asked the Undersecretary of State for Air what instructions have been issued for the withdrawal of rubber knee-boots held on charge by observers of the Royal Observer Corps.

The instructions are for these boots to be returned or paid for. We are, of course, willing to deal sympathetically with any case involving hardship, for example, if the boots have been worn out.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air if continued inquiry is being maintained in Rumania on the fate of Flight-Sergeant Rogers, Navigator, 70 Squadron, C.M.F., reported missing 10th-11th August, 1944: what information has been given to this man's parents about the prospects of further inquiries; and if renewed efforts will be made to trace this airman and others still missing from the same time.

I am very much afraid that we now have little hope of members of the Royal Air Force being alive who are still untraced after being reported missing from air operations during the war. We are still doing our utmost to find out the fate of these men. The Air Ministry Missing Research and Enquiry Service started this work in October, 1944, and its members are still carrying out investigations country by country. In the Balkans we have so far had to rely on any reports coming through our military or political missions, but as soon as the Mediterranean Section of the Missing Research and Enquiry Service has completed its work in Italy, it will be ready to move into these countries. I sincerely hope that eventually we shall be able to cover every single place where there is a chance of a clue to the fate of a missing airman. We have given Mr. and Mrs. Rogers all the information we have and I am only sorry there is nothing more.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is yet in a position to announce the postwar rate of pay for R.A.F. chaplains.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply dealing with rates of pay for chaplains in the three Services, which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War gave to him yesterday.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many members of the R.A.F. have been prevented from attending the death-bed and for funeral of their fathers and mothers for the years 1944 and 1945.

I am afraid we do not keep any records showing the information required by my hon. Friend. He may, however, be interested to see the full and sympathetic instructions issued to overseas commands about compassionate postings and I am sending him a copy. Even in wartime we did all we could to get men home quickly when needed in these cases.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what is the average time taken by his officers between notification of illness of an airman's parent and the visit to verify the report; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent waste of time in such cases.

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to visits made to verify reports of dangerous illness when an airman who is overseas may be wanted at home. Such visits are usually made on the day that the Record Office is notified. I cannot agree that this shows any waste of time.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that the circular letter and leaflet from the Record Office of the R.A.F., inviting men who have served as airmen in ground trades during the late war to continue in, or come back to, the Service under the Extended Service Scheme, with the promise of additional gratuities free of Income Tax, are being sent to demobilised airmen who are now in civil employment and are having an unsettling effect on the men in their peacetime jobs; and if he will undertake that the issue of such letters and leaflets to men who are now in civil employment will be discontinued.

I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy of the letters inviting former airmen to consider coming back into the Royal Air Force. There is surely nothing wrong with giving particulars of the Bounty Scheme announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, especially as we make it clear that the scheme is not intended for those who are settled in other work.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many R.A.F. squadrons are now equipped with jet propelled aircraft; and whether pilots of auxiliary squadrons will have the opportunity of advanced training on this type.

It would not be in accordance with the present policy to give this information. I can, however, assure the hon. and gallant Member that the training for jet aircraft does not materially differ from that required for other high performance types. We fully realise the importance of up-to-date training for the Auxiliary Squadrons.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air what action he proposes taking against the formation or unit responsible for the delay in the implementation of his offer of Class B release, dated 13th March, to 3040960, L.A.C. C. G. Dobson, No. 7 C.A.E.U., R.A.F., S.E.A.A.F.; and when this airman will arrive in this country for release.

I regret the delay in dealing with this case, but there was some difficulty in tracing the airman owing to an administrative reorganisation within the command. He should arrive home in about a month.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the recent approval by the Air Council of the formation of an education branch giving full commissioned rank and status to education officers, he will give fresh sympathetic consideration to the limited number of education officers who have been seriously wounded in the recent war and now receive compensation on a scale below that afforded to education officers of the Army and Navy who were similarly disabled.

Only one member of the Royal Air Force Educational Service was seriously wounded in the recent war. He was blinded by a flying bomb while on duty in London. I have given further consideration to his case, with which I feel great sympathy, but regret that he cannot be treated as if he had been mobilised like education officers in the Navy and Army.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he has any statement to make regarding the safety of the U.S. produced aircraft purchased for use by B.O.A.C.

As I informed the Hon. and gallant Member for South Blackpool (Wing-Commander Robinson) on 17th July last, an investigation is proceeding in America with regard to the cause of the recent accident which resulted in the temporary grounding of the Constellation aircraft. Until this report is received I am unable to make a statement.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what percentage increase the latest landing charges for the use of Government aerodromes represents compared with prewar charges, and with the scale of charges existing immediately before the increase, respectively.

The latest landing charges for the use of State-controlled aerodromes by commercial aircraft show a general increase, compared with prewar charges, of 50 per cent. in respect of aerodromes with grass runways and 150 per cent. in respect of aerodromes with hard runways. For private aircraft the new scale shows increases ranging, according to weight, from 50 per cent-to 114 per cent. in respect of aerodromes with grass runways and from 150 per cent. to 257 per cent. in respect of aerodromes with hard runways. The prewar special scale for private aircraft of less than 3,000 lb. maximum permissible weight has been discontinued. The scale of charges has been revised in the light of increases in establishment and maintenance costs, especially at aerodromes provided with hard runways. There has been no previous revision of the prewar scale.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is now in a position to make a statement in regard to the destruction of the headquarters of the W.I.Z.O., in Tel-Aviv.

This building has not been destroyed. As regards damage sustained when entry was forced on 29th June, I have nothing to add to the reply given to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for East Willesden (Mr. Orbach) on 11th July.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements have been made to ensure the exhibition in all the Colonies concerned of the films giving an adequate amount of publicity to. the participation of the contingent from the Colony concerned; what special arrangements were made to ensure this service; and what length of film was specifically devoted to the contingents from East and West Africa respectively.

From films taken by the Colonial Film Unit covering the Victory Parade and other activities of the Colonial contingents, a 2,000-foot film has been made, and prints are being sent in a few days' time to 36 Colonial territories. 397 feet of this film are devoted to the West African detachment and 395 to the East African. In addition, four films dealing specially with the East African, West African, Far Eastern and Middle Eastern contingents respectively are now being made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement with reference to the mission which is to visit certain centres in the Colonies to report on the prevention of blindness and on welfare services for the blind.

In 1945 the National Institute for the Blind revived their Empire and Colonial Development Sub-Committee, under the chairmanship of Sir Bernard Reilly, and appointed to it representatives of the Colonial Office. The committee suggested a joint tour of various-Colonies by representatives of the Institute and of the Colonial Office to report on methods of preventing blindness and of providing welfare services for the blind. This tour has just begun. It is proposed to visit most of the East and West African Colonies, Cyprus, Palestine and Aden. The Governments concerned have warmly welcomed the proposed visit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action he is taking to give preliminary training in modern methods of agriculture and mining to those proceeding to take up employment in the African territories.

Candidates selected for Government employment in the agricultural or mining Departments are required to possess knowledge of modern methods. Commercial mining concerns make their own arrangements in respect of the recruitment of trained personnel. Facilities for training prospective farmers in modern agricultural methods already exist in Kenya and are to be extended. They are also to be introduced in Northern Rhodesia.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what further steps have been taken towards the founding of a West African university; and what protests have been received against the recommendations of the minority report on higher education.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my statement on this matter on 9th July, during my speech on the Colonial Affairs Debate. I have received no protests since then, but protests against the recommendations of the minority report have been received both from persons in this country, and from various associations, public bodies and individuals in the Gold Coast and Sierra Leone.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made respecting the complete derequisitioning of African colleges and other educational buildings; and what is, approximately, the number of college places not available either through continued requisition or lack of repair subsequent to derequisition.

As regards East Africa, no African colleges or other educational institutions are now requisitioned. So far as I am aware, no college places have been lost owing to lack of repairs on the return of requisitioned buildings to the civil authorities. I am sending my hon. Friend the particular which he requires for West Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what contingent plans exist regarding supplies of bananas from West Africa and from other Colonies; what are the main business concerns dealing with the export of this fruit to this country; what is the estimated volume and financial value of this trade relating to this country during the next few years and the percentages controlled by each of the main firms; and to what extent production has been restored to its prewar level.

Although bananas are grown as local food in most tropical Colonies, substantial export industries exist only in Jamaica, the British Cameroons and Fiji. Cameroons shipments went mostly to the Continent before the war, whilst Fiji's main markets were in New Zealand and Australia. The total export trade prewar was in the region of 400,000 tons per annum of which 75 per cent. came from Jamaica and 15 per cent. from the Cameroons. Shipments of Jamaica and Cameroons bananas to the United Kingdom are at present made by the Government of Jamaica and by the Custodian of Enemy Property in the Cameroons respectively. The former arranges sales to the Ministry of Food through the agencies of Elders and Fyffes Limited and the Jamaica Banana Producers' Association Limited who handle 80 per cent. and 20 per cent. respectively of the trade and are paid a fixed commission by the Jamaica Government. The agency employed by the Custodian of Enemy Property in the Cameroons is Elders and Fyffes Limited. Production for export in Jamaica this year will be in the region of six million stems (compared with the peak prewar figure of 20 million stems). Some 25 per cent. will be shipped to Canada and the balance to the United Kingdom under the arrangements referred to above. The value of United Kingdom shipments will be in the region of £2¼ million. It is hoped that in the next year or two Jamaican exports will exceed 10 million stems, but it is impossible to give any estimate of value of prospective shipments to the United Kingdom. Only one shipload of Cameroons bananas has so far been made this year and owing to damage done by a tornado last March further shipments are unlikely until next year. It is in any case estimated that the potential production has dropped to about 60 per cent. of the prewar level. Long term marketing arrangements are still under consideration both in Jamaica and in the Cameroons. I am not yet able to make a statement on the former, but as regards the Cameroons I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made in the House on 9th July to the effect that the formation of a Government sponsored organisation to operate the ex-German plantations in the Cameroons was under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in view of the increase in the number of Indians in East Africa, he will consider adopting the system in force in Ceylon, whereby Indian workers can only obtain the franchise by obtaining certificates of permanent settlement, in accordance with the Soulbury Commission.

No person may be entered on the Kenya Voters Register who has not ordinarily resided in the Colony for at least one period of twelve consecutive months and who has not resided or carried on business or been employed in the electoral area concerned for three months immediately preceding his application. No change in these arrangements is at present contemplated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies by what percentage salaries of civil servants in Cyprus have been raised since 1939, including war bonus.

I will ask the Governor for this information and communicate it to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now state what steps are being taken to provide a constitution with representative institutions for Cyprus.

I am not in a position to make any further statement on this subject at the present time.

asked the Minister of Food whether there are any considerable stocks of flour of the lower extraction quality now remaining in the country; and what method of using these stocks is proposed by him.

There are no stocks of flour of the lower extraction rate in the country apart from the imported flour which is milled at a lower extraction rate; small quantities of this are released for the manufacture of special foods and the balance is mixed with National Flour at the mills. The quantity of imported flour in stock varies and depends upon the arrival of imports and the rate at which they are used.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that his Department promised, on 19th May, 1943, that favourable consideration would be given to reducing the size of sugar sacks from two to one cwt.; and, in view of the frequent cases of rupture to men handling heavy weights, what steps nave been taken to implement that promise.

It has been possible to remove the restriction on the delivery in one cwt. sacks of sugar for domestic consumption in certain areas; in other areas 55 per cent. of the sugar handled is packed in one cwt. sacks or in smaller packs. My right hon. Friend will do what he can to extend the use of one cwt. sacks and smaller packs.

asked the Minister of Food why the present restrictions on the import of food parcels from overseas sent to private individuals in this country are maintained; and when it is proposed to abolish all such restrictions.

These restrictions are necessary to ensure that those who happen to have friends overseas are not getting a disproportionate share of food in short supply. My right hon. Friend cannot say when he will be able to abolish them.

asked the Minister of Food whether babies are entitled to the issue of the appropriate scale of rationed foodstuffs from the date of birth, or, if not, from what date.

When a birth is notified to a food office a baby is eligible for the appropriate scale of rationed foods which are obtainable against a child's ration book R.B.2.

asked the Minister of Food what steps are taken to ensure that additional supplies of food are being directed to naval ports in order that supplies to the general public do not suffer when, owing to the presence of His Majesty's naval vessels in port, heavy buying of food takes place, for the purpose of supplying officers' messes.

Foods which are rationed and sold on points are obtained from Service sources and my right hon. Friend does not think that the relatively small quantities of fresh fruit, fish and other unrationed foodstuffs purchased by naval officers' messes are likely seriously to affect supplies for civilians.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will take steps to see that larger quantities of preserves, soft drinks and other foods specially prepared for diabetics are made available in South West England and especially in the city of Plymouth, where such supplies are almost unobtainable.

My right hon. Friend is assured that ample supplies of diabetic foods and drinks are available but if any shopkeeper in the South West is in any difficulties he should get into touch with my Department and he will be put into touch with suppliers.

asked the Minister of Food how many extra ration cards will be necessary following on the introduction of bread rationing.

Two extra ration cards will be used to supplement the coupons in the ration books. Approximately 28 million of these cards will be needed to increase the household rations of approximately 18 million persons.

asked the Minister of Food if he will consider granting doctors in country districts an extra allowance of bread to compensate for the difficulties they experience in obtaining meal? at regular hours.

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

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that bakers are applying for catering licences and informing customers that they will be able to supply them with bread-cakes off the ration so long as they are buttered or have some other filling; and if he will take steps to prevent such traffic.

My right hon. Friend is not aware of the situation mentioned by my hon. Friend, but he is satisfied that the regulations governing the issue of catering licences would be adequate to meet it.

asked the Minister of Food if he will make a statement upon the progress of the bread-rationing scheme.

The bread rationing scheme was put into full operation on 21st July, 1946. It is too early yet to report upon its progress.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the inconvenience experienced by residents in the borough of Reigate owing to delays in receiving attention at the local food office; if any steps are being taken to remedy this matter; and, in particular, whether he will consider opening a sub food office in Redhill for the convenience of residents in that part of the borough.

My right hon. Friend regrets that any avoidable inconvenience and delays should occur when people attend food offices and he will do all he can to ensure that they are reduced to a minimum. The question of setting up a sub office at Redhill is to be considered at once.

asked the Minister of Food what quantity of Malayan pineapples were available for canning during the first half of 1946; whether it was on account of cost that these pineapples were refused by his Department; whether he is aware that the tin plate necessary for canning was not sent from the United Kingdom owing to the fact that the pineapples were not bought for consumption in the United Kingdom; and that considerable quantities of pineapples were accordingly allowed to rot.

My right hon. Friend is informed that some 300 tons of pineapples were available for canning in the first half of this year Proposals for the purchase of canned pineapples were iniated in January, but no offer was received and the question of refusing supplies on account of the cost did not arise. Some tin plate was sent to Malaya which was sufficient for immediate requirements. My right hon. Friend has no information regarding the last part of the Question.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in connection with his recent proposal to limit the maximum cost of providing luncheons and dinners other than in public restaurants, he will undertake to have the fullest consultations with the trade interests concerned in order to ensure that Government hospitality, diplomatic entertainment and industrial, political, scientific and other conferences and meetings shall not be prejudiced; and whether, before bringing any such restriction into force, he will give an opportunity for Parliament to consider the practicability of the scheme and its fairness.

The Order has been made and laid on the Table of the House. My right hon. Friend does not consider that the restriction will materially interfere with such functions or that consultations at this stage would be helpful.

asked the Minister of Food if, in view of the contemplated reduction of milk supplies during the winter, imports of full cream powdered milk can be obtained from the U.S.A.

My right hon. Friend has arranged for the import of substantial quantities of full cream unsweetened condensed milk and skim milk powder from U.S.A. to supplement liquid milk supplies during the coming winter.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will grant special facilities to those who live in districts which are liable to become snowbound for long periods to keep sufficient stores of good flour and oatmeal during the danger months.

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend will make arrangements to meet exceptional circumstances.

asked the Minister of Food if he will cause to be published regularly the allocations of foodstuffs to individual countries recommended by the Combined Food Board.

The figures can be released for publication only by the Council itself with the agreement of the Governments concerned. I understand, however, that it will be the normal practice of the commodity committees of the Council to release Press statements following their meetings, and it may well be that the Council will find it possible to release more information regarding allocations.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will now extend the age limit for the supply of orange juice to 14 years.

My right hon. Friend is advised that children over five years of age obtain an adequate supply of vitamin C from their ordinary diet and he does not propose to extend the age limit as suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Food if he has yet requested the U.S. Government to ensure the supply, before 30th September, of the 200,000 tons of wheat promised to Great Britain to replace stocks diverted to European famine areas in the spring.

The United States Government have promised to make this wheat available for shipment to the United Kingdom by the end of July, if possible, and if not by early August. My right hon. Friend is hopeful that most of it will have been shipped by the end of July.

asked the Minister of Food what is meant by the expression "attempt to consume," in Article 1 of the Meals in Establishments Order, 1946 (S.R. & 0., 1946, No. 1132).

What constitutes an "attempt to consume" can be determined only in the light of the particular circumstances. The express prohibition of an "attempt to consume" which has been inserted in the Meals in Establishments Order ever since it was first promulgated in 1942, is intended to make it clear to the public that in accordance with the well recognised principle of criminal law, acts which fall short of the actual commission of a misdemeanour but establish an attempt to commit that misdemeanour constitute a breach of the Order.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will, by general licence, exempt from the restrictions contained in the Meals in Establishments Order, 1946, acts done in pursuance of contracts entered into before the publication of the said Order.

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that roadmen working for a borough do not receive the special cheese ration whereas rural district roadmen receive this extra allocation, with the result that roadmen in counties may work side by side and do the same job but with different rations; and if he will consider allowing borough roadmen to receive the special cheese ration.

Rural and county roadmen receive a special cheese ration because they are normally employed in areas where there are no catering establishments. Borough roadmen, although they may sometimes be working with rural and county roadmen, are not normally employed in remote areas, and I therefore regret that I am unable to extend the concession to them.

asked the Minister of Food what alteration in the cut of 15 per cent. in the barley supplied to brewers will be necessitated by his decision to increase the supplies of beer during the summer months.

None, Sir. The increased supplies will be obtained by reducing the average gravities of the beer and not by increasing supplies of raw materials.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will see that beer supplies are more fairly distributed over the country and between public-houses and clubs.

Brewers have been instructed to distribute their supplies of beer fairly between their customers including tied houses, free houses and clubs. There is still a greatly increased demand for beer, and it is possible that there will be local and temporary shortages, notwithstanding the forthcoming increase in supplies.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will take steps to see that publicans receive full measure in the casks of beer which they receive.

My right hon. Friend is not aware that publicans do not receive full measure, but if any publican receives less than his supplier has contracted to supply the publican has his normal remedies.

asked the Minister of Food what steps he is taking to increase the supply of beer.

Instructions have been issued to every brewer to reduce the average gravity of his beer by 10 percent. as from 1st August next, but no brewer will be required to reduce his average gravity below 1,030 degrees.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the figures, expressed in sterling, for the exports for the first year of trading after the 1914–18 war and the figures for the first year of trading after the end of the European war.

The recorded value of exports was £799 million in 1919 and 597 million in the 12th months ended May, 1946. To allow for trade with Eire being internal in 1919, an addition of roughly 5 per cent. should be made to the figure for that year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that the arrangements made for modifications of the export scheme in connection with the wool trade which came into force on 1st June are working smoothly, and if he has any further statement to make.

I am satisfied that these changes relating to wool cloth are working smoothly and are beneficial to the export trade. Further modifications, in the direction of relaxing the export allocation system, will be made as soon as supplies permit.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the position with regard to the building of new factories for the employment of men suspended from the mining industry through silicosis; and whether he will give details of the building programme with the localities and the dates on which work on the new factories is expected to be commenced.

The Board of Trade is building nine factories of approximately 25,000 square feet each in accordance with the recommendations in the White Paper (Cmd. 6719). Building work on two factories at Llwyn-Lia was started on 12th July. Work on factories at Tumble and Bargoed started on 19th July. Work on factories at Ponthenry and Amman-ford is expected to begin in the first week in August. Tenders for two factories at Ferndale will be received by 30th July and work will be started a few days later. At Garnant, a right of entry upon the selected site has not yet been obtained; but it is hoped to gain this shortly and the building contract will then be let.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether arrangements will be made to enable the proposed Trade Mission to China to travel in one of the latest British civil aircraft and to use such aircraft during their tour through China in order to provide tangible proof of the progressive nature of British industry today.

I am in consultation with my noble Friend the Minister of Civil Aviation with a view to making the best possible air travel arrangements for this Mission. The value of using the most suitable types of British civil aircraft for this purpose is fully appreciated by all concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade for what place and date a conference of British Commonwealth countries has been called by the Government to consider Imperial Preferences.

A firm date has not yet been fixed for the meeting of the proposed International Conference to consider trade and employment questions, including tariffs and preferences. The Government has told other Commonwealth Governments that when a date has been fixed they propose to invite them to a full preliminary discussion in London on the questions which will arise at the conference.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that owing to the withdrawal of his Department's allocations of cotton and rayon piece goods to manufacturers of made-up garments, they are now unable to obtain sufficient supplies fully to employ their present labour force; and what steps does he propose to take to overcome this difficulty.

No, Sir. The withdrawal of the allocation system did not affect the quantity of cloth available. Cloth supplies to the clothing industry generally have in fact increased since the change was made, and every effort is being made still further to increase them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that deliveries of utility furniture are six months in arrears to small country towns, whereas supplies in larger cities exceed demand; and if he will take steps to see the smaller towns receive quicker supplies.

No, Sir. Although delays in delivery of certain classes of utility goods do occur, I have no reason to believe that small towns are on the whole worse off in this respect than larger places. If, however, the hon. Member will let me have details of specific cases of delay, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now publish the list of French men and women who have been awarded British decorations in recognition of their work for Britain during the war.

No, Sir. It would be invidious to publish the list of awards made to French nationals without doing the same in the case of nationals of other countries. The number of such awards is so large that I think the labour and expense involved would not be justifiable in the public interest.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many British correspondents were refused admission into Yugoslavia to report the Mihailovitch trial; and how many correspondents wishing to report on U.N.R.R.A. activities in Yugoslavia have also been refused admission.

I am aware of one case in which a representative of the Press who wished to investigate the distribution of U.N.R.R.A. goods and also to report on the Mihalovitch trial was refused admission to Yugoslavia. I understand, however, that she had in the first instance attempted to enter the country without the necessary authority, and the Yugoslav Government did not feel able to accede to a request by His. Majesty's representative that, in spite of this, she should be granted a visa. No other cases in which correspondents have been refused permission to enter Yugoslavia have been brought to my notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to hand over to the newly-formed Austrian Government all former German property now under British control in the British zone of Austria, as has been done by the U.S.A.

I am now considering, in conjunction with the United States Government and the other Governments concerned, the manner in which best to fulfil the requirements of the Potsdam Agreement in respect of German assets in Austria, while taking into consideration the responsibilities assumed by the Governments concerned under the Declaration of Moscow. Under the circumstances, I am not able at this time to make a statement on the intentions of His Majesty's Government with regard to German property in the British zone of Austria.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that demobilised ratings and ratings who are on final release leave, are experiencing difficulty in cashing the crossed cheques by which payment is made to them, as neither banks nor post offices will accept such cheques; and whether he will make arrangements to overcome this difficulty.

It is hoped to arrange a method of payment which will be easier, at any rate for the majority of the men concerned, as soon as printing and other arrangements can be completed.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that in the early stages of the national emergency volunteers for enlistment in the Royal Navy were informed that there was no entry on a hostilities-only basis, and that enlistment was required for seven years' active service and five years on the naval reserve; that in some instances recruits were informed in addition that opportunities would be provided later for transfers to a hostilities-only basis; and whether he can now receive applications from those affected to be considered for a hostilities-only engagement.

Hostilities-only recruits were not accepted for most branches of the Royal Navy until some months after the beginning of the war. All men accepting regular engagements signed a form stating, amongst other things, that they had not been induced to serve by promise of discharge before the end of their engagement. Any contrary suggestions which may have been made to them were entirely unauthorised. The Admiralty intend, however, as soon as conditions permit, to consider applications for transfer to hostilities-only conditions, from men who accepted regular engagements in that period of the war when it was not possible to engage for hostilities only. As regards the last part of the Question, I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Dodds-Parker) on 10th July.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is yet in a position to announce the postwar rate of pay for naval chaplains.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the business premises of Mr. W. A. Schooley, Brighton Grand Garage, which were requisitioned by his Department in 19,41, have not yet been released, although only a small amount of equipment is being stored there; and what action he proposes taking.

Until 1945, the garage in question was in use as an instructional centre. Latterly, it has been used for the storage of Admiralty furniture, etc., awaiting disposal, but it will be released from requisition by the end of the present month.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what adjustments are contemplated to long-service naval pen

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War yesterday.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the numbers eligible and the numbers who have actually volunteered and been accepted, in the various branches, under the special short service scheme of three or four years extension to present engagements.

Some 600,000 men who have served in the Navy for two years were eligible to volunteer for this scheme. The numbers who had volunteered up to 30th June were as follow:sions by reason of the retirement pensions benefits proposed under the National Insurance Bill.

This matter is still under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is his projected programme for release of naval schoolmasters; how many groups they are in arrear of the general releases; and how soon he hopes to have them all square.

At the present time, naval schoolmasters are 22 groups behind the level of the general releases in the Navy, and some 10 groups behind the general releases in the other Services. The requirement of a large number of schoolmasters for the educational and vocational training scheme unfortunately means that releases from many branches of the Navy will be completed before that of schoolmasters. Under the programme, which I give below, however, they will have nearly caught up with general releases from the other two Services by the end of the year.The programme of release for schoolmasters is as follows:

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that at H.M.S. "Euroclydon," 3rd, 4th and 5th class engine-room artificers are not being messed in accordance with Article 626 of K.R. and A.I.s; and if he will take steps to bring this practice to an end.

I am inquiring into this matter.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how long the cottages at Bond's Mill, Stonehouse, have been unoccupied; and when he expects that they will be reconditioned and let to local Admiralty employees.

There are three cottages at Bond's Mill, Stonehouse. One is still occupied by an employee of the previous occupant of the mill; another is being temporarily used by that company for storage and the third, formerly also used for storage, has been empty for some months. The cottages are old and dilapidated, but it is proposed to recondition them as soon as possible, after which they will be offered to Admiralty employees at the storage depot.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he has considered the letter, sent to him by the hon. Member for Upton, concerning the compulsory church parade of Royal Marines at Sandwich, Kent; and whether he will make a statement in connection therewith.

Officers and men not on duty are expected to attend divine service on Sundays unless permission to be absent is obtained on the ground of religious scruples. In H.M.S. "Robertson," at Sandwich, the service is held in the small ship's chapel, where the accommodation is limited and small parties of men have been detailed to attend. I regret to say that on a recent occasion a non-commissioned officer misinterpreted the instructions which he had received about men claiming to have religious scruples. I am taking steps to ensure that it does not occur again.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why 70 radio mechanics, Class 2, in H.M.S. "Collingwood" have been kept waiting 14 weeks for their Part II training to commence and have been refused a transfer to other branches on the ground that the Navy is short of radio mechanics.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Cardiff, South (Mr. Callaghan) on 17th of this month.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how long it will take to connect all the applicants for telephones to the Sale exchange after the extension to the exchange has been completed.

Provided there are no unforeseen difficulties, it is expected that most, if not all, of the present waiting applicants will be connected within about five months of the completion of the extension to the Sale exchange.

asked the Minister of Supply how many airframe designers and draughtsmen are working under his direction; and in what proportion they are divided between civil and Service aeroplanes.

The Ministry of Supply does not directly undertake the design of aircraft. Airframe designers and draughtsmen employed in the aircraft industry number aproximately 3,700, of whom about 38 per cent. are estimated to be working on civil aircraft.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has now concluded an agreement as to the number of foreign trawlers entitled to land fish in north-east Scottish ports; and, if so, will he state its terms, specifying the ports and the quantity of fish which may be landed in each.

In view of the pressure on landing and distributing facilities, informal arrangements have been made to regulate the number of foreign fishing boats to land fish at Aberdeen and Buckie. The arrangements relate to the number of boats which may discharge and not to the quantities of fish. The total number is 30 at Buckie and 151 at Aberdeen. The boats are of the smaller or slower types of vessel and are mainly engaged in seine net fishing. Except in the case of Faroese boats, which normally land at considerable intervals, boats are not to land oftener than once a fortnight.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will give a list of the names of judges, lawyers and their assistants representing this country at any time at the trials of war criminals in every part of the world; and the fees, salaries and expenses involved from the beginning up to date in each case.

The following have been engaged in the trials of the major war criminals at Nuremberg:Tribunal: