asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will take steps to release the Lockheed hangar at Renfrew airport for the use of civil aircraft.

Approximately one-half only of the Lockheed hangar is in Admiralty occupation. Search is being made for alternative accommodation for naval aircraft, and, meanwhile, sufficient space is being cleared to meet the immediate requirements of civil aircraft.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the hangar which has been released is the smaller hangar, which will, at the most, hold only three Dakotas, and, in view of the expanding needs of the airport, will he keep in mind the necessity of releasing the larger hangar at the earliest opportunity?

We are clearing as much more space as possible. We will look into it, and be as helpful as we can.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when long service Regulars in the Royal Marines will again be able to buy their discharge.

Manning difficulties in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines necessitate that such discharges for the present can only be approved in very exceptional cases. I am unable to give any date by which a further concession will be practicable, but the matter will be reviewed next spring.

Does the First Lord realise that, if he wants to encourage recruitment for the Regular Royal Navy, the restoration of this right would do an awful lot to help?

I think I sympathise with the hon. Member, but he will realise my difficulties, too. I am under contract to let out the "hostilities only" people, and, after all, these other people are under Regular engagement.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty for what purpose the ex-German luxury yacht is located in Hartlepool Dock; and why it has not been adapted for use as a short distance passenger steamer to supplement the existing fleet of vessels which is not sufficient to meet the demand.

This vessel is being offered for sale and has been brought to Hartlepool Dock pending her final disposal.

Is the First Lord aware that his Department has been made a very substantial offer for the hire of this vessel, arid why is it kept idle when it can be earning money?

I had a look into that, and I feel convinced, in my own mind, that this vesesl would not, by the time we had authorised the alterations to make her suitable for the service for which she would be hired, be economical, and that it is much better to sell her as she lies.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many short-distance passenger services—B.A.O.R. leave and so on—are not assisted by the Admiralty with vessels of this sort or any other sort, and that many ships are badly needed for the cross-Channel services owing to many others being in the locker bearing the same name as that of the hon. Member who asked the Question, and would the First Lord release some of them?

I am trying to do my best for the public interest, and, in this case, the public interest would best be served by selling this vessel for the highest price I can get.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when it is expected that the regulations respecting leave for men serving on foreign commissions will be reverted to the prewar standard, namely, 11 days' leave for every six months of absence abroad.

The prewar scale of foreign service leave will be reintroduced as soon as the manning situation permits, but it is not yet possible to say when this will be.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the passage costs demanded for the conveyance of the wives and children of naval ratings in H.M.S. "Speaker" to Bermuda.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty on what basis the cost to the wives and children of ratings is calculated when passage is arranged in His Majesty's ships for the purpose of enabling wives to join their husbands; and if he will give examples of the charges demanded in the case of such passages to Malta, Bermuda and other naval bases.

As announced on 29th May, it is intended to introduce a scheme for free passages in the near future. In the meantime, the charges for passengers in H.M. ships, not entitled to free conveyance at public expense, are based on those authorised for troop transports. The ratings' families given cabin accommodation in "Speaker" to Bermuda were charged the Grade B transport rate of £35; corresponding charges to Malta, Colombo and Singapore would be £18, £55 and £81 respectively, reductions being made for children.

Is the First Lord aware that the cost demanded for the wife and one child of a petty officer travelling in one of His Majesty's ships was £69, and that the cost demanded for the wife of a leading telegraphist was £49? How can the right hon. Gentleman justify such an exorbitant charge in respect to wives and children of naval ratings in view of the statement made by the Financial Secretary on the subject? In any case, how can he justify charging anything more than the messing cost to the wives and children of naval ratings when conveyed in one of His Majesty's ships?

I would like to be in a position to convey everybody everywhere free of charge, but, unfortunately, our finances do not ran to that. The charge made was below what would have been the normal commercial charge. As my hon. Friend announced on 29th May, a new system is being introduced and I am arranging that anybody who has travelled since 1st July and has paid this charge will have the money refunded if he would otherwise be entitled to free passage under the new scheme.

