asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply has been sent to the French Government's proposal that His Majesty's Government should join in diplomatic action with the intention of bringing an end to the Franco regime in Spain.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs for what reasons the proposed Anglo-French-American meetings in Paris to discuss future relations with Spain have been abandoned,

In their reply His Majesty's Government welcomed the French Government's approach and expressed agreement with their view that any action to be taken in the sense suggested should be concerted between His Majesty's Government, the French and the United States Governments. His Majesty's Government have further informed the Governments of France and of the United States of their readiness to continue to exchange views on the questions of policy to be adopted towards the present Spanish Government. The three Governments are, in fact, in close touch on the subject through the normal diplomatic channels, and there seemed therefore no cause to pursue the tentative suggestion of holding a special tripartite meeting for the purpose.

Is my hon. Friend aware, and, if so, would he bear in mind, that perhaps with the Spanish people more than any other, a policy of overt pressure and public threats is the least likely to achieve the desired result of bringing about the downfall of Franco, and is the most likely to precipitate any waverers in support of Franco?

My right hon. Friend has already dealt with that specific question in this House. It is not the only question bearing upon this subject.

Will my hon. Friend make it clear that the British Government are not lagging behind the French or American Governments in their attitude towards, the regime of General Franco? Will he also make it clear that we are willing to take all practical steps to assist in the restoration in Spain of a democratic and Republican regime?

So far as my right hon. Friend is concerned, I am sure that blunt language has made it plain that we are not lagging in any way in displaying our attitude.

What right have our Government to interfere in the internal affairs of Spain?

His Majesty's Government are not interfering, but they are a signatory to the Charter of the United Nations.

Is it not the case that the Franco Administration in Spain is itself the result of foreign intervention in that country, and that but for that foreign intervention would not be there?

Happily, I have no reason to accept any responsibility for that course of events.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on whose authority. Major Randolph Churchill was given a permit for his present visit to Spain; whether he was given priority travel facilities; and whether he is performing any official mission.

I have been asked to reply in the absence abroad of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Information, whose Department is concerned. A request was made to the Ministry of Information by an American news-agency for help in securing transport facilities in Europe for Major Churchill, who was employed by them to write a series of articles. Exit permits are not now required for travel abroad, but routine assistance in the matter of transport facilities was provided for journeys by Major Churchill to a number of countries including Spain. Similar assistance has been given to many other journalists. He is not, of course, on any official mission.

Is my hon. Friend aware that in at least one other country which Major Churchill visited, he is alleged to have said to His- Majesty's Ambassador in that country that his self-imposed mission abroad was to discredit as much as possible the Socialist Government in England?

Is not the visit of Major Churchill at least as desirable as the visits of Professor Laski, who tours the whole world?

With regard to the first supplementary, I do not think my right hon. Friend was aware of the statement made by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Wycombe (Flight-Lieutenant Haire), and I am sure that if he were aware of it, he would agree that Major Churchill had a very difficult task.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he will take steps to appoint a passengers' council with a view to securing a better service for the public from the L.P.T.B.

Ample provision already exists through the statutory rights of local authorities to make representations to the Railway Rates Tribunal, and through the local transport groups formed during the war and other similar bodies. The London Passenger Transport Board are at all times willing to receive representations from responsible bodies and members of the public.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the present position of this service is not satisfactory, and can he say whether it was this disastrous experiment which encouraged the Government to increase the sphere of public control of road transport?

I do not agree that the L.P.T.B. is a disastrous experiment. Certainly they have made very considerable improvements in their service in recent months.

Is the Minister taking any steps to see that later buses are run by the L.P.T.B.?

Considerable improvements in that direction have already been made, and they will continue in the near future.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he can arrange to have a notice posted outside omnibuses indicating when cheap fares are in operation, similar to those posted on tramcars.

Adequate information is available for inspection in omnibuses, and I do not think that the display of an outside notice indicating when cheap fares are in operation is necessary. There would also be practical difficulties.

Is the Minister aware that that does not coincide with my information, and that if these notices were posted it would save many disputes between conductors and passengers?

