asked the Minister of Food whether his attention has been drawn to the surplus supplies of butter and eggs in Denmark; and what measures he is taking to import such supplies with a view to increasing the butter and shell egg rations.

I have already arranged to import the maximum available supplies of Danish butter and eggs. Danish butter is, of course, subject to allocation by the combined Food Board.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the shortage of rice in this country, particularly as it is the staple diet of many members of the British Commonwealth resident in this country; and if he will take steps to augment the supply.

I am aware of the present shortage of rice in this country, which is due to the fact that I have ceased to import supplies. There is a very serious world shortage of rice and such supplies as are available are being distributed to those countries in which rice forms the staple diet. In these circumstances, I am not prepared to import rice into this country, where other foodstuffs are available, until such time as world supplies improve sufficiently to justify such a course.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that small supplies of arachis oil are being refused to manufacturers of proprietary medicines, despite the fact that these supplies are essential for certain types of ampoules; that the value of the exports resulting is over 50 times the value of the arachis oil required in connection with the manufacture; and whether, in view of the fact that the supplies of this oil required for the proprietary medicine trade are negligible in comparison with the amount made available for culinary purposes and that the export trade is being severely hampered as a result, he will arrange for the necessary remedial action to be taken at an early opportunity.

I have no knowledge of this particular case. I should like to assist exports so far as possible and if the hon. Member will let me have details of the case which he has in mind, I will investigate it.

asked the Minister of Food whether, when a cottager's pig becomes a casualty before it reaches maturity, he will permit the period of feeding such pig to count towards the necessary two months' ownership qualification if the cottager purchases a replacement.

Yes, Sir, but a replacement pig must be kept for a minimum period of one month towards the necessary qualifying period of ownership of three months.

asked the Minister of Food the total quantities of cereals, processed and otherwise, which were found to have deteriorated so as to be unfit for human consumption during the 12 months ended 31st December, 1945.

I am afraid that no statistical information on this subject is available. I could in any case provide information only about cereals under the direct control of my Department, and as there are large stocks of cereals not under my direct supervision any information I could give would be misleading.

asked the Minister of Food, what quantities of grain and feeding stuffs are being exported from this country, and for what purpose; and whether he is aware that there is a shortage of feeding stuffs in the Eastern Counties.

The reply to the first part of the Question is given below. As to the last part of the Question, I am not aware that there are insufficient rationed feeding stuffs in the Eastern Counties to meet the coupon demand.

asked the Minister of Food what improvements in food supplies and what greater variety of diet will result from the discussions he has had during his recent visit to the U.S.A.

The discussions in which I participated during my recent visit to Washington were concerned with the international aspect of foodstuffs in short supply—wheat and rice.

asked the Minister of Food what prices are paid for West Indian bananas to the growers, shippers, wholesaler, retailer and by the public; and how do these prices compare with pre-war prices.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, informs me that before the war the price paid to the grower averaged about 3s. 3d. per bunch, reckoning 48 to 50 count bunches per ton, and that at present, under a scheme sponsored by the Jamaica Government, the grower receives a guaranteed price of 4s. 10d. per bunch, reckoned at about 52 count bunches per ton, less 4d. per bunch, which is deducted to finance disease control measures. As regards the prices in this country, a fair average of the price paid to the wholesaler before the war was about £34, while the average price paid to the retailer worked out at about £56 per ton, or sixpence per pound. The respective maximum prices laid down in the current Order are £93 and £121 6s. 8d. or 1s 1d. per pound. The retailer's margin prewar is estimated at £22 per ton (39 per cent. of the selling price) and is now, at maximum prices, £28 6s. 8d. per ton (23 per cent.). The wholesaler's margin was £9 per ton (26 per cent.) and is now £13 12s. 6d. (14 per cent.)

asked the Minister of Food in what areas bananas have been placed for sale in retail markets; and why the North-East coast area has been neglected in this respect.

The first shipment was distributed in South Wales, South-West. England, and Birmingham. The second is being sent to shops in Northern Ireland, Lancashire, North Staffordshire, and Newark. A third shipment has just arrived and will be distributed in the southern and home counties, and parts of the West Midlands. The North-East coast area will receive its allocation in turn. It will not be neglected.

asked the Minister of Food how many cargoes or part cargoes of bananas have reached the United Kingdom in the last three months; and in what areas they have been distributed.

Two cargoes of bananas have arrived. One has been allocated to South Wales, South-West England, and Birmingham and the other, which is at present ripening in warehouse, will be distributed in Northern Ireland, Lancashire, North Staffordshire, and Newark. A third cargo has just arrived and will go to the southern and home counties, and parts of the West Midlands.

asked the Minister of Food if, in view of the record landings of fish, he will take prompt action to reduce the high prices charged to the consumer for this necessary item of food.

Although record landings have occasionally been made at particular ports or by particular vessels, landings in general have been low in recent weeks in comparison with those of last summer and autumn. I am, however, keeping the question of prices constantly under review.

asked the Minister of Food if, in view of the fact that this country has for some years produced the whole of our domestic sugar ration and of the large beet sugar crop this year, he is now in a position to state the date when sugar rationing is to be ended.

