asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air for what purpose the air station at Lasham, near Alton, Hampshire is now being used; when it is proposed to derequisition the site of this station; and what steps it is proposed to take to restore to agriculture this area of formerly productive land.

Lasham will almost certainly become a permanent Royal Air Force Station. We are at present using it for a repair and salvage unit, and a contract has been let there for work on gliders. This limits the agricultural use of the land to grass for drying.

Is the hon. Member aware that this station occupies what was very good agricultural land? Is there any justification for making this place into a permanent Royal Air Force station, in view of the great loss that that will mean to agriculture?

I am very willing to look into this matter, but this is a concrete runwayed airfield, so that a very great deal of the agricultural use has, I am afraid, gone in any case, and the place is considered very suitable for a permanent R. A. F. station.

Is my hon. Friend aware that, even if the land between the runways cannot be used, there is, as he will see if he looks at the map of the perimeter, a considerable amount of grassland to the North, East and West that undoubtedly could be used as agricultural land, even if the aerodrome is being used? Would he consider this matter again, so that my forefathers, who used to farm this land, will be able to sleep peacefully once more in their graves?

We have every sympathy with my hon. Friend and his forefathers. At the moment the place is being used as a repair and salvage depot. That might limit the agricultural use of the land a little more than if this were only a flying ground. I will certainly look into the matter again.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will now make a statement on the case of Aircraft-man Cymbalist; and if he will quash the sentence of 10 years' imprisonment passed on this airman for his part in the recent R. A. F. strikes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is now able to make a statement regarding the case of Aircraftman Cymbalist, who was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment by a court martial at Singapore.

The proceedings of this case have now been received in this country and will come before the Air Council for review in due course.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the resentment of young men who join the A. T. C. and are accepted and trained for aircrews and are then considered redundant and trained as transport drivers whilst other young men are still being recruited for aircrews; and if he will take steps to put an end to this grievance.

All candidates for aircrew duties, whether they have been in the A. T. C. or not, now have to enlist in the Royal Air Force for ground employment in the first instance, but they are then considered for aircrew training if they are willing to undertake a period of regular and reserve service. Large numbers of aircrew and aircrew trainees are now inevitably surplus to requirements, and therefore, in order to even out the rate of release between trades, redundant aircrew and trainees have had to be allotted to ground duties.

Would the hon. Gentleman take steps to consult the Minister of Civil Aviation to see whether these air crew trainees might be absorbed in civil aviation?

Not so much the trainees, as some of the most experienced air crews of Transport Command, have been reabsorbed in that way. We are, of course, in constant contact with the Ministry of Civil Aviation on that question.

Is the bait of attachment to aircrews still being offered to young men as an inducement for them to join the A. T. C.?

No, Sir, it is not possible to guarantee to A. T. C. cadets that all of them can become air crew. We have stated that several times, in this House and elsewhere.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that 1081364 Corporal E. S. Baker, Air Headquarters, R.A.F., Kandy, intends to marry an Anglo-Indian girl resident in Nagpur, but that this intention, which has the approval of his parents, has been frustrated by his commanding officer's disapproval of such a marriage, and if he will take steps to facilitate this marriage and to secure sympathetic consideration of this airman's application for a year's extension of service.

Yes, Sir. This case was first considered overseas under the previous wartime policy. We have, however, recently made it clear that a member of the Royal Air Force serving abroad should he allowed to marry whomsoever he wishes, subject only to Service requirements, which it should usually be possible to meet now that the war is over except for the present special conditions in ex-enemy countries. The command have therefore been asked to reconsider this case and I hope that I shall shortly be able to tell my hon. Friend that it has had a happy ending.

Can the Minister tell us what are the special requirements?

It is a question of posting, usually in these cases.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of equipment officers, respectively, in the R. A. F. on 1st July, 1945, released since 1st July, 1945, commissioned since 1st July, 1945, transferred from other branches or Services since 1st July, 1945, and under instruction at present.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how the average release groups for ground officers compare with those for equipment officers.

With permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving the detailed information required by the hon. and gallant Member for Dumfries (Major N. Macpherson). Equipment officers are at present five groups behind the general level of release, and the position will get worse before it gets better. To meet this emergency we have decided to commission more airmen in the equipment branch in addition to training every suitable general duties officer who can be made available and with these measures the position should improve, particularly when they reach the groups from 30 onwards.

