asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that Major Forbes-Leith and other officers, who were demobilised in India in 1944, are still awaiting payment of their gratuities; and, in view of the promises previously made by his Department and of the great inconvenience caused, if he will take immediate action in the matter.

I very much regret the delay which has occurred in regard to the payment of gratuity in these cases, and I have made urgent representations to the Government of India with a view to their settlement without further delay.

While I thank the hon. and learned Gentleman for that reply, may I ask if he is aware that the Field Controller of Military Accounts at Poona says they are still waiting for instructions from the Adjutant-General before they can pay him?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will give me that in- formation. My information is to the contrary.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware of the growing unrest among post and telegraph staff in India regarding existing standards of pay and general conditions of service; whether his attention has been drawn to a memorandum submitted to the Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs by the Federation of Post and Telegraph Unions; and what action he proposes to take to ensure that speedy and sympathetic consideration is given to the claims submitted on behalf of the staff and so prevent a possible general stoppage of work in this important public service.

The memorandum to which the hon. Member refers was not brought to the notice of my Noble Friend since the questions at issue are within, the competence of the Government of India to settle. It has, however, been ascertained that the Government of India have announced their intention to appoint a Commission, predominantly non-official in character, to examine the whole question of scales of pay, conditions of service, etc., of all Government of India servants on which all legitimate interests, including the workers themselves, will be represented. Meanwhile substantial improvement in allowances is being given to certain categories of employees, including categories of postal and telegraph workers, and I am glad to say that the Postmen's Union and Federation have informed the Government of India that they, have suspended the strike notice.

Whilst I appreciate that statement, I should be glad to know whether the Commission is likely to start its work in the near future, because the situation is very bad.

I think we can assume that it will.

Can the hon. and learned Gentleman do anything to accelerate the consideration of this matter, in view of the fact that the conditions of labour and pay are certainly very bad indeed?

I think we can take it, as I said a moment ago, that the Commission will sit almost immediately. But I shall be glad to do what I can.

:Will the hon. and learned Gentleman set his face against any proposal from this House to impose on the taxpayers or consumers in India?

That is another question.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether he is now able to state by whom the extensive deposits of thorium in Travancore, India, are owned; and what steps have been taken to control its disposal.

The deposits in Travancore are the property of the State of Travancore. Adequate steps to control their disposal have been taken by the State authorities in consultation with the Crown Representative.

:Will the hon. and learned Gentleman bear in mind that these are the largest deposits of thorium in the world, from which it is highly probable that both atomic bombs and atomic power can be produced? Will the British Government consider trying to acquire these deposits outright?

I should like to see that question on the Paper.

Is not this a matter of the very greatest importance, and ought not the Government to have acquired the deposits before now?

I have not said that the Government did not know about it.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India, if he is aware that certain Indian political leaders have suggested Indians should personally share the financial burden of restoring church property destroyed in the recent disturbances; to what extent the Indian Government or the provincial governments are responsible for restoration and repair; if the offer has been accepted; and what is the estimated cost of the damage.

:I have seen in the Press a statement by Maulana Abul Kalam Azed that he had visited the American Episcopal Methodist Church damaged in recent disturbances in Calcutta, and had suggested to the Church Committee that the damage should be made good by contributions from the citizens, and that he is issuing instructions to local Congress Committees to raise the necessary funds. Beyond this, I have no information regarding the suggestion referred to by my hon. Friend or the estimated cost of damage to church property, but I will make inquiries. With regard to the responsibility for the cost of repair and restoration I would invite attention to the reply which I gave the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson) on 4th March.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India on what terms European recruits are being accepted for the Indian Civil Service, and what arrangements are entered into with them now, for compensation in the event of their early retirement being caused by constitutional changes.

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

Can the hon. and learned Gentleman give the essence of it now, as the matter is of public importance?

There are a good many details in the statement, and it will take some time to go through them.

Can we take it that the compensation is extremely generous?

What is generous is always a matter of opinion.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India the total quantity and nature of extra food supplies that have reached, and have been despatched to, India to meet the present food crisis.

