asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what steps are contemplated in order to extend to pensioned British officers and other ranks of the Indian Army the improvements recently announced for equivalent ranks of the British Service.

:I assume that the hon. and gallant Member is referring to the scheme for re-assessment of Service Retired Pay and Pensions in respect of War Service which was announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War on 15th April. The application of this scheme to the Indian Army would depend upon the prior application to the Indian Army of the new Pension Code. I am in communication with the Government of India on both points, and hope to make a statement shortly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the recent developments in India, he is now in a position to say what safeguards are to be offered to the British officers, Gurkha officers and other ranks of the Gurkha Brigade, under the new proposals for Indianisation of the Army in India.

:The question raised by the hon. and gallant Member has been receiving sympathetic consideration but I am not yet in a position to say precisely what arrangements will be made to safeguard the interests of the officers and men of the Gurkha Regiments.

:As sympathetic consideration has been going on since 28th January, may I ask the hon. and learned Gentleman to give very early attention to this matter, because the relationship of the Gurkhas to the Crown is something quite different from that of the rest of the Indian Army, and there is very considerable alarm as to their future?

:I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that this question is very much in the minds of both His Majesty's Government and the Government of India.

:Is the Minister aware that there is a deep principle involved apart from any question of expediency in this matter?

:I indicated in my first reply that this matter was receiving the sympathetic consideration of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the existing rates of pay of other ranks in the Indian Army are based on the prewar cost of living; that they receive no family allowance and no ration allowance when on leave except to cover time spent travelling; and what steps he is taking to urge the Government of India to revise these low rates of pay.

:The Government of India have appointed a Postwar Pay Committee to consider and make recommendations on, inter alia, the rates of pay of other ranks of the Indian Army and I am confident that both that Committee and the Government of India will give full weight to the considerations mentioned by the hon. Member.

:Will the Minister state whether the implication is that these men receive no family allowance or that they receive no family allowance when on leave? But in either case, are their families expected to get along without any allowance at all?

:The position is as stated.

:Which of the implications is true? Is it that they receive no family allowance on leave, or that they receive no family allowance except when on leave?

:I said the implication of the statement in the Question was correct. They receive no ration allowance when on leave.

:There were two possible implications and I was very anxious to know which was the true one; either they receive no family allowance on leave or they receive no family allowance except when on leave and it is not clear which is the position.

:I tried to make it clear that the statement in the Question is quite correct. They do not receive ration allowance when on leave.

:Is not the position clear—that they do not receive family allowances at all, and that they do not receive ration allowance except when they are travelling on leave?

:I think I had better look into it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what are the latest estimates of the number of Indians in Burma, Malaya, Ceylon, South Africa, East Africa and other parts of the British Commonwealth; and in which of these areas do Indians suffer discrimination in matters of civil rights or enfranchisement.

:With regard to the first part of the Question, I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a tabular statement of the latest information available to the Government of India regarding the numbers of Indians resident in the British Commonwealth outside India. Indians in Burma are protected against discrimination in the matter of civil rights and enfranchisement by the Government of Burma Act. With regard to the position of Indians in other parts of the British Commonwealth, I would suggest that my hon. Friend should approach my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Dominions and Colonies for the particulars he requires.

:In view of the fact that there is a certain amount of disquiet on this matter, could the hon. and learned Gentleman say whether he will take any steps at all to bring to the notice of the respective Governors of the Dominions and Colonies what they could do to try to ease this matter?

:No, Sir. I am afraid I am only concerned with the position regarding Burma. As regards the Dominions, as my hon. Friend knows, under the principles of imperial relationships, this is a matter between the Dominions and the Dominions Office.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he has any further information regarding food shortage in India; to what extent progress has been made respecting supplies; and what alternative method of transport of food has been secured against the eventuality of the Indian train service being affected by industrial dispute.