Can the First Lord tell us when this scheme wilt be introduced, because these figures are enormous?

They look enormous on paper until one examines the details, which I cannot do at Question time. As I have said, this scheme was introduced on about 1st July, and any charge incurred since that date will be refunded where a person would otherwise be entitled to travel free.

Is the purpose of this charge to discourage the wives and children from joining their husbands? It really, has that effect.

No, Sir.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the information he has just given is made known to serving seamen by means of Fleet Orders?

We always take adequate steps in that direction.

In view of the unsatisfactory reply given by the First Lord, I wish to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the reason for the long delay in sending ratings on the Radio Mechanics' W/T course, and how Many are affected.

During the war, arrangements were made for ratings of this class to receive their technical training at civilian technical colleges. Owing to the return of normal peacetime students to these colleges, training must now be carried out in Service establishments. A temporary shortage of naval and civilian instructors in these establishments caused some arrears in the last few months, but these have been reduced by nearly 50 per cent in the last few weeks, and with the appointment of some additional civilian instructors, I hope the arrears will be cleared in the course of the next two months. The number of ratings affected is, approximately, 150.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the estimated value, respectively, of wireless valves, watches, and new accumulators which have never had acid in them, which have been broken up since VJ-Day on No. 3 site, R.N. stores depot, Almondbank, and why these were not disposed of to the public through normal channels.

No serviceable wireless valves, watches or new accumulators have been broken up at No. 3 site, R.N. Store Depot, Perth, since VJ-Day. Scrapping of these items has been limited to valves which have become unserviceable, and watches defective beyond repair, which have been taken to pieces to obtain serviceable components.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is not in accordance with the information given to me locally?

I prefer to rely upon mine, Sir.

Can the Minister say what arrangements are being made for the sale of surplus Admiralty stores, whether people in North-Eastern Scotland will have an opportunity of inspecting and buying them, and, if so, when and where?

In order to be as economical as possible, all stores of this kind are generally dealt with through the Ministry of Supply. Anything of this kind is turned over to the Ministry of Supply for disposal.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the total value of the buildings, machinery, stores and stock, respectively, destroyed in the fire at the end of 1945 on Site 2 in R.N. stores, Almondbank; if the cause of the outbreak has been ascertained; and whether he is aware that the amount of the damage was increased by the fact that no key was available on the site to open the building where the fire started and so deal with it expeditiously.

The estimated loss caused by the fire at the R.N. Stores Depot, Almondbank, is as follows:

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what he expects will be the release date for Group 52 of sick berth attendants, dental mechanics.

Sick berth ratings (dental mechanics) in age and service group 52 are due for release during the period 26th August, 1946, to 16th September, 1946.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware of overstaffing in certain sections of the dental branch of H.M.S. "Drake," Devonport, and the consequent irritation felt by members of those sections; and whether he is prepared to take steps to correct this.

I am aware that, owing to the difficulty in ensuring an even flow of releases from all branches of the Navy under the age and service scale to correspond with decreasing requirements, there has been a temporary excess of dental ratings at Devonport. Steps have, however, already been taken to remedy the position, which will become normal in the next few weeks.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can make any statement as to the position of Regular officers who have applied to be permitted to resign their commissions by 30th September in order to be free to enter a university.

This matter is under active consideration, but I regret I am not in a position to make a statement at present.

Is the First Lord aware that the lack of any decision is causing a great deal of irritation among officers who naturally want to make their plans for employment in civil life?

Yes, Sir. I have great sympathy with them, but, on the other hand, I have an immense problem in connection with the large number of "hostility only" officers whose educational careers were interrupted and who want to get back to the universities. The hon. and gallant Gentleman is dealing with Regular officers under contract. We will deal with the position as soon as we can.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what areas within the territorial limits of the United Kingdom remain to be cleared of wrecks and mines.

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

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when it is proposed to publish the White Paper showing the strength of the fleets of all countries.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Londonderry (Sir R. Ross) on 5th December last, to which I have nothing to add.

