asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in the recent discussions on Italian Colonies, in Paris, the claims of Malta were considered; and whether, in view of the problem in Malta of migration, he will propose that the Maltese should be allowed to use parts of the former North African Colonies for colonisation purposes.

I am not quite clear what the hon. Member has in mind in referring to the claims of Malta, but as regards the proposal in the second part of the Question, the opportunities for immigration in the former Italian Colonies can only be determined as part of the final settlement of the future of those territories, a question which does not concern only His Majesty's Government. The claims of the Maltese to share in any immigration opportunities that there are will, however, certainly not be overlooked by His Majesty's Government.

While I thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply, does he realise that what I meant was that the Maltese suffered very much from lack of facilities for migration before the war and in view of what they went through during the war, would not North Africa be a very suitable place?

I was not quite clear that that was what had been meant but, as I have said, His Majesty's Government are clearly aware of the claims and necessities of this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are his Department's arrangements for obtaining information about Spanish Republican groups in exile in France and elsewhere.

As part of their normal duties, His Majesty's Missions abroad furnish reports on all political developments of any importance in the countries in which they are serving. This naturally includes information concerning the activities and views of Spanish Republican exiles. In particular, His Majesty's Embassies in Paris and Mexico City maintain unofficial contact with the Spanish Republicans in those countries.

Is my hon Friend aware that, when I was in Paris about a month ago, I went to the British Embassy and was told there was not a single official in the Embassy whose job it was to specialise on Spanish Republican matters? I could not find anybody to talk to.

We would have to have a very extensive staff if we had to have specialists on every particular aspect of our foreign policy in each Mission. I should make it plain that not only His Majesty's Ambassador in Paris, but several members of his staff have seen prominent Spanish Republican exiles in recent months.

Cannot this group be relied upon to make their opinions clear in terms even more ambitious than their numbers justify?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he has made to secure the extradition from Spain of the former Belgian Quisling, Leon Degrelle.

His Majesty's Ambassador in Madrid has made repeated representations to the Spanish Government in support of the representations made by the Belgian Charge d'Affaires to secure the expulsion of Degrelle from Spain. It has been made clear to the Spanish Government that in view of the fact that Degrelle arrived in Spain in German uniform His Majesty's Government consider that he should be sent back to Germany as a member of the German armed forces. His Majesty's Government take a serious view of the failure of the Spanish Government to expel this obnoxious Quisling, and His Majesty's Embassy in Madrid will continue to press their representations.

Can my hon. Friend say what will happen supposing these representations are successful in securing the extradition of Degrelle from Spain to Germany? What arrangements will then be made for him to be handed back to his own people for trial?

If he is sent to the British zone in Germany, then His Majesty's Government will do their duty, which is to hand him over immediately to the Belgian authorities.

Like many former Fascists, will he be given an opportunity of now becoming a Communist?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will take steps to secure the handing over to the allied authorities of all German armed forces who are now serving with the Spanish armed forces in Spain and in the Spanish zone of Morocco.

His Majesty's Embassy in Madrid have received information that a few Germans may have enlisted in the Spanish Foreign Legion, which is normally the only method by which foreigners can join the Spanish Army. My right, hon. Friend asked the Spanish Ministry for Foreign Affairs to investigate one particular case of this nature, and to furnish a list of any German nationals who had joined the Foreign Legion since the end of the war with Germany. We are pressing the Ministry for Foreign Affairs for a full reply.

Can my hon. Friend give no more definite figure of the number of ex-enemy personnel whom we believe to be in Spain, and, if the present representations fail, might he not consider taking the matter up with the hon. Member for Mid-Bradford (Mr. Lennox-Boyd), who seems to have some information about the Spanish Government?

I could not reply for the Opposition Front Bench, with all the good will in the world. Plainly, if I had the full information, we would not be pressing the Spanish Foreign Minister for it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why he instructed the permanent British representative on the Security Council to insist upon a narrowly legalistic interpretation of paragraph 7, of Article 2, of the United Nations Charter, when discussing the question of action in regard to Franco Spain.

As the answer is necessarily long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer.