In view of the answer that the Minister has already given me that it takes only six weeks to train an equipment officer, can he say why it has not been possible to improve the situation before, or to prevent it from getting worse?

There are several answers to that question. The most general one is the very considerable speed-up of releases, which has again increased the burden on equipment officers, and has made the output from the training courses inadequate to meet the situation. We are now taking the measures just announced of supplementing our training forces by the commissioning of airmen in the branch.

Following is the statement: R.A.F. Equipment Officers Strength on 1st July, 1945 4,748 Released: 1st July, 1945 to 1st March, 1946 1,503 Commissioned: 1st July, 1945 to 1st March, 1946 160 Transferred or attached from other branches: 1st July, 1945 to 1st March, 1946 419* Under training at 1st April, 1946 132 * Redundant general duties officers who are trained as equipment officers remain available for flying duties and are not formally transferred. The figure of 419 includes 401 general duties officers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will withhold from newspapers the news of loss of service aircraft until there has been time to inform next-of-kin in each case.

No, Sir. The newspapers must be free to publish their own reports of an air accident in the same way as any other news, but the Press and the B.B.C. are cooperating closely with the Air Ministry in endeavouring to prevent the publication of the names of casualties until the next-of-kin have been informed. We do not, except under special circumstances, issue our official communiqués till we feel confident that the next-of-kin will have heard.

Is the Minister aware that announcements of disastrous accidents cause grave anxiety to people who have reason to think that their next-of-kin may be involved? Has he considered whether anything can be done by way of asking the organs of publicity in this country to delay publication, perhaps for 12 hours, in order to give the Air Ministry an opportunity to inform next-of-kin first?

We have thought this matter out very carefully and have had considerable consultation with the Press upon it. I doubt whether they would be willing to go further than to delay publication of the names.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he has yet received the report of the proceedings of the court of inquiry into the shooting in Bucharest of 184570 Flying-Officer K. R. Archer.

I have received a preliminary report that this officer was killed in a tragic accident on the night of 1st-2nd April. A court of inquiry has been held, but the proceedings have not yet reached this country.

Will a report of the proceedings be made available to Archer's father when they are received, as he has been caused considerable anxiety by the conflicting reports of the cause of the accident?

I think I should have to have notice of that Question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that a considerable number of the wireless operators at the R. A. F. W/T station at Malta have exceeded the normal period of overseas tour; and when these airmen are likely to be repatriated.

We are already starting to bring home airmen from Malta and other places who have become tour expired under the new rule, but, as I stated when announcing the reduced overseas tour, it will take till 1st October next to get the last of them home.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why 1645929 L.A.C. Attwood, who is due for release under Class B, and has been transferred to Worli transit camp to await passage to this country, has been prevented from leaving and told that the reason for his detention is secret and that he can give up hope of departure.

I have called for a full report on this case and will communicate with the hon. and learned Member as soon as possible. I understand that the airman concerned has been placed under arrest, and, in that case, the Air Force Act provides that he must be given, within 24 hours at the most, a written account of the offence with which he is charged.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air to state the total number of R.A.F. personnel now stationed in Iceland, the Azores and Bermuda; whether he is satisfied that they are fully occupied, and why the establishments at these places are not reduced and the officers and airmen brought home.

It would not he in accordance with present policy to give the numbers of our Forces in particular places overseas. All these establishments are reviewed at frequent intervals to keep them down to the minimum needed. For example we have made a big reduction in the Azores since my reply of 6th March to my hon. Friend the Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg). We have also arranged for a major cut in advance of our complete withdrawal from Iceland and for all but one Met. section to leave Bermuda.

Would the Minister kindly look into this question to see whether more drastic reductions of establishments cannot be made, in view et the fact that very few aircraft are now using these stations?

If I were at liberty to give the hon. and gallant Member the figures, he would see that the reductions in most of these cases could hardly be more drastic than they are.

Why is it necessary under peace conditions to keep aircraft and aircraft personnel any longer in such places as the Azores and Iceland?

As I have stated before in the House, it is very largely because of the Trans-Atlantic services, partly civil, in which we are helping the civil services with the Royal Air Force meteorological service and so on, and shall have to do so for a little while longer.