As it is now a long while since we had any information at all, cannot the First Lord give some indication when this information will be available?

I share the feelings of the hon. and gallant Member, but one of the difficulties is that it is so soon after the war. Until redistributions are achieved, it is really impossible to give accurate information. It is not worth going to all the expense of printing information to lay before hon. Members which is not up to date or accurate.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman give as much information as possible which is accurate so that we may get some idea of the figures?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will now make known the strength of the R.N., naming in detail the numbers and types of ships that are in full commission, with reduced crews, in reserve and on the disposal and sale lists.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given him by the Parliamentary Secretary on 22nd May last, to which I regret that I am unable to add.

In view of the fact that the United States Navy Department issued this information about the British Fleet to their own people, cannot we in this country know about our own Fleet?

I am not aware that information of that kind has been issued to the American public.

The First Lord says that the information has not been made public, but does he not realise that it is known to the United States Navy?

From time to time, Service information is exchanged between Allies which is valuable to both.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that considerable dissatisfaction exists amongst many older naval pensioners, who served during the recent war, at the amount they will receive under the reassessment of pensions scheme; and if he will consider retaining the Greenwich Hospital age increases, as an addition, for all pensioners who would normally have become eligible for these benefits.

The reassessment scheme provides for the reassessment of pensions to the new code rates and conditions, less an abatement to allow for the special benefits already received through the payment of pension in addition to full pay during re-employed service. No age increases are payable on the new code pensions, and it follows that no age increases can be paid on reassessed pensions.

For a man with six years war service, the increase payable under the reassessment scheme would always be greater than the amount of age increases surrendered. Many of the older pensioners will, however, as an alternative to reassessment, qualify for increases of 30 per cent. on their existing pensions, including age addition, under the Pensions Increase Act; and it cannot be expected that the reassessment scheme will in all cases produce an increase of as much as 30 per cent. Every man will have his alternative entitlements explained to him in detail, and will be able to choose that which suits him best.

Can I take it from that answer that no man of the age of 60 will actually be worse off? The figures given to me in a reply last month indicated that many men of the age of 60would actually be worse off as a result of having served during the war.

I follow my hon. Friend's point clearly. I think that if a man were so ill-advised as to choose the wrong alternative when it was explained to him, in one or two cases he might, over the whole period, be rather worse off. But if he chose the right one —that is to say, if, under the reassessment of the new pay code, he would be getting less than the 30 per cent. plus age increase than under the other—he would be very foolish not to stick to his present scale. If he chooses that one he will not be worse off.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if the following allowances will be payable under the postwar pay codes for officers and ratings: charge of machinery allowance to engineer officers and chief engineroom artificers, vide Articles 1573 and 1605 of K.R. and A.I.s, and store allowances to officers and ratings in ships where no accountant officer is carried, vide Articles 1581 and 1595 and Appendix VIII of K.R. and A.I.s.

So far as officers are concerned, the allowances referred to are absorbed in basic pay under the new code. Charge allowance will, however, continue to be paid to chief engine room artificers and other ratings when in charge of machinery of ships in commission with a full or special complement. An allowance, at the rate of 1s. or 6d. a day according to the circumstances, will also be paid to ratings placed in charge of stores in the absence of an officer. The regulations for payment will be issued as soon as possible.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether he is yet in a position to make a statement on the future of Rosyth Dockyard.

I regret I am unable to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher) 20th March last.

Is not the First Lord aware that the delay in making known the Government policy is causing great concern throughout Scotland?

If I could be certain within a few weeks as to what will be the exact strength of the British Fleet in relation to other fleets which are under readjustment, no doubt we could settle our policy right away, but the hon. and gallant Gentleman must remember that there are other dockyards besides Rosyth to be taken into consideration.

In view of the long delay in deciding this matter, will the First Lord promise that we will get a decision within the next 30 years?