My hon. Friend's Question, I consider, shows a misunderstanding of the position. The recommendations of the subcommittee on Spain to the Security Council raised a question of fundamental importance regarding the interpretation and application of the charter, namely, the extent to which the United Nations organisation is entitled to intervene in matters which fall within the domestic jurisdiction of any country. Article 2 (7) of the Charter reads as follows: This means that the United Nations organisation is only justified in intervening in matters of domestic jurisdiction when there is a case for action under Chapter VII of the Charter, that is to say, when the Security Council has determined the existence of a threat to the peace, breach of the peace or act of aggression. However, the sub-committee in their report declared that there was no case for action under Chapter VII. They nevertheless made proposals which seemed to involve intervention in matters within the domestic jurisdiction of Spain. It was clear that quite apart from its application to the Spanish problem the case would form a precedent of the greatest importance, and that it was therefore necessary that the Security Council, before going further, should satisfy themselves that their decisions were grounded on a sound legal basis. My right hon. Friend, therefore, instructed Sir A. Cadogan to express the doubts of His Majesty's Government on the legal issues involved, and to put forward a resolution proposing that the question should be referred to the General Assembly at its next meeting in September, where the question of the interpretation of the Charter could be debated, with the assistance of the many jurists who would be available and with the possibility, should the Assembly so desire, of obtaining the opinion of the International Court.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many tractors have been supplied by U.N.R.R.A., since last October to the U.S.S.R., Poland and Czechoslovakia.

I am informed that U.N.R.R.A. have not so far supplied any tractors to the Ukraine and Byelo-Russia, the two states of the U.S.S.R. in receipt of U.N.R.R.A. assistance. Since last October, U.N.R.R.A. have shipped 578 tractors to Czechoslovakia and approximately 750 to Poland.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the fact that economic distress will continue in Europe for some considerable time, he will take initial steps to ensure that U.N.R.R.A. supplies will not cease at the end of this year.

U.N.R.R.A. have been authorised to continue shipments of relief supplies to Europe after the end of this year until such time as the Administration's programmes are completed. The future of U.N.R.R.A. will be discussed at the Fifth Session of the U.N.R.R.A. Council, which will be held early in August.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any arrangements are being made for inviting Soviet scientists to visit Britain in return for the visit which our scientists paid to Russia last year.

Yes, Sir. The Soviet Academy of Sciences has accepted the invitation of the Royal Society to send a delegation to the Isaac Newton Tercentenary celebrations in London this month. Cordial invitations have also been issued by the Physical Society to a Soviet physicist to deliver the Guthrie Lecture and to the Soviet Academy of Sciences to nominate a delegation to attend a conference in Cambridge in July.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present position of our relationship with Albania.

Since the recognition of the Albanian Government by His Majesty's Government in November, 1945, His Majesty's Government have been in discussion with the Albanian Government regarding the resumption of diplomatic relations. These discussions have been suspended, pending a satisfactory settlement of the incident on 15th May when Albanian shore batteries opened fire without warning on two of His Majesty's ships proceeding through the Corfu channel.

Is it also true that, at the recent trial in Albania of three people who were sentenced to death, it was suggested that we were partly responsible for a plot against the State; and, if we are not legally in touch with the Albanian Government, is there any means by which we can inform the people of Albania that we had nothing to do with it?

We are, of course, in touch through our resident diplomatic missions in Belgrade.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state now that the reorganisation of the Greek army by the British Military Mission is almost completed, the number of ex-members of the security battalions now serving on list A of the Greek Army; and the number of officers who formerly served in the E.L.A.S. resistance movement during the German occupation who now hold active service commissions in the Greek army.

I regret that the information requested by my hon. and gallant Friend is not available. I am making inquiries, and will communicate with him as soon as possible.

As this exceedingly important information is not available, what check has my hon. Friend in order to see that, in the recruiting for the Greek Army, it is composed of elements drawn from the whole of the Greek community instead of merely one section of the community?

As I have previously explained to my hon. Friend, our task in this business is exclusively advisory, but, however, I think it would be in the general interest to secure the figures, which I will do and which I will let my hon. Friend have, as far as I am successful, as quickly as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what fresh representations he has made to the Greek Government in regard to the maintenance of law and order and the safeguarding of rights of citizens in Greece.

His Majesty's Government are in constant touch with the Greek Government on the subject of the maintenance of law and order in Greece.

