we are very sympathetic to his suggestion, and that it is being borne in mind.

How long do the Government propose to retain a period of permanent service?

That is another question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will make a statement as to his long-term policy for the fishing industry.

I am not yet in a position to make a comprehensive statement in this matter but, as indicated in the Gracious Speech, the Government's policy is to take all necessary steps to promote a healthy fishing industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can yet make a statement with regard to the reconstitution of the White Fish Commission.

No, Sir. This question is under active consideration by the Departments concerned, but no definite announcement on the subject can yet be made.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that owing to the increased demand for lime for building and industrial use, suppliers cannot accept any orders for lime under the Land Fertility Scheme; and if he will take steps to see that the position is improved.

As a result of the growing demand for lime by the building industry, decreasing quantities of hydrated lime and quick lime are now being supplied for agriculture. Suppliers of lime under the Land Fertility Scheme can, however, accept orders for alternative grades of lime suitable for agriculture, largely increased supplies of which have been made available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will state, to the nearest convenient date, the number of German prisoners of war employed in agriculture in England and Wales; and what steps his department is taking to provide for their replacement.

The number of German prisoners of war employed on agricultural work in England and Wales at the end of December, 1945, was 76,200. As regards the second part of the Question, for some considerable time to come the labour requirements for food production will be such that all available manpower will be needed. While therefore all practicable measures are being taken to increase the regular labour force engaged in agriculture, the question of immediate and special steps to provide for the replacement of prisoners does not arise.

May I ask whether my right hon. Friend is aware that the decision to call up 5,000 men to the Forces almost cancels out the recent announcement of an increase in Class B release? Can that matter be reconsidered?

I feel towards this matter the same as my hon. Friend feels, but, like all the high priority industries, agriculture is playing its part.

If I may be allowed to give information to my right hon. Friend about my own constituency, I would like to inform him that German and Italian prisoners of war are taking work away from British agricultural workers. Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the matter to see whether preference is being given to prisoners of war?

I shall be glad to look into any such complaint if any is made.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider permitting the Poultry Association of Great Britain (SPBA), Limited, to be represented at the annual February review with regard to egg and poultry prices.

No, Sir. It would be inappropriate for representatives of specialist commodity producers to be associated with a review of the general economic position of farming as a whole. I have, however, agreed that officials of my Department shall meet representatives of this association in the near future in order to hear their views in regard to egg and poultry prices.

Are we to understand that these are to be dictated poultry prices and that no democratic prices are to be allowed at all?

My hon. Friend is to understand nothing of the kind.

That is just what I do understand.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in connection with the land farmed by W.A.E.C.s during the past six years, he will consider issuing a full and complete profit and loss account in view of the fact that the public have a right to know the financial results of this committee farming.

I regret that it is not possible from the information available to prepare such an account. Nor would it be possible to prepare one in respect of any given period without valuations being made at the beginning and end of that period of the live and dead stock, including tillages, of all lands in the possession of all the committees.

Is not the Minister aware that the money involved is public money, which the taxpayer has to provide, and are we not entitled to know what are the profit and loss statements of these committees over a period of time? This is an important matter.

The hon. Gentleman must be aware that there can be no question of making a profit until an area has been brought back into good heart. The land included undeveloped building land, commons, golf courses and so forth, and, with the staff available, it is impossible to provide balance sheets.

It is public money. Should not it be disclosed what is happening to that money? The Government dare not disclose what is happening to it. I challenge them to do so.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many men have now returned to agriculture and horticulture since release under Class A; how many have not so returned; and how many men and women have now applied for the Government's training scheme for agriculture and horticulture.

Up to 31st December, 1945, applications for agricultural or horticultural training under the Government's Scheme had been received from 1,053 persons. I regret that the information desired with regard to Class A releases of agricultural workers is not available.

In view of the answer which the right hon. Gentleman gave to Question 56, may I ask whether he does not consider that some very urgent steps should be taken to encourage men who formerly worked in agriculture, and who have come out of the Forces under Class A, to return to the land?

I can assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that all steps that can be taken by the Government are being taken to recruit a labour force through the normal channels.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is prepared to postpone the date on which members of the local authorities' staffs who wish to do so must become members of the National Advisory Service, in order that such persons may have further time to consider the matter; and whether he will make a statement as to the future advisory functions of members of farm institute staffs who decide not to exercise their option to join the National Advisory Service.