I regret to say that there is no likelihood of our reaching the end of sugar rationing at an early date. The hon. and gallant Member's assumptions are unfortunately mistaken. In the first place, the beet crop has never provided the domestic sugar ration of this country except as paper statistics. A normal beet crop provides from 25 per cent. to 30 per cent. of the total rationed requirements of the country. Imports from Empire and other sources provide the remaining 70 per cent. to 75 per cent. In the second place, the reports that we have an abnormally large beet crop this year are equally wrong. The crop is, in fact, lower than the pre-war record by a figure somewhere between 75,000 and 100,000 tons, and is also lower than the best crops we have had during the war.

asked the Minister of Food if he will issue a statistical statement showing the food stocks in this country at the present time and comparing them with the pre-war stocks in the different commodities and the stocks in hand at different periods of the war.

No, Sir. In view of the day-to-day negotiations for the purchase of foodstuffs which my Department has to undertake, the issue of such a statement would not be in the public interest.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that, at the request of his Department, timber for 50,000 fish boxes was imported from Sweden by the Aberdeen Fish Curers' and Merchants' Association, Ltd., but that the Ministry of Supply have refused to grant any priority for nails or hoop iron in order that these boxes may be assembled; and if he will consult with the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production with a view to facilitating the immediate construction of these boxes.

I have been in touch with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production, who is endeavouring to assist the industry in obtaining supplies, with due regard to the claims of other important industries.

asked the Minister of Food why he will not allow retailers, catering establishments and institutions to change from the Ministry-sponsored companies to wholesalers when the sector scheme is abolished on 28th April next; and if he is prepared to vary the proposed regulation in the case of small retailers in country districts who would much prefer to deal with a local wholesaler.

The abolition of the sector scheme is one of the early relaxations of wartime food controls. It involves an increase in the demands upon transport and it is undesirable to put an additional strain on the distributive machinery by further changes, until the necessary adjustments resulting from the removal of the sector restrictions have been effected. No retailer, catering establishment or institution is at a financial disadvantage in dealing with the Ministry-sponsored companies which give efficient service. I shall, however, be considering the possibility of further relaxations, including the tie between retailers, catering establishments and institutions and their suppliers at a later date.

asked the Minister of Food what is the cost of eggs delivered to Britain; and, in view of the necessity of the restrictions imposed, whether he proposes to continue importing eggs to the exclusion of providing facilities for poultry farmers in Britain.

The value of the eggs in shell imported into the United Kingdom from all sources during the 12 months ended 31st December, 1945, was £8,080,983 and the quantity 69,136,000 dozen, an average of 2s. 4d. per dozen. The home supply of eggs at present depends primarily upon the supply of feeding stuffs for poultry. There is a world shortage of feeding stuffs and the supply in this country is in no way affected by the importation of eggs.

asked the Minister of Food the quantity of food in the buffer depots at the latest available date; what is its condition; how much has been added since the end of the war; and will he take immediate steps to distribute these stocks before they deteriorate.

Food stocks stored in buffer depots as at 19th January amounted to 1,067,000 tons compared with 1,133,000 tons on 18th August, 1945. They are revolving stocks, and during the same period 745,000 tons were allocated to these depots, and 811,000 tons delivered from them. Their condition is satisfactory and present arrangements should ensure that deterioration is kept to a minimum.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes to control the price of sponges.

Sponges, being toilet requisites, fall within the ambit of the Prices of Goods Act, 1939, under which traders may not increase their prices for comparable articles above the level ruling at 21st August, 1939, except to the extent of any reasonable increase in costs. I have been advised by the Central Price Regulation Committee that a closer control by means of a Maximum Prices Order would not be practicable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what precautions he has instructed working parties to take to ensure that confidential information which they acquire regarding a firm's future commercial policy and technical development work does not become known either accidently or intentionally to third parties.

The working parties know that their proceedings are confidential, and I am sure that we can rely on the discretion of the members to avoid any breach of confidence.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in view of the large stocks of wool in the country, when he will be able to remove all restrictions on the supply to manufacturers.

Manufacturers are able to obtain all the wool they require to keep their mills working at the highest level attainable. In future, they will be allowed to build up stocks, subject to conditions to ensure the required production for utility cloth, Service clothing and export orders.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why his Department requested the Services to retain the civilian clothing coupons of men called up, in view of the fact that they are now permitted to wear plain clothes.

It has in the past been the practice that such coupons should be retained, and I regret that it is not possible to change the practice so long as the supplies of clothing and footwear available for civilians remain so restricted.

asked the President of the Board of Trade for how long is the present issue of clothing coupons expected to last; and if he will consider supplementing the number of coupons or shortening the period.

The House was informed on the 21st August last that the present issue of coupons would have to last a longer period and that the public must be asked not to expect a further issue of coupons until the 1st May. It is most unlikely that supplies will permit any shortening of the period, but a fuller statement on the subject will be made shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why supplementary clothing coupons are not granted to members of the N.F.S. on demobilisation.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for South Hendon (Sir H. Lucas-Tooth) on 17th October last, of which I am sending him a copy. The arrange- ments described in that reply apply alike to men and women members of the National Fire Service.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why his Department has instructed the manufacturers of electric cookers to sell their products to electric light and power companies only and not to the ordinary retailer.

No such instructions have been issued by the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total amount of industrial floor space released and returned to industry during December, 1945.

Approximately 5.1 million square feet, as compared with 3.5 million square feet in November last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why processed cotton yarn for lace furnishings is being exported, while supplies of such yarn are denied to British manufacturers.

It is necessary to reestablish and foster exports of all types of goods. While lace furnishings have a higher conversion value, they cannot be catered for to the total exclusion of yarn exports. Only a small quantity of yarn is permitted for export; a much greater though still limited amount is available to manufacturers here.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the customs in the U.S.A. are at present levying ad valorem import duties on finished articles and that the value on which these duties are levied includes British purchase tax; and if he will approach the U.S. Government with a view to reducing the value by the amount of the British tax.

