asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to decide what fares shall be charged for all the overseas services, or whether the rates are to be left to open competition.

As indicated in Command Paper 6712, it is hoped that all fares and rates on external services will be settled by international agreement, full account being taken of the recommendations of the International Air Transport Association.

Why should not would-be travellers by aeroplane be able to be benefited by the cheapest fares possible as sea travellers are?

We have made it known that we are willing to accept as a basis the running costs of the most efficient operator using the most economical modern machines, so the question hardly arises. What we must do is to prevent the subsidised rate-cutting we had before the war.

Will these fares be based on political or economic considerations?

The fares will be based on economic considerations.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation why it is B.O.A.C. still charge £159 8s. for the flight across the North Atlantic, whereas American airlines charge around £85.

The hon. Gentleman is making a comparison between different types of service. The fare of 647 American dollars (£159 8s.) is charged by British Overseas Airways Corporation for their winter flying boat service on the long southern route from Baltimore to Poole via Bermuda and Foynes, and is identical with the fare which was charged by Pan-American Airways on their flying boat service from New York to Foynes via Bermuda until this service was withdrawn last autumn. A fare of 375 American dollars (£94) is charged by Pan-American Airways and American Overseas Airlines for the direct landplane service New York to Hum via Rineanna.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I travelled only this month from Canada to this country and paid £159 8s. to B.O.A.C. for the flight? Will he say if B.O.A.C. have protested to his Department at having to charge this amount of money, and if their protestations have been in vain?

I do not understand how the hon. Gentleman succeeded in paying £159 8s. if he travelled on the route he mentioned, but I will look into it. I think that we can clear it up. I readily concede that this fare is high, and it will shortly be reduced. It is not, perhaps, the most appropriate time to do that now, when the whole subject of the regulation of fares is being discussed.

May we have an assurance that there will be no repayment to the hon. and gallant Gentleman?

I am not suggesting repayment. I am suggesting that he travelled on a route other than that which he specified.

Can the hon. Gentleman say if it is not possible to give priority on any other route, and even to travel by the "Queen Elizabeth" from New York to this country, taking an equal time, for £50? How are you going to correct that?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman is making a perfectly fair point. There is very little accommodation for passengers, other than Service and official passengers, on the Ferry Service across the North Atlantic, and that reinforces our decision to buy five Constellations.

rose —

It has taken 20 minutes for 12 questions, and there are many other Questions on the Order Paper in which, I think, hon. Members have some interest.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if the decision to use German types of aircraft for British civil aviation will require the keeping in production in Germany of the necessary factories to provide spare parts.

No, Sir. The necessary spare parts will be provided partly from stocks in our possession, partly by "cannibalising" surplus aircraft of this type, and to a limited extent by manufacture in this country.

Are these all new aircraft that are being taken over?

No, Sir, they are not new aircraft. We have enough to enable us to utilise some of the existing machines to repair the others.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what information his staff has recently given out as to the extension of Heath row aerodrome.

The only authentic official statement on this subject was contained in the announcement made to the Press on 1st January, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member.

Does the hon. Gentleman deny this article which appeared in the "Middlesex Chronicle" on 19th January declaring "Heathrow airport to double its size; Doomed villages may be safe for seven years"; and another article in "The Daily Sketch, "based on information supplied to those newspapers by his Department?

I am not a regular reader of the "Middlesex Chronicle" or "The Daily Sketch." When the hon. Gentleman last asked a question about this subject I was unaware that such a report had appeared. On inquiry, I found that owing to a misunderstanding an official of my Department did give an interview to those newspapers. I regret it, because my Noble Friend is anxious that all such statements should be made in the first instance to Parliament.

Will the hon. Gentleman explain why he withheld information on this question in his first answer?

I explained that I did not know at that time that a statement had been made to the Press.

Can the hon. Gentleman confirm that the proposed extension of the airport includes land owned by the Greyhound Racing Association?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what is the Government's policy regarding the carriage of Empire air mail, and if that policy will include the re-introduction as soon as possible of the prewar practice of carrying all Empire mail by air without additional surcharge.