Should not the occupation of these territories come before the Security Council of the United Nations?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why the Special Intelligence Branch is now interrogating large numbers of men at Drigh Road, Karachi, about the incidents which took place there in January last, although they have already been the subject of an official inquiry; and, as official promises of no victimisation have been given, whether he will investigate the allegations which have been put before him of oppression, threats and intimidation employed in these interrogations.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he has considered the letter from an airman stationed in Sind, concerning the method of inquiry as to the alleged leaders of recent demonstrations in the R. A. F., a copy of which letter has been supplied by the hon. Member for Mile End; and if he will make a statement thereon.

An inquiry under the chairmanship of the Inspector General has been held, as the House knows. The results of this inquiry made it necessary to undertake the investigations to which the hon. Members refer, in order to determine whether evidence exists which should be considered by court-martial. Such Service investigations must he carried out in accordance with the King's Bench "Judges' Rules." These are set out in the Manual of Air Force Law, which itself re-emphasises them in paragraph 77. These are the opening words of the paragraph: …it is contrary to the elementary principles of English law to endeavour to trap a man into incriminating himself… In this case the investigators were specially warned before the investigation began of the necessity of keeping strictly to these regulations. Further steps have now been taken to see that this has been done

Has the Minister had time to examine the copious reports I put before him showing the repeated abominable departure from the King's Bench "Judges' Rules" by these investigators, and can he say anything further about taking action on that? And further can he say how these further investigations square with the promises of no victimisation?

I have, of course, studied the reports which the hon. and learned Member has submitted to me, and while I cannot express any view at this stage as to whether the allegations are well founded or not, I have taken the further step of calling the attention of the investigators to the great importance of adhering to the clearly laid down rules.

What about the question of victimisation?

Will the Minister look into the case which has been sent to him and other cases of a similar kind, and inquire into the allegations made about the nature of the investigations, and not leave it alone to the investigators to decide the question?

The allegations submitted to me by my hon. Friend were part of the case which I am bringing to the attention of the authorities in the command concerned.

Will the Minister answer how he squares all this investigation with the promises of no victimisation?

I have seen statements that there has been condonation in the legal term in these cases, but these matters, I take it, are sub judice and. I could not express any opinion.

Is the Minister aware that in the case of one of my constituents who was included in this investigation, particulars of which I have sent him, the investigating officer preceded his questions to the airman concerned by a reference to a sentence of 10 years on the airman Cymbalist, which the Under-Secretary told us today has not yet been confirmed?

I said that that sentence, in common with all sentences by court martial for long terms, comes before the Air Council for review.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will consult with the local planning authorities before buildings, erected by his Department during the war, are offered for sale to landowners and others, in view of the fact that many of these buildings do not conform to town planning and building bye-law requirements of local authorities.

Our policy in this matter is similar to that of the War Office which was set out in the reply given to the hon. Member yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War.

Is the Minister aware that the local authorities do not wish the countryside to be littered for all time by these temporary buildings, which become ramshackle before long?

No, I think the relaxation is meant to be a purely temporary one.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation how many aircraft were operated by B. O. A. C., and the total number of employees on 1st March, 1946.

One hundred and ninety-five aircraft were in operation by the British Overseas Airways Corporation on 1st March, 1946. The total number of persons employed by the Corporation on that date was 21,367.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary state if the figures given include all the ground staff overseas; and will he undertake to review this very great number from top to bottom to see if their presence is really necessary?

The figure does include a considerable number of persons engaged overseas. The number of persons engaged is, strictly speaking, a matter for the Corporations concerned in their independence of management, but I shall be glad to keep it under review.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say what proportion of that 21,367 are employed in the offices of the Corporation here in London?

The headquarters staff in London, including all staff based in London, is 1,190.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what is the present position regarding the design and construction of suitable aerodrome buildings for the use of Heathrow as a civil airport; and what is the target date to which they are working for completion of the buildings.

It is proposed to set up a Departmental Committee to coordinate the needs of all prospective users, British and foreign, of the permanent terminal building, who will be invited to put forward their requirements to this committee. The committee will also consider the accommodation needed for all essential services which have to be located in the terminal area. When these requirements have been received they will be passed to architects to prepare designs and thereafter a target date for completion can be set. Meanwhile, temporary buildings on the site are being adapted for use and more will be put up as labour and materials are available.