:Shipments of cereals, excluding rice, to India in May amounted to 172,000 tons and not about 235,000 tons as I informed the hon. Member on 3rd June. The difference of 63,000 tons represents quantities which, according to my information on 3rd June, had been shipped in May but which did not actually sail until June. Including this quantity, about 336,000 tons have been programmed for shipment in June. For July shipment, about 108,000 tons have been programmed from Australia, and it is hoped in addition to ship further quantities from North and South America. As regards rice, about 42,000 tons are known to have been shipped during the current quarter, and it is hoped that about a further 38,000 tons will sail before the end of June. The food situation in India continues to be precarious. But, on the basis of these supplies, the Government of India anticipate that distribution can be maintained up to August, assuming that there are no untoward developments. As regards the last part of the Question, measures were taken to distribute food stocks as widely as possible against the eventuality of a railway strike and to make the maximum use of road and water transport and of coastal shipping. As my hon. Friend will be aware, the railway strike notices have now been withdrawn.

:Could the Minister say what is the percentage per month of shortage on estimated minimum requirements?

:No, Sir; not without notice.

:Has the hon. and learned Gentleman no news about the 500,000 tons that Dr. Sjahrir has promised Pandit Nehru from Java?

:No, Sir. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put that question on the Paper.

:Will the hon. and learned Gentleman say what allocation has been made to India out of the 1¼ million tons of rice subject to contract with the Government of Siam, and what amount he expects to receive of this vital surplus on the doorstep of India in the next three months?

:I will be glad to answer that question if the hon Member will put it on the Paper.

:Can the Minister give an assurance that the 63,000 tons kept in ships after 3rd June has not yet suffered any wastage as a result?

:I would not be able to answer that question without notice.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma in what cir- cumstances a demonstration in Rangoon was recently fired upon, resulting in two deaths.

:There has been no such incident in Rangoon. My hon. Friend must, I think, be referring to an incident which occurred at Tantabin, some 15 miles from Rangoon, on 18th May, when one person was killed and a number wounded, of whom two subsequently died. On the advice of his Executive Council, the Governor of Burma has appointed a committee of inquiry to inquire into the composition of the crowd which came into contact with the civil authorities at Tantabin and the reasons for its assembly, and also into the circumstances in which the police made use of their powers of dispersing the assembly by force.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma, whether he is aware that the Supreme Council of the Burmese Anti-Fascist League has urged the calling of a conference by the Governor to discuss the formation of a national government and has stated that the present administration of Burma with an unrepresentative Executive Council is adversely affecting the rehabilitation of Burma; and whether he will instruct the Governor to re-open negotiations with Burmese political leaders with a view to the formation of a representative government.

:Yes, Sir, but I do not accept the implication of the statement referred to. It has been the constant object of the Governor, since his return in October last, to secure an executive council on the broadest possible basis pending the holding of elections next spring. He would welcome the inclusion in the council of any political party not now represented in it. In these circumstances, I do not consider any further instructions are required.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma, if any approach has been made to the Government of India for financial assistance in the rehabilitation of Burma in view of the fact that the sacrifice of Burma saved India.

:No approach has yet been made to the Government of India for financial assistance in the rehabilitation of Burma.

:Can the Minister say if it is proposed to make any approach to the Government of India, in view of the fact that the sacrifices of Burma saved the cities of India from devastation and pillage?

:No, Sir. I am not in a position to say what the policy will be in future, but I would remind the hon. Gentleman of the present political and constitutional position in India.

:Is not India, as the result of the war, a creditor nation?

:Certainly, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that, for the last 1,300 years, the ethnic and linguistic and economic boundary between the Tyrolese and Italians runs through the Salurn Gorge, 25 miles South of Bozen; and whether he will bring this fact before the meeting of delegates of the Foreign Ministers, with a view to an equitable delimitation of the boundary.

:My right hon. Friend has, I think, made it clear that His Majesty's Government recognise the strength on ethnic and linguistic grounds of the Austrian claim to the province of Bolzano, but as my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State said in answer to the hon. Member on 3rd June, the economic ties of the province are now with Italy rather than with Austria. As the question is now under discussion in Paris, I think it would be unwise for me to add anything to what my right hon. Friend said in the House in a recent Debate.

:Cannot the right hon. Gentleman hold out any hope that the injustice committed by the Treaty of Saint Germain, as frankly admitted by Mr. Lloyd George, M. Clemenceau and President Wilson, will be at last rectified?