Actual arrivals of wheat in India between 30th December, 1945, and 2nd March this year amounted to over 240,000 tons, and it is anticipated that about 250,000 tons of wheat will arrive in India between 3rd March and 30th April on the basis of shipments which have taken place, or are taking place, from North America and Australia during January, February and March. In addition, 75,000 tons of rice from Burma arrived in India during December and January. Further supplies are dependent on the deliberations of the Combined Food Board in Washington which are expected to be made known shortly. My right hon. Friend, the Minister of Food, and the Indian Food Delegation are making every possible effort in Washington to secure that the maximum quantity of cereals is allocated to India to meet the present food crisis.

Can we take it that, in view of the figures given, his anticipated, with greater optimism than previously, that we shall go a long way towards meeting the very grave deficit in food grains in India?

I am not in a position to anticipate the decision of the Combined Food Board.

As the information with regard to the food supply in India has not been very satisfactory lately, will the hon. Gentleman see that the widest publicity is given to the quantities, location and distribution of food in India, so that the utmost use may be made of such food as is available to the people of India?

I will certainly look into that suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the complaint of the Greek Premier that the police force is unreliable because of the number of members of the X organisation and other Right-wing terrorists it contains, whether he will ask Sir Charles Wickham to make a further attempt to get rid of recruits formerly belonging to these groups.

It has always been the policy of Sir Charles Wickham and the British Police Mission to advise the instant dismissal from the Greek police and gendarmerie forces of any officer or man who is proved guilty of partiality in the execution of his duty or who can be shown to be a member of any illegal organisation.

Is the Under-Secretary aware that the police forces recruited by Sir Charles Wickham were recruited on the basis of lists which proscribed any organisation connected with E.A.M. but did not proscribe any X organisations?

That is not my information.

Is any action to be taken, in view of the Greek statement yesterday that Monarchist candidates are alone able to move about freely in Greece?

There is another Question on the Order Paper more nearly related to that subject.

Is it not the case that Sir Charles Wickham has, in fact, adopted the principle suggested by the hon. Member for Gateshead (Mr. Zilliacus), and that this is not denied in the Question I specifically put some weeks ago?

I cannot accept the suggestion that recruitment to this force has been made in relation to any one list.

Is it not a case that the X organisation has been declared clearly to be illegal by the Greek Government?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered the Greek Government's decree of Wednesday, 13th March, banning all political meetings throughout the period of the forthcoming elections; and if he has addressed any communication to the Greek Government on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make representations to the Greek Government against its prohibition of public meetings and demonstrations during the election campaign, on the ground that elections held in such conditions are incompatible with democracy.

I am afraid that my hon. Friends have misunderstood the law relating to this subject. A Ministerial Order issued on 13th December, 1945, prohibited all public meetings in the open air except those held in a walled or otherwise enclosed space. In view of the high state of feelings in Greece this seems to me a reasonable precaution to take. No fresh ban has been placed on the right of free assembly in Greece.

Is the Under-Secretary aware that at Salonika yesterday, as reported in "The Times" this morning, the Greek Prime Minister made a speech in which he said that the only freedom given to political candidates in the present state of security in Greece was that given to Monarchists? Is he aware that the result of the election would not be a true indication of popular feeling in Greece, and will he reconsider the question of holding elections at the end of this month in conditions which will probably mean civil war?

Like my hon. and gallant Friend, I have seen Press reports of the alleged statement made by the Greek Prime Minister, but reporting from Athens has not always been on the highest level.

Is the Under-Secretary aware that the Greek Prime Minister has predicted that civil war will ensue after a Monarchist restoration as a direct result of this situation and that, if there is a civil war, a large part of world opinion will hold His Majesty's Government responsible?

On a point of Order. Is it your habit, Mr. Speaker, to allow hypothetical questions of that sort to be asked?

I did not think it was a hypothetical question: I thought it was a very direct one.

Since there are 200 Allied observers in Greece, when are we likely to have a report, unofficial, official, printed or typed from these observers so that we can have some kind of impartial observations for Members of Parliament to study?

His Majesty's Government have been in receipt of a series of reports from this Commission. I will ask my right hon. Friend whether any of these can be published.

May it not be the case that those who are supplying my right hon. Friend with information on this very serious issue are deliberately misinforming him?