If the hon. Member cares to submit to me any more adequate information I will look further into the matter.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he is aware that those who applied for licences for vans prior to 1st January, 1946, are worse off as the result of the breakdown of the scheme; and what steps he will take to ensure that they get first priority over those who made no application.

asked the Minister of War Transport what steps he has taken to ensure that applications for permits for the purchase of vehicles which were forwarded, prior to 31st December, 1945, to his Department with the support of Regional Transport Commissioners receive priority from motor manufacturers over applications not so supported, or made on or after 1st January, 1946.

It would be impracticable to arrange for applicants to whom a licence to acquire was not issued to have priority of delivery as suggested. I cannot accept the statement that the scheme broke down. I withdrew this control in view of the increased production anticipated this year.

Is the Minister aware that many people have waited for from six to nine months for licences for these vans and that as the result they feel that chaos in his Department is responsible for the consequences they are suffering now?

I am aware of course of the long waiting list for these cars, but I deny that there is any chaos arising from my decision to decontrol, and the hon. Member might now direct some of his energies to gingering up private enterprise in the production of these vans.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he has made any enquiries as to the increase in the dimensions of public service vehicles desired by manufacturers, operators and the trade unions concerned.

asked the Minister of War Transport if, in view of the complete agreement of all the trade interests concerned that wider public service vehicles are necessary, he will hold a public inquiry on the question of increased dimensions of public service vehicles.

I have reviewed the question of the maximum width of public passenger vehicles and have decided that, to afford greater comfort for passengers and. crews and to assist the export trade, public service vehicles and trolley vehicles up to eight feet wide should be allowed to operate on roads approved for that purpose. Concessions in regard to the height and weight were announced by my predecessor in November, 1944. I regret I cannot see my way to agree to an increase in the present permitted lengths.

Is the Minister aware that this statement will give great satisfaction and that it will enable bus manufacturers to compete more fairly in the export market?

I am aware that there is a lot to be said for and against this proposal, and it is only on a slight balance of advantage that I have agreed to the modifications.

Will the Minister agree to go to Birmingham and have a ride in one of our eight foot buses so that he can judge for himself the convenience and comfort they afford to passengers?

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he is now in a position to publish those statistics ordinarily appearing in the annual report on the administration of the Road Fund which have been omitted during the war years but of which records have been maintained.

During the war highway authorities did their best within the Limits of their available staffs to maintain the normal statistical records. I am not yet able to say how far they succeeded, but it is my intention to include in the next Road Fund Report the best available records of the war years.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he will state the number of train-men who have left trains on running lines during the past 12 months.

The information which the hon. and gallant Member is understood to require is, for the 12 months ended 31st January, 1946, as follows:

In view of the disastrous effect which this has on the railway service, will the Minister tell us what steps he is taking to ensure that it will not be repeated in the forthcoming year?

I would remind the hon. Gentleman that the responsibility for these matters rests fairly and squarely on the shoulders of the management of the railway companies and that the railway companies take disciplinary action in cases of this description.

Is it not a fact that before men leave their trains in this way they have worked a lot of overtime? Is it not also a fact that, so far as train-men generally are concerned, they have done a really magnificent job of work during the war?

I think everyone is only too anxious to acknowledge the magnificent service which railwaymen have rendered during the war, but that does not justify any individual railwayman leaving his train or his duty under present conditions.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he will review the non-compulsory safety methods and devices at the disposal of the railway companies, with a view, in suitable cases, to their adoption being made compulsory.

New safety devices and improvements to existing ones are constantly under review and are brought into use, in suitable cases, as opportunity permits.

Is the Minister aware that although the railways are by far our safest means of travel, there is anxiety regarding the number of recent accidents; and that for more than 30 years officials of his Department inspecting railway accidents have repeatedly recommended certain measures that should be adopted? Will he look into these recommendations to see to what extent they can be adopted for the safer working of our railways?

I can certainly give the hon. Member the assurance he requires.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he will arrange for the adoption by the four main line railway companies and the L.P.T.B. of the railway proposals contained in the Greater London Plan 1944; and whether reconsideration will be given, in the light of the proposals in this Report, to contemplated extensions to open up new suburbs.

In conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Town and Country Planning, I am considering the railway proposals contained in the Greater London Plan as well as those in the County of London Plan.

asked the Minister of War Transport what prospect there is of a 15-minutes all stations suburban passenger service from Paddington G.W.R. during the week day periods, six a.m. to midnight, by electrification or diesel railcar service.

So far as I am aware, the traffic is not of a nature which would warrant a service of this kind being undertaken just now.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he has considered the complaints concerning the train service between Liverpool Street and Witham, Essex, contained in a letter forwarded to him on 29th January by the honourable Member for Maldon; if he is aware that the service on this line has deteriorated in recent months; and what steps he is taking to improve it.

Yes, Sir; I regret the time-keeping of this service has deteriorated during the winter months. The principal causes have been shortage of experienced staff; poor performance of locomotives due to inadequate maintenance during the war years and inferior quality coal; speed restrictions due to permanent way repairs; and heavy passenger traffic necessitating longer stops at stations and the running of relief trains which at times impede the scheduled trains. I have been in consultation with the railway companies about train delays generally and they have assured me that they are taking all practicable steps within their power to secure improvements.

Even allowing for all the causes of delay which my right hon. Friend has outlined, could he say whether he has considered the case of the particular train that I have brought to his notice? Why, if sometimes other trains can arrive punctually, should one important train, bringing large numbers of passengers to work in London daily, always be late?

These are some of the points which I have recently represented to the railway managers, and these and other matters are now being carefully examined

asked the Minister of War Transport when the embargo on goods traffic consigned to St. Ives station, L.N.E.R., Hunts, will be lifted.

Traffic to St. Ives has been affected by general restrictions which the L.N.E.R. Company has had to impose from time to time on the forwarding of goods from places in the north to destinations south of Doncaster and Peterborough. At the present time there is no restriction in force which would affect St Ives.

asked the Minister of War Transport upon what basis sleeping berths are allotted at Aberdeen Joint station; whether the proportion of sleepers reserved by the company to cover last-minute applications by business men is higher than at other stations; how many first- and third-class sleepers on the London train are normally available for non-priority passengers after provision has been made for Government priority passengers and last-minute business applicants; and if he is aware that sleepers for the journey North can be obtained in London at not more than 10 days' notice, whereas passengers are often informed at Aberdeen that all sleepers for the journey south are booked a fortnight or more ahead.

Thirty-four first-class and 56 third-class sleeping berths are normally provided on the night train from Aberdeen to London. Six first-class and six third-class berths are reserved for allocation to Government priority passengers until the afternoon of the day before travel. Of the berths available to the general public the railway company allocates 17 first-class and 21 third-class berths to passengers joining the train at Aberdeen and the remainder to passengers from Dundee and other stations south of Aberdeen. These berths are allotted as and when applications are received and none is reserved to meet late applications by business men.

Having regard to the crowds travelling by the trains running to and from Aberdeen will the Minister consider putting on some extra trains?

We have not the trains at the moment to put on.

asked the Minister of War Transport if, in view of the overcrowding during the rush-hour periods on the Dartford loop, S.R., he will take steps at an early date to re-introduce, for the benefit of residents of Sidcup, New Eltham and Mottingham, the former alternative service to Blackfriars.

The service to Blackfriars cannot be re-introduced until the Blackfriars signal box, which was destroyed by enemy action, is restored, and signalling apparatus is installed. This work is in progress and should be completed in about six months if sufficient labour is available.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he will make a statement as to the probable date when the first of the new rolling stock, now under construction by the L.M.S., will come into service.

I presume that the hon. Member refers to new passenger carriages; 219 are already in service, and additional units are coming into use each week

May I ask the Minister whether, in view of the fact that the L.M.S. Railway new rolling stock has been subject to much advertisement by the Press, he will see that these carriages are forthcoming at the earliest possible moment?

asked the Minister of War Transport (1) the number of hours worked by engine drivers.

The information required is not readily available, but I will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as my inquiries have been completed.

asked the Minister of War Transport why it is necessary to charge£45 for the Atlantic passage, when. three or four times the normal number of passengers are crowded into each ship.