Having regard to the definition of dutiable value in their Customs law, the competent United States authorities have in many cases held that the Purchase Tax must be included in the value on which ad valorem rates of import duty are assessed. The legal issues involved are complicated. An important test case has recently been heard by the United States Court of Customs and Patents Appeals. Pending this Court's decision, there is no further action which can usefully be taken. We are, however, watching the matter closely, in view of its great importance to our export trade to the United States of America, with a view to renewing, if necessary, the strong representations which have repeatedly been made to the United States Government over the last five years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what restrictions have been imposed upon the future operations of the Japanese textile industry; and whether he will have regard to the unfair competition which the Lancashire textile industry was subjected to from Japan, in the years prior to the outbreak of war, in considering the terms of any peace treaty.

According to my present information, the capacity of the Japanese textile industry has been greatly reduced by dismantling of factories by the Japanese themselves and by the destruction caused by Allied bombing. I understand that General MacArthur has found it unnecessary to place any restrictions up to the present upon the operations of the industry for export.

As has already been announced in the Press, however, a United States Textile Mission, to which observers representing the United Kingdom, India and China have been attached, left the United States on the 15th January, charged with the duty of ascertaining the true facts regarding the Japanese textile industry.

The report of the Mission will be made available to the Combined Textile Committee in Washington and also to the Governments of the countries represented on the Mission. In the light of the information so obtained and taking into account other relevant factors bearing on Japan's economy, His Majesty's Government will frame its policy in respect to the future of the Japanese textile industry, in consultation with the other Allied Governments concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether a decision has yet been reached with regard to the importation into this country of German timber in the round, by way of reparation payments.

I would refer the Noble Lord to the answer given on 10th December last to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for West Middlesbrough (Wing-Commander Cooper). Transport conditions in Germany will unavoidably limit the quantities available for export for some time. Under the Potsdam Agreement, the proceeds of exports from current production in Germany are, to be used in the first instance to pay for essential imports into Germany, so that the timber we obtain from Germany will be paid for and not received as reparations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is in a position to state the policy of His Majesty's Government towards China with regard to reconstruction and trade.

His Majesty's Government are anxious to do everything in their power to assist in China's reconstruction and to establish and expand trade with China.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will furnish the tonnage figure for salvaged waste paper for the last six months of 1945, and whether he will, in the national interest, urge on local authorities and the general public, their continued help in preventing the waste of a valuable raw material.

The total collections of waste paper for the period amounted to 296,670 tons. In reply to the second part of this Question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Weston-super-Mare (Mr. Orr-Ewing) on 23rd January.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the application made on 21st November, 1945, by Messrs. Levi Jackson and Sons, Ltd., for a licence to re-import machinery sent to the U.S.A. for repair, was not dealt with by his department until 22nd January, 1946; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent the repetition of such delay.

I very much regret the serious delay in dealing with this case. It resulted from the inexperience of some of the new staff which has been recruited to deal with the increase in the volume of applications for licences. Steps have been taken to ensure that such delays do not recur.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the prospect of increased supplies of footwear, he will consider lowering the present number of coupons demanded for a pair of shoes.

No, Sir. Although footwear production is improving and will continue to improve, supplies are still only barely adequate to meet demand within the present ration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when supplies of wool for knitting will be available in other than 2-ply, which is useless for under-garments in the northern areas of this country.

Manufacture is not restricted to 2-ply 2 or 3-ply may be made according to demands. Total supplies of hand-knitting yarn, however, are limited by shortage of labour in the combing and spinning sections of the wool industry, and this affects particularly the supply of wool in white and pastel shades which my hon. Friend may have in mind. This wool is intended for babies' garments, for which it is specially suitable, and I hope that the public will not use it for other purposes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the shortage of men's clothing in Stock-ton-on-Tees; that demobilised soldiers are unable to get shirts and handkerchiefs; that retailers are unable to get new stocks against the coupons they hold; and what steps he is taking to improve this position.

I have no information that the position is more difficult in Stockton-on-Tees than in other parts of the country. I am aware that there is a temporary shortage of men's clothing but supplies to retail shops should improve as soon as the production of civilian outfits for de-mobilised men declines from its present high level. Every effort is being made to increase the output of yarn for cotton cloths, and arrangements have also been made to use for shirts and handkerchiefs any surplus Government cloths which are suitable for the purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what number of German scientists and technicians have been admitted to this country; and in what branches of research and industry they are being employed.

Only very limited numbers of German scientists have so far been admitted to this country in connection with defence research for the Service Departments. The Government's plans for recruiting German scientists and technicians for the benefit of civil industry were announced in my reply to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Working-ton on 19th December.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps have been taken to bring to the notice of all interested industries, institutions, societies and associations in this country the contents of the reports produced by the British Intelligence Objective Sub-Committee as a result of inspecting various undertakings in Germany, with a view to ascertaining what scientific developments had taken place therein during the war.

The general arrangements for the dissemination of information contained in reports issued by the British Intelligence Objective Sub-Committee were announced in this House on 14th November, 1945, in reply to a Question put by the hon. Member for Bury (Mr. W. Fletcher), of which I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy. Lists of these reports, as and when they are published by the Stationery Office, are announced weekly in the "Board of Trade Journal." Copies are also made available to the Technical Press.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the cost of the Ronaldsway Castletown, Isle of Man, R.N. air station, H.M.S. "Urley"; what use is now being made of this station; and whether the Navy intend to use the station in the future.