A period of eight weeks has been allowed for the receipt of applications for transfer to the Ministry from the staffs of local authorities. For the whole of that period technical staffs have known the Advisory Service conditions of transfer, and no extension of time seems necessary in their case. Corresponding information is not yet available for the small number of clerical and other non-technical staffs involved, and an extension to 30th April is accordingly being allowed for them. In reply to the latter part of the Question, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education and I hope to issue a circular shortly on the relations of the local education authorities and their staffs with the N.A.A.S.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that members of the staffs of local authorities are very concerned because they have been forced to take a decision without knowing whether the farm institutes are going to continue to exercise advisory functions or not?

My hon. and gallant Friend will be aware that all these officers had the right to apply to the Ministry of Agriculture for transfer if they desired, and, since all of them know the terms and conditions, it seems to me that there is no reason to feel that there was any necessity for an extension of time.

But is not the Minister aware that many members of the farm institutes wish to stay on the staffs and not join the National Advisory Service if the farm institutes are going to exercise advisory functions?

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will state the number of rooms and amount of floor space occupied by his Department at 145, London Road, Kingston-upon-Thames; and the number of officers of his Department permanently stationed at these premises.

My Department occupied six rooms at these premises, covering approximately 1,250 square feet. One of the rooms is used as a store room and another is equipped as a laboratory. Five officers are permanently stationed at the premises.

In view of the critical need for office accommodation in this building in connection with re-housing, cannot the right hon. Gentleman persuade his officers to move up and make a little more room?

My officers will gladly accept any alternative accommodation that might be provided for them, but if the care of animal health is to continue, the officers dealing with that problem must have some room in which to work.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is now able to state whether existing regulations governing the granting of dairy licences in England are to be immediately amended so as to make eligible for such licences bulls carrying Canadian, Dutch and Scottish milk records.

I propose to amend the Regulations forthwith so as to permit the acceptance for dairy licence purposes of milk records obtained under any milk recording scheme that I may approve from time to time. I intend at the same time to approve the Scottish and Canadian milk recording schemes for this purpose. I have not reached a decision on Dutch milk records, as I have as yet received insufficient information from the appropriate authorities.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make that action retrospective?

I doubt if that would be practicable, but I will look into it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why consent was given upholding the notice to quit, served by the purchaser of Uphampton Farm, Shobdon, Herefordshire, on the tenants, Messrs. Tedstone Bros. in view of Defence Regulation 62 (4, a ); and why seven months passed after the notice to quit was given before consent by the Ministry was given upholding this notice.

I was satisfied that no speculation was involved in the case, and that the proposed change of occupation would not result in a serious decline in food production. I regret that the inquiries which were necessary prevented my reaching an early decision.

In view of the importance of this subject to the agricultural community, and the impossibility of clearing it up by question and answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has considered the Report of the Loveday Committee on Higher Agricultural Education; and with what result.

Yes, Sir. I have arranged for the report to be published and I hope it will be available to hon. Members on Thursday. I cannot at this stage commit myself to acceptance in detail of all the committee's recommendations, but I am in general agreement with the coherent plan suggested by the committee for improved facilities for higher agricultural education to meet the needs of the future. I would commend it to the attention of the universities and other interested bodies.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in view of the long time that has elapsed since the resignation of Sir Ronald Cross, he expects to be able to name a new British High Commissioner for Australia at an early date.

Yes, Sir. The question of making an appointment is under active consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware that citizens of Eire serving in the British forces cannot return to Ireland except in civilian clothes, and that they complain that it often takes a fortnight to obtain these clothes and consequently their journey home is delayed, whereas Americans, Australians and New Zealanders can travel to Eire in uniform; and what action he proposes to take in order to remedy this grievance.

It is the case that the wearing of uniform by members of the United Kingdom Forces when on leave in Eire is contrary to Service Regulations. I understand that the United States and overseas Dominion Service authorities have made arrangements under which members of their Forces visiting Eire are allowed to do so in uniform, but this is, of course, a matter entirely for them.

As regards the issue of civilian clothing, I am informed that special priority is given to clothing issues to Army personnel being released to Eire and that a delay of 14 days occurs only in the case of men returning from overseas for whom special measure clothing has to be made. Such cases, however, are few and the men concerned may, if they wish, obtain their own civilian clothing from their homes to avoid delay. Civilian clothing is issued on loan to personnel proceeding to Eire on leave, and no delay is involved.