I will readily give my hon. Friend that assurance, because he will not be interested them.

asked fie First Lord of the Admiralty whether a sailor serving in the R.N. who writes to his Member of Parliament on a Service question affecting his personal service commits an offence against any regulations.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Lord President of the Council to the hon. Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) on 19th November last.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that there is still considerable doubt, which seems to exist in his own Department, about this matter? Es he further aware that in a letter which was written to me, the following sentence appears:

"The rating's attention is being drawn to this, but there will be no question of taking disciplinary action for his breach of the regulations"?

I would like my right hon. Friend to make quite clear whether there is a breach of the regulations or not.

I have not seen the correspondence to which my hon. Friend refers. I will have a look at it. I myself am most anxious to prevent anything in the nature of a grievance arising in connection with communicating to Members of Parliament, although, on the other hand, I am also most anxious that ordinary matters which can be adjusted by the approach of sailors and soldiers to their normal authorities should not be the subject of constant communication with Members of Parliament. I would like to look into the circumstances of the case before making any further statement.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that everybody appreciates that it is better that these matters should be dealt with in the way that he suggests, but that, nevertheless, there is an overriding public interest in the necessity for making it clear that if a man writes to his Member of Parlia- ment on a matter relating to his own Service, he commits no offence against any regulations?

I take that point and, on behalf of my Department, I rest on the statement made by the Lord President of the Council on 19th November.

Will my right hon. Friend make a clear statement to this effect in the next notice board issue of Admiralty Fleet Orders, because the men still do not know what their rights are?

They must have missed some of my instructions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why, on 4th December, 1945, he informed the valuer acting for the United Tile Manufacturers, Limited, that he could not agree to pay more than £140 for the reinstatement of drying racks at the Roecliffe Brick and Tile Works; why, on 20th February, 1946, without communicating with the valuer and without receiving any additional evidence, he agreed to pay the firm £473 in respect of this claim; and whether he is aware that this irregular action has damaged the prestige of the valuer in question.

When the offer of £140 was made we believed that it represented fair and reasonable compensation. Subsequently, another inspection was made of the property and, at their request, a meeting was held with the company; in the light of the additional evidence produced, we agreed to the higher figure. The company did not bring their valuer to the meeting, but this constitutes no irregularity on our part.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the whole of the evidence was submitted on nth October to the Air Ministry, and could he say why he suddenly broke off negotiations with the valuer and conducted negotiations with the firm behind the back of the valuer?

I am not aware of those facts. My information is that additional evidence was presented at the meeting on 19th February to which, for reasons best known to themselves, the company did not bring the valuer.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that the difference in these figures is so large that somebody without much knowledge must have been trying to settle the claim?

I cannot agree with that. Additional evidence was produced at the meeting by the claimant, in the light of which we revised our figure.

Was not the settlement made on the basis of the figures submitted by the valuer on 11th October?

I must make it clear that that is not my information.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will now make a statement regarding future plans for the R.A.F. Station at Wig Bay, Wigtownshire.

We shall be using this station as a flying boat storage unit for some time yet. Its final disposal has not yet been decided.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will make a statement as to future plans for the aerodrome at Boldoon, Wigtownshire.

Our present plan is to keep the Royal Air Force Station at Wigtown for permanent flying use.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when it is expected that the release of men in the R.A.F. police will catch up with the general rate of release.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many groups behind the average for demobilisation are the R.A.F. police in Aden and India; what is the reason for the delay in demobilising this trade; and when will they reach parity with the average release group of the R.A.F.

Release promulgations for the Royal Air Force police are the same in all commands. In July they are four groups behind the general level for ground trades; this comes down to three groups in August and in our forecast for September. I cannot give a further forecast yet. The main reasons for the delay in their release are that the groups up to 40 contain a higher proportion of men in this trade than the average for the R.A.F., and that it is not easy to get enough recruits of the high standard required for the police.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will make electricity available to all the village houses in Strubby, Lincolnshire, from the aerodrome, and speed up the general policy of sharing water, electricity and sanitation services with all villages in proximity to aerodromes which have such public services available.