The future of the Empire Air Mail Scheme is under study by the Departments concerned, and the necessary data being collected. When this examination is complete discussion with the Governments participating in the Scheme will be initiated.

Will the hon. Gentleman give an assurance now that airletter cards can be transmitted at the same rate as that prevailing for normal surface traffic?

I cannot give any detailed assurance now, because this involves consultation with Dominion and other Governments.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if his Department proposes to issue in the near future any regulations with regard to the provision of air-sea rescue equipment on civil air liners.

The present regulations provide for the carriage of a life belt for each person on board civil aircraft operating more than ten miles from land. Future requirements are at present under review, but as a number of interests are concerned, some weeks must elapse before the relevant Air Navigation Regulations can be issued.

Will the hon. Gentleman expedite this very urgent matter?

I promised that the Regulations will be issued within a few weeks. I think that is expedition.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he will give an assurance that the annual accounts of the proposed State-owned civil aviation corporations will be prepared on a commercial basis and published annually.

I must ask the hon. Member to await the Air Transport Bill, in which provision will be made for this subject.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the important principle in this question?

Yes, Sir.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us the date on which the British Overseas Airways Corporation's accounts were last prepared, and confirm or deny the recent statement of the Director-General that there was a surplus?

My hon. and gallant Friend is able to find out this information for himself, because under the British Overseas Airways Act a copy of the accounts has to be laid in the Library of this House. With regard to the statement of the Director-General, all the accounts in wartime have been rather notional, as no charge has been made for aircraft and there has been a waiver agreement about fares for a large number of persons.

Do I understand from that that my hon. Friend does deny there is a surplus?

No, Sir, I do not deny it. It all depends on the premises from which you start. If it is granted that every passenger who has been carried under the special conditions of wartime should pay the high charges now made, and on certain other assumptions, it is true that that surplus was made.

Can the hon. Gentleman define "notional" accounts?

They are accounts opposed to the commercial accounts the hon. Gentleman requested just now.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider issuing a report showing the operations of these airlines on the same basis as the railways, which have a monthly statement of traffic carried?

I will consider that suggestion, but I should think that that would be rather too frequent.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he will now publish the terms of the agreement entered into between his Department and the shipping interests for the participation of the latter in the proposed State-owned civil aviation corporations.

No agreement has been entered into. As stated by my Noble Friend on 1st November last, it is the policy of His Majesty's Government that public ownership shall be the overruling principle in air transport and that there shall be no financial participation by existing surface transport interests.

Will the hon. Gentleman publish what he rather naively referred to as the correspondence between his Department and the others?

The hon. Gentleman is now dealing with an entirely different subject, which is consultation with surface interests about the arrangements for the co-ordination of the various forms of transport. I will consider that point if he would like to discuss it with me afterwards.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether British subjects will be able to go to South America in British-owned and managed aeroplanes?

Yes. Sir, in a very short time. A number are travelling already by that means and in March, I hope, a larger number will be able to do so.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he will make an early public statement concerning the terms and conditions of the transfer of staffs from B.O.A.C. to the proposed corporations which he will approve.

Provision for these matters is to be included in the Air Transport Bill, and my Noble Friend does not contemplate making a public statement on them in advance of the introduction of that Bill.

Can my hon. Friend say when this Bill will be introduced; and is he aware that attempts are being made to invite members of the staff of B.O.A.C. to join that of British South American Airways?

The first part of the question should be addressed to the Leader of the House. I will see that the latter part is brought to the notice of my Noble Friend, if my hon. Friend will give me the information on which it is based.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this is very important? We do not know when this Bill will be introduced, and meanwhile the damage is being done.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what internal air services are available for public use in Great Britain; how these compare with prewar facilities; and how soon a full service may be expected.

With permission I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT tables showing the internal air services now in operation and those in operation at 31st August, 1939. A reasonably full service may be expected by the late Summer.

May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary to do everything that he can to speed up the provision of internal facilities, so that relief may be given to Service transport, possibly in time for the holidays?