Royal Naval air station, Ronaldsway, is now reduced to a care and maintenance basis, but it continues to be used by civil aircraft. The prospect is that it will not be required for naval purposes. Negotiations for its disposal are already proceeding, and in view of this it would not be in the public interest to disclose the cost.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will ensure that time spent at a university under the direction of his Department by seamen whose service originated with a short course, will count as time necessary to qualify for release.

No, Sir; whole-time service in the Armed Forces since 3rd September, 1939, which counts for Service pay, is the only reckonable time for release purposes.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many naval schoolmasters have been released to date; what group has now been reached; and what is the anticipated rate of group releases of these men over the next three months.

Up to 29th January 31 officers of the instructor branch, and 47 of the schoolmaster branch, had been dispersed, thus reaching group 22. It is hoped to reach group 23 by 28th February, group 24 by 31st March, and groups 25 and 26 by 30th April.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the future of the North Eastern Marine Hendon Dock, Sunderland; and if he will consider permitting the existing partially completed contracts being carried out there, to permit of a decision as to the future of the dock being determined.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty for what reason it is intended to close the North Eastern Marine Hendon Dock, Sunderland, on 3rd March, 1946; and whether any steps are being taken to provide alternative employment for the workers thereby made redundant.

The North-Eastern Marine Engineering Company, who have been managing Hendon Dock on behalf of the Admiralty, wish to return to peace production in their own establishments. They have therefore given notice to terminate their management on 31st March, 1946. The future of the dock is under active consideration. Every effort is being made to absorb redundant workers in other shipyards in the district.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will review the system of granting war service increments, and arrange for ratings serving in the Far East to start receiving their increments without waiting for three years.

I regret it is not possible to grant this request. War service increment was issued to officers and other ranks and ratings of all three Services, not as a reward for service in the Far East only, but as a scheme of special financial benefits in respect of prolonged service during the war.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his Department has yet reached a decision about the rebuilding of the ropery in Devonport dockyard.

No, Sir.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of executive officers who have specialised as gunnery, torpedo, navigation, antisubmarine, signal, wireless-telegraphy, physical and recreational training, and staff officers, and as pilots and observers, in each of the seven years from 1939 to 1945 inclusive; and the number in each branch and each year who were commissioned from the lower deck under the sub-lieutenant scheme.

I regret that the information asked for would require a great deal of labour to produce, which cannot be justified in present circumstances.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when it is expected to issue an Admiralty Fleet Order giving all naval details of the new postwar code of pay, etc., recently announced in Cmd. 6715.

The subject of this Question is under active consideration, but I am not yet in a position to say when the Fleet Order will be issued.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the hon. and gallant Member for Uxbridge can expect an acknowledgment to his letter of 21st December, which asked for a reply to the letter of 10th October, regarding W.R.N.S. Pullin

Unfortunately my hon. and gallant Friend omitted to sign his letter of 10th October and I did not know to whom to send the reply prepared. It it regretted that the later letter of 21st December was not linked up with the original unsigned one

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the case of the wreck of the "George Hawley," lying on Mylor Bank in the Fal Estuary, in Cornwall; and, in view of the fact that she contains a quantity of black oil which is seeping out and covering beaches, quays, boats and nets, will he take immediate steps to have her removed for repairs.

The "George Hawley" is an American ship which was damaged in the engine room by a torpedo in January, 1945. A patch was fitted over the hole to prevent the leakage of oil, but the recent heavy seas weakened it. The work of making good the patch has now been put in hand. The question of the disposal of this and other damaged American vessels now lying at Mylor is under consideration by the United States authorities.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) the number of executive officers entered respectively, through the Dartmouth college scheme, the special entry scheme, and commissioned from the lower deck under the sub-lieutenant scheme, in each of the seven years from 1939 to 1945 inclusive, and the totals;

(2) the number of gunners, gunners (T) and boatswains promoted direct to the rank of lieutenant, and artificer engineers direct to lieutenant (E), under the accelerated promotion scheme, in each

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many men are now waiting in India for repatriation for demobilisation; how far behind schedule their releases are; and what is the average length of time in India between the date on which a group becomes entitled to demobilisation and the actual sailing for home.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what progress is being made in the repatriation of R.A.F. personnel from India and the Far East, for the purpose of demobilisation; and if he proposes to expedite it.

Three officers and 28 airmen have been waiting in India for repatriation for demobilisation since November; 11 officers and 55 airmen since December. On 25th January there were 213 officers and 1,956 airmen in India who are due for release for demobilisation in January. These men should have left India in time to get them back before the end of this month, so the hon. Member will see that some 2,000 members of the Royal Air Force have been delayed for a period of up to one month. This is largely the effect of the reduction in the air trooping programme which, as I warned the House, was bound to cause some dislocation while the men were being re-routed. The provision of adequate shipping to prevent any such back-log

year since the inception of the scheme, and the totals; and whether this scheme is to be a feature of the post-war Navy.

The information requested is as follows:

piling up again is being most actively pursued.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that numbers of the R.A.F. police are employed on unnecessary duties at the gates of aerodromes both at home and abroad; and whether he will consider the transfer of such police to other R.A.F. trades so as to enable a more even rate of Class A release to prevail as between trades in the R.A.F.