Does the Under-Secretary accept the hon Member for Gateshead (Mr. Zilliacus) as the mouthpiece of world opinion?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the critical position in Greece, he will consider paying an immediate visit there in order to consult at first hand with British and Greek authorities in that country.

My right hon. Friend does not consider- that any useful purpose would be served by such a visit.

In view of the far-reaching nature of the decision my right hon. Friend has taken not to postpone the elections, would he not care, in view, of the possible future happenings, to be bolstered up with his own firsthand impressions?

My right hon. Friend has a great variety of reports available to him from Greece, including, as my hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster (Mr. Walkden) has reminded us, reports from rather more than 300 independent observers.

Will there be a comprehensive statement by the Government on the Greek Premier's recent statement and, in view of the fact that the 1941 Labour Party Conference agreed—

That is not a question to put to a Minister. It is the Minister who is here to give information which hon. Members desire to have.

Has the Under-Secretary seen a further statement madeby the Greek Prime Minister—

That has nothing to do with this Question. The Question deals with a visit by the Foreign Secretary to Greece.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he will consider taking powers to make it compulsory for local authorities to provide name plates easily readable by day and night at all intersections.

In my reply to the hon. Member on 14th February, I expressed the hope that local authorities would give special attention to the subject of street name plates in the light of the recommendation of the Traffic Signs Committee, whose report has now been published. I sent a copy of this report to all highway authorities on 1st March. Before considering seeking powers of compulsion, I would prefer that local authorities should have reasonable opportunity under existing statutory provisions to give effect to the recommendations of the report

In view of the importance of obtaining uniformity in this matter, will the Minister give an undertaking that if he does not get results, he will seek the powers which are necessary?

I will certainly give the matter further consideration, if my requests are not acted upon.

asked the Minister of War Transport when the free market in motor cars will be re-established; what are the conditions restricting the use and resale in respect of motor cars bought under permit; and at what date these restrictions will cease to apply.

Except for reconditioned surplus Government motor cars, there have been no restrictions on the acquisition or disposal of motor cars since the beginning of this year. The manufacturers undertook, in respect of each model, not to supply other would-be purchasers until they had cleared any outstanding licences issued by my Department before the scheme was closed down.

Would the Minister answer the second part of the Question?

The restriction ceased to operate on 1st January.

Does that apply to motor cars bought under permit?

Cars that were bought under permit were bought under licences from my Department, and the issue of licences for the purchase of cars ceased on 1st January.

Does that mean that cars bought under permit can now be sold by the owners without restriction?

When a car was bought under permit, it became the personal property of the owner, and I accept no further responsibility.

I bought a car under permit last year on the assurance that I would not sell it for 12 months. Should I be at liberty to sell it now?

I would like to look into the conditions under which the hon. and gallant Gentleman obtained it.

askedthe Minister of War Transport whether any decision has yet been made to authorise the fixing of warning notices on trunk roads where there is a sudden change in the surface of such roads.

I do not think it desirable to adopt the suggestion of the hon. and gallant Member. Any such warning notice as suggested would be misleading unless it was sufficiently detailed to indicate the conditions under which it became operative.

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that many accidents are caused by vehicles coming off a road surface, which grips well, and going on to a surface on which a driver might skid? Is it not desirable, therefore, in order to avoid accidents, to warn motorists as I have suggested?

I do not think a warning notice would really be the best way of tackling that difficulty. Considerable care is taken by my Department and local authorities to get surfaces which are bad into a safe state.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether, in view of the high accident rate, he will arrange that dangerous road surfaces, particularly those of wooden blocks, will be constantly treated with sand, gravel, etc., in inclement weather.

The application of grit to roads which have become slippery as a result of weather conditions is standard practice and I do not think that highway authorities require to be reminded of their responsibilities in this connection.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he will, as a spur to the safety first campaign, arrange for the rigorous prosecution of motorists who do not observe the courtesy of the road, particularly during the hours of darkness.

The enforcement of the traffic law is a matter for the police. Where discourteous conduct on the roads does not involve a breach of the law it must be dealt with by measures other than prosecution.