:The hon. Member has had a very full answer from my right hon. Friend not long ago, and I do not think I can try to add to what he said.

:Does the right hon. Gentleman commit himself to the doctrine that the political and economic frontiers must necessarily coincide?

:No, Sir, but I do say that, in some cases, economic factors as well as political factors must, in the interests of the population themselves, be taken into account.

:Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the economic connections with Italy are very largely artificial and were created in the last 25 years?

:Yes, Sir, but they are very important.

:Is not the Minister aware that the main economic factors affecting this territory are not relations with Italy at all but with Austria?

:No, Sir. I could not accept that. They may be important to both countries, but they are certainly very important to Italy.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he is aware that in South Tyrol there were, in 1922, 770 German-speaking State schools and that within five years every one of these was either closed or changed into an Italian school; and if, under these circumstances, he will insist on the insertion of a clause in the treaty with Italy for the protection of the Tyrolese minority and language in those areas allotted to Italy.

:Yes, Sir, I understand that the summary given in this question of Signor Mussolini's educational policy in the South Tyrol is substantially correct. I have no doubt that my right hon. Friend will bear in mind the suggestion made by the hon. Member for the insertion of a clause in the treaty with Italy. The hon. Gentleman will be glad to know that the present democratic Government in Italy have already passed decrees which give the German-speaking population of the South Tyrol equal linguistic rights in elementary schools, in court proceedings, and in public offices.

:In view of the fact that every one of the most solemn promises given by Italy in 1919 was broken, would it not be prudent, this time, to have these promises inserted in black and white in the form of a treaty?

:I do not think promises inserted in black and white in treaties made any difference to Signor Mussolini.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Polish Provisional Government has now suspended the Polish Peasant Party in six of the most densely populated areas where it has large followings; and whether he will point out to the Polish Provisional Government that this attempt to force Mr. Mikolajczyk to join a single election bloc is inconsistent with the free and unfettered elections guaranteed by the Yalta Agreement, for which the British as well as the Polish Provisional Government is responsible.

:Recalling, as he does, the solemn undertakings given by the Polish Provisional Government in January last, and regretting the increased tension in Polish political life at the present time, my right hon. Friend is gravely concerned by the delay in holding elections in Poland, and by the signs that this delay is being used to undermine one of the principal parties permitted by Polish law.

:I feel sure that the right hon. Gentleman will realise the intensive form of intimidation which is being carried out to prevent free and unfettered elections, guaranteed by the Yalta and Potsdam Agreements.

:In view of the continued use, both in the Question and answer, of the words "Polish Provisional Government." and in view of the misunderstanding which has already occurred in that matter, will my right hon. Friend make it clear that there is nothing provisional in His Majesty's Government's recognition of this Government and that His Majesty's Government recognise them, de jure and de facto, as the only Government?

:Yes, of course, Sir, but we recognise them on condition that there should be free democratic elections at which the long-term constitutional system of Poland should be settled.

:In view of the fact that the Polish Provisional Government have not carried out the conditions of recognition, how long is that recognition going to continue?

:I have made a strong and considered statement on behalf of the Government, and I do not think I had better add to it. The Polish Government are fully aware of our views.

:Can the right hon. Gentleman say, seeing that His Majesty's Government are so regretful regarding the present position, what authority they have to improve it and what they are actually going to do to get the matter amended?

:We received certain pledges from the Polish Provisional Government when we recognised them last January, and it is on the basis of those pledges that we are making representations. We have made them understand what is our view, and we hope to persuade them that it is in their own true interest to proceed as we hope they will, and as most of the other countries in their zone have already done.

:Is it not also true that His Majesty's Government have been in negotiation with the Polish Government in this matter, that negotiations are still proceeding and that, if elections have not been held and no date has been fixed for them, the Polish Government have offered reasons and explanations of that fact?

:I cannot accept that statement, as my hon. Friend made it. The word "negotiations" is not the right word and, so far, I think that the reasons adduced from the Polish side are not very satisfactory.