I think that we have given an earnest of our intentions by our willingness to use J.U.52S for this purpose.

Will the hon. Gentleman ensure that civil passengers get equal priority with Government passengers?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will await my reply to a later Question on this subject.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how soon it will be before these services compare with prewar services?

The present schedule of regular services compares not unfavourably with the prewar regular all-the-year-round services. It is only in respect of seasonal services that there was an advantage in prewar days.

The tables are as follow:

For all the services listed above, the frequency shown is that in operation at 31st August, 1939.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what is the price fixed for each of the five Constellations it is proposed to purchase from the U.S.A. for the use of B.O.A.C. on the North Atlantic service; the price paid for each of the 56 Dakotas already purchased under lend-lease terms; and the price to be paid for each of the further 16 Dakotas about to be purchased.

The basic price of the Constellation aircraft will be 700,000 dollars each subject to certain adjustments which are being examined. The acquisition of the 72 Dakotas formed part of the comprehensive settlement of Lease-Lend and Reciprocal Aid concluded on the 6th December last. For the purpose of calculation their purchase price was taken as the standard United States surplus disposal price of 20,000 dollars each.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether these prices are the same as or more expensive than the prices being charged by the United States to China and South America for comparable aircraft?

I should require notice of that question. They are the catalogue prices of the aircraft.

Can the hon. Gentleman say, in view of the great importance of dollar exchange at the present time to this country for obtaining essential supplies such as foodstuffs, if he can justify this purchase of aircraft from America? What is the state of development of aircraft such as the Shetland and the Tudor I, and will they not be available at a very early date?

The question of dollars was very carefully considered before this decision was taken, and on balance it is thought that this transaction is likely to lead to our retention of more dollars than would otherwise be the case. There is a later Question on the Order Paper dealing with the Tudor I and other aircraft.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether the order for five Constellation aircraft has yet been signed; and who is to sign it.

The order has already been placed by the British Overseas Airways Corporation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation by what date he expects to receive delivery of the five Constellation aircraft purchased from the U.S.A.; and by what date he expects them to be on service.

Delivery of the five Constellations is expected to be completed by the end of April, and it is planned to put them into service in July.

Have we sent any of our crews to the Lockheed Company for a course in the use of these aircraft?

No, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he has yet completed his discussions with the Flaxton Rural District Council on their proposed housing site at Clifton, near York; whether he has yet come to a conclusion whether the proposed housing site will interfere with the flightways of the York aerodrome; and whether, in view of the fact that this housing scheme has already been delayed six months, he will expedite his decision in these matters.

The Flaxton Rural District Council has been informed by my Department that the proposed housing site at Clifton would create an obstruction in the main flightway of York aerodrome. My Department has also offered technical advice to the local planning authorities, in the hope that the housing plan can be modified so as to avoid conflict with safety requirements at the aerodrome.

Does the hon. Gentleman recall that on 13th November he sent a telegram to this local authority saying that he would give an early reply to their letter, and for three months he has failed to carry out that promise?

I am not aware of that. I shall be glad to look into the matter now that the hon. Gentleman has raised it. The only point that really arises is that Flaxton Rural District Council were informed many months ago that they should not proceed with this housing scheme because it would obstruct one of the runways.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that while he has been holding up this local government housing scheme, private enterprise has built two houses on an adjacent site?

To build two houses is, I think, hardly a great tribute to the achievements of private enterprise.

May I give notice, in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, that I shall beg leave to raise this 'matter on the Adjournment?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation when he expects to inaugurate a direct non-stop London to New York service using British aircraft.

The development of British aircraft suitable for a direct nonstop service between London and New York has been proceeding for some time, but I cannot at present say when such a service can be opened.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation what arrangements exist in his Department to ensure that the best technical advice is made available to the Minister; and what liaison exists between his Department, the Admiralty, and the Air Ministry to expedite and co-ordinate development and avoid overlapping.