The fare quoted by the hon. Member is that charged to civilians for passage to Canada in ships fitted out as troop transports. This fare is apprecibly lower than the minimum fare which would apply in the average cabin class ship when engaged in commercial service on the North Atlantic, and very much less than the minimum cabin class fare which would apply in the fastest ships. The reduced rate is fair compensation for the austerity conditions in troop transports, of which passengers are made fully aware before they embark.

asked the Minister of War Transport why shipping space cannot be afforded for the export of pedigree livestock to the Union of South Africa when it is available to the other Dominions and foreign countries.

Shipping space is being provided for the export of livestock to the Union of South Africa. During the last six months 45 horses and 13 head of cattle were shipped to South Africa, and arrangements are being made for further animals to be taken in a vessel sailing this month.

May I ask the Minister to bear this point very much in mind, because many pedigree livestock breeders in the country are seriously hampered?

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether arrangements have now been made for the progressive withdrawal of occupation troops from Austria.

I have at present nothing to add to previous replies on this subject.

Is the Minister aware of the great inflationary dangers caused by the expenditure of occupation troops, not so much our own alone, but all occupation troops?

His Majesty's Government are fully aware of the cost of the commitments they have entered into as a result of various international agreements that have been made, and these matters are receiving very careful attention.

Can the Minister say definitely that His Majesty's Government are endeavouring to reduce those Forces?

It has already been stated in the House by myself and, I believe, by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, what His Majesty's Government desire in this direction, but obviously the situation in the occupied territories is dependent upon international agreement.

Could not the Minister make clear to the House what I understand is the position, that His Majesty's Government wish to see this vast army which lies upon Austria reduced at the earliest possible moment?

It is the desire of the Government that all vast armies that may be abroad involving the Government in commitments should be reduced at the earliest possible moment, and in accordance with the policy of the Government the position in Austria should be relieved as soon as practically possible by quadripartite agreement.

Have we expressed our views to our Allies on this subject?

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress has been made with the preparation of the new Control Agreement for Austria.

A draft agreement which reflects the desire of His Majesty's Government that control should be released to the fullest extent practicable has been laid before the Allied Control Authority in Vienna by the British representative.

Arising out of that reply, which will give considerable satisfaction, may I ask whether the Minister will assure the House that His Majesty's Government will press for the earliest possible adoption of the new agreement?

asked the Minister of Agriculture why it is still impossible to deliver basic slag to the farmers and merchants in East Kent; when deliveries may be expected to recommence; and what arrangements have been made to increase the allocation of superphosphates.

Owing to congestion on the railways, delay has occurred from time to time in the transport of basic slag by rail into the South East area. My information is, however, that substantial quantities of this fertiliser have nevertheless been moved into East Kent during the present fertiliser season and that further deliveries are being made by sea as well as by rail. As regards the last part of the Question, ample supplies of superphosphate and other alternative phosphatic fertilisers are available in the South East area for farmers who want phospate and cannot get basic slag.

Would the Minister investigate this question of the distribution of fertilisers, in view of the fact that superphosphates come from Scotland to Kent, sugar beet from Nor-folk to Kent and potatoes from Lincolnshire to Kent, and basic slag comes from Lincolnshire? I cannot understand why there has been a shortage of basic slag in the South East area.

It is clear that while basic slag must be withdrawn from Lincolnshire to East Sussex or Kent, it is because of a congestion on the railways that there has been any shortage at all.

Scotland is further off than Lincolnshire.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will publish a list by counties of those farms requisitioned by the W.A.E.Cs., together with their acreages and the total profit or loss on each farm.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will publish a list by counties of the subjects requisitioned under Defence Regulation 51, and occupied and managed by the Department of Agriculture for England and Wales, or by agricultural executive committees; their acreage; and the accumulated profit or loss as at 30th November, 1944.

The preparation of a complete list of these farms, together with their acreages, will take a little time, but I will place such a list in the library as soon as possible. I am unable to give figures of profit or loss for the reason stated in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère), on Monday last.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that this will be a full list, and will he say whether it will be in the Library within the next day or so?

The executive committees will have to compile their own lists, and the list is bound to take a few days before it is available, but it will be placed in the Library as soon as possible.

Will it be comprehensive?

asked the Minister of Agriculture by what authority the W.A.E.C. forcibly entered a farmer's field, particulars of which incident have been sent him; and what method of appeal is open to the farmer.

The Leicestershire War Agricultural Executive Committee entered and ploughed the field in question under powers conferred by the Cultivation of Lands Order (No. 2) 1940, the farmer having failed to plough the field in compliance with a direction given to him under Defence Regulation 62. Although there is no right of appeal against such a direction it is usual to give an opportunity for the farmer to object. In this case the farmer was informed that he should get in touch with his district committee if he wished to object, but he did not do so.

While I agree that in, time of emergency a bad farmer should be brought to book, does the Minister recognise that under British law a fanner so treated should have right of appeal to an independent legal tribunal?

My hon. Friend must also remember that we are still living in a period of emergency, and that, in fact, the farmer was given the right to approach his district committee, but failed to do so.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will confer with the Minister of Labour and the Central Wages Board with a view to the publication of the conclusions arrived at by the Central Wages Board in connection with farm workers wages, giving a full explanation.

No, Sir. The question of what information is to be issued to the Press after meetings of the Agricultural Wages Board is entirely one for the board itself to decide.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that the efficient farm worker is entitled to equal fair play with the efficient industrial worker, and does he not realise, in view of the great shortage of food, that we shall not get the food unless we get the men?

My hon. Friend is asking for a statement.

I want a statement in the proper way.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that the policy for agriculture announced on 15th November, 1945, will enable British agriculture to pay a minimum wage of£4 10s. to the agricultural worker in the near future; and, if not, what additional steps he proposes to ensure that the higher wage can and will be paid.

Adequate remuneration and decent living conditions for farmers and farm workers are among the main objectives of the policy for agriculture which I outlined on 15th November last. The determination of minimum wages, as I have already made clear in reply to recent questions, is the function of the Agricultural Wages Board and I have no power to intervene.

Is the Minister satisfied that in formulating his policy he has done sufficient to enable British agriculture to pay£ 4 10s a week?

I did not set out to establish a special wage. I set out to establish what I hope will be a prosperous and stable agricultural policy.

Bearing in mind the reluctance of the Minister to interfere, will he refer to the Government the fact that we were elected for the sole purpose of interfering with the maladministration of the Tory Party?

Is not the Minister aware that the Agricultural Wages Act does in certain circumstances give him power to issue a direction to the Wages Board?

I am not aware of any such provision.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of how little he is aware?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that the last Return issued by his Department showed there were 89,000 fewer farm workers employed on the land than in 1939, he can now give the approximate increase or decrease on this figure at 31st January, 1946; and whether he will give a statement as to the future prospects of labour becoming available.

The total number of workers on farms, as recorded in the 4th June returns, increased between 1939 and 1945 by 162,000. I regret that information in respect of 31st January, 1946, is not available. As regards the last part of the Question, all practicable steps will be taken to see that the labour available matches the need.

Notwithstanding the information not being available, does not the right hon. Gentleman know in his heart of hearts that the labour is not coming forward? Why not do something now?

The figures which I gave were strictly accurate.

It is no good waiting on events.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Government proposes to take any action as a result of the Elliot Report on the marketing of British wool; and whether the 1946 home wool clip will be marketed under the same terms and conditions as the 1945 home wool clip.

The report of the Elliot Committee has been published, and I am now awaiting the views of the organisations representing producers, when they have had time to study the report. In reply to the second part of the Question, the Government intend to requisition the 1946 home wool clip under similar conditions to the 1945 clip, and I hope to make a further announcement on this matter in the very near future.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether British wool producers are to be represented on the joint organisation set up by the Empire Wool Conference in the future.

No, Sir The directors of this organisation, whose functions relate entirely to the disposal of Dominion wool, will be appointed by the Governments of the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

As the prices which the Dominions will take will have an effect on British prices, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that there should be some British representation on this Empire Board?

I said that the Government representative will be appointed by the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, as the need for school harvest camps will still be great this year, he will take steps to ensure that an adequate supply of soap is available, particularly in the girls camps, to allow for a reasonable care of the hands of those who so laudably and usefully surrender their holiday time.

Yes, Sir; I hope to be able to do so in this special case.