We have made large reductions in the establishment of Royal Air Force police since release began, and I do not think they are undertaking unnecessary duties. Their release is one group in arrears for February.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why no electricians in the R.A.F. are to be released during February; and will he countermand this instruction, in view of the concern felt by the men affected.

No, Sir, electricians are at present one group ahead of the main body of airmen. By not releasing another group in this trade during February, their rate of release will become the same as that of the main body of airmen. It is part of that general evening out process, the prosecution of which the hon. Member so often and so rightly urges upon us.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he has any fur- ther statement to make regarding the rate of demobilisation of the accountancy branch of the R.A.F.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I have given today to the hon. and gallant Member for Henley (Sir G. Fox).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will state the release groups of the various types of tradesmen now being offered Class B release under the block release method; and the normal time that elapses between nomination by his Department and the airman's return to industry.

I regret that information is not readily available as to the exact release groups reached in meeting the Ministry of Labour and National Service's demands for the large number of different types of tradesmen now being offered Class B release under the block release method. The exact group reached in any particular trade depends upon the size of the demands and the number of suitable men within the Royal Air Force available to meet it. The normal time between the issue of a release authorisation by the Air Ministry and the beginning of the man's release leave varies widely between home and overseas commands. Assuming release is accepted immediately, the normal period varies from 14 days for men serving in the United Kingdom to 46 days for men in the Far East, although it may be more or less in individual cases.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the increasing number of complaints from men in the R.A.F. who find that their age and service group numbers cannot be modified in the light of such periods for which they were released to industry, unless a specific guarantee was given that such activity would count towards release; and whether, in view of the fact that many of these men were given no choice but commanded to return to their civilian occupations, he will review the whole matter at an early date.

As I stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Sir J. Mellor) on 10th October, 1945, the concession is limited to airmen who received an unqualified written assurance that their period of release to industry would count as service towards their current engagement. The concession was made because the interpretation put on this assurance by the men was undoubtedly the natural one to put on it. I went on to explain that the decision did not mean that the Government had changed their previous view that it is, in principle, unfair to count the time when a man was released to industry as the equivalent for release purposes of time served with the Colours, and that it would be quite wrong to extend this concession to any but those who received the unqualified written assurance. As regards the last part of the Question, these men were all volunteers and were not commanded to return to their civilian occupations

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to the intention of his Department to provide parachutes in transport aircraft.

As I promised the hon. and gallant Member we would, we have considered the practice of the United States Air Transport Command in this matter. We find that the American practice, like ours, is not to carry parachutes on the "regularly established air routes" of their Army Air Transport Command. Apparently the American expert authorities agree with the considered view of our own Air Staff that the safety of passengers on such routes would not be appreciably increased by carrying parachutes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air, whether he will state the arrangements operating in each of the overseas commands for privilege leave to the United Kingdom, and the tour of duty after which men become due for repatriation in the various overseas commands, respectively.

The particulars for overseas commands of the R.A.F. are shown in the following statement:

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why the log books of airmen killed while flying over this country are retained; and whether they will in future be released to the next-of-kin.

Until recently we were not legally entitled to release log books. We have now announced that they can be given to aircrew or to the representatives of those who have lost their lives.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that the airman, No. 1127756, about whom the Member for Colchester wrote to him on 9th September last, has not yet, according to a letter dated the 8th January, been informed of the decision to grant his release; and if he will take steps to have the matter expedited.

There has been delay in this case, mainly because the airman originally applied for a compassionate posting instead of for compassionate release. His application was not granted, but in the light of the new evidence submitted by the hon. and gallant Member on 13th November, 1945, we have arranged for him to be specially brought home for release in Class C.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many private dwelling-houses, shop premises, and public halls in the village of Hawkinge are at present under R.A.F. requisition; how many of these are standing empty; and how soon their owners may, in view of promises made to them, expect the derequisitioning of their property.

We have just completed the derequisition of all the properties which have been used by the Royal Air Force in Hawkinge.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many fully trained R.A.F. crews, both officers and men, who have never flown on an operational flight or been out of England, except to complete their training, are now serving in England.

I regret that this information is not readily available. I would, however, refer the hon. and gallant Member to my answer of 17th December last to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Bristol (Mr. Awbery).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the alarm caused to the inhabitants of Swindon and district by the mock air-raid which took place over that town on the night of 15th January; and whether he will give an assurance that due warning to the inhabitants will always be given in the future before such exercises take place over populated places.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I have given to my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. T. Reid).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what is the hospital and after-care accommodation for officers and airmen in the United Kingdom; and how many are undergoing rehabilitation treatment now.

There are 22 Royal Air Force hospitals in this country which provide accommodation for 666 officers and 6,647 men. There are also six Medical Rehabilitation Units with accommodation for 208 officers and 1,976 men. At present 168 officers and 1,455 men are undergoing rehabilitation treatment in these Units.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, why no explanatory memorandum was attached to the Air Navigation Amendment (Ministry of Civil Aviation) Order, 1945 (S.R. & O. No. 1637 of 1945), having regard to the fact that this order amends over 60 previous orders made over a period of 22 years; and whether he will consider the possibility of making a consolidated order.

The Order was not regarded as being complicated enough to require an explanatory memorandum. Although the amendments contained in it are numerous, they are couched in simple language and are intended solely to give effect to the transfer to the Minister of Civil Aviation of powers which were formerly exercised by the Secretary of State for Air in respect of civil aviation. As regards the second part of the Question, a consolidation Order is in preparation and will be issued as soon as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, if any decision has yet been reached concerning the use of Turnhouse aerodrome as a civil airport for Edinburgh.