:Are we to understand from the replies received that, in the event of there being some hitch in regard to this proposed referendum, we are going to recognise the exile Government in London?

:Of course not; nothing of the kind. But I hope we may still take it as certain that the Polish Government are going to fulfil their pledges and carry through an election which will give satisfaction to all concerned.

:Is not the important thing at the present moment that, if we want free elections, it is necessary that each party should have full freedom of expression as, otherwise, free elections are a farce?

:Yes, Sir, I agree with my hon. Friend.

:Does the right hon. Gentleman remember any election which gave satisfaction to all parties?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arrangements are being made for repatriation or resettlement of Poles in the refugee camps in Africa.

:Arrangements are being made for the camps of Polish refugees in East Africa and Southern Rhodesia to be handed over to U.N.R.R.A., who will then be responsible for repatriation. A Mission from the Polish Provisional Government is visiting the camps in order to promote the repatriation of refugees who volunteer to return to Poland. U.N.R.R.A. has promised to give technical assistance to this mission. I have not yet received any reports on the result of its work. Facilities will be given to refugees who are dependants of Polish troops under British Command to join their menfolk, if they so desire.

:Can my right hon. Friend say whether any facilities will be given, similar to those given to the soldiers in General Anders' Army, to join relatives in this country?

:Yes, Sir, that is what I have said. Facilities to come here will be given to refugees who are dependants of Polish troops under British command.

:I do not think my right hon. Friend understood what I said. In cases where they have relatives in this country who are not necessarily soldiers, will facilities be given to them to join their relatives?

:I think that will be covered by the arrangements already made by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary for other categories of refugees.

:What happens to those who do not wish to be repatriated and have no relatives in this country? Will they be allowed to come here?

:We shall have to see what happens about the general refugee problem. We hope there will be settlements of many such refugees overseas, in which case people may wish to join their men overseas.

:May we take it that no pressure will be placed upon these people to return to Poland unless they wish to do so?

:Yes, Sir. The right hon. Gentleman can be absolutely certain that they will not be sent there unless they want to go.

:Can my right hon. Friend say whether any arrangements have been made to send the Poles out of Scotland to Africa or anywhere else?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what stage the negotiations regarding the future status of Indonesia have now reached; and, in view of the result of the recent election in Holland, whether he has yet been informed of the attitude of the Dutch administration to Indonesian nationalist aspirations.

:On the 19th May the Lieutenant Governor General of the Netherlands East Indies, Dr. van Mook, handed to Dr. Sjahrir the text of a protocol on the future course of the negotiations. On 17th June, Dr. Sjahrir made some counter-proposals to Dr. van Mook. My hon. Friend will no doubt have seen the statement on these counterproposals issued by the Netherlands Government. The new Netherlands Government have not yet been formed, but I trust that, when they assume office, they will not only continue the negotiations with Dr. Sjahrir, but will bring them to a speedy and satisfactory conclusion.

:Could my right hon. Friend say on what he based what seemed to be his rather optimistic recent statement about the Dutch election? Was it not rather a rebuff to those who had offered the more liberal proposals?

:No, Sir, I think not, because the parties which formed the previous Government will form the new Government and they are committed to the policy on which both the Indonesians and the Dutch had negotiated. My hopes are based on the fact that all farseeing men on both sides know that their overriding interest is to settle this matter quickly and by agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he has taken to secure information in regard to the trial of General Mihailovitch; and whether British reporters are given facilities for reporting the trial.

:A member of His Majesty's Embassy has been present at the trial as a spectator, and my right hon. Friend has received detailed reports of the proceedings. The foreign Press has also been well represented at the trial, which has been fully reported in the newspapers both here and in other countries.

:Have we definitely asked the Yugoslav Government to permit British officers to get verbal evidence at this trial; and can the right hon. Gentleman advise any method by which this earliest friend of Britain can secure justice?

:What the hon. and gallant Member asked me for in his Question was whether I could get information about the trial and whether British reporters could go there. I have answered both points—we are getting all the information and British reporters can be present all the time.

:Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the health of General Mihailovitch is in such a condition that he is fit to be put through the present trial?