Technical experts on various subjects serve on the staff of the Ministry of Civil Aviation. As regards such matters as meteorology and aircraft requirements, research and development, for which the primary responsibility rests with other Departments, liaison arrangements exist. Co-ordination and the avoidance of overlapping is secured through direct consultation, or where appropriate, by inter-Departmental committees.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether his Department hopes to introduce frequent air services to Hungary and South Eastern Europe generally, in the near future.

These services are provided for in the schedule of European routes which my noble Friend has approved and will be introduced as soon as local circumstances permit.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is only one aircraft per week flying between Hungary, Bulgaria and Rumania, and as a result of this and lack of train transport, British personnel and others find it extremely difficult to get to or from these countries?

I am sure my hon. and gallant Friend realises the difficulties in the matter of ground organisation, and in other ways, in these countries.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, on what conditions of pay, length of service, etc., pilots, navigators, wireless operators, aircrew and ground staff generally are engaged in B.O.A.C.; and how the conditions compare with similar appointments in the R.A.F.

Full details of the pay and conditions of service in the British Overseas Airways Corporation are contained in a broadsheet, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. and gallant Friend. I am informed that the Air Ministry has distributed a large number of these broadsheets throughout the Royal Air Force. The circumstances governing employment in civil aviation necessarily differ so materally from those in the Royal Air Force that no comparison can usefully be made.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the conditions laid down in this broadsheet are applicable to the staff of British South American Airways?

I have undertaken to inquire into that. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will give me the information in his possession.

Will the hon. Gentleman give adequate publicity to this broadsheet?

It is very long, and I must leave that to the discretion of the Press.

Will the hon. Gentleman ensure that the broadsheet is also distributed to the flying personnel of the Fleet Air Arm as well as to the R.A.F.?

If that is not already being done, I will ensure that it is done.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what British aircraft would have been available for North Atlantic service by September, 1946, had the U.S. Constellations not been purchased.

The British civil aircraft which has been designed for the North Atlantic Service is the Tudor I. Several of these are due for delivery by September, but various tests and trials will be necessary before these deliveries can be employed on a regular scheduled service across the North Atlantic.

Is it a fact that Lancastrians also are available and that the additional time which we should have to wait for British aircraft does not justify the purchase of the five Constellations, which will not be ready until July in any case?

Lancastrians have the necessary range and the question of requiring the Corporation to use these aircraft was very carefully considered before the decision was taken.

Is it a fact that the Canadian Air Lines are using Lancastrians on the North Atlantic route?

Yes, but they intend to use D.C.4s as soon as they can get them.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what changes have recently been made, or are contemplated, in the priority system for air passages.

The London Air Priorities Board has decided that on the British Overseas Airways Corporation services to Europe introduced last Monday only 50 per cent. of the seats shall be reserved for priority passengers, the remaining 50 per cent. being placed at the disposal of the Corporation. As circumstances permit, the system will be extended to other routes and the seats available for commercial traffic increased until the need for the priority system disappears.

Why should there he any priority system now?

Because the demand for seats exceeds the supply.

Is it a fact that among European services there will be large numbers of seats available for civilian passengers, and that Government Departments have overriding rights over all seats on internal lines?

In actual practice on many internal routes there are seats for ordinary commercial passengers, but I will look into the matter on the Air Priorities Board with the Under-Secretary for Air.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now reviewed the circumstances under which only 10d. per pound is being paid for Malayan rubber bought by the British Government; whether he is satisfied that this price will enable the Malayan rubber industry to pay adequate salaries to managerial staff and Asiatic labour as well as to restore and rehabilitate their industry in the most efficient manner possible; or whether he will arrange for an increase in the price forthwith.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the loss in dollar exchange by paying a lower price for Malayan rubber as compared with Ceylon rubber; and if his attention has been called to the dissatisfaction in Malaya at this differentiation in price; and what action he proposes to take to mitigate this dissatisfaction.

The price paid for Ceylon rubber was fixed during the war having regard to conditions not now relevant. The amount of dollar exchange which can be obtained from the sale of rubber to America depends on the price which the American Government are willing to pay and the quantity they will buy at that price which are matters not under the control of His Majesty's Government. I am aware that some dissatisfaction has been expressed regarding the price now fixed in Malaya and the circumstances governing the price to be paid are kept under review with the adequacy of a return to those engaged in the industry very much in mind. I have not yet complete information regarding the proper costs of production, but an economic adviser recently appointed by His Majesty's Government is expected shortly in Malaya and we shall expect to receive his advice on this matter as early as possible.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to give a reply or a detailed statement within a fortnight about the inquiries going on at the present time?

I doubt whether it can be given in a fortnight. I should like the House to remember that the price which is paid is very largely for rubber which was in stock. The estates are not yet in production, and are not likely to be for some little time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether arrangements are being made in Malaya or any other colonies which were occupied by the enemy during the war, to provide similar protection to that given to employees in this country whereby if they were on war service or were prisoners of war during hostilities they will have the right to request reinstatement in their prewar employment by their prewar employers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether employees of private firms in Malaya who left their employment on being mobilised for the defence forces are entitled to re-employment by those firms under the same conditions as if they had been called up in this country.

So far as I am aware, no arrangements of the kind to which my hon. Friends refer are being made in Malaya or Hong Kong, both of which are still under military administration, but the matter will be brought to the attention of the authorities in these territories upon the resumption of civil government, and they will be asked to consider it as a matter of urgency.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is intended to make any financial assistance available to the Government of Malaya to pay compensation to those whose property was damaged or stolen during the Japanese occupation; and whether he will estimate how long it will be before some payment is made in respect of the large number of claims which have now been registered by Malayans who have been repatriated to this country following their internment by the Japanese.

The reply to the first part of this Question must depend on the result of an investigation into the full extent of the claims and the capacity of the Government of Malaya to meet them. I hope that it will be possible to make a further statement on this subject soon.

In reply to the second part of the Question, claims lodged in this country will have to be investigated with others and I cannot, therefore, yet say when any payment can be made on them, but I can assure the hon. Member that the need for dealing with all claims as rapidly as possible will be kept prominently in view.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, for what reason the one-day general strike was recently called in Malta.

This strike was organised by the General Workers' Union. It is understood that its principal object was to draw attention to complaints regarding the basis of the minimum wage, the present machinery for negotiation and the opportunities for promotion for employees of the Service Departments. As regards wages, an increase of 6/- a week in the minimum wage had been approved by both the Civil Government and the Service Departments a few weeks before. As regards arbitration, the Colonial Government had just agreed to set up an inquiry as to the possibility of establishing an industrial arbitration court. The question of better opportunities for promotion is at present under consideration by the Departments concerned in this country.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say if this general strike was legal under the laws of Malta?

I think so but I will look into it and let the hon. and gallant Gentleman know.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the latest unemployment returns in Malta; and what steps are being taken to provide work for those unemployed.

At the end of January, the unemployment returns showed a total of 206 men and 126 women. These figures are not regarded as abnormal, or as calling for special measures. The Malta Government have, however, under consideration a training scheme to meet the heavy demands for skilled workers in connection with repair and reconstruction.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken to adjust the family allowances of the administrative services in Palestine to meet present-day conditions.

Family allowances form part of the compensatory allowances payable on account of the high cost of living to all Palestine Government employees. They are adjusted from time to time in accordance with the rise or fall of the cost of living index figure in Palestine. A revised scheme took effect from 1st January, 1945. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a circular issued by the Palestine Government giving details of present rates.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, if he will give an approximate estimate of the purchasing power of the £ in Palestine in 1939 and 1945; and what steps are being taken to reduce the cost of living in Palestine.

I have asked the High Commissioner for Palestine by telegram for up to date information on this question and will communicate with the hon. Member again as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what recommendations have been made by the Commissioners in Northern Rhodesia for increases in the basic wage of African employees on the Rhodesian railways; and is a properly constituted organisation of African railwaymen contemplated through which negotiations for wages and conditions of service can be conducted.

The Commission has recommended increases ranging from 33⅓ Per cent. in the starting rate for unskilled labourers to 80 per cent. in the highest rate for boss boys. These recommendations have, I understand, been accepted by the company and brought into effect. As regards the second part of the Question, the Commission made no recommendation on the organisation of the African employees, but recommended the appointment by the company of a special officer to deal with African affairs, to improve the contact between the management and the African employees, as well as two welfare officers for Africans.

Do the Government intend to give the African native a proper voice in matters of this sort?

Yes, Sir. We are now considering the question of endeavouring to get the African workers organised into a proper trade union.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to a recent Debate in the Legislative Council of Northern Rhodesia regarding the validity of the British South Africa Company's claim to mineral royalties from the copper belt; and whether he proposes to open negotiations with the company for the acquisition of these rights.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he proposes to take action to nationalise the mineral rights of the Northern Rhodesian copper mines, thus putting an end to the annual payment of large royalties to a private company.

My attention has been drawn to the recent Debate in the Northern Rhodesia Legislative Council, to which I am giving active consideration, but I am not, however, in a position to make any statement on this matter at the present time.

Is it not the case that because the value of royalties at the pre- sent time is not the permanent value it would rest with the Crown and the companies concerned to enter into negotiations at a later date?

We are attending to this question of minerals, and we will keep in mind the Noble Lord's point.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he proposes to make a statement on the future of Indian immigration in East Africa.

Future policy with regard to immigration generally has recently been under discussion by the East African Governments, but I am not yet in a position to state when proposals on the subject will be published.

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to wait until the return of the Parliamentary delegation from India before making up his mind on this matter?

A Parliamentary delegation to India has nothing to do with Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in what Colonies have loans been raised by means of premium bonds; what has been the public response to such loans; and whether an extension of the system to other Colonies is contemplated.

Premium bonds have been issued in Palestine and Cyprus. In each case the public response has been such that the bonds have risen to a premium. As regards the last part of the Question, I have no proposals before me for the issue of premium bonds in other Dependencies.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that this is a suitable method of getting money in some of our Colonies, and that it might be extended?

That is why it is being used.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many citrus plantations in Cyprus have been abandoned as a result of high labour costs; and by what percentages the price of citrus products and the cost of labour have increased since the war.

In the principal citrus areas 49 out of approximately 1,500 plantations have been abandoned during the war. The area involved is about 300 acres out of 6,000, or 5 per cent. The principal reason for the abandonment has been loss of export markets. Labour costs have risen and may be one among a number of contributory factors. The price of citrus to producers has approximately doubled since the war.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in establishing the new Ceylon Constitution, he will consider the serious objections to making domicile, not residence, a qualification for the franchise in the case of Indians resident for five years or more in the country.

In accepting the recommendations of the Commission, presided over by Lord Soulbury, that universal suffrage on the present basis should be retained, and that it should be within the competence of the Ceylon Government to determine the conditions under which the inhabitants of Ceylon may obtain the franchise, His Majesty's Government had reached the conclusion that the future status of Indians in Ceylon was a matter for settlement by direct negotiations between the Governments of India and Ceylon, and are content to await the outcome of such negotiations.

Is not the proper way to win a seat in a Legislature by election at a poll? Why try to prevent a minority community, resident in Ceylon, British subjects, from getting the franchise?

There has been no attempt at all to prevent a minority from getting the opportunity of utilising the franchise. There has been negotiation on this matter between the Ceylon and Indian Governments, and we hope that a satisfactory settlement will be reached.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what sums were derived in Kenya in 1939, on the one hand, from native hut tax and poll tax and, on the other hand, from Income Tax; and what were the sums derived from these sources in 1945.

In 1939 receipts from native hut and poll tax and from Income Tax were £523,589 and £137,963, respectively. Native hut tax was abolished in 1942. The estimates of native poll tax and of Income Tax for 1945 are £520,000 and £1,000,000, respectively.

asked the Prime Minister if he will now give a general directive to all chiefs of Departments to expedite their answers to letters from Members of Parliament, seeing that in some cases as long a delay as three months is taking place.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 15th October last to a similar Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Gravesend (Mr. Garry Allighan).

Arising out of that very unsatisfactory answer, may I ask the Prime Minister to bear in mind that this is a matter which concerns Members in all parts of the House, who have to carry the sins of omission of many Government Departments? The Air Ministry, in particular, is very neglectful.

If the hon. Member can give me any particulars regarding a special Ministry I shall be glad to look at them.

The Air Ministry.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that replies to Members' letters are received with much greater speed from this Government than from the last?

Would the Prime Minister ask Ministers to send carbon copies of their letters to Members?

The hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes) is entirely wrong.

If I am wrong, may I be told where I am wrong?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will review the rates of retired pay and pensions of professional officers and other ranks of the three Services re-employed during the recent war, with the object of securing to these officers and men such increases in pay and pensions as are warranted by additional years of service and the attainment of higher rank.

This is one of a number of questions that will require consideration in connection with the comprehensive review of the remuneration of Service officers which is now being undertaken. My hon. and gallant Friend may be aware, however, that in consideration of further service not counting for increase of retired pay or pension, retired Service officers re-employed during the war received, in addition to full pay and allowances, a special bonus of 25 per cent. of pay, while pensioned other ranks drew full pension in addition to full pay.

Is the Prime Minister aware that the extra 25 per cent. is almost entirely taken away by taxation?

I am afraid that we all rather feel that way.

asked the Prime Minister whether, as the date for the conclusion of the period of service to which the gratuity is reckoned has been fixed at 15th August, the first anniversary of VJ-Day, that date is being regarded by the Government as the official end of the emergency.

No, Sir.

Can my right hon. Friend say when he may be able to announce the official end of the emergency, as so many things depend upon it?

I would ask my hon. Friend to refer to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council on 18th December last to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Saffron Walden (Mr. Butler). It is very fully set out there.

asked the Prime Minister on what conditions the Government have recently returned the German atomic scientist, Otto Hahn, to Germany; and whether he will make a statement as to Otto Hahn's movements and activities.

Professor Hahn is one of a number of German scientists who had worked on atomic energy research, and who were brought to this country for interrogation. They have since been sent back to Germany where they will be allowed to pursue fundamental research in accordance with any scheme of scientific research which may be approved by the Control Council.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether Professor Hahn is now engaged on fundamental research?

I have no information on that point.

asked the Prime Minister whether a full exchange of scientific information is now proceeding between British and U.S. scientists on the peace-time development of atomic energy; and, in particular, whether British scientists have yet been permitted to visit the Harford engineering works in the U.S.A.

Little progress has as yet been made, so far as I am aware, in the development of atomic energy for peace-time purposes. I hope, however, that the co-operation which has existed between this country and the United States in this field during the war will be continued in the future. No British scientist has yet visited the plant referred to in the second part of the Question.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in order to ensure that a larger proportion of the starred Questions on the Order Paper receive an oral answer, he will examine the possibility of making an hour available for Questions on Friday mornings.

I have been asked to reply. It is contrary to our practice to have oral Questions on Friday, and I regret that it would not be convenient to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion. I would add that the Select Committee on Procedure, in its Second Report recently presented to the House, on Questions and Divisions, makes no such recommendation.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that yesterday, for example, there were 192 starred Questions on the Order Paper, of which only 70 were answered orally, and that there were nearly 70 to the Secretary of State for War, not one of which was answered orally? Will he give consideration to an extension of the time by 25 per cent., as it would not seriously hamper Government business?

It is not unusual in the case of a new Parliament for there to be a rather abnormal number of Questions. Yesterday, I narrowly escaped some excitement to which I was looking forward. The only thing is for Members to try to put fewer Questions, if they can, and for us to be as economical as we can about supplementaries.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this is a real, live Parliament, which has practices contrary to those followed in past Parliaments?

It is a real, live Parliament, but its least lively time is the first thing on a Friday morning.

In view of the fact that we now have a more virile Parliament, why not consider returning to the prewar custom of having an hour and a quarter for Questions, instead of an hour?