Has my hon. Friend drawn the attention of the Greek Government specifically to the illiberal character of the new public security law, and will he make it clear that we will not tolerate the creation of a police State in Greece under British protection?

There is certainly no question of a police State in Greece arising under British protection. The question of the new law is rather involved, but we have offered some advice on the subject.

Can my hon. Friend confirm or deny that, under this legislation, the right to strike on the railways and public utility companies of Greece is prohibited under penalties of heavy imprisonment?

I think it is true to say—although I would like a precise Question on the subject—that there are conditions in which strike action is accepted as a legal act.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the Greek Government's refusal to make the constitutional régime the subject of the forthcoming plebiscite, he will dissociate His Majesty's Government from all responsibilities in connection with the holding of the plebiscite.

I am not clear what action of the Greek Government my hon. Friend has in mind. The revised arrangements for the plebiscite will I understand, make it possible for the people of Greece to express their view as to the constitutional régime at the same time as recording their vote for or against, the return of King George II.

Is it not clear, from the statement of the Greek Government at the recent Parliamentary session, that the purpose of the plebiscite is simply to determine whether or not King George of the Hellenes shall return to Greece, and is not this a violation of pledges given by King George and by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Woodford (Mr. Churchill) that the Greek people would be free to determine their future constitutional régime?

I think my hon. Friend is mistaken. The proposed machinery for the plebiscite will permit the citizens of that country to make any recommendations, remarks or comments which they have to make upon their constitutional régime.

Could my hon. Friend say what kind of validity these remarks made upon the ballot papers will have?

The law provides for these remarks, and they will have the full status provided by the law.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent recent agreements have affected the status of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania; and whether His Majesty's Government still recognise the validity of the treaties of 1920, granting independence to these three States.

No recent agreement to which His Majesty's Government are a party has affected the status of the Baltic States. The treaties of 1920 referred to were made between each of the three Baltic States and Soviet Russia. As His Majesty's Government were not a party to them, they naturally cannot make any statement on the present validity of these treaties.

Is not the Minister aware that the incorporation of these three independent States in the Soviet Union involved the violation of no less than five clear, definite treaties?

I will examine that matter without prejudice, but I was asked about the 1920 treaties and it is about them that I have replied.

Does the hon. Gentleman remember that his Department recently informed justices of the High Court of certain indications that these three States had de facto ceased to exist?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that, on 1st November, 1945, 93 per cent. of the officials introduced into the South Tyrol were Italian, almost invariably without any knowledge of German; and whether he will insist that a clause be inserted in the Peace Treaty, securing that a fair proportion, at least, of the officials in the South Tyrol should be German speaking.

I have no information of the exact figures, but the measures already taken by the Italian Government to guarantee equal linguistic rights as between German and Italian in this area suggest that the Italian Government are alive to the importance of this matter. My right hon. Friend is not persuaded that a provision in the Peace Treaty would be the best way of dealing with this subject.

Does not the hon. Gentleman recollect that all the solemn promises given by the Italian Government in 1919 to respect the rights of minorities were broken, and that, therefore, it is necessary for some definite treaty—something in black and white—to guarantee the rights of this oppressed people?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give an assurance that those Poles in Germany who reached there as prisoners of war after the Polish 1939 campaign or after the collapse of the Warsaw rising will be treated not as displaced persons but as allied soldiers and will be eligible to benefit from all the advantages accruing to the regular members of the Polish Forces such as the Resettlement Corps.

No, Sir. His Majesty's Government clearly have special responsibilities towards those Poles who fought with us as members of the Polish Armed Forces under British Command, but these responsibilities do not extend to other categories of Poles such as those referred to by the hon. and gallant Member.

Is not the Minister aware that these Polish ex-prisoners of war were soldiers fighting on the Allied side, that they played their part in winning the the war for the Allies, and that they deserve special consideration as such?

His Majesty's Government are in no way seeking to avoid any obligations they have. We have accepted some obligations towards members of the Polish Forces fighting under British command, and I respectfully suggest that these other categories do not fit inside that condition.

Is there special consideration for Poles who do not desire to go back to Poland and will special consideration be given to those Poles who reached Germany as prisoners of war, so that they may not be treated as displaced persons?