Does not my hon. Friend consider that this matter is urgent, and can he account for the delay of over six months which has already occurred since his Noble Friend first started taking an interest in Heathrow? Can he give an assurance now that this committee will make its findings at an early date and that as soon as it has made its findings the specifications will be issued to enable the design for the buildings to go out to open competition?

I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that an early decision will certainly be given. On the first part of his question, I would point out that it is desirable to get the aerodrome into operation as early as possible, but the needs of terminal buildings must be balanced against housing, which is our primary commitment.

Could not the situation that was likely to arise have been foreseen by reasonable analysis? We have wasted over six months already.

Can the hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance on what he said in his answer to the last question, that the plans will be put out to pub competition in order to get the best design possible?

That is under examination, and I think it will take place.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation on what date it is expected that the Constellation aircraft on order from the U.S.A. will commence operation on the Atlantic air-route; and if he will publish the financial and statistical calculations which prompted the decision to purchase Constellation aircraft and which indicated that the Transaction would earn more dollars than would be expended on the purchase and maintenance during the time that no similar British aircraft would be available.

With regard to the first part of the Question, the position remains As stated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Beswick) on 6th February last. With regard to the second part of the Question, the decision to purchase Constellation aircraft was based on many considerations, including prospective operating costs and revenue earnings. The forecast of such matters is necessarily a matter of estimation and the procedure is one which affects all aircraft procurement. In view of possible detriment to the operators by publication of such forecasts, it would not be right to make public the particular details to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he can now give delivery dates of the Constellations that we are purchasing from the U.S.A.; and whether crews have been dispatched to the U.S.A. for training on these aircraft.

Two Constellations are expected to be delivered during this month and three in May. As to the second part of the Question, I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for South Blackpool (Wing-Commander Robinson) on 13th February last.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation why the recently published rates for B. O. A. C. traffic are 2½ times higher than those charged by U.S. airline companies over the past eight years and nearly double those charged by Scottish Airline, Limited, despite the difficulties placed in the way of the latter company in obtaining adequate petrol supplies.

Without accepting the validity of the ratios quoted by the hon. and gallant Member, in the absence of any indication of the particular British Overseas Airways Corporation rates to which he refers, I would point out that neither the Scottish Airline rate, nor the rates charged by American Airlines on internal services, which presumably form the basis of his comparison, are appropriate to the widely different conditions of operation of international services which British Overseas Airways Corporation operate. Fares on international services are now subject to international agreements, and the rates of the British Corporations on these services will be identical with those charged by foreign airlines operating on the same routes under such agreements.

Obviously I cannot accept that answer, and I would ask the hon. Gentleman if he can give any ex planation of the apparent hostility of the Government to the development of Scottish Airlines? Furthermore, is he aware that this latest agreement, signed with Eire a few days ago, is regarded in Scotland as a national insult to the country?

If it is so regarded, there is no foundation for it.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the proposed international rates between New York and Prestwick, New York and London, and New York and Rineanna show definitely that Prestwick is placed at a disadvantage as compared with Rineanna, when the rates are calculated on a fair mileage basis?

My hon. Friend is only saying in another way that it takes rather longer to get to London via Prestwick than it does via Rineanna.

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. Would I be in Order in moving the immediate Adjournment of the House in order to bring to the notice of the House that there is no Minister in the Cabinet apparently speaking for Scotland?

Any Motion of this kind is in Order, but whether I could accept it or not is a different matter.

In view of your apparent dislike of giving me permission on that point, Mr. Speaker, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment. I hope, by your good will, tomorrow.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the proposed establishment of a Malayan Union, he has made any approach to the Government of the Chinese Republic to obtain permission for all Chinese desiring to secure Malayan Union citizenship to divest themselves of allegiance to China; and, if so, at what date and with what result.

Before His Majesty's Government's policy regarding Malayan Union citizenship was announced detailed consideration was given to the point raised in the hon. and gallant Member's Question. I understand that no divestment of Chinese nationality is possible under Chinese law and no approach was therefore made to the Government of the Chinese Republic. The possession of Chinese nationality by Malayan Union citizens would not, however, create a novel situation. Their position will be no more anomalous than that of Chinese born in the Straits Settlements or other parts of His Majesty's dominions who have in the past been, and will continue to be, British subjects and therefore of dual nationality.