While I thank the Minister for his reply, is he aware that the practice followed on highways at nights is definitely a menace to motorists? We appreciate that the highway code could not be fully enforced during the war period, but could it not be enforced now?

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he will consider the formation of a trained and experienced body of lecturers on safety first constantly to visit and lecture at schools throughout the country.

Road safety training is commonly given in schools throughout the country. In many cases the valuable work of the teachers is supplemented by talks given by selected police officers and in my view the more extensive use of the police in this connection is preferable to the formation of a special body of lecturers.

asked the Minister of War Transport what steps are being taken to reduce the 20 per cent. empty running of vehicles operated by the Government's road haulage organisation.

The Road Haulage Organisation is constantly on the watch for opportunities of avoiding empty running and thereby improving on its already good record in this respect.

While I thank the Minister for his answer, I regret the use of the words "good record" because all the Members are not of the same manner of thinking.

asked the Minister of War Transport to what extent the Government's road haulage organisation are in a position to provide suitable vehicles, when required to transport Messrs. Chivers' fruit and vegetables from the Cambridge area to the London markets.

I am informed that at the present time the Road Haulage Organisation is meeting all demands for suitable vehicles for Messrs. Chivers' fruit and vegetable traffic from Cambridge to London.

Will the Minister bear in mind that this was only quite recently, and that on many occasions there was depreciation in the quality of the vegetables owing to the firm not being able to obtain the transport?

asked the Minister of War Transport whether his Department has a representative at Singapore with a voice in the control of the docks, or whether the military are in complete charge; and whether he will give an estimate of the average rates of loading and discharging cargo per day per ship at Singapore.

Yes, Sir, my Department is represented at Singapore and my representative has a voice in the control of the operation of the docks insofar as it affects commercial shipping. The capacity of the port has continued to improve since it commenced to operate after liberation. During the month of February last, some 6,300 tons per day were handled through the port. The gradual return to more normal conditions should bring continued improvement.

asked the Minister of War Transport what prospect there is of an improvement in the passenger shipping services between the Republic of Colombia and the United Kingdom.

The pressure on passenger services is so great that I must use the limited resources at my disposal on the busiest routes, and I cannot hold out hopes of an improvement of this particular service in the near future.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he is aware that a number of British subjects resident in Brazil are awaiting transport to the United Kingdom; andwhat prospect there is of improving the shipping services so as to enable these people to come home.

Yes, Sir. The present service is now being substantially improved by the release of a passenger liner from trooping service. This ship will be employed without complete conversion in voyages to and from the River Plate, and it is intended to reserve part of her passenger accommodation for passengers to and from Brazil.

Will the Minister say if his answer means that these ships will call at Brazilian ports?

I cannot say at the moment at which ports these vessels will call. If the right hon. Member requires any further information regarding the direct routes, I shall be pleased to furnish it.

Cannot the Minister arrange for some large passenger ships to call at several South American ports in order to take away the large number of people waiting for transport?

I am very anxious to deal with this problem of civilian transport, and this is one of the steps being taken to ease the situation in Brazil.

asked the Minister of War Transport what numbers of civilian passengers are registered with his Ministry, or with booking agents, as awaiting passages to Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa, respectively; and how many such passengers he expects will be cleared monthly, on an average, to each destination throughout the next 12 months.

The crude figures of numbers of passengers registered would not convey any useful information. Many of the registrations are duplicated and the figures would give no reliable indication of the effective demand for passages. As regards the second part of the Question, accommodation likely to be available for civilian passages depends very largely upon the demands for repatriation of our troops overseas and it is not possible to give any reliable forecast for more than a few weeks ahead. I am, however, fully aware of the importance of transporting civilians to the Dominions, and I am using every available opportunity to the full.

While I appreciate the great difficulty with which the Minister is faced in dealing with this question of moving civilian passengers, does he not realise that this is causing a great deal of feeling among Dominion citizens; and has he considered making a public statement not only to the Dominion Governments, but to Dominion citizens, if necessary by issuing pamphlets, explaining the difficulties?

Has the Minister seen Press reports to the effect that Australian soldiers in Melbourne are threatening a demonstration because their wives are not given passages by his Department to go out to them; and that the present policy of his Department is very severely restricting immigration?