:We had reports about his health a little while ago, and we were then told that he was a great deal better than when he was taken prisoner.

:In view of the number of statements appearing from Belgrade and Prague, and that we must have a considerable number of reports about General Mihailovitch from our own re- porters there, would it not be possible to issue some kind of White Paper showing exactly what reports we do get?

:I made an answer about that in reply to a Question the other day. Perhaps the hon. Member will look it up. I do not think we can issue a White Paper in the middle of a trial.

:Will the Minister consider, at some stage in the near future, publishing all these secret documents about our contacts with secret movements in Europe, as it is high time these matters were cleared up by publicity?

:I will certainly consider my hon. and gallant Friend's proposal.

:May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if the detailed reports to which he referred in the original answer can at least be published as a White Paper?

:I do not think we can do that at present, but I will look into the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further progress he has to report in the matter of Allied identification and control of German assets in Spain.

:Discussions about the identification and control of German assets in Spain are still in progress in Madrid. But His Majesty's Government do not intend to start formal negotiations with General Franco's Government until an agreement with Sweden on German assets in that country has been made. The United States Government concur in the course of action which we propose.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action is now being taken by His Majesty's Government, in conjunction with other Governments, to secure the repatriation of those German citizens whom the Spanish Government regards as incorporated in Spanish life.

:His Majesty's Government have never demanded that all Germans resident in Spain should be re- patriated. But they have never agreed to exempt from repatriation Germans who rendered special service to the Nazi cause, simply because such Germans had lived for a long time in Spain or had had close associations with the country. His Majesty's Embassy, like the other Allied Missions in Madrid, are pressing and will continue to press for the repatriation of all such Nazi agents. The attitude of General Franco's Government in this matter has left much to be desired. So far, out of the 734 Germans whose record is particularly bad, and whom we have already named for priority repatriation, only 192 have so far been sent home, although more than 2,000 Germans have left for Germany. A United States ship, the Marine Perch, recently sailed from Bilbao. It could have taken some 900 Germans; in fact, 341 embarked, and of these only 37 were on our priority lists. His Majesty's Government take a serious view of the failure of General Franco's Government to cooperate in this matter, and they are now considering what further steps they should take.

:Can my right hon. Friend say whether any of those whom we wish to apprehend are included in the 2,000 who, he said, had travelled from Spain to Germany, and if steps are being taken in regard to them?

:Yes, Sir, they included 192 out of the 734 whom we have so far put on our priority lists.

:Can my right hon. Friend assure the House that these representations are made only in the case of people whose offences are of a high order, so that nothing whatever is done to interfere with the international tradition of political asylums?

:Yes, Sir, I think I can give my hon. Friend that assurance.

:In view of the facts which my right hon. Friend has given, can he say what action His Majesty's Government propose to take in view of the refusal of General Franco to hand over these Nazi agents?

:I have already said that we are considering what steps we shall take.

:What is the position with regard to German Nazi agents who have actually been granted Spanish nationality by General Franco?

:I would like to see that question on the Paper.

:Have we got hold of the 37 we wanted?

:Yes, Sir.

:Can my right hon. Friend say whether representations are being made about Nazi agents not of German nationality, for example, quisling leaders like Degrelle who have taken refuge in Spain?

:I would be happy to consider the case of Degrelle. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will put the question down.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider making arrangements for all-party delegations of Members of this House to make regular and repeated visits to the U.S.S.R. for the purpose of strengthening friendly relationship between the two countries.

:The House will recall that a British Parliamentary delegation visited the Soviet Union in January, 1945. As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Norwood (Mr. Chamberlain) in answer to a Question on 8th May, my right hon. Friend has always desired that a return visit should be arranged at the appropriate time. With your approval, Sir, I have now instructed His Majesty's Ambassador at Moscow to inquire of the Soviet Government whether they would welcome an invitation to the Supreme Soviet to send a delegation to this country after the Summer Recess. I hope that this visit will take place, and that it may lead to closer and more regular contact between the legislature of the Soviet Union and the British Parliament.

:Will the Minister consider inviting Soviet scientists to Britain in return for the visits which our scientists paid them last year?