Turnhouse is a military aerodrome; but by agreement with the Air Ministry it will be used also by scheduled civil air services as soon as the necessary ground organisation has been provided. It is not yet possible to say whether Turnhouse will become available for use solely as a civil airport.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he has any statement to make about the future use of F.I.D.O. at Heathrow; and whether it is proposed to continue experiments in the development of fog dispersal for use in civil aviation airfields.

After reviewing all the relevant circumstances my Noble Friend has confirmed his decision not to proceed with completion of the F.I.D.O. installation at Heathrow. As regards the second part of the Qusetion, experiments in fog dispersal for aviation purposes are being continued.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether, before coming to a decision as to the future use of Harrowbeer airport, Yelverton, he will give local residents and the local authority concerned an opportunity of expressing their views, having regard to the fact that the airport is situated on common land.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he is aware of the services rendered to the public in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland by the air ambulance service at present operated by Scottish Airways; whether it is the Government's intention to continue air ambulance services in these areas under the policy envisaged in the White Paper; and, if so, will the air ambulances be operated by the corporation designated to deal with internal air services in Britain or by private charter firms.

The extreme importance of these services in the public interest is recognised by the Government. The corporation to be entrusted with the operation of the internal air services of the United Kingdom will be required to provide air ambulance services to serve the Highlands and Islands of Scotland at present served by Scottish Airways. Private operators will be at liberty to provide services on charter if the public desire to have recourse to them.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation when it is proposed to commence a regular air service between Edinburgh and London.

A regular air service between Edinburgh and London has a high priority in my Department's schedule of new internal services, and it is hoped that the necessary arrangements will be completed shortly.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation why no mention is made of Prestwick in the recent B.O.A.C. booklet Air-Line in Action.

The British Overseas Airways Corporation are entirely responsible for this publication which contains a short history of their record during the war.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what grants under the Development and Welfare Fund are to be made to British Guiana; how much money granted under the former Act is likely to remain unspent next April, and what effect this will have upon the new grant; how much money is to be allocated for the development of the interior; is it his intention to encourage the local government to develop the interior by offering concessions to private individuals or companies and the raising of private capital; what private enterprises are now contemplated; and whether any money is to be raised by loan locally for development purposes.

The allocation to British Guiana from the sum of £120,000,000 made available under the new Colonial Development and Welfare Act amounts to £2,500,000. Commitments under grants already approved under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act at 1st April, 1946, are likely to be of the order of £800,000 and will count against the Colony's allocation under the new Act. The amount of money to be allocated for the development of the interior cannot be determined until the Colony's sketch plan for development and welfare can be revised and fully discussed locally in the light of the Colony's allocation under the Act, and the funds likely to be available locally.

With regard to the last part of the Question, the amount to be raised by local loan for development purposes cannot yet be finally determined and must depend upon the Colony's financial position from time to time. The total sum available from local sources is, however, likely to be at least £1,000,000, but not, on present information, more than £2,000,000. It is certainly the intention of the Colonial Government to develop the interior by all possible means having regard to the resources available. These will no doubt include opportunities for private initiative and enterprise, where they are appropriate, but full information is not at present available in this respect.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the heavy deficit shown in the recent budget of British Guiana; what steps he is taking to enable the local government to meet the heavy costs of social services, particularly education and medical; and whether it is his intention to ease the standards of education and health services, as contemplated in recent years, in order that the colony's finances may be reasonably balanced.

Yes; I am aware that the 1946 budget, on the basis of existing taxation, provides for a deficit of nearly three million dollars. British Guiana has met from revenue all expenditure of the war period, including war and other emergency services, and is estimated to have surplus balances of approximately 5½ million dollars at 31st December, 1945. The estimated deficit for 1946 is due mainly to the necessity to continue temporarily certain emergency expenditure, while the Colony will suffer from a decrease in the high level of wartime revenue derived from bauxite.

Early last year approval was given to the raising of a local loan which should serve to stabilise the position. The question of increasing revenue is under examination and the Colonial Government propose to introduce legislation to expand the scope of Income Tax and increase the yield from higher income groups. The budgetary and general economic position are now under examination by a recently appointed economic adviser. Further, £2½ million has been allocated under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act towards agricultural and economic development and social services. It is not proposed that the standards of education and health services should be lowered, and it is hoped that expanded costs of these services will be met by an expansion of revenue.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has any statement to make on the boycott declared by the Member States of the Arab League on Jewish goods produced in Palestine.

No, but I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many outbreaks of violence have occurred in Palestine, and how many military and police personnel have been killed or wounded in them since the appointment of the Anglo-American Commission was announced.

There have been six outbreaks of violence involving casualties among military personnel of six killed and 96 injured or wounded, and' among police personnel of six killed and 39 injured or wounded.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if there are any plans for introducing elected members on to the Legislative Council of Seychelles; and what franchise qualification is proposed for voters.

His Majesty's Government have agreed to the introduction of elections in Seychelles in respect of up to three of the unofficial members of the Legislative Council, and the Governor was authorised to make an announcement to this effect last year. Elections under the new Constitution will be held when the necessary amendments to the Constitutional Instruments have been brought into force. The franchise would be based on a property or income qualification plus a simple literacy qualification, but the actual details of qualifications of voters are still to be considered in the light of informal discussions which are now being held between the Governor and the unofficial members of the Legislative Council in regard to election procedure generally.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, after examination and review of the experience gained in the Malaria Institute in India, he will consider setting up a malaria research and control institute located in a suitable centre in Africa or, alternatively, one in West Africa and one in East Africa.

A considerable amount of control and research work on the various aspects of the malaria problem has been and is being done in both East and West Africa, but there is no specific institute on the lines of the Malaria Institute of India. The establishment of such an institute is one aspect of the whole problem of the future organisation of medical research for the Colonies. It is being considered by the Colonial Medical Research Committee which was set up lest year under the chairmanship of Sir Edward Mellanby by the Secretary of State for the Colonies and the Medical Research Council. My right hon. Friend will await the Committee's recommendation before taking a decision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is satisfied that adequate supplies of penicillin are now available for civilian use by the medical authorities on the spot in all the African Colonies.

Yes; there is no restriction on the supply of penicillin to the Colonies. Their full requirements can now be ordered through the usual channels.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action has been taken by his Department to implement the recommendations of the Report of the Committee on the Training of Nurses for the Colonies.

My right hon. Friend has already warmly commended to the consideration of Colonial Governments those recommendations of the report which relate to the development of the nursing and midwifery services in their territories, and the local training of staff for those services, and he has asked for reports to be furnished towards the end of this year as to the progress made. I am favourably impressed by the Committee's recommendations which relate to recruitment and training for the Colonial Nursing Service but it will be appreciated that the present acute general shortage of nurses severely limits the action which can be taken in the immediate future to implement these recommendations. My right hon. Friend has accepted the recommendation that a nurse adviser should be appointed to the staff of the Colonial Office and he intends to make this appointment as soon as a suitable candidate can be found.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies who he has in mind to form the central organisation to review the plans for development and welfare submitted by the Colonial Dependencies, referred to in his circular dispatch to all Colonial Governors, dated 12th November, 1945.

My right hon. Friend has this matter under active consideration, but I am not yet able to make any announcement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will consider a scheme for the regular interchange for short periods of administrative officers of the Colonial Service and members of the staff of the Colonial Office.

A scheme of regular interchange for periods of about two years in each case has existed for a long time. Because of manpower difficulties the scheme could not be fully operated during the last few years, though several officers of the Colonial Service have been attached to the Colonial Office. I take the opportunity to acknowledge the great help which the Colonial Office has received from them during the war. The scheme of regular interchange will be resumed as soon as circumstances permit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress is being made towards extending the franchise in the Bahamas, introducing the secret ballot, trade union legislation and income tax; and whether, in view of the long delay in effecting these reforms in the Bahamas, His Majesty's Government will take steps to introduce the constitutional changes which will ensure these reforms being adopted.

I am glad to say that the principle of the extension of the secret ballot to the whole of the Colony has been accepted by the Legislature and that the necessary legislation will be introduced into the House of Assembly in the present session. I trust that it will be passed at an early date. The Trade Unions Act of 1943 of the Bahamas permits the formation and registration of trade unions but its provisions are not, in the view of His Majesty's Government, entirely satisfactory. I regret that at the moment the House of Assembly appears to be opposed to further amendment of the Act. I am informed that no trade union has yet been formed under existing legislation, and that this is the reason advanced by the House for not proceeding with the desired Amendment. As regards Income Tax, I much regret that the House of Assembly has shown itself unwilling to accept the introduction of Income Tax, in spite of the requirements with which the Colony will be faced over the next few years for necessary expenditure on a number of public services.

My hon. Friend will appreciate that His Majesty's Government do not regard the position as satisfactory. Discussions have recently taken place locally on constitutional issues and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies has agreed to receive deputation from the Bahamas this summer, to consider any proposals which the House of Assembly may wish to put forward. Until these discussions have taken place it would be premature to consider alternative methods of dealing with the situation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action he intends to take regarding ex-enemy properties in Tanganyika; and if he will consider putting these properties under State ownership and earmarking them for African use.

The question of the disposal of ex-enemy properties in Tanganyika is under active consideration. I am not yet in a position to make a statement on the subject. It is, however, the intention that Government should take control of these properties, and in determining its policy the needs of the African population will be fully taken into account.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many cases of homicide were dealt with by the Protec- torate of Uganda police in 1944; how many persons were found guilty; and what sentences were passed.

Out of 306 cases reported 223 were brought to court and 158 persons were convicted. I have no information as to the sentences passed, but I will obtain them from the Governor and communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in publicising the scheme for settling ex-Servicemen as tenant farmers in Kenya; how many persons have so far applied for facilities under this scheme; and what arrangements have been made for interviewing and selecting candidates from this country.

The Kenya schemes for postwar settlement for ex-Servicemen have received wide publicity in the East African and home Press. Since the beginning of December, 364 people inquiring about settlement prospects generally, including both farming and residential, have been interviewed by the East African Office in London, apart from some 700 inquiries which have been dealt with by post. Sixty applicants have so far completed and returned the statutory declaration form which was sent out on 5th January. It is understood that a considerably greater number of applications have been made direct to the Settlement Board in Kenya. The above figures apply to all inquiries received about settlement and not only to inquiries from ex-Servicemen; it is not possible to give separate figures for the tenant farming scheme. A Selection Committee under the chairmanship of the Commissioner of the East African Office will start its work in London on 5th February.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will prosecute, under the Cyprus law relating to trade unions, the promoters of the general strike which took place in Cyprus recently as a protest against a decision imposed by the courts.