I do not agree that the policy of my Department is restrictive. Icannot accept that for one moment. I am, of course, aware of the feeling which is prevalent, but I must again emphasise to the House that repatriation of our own soldiers who have wives and children waiting for them in this country must have priority. In view of that overriding responsibility, I can assure hon. Members that I am giving this matter constant attention, particularly for the purpose of moving these people to the Dominions.

asked the Minister of War Transport the number of fires on ships in the Liverpool area during the past month; and, in view of the shortage of shipping, what steps are being taken both to protect the ships from arson and for the early discovery of fires.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether his attention has been called to a series of serious outbreaks of fire in ships; and if he has any statement to make, especially in respect of sabotage.

There were seven outbreaks of fire in ships in the Liverpool docks during the month of February and three outbreaks on 1st March. All the outbreaks were of a minor character causing no serious damage except in the case of the "Empire Waveney ", where a fire which broke out on 1st March resulted in the complete gutting of the ship. A fire occurred on the "Queen Elizabeth" at Southampton, on 8th March, but was extinguished before it assumed serious proportions. In view of the increasing number of passenger liners undergoing reconditioning, I recently communicated with the Associations of shipowners, ship repairers and shipbuilders urging the necessity for the maximum precautions against fire to be taken in every case. In addition, I have issued a circular to the authorities at the principal ports in the United Kingdom requesting them to take all possible steps to increase the precautionary measures at their ports against further outbreaks of fire on ships in ports. These organisations and the workers' unions concerned have been asked to initiate a propaganda campaign against careless action which might lead to fire. I understand that the cause of the fires in the "Empire Waveney" and "Queen Elizabeth" is being investigated by the Police.

Can the Minister say if any of these fires were caused by sabotage?

No evidence has so far been submitted to me which suggests sabotage. As I have indicated in the final part of my reply, the police are still investigating fires which occurred on the "Empire Waveney" and the "Queen Elizabeth ".

Have any of the fires occurring on ships in the Liverpool area been investigated?

It is not necessary to investigate the others because we are satisfied that there was no sabotage.

Is the Minister satisfied that the fires, in the other instances, were not the work and initiative of foreign agents?

In view of the likelihood of nationalisation of transport, will the Minister keep his eyes on the Tory Party?

asked the Minister of War Transport why the "Queen Elizabeth "was not used, as requested by the Government of Australia, to take British brides to Australia and bring back food, instead of being reconstructed for the purpose of earning dollars.

I have not received any request from the Government of Australia for the "Queen Elizabeth" to be used as suggested. The "Queen Elizabeth" was specially built for North Atlanticservice. She cannot be operated efficiently on voyages to the East, where there are no ports at which she can go alongside. The ship could not bring back food to this country, as her cargo space is negligible. She could not carry large numbers of women and children without considerable preparatory fitting. I fully appreciate the need for providing transport for passengers to Australia and am doing all I can with more suitable ships.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether a statement was made by a spokesman of the Australian Cabinet that this ship, or some equivalent number of ships, should be put at the disposal of that Government to bring the brides to Australia; and in view of the shortage of brides in Australia, and the shortage of food here, will the right hon. Gentleman put an equivalent number of ships on the service?

I should like to inform hon. Members that I am getting on very well with Australian brides.

Can the Minister say whether it is a fact that the "Queen Mary" and the "Queen Elizabeth "cannot go through the Suez Canal?

I think my answer conveyed that very clearly.

asked the Minister of War Transport what is the number and tonnage of ships recently allocated, or due to be allocated, from the German merchant fleet to Great Britain; and whether they are to form part of the British Merchant Navy on other than a temporary basis.

The Tripartite Merchant Marine Commission in Berlin divided ex-German ships into three shares. The number of ships allocated to the United Kingdom was 147 of 435,000 gross register tons. The United Kingdom and United States Governments have agreed to provide out of their shares appropriate amounts for other Allied States whose merchant marines have suffered heavy losses in the war against Germany, except that the U.S.S.R. has undertaken to make provision for Poland out of her share. This re-allocation of the United Kingdom and United States shares will be undertaken by the Inter-Allied Reparation Agency in Brussels. The ships finally allocated to the United Kingdom will be at the complete disposal of His Majesty's Government.

Is the Minister aware of the anxiety among shipbuilding workers with regard to the eventual effect of this policy upon employment?

My hon. Friend may rest assured that this aspect has received the very careful consideration of the Government.

How many of these ships are fishing vessels which could be allocated to the fishing fleets?

I should say practically none of them.

asked the Minister of War Transport what steps he proposes to take to reduce the excessive hours worked by trainmen on the four main line companies' systems, having in mind the fact that for the week beginning 12.1 a.m. on Monday, 7th January, and ending 12.0 midnight on Saturday, 12th January, 16,347 drivers and 11,837 goods guards worked more than 10 hours, and 156,361 drivers and 83,280 goods guards worked over eight hours and up to 10 hours.

The number of instances when the hours of duty of drivers and goods guards exceeded eight but not 10 during the week in question were in fact 92,838 and 32,094 respectively. A great deal of this overtime was incurred while travelling home as passengers, booking on duty, examining notices and preparing engines. With the increasing inflow of men from the Forces, I hope that it will be possible to reduce the amount of overtime worked by railwaymen.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he will represent to the railway companies that, in the interests of the business community, the night expresses between London and Scotland should now revert to their pre-war timing; and, in particular, that the time of departure at each end should bepostponed by not less than one hour.

Services cannot yet be restored to their prewar level but I am glad to say that the summer time tables, to be introduced on 6th May, will provide some improvements.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what advantages are derived from starting people off at 9.30 and putting them out at 6.30 when they can be started at 10.30 and be put out at 7.30?

Is the Minister further aware that the strictures of the Leader of the House and of the Scottish Members would be removed if the times were altered?

This question of meeting the convenience of different Members is not easy to effect, but I am prepared to listen to representations on these matters.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he is aware that county cricket championship matches at Aberdeen on six Saturdays during the coming season may have to be cancelled unless the last trains south can be altered from 5.15 p.m., L.N.E.R., and 5.25 p.m., L.M.S., to the prewar times of 7.30 p.m. and 7.45 p.m., respectively; and whether, in the interests of the public and of those anxious to play or watch cricket, the necessary additions can be made to the train service on Saturdays during the summer months.

asked the Minister of War Transport if he will announce the revised spring and summer transport, late on Saturday evenings, to and from the city of Aberdeen, soon enough to permit the local cricket and other sporting clubs to arrange their programmes of events for the forthcoming season.

The practicability of including later trains from Aberdeen in the summer timetable will be considered and I will inform the hon. Members as soon as a decision is reached.

When that consideration is being made, will the right hon. Gentleman bear inmind that in England county cricket car be seen almost every day of the week, but in Scotland it is only on six days that county cricket can be seen, and cricket supporters are relying upon the Minister to provide transport for it?

can the right hon. Gentleman seriously state what is the advantage of starting these trains so early? What is the gain? What is the point of it?

In considering this question, will the Minister realise that it affects not only the sporting Aberdonians but also the commercial. industrial and social interests of that city?

I can only repeat that this matter will receive consideration when the new time lists are brought out. With regard to the hon. Member's question of the timing of trains, I think he will appreciate that the timing of trains involves a number of other services and a single train route cannot be taken into account by itself.

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he will make arrangements, to extend to clerical workers the special facilties for cheap railway tickets which arc at present issued only to manual workers on the production of a certificate from the employer.

No, Six. Workmen's tickets were originally intended only for artisans, mechaines and labourers who travelled in the early morning hours and although the former qualification is not usually enforced during the normal early morning hours of issue, it is an essential feature of any practicable arrangement for issue outside those hours

:In view of the Prime Minister's appeal to clerical workers, does not the Minister think that it is unfair that on certain trains on which both manual workers and clerical workers travel, one should enjoy a cheap ticket and the other should not?

While Iappreciate the difficulties of certain inequalities, on the other hand, an extension of these matters very often involves further difficulties than the difficulties which it is attempted to remedy.

:Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that, bluntly, these requests are due to the fact that clerical workers are grossly underpaid as compared with other workers?

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that barter trading takes place between the staff of the Control Commission in Germany and German people; and whether he will take steps to put an end to this.