:If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put down the question, I will give him an answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why applicants for passports or renewals of passports at the Passport Office must present the exact fee required and cannot be given change.

:Both the Main Issue Counter and the Urgency Counter of the Passport Office do give change to those who apply for passports to be issued or renewed. For reasons which I will gladly explain to the hon and gallant Member, change cannot be given at the main inquiry counter without delaying the queue of other applicants. This counter, however, deals with only 2½ per cent. of the fees which are paid.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he proposes to take any action to discontinue the use of passports and visas.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) what steps are being taken to abolish passports;

(2) what steps are being taken to abolish visas on passports.

:Agreements to abolish visas were concluded with a large number of countries before the war. When war broke out, however, the visa system had to be re-established for security reasons. His Majesty's Government intend to restore prewar conditions as soon as they can by agreement with other countries; but it is evident that this country cannot abolish passports and visas by unilateral action. His Majesty's Government are most anxious to eliminate unnecessary travel restrictions. We hope that the conference proposed to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations to discuss frontier formalities will shortly meet. In that conference we shall strongly urge the alleviation of present passport difficulties.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman consider meanwhile a revision of the Passport Office, so that those who go there and have to queue up an inordinately long time, no longer need do so, by introducing a simple system of a visible indication of the passport numbers and application numbers which are dealt with, which would save a great many people a lot of waiting?

:We are already trying to ease the difficulties in the Passport Office.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is one country, to enter which people have to have a passport, over which this country has some control, namely, Northern Ireland? Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that a revision of the system of entry into Northern Ireland would cause a lot of satisfaction to people who want to travel there?

:I will look into that matter.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a relaxation of restrictions in regard to passports and visas will have very little effect so long as the financial restrictions on travel today remain?

:In regard to restrictions on the financial arrangements for foreign travel, substantial changes have already been made.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply His Majesty's Government have received to their request to the U.S. Government to agree that the animals used in the U.S. trial of the atomic bomb shall be anæsthetised.

:His Majesty's Government have not thought it right to request the Government of the United States to anæsthetise the animals which are to be used in the forthcoming trial of the atomic bomb. This suggestion has, however, been made by the University Federation for Animal Welfare, and steps have, I understand, been taken to bring it informally to the attention of the authorities of the United States.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is very widespread concern about this cruelty to animals, and has he any information as to the reply made to this informal suggestion?

:No, Sir, I have no information about that, but I ought to say that this experiment is being managed by the United States Government. It is their business to decide these arrangements. I would add that the Medical Research Committee have grave doubts as to whether it would be practicable to anæsthetise the animals.

:Why choose innocent animals when there are so many guilty men available?

:There might be some difficulty in making a choice.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why he appointed General Sir Ronald Adam as chairman of the British Council.

:The hon. Member is, I am sure, familiar with Sir Ronald Adam's record as an administrator and as a pioneer in Army education. His election as Chairman of the British Council had the warm approval of my right hon. Friend, and I am confident that it will be justified by events.

:While appreciating the right hon. Gentleman's natural impulse to choose an Army officer as an exponent of culture, is it not a fact that Army officers have no training in publicity or propaganda and that this appointment was a colossal error, the real intention of the Government being to appoint this distinguished officer as Governor of Malta, and Mr. Douglas as Chairman of the British Council?

:I am perfectly certain that no better candidate than Sir Ronald Adam could have been found for the task of being Chairman of the British Council.

asked the Minister of Transport what arrangements are being made for the speedy repatriation of the numbers of British residents in South America who volunteered for service during the war and are now awaiting facilities to return to their homes.

:Owing to continued pressure on our limited passenger shipping resources, opportunities for passage to South America are necessarily restricted. So far as opportunities exist, however, high priority is being given to these repatriates. As at 31st May, 411 were ready to sail, and passage is being provided for 218 of them out of the total cabin lift of 392 for June.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman give special consideration to these cases, as most of these people had to be separated from their families for a considerable number of years, and the hardship on them is very great?

:As I have repeatedly stated, it is a question of sharing out our shipping resources on an equitable basis. The hon. Gentleman will see that it is increasing in this direction.

:In view of the fact that many of these people were in the Air Force, is there any reason why they should not be allowed to fly back?

:That question should be put to my right hon. Friend.

:Pass the buck to someone else.

asked the Minister of Transport why the s.s. "Winchester Castle" sailed from Southampton on 15th May, for Durban, with a large portion of her B deck accommodation unoccupied.

:On the voyage in question the troopship "Winchester Castle" was being used for civilian passengers and carried the maximum number of passengers permissible in order to keep within the capacity of the ship's lifeboats.

asked the Minister of Transport whether frigates are now being used for the transport of troops on leave from the Continent.

:For reasons which have been explained in correspondence with the hon. Member, it is not considered practicable to utilise frigates for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Transport whether it has now become possible to provide passenger services between Glasgow and Londonderry during the summer.

:Yes, Sir. A summer passenger service commenced on Friday, 21st June, with two sailings in each direction between Londonderry and Glasgow.

:How did the right hon. Gentleman manage to get over the insurmountable difficulties which he told me there were against this service being started this summer?

:I do not say what I can do until I have put it into operation.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has any statement to make as to improvement of the shipping services to Northern Ireland during the summer season.

:In addition to the resumption of the Glasgow-Londonderry passenger service, already referred to, services to Northern Ireland will be augmented during the course of the summer by the return from reconversion of two, and possibly three, vessels. Of these, one will sail daily after mid-July between Ardrossan and Belfast, and will be capable of carrying 7,500 passengers per week in each direction. Another will replace a smaller vessel on the daily Glasgow-Belfast service, and will increase passenger capacity by about 900 persons per week in each direction. No date can be given for the availability of the third, but, if reconditioning is completed in time, it will replace the existing vessel between Stranraer and Larne, which in turn will enable an additional sailing to be made between Heysham and Belfast, i.e., outwards on Fridays and return on Saturdays. Lastly, between Stranraer and Larne additional sailings will be provided on Saturdays during July and August by extra runs by the vessel then on the service.

:Are the Government still using ships running to and from the Continent that should be on the Heysham service? If so, when will they be released?

:I think the hon. Gentleman has had a very good answer, and he might rest awhile before returning to this subject.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman say something with regard to the augmentation of the service between Belfast and Liverpool which he has not mentioned?

:Not at the moment.

asked the Minister of Transport why the G.W.R. has only first class sleepers on the two night expresses to Penzance, when first and third class sleepers are provided on the L.M.S. expresses covering similar distances.

:The third class sleeping cars formerly provided on the Penzance service are now in use as temporary hostels for railway staff. Arrangements are being made which will in due course release the G.W.R. third class sleeping coaches but this will take some time.

:Why should that be the case with the Western railways and not the other railways, as, at the present time, many people are trying to go Southwards and not to the Midland areas?

:Circumstances vary in different cases. This could not be prepared in time.

:Are any adequate arrangements made at the end of the journey for waking up Conservative users of the sleeping cars?

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he is taking to increase the sleeper accommodation on the Glasgow, St. Enoch, to London, St. Pancras, route.

:The night train in each direction is already made up to the maximum number of vehicles, and additional sleeping coaches could only be provided by a corresponding reduction in the seating accommodation. This course cannot be justified as both trains are fully loaded.

:Can the right hon. Gentleman at least improve the method of notification? Is he aware that many cases arise when people who have sleep- ing berths are notified only an hour or so beforehand, and even cases when they are not notified until afterwards?

:If the hon. and gallant Gentleman has any particular experience which he can convey to me I will, of course, look into the matter.

:Is my right hon. Friend aware that throughout the whole of Glasgow there are widespread allegations of serious irregularities on the part of the staff who issue these permits?

:I do not think widespread allegations should be made without hon. Members submitting evidence to me.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will arrange for full signposting of the main line termini in London.

:Suitable directions are displayed to assist passengers in making their way between underground stations and the adjoining main line stations, and I am looking into the question whether more signposting, in or outside the termini, is needed to guide the public to and from adjacent streets.

:Will the Minister bear in mind that whilst an employee of a station or a station-master may be well aware where the station is, visitors from the provinces may not be so minded?

:I think that generally the directions are given. As I say, the matter will be further investigated.

asked the Minister of Transport the percentage of road accidents in which the pedestrian was held to be primarily responsible during the past 12 months.

:I regret that the information for which my hon. Friend has asked is not available.

asked the Minister of Transport how many road passenger vehicles were operated, tickets in each category of value sold on such vehicles, and rail passenger journeys made on the L.P.T.B. for an average day in May, 1946.

:As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT:

Following is the reply:

asked the Prime Minister whether he will issue instructions to enable Republican Spaniards, who enlisted in the British Army in North Africa and served in the Pioneer Corps, to be discharged in countries of the British Colonial Empire if they so desire.

:I have been asked to reply. These men are free to apply for passages to the British Dominions or Colonies, or to any other country, but their acceptance rests with the Government of the country to which they wish to go. Applications from men now in the United Kingdom should be addressed to the War Office; men in Italy should apply to the Commander-in-Chief, C.M.F.

:Will my hon. Friend consult with the Colonial Office to see that not only may these men apply, but that some provision may be granted?

:Yes, Sir. I will certainly consult my right hon. Friend.

:Will the hon. Gentleman also consider that if these men apply to go to the Colonies they should agree not to take part in any political agitation?

:Why?

:Are we to understand that if they do apply for these passages financial provision will not be made for them? Will the passages be free? How does my hon. Friend expect that Republican Spaniards in these circumstances will be able to pay for the transport to the Colonies from Italy, or whatever country it is in which they happen to be demobilised?

:If they are accepted by the Dominions or Colonies the War Office will be prepared to pay for, and provide, the passage.

asked the Prime Minister whether any arrangement has been come to whereby the acquiring of British naturalisation during the war by any Frenchman who served in His Majesty's Forces will be recognised by the present French Government.

:No arrangement is required for the purpose mentioned by the hon. Member.

:Is the Prime Minister aware that some of these men who have become British subjects are also French nationals, and if they return home at any time they are liable to be treated as deserters, and cannot the right hon. Gentleman come to some accommodation with the French Government on this subject?

:That is an entirely different question from that which the hon. Member asked me. He asked me about their acquiring British naturalisation; his supplementary seems to refer to divesting them of French nationality, which is a different matter altogether.

:On a point of Order. I asked the Prime Minister whether their naturalisation would be recognised by the present French Government, and the right hon. Gentleman does not appear to have addressed his mind to that question.

:No arrangement is necessary; it is a matter for the French Government to recognise it or not.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman instruct the Home Secretary to put through a few naturalisation papers, so that there may be something for the French Government to recognise?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to make a statement about the setting up of a Royal Commission to inquire into the position of Justices of the Peace.

:Yes, Sir. The King has been pleased to approve the setting up of a Royal Commission to consider the position of Justices of the Peace, and that the following persons should be appointed members of the Commission:

:Can my right hon. Friend say how it comes about that the Commission has been appointed without having upon it any representatives who are Members of this House? In view of the great feeling that has been expressed on all sides of the House on this matter, would it not have been advisable not to limit it, as has apparently been done, to people who are already connected with the operation of the present system?

:As a matter of fact, there is one member who has become a Member of this House, but there is no special reason why a Commission of this sort should or should not contain Members of this House.

:Will the report be published, and, if so, when?

:The hon. and gallant Gentleman can take it that a report will be published, but I have never known anyone who was able to prophesy, before a Commission was appointed, when it would report.

:Reverting to my original supplementary question, while no one suggests that there is any such precedent as that to which my right hon. Friend referred, is it not, nevertheless, customary, when a matter has been widely ventilated in the House of Commons and a Commission has been subsequently appointed, that the House has been represented on it?

:No, Sir. My hon. Friend is quite wrong; it is not a question of a representation of this House. The persons charged with the duty of a Royal Commission are selected for their particular qualities. There is nothing to exclude Members of the House or to include them. The idea of there being a representation of this House would be quite outside the question.

:In view of the totally unsatisfactory nature of that reply, may I give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment at an early date?

Following are the terms of reference: