asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if his attention has been called to the disturbances in which Air Force personnel were involved which took place at the Services Club in Piccadilly, Manchester, at approximately 1 a.m., on Sunday, 30th June; and if he will ensure that sufficient military police are available on these premises to prevent future disturbances.

Yes, Sir. I am sorry that members of the Royal Air Force should have been involved in these disturbances. We shall do all we can to see that this does not happen again, but the hon. Member will, I feel sure, realise that none of the Service Departments is responsible for these premises, which are used as a voluntary club. Of course, the Service police work with the civil police in keeping order in Manchester and other cities.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the premises were not involved in the fracas, but R.A.F. personnel? Will he take adequate steps to see that R.A.F. personnel are adequately supervised by their own military police? Is he further aware that innocent bystanders, including the hon. Member for Wallasey, were involved?

I was aware that the premises were not involved, but that men were. But the point, surely, is that the premises are a private club. As for the second point, I was informed that the hon. Member was there.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these disturbances occur quite regularly, according to the information I received when I was on the spot? It is disgraceful that they should occur be- tween black and white personnel, and that is what is happening.

I have no information that they occur frequently. There have from time to time been complaints. There is in this particular case no evidence that the initial trouble was caused by black Service personnel.

Will the hon. Gentleman see that the strength of the police in the R.A.F. is not increased as a result of this Question? The R.A.F. is quite capable of looking after itself.

I thank the hon. and gallant Gentleman for that assurance.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he has any statement to make on home leave and on the length of the overseas tour for members of the R.A.F.

Yes, Sir, the Air Council have recently been considering the best arrangements both for the efficiency of the Royal Air Force and also for the sake of the men and their families. We have decided that, in present conditions, we should give up home leave from distant commands—which is costly both in men and transport—in favour of a shorter overseas tour of duty. We have discussed this with the Commanders-in-Chief overseas. They in turn have taken widespread soundings throughout their commands, where the general opinion is strongly in favour of the course we are now adopting.

We have told the R.A.F. that from 1st October there will be no more home leave from distant commands, though the present system of compassionate home postings will continue. We have also told the Service that this change means we shall be able to bring down the overseas tour where it is now three years to two years and six months. The reduction, which will apply to both married and single men, will start on 1st October. It is bound to take some time to carry out for everyone, but should be completed by the end of this year.

Will the new conditions apply to Germany, or will Germany continue to be treated as a home station?

Home leave will continue, because Germany is much closer to this country. The R.A.F. tour there will be for two years, but airmen whose families are not with them in Germany may be posted to more distant commands to complete the more normal period of two and a half years overseas. Those who complete two years in Germany will remain for six months in this country before they go further afield, but occasionally, in exceptional circumstances, they may be posted abroad sooner than that.

Will the Undersecretary indicate what commands are included? Does he include C.M.F. and the Middle East?

We are including the Mediterranean, Middle East, India, Air Command South-East Asia and men stationed in the Dominions.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air whether he is aware that, in consequence of the reduction of the overseas tour to 2½ years in the R.A.F. and the lack of accommodation for families to live with men stationed in Greece, these men are faced with a 2½ years separation from their families without any home leave; and whether he will reconsider the question of granting home leave for men placed in such circumstances.

We are certainly not planning to keep the Royal Air Force as long as two and a half years more in Greece. As I have said in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Hey wood and Radcliffe (Mr. Anthony Greenwood), we have gone most carefully into finding the best answer to this problem for all overseas commands. The Service as a whole seems to prefer the prospect of coming home six months earlier at the end of a tour in a distant command, to a leave scheme of a fortnight a year.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air whether it is his intention to revert to the prewar practice of using civilian flying schools, on contract, as a means of giving elementary flying instruction to a proportion of Service pilot trainees.

We did not entirely give up the use of these schools during the war, and some of them are operating today. We have, however, not yet decided what will be needed for the permanent postwar organisation of elementary flying training.

Will the Under-Secretary bear in mind the proved economy of this kind of training, and the fact that a large proportion of the pilots in the Battle of Britain did their elementary training in this way?

I will bear that in mind.

Will the Undersecretary give some assurance that these schools will be re-equipped as soon as possible with up-to-date machines more suitable for modern flying training than Tiger Moths?

That is now under consideration.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air why no reply has been sent to an application for redress of grievance, dated 27th February, 1946, from 1438523 Sergeant F. A. Rogers who was parachuted behind the lines in the Balkans and also behind the Japanese lines in Malaya, for which he is entitled to back promoted pay which so far has been refused.

I am grateful to the hon. Member for drawing my attention to this case, and I regret the delay in dealing with the airman's application. The inquiries I am making are not yet complete, but I will write to the hon. Member as soon as I can.

Will the Under-Secretary ginger up his Department so that these cases do not occur again? Will he bear in mind that delays make an airman's grievance almost worse?

This was a particularly complicated case, because the airman concerned had been working entirely with the Army. I will see that this does not happen again.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he has considered the request from the Ayr County Council that the road between Turnberry and Maidens should now be reopened completely to the public; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

Yes, Sir. In practice, there has been no restriction on the public use of this road for some time. The official closure order will be revoked as soon as the road has been properly reinstated.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many service greatcoats have been issued to A.T.C. cadets.

There is nothing I can add to the reply which I gave on 10th July to the hon. Member for Newark (Mr. S. Shephard).

Will the Under-Secretary give an assurance that these boys will be equipped with greatcoats for the coming winter? In view of demobilisation, there must be a great surplus of clothing. Will he look into this matter again?

I will certainly look into the matter again, but I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that the A.T.C. will be as well equipped as any other Service cadet corps.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air what are the reasons for the recent order reducing all non-commissioned officer aircrews above the rank of sergeant, which includes men who have done over 50 operational flights or who have been shot down three times; how many non-commissioned officers arc affected by the order; and what steps he will take to remove the sense of injustice which these non-commissioned officers feel at this order.

I think the hon. Member has in mind airmen who were redundant as aircrew and who were transferred to other duties at the end of the war. We have always made it clear that N.C.O. aircrew ranks were only temporary and would have to be reviewed at the end of the war. That is what we have now done. Naturally this causes disappointment, and something like 20,000 men are concerned, though I cannot give an exact figure because of the release programme. These men all had, as they deserved, exceptionally rapid wartime promotion, far more so than in other trades or branches, For example, they could become warrant officers within no more than two years of first getting their wings. They will, of course, keep their flying badges, and in general the aim of the measures we are taking, in these admittedly difficult circumstances, is to place them as far as possible on the same footing as aircrew who are still flying. These are complicated major changes. We are taking special steps to explain them to the Service in a non-technical way by means of a new pay form.

May I put this important point? Since the pay is not being altered, what is the point in reducing the rank of these men? They feel very deeply about it. They were the cream of the youth of Britain, and, if I may say so, were regarded as Churchill's heroes, but now they are the Socialist rejects.

The new pay form is going out and will be published next week. I ask hon. Members not to press me on details, because we can deal with only a few points here, which may be magnified and give a wrong impression of this scheme to these 20,000 men.

Will the Under-Secretary explain what he regards as unusual in the fact that a man who has had his wings for two years should be regarded as suitable for appointment as a warrant officer? What is curious about that?

I was comparing that with ground crews. I said that, as they deserve, they got their promotion. I ask hon. Members to let us get out these new pay forms so that the Service can understand them. There are 20,000 men concerned, and we car only high-light some of the minor points here.

Will the Under-Secretary bear in mind that this question is causing considerable agitation among all these men who are within a month or so of demobilisation? They have served gallantly throughout the war, and a month or so before they apply for reinstatement in civil life they will have to explain why they have been demoted.

I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why offers of Class B release sent by his Department to airmen serving overseas have not only to be accepted, but the acceptances returned to his Department before instructions for release can be issued; whether he is aware of the long delay thereby frequently caused; and whether he will alter the procedure so as to enable overseas commands to take immediate action to dispatch to this country airmen who have accepted Class B release.

I would be grateful if my hon. and gallant Friend could give me particulars of delay caused in this way. It must be due to a misunderstanding, because all overseas commands have instructions to take immediate steps for sending an airman home once he has accepted Class B release. The delay in the case of the airman which my hon. and gallant Friend has brought to my notice, was due to quite different causes.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether he is aware of a letter, which he himself sent to me, in which he said that it was quite clear that the acceptance of Class B release must be received by the Air Ministry before authority could be given for the release of the airman?

I cannot explain that divergency because the facts are as stated. I hope that the hon. and gallant Member will let me see that letter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, whether he is now in a position to announce the abolition of priorities on B.O.A.C. continental services.

It is still necessary to maintain priority control over a percentage of the seats on the B.O.A.C. Continental Services, but the majority of the seats on all services are allocated to B.O.A.C. for commercial disposal. The services are kept under continuous review and reduc- tions in the priority seats are made as circumstances justify.

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that these priorities affect adversely the commercial value of our air services; that other countries are operating non-priority services on the same routes; and is it not time that the Department awakened to the need of a live commercial policy?

We are sweeping away priorities as rapidly as we can, and I would like to take the opportunity of suggesting that applicants should go to B.O.A.C. in the first instance. They may find that better.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, when air services will be in operation from South Wales to London and other airports in the British Isles.

It is planned to open the air service between Cardiff and London towards the end of this year. South Wales will be linked with other aerodromes in the British Isles when the necessary aircraft and ground facilities become available.

Can the hon. Gentleman give further details as to how often these services will operate between London and Cardiff, and at what airport in London they will arrive?

The airport will in all probability be Northolt, I cannot, without notice, give the frequency of the service, but my recollection is that it is a daily service.

Does not the hon. Gentleman think that there are enough Welshmen in London without bringing more?

The object of the service is to take Englishmen to Wales.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether B.O.A.C. has now secured adequate accommodation for its Atlantic air services at La Guardia airport; and whether steps are being taken to secure such accommodation at Idlewild airport on its opening.

As I informed the hon. and gallant Member for Central Glasgow (Colonel J. R. H. Hutchison) on 26th June last, La Guardia airfield is very congested. I am satisfied that the American authorities concerned are making all possible efforts to meet our requirements. The accommodation available to the British Overseas Airways Corporation is similar to that allotted to other operators using the airfield.

As regards the second part of the Question, negotiations are in progress for the provision of adequate accommodation when the Idlewild airfield comes into operation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what types of aircraft it is proposed to use on the Aberdeen to London air service; and whether a freight as well as a passenger service is envisaged.

It is planned to operate the service London-Edinburgh-Aberdeen with Dakota aircraft. A separate freight service is not at present envisaged, but freight within the capacity of the aircraft will be carried.

Will the hon. Gentleman see if he cannot operate this line with British aircraft, such as the Dove?

In due course that will be done, but we have to use all our available aircraft at the present time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he is now in a position to state the Government's policy in regard to Channel Islands Airways.

I can add nothing to the statement which I made on 8th July.

Does the answer mean that the Government will revise their position, and that they, realise that they have been trying to do something which is quite unconstitutional, and arc accepting the position and retracting what they have already done?

The Government have done nothing unconstitutional in this matter. The Imperial Parliament may legislate for the Channel Islands, and it is customary to do so by means of Order in Council, so as to meet the wishes of the islanders. That has been done in the present case.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in the last 140 years no such case has occurred unless the States have first expressed their demand for such legislation? Why is he now establishing this precedent, which is absolutely contrary to everything that has been done for 600 years?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will pursue his researches, he will find that he is referring to Orders in Council made in the exercise of the Royal Prerogative and is not referring to Orders in Council made under statutory authority as is the case here.

Did not this Government come in to make precedents?

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether it is not a fact that the Government are actually reconsidering the whole matter?

I have no reason to think so. Possibly the hon. Gentleman is referring to the fact that the Lord Chancellor has promised to make a statement tomorrow in another place.

asked the Prime Minister whether, to avoid public confusion such as has occurred over Channel Island Airways, he will ensure that all statements made by Ministers to the House on the scope and method by which undertakings shall be brought under public control, receive the prior approval of the Cabinet.

I am not aware of any confusion on this matter, except possibly in the mind of the hon. and gallant Member. The negotiations now in progress with Channel Island Airways are entirely in harmony with the Government's policy on civil aviation.

Is not the Prime Minister aware that the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation on 8th July said the Channel Island Airways would be taken over; that on 15th July the Prime Minister said he had no knowledge of any such arrangement; and on 22nd July in another place it was stated that the Government were considering again what they were going to do? Does he consider that is coordination?

I have considered it and I have seen the correspondence with the hon. and gallant Member. It seems to me to be quite clear that the hon. and gallant Member is barking up the wrong tree.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, under what statutory authority he notified, on 28th June, 1946, the Associated Airways Joint Committee that West Coast Air Services should cease operations on 1st July, 1946.

West Coast Air Services, Limited, is one of several companies which are operating certain services under an agreement with the Minister of Civil Aviation, the Associated Airways Joint Committee acting as agents for the companies. In accordance with the clause in the agreement allowing the Minister to terminate or vary any of the services, it was arranged with the Associated Airways Joint Committee that West Coast Air Services Limited, should cease to operate the Liverpool—Dublin and London—Dublin services on 1st July and that the aircraft and crews should be diverted for use on other routes. The notification to the committee on 28th June last was in confirmation of this arrangement, and no statutory authority was necessary.

When the hon. Gentleman says "agreement," will he define the word "agreement"? A peremptory letter was sent only three days before the taking over of the company by the Ministry. A guarantee was given to this House that where such airlines were taken over it would be on the basis of a willing buyer and a willing seller.

That is an entirely different matter. Negotiations are proceeding on that basis with A.A.J.C. What is in question now is the actual operation of certain services governed by the agreement dated 1941.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give an assurance that ex-Service-men applying for appointments under his Department will in no way be prejudiced by the length of their war service.

Yes Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the average age of ex-Servicemen who have applied during the past six months for appointments under his Department; and what is the average age of those whose applications have been successful during the same period.

The answer to the first part of the Question is 29; and to the second part, 30½.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some ex-Servicemen who desire to serve in the Colonial Office are being rejected on the ground that they are too old? If they had been able to apply within the last six months they would not have been too old. Does he not agree that that is unfair, and will he look into these cases?

If the hon. Gentleman will let me have particulars of such cases, I will certainly look into them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now publish the McNair Report on Jewish education in Palestine.

The report will be published very shortly.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the report will be available in the Library before the Debate next week?

Can I press the right hon. Gentleman on that point?

I am afraid that it will not be available before the Debate next week. We are doing everything that we can, but it must be published simultaneously in Palestine and in this country, and there has been some difficulty in getting copies to Palestine.

I put a Question to the right hon. Gentleman two months ago asking him about this. Is there any particular reason why it should not be published simultaneously, within the next four or five days, in both countries?

I have considered that, but at the moment it does not appear to be possible. I will, however, look at the matter again.

Will the right hon. Gentleman try?

Yes, Sir.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the report condemns the extreme form of nationalist education conducted, and if it recommends a reform?

I would prefer that the matter was left until my hon. Friend sees the report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) the present wages of European locally-recruited teachers in Government and Government-aided schools in Malaya and Singapore; and what wage increases have been granted over the 1941 scale to meet the great increase in the cost of living;

(2) why locally - recruited schoolteachers in Singapore and Malaya, who were not interned by the Japanese, are not to receive back pay whilst British officials there are receiving back pay in the same circumstances; and whether he will take steps to reduce the discrepancy between the wages of European and locally-recruited teachers, who at present take over 17 years' service to reach a figure slightly less than the initial wages of European teachers, their qualifications in many cases being identical

Male teachers who are normally university graduates, recruited from Europe for service in Government and Government-aided schools in these territories are on a scale which, expressed in sterling, ranges from £560 to £1,120 per annum. Locally-recruited male teachers with identical qualifications and duties are paid at 80 per cent. of European rates, the difference being the usual expatriation allowance granted to European officers. My hon. and learned Friend no doubt has in mind locally- recruited male teachers who are graduates of such institutions as Raffles College, the diplomas of which are not regarded as equal to the degrees possessed by the higher paid staff. The scale for these officers ranges from £231 to £455 per annum. There is also a grade of normal class certificated teachers, male members of which are paid on a scale ranging from £182 to £420 per annum.

A cost of living allowance of £14 per annum plus 10 per cent. of basic salary, subject to a maximum of £49 per annum, is being paid to all locally-recruited staff but not to officers recruited from Europe. The whole question of back pay during the period of occupation is now under local review with unofficial assistance.

Will my right hon. Friend answer the last part of Question 29 and the last part of Question 30?

I will look into that point. The Government have been working under very great pressure since the civil administration was taken over on 1st April, but it is a point which I think ought to be looked into.

I was not asking him to look into the point, I was asking him to answer a question of fact—as to whether wage increases have been granted.

That is what I am prepared to look into.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many trade union advisers are on duty in the Malayan Union and Singapore, respectively; and what progress has been made with the formation and registration of trade unions.

Three trade union advisers have been appointed to the Malaya service, one of whom has now been promoted to the post of industrial relations adviser in the Malaya Union. The other two are serving in Singapore and the Malaya Union respectively. I am asking the two Governors for reports on the matters raised in the second part of the Question and will write to my hon. Friend when I receive them.

I should like to ask that, in view of the fact that there exist already in the Chinese community trade unions some thousands of years old, no pressure will be brought to bear to compel them to accept the more immature Western model.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plans have been made and what action has been taken to secure a. greater acreage under cultivation in British Malaya than in the past for the production of rice.

As the answer is necessarily rather long, I will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many State restaurants and Government shops have been opened in the Malaya Union and the colony of Singapore; and in what towns or villages.

Some restaurants have been established for supplying cheap midday meals to the general public. Similar restaurants have been established in Government Departments and business premises. I am asking the Governors of the Malaya Union and Singapore for a report of the number of restaurants and I will write to the hon. Member when I receive it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give details of the proposed legislation in Malta for the imposition of an excess profits tax with retrospective effect covering a period of seven years.

I am not aware that it is the intention of the Malta Government to introduce any such legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered the criticism in the Gold Coast of the regulation that a municipal candidate should deposit the sum of £10 with his nomination papers, on the ground that the deposit is not returnable; and if he will take steps to have this regulation withdrawn.

Apart from the one Press conference, which suggested that the deposit might be larger, I understand that there has been almost no local criticism of this regulation. The regulation can only be amended by an ordinance and if there should be general dissatisfaction about its terms the remedy would lie in the hands of the unofficial majority on the new Legislative Council.

Surely it is unjust that these deposits should not be returnable, and does the right hon. Gentleman know any reason why there should be discrimination against municipal candidates there which is not imposed on municipal candidates here?

It is an exception to the normal Colonial practice and I am taking the matter up with the Governor.

Is not the whole point of constitutional advances such as have taken place in the Gold Coast that they should be enabled to settle points of this kind for themselves?

:Yes, Sir.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say, in view of the fact that this money is described as a deposit, what becomes of the money if it is not returned?

It is paid into the Treasury.

A new kind of democracy?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what prohibitions there are in Nyasaland on the felling of trees that would normally provide timber suitable for the construction of native houses; and what are the reasons for these prohibitions.

In State forest reserves and unalienated Crown land the cutting of trees is prohibited without prior permission. In Native trust lands, subject to certain exceptions necessary for conservation purposes, resident natives may cut trees without licence in any area for use as building material, and other natives may exercise the same right with the consent of the native authority concerned. These rules are based on the normal principles of forestry, with a view to preserving the natural resources of the country.

Is the Colonial Secretary satisfied that the areas where they may cut are sufficient to provide the normal accommodation?

I think that is the precaution I have referred to.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give details of the educational programme proposed for Nigeria as part of the 10-year development plan; and whether this programme has been sanctioned by his Department.

The 10-year education plan for Nigeria is at present being considered here, in consultation with a representative of the Nigerian Government. My hon. Friend will appreciate that it is not therefore practicable for me to give him details at this stage, but I will do so as soon as possible.

Is it not a fact that this educational programme is being delayed by the failure of the right hon. Gentleman to make up his mind on the reports of the committee on higher education?

No, that is not so.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the plan was received from the Nigerian Government?

If my memory serves me aright, about the end of April or the beginning of May.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the nine cardinal principles laid down in the preamble to the 1941 Constitution of Sarawak will be upheld as promised in the Cession Bill proceedings of the Council N:egri meeting of 17th May, 1946; or whether they will be affected by the coming changes in the constitution.

The nine cardinal principles have been retained in the constitution. They are in general accord with those which govern the administration of other parts of the Colonial Empire; and I see no reason why they should be affected by any future changes in the constitution.

asked the Prime Minister whether, now that Victory day has been celebrated in this country, all cases of detention of men serving overseas will be reviewed with the object of granting a free pardon or a reduction of sentences.

In the Army and Royal Air Force sentences are automatically reviewed after six weeks, and again at intervals of not more than six months with a view to their remission, mitigation or suspension whenever warranted. A review is also carried out after one-third of the sentence has been served. In addition, special review boards have been set up in this country, B.A.O.R. and M.E.F. to review sentences, and it is hoped to extend these boards to all overseas commands. Sentences by naval courts are reviewed on receipt in the Admiralty and may also be reviewed at any time on petition by the offender. The process is exactly the same for offenders serving sentences of detention or imprisonment at home or abroad. Since the conclusion of hostilities a more lenient view has been taken in reviewing sentences, and I do not think that any special action is called for on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend.

When my right hon. Friend is considering this matter will he also consider the related point that men are sometimes kept waiting for a long time before their trial comes on, sometimes as long as five or six months, especially in Italy?

That seems to be another question. If the hon. Member has any particular points perhaps he will put them to the responsible Service Minister.

Where these reviews are carried out in the way the right hon. Gentleman mentions, especially in view of the fact that the war is now over and with it the period of danger when men are highly strung and commit many offences, will he really consider on behalf of the Government making a generous gesture to wipe out most of these sentences?

There has been a careful review, and really I do not believe in the oriental practice of a general gaol delivery to celebrate a victory.

Is it not a fact that a general review has been made in America, and could the right hon. Gentleman not give special consideration to these cases, particularly where they are small offences and as the men concerned have been on active service?

Minister: These cases are under review. The hon. Member must not assume that every case is exactly the same.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much public money was involved in the recent visit to Germany by a delegation from the National Council of Labour.

None, Sir. The cost is to be met by the National Council.

asked the Minister of Food if he will make it illegal for shopkeepers to restrict to hours, other than the normal shopping hours, the sale of certain specified fruits of which there may be only spasmodic issues.

It would, I am sure, be wrong to attempt to regulate too closely the retailer's method of running his business.

Does this answer imply that the Ministry of Food approve of the system of restricting the sale of special fruit to certain special hours, and does the Minister realise that housewives with children or those who have to go out to work, find this practice most unsatisfactory?

We do not necessarily approve them, but we do not feel that this calls for another Order. We have to think carefully when making Orders, and I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman should try to force me to accept this proposal. If we make an Order it is necessary to enforce it, and if we accepted the proposal enforcement would be very difficult.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will restore the cut imposed on 2nd May in the sugar ration to the bakery trade, since it has been proved that the more sugar the confectioners have the less flour they use.

Yes, Sir, my right hon. Friend has already announced that the reduction in the allocation of sugar to the bakery trade will be restored as from 18th August.

Why is it necessary to wait until the end of August? Why was it not done when bread rationing started?

Because the allocation period is eight weeks, and from an administrative point of view it is better to wait until that date.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will now cause the size of the loaf to be restored to two pounds, as the smaller loaves require 10 per cent. more labour and time to produce and the proportion of crusts and ends, being greater than in larger loaves, results in more wastage of bread.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given on 8th July to the hon. Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère).

asked the Minister of Food whether he will re-assess the value of the L, M, and G coupons in order to permit single persons living alone to obtain fresh bread without depositing their coupons with a baker.

My right hon. Friend regrets that he cannot adopt this suggestion, but he is making it possible for persons living alone, who find the G coupons awkward, to exchange them for the appropriate number of L coupons, worth one B.U. each, at any food office for periods up to 16 weeks at a time.

asked the Minister of Food whether machinists engaged in making blouses and dresses in light materials with electrically-driven machines are classed, under his regulations, as manual workers for the purpose of the rationing of bread.

Yes, Sir, if employed in factories exclusively devoted to the making up of textile materials, and engaged for an average of not less than 22 hours a week on work which is not of a light or sedentary character.

Is the hon. Lady aware that this work is of the lightest possible character; that no garment weighs more than 2¼ lbs., and is it not really grotesque to treat those engaged in these operations as manual workers?

If the hon. Gentleman will examine the schedule he will find that all these workers are not classed as manual workers.

asked the Minister of Food the number of calories provided by the proposed 9-ounce bread ration; and whether the bread and grain ration will still supply 45 per cent. of the total calories, as stated in Command Paper 6785, of April, 1946.

The bread ration of 9 ounces will provide about 640 calories per day. The figure of 45 per cent. to which the hon. Member refers, was related to grain foods and potatoes; the percentage may be slightly less as a result of the reduced consumption of bread and flour, which is anticipated under the bread rationing scheme.

Is not the hon. Lady aware that growers of potatoes will tend to withhold their stocks to try to keep their cattle alive? Has that been taken into account?

We shall certainly keep an eye on the growers, but I do not believe that they are so anti-social.

asked the Minister of Food if he will make provision in the bread-rationing scheme to ensure that sufferers from any complaint such as diabetes, which makes it necessary for them to have a specific quantity each day, will have special consideration, irrespective of the category in which they would normally fall under the scheme.

My right hon. Friend will consult his medical and scientific advisers to ensure that people who suffer from any complaints are not handicapped by the bread-rationing scheme. He has been advised sufferers from diabetes will find the normal arrangements adequate.

asked the Minister of Food whether persons employed in the distributive trades performing manual work, such as warehousemen and butchers, are entitled to the extra bread ration applicable to other manual workers.

Such persons will be entitled to the manual workers' ration if they are engaged in work involving shifting, loading and unloading heavy goods for an average of not less than 22 hours a week.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in butchers' shops in London and in many parts of the country, three butchers out of eight are entitled to be regarded as doing manual labour, although they are doing precisely the same work as the other five, who cannot claim that, or whose claims are turned down? Will she re-examine the whole question?

Is the hon. Lady aware that some of the people employed in warehouses do far more manual labour than other people who are classed as manual labourers?

The answer to my hon. Friend is that these workers must apply to the trade union, and their case will be examined.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will prevent the sale of articles made with pastry in restaurants for so long as bread rationing continues.

Catering establishments will be rationed as regards bread and flour and I see no reason to prevent them from using their flour to make pastry if they wish.

Is the hon Lady aware that, although this might only be a symbolical matter, it will give expression to a very strong feeling in many parts of the country against people who are able to eat unnecessary luxury food in restaurants?

My hon. and gallant Friend must realise that pastry is not only used for jam tarts; it is used to make pies for workers.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the open-air nature of their employment, he will increase the ration of nine ounces of bread per day for insurance agents.

No, Sir, my right hon. Friend regrets that he cannot do this.

Will the hon. Lady say whether the Minister is prepared to accept representations from the trade union organisations?

If the trade unions concerned care to make representations to us we shall certainly consider them, but I must remind the hon. Gentleman that if we open the door to insurance agents we must also allow in the rent collector, the meter reader and the commercial traveller.

While thanking the questioner for the consideration shown for members of my organisation, may I ask the hon. Lady if she is not aware that I have already communicated with her on the subject and that the answer has been delayed?

I must remind the hon. Gentleman, who has a great deal of knowledge of trade union matters, that we are advised on this question by the Food Advisory Committee of the T.U.C. If he likes to make further representations, his comrades will certainly consider the matter.

asked the Minister of Food how many shell eggs per ration book were issued in the period between February and May this year.

From the beginning of February to the end of May this year, 28 shell eggs per ration book were issued for non-priority consumers.

Does the hon. Lady recall that on 15th February the Minister then in charge of food definitely told the House that he intended that there should be an issue of 40 shell eggs per ration book for the period February to May? Is this just another of the many broken promises of the Government?

I certainly do recall that, but, unfortunately, we are unable to control the elements or the hens.

asked the Minister of Food if he will restore the autumn ration of 10 lbs. of sugar per stock of bees, and thereby ensure a maximum supply of honey during 1947.

On the recommendation of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, my right hon. Friend proposes to authorise the customary allowance of 10 lb. of sugar per colony for the feeding of bees during the autumn and winter.

asked the Minister of Food why so few rabbits are for sale in the retailers' shops.

Rabbits are usually scarce at this time of the year because it is the breeding season in this country, and because of the prohibition of exports from Eire. Supplies coming forward from Australia and New Zealand are not sufficient to make good the shortage.

Will the hon. Lady consider increasing the supply by offering for sale some of the "rabbits" on the Government Front Bench?

Silly, provocative questions like that are out of place.

asked the Minister of Food what steps he has taken to replace in his Department the trade experts who gave their services during the war, and have since returned to their businesses.

The majority of the senior trade experts who served the Ministry during the war are still at their posts. Those who have had to return to their own firms have been replaced by others already serving in the Ministry, or by civil servants who have become sufficiently experienced to undertake the work.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will arrange for a supply of whole wheat to be available for human consumption, particularly for those for whom wholemeal flour is essential for health.

My right hon. Friend is arranging for whole wheat to be available, under licence, to householders and institutions for milling into flour for human consumption, but the allowance of bread units will be correspondingly reduced. Wholemeal flour will continue to be available from the usual suppliers.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will authorise extra rations of bread and cheese to night workers or to permanent night watchmen at premises not provided with canteens.

My right hon. Friend regrets that he is unable to adopt this suggestion.

As night workers at such premises are obviously no less deserving of extra food than night workers at premises which have canteens, will the hon. Lady receive a deputation on this subject from night watchmen and other night workers?

I do not think that will serve any useful purpose, because the employers of night watchmen can supply a packed meal service, as other employers do.

asked the Minister of Food whether his attention has been drawn to the inconvenience caused to housewives and other shoppers by the late arrival of fresh food, which causes uncertainty, queueing and repeated visits to shops; and what prospect there is of a return to prewar hours of arrival.

Shortage of supplies, manpower, and of road and rail transport, all contribute to the difficulty to which the hon. Member refers. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that everyone is doing his best to improve matters, and that a substantial improvement has already been achieved, but he cannot say when a return to prewar standards of service will be possible.

Is the hon. Lady quite sure that the later arrival under Government control is not duo in part either to the mechanism of Government control itself or to the later hour at which workers in the wholesale markets arrive at work under Government control?