In view of that very important statement, do not the present proposals constitute a very great potential menace to the whole Malay race unless the proposals in regard to citizenship are modified?

That is a matter to which the Governor is giving consideration at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is intended under the Malayan Union Order in Council to transfer to the Malayan Union assets of the Malay States located outside Malaya.

The only Malay State which is outside the Malayan Union is Brunei. It is not intended to transfer Brunei's assets to the Union. All assets, whether located in Malaya or in any other country of the Malay States named in the Order in Council have been so transferred, with the exception of any assets which may fall within the terms of paragraph 12 ( d ) of the White Paper (Cmd. 6749).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies which Malayan Sultans have denounced the agreements signed between them and Sir Harold MacMichael.

I have been informed by the Sultan of Perak that all the Malay Sultans have given notice that they cannot recognise as effective the agreements they signed with Sir Harold MacMichael. At my request the Governor of the Malayan Union has informed the Sultans in reply that I am aware of no circumstances attending the signing of the agreements which would justify the Sultans in refusing to recognise these agreements as effective, and that I cannot admit the right of one party to withdraw from engagements solemnly entered into.

In view of the unanimous reaction of one set of parties to the bargain, does the right hon. Gentleman really intend, like Shylock, to insist on the letter of his bond, and is he aware of the consequences that attended that attitude that adroit negotiator?

Has the right hon. Gentleman any comments to make on the very remarkable letter in yesterday's "Times," signed by a very large number of advisers to the various Malay States?

This is not the place to make a comment upon such a letter A comment was made in reply to the letter by the Public Relations Officer of the Colonial Office yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many leaders of the Singapore Labour Union have been deported and on what grounds, to what country and under what authority; if he will cause a public inquiry to be held into the administration of Malaya and the relations of the British administration to the Singapore working-class movement; and if meanwhile he will stop all threatened deportation of labour leaders.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the chairman of the Singapore Labour Union and nine other Chinese are to be deported from Singapore; and if he will cause their deportation to be delayed until the matter has been further investigated.

Ten Chinese have been expelled from Singapore under the civil law of the Colony on the ground that their expulsion was conducive to the public good. These persons had already been detained by the Military Administration after having attempted, in defiance of police instructions, to organise a demonstration on 15th February, which would have been prejudicial to law and order. Full warning had been given by the authorities before action was taken.

I am advised that these men were in no sense genuine labour leaders, and that their activities were making impossible the development of a trade union movement on sound and democratic lines which is now being undertaken by an experienced Trade Union officer from this country. Their aims were disruptive, and they had no real popular support. On the other hand, they and their associates had been able, by a policy of wholesale intimidation of labour, to hamper the work of government and to jeopardize the speedy rehabilitation of Singapore. The present administration of Singapore has only been in existence since 1st April, and I see no reason for a public inquiry as suggested by the hon. Member.

Would the Minister state what was the purpose of the demonstration to which he takes exception? Further, will be answer sections one and three of my Question?

Whatever the purpose of the demonstration, the police advised those who organised it that it was untimely and dangerous to hold it.

What about the purpose?

I am not speaking about the purpose. It was untimely and dangerous, and as a result it led not only to bloodshed, but to a very serious situation in Singapore.

Is it not the case that these men were active in the anti-Japanese resistance movement during the occupation, and also that the trade union development which my right hon. Friend commends is being organised on lines of racial discrimination instead of inter-racially, which would contribute to the Malayan union which is desired?

I have no knowledge of their activities during the Japanese occupation, but I am convinced from advice I have received that the trade union which they organised was not on the lines which we in this country consider is a genuine trade union.

Could the Minister tell us how many of these people of the so called working class movement are tram drivers and dockers and other such types of workers that we associate with the term, or whether their main job and function is mischief making and keeping our men in Singapore longer than they ought to be kept there?

Not without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether any decision has yet been arrived at as to the conditions under which a mail and passenger service between this country and Trinidad and the lower West Indies will be expected to operate;

(2) what steps he is taking to ensure that regular and permanent passenger services, adequate to cope with the traffic potential of the area, are provided between the United Kingdom and Trinidad and the lower West Indies.