The supply of water and electricity at most airfields is provided by public utility authorities. We are always ready to consider suggestions for sharing any spare supplies once we know what the authorities would like us to provide. We have only had two applications for electricity to be supplied to houses in Strubby; one has been approved, the other is being considered. As a matter of fact, we may be unable Ito help much more in this way at Strubby if the airfield is needed for flying again.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that in Lincolnshire, where there are a lot of these aerodromes, applications have been made, and since it is the woman who has to put up with the inconvenience and will decide whether her man remains on the land for getting the food or not, will he make it a matter of urgency, and really do something about it?

I shall certainly look into points of delay which the hon. Gentleman can bring to my attention.

Is the announcement the hon. Gentleman has just made the general policy of the Air Ministry in regard to other areas?

Yes, Sir. Lincolnshire has no special right in this matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of training schools there are for craftsmen enlisted in the R.A.F.; and where they are situated.

There are 18. As for the second part of my hon. Friend's Question, I will, with his permission, circulate a detailed statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the disturbance to the inhabitants of Feltwell caused by low-flying aircraft during the hours of darkness, he will give consideration to the complaints brought to his notice by the hon. Member for South-West Norfolk, and alter the training arrangements from the nearby airfield.

I sympathise with these complaints, but I am afraid that night flying training must continue from Feltwell. We have already reduced this training over all the United Kingdom to a bare minimum, and we are doing all we can to avoid centres of population.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what steps are proposed to avoid the low and dangerous flying in the neighbourhood of Blaby, Leicestershire, particulars having been sent to his Department.

An officer was sent at once to look into this complaint, but no one could give particulars to identify the aircraft. Whenever a breach of the regulations is established, the pilot is punished severely. The civil police agree that low flying is not prevalent near Blaby, and I can assure my hon. Friend that there is no special danger from the aircraft which fly over there.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there has been a series of complaints, but on this particular occasion there was an interview reported in the Leicester Press, giving the name of the officer who was actually flying the machine, the officer being a member of the American Air Force?

I was not aware of that. I was aware of the complaint that was sent to my Department and of the investigations that we made. If the hon. Gentleman will bring the matter to my attention I will, of course, look into it.

Will the hon. Gentleman receive the actual report from the Press?

Certainly, if it is brought to my attention.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will open the roads through Oakington aerodrome or provide alternative routes; and if he is aware that the roads leading into the village have been closed for seven years, causing great inconvenience to the inhabitants and tradespeople.

We are planning to keep the airfield at Oakington for permanent flying use. This would involve constructing a suitable diversion for the one public road that is still closed, from Long Stanton St. Michael to Oakington village. We cannot, of course, carry out these proposals until the Ministry of Transport have obtained statutory authority for them, which in turn involves the War Works Commission hearing any local objections.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the reason for the delay in release of officers in Groups 29 and 30 and other ranks in Group 30 stationed in the Nairobi area; for how long they are likely to be delayed; and what are the prospects for the next few groups in that area.

Release promulgations apply to the Royal Air Force wherever stationed, and I know of no special difficulties or delays in transport from East Africa. If the hon. and learned Member will give me particulars of any case he has in mind, I should be glad to look into it. I should add that the release of accountant officers has reached only Group 28 throughout the Service, but otherwise this month there are no branches or trades in which the release of officers is below Group 30 or airmen below Group 35.

Has the hon. Gentleman made inquiries, because I can let him have a copy of the order issued on the station?

Certainly, I have made inquiries, or I would not have made this statement. My answer is based on the inquiries that have been made. If the hon. and learned Gentleman will let me have that order I will certainly look into it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that at Turnhouse aerodrome in the latter part of May, 1946, large quantities of waterproof equipment, including groundsheets and Wellington boots, were deliberately destroyed, and that this practice has been indulged in at other aerodromes also; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter.

I have not been able to obtain any evidence to support the statements made by the noble Lord. If he will send me details I will gladly look into the matter further.

In view of that most disappointing answer, I take it the answer to the second part of my Question is in the negative?

No, not quite, because I said I would look into any matter if the noble Lord sends me details.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether it is intended to develop the potentialities of Lochryan, Wigtownshire, as a flying-boat base.

Loch Ryan is one of the sites which have been considered by the committee appointed by my noble Friend under the chairmanship of Lord Pakenham to review the various proposals received for the establishment of a permanent flying-boat base in the United Kingdom. Until the Report of the committee, which my noble Friend received today, has been considered, I am unable to make any statement in regard to particular sites.

If I put down a Question before the Recess, will the Parliamentary Secretary be in a position to answer then?

I cannot undertake to do it. This report is based on civil aviation considerations, but there are many other considerations involved in the selection of permanent sites.

Can my hon. Friend say when he expects to be able to make a statement as a result of the Report of the Cadman Committee?

I have just given the answer. It depends upon consultation with other Members of the Government on other aspects of the matter.

Could my hon. Friend say whether it is proposed to publish the Cadman Committee's Report in due course?

That also depends on consultations now taking place.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he is aware that there are a number of men employed at Hum, particularly in the component shed, who are only working for a few hours a week; and if he will look into the matter.

I assume the hon. and gallant Member refers to the staff employed at Hum by the British Overseas Airways Corporation for the service and maintenance of the Corporation's aircraft. This work is important and urgent, and it is necessary that the staff should be sufficient to deal expeditiously with it. Inevitable fluctuation in its flow, however, may result in short periods during which some of the staff are not fully occupied.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that many of the men feet they are not doing much of a job and are being paid for work they are not doing; and that the regular system is that they are standing there doing nothing? Would the hon. Gentleman make further investigations if I give him the names of the men who make the complaints?

As I think there may be some misunderstanding about what is in the hon. and gallant Gentleman's mind, I would very willingly do that. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman is referring to men who are kept standing by for servicing and maintaining aircraft, he will realise that they must be ready to deal with any emergency.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what plans he has for establishing a civil airline from London to West Cornwall.

The schedule of internal air routes which British European Airways intend to operate includes the route London-Bristol-Exeter-Plymouth-Land's End-Scilly Isles. It is planned to use Avro XIX aircraft.

In preparing his plans, will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there are a number of superfluous Service aerodromes in Cornwall now, which have been created at great expenditure, not to say waste in some cases of agricultural land, labour and money; and will he see that these aerodromes are used, as they may be useful?

I do not think any difficulty will arise about aerodromes in Cornwall. The hon. Gentleman will realise that many R.A.F. aerodromes, while admirably suited for military purposes, are not suited for serving civil purposes.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, whether he is now in a position to make a statement regarding the construction of an airport on the North-East coast.

No, Sir. I am unable to comment on particular cases in advance of the general statement which my noble Friend has undertaken to make.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether, in the interests of British prestige in the air and of the Bermuda tourist trade, he will take steps to secure the continuance of the dollar-earning air service of B.O.A.C., between Bermuda and the U.S.A., instead of allowing the service to be discontinued in the autumn.

My noble Friend is in consultation with the British Overseas Airways Corporation with regard to the continuance of the Corporation's flying-boat service between Bermuda and Baltimore.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say when he will have a decision on this matter?

I hope before the Recess; perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put down a Question. It is our earnest desire to see this service continued.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he can now give the details of restarting the air services across the Bristol Channel from South Wales; how often this service will operate and the charges that will be made.

The air service between Cardiff and Weston-super-Mare will be opened as soon as the ground organisation can be completed. It is proposed to use D.H.89 aircraft and to operate an intensive shuttle service according to the traffic. The fares will be 9s. single and 16s. 6d. return. The service will later be extended to Bristol. The aerodromes to be used are Pengam Moors (for Cardiff), Whitchurch (for Bristol), and Weston-super-Mare, The arrangements for the handling of passengers will at first be of an extempore nature.

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for that reply, which will be very welcome to the people of South Wales, may I ask him further whether this service will link up with other services in the country, whether any notice or booking in advance will be necessary, and whether garage facilities will be available for passengers?

When the service is extended to Bristol it will link up, eventually, with services in all parts of the country. Naturally, there will not be connections from Weston-super-Mare, where the traffic will be of a seasonal nature. It is planned to operate it as an intensive shuttle service, so that as passengers come along they will be taken, and it will not be necessary to have a timetable.

asked the Minister of Food what arrangements exist for the supply of bread and flour to deep-sea fishermen who have to remain at sea for periods of one to three weeks.

Supplies of bread, flour and ships' biscuits for deep-sea fishermen are obtained by the masters or owners from ships' stores dealers in accordance with the provisions of the Ships' Stores (Control) Order, 1942. These arrangements will continue under the bread rationing scheme.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the Navy personnel are issued with white flour because the bread will not keep, anti will he see that fishermen are given equal treatment?

I am very willing to look into that.

asked the Minister of Food if he will consider increasing the rationed allowance, stated in the bread-rationing scheme, for women who are responsible for performing all the housework in the homes of families with more than three members, and thus bringing them more into line with the manual workers' scales.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will consider either increasing the proposed bread ration for children, or grading the housewife with children as a manual worker.

asked the Minister of Food, in connection with the proposed bread-rationing scheme, if he will consider giving a bigger allowance to children between three and five years of age.

As I have informed the House, I have decided to raise the allowances for children and adolescents as follows:——

Will the Minister say by how much that will reduce the estimated economy due to the rationing?

I am quite willing to repeat, as far as I can, the exact words I used the day before yesterday——

I mean the percentage.

Yes, the percentage. From 10 to 7 per cent.

Is the Minister aware that before the war thousands of housewives had to do without bread altogether in order to give a scant amount to their children?

asked the Minister of Food whether, to enable bakers and confectioners to accurately assess the public demand, he will alter the regulation in the bread-rationing scheme that permits holders of the coupons to exchange them at any shop, to a system that requires the customer to register at one particular shop and at the same time reserve for the consumer the right to change at specified intervals, also preserving the facilities for travellers.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the widely held opinion that the rationing of bread would be greatly facilitated and queues obviated if consumers of bread were registered; and if he will take steps to do this.

I do not consider compulsory registration desirable in view of the variety of foods included in the scheme, and because of the imminence of the holidays, when many people will be away from home. But it will greatly assist both customers and bakers if as many people as possible deposit coupon pages or sheets with their regular retailers.

What happens if the customer is out when the baker calls?

Exactly what happens today. Once the coupons have been deposited, it gets over that difficulty entirely.

In coming to that decision, which is a departure from the usual practice when dealing with perishable commodities, has the Minister fully taken into consideration the inconvenience that will be caused to the door-to-door salesmen and the housewives?

Of course, we weighed the two factors up, and we think it would be too severe and stringent a measure to impose compulsory registration.

Would it not be fair to say that registration is desirable but that it is impracticable, and is not that one of the arguments against the rationing scheme?

No, Sir. I think compulsory registration would, on balance, be undesirable.

asked the Minister of Food if he will facilitate the exchange of ordinary food points with bread coupons, or vice versa, and reduce the permissible number from eight to four.

I regret that I cannot accept the suggestions.

Is there any real reason why the Minister should not get rid of a very cumbersome piece of machinery by making it possible for housewives to take any surplus bread units and purchase points goods with them direct, or take any surplus points and purchase bread direct? Why put in this intervening machinery, which will be so cumbersome?

We have naturally looked at that most closely, and it is a very attractive suggestion which I should very much like to be able to adopt, but it would amount to putting bread on points, and it would outweigh the whole of the rest of the points scheme to such an extent that we do not feel we could guarantee the supply position of the rest of the points foods if that was done.

Does it really make any difference? Is it not only a piece of cumbersome machinery?

Yes, it makes a difference.

Would the Minister bear in mind the special advisability of trying to do this for people who live alone and who have suffered rather from rationing?