The Government have recommended to the Social and Economic Council that the restoration of civil rights should be made available to displaced persons.

In view of the answers given by my hon. Friend, will he see to it that the entry into this country of Poles is limited to those who fought with us, and is not extended to those who fought against us?

My hon. Friend may rest assured on that point.

If influence is brought to bear on the Government to bring over all these extra Poles will my hon. Friend see that they are dumped into South Padding-ton and not sent to us?

My hon. Friend may be assured that as a Scotsman I shall take what steps I can to ensure that there is no unfair ratio.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is now able to arrange for the scheduling of West End streets to indicate where parking may or may not be permitted.

A list of the streets in the City of Westminster which have been scheduled for parking on the highway was circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT for 6th June. The City of Westminster has proposed that a further list of streets should be scheduled for parking on the highway, and these proposals will be considered by the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee. As regards "No Waiting" Orders, the City of Westminster can make proposals to the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee whose recommendation I will consider.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that, if possible, the notices are clearly displayed so that motorists know, in fact, where they can park their motor cars? In many streets, at the moment, parking is prohibited where motorists are under the impression that it is permitted.

Notices are certainly one of the aspects of this problem which are being considered from time to time.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the prewar regulation limiting the time during which parking may take place, namely, two hours, is not re-imposed?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has any statement to make about the improvement of the omnibus service to and from the village of Stoke Hammond, Buckinghamshire, correspondence in connection with which has been sent to him.

My Regional Transport Commissioner has authorised the Eastern National Omnibus Company to provide a service of two return journeys on Tuesdays and Saturdays between Bletchley and Leighton Buzzard via Stoke Hammond.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are a great many other places which are very short of bus services, and will he bring pressure to bear on the bus companies to improve services to remote country villages?

I am certainly aware of that problem, but I feel that, on the whole, the extension of these services comes within the general problem of the expansion of transport. Nevertheless, I realise the urgency of this particular problem.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will authorise the Regional Transport Commissioners to permit the Stalybridge, Hyde, Mossley and Dukinfield Transport Board to stop their omnibuses six times to the mile instead of four as at present.

I am not satisfied that it would be desirable at present to alter the existing general rule in regard to stopping places. My Regional Transport Commissioners are, however, always ready to consider any representations made to them as to the desirability of an alteration being made in any particular case.

May I ask my right hon. Friend to consider what the increase in the number of stopping places per mile would mean to hundreds of factory workers, who, after a hard day's work, would be saved having to walk perhaps a quarter of a mile, often in the pouring rain? Will he consider the comfort of such people and authorise the Commissioners to review the matter?

asked the Minister of Transport how many miles of double track dual carriage way roads exist in Great Britain, exclusive of Northern Ireland, at the present time and where they are sited.

I regret that up-to-date information is not in my possession and as the inquiries I have started will take some time to complete, perhaps my hon. Friend will allow me to circulate a reply at a later date.

asked the Minister of Transport how many principal and how many subsidiary stopping places are at present in existence for tramcars and omnibuses in the London area; and how many indicate the name of the stopping place by day or by night.

In the area served by the central buses, trams and trolley vehicles of the London Passenger Transport Board there are approximately 13,000 stopping places, of which 20 per cent. are compulsory and the remainder request stops. Before the war 350 of the signs at these stopping places indicated the place names. An unknown number of the name plates were removed during the war by local and other authorities for security reasons. The London Passenger Transport Board intend to increase the number of place names when materials are available. Illumination by night is adequately provided by street lighting.

Will my right hon. Friend consider indicating these place-names with notices of standard design that can be seen by the travelling public as they are boarding the trams and buses, otherwise they will not be of great value?

I will certainly draw the suggestion of my hon. Friend to the attention of the London Passenger Transport Board.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will arrange that all motor cars used continuously by, or on behalf of, Government Departments should bear some distinguishing mark to indicate such use.

I have been asked to reply. Arrangements are under consideration for placing an appropriate distinguishing mark on all Government-owned cars, where this has not already been done.

asked the Minister of Transport when the information ordinarily contained in the Road Fund Reports, which was omitted during the war years, will be published.