With regard to air services, I am considering, in consultation with my Noble Friend the Minister of Civil Aviation, the most suitable arrangements for the provision of air communication linking the United Kingdom with the Caribbean area. With regard to shipping, I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport, and I would invite attention to his reply of 17th December last. to a Question by the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. C. S. Taylor).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many aircraft and what types are now being used by British West Indian Airways; and what services they are operating at present.

British West Indian Airways are now operating with five aircraft: two Lockheed Lodestars, one Lockheed 12A and two Hudsons. They have recently acquired three more Lockheed Lodestars which will come into operation next month, when the two Hudsons will be withdrawn from service. From Trinidad the company operates weekly sixteen services to Barbados, five services to Grenada and three services each to British Guiana, Tobago, St. Lucia, Antigua and St. Kitts. The company operates also once weekly between Trinidad, Santo Domingo and Jamaica and once weekly between Barbados and British Guiana. "On demand" services are operated between Jamaica and Belize in British Honduras.

Will the Minister represent that British aircraft should be used on this, route at the earliest opportunity?

It is intended that they will be used as soon as they can be acquired.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether there has been any reduction in the rate of subsidy which it was found necessary to pay last year?

Yes, Sir, I think the reduction has been fairly considerable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give an assurance that all non-native settlement in Tanganyika will take place as part of an overall plan so that no small farmers will be settled until the Government is satisfied that there will be an adequate labour supply with the prospect of satisfactory wage rates.

Yes, Sir. I will give attention to the point raised by my hon and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the scheme for non-native settlement, now being considered by the Government of Tanganyika, provides for the settling of individual farmers or of trained key-workers in larger undertakings.

These schemes are still being worked out by the Land Settlement Board in Tanganyika. It is premature to make any definite statement about their details.

May I ask the Secretary of State whether he will maintain the principle that no land will be alienated to non-natives without the specific consent of the Secretary of State?

We are seeing that native interests are being protected in every possible way.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will prevent the attempt now being made in Ceylon to secure the adoption of Sinhalese as the only official language to the exclusion of Tamil.

I am not aware that any attempt is being made in Ceylon to secure the object described by my hon. Friend. If, however, he can furnish me with further particulars, I will look into the matter.

Yes, Sir, I will.

In view of the fact that an attempt is being made in Ceylon to oust English and displace it as an official language, and in view of the fact that most Sinhalese and Tamils either know English, or strongly desire to know English, will my right hon. Friend commend to them the example of sensible Irishmen like Burke, Swift, Shaw and O'Casey, who remain very Irish while using the tongue of the Sassenach and Shakespeare?

There is another Question on the Order Paper on that subject.

asked the Minister of Food what quantities of Australian rabbits he intends to import during the next six months; and whether that amount represents Australia's exportable surplus for Britain.

I have agreed to buy at least 8,000 tons of rabbits from Australia and New Zealand this season, of which about 4,500 tons will come from Australia. With regard to the second part of the Question, I shall be glad to take all the supplies which both Australia and New Zealand can send me, and have already arranged to buy more Australian frozen rabbits this season than I did last.

Would the Minister bear in mind that the demand is very much greater than it was prewar and that the quantities he has just announced are very much less than prewar importations?

The quantity before 1938 was about 9,000 tons and I am taking 8,000 tons, so that I am gradually getting back to it.

asked the Minister of Food the tonnage of Norwegian herring oil hardened and available for margarine; and what amount he intends to purchase for British use.

Norwegian herring oil is not available for purchase by the United Kingdom under the Combined Food Board arrangements, and I do not know the amount that is being produced.

Are not the Combined Food Board responsible for feeding our people?

The Combined Food Board are responsible for allocating but, on the other hand, I understand that the Norwegian authorities have prohibited the export of this oil.

asked the Minister of Food the total amount of whale oil produced by British, Norwegian and Argentinian floating factories and shore plants in the Antarctic to date; and what amount will be available for British use.

The latest returns of whale oil produced by floating factories and shore plants are as follow:

The total quantity of whale oil now allocated to the United Kingdom by the Combined Food Board is 62,40o tons.

Is the House to understand from that answer that the fats situation is very much better than it was originally deemed to be by the right hon. Gentleman?

The hon. Member should understand exactly the contrary. It is not better.

Has the Minister satisfied himself that all British floating factories are in fact in use? Is he aware that there is one standing outside Falmouth which could he repaired, and has not been repaired, and that at a time when many men in Falmouth Dockyard are being taken away for want of work?

Every possible step has been taken for this season which is now ended, but for the next sea n all ships which were then under repair will, I hope, be available.

Do the 60,000 odd tons of whale oil correspond to the ioo,000 tons the Minister mentioned in the last Debate and the 135,000 tons?

No, the facts are that the allocation is 62,400 tons as against the original allocation of 85,500 tons.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the precarious position of pig breeders throughout the country, who now have insufficient feeding stuffs to bring to maturity their three- to six-months-old store pigs and cannot find an outlet for them in the markets owing to the would-be buyers holding off because they, in turn, have no feeding stuffs, he will introduce an order permitting the sale and slaughter of this sized pig through the local retailers.

No such order is required since my Department will be prepared to purchase for slaughter all pigs suitable for retail butchers.

Does not the Aliruster realise the almost incredible difficulties of pig breeders who were encouraged to increase their herds last autumn and now have no feeding stuffs and are compelled to sell pigs at an uneconomic price? Is the Minister going to make up the loss they have sustained due to his action last autumn?

There are no indications that large numbers of these pigs will be offered for slaughter when the feeding stuffs are reduced. Prices for store pigs have not declined since the feeding stuffs allocation was reduced. Prices are higher than they were a year ago.

In view of the fact that I do not accept the Minister's explanation, may I register a vigorous and spirited protest?

asked the Minister of Food whether, with the Ministers of Labour and Agriculture, he will arrange a practical scheme for producers to obtain a fair market value for their products without State subsidies, in view of the difficulties which the present system entails in arriving at a fair valuation for wages under the present system of false food prices.

I would refer the hon. Member to the speech of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 9th April, in which he confirmed the Government's intention to hold the cost-of-living index at its present level during 1946 by provision of the necessary cost of-living subsidies.

Is the Minister aware that these subsidies are not producer subsidies at all but are consumer subsidies, and that they unbalance the whole agricultural system, making it impossible to pay a really adequate wage to the workers?

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the abundant supplies of tea in the country, he will now consider taking it off the ration.

My hon. Friend is unfortunately mistaken in assuming that there are abundant supplies of tea in the country. Existing stocks are little more than sufficient to maintain the regular distribution of tea and are expected to be considerably depleted by the end of the year. I can assure my hon. Friend that I shall not maintain tea rationing a day longer than is necessary.

Is the Minister aware that within the last fortnight representatives of certain large wholesale firms in the city of Bristol have stated that they have large stocks of tea which they are anxious to dispose of to retailers?

No doubt that is true, but I have to be responsible for it.

asked the Minister of Food what proportion of the oranges for marmalade imported this year were destroyed before they reached the shops.

Slightly less than 2 per cent. of the bitter oranges imported this season for distribution to the public for domestic marmalade making were destroyed before they reached the shops as unfit for human consumption.

asked the Minister of Food if he will consider issuing extra rations to employees of rural drainage authorities on the same scale as those issued to agricultural workers.

I assume that the workers referred to are engaged on draining agricultural land. These are already entitled to the extra rations granted to agricultural workers, with the exception of the special seasonal allowances which are only granted in respect of seasonal work.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these men are doing a job which is not only vital to agriculture but of which the conditions are often very much worse? Will he, therefore, consider putting them on exactly the same footing as agricultural workers in view of the fact that they are on the same footing in regard to insurance?

They are on exactly the same footing as agricultural workers. They receive an extra cheese allowance of 12 ounces a week and the following rationed foods: 11/8o ounces of tea, one ounce of sugar, milk at current scales—nine pints per 100 beverages—but they are not allowed to take tea or sugar home dry.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that unless the farm workers get more food there will be an avalanche of them leaving the land because they cannot go on doing the hard work on present rations?

Why not do something for the farm workers? I am tired of asking.

asked the Minister of Food when freedom will again be restored to the public to choose their own retailers.

The public will again be given an opportunity to change their retailers, except for milk, at the beginning of the new rationing year, 21st July. I am considering the possibility of allowing further changes during the course of the rationing year.

In view of the fact that milk supplies are more abundant than for a long time, why cannot the Minister allow the same freedom to be accorded to people to choose their own dairy as is accorded to people to choose their own baker?

I have gone carefully into the matter, but while this industry is maintained as a rationalised industry, I cannot permit a change of retailer. However, I am considering bringing in that change next year

Is my right hon. Friend aware how unfair this compulsion to patronise one particular retailer is to housewives? It means that many of us have been compelled to lose our dividends. We are not allowed to purchase through our usual Co-operative channels, and we have lost quite a large sum of money in dividends. I wonder if the Minister would consider restoring that dividend.

asked the Minister of Food if he will state the basic price of gelatine allowed for the manufacture of table jellies in fixing the retail prices.

My Department is engaged in discussions with the manufacturers of table jellies on costs and prices, and publication of figures might well be prejudicial to public interest.

asked the Minister of Food if he will publish a comprehensive list showing ration and points entitlement for children and adults and a schedule of the points value of all foodstuffs now on points; and if he will issue a similar schedule at regular intervals.

A list of retail controlled prices (groceries and provisions) including information about points values, rations and availability of coupons, is already published and is on sale. I will send my hon. Friend a copy.

Would my right hon. Friend consider issuing a list which could be fixed up in shops, as it would prove of great convenience to housewives and shopkeepers?

It is one of the conditions that each shopkeeper should display them in his shop.

asked the Minister of Food whether it is his intention to allow an extra ration of sweets for children to coincide with the Victory celebrations of 8th June

Much as I should like to accept my hon. Friend's suggestion, I regret that the present shortage of raw materials makes it impossible for me to do so.

Would my right hon. Friend consider allocating some of the large stocks now held by the brewing industry for such a purpose? It would be very popular in these days.

asked the Minister of Food if he will refuse to grant additional quotas of grain to brewers during the present world grain shortage.

There is no indication that it will be necessary to issue licences to brewers to buy more than the 814,000 tons of cereals which it is estimated they will need, during the present brewing year up to 30th September next, on the basis of current production requirements.

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what price basis the Government, through the agency of members of the Liverpool Cotton Exchange, has bought raw cotton this year from American shippers.

The Cotton Control have bought cotton from members of the Liverpool Cotton Exchange, acting as agents for American shippers, at prices based on New York quotations for delivery at a future date.

Does it not mean, in fact. that the Government are making use of the New York futures market?

Of course it does. but it is not hedging on the market.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the hon. Member for Solihull can expect a reply to his letter of 10th January in respect of the Greswolde Garage, Knowle.

I cannot trace receipt of the letter of 10th January to which the hon. Member refers. I can, however, inform him that Greswolde Garage, which has been under requisition for the use of the Ministry of Supply, will be vacated in the course of the next few weeks. A formal request to vacate was issued on 26th March last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now allow small hand-towels and similar articles of household goods to be purchased without personal coupons being surrendered.

No, Sir. I am not yet in a position to take such articles off the ration.

When the President of the Board of Trade is reconsidering the allocation of coupons for towels, in regard to which there is some anomaly, will he consider allowing the smallest of them to be sold coupon free?

The matter is under consideration at the moment, and I shall make a statement as soon as I can.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that production of glass bottles, so urgently needed at the present time, is being restricted by cuts in fuel; and if he will take steps to remedy this.

I am aware that some manufacturers of glass bottles are finding difficulty in obtaining sufficient fuel to increase their production to the desired level. As in all other industries, stocks of fuel have had to be reduced to a very low level, but my regional controllers are doing all they can, in collaboration with the regional officers of the Ministry of Fuel and Power, to help in individual cases of special difficulty.

Could the hon. Gentleman say when the cuts will be restored, as promises of help when difficulty occurs will not produce any bottles now?

The cuts will be restored as soon as the fuel position allows.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in which Colonies the head of the Labour Department is a member of the Executive Council or the Legislative Council.

In Tanganyika, Mauritius and Fiji the head of the Labour Department is a member of the Legislative Council. In Ceylon, labour administration and policy are directed by a Minister of the State Council. As a general rule the labour commissioners attend meetings of the Legislative Council when labour questions are under discussion. If important labour legislation is being introduced they are, where the Constitution permits, appointed extraordinary members of the Council. The question of making the labour commissioner a permanent member of the Legislative Council is being considered in Nigeria and Kenya.