The initiation of proceedings in the courts of the Colonies is a matter for the authorities of the Colony concerned and is not one for my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the outcome of the trial of the Cypriot trade union leaders on a charge of conspiracy; whether the Pan-Cyprian trade union committee is now regarded as an unlawful association; and when can the islanders expect the repeal of all restrictive legislation.

I understand that the court found for the prosecution on two counts and that, of the accused, 12 were sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment and six to 12 months' imprisonment. I have not yet received the report of the proceedings and I am not therefore in a position to reply to the second part of the Question. As regards the third part, I must ask my hon. Friend to state more specifically the legislation that he has in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that during the hearing of the recent case in which the entire Pan-Cyprian trade union committee were sentenced to terms of imprisonment at the Nicosia Assize Court, the president of the court held that the members of the committee were members of an unlawful association; and what steps he intends taking to establish the legality of this body and the development of trade unionism in Cyprus.

As regards the first part of the Question I would refer to my reply to the Question by the hon. Member for South-West St. Pancras (Mr. Haydn Davies). As regards the second part of the Question, encouragement is being given to the development of trade unionism in Cyprus. By 1944 there were 122 registered trade unions in the island.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the law under which the 18 members of the Pan-Cyprian trade union committee were recently sentenced to imprisonment is Fascist and anti-working class in its character; that the substance of the evidence against these trade unionists was that they were engaged in publicising the classic works of Socialism; and whether he will take immediate steps to free these trade unionists and alter the law so that it conforms to Socialist principles; and remove from office all those officials who were primarily responsible for instigating this prosecution.

I do not accept my hon. Friend's description of the sections of the law under which these persons were charged and convicted nor do I see any grounds for amending this legislation. I have not yet seen the record of the trial and I am therefore unable to comment on the second part of the Question. As regards the third and fourth parts of the Question, I am not prepared on the facts before me at this stage to assume that the persons responsible for instituting the prosecution acted otherwise than in accordance with their high sense of duty.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, what further steps he is proposing to take to restore democratic government in Cyprus, both as regards local government and a central legislature.

I am not in a position to add to the reply given to a Question by my hon. Friend on this subject on 14th November last.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plans are being made for creating a tung oil control board in Nyasaland.

The Government of Nyasaland is pressing forward actively with a plan for the development of tung oil production in a largely undeveloped area of the Protectorate. The details of the organisation to operate the industry are still under discussion, but in the meantime my right hon. Friend has sanctioned the expenditure from the surplus funds of the Nyasaland Government of £27,000 for the opening up, planting and maintenance for three years of 500 acres of land, such expenditure to be recouped from whatever organisation is set up on a permanent basis.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what consultations took place between Sir Harold MacMichael and the members of the Legislative Council of the Straits Settlements before it was decided to include Malacca, Penang and Province Wellesley in the Malayan Union.

The directions given to Sir Harold MacMichael, as contained in the Appendix to Command Paper No. 6724, make it clear that the sole purpose of his mission was to invite the co-operation of the Malay Rulers in the establishment of a fresh constitutional organisation, and to conclude a formal agreement with each Ruler.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is satisfied that foreign businesses established in China will have their rights and interests fully recognised now that extraterritoriality is at an end, and that the Chinese, particularly in Shanghai, are adhering to the assurances they have given to this effect.

As regards the first part of the question, His Majesty's Government relies on the assurance given by Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek in a broadcast speech on 10th October, 1945, that foreign-operated enterprises in China will be given full legal protection by the Chinese Government.

As regards the second part of the Question, the position is not yet entirely satisfactory, particularly at Shanghai. Difficulties are being experienced in securing repossession of a number of British properties owing to the refusal of unauthorised persons and organisations to vacate, despite official orders to do so. Representations have been, and will continue to be made by His Majesty's Ambassador and His Majesty's Consular Officers in China with a view to securing adequate recognition and protection of British rights and interests.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that money advanced to civilian internees in Shanghai for purchase of comforts was termed a loan; whether His Majesty's Government intend to ask for a refund; and, if so, whether a rate of exchange will be fixed comparable to real and not to fictitious values.

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. The question of the amounts to be recovered is still under consideration, but any decision will of course take into account the point about real and fictitious rates of exchange.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any application has yet been made by the Hungarian Government to the Allied Control Commission for U.N.R.R.A. to operate in Hungary; and whether he is aware that, owing to the distressed condition in that country, a large number of people are expected to die of starvation unless action is taken promptly.

An application by the Hungarian Government for assistance was endorsed by the Allied Control Commission and on 8th January the Central Committee of U.N.R.R.A. authorised the administration to initiate a programme confined, in addition to any operations for the benefit of displaced persons, to the provision of medical and sanitary aid and supplies and the provision of emergency relief supplies for children and nursing and expectant mothers to an amount of 4 million dollars. As regards the second part of the Question, His Majesty's Government are already well aware of the acute shortage of food existing in Budapest and other urban districts of Hungary. U.N.R.R.A.'s funds are, however, limited and diversion of supplies to Hungary means deprivation of other recipient countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why British aircraft dropped leaflets reprinting a statement by Mr. Gardner, an official of U.N.R.R.A. in Salonika, declaring that the strikes in that city would be the cause of misery and hunger in the country.

The leaflet to which my hon. Friend refers was printed by U.N.R.R.A. and distributed at their request by planes of the Greek Air Force. British planes were not used. The leaflet appealed to the Greek people to see that the distribution of food and clothing provided by U.N.R.R A. was not interrupted.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether arrangements have been made for all meetings of U.N.O. open to the Press and the radio to be filmed, in view of the value of this visual record to countries in membership.