The Report for the year 1945–46, which is at present being compiled, will, so far as possible, contain information comparable to that published in prewar Reports, and will, in addition, provide as much information as is readily available in respect of the war years.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Insurers' Association for compensating the victims of uninsured motorists has now been set up.

Yes, Sir, and I am circulating a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I am also making available in the Vote Office copies of the Agreement with insurers which His Majesty's Stationery Office has published.

Following is the Statement:

As foreshadowed in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Mossley (Mr. Woods) on 12th November, 1945, a company called the "Motor Insurers' Bureau" has been formed and has entered into an agreement with me, in the manner provided by the original agreement with motor vehicle insurers on 31st December, 1945, to pay to third-party victims of road accidents caused by motor vehicles any damages awarded by the courts which they are unable to recover from motorists who have failed in their statutory obligations to insure, or whose policy is inoperative for some reason, such as breach of its conditions. This agreement has effect in respect of accidents occurring from today Also, as I mentioned in my previous statement, Crown policy will be suitably modified so that the same benefits in respect of compensation will be afforded to the victims of accidents involving uninsured Crown vehicles as they would receive from the Bureau were the accident caused by a private vehicle. These arrangements will prevent for the future those striking, if infrequent, cases of individual hardship which arise when the victim of a road accident, or his dependants are, by the failure of a negligent owner or driver to perform his legal duty to insure, deprived of the compensation which it is the object of the statute to guarantee. The insurance interests concerned in the negotiations which have made it possible to implement this project by voluntary undertakings rather than by complex legislation are to be congratulated on their ready spirit of cooperation. The Stationery Office has published the terms of my agreement which the Motor Insurers' Bureau in a document which also contains a description of the scheme, together with an indication of the steps to be taken by victims of road accidents, or their dependants, who are entitled to avail themselves of its benefits. Copies of the document are available in the Vote Office.

asked the Minister of Transport the names of the passenger liners still held on requisition by his Department.

As the answer contains a list of names, I am circulating it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

The names of ocean going passenger carrying ships still on requisition by the Ministry of Transport are given in the following list. The supplementary list refers to those ships at present undergoing reconversion prior to redelivery to owners:

asked the Minister of Transport what was the amount of coal purchased outside the United Kingdom for bunkering in the last six months; and how much of this purchase was in foreign currency.

I have no detailed record of purchases of bunker coal outside the United Kingdom, but it is estimated that, during this period, about 550,000 tons coal were purchased by British ships in U.S.A., Canada and the Panama canal zone at an approximately cost of 4 million dollars. Purchases in other non-sterling areas would be small.

Is the Minister aware that his reply to this Question is very grave? Am I to understand that we are now going to import coal, and is this the beginning of a nationalisation "touch"?

This is not a question of importing coal, it is a question of bunkering abroad.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps to secure an early and drastic alteration to the Derby, L.M.S., Station, so as to provide reasonably sanitary conditions in the lavatories, to clean up the refreshment rooms and, generally, to modernise that station.

I am informed that plans for the modernisation of Derby L.M.S. Station, including the refreshment room and lavatories, have been prepared. Meanwhile, the two railbars have been redecorated during the last few weeks, the refreshment room on platform 1 is now being redecorated and the other refreshment room will be dealt with next. The lavatories are old, but pending reconstruction they are kept as clean and tidy as possible.

Is it not a fact that the only way in which one can discriminate between the lavatories and the restaurants in any station in this country is by the smell?

I would point out to the hon. and gallant Gentleman that if this is so, it has been during the years that the railways have been under private enterprise.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is now in a position to state when the alternative S.R. service to Blackfriars and serving Sidcup, New Eltham and Mottingham, will be put into operation.

These services will be resumed as soon as possible after repairs to war damage to the signal box at Blackfriars can be completed. The Southern Railway hope to do this in August.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that it was promised that this repair work would be completed in early July, and may I also ask him whether the services referred to by my hon. Friend with regard to Sidcup also apply to the Bexley Heath line?

I cannot answer the question of another hon. Member on that of my hon. Friend. I have given the latest information I have.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is now able to make a statement on the future of the L.N.E.R. factory, Dukinfield.

I am not yet able to indicate the intentions of the railway company. Several developments are under consideration and it may be some little time before a decision is reached, but I am maintaining close touch with the company.

Will my right hon. Friend give particularly close attention to this matter, as some 1,800 persons are very anxious on the subject and have been waiting for a long time, and it is now six weeks since I drew his attention to the subject?

I have done so, but as there are a number of developments in which this is involved, it is not possible to reach an isolated decision.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction which prevails regarding the unsatisfactory railway passenger service between London and North Wales holiday centres, particularly those places situated in Snowdonia; and whether he will take immediate steps to increase the number of through trains, thus reducing the present discomfort and inconvenience to members of the public desiring to visit that district.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps to improve the railway passenger service between London and North Wales.

The railway companies state that the service compares favourably with that in operation prewar except on Saturdays If traffic is heavy on any particular day, relief trains will be run so far as resources permit. It is not at present possible to reinstate through carriages to Pwllheli, Criccieth and Portmadoc but this will be considered as soon as circumstances permit.

While making all the necessary allowances for the Minister's pronunciation, may I ask him if he is aware that the services to this part of Snowdonia compare very unfavourably indeed with the services to other holiday centres in various parts of Great Britain, and that this is proving a very severe handicap to holiday centres in North Wales?

With regard to my pronunciation, I would like to inform my hon. Friend that I confirmed it with a Yorkshireman and a Lancashireman. The question of insufficient services, as I indicated, will be considered when there are greater resources available.

Is the Minister aware that before the war journeys took five hours and now take seven hours, and when the railways are nationalised will he consider the desirability of setting up a Welsh railway board so that it may take over the services?

asked the Minister of Supply what is the present capacity of the foundry industry as compared with 1939 and 1943, respectively.

The present potential capacity of the iron foundry industry is 3,500,000 tons a year, compared with 3,400,000 tons in 1939 and 3,200,000 tons in 1943. Owing to shortage of labour, actual present production is at the rate of 2,300,000 tons a year. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and I are doing everything possible to increase the labour force.

In view of the serious state of affairs disclosed by that answer, will the Minister tell us what are the man hours today compared with 1939?

I am afraid I have not the figures with me.

asked the Minister of Supply why there is an eight to ten weeks' delay in the delivery of mild steel reinforcing rods; what tonnage, since July, 1945, has been exported to Palestine; what allocated to U.N.R.R.A. and to other countries; and what has been promised for export for the next six months and to which countries.

The increasing demand for these rods, coupled with a shortage of billets, has led to some delay in deliveries. Detailed figures of exports of these rods separately by country of destination are not readily available, but total deliveries by makers for export from July, 1945, to 7th May, 1946, were about 75,000 tons, of which 1,000 tons were allocated to U.N.R.R.A. Steps have already been taken to curtail exports in order to improve supplies to home consumers.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these rods are necessary for prefabricated houses, that there are hundreds of tons available for delivery within three days, and that the users simply cannot get permits?

If the hon. Gentleman would send particulars of these cases, I would be pleased to look into them.

rose —

Dr. Segal.

On a point of Order. This is very important. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware—

I thought that the hon. Member was going to raise a point of Order.

It is a question of victimisation.

asked the Minister of Supply how he proposes to counteract the present inflationary tendencies in the motor manufacturing industry.

I am assured that the recent increases of motor car prices are less than is necessary to take full account of the increases in cost which the motor manufacturers have to bear.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when prospective purchasers of motor cars can hope for a fall in the prices of cars, and whether he proposes that there should be an attempt made on the part of the Government to control profits of motor car manufacturers in the interests of the public?

I cannot answer the first part of the question. With regard to the second part of the question, I have just stated that the increased prices are less than the increased costs.

Will the right hon. Gentleman call his hon. Friend's attention to the statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer that there is no such thing as inflation?

Does not my right hon. Friend recognise in this question a gross reflection on a famous Irishman, Mr. John Boyd Dunlop?

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the motor car manufacturers have looked into every possible detail for improving their efficiency in order to reduce their costs? We on this side of the House do not think they have.

A great deal is being done. We have set up the Motor Council.

asked the Minister of Supply what was the total cost of building and equipping the factory at Linwood Road, Renfrewshire; and what is the intention with regard to its future use.

The total cost of this factory, which was built for the production of guns and on which building work started in 1940, was approximately £4,500,000, of which about £600,000 was for land and buildings. We are endeavouring to find a productive use for the factory.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that at present steel is being produced in this factory, and only about one-fifth of the entire space is being used? This factory, I presume my right hon. Friend knows, was specially equipped for a particular kind of production. Is it the Government's intention to go in for that type of production and carry on the making of rolling stock wheels and axles for which the factory was designed?

The open hearth furnaces are being used. It is the heavy presses and forging shops which are not being used, and we are actively engaged in pursuing a project which we believe will result in the use of the rest of the factory.

Is the Minister aware that this is one of the most modern and best equipped factories in the country, and will he see that the fullest possible use is made of it?

It is equipped for special purposes, but I will do all I can to get it used.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware that the stock of refined lead had dropped from 65,300 tons in December. 1945, to 44,600 tons in March, 1946; and what further steps he is taking to improve the situation.

Yes, Sir. In the present acute world shortage of lead, it is necessary to run down stocks. A comprehensive rationing scheme is in force and every effort is being made to obtain for this country its full share of the available supplies of lead. In the meantime, the maximum use must be made of substitute materials.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that building operations are being impeded by the lack of lead in this country, and that he gave similar assurances to this House in December last? What positive steps are being taken to increase the supply of lead?

We cannot increase the supply of lead. We can only get our share of the world's supply of lead, which we are doing, and to mitigate the effects upon building operations, we are urging and securing a very wide use of substitute materials.

Who decides our share of the world's supply? Is it some international authority, or does it rest with the Government?

We are buying lead in association with the Americans, who are the other largest buyers, and we are satisfied that by that cooperation we get the best supplies possible.

It not that quite a different answer? The right hon. Gentleman referred to getting our allocation or ration of lead. Is he suggesting that there is some international authority which rations these materials?

What machinery exists for the allocation of lead?

In view of the doubt which exists as to whether the world supply of lead is being brought up to the highest level, what steps are taken by the Government to increase the supply of lead?

That is another question.

The right hon. Gentleman said that steps were being taken for us to get our share. What method is being adopted for this purpose?

We are buying lead in the ordinary way, and so are the Americans. We are working with them in securing a reasonable allocation of the supplies of lead when available. We are satisfied that to abandon that practice and to go into sheer competitive buying would not improve our position.

What does "allocation" mean? Surely, it means that somebody does some allocating. Who does the allocating?

What does the Minister mean when he says "We are buying lead in the ordinary way"? What does "ordinary way" mean?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will add to the terms of reference of the Royal Commission on Justices of the Peace the question whether a Member of Parliament should sit as a magistrate in his own constituency.

I do not think it is necessary to add to the terms of reference of the Royal Commission the specific question mentioned by the hon. Member. The Commission's terms of reference are very wide, and although, of course, it is for the Commission itself to interpret them, I will take steps to bring the point raised in the hon. Member's Question to the notice of the Chairman.

Is there any objection to hon. Members fulfilling some of the other functions, not on the bench, such as witnessing and signing documents in their own constituency?

That is an entirely different question.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered a resolution from the National Federation of Old Age Pensions Associations asking that old age pensioners should be exempt from paying the increase in the cost of wireless licences; and what action he proposes to take.

I have been asked to reply. For the reasons which I gave in reply to Questions by the hon. Member for Solihull (Mr. M. Lindsay) and others on 5th February, 1946, the Government regret that they are unable to give preferential treatment in this respect to old age pensioners.

Could not my right hon. Friend, even at this late hour, reconsider this, and do something for these old people, for whom the wireless means so much, and in whose budgets 10s. amounts to such a great deal?

The Government are doing something for these old people by increasing the old age pension. As I said earlier, I had a whole list of requests for preference, from old age pensioners, widows in receipt of pensions, people of small means and poor persons, disabled ex-Servicemen, people in rural districts and sick persons. The Government feel that if we start on the road of a sort of inverted means test we shall get involved in a very difficult administrative situation.

Could not the Government do what they do for the owners of motor cars, namely, enable them to obtain the licence at quarterly intervals on payment of a small percentage in addition for administrative costs?

That point was sympathetically considered, and there is no difficulty in that regard; there are plenty of facilities in the Post Office for easy payments.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the decision to raise the cost of licences?

No, Sir, otherwise the whole thing would deteriorate.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what charges are to be preferred against the widow of William Joyce; and whether, pending the investigation of such charges, he will make immediate arrangements for her to be detained in some place other than Germany.

Mrs. William Joyce is at present interned with other active Nazis whose final disposal is still under consideration. It is too early to say what charges will be preferred against her. I am not in a position to arrange for her detention outside Germany.

Can the hon. Gentleman think of any other place in the world where this woman could do as much harm as she could in the country in which she is at present; and does he not consider it is about time this particular account was considered settled?

Unfortunately, I am not in control of the rest of the world. The incarceration of dangerous Nazis in Germany must, I am afraid, be confined to Germany at the moment.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that in the Displaced Persons Camp, 751 or 753, in Dusseldorf, Germany, there is a Swedish national; and why this Swede has not been repatriated to his own country.

I am not aware that there are any Swedish nationals at present in either of these camps.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster why it is necessary to obtain the approval of the Provisional Government in Warsaw before newspapers can be distributed to Polish displaced persons in the British zone in Germany; and why all newspapers published in Great Britain, France and Belgium are banned unless they are approved by the embassies of the Warsaw Provisional Government.

The British authorities are responsible for deciding whether a newspaper may or may not be distributed to Polish displaced persons in the British zone in Germany. Their decisions are, of course, not subject to the approval of the Warsaw Government.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that all the newspapers published in Poland by the legitimate and authorised parties of the Opposition are banned, whereas the papers supporting the Provisional Government are allowed free access to these camps? Is that fair play?

I am not aware whether it is a fact or not.

It is a fact

As I have stated, we do not consult the Polish Government, nor do we ask their permission what newspapers shall be circulated in the camps.

Can the hon. Gentleman say why it is we are imposing a censorship on the reading matter of these displaced persons?

There is no general censorship on the reading matter of these displaced persons. I would ask my hon. and gallant Friend to recognise that a vast amount of very contentious propaganda literature is being circulated, and attempts are being made to bring this type of propaganda into these displaced persons' camps, where we are already meeting with very great difficulties. On occasions it is felt necessary to restrict the circulation and the issue of such literature in the camps. Generally speaking, there is no censorship, and newspapers are allowed to circulate freely. We certainly do not depend upon the authority of the Polish Warsaw Government for Polish newspapers.

Why is it that all the Polish newspapers published in Canada are banned? Is it part of the policy to ban newspapers published in one of the British Dominions?

If any Polish newspapers are banned in Canada—

They are not banned in Canada. They are banned in the camps.

I can only say I do not know how many newspapers are involved in this allegation. I know of only one Polish newspaper which was refused circulation in one of our camps. There is no general ban upon Polish newspapers, or newspapers of any other kind.

In view of the terms of the first supplementary question, would my hon. Friend make it clear that, so far as His Majesty's Government are concerned, there is only one legitimate Government in Poland, and that that is the Government in Warsaw?

That is not involved in the question: the question of the recognition or otherwise of one Government or another is not involved. It is a question of newspapers from particular sources. I can only repeat, there is no general ban.

rose —

This is a very hot day, and this is only making it hotter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking to organise mobile teams with the necessary equipment to assist small dairy farmers in making high quality silage.

I am examining the practicability of introducing a scheme on the lines which the hon. Member has in mind.

Has the Minister noticed that the weeks are passing; and is he aware that unless something is done quickly about this he will not be able to do anything effective at all?

Yes, I am afraid I have noticed the passing of time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking to encourage the growing of oil seeds in Britain.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Salisbury (Major Morrison) on 24th June.

Will the Minister make arrangements next season so that we can grow and obtain an increasing supply of our own oil seeds, because at present we have only a piecemeal policy?

I do not think the hon. Gentleman can refer to it as a piecemeal policy, since for the year 1946 the price has been increased from £20 per ton delivered to £30 per ton at the farms. That is a matter of encouragement.

Are we getting any more grown?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the Government's appeals to farmers to grow more corn and produce, and as the Farm Machinery Order, 1946, has not released the ploughs and tractors required by farmers, he will curtail the further export of farm machinery which is urgently needed to increase production in this country for the consumers.