asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that Polish soldiers who enrol in the Resettlement Corps do not forfeit their Polish nationality.

Every attempt has been made to explain to the Polish Provisional Government the reasons for which an organisation on the lines of the Polish Resettlement Corps is necessary in order to provide for the settlement in civil life in this country or overseas of Poles who hesitate to return to Poland in existing circumstances. I regret to inform the House that on 12th September, while these diplomatic exchanges were continuing, the Polish Minister of Defence announced publicly that Poles joining the Resettlement Corps might lose their nationality under the law of 20th January, 1920. A number of Poles have since been deprived of their nationality. His Majesty's Government are still in communication with the Polish Provisional Government on this subject.

Can my hon. Friend say whether there is any good reason why we should not take the sensible step of removing these men from the control of the War Office and placing them under the control of the Minister of Labour?

The Corps, as my hon. Friend knows, is not a military organisation, but anyone who has had to deal with these problems knows that, for administrative reasons, there is a great deal to be said for the present arrangement.

If it is not a military organisation, why are they being kept in military uniform?

I cannot say more than that anyone with experience of dealing with these vast numbers of men will know that, unless we deal with them on lines like this, we get into a terrible mess.

If they are not under military control, would it not do away with the difficulty with which they meet in their own country of losing their nationality, which is quite an important thing, on joining the Forces of a foreign land?

As I explained in my reply, diplomatic negotiations are in progress and perhaps I had better not say anything until these have been completed.

Is it not supremely important that a way should be kept open for these men to return to Poland one day even if they cannot do so at present?

Certainly, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give particulars of the reply received to his protest against the arrest and imprisonment, by the Polish Security Police, of Private Alvin Vincent, of the York and Lancaster Regiment; and whether the Polish Provisional Government have undertaken to pay compensation for the tortures inflicted on Private Vincent.

Private Vincent, who was released from a Polish prison on 2nd October, made a preliminary statement to His Majesty's Embassy at Warsaw, but has since been sent to Berlin for interrogation by the British military authorities there, the report of which is not yet available. Meanwhile His Majesty's Ambassador has made representations to the Polish Provisional Government regarding Private Vincent's complaints that he was not allowed to communicate with His Majesty's Embassy or Consular officers during his detention and that he received an injury at the hands of a Polish captain. No reply has yet been received from the Polish Provisional Government to these representations.

Did he not also state that for four hours he was placed under a shower bath on an icy cold floor, was awakened at two o'clock the following morning and again placed under this shower for another four hours, and that this process of torture was repeated seven times?

No, Sir, that is not yet our information.

Will the Minister read "The People" of yesterday?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any date has been definitely fixed for the General Election in Poland; and whether, in view of the Yalta and Potsdam agreements, he has given his approval of the new electoral law disfranchising organisations tending to upset the democratic régime of the Polish State.

So far as I know, no date has been fixed. The text of the electoral law is still under examination. I will have a translation of it placed in the Library of the House.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that under the clause which I have just quoted, it is perfectly possible to exclude all the opposition parties and to prevent them from voting?

The law is extremely long and complicated. It is under examination, and perhaps the hon. Member will excuse me if I do not comment now.

Is it not time that we put an end to this continued delay in holding an election in Poland?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arms and military supplies have been supplied on behalf of His Majesty's Government to the Greek Government during the last six months; and what further arms and military supplies it is intended to supply.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what application for arms has been received from the Greek Government; and on what conditions that request has been, or is to be, granted by His Majesty's Government.

The hon. Members will be aware that His Majesty's Government undertook in October, 1945, to make available free of charge certain additional initial equipment for the Greek Army and gendarmerie, the estimated value of which would be about £11 million It was understood at that time that the Greek Government would pay for the maintenance of their Armed Forces as from 1st January, 1946. It has since become clear that the Greek Government are unable to do this, and His Majesty's Government accordingly undertook some months ago to assist them in meeting this cost until 31st March, 1947. The actual arrangements to this end, and the estimates of the cost, are not yet complete. The Greek Government have, moreover, very recently suggested to His Majesty's Government that, in view of the deterioration in the state of law and order in Greece, the scales hitherto agreed between the British and Greek military authorities to be the minimum necessary should be increased in certain respects. These proposals are at present being examined.

In view of the grave dangers which would arise in Greece from intervention with arms by Russia, Yugoslavia, Great Britain, or any other Power, would the Minister state definitely that he will not agree to arm a Greek militia?

We have not been approached officially on that question. I gather that it has been raised in Greece, but, as it is rather a different matter, perhaps the hon. Member would put down a special Question.

Can the Minister give any assurance at all to allay the fear that such arms as these may find their way to equip not a truly national impartial Army, but the particular partisans of the present very dubious régime for the purpose of subduing their political opponents?

Our commitments only deal with the regular Greek Forces.

What does my hon. Friend mean by saying that no request has been made officially for the arming of a private Army in Greece, but that such a request has been made in Greece? Does he mean that it has been made to the British Ambassador, or not?

I merely mean that this matter has been under discussion in Greece, not with ourselves or on an official level, but that it has been raised by the Greeks.

Has it been raised with British representatives?

No, Sir. I am sorry I used the word "raised" incorrectly. All I meant to say was that no official communication has been made to His Majesty's Government in this connection.

Is my hon. Friend aware that a more democratic representation in the Greek Government would do away with the necessity of such arming altogether?

asked the Minister of Transport whether, having regard to the abolition of the Government's road haulage organisation and to the revocation of the Road Transport of Goods Order, 1944, he will take steps to rescind Regulation 73B as being no longer necessary

In my reply to the hon. Member for Monmouth (Mr. P. Thorneycroft) on 8th July, I explained that Defence Regulation 73B would remain in force in case of any breakdown of the arrangements made with the Road Haulage Association.

Does the right hon. Gentleman anticipate any breakdown?

I do not anticipate any breakdown, and I think this regulation is an assurance that there will not be any.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the existence and maintenance of the regulation causes a considerable amount of worry to road hauliers, and, as it is doubtful whether any future proposal to nationalise the industry will become law, why does not the right hon. Gentleman abolish the regulation altogether?

I am not aware of any worry on this account, but, on the second point, possibly, yes.

What sort of breakdown has the right hon. Gentleman in mind? This sort of regulation only stops lorries from running.

asked the Minister of Transport whether it was by his authority that the Great North Road, at Stevenage, was closed to traffic on 24th September; and whether he will take steps to prevent transit on the trunk roads of the country being interrupted by local festivities.

I am informed that under a charter granted in the Seventeenth Century the local council at Stevenage has the right to hold an annual fair in the middle of the town on a site which includes part of the Great North Road. The fair was held this year on 24th September, and for that purpose the Stevenage Urban District Council caused the road to be closed under the provisions of Section 21 of the Town Police Clauses Act, 1847. Notice of the intention to close the road was not given to me as highway authority of the trunk road; but travellers were warned of the diversion by means of notices posted at suitable sites along the road. It appears doubtful whether I have any power to prevent the closure of the road in the circumstances stated, but I will certainly pursue the matter with a view to minimising the inconvenience to traffic caused by these ancient rights and privileges.

I appreciate the conservatism which leads the right hon. Gentleman to issue instructions, but does he really mean that this trunk highway may be closed on 24th September every year; and will he consult with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Town and Country Planning with a view to moving the township a mile or two to the East or the West?

We certainly appear to want a liberal interpretation of this character. I have stated the facts to the hon. Gentleman, and the future will lead to further examination.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has been able to make any arrangements regarding the Padgate R.A.F. Personnel Reception Depot, the Bisley Royal Ordnance Factory and the Burtonwood R.A.F. Station, so that the construction of the proposed new main road lying to the north of Warrington may be undertaken; or what are the difficulties causing delay.

This is a matter for the responsible highway authorities in the first instance. I have had no approach from them on the subject.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the high speed and ill-direction of much traffic which passes along the street between the Houses of Parliament and No. 5, Old Palace Yard, he will recommend the placing of an island to assist Members, constituents and secretaries who frequently cross to No. 5, and to define the lanes of traffic at this point.

I am considering, with the Commissioner of Police and the Westminster City Council, both suggestions made by my hon. Friend, with a view to increasing the safety of all road users. I would, however, remind him that there is a pedestrian crossing in St. Margaret's Street which is police controlled when the House is sitting, and that the use of this crossing by persons going from St. Stephen's Hall to No. 5, Old Palace Yard involves an extra distance of only 50 yards.

Will the Minister bear in mind that there has already been one fatal accident there in the last month, that there are already six by-elections pending, and that Ministers' and hon. Members' secretaries are very hard to replace?

As I have indicated, I am aware of that, and am consulting the police and the Westminster City Council.

When the Minister speaks about a distance of an extra 50 yards, will he bear in mind that some hon. Members cannot afford an extra 50 yards when the Division bells are sounded?

Better to miss a Division than to a miss a limb.

Will the Minister bear in mind that even 50 yards is a personal hardship?

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that drivers of private-hire vehicles are working unreasonable hours; and if he is prepared to introduce legislation to extend the existing provisions of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, limiting the hours of work of drivers of service and heavy-goods vehicles, to cover the hours of work of drivers of private-hire vehicles.

I have received representations to the effect that the hours worked by drivers of private-hire vehicles are in some cases excessive. Apart from the fact that conditions are still far from normal in this type of transport, any scheme of control over private-hire vehicles, of which statutory control of hours could only be part, would involve legislation, and of this I see no early prospect.

Is the Minister aware that thousands of men are being exploited in this way every day; and will he bear in mind that the interim report in 1939 of the inter-Departmental committee on cabs and private-hire vehicles recommended that conditions as to hours of duty should be attached to the licences involved?

Yes, Sir. I have very great sympathy with the point of view which the hon. Member has expressed, and I consider there is substance in it. However, it requires legislation, of which, as I have indicated, at the moment I see no prospect.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, and by what date, all motorists at present holding provisional driving licences will have to pass a driving test.

I would ask my hon. Friend to await the legislation which I shall shortly be introducing.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made with arrangements for dealing with the headlight dazzle problem.

Arrangements have recently been made for the technical aspects of this matter to be re-examined by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in consultation with the technical officers of my Department. The problems are such that it may be some time before results can be achieved.

Is it not a fact that these arrangements have been going on for a long time? The problem is urgent. Will the right hon. Gentleman see that something is done about it?

I do not quite see how one can fasten upon the Minister the responsibility of solving the problem of dazzle lights. I can only promote all possible inquiries, hoping that at some time or another a solution will be evolved.

Can the right hon. Gentleman do something to make available the electrical appliance—I believe it is called the solenoid—so as to make the dippers work? Is he aware that these things are unprocurable on the market, that they have been unprocurable ever since the war, and that the garage people are telling motorists that they simply cannot get them?

I will certainly make a note of that point.

Will the right hon. Gentleman expedite the planting of central paths in dual carriage ways to provide an anti-dazzle screen between the dual carriage ways?

That is a development with which, I hope, we shall be able to proceed.

asked the Lord President of the Council to what extent the Road Research Laboratory is engaged on research into questions of safety on the roads; how the expenditure on this research is borne; and whether, in view of the encouraging results to date, steps are to be taken to expand and increase this work at the earliest opportunity.

The scope of the Road Research Laboratory has included road safety only since December, 1945. Separate Committees of the Road Research Board are now active in the study of the three main divisions of the subject—the vehicle, the road and the road user—and a fourth committee is considering accident statistics. The Committee on Road Users has been appointed jointly by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and the Medical Research Council, the latter body being concerned with the investigation of the human factors. Research work is already in hand on a number of problems, including those associated with the production of suitable road surfaces, with the design of road junctions, and with headlamp dazzle and vehicle performance tests. The cost of road research is largely borne on the vote of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, but the cost of full scale experiments on the public highway is borne by the Road Fund, and the Medical Research Council will bear the cost of investigations that they undertake. Subject to the severe restrictions at present imposed by the shortage of scientific manpower, everything possible is being done to expand the work of the Road Research Organisation on questions of road safety.

Could the right hon. Gentleman also appoint a committee to inquire into the extent to which this Government is leading this country down the road to serfdom?

asked the Minister of Transport if he has considered the details, which have been sent to him, about the delay in shipping owing to the centralisation of control; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Transport the circumstances in which two ships, "Samtrent" and "Savigna," were bought from the U.S. Government for the conveyance of Pearl Harbour coal dust for Singapore, and 8,000 tons of this article were consigned there; as it was found on arrival that the coal dust was not required and was re-consigned to Batavia, if he will say whether the cargoes are still afloat; and what will be the cost of this transaction to the British taxpayer.

There was serious congestion during the summer at Singapore, with consequent delay in the discharge of vessels. The handling capacity of the port, owing to labour difficulties and to war damage to the storage and clearance facilities, proved inadequate for the large amounts of military and commercial cargo entering the port for the rehabilitation of the area. Energetic measures were taken to relieve the congestion, by improving the clearance facilities and by restricting imports to the most essential cargoes. I am informed that the congestion of cargo on the wharves has been considerably reduced. Further improvement is expected from the rebuilding of transit sheds. As regards the two vessels carrying coal to Singapore, these were chartered from the U.S. Government. The coal was purchased and shipped by the military authorities for civilian use in Malaya. On arrival at Singapore the coal was found to differ considerably from the original specification and was rejected by the local authorities as unsuitable. The Special Commissioner was pressed to dispose of this coal elsewhere in order to free the ships, and, after considerable difficulty, the greater part was sold to Batavia, where the two vessels have now discharged, the balance of the coal having been discharged at Singapore. The cost of the delay to the two ships is approximately £30,000.

Do I understand from the right hon. Gentleman that these ships were chartered to carry coal dust, and that it was not really coal which went over the ocean at the expense of the British taxpayer? What has happened to these two ships, and where is the coal dust now?

I have stated the facts to the hon. Member. My position is to provide the shipping. If the hon. Member wants further information, he must put his questions elsewhere.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his answer is a complete travesty? Is he aware that the serious delay in shipping at Singapore is due to centralised control, that ships are arriving with empty cargo space and that pilferage of British goods at the expense of the British taxpayer is very serious? Will the right hon. Gentleman have further inquiries made, because it is stopping the vital export trade of this country?

As I explained to the hon. Member, the difficulties arise directly from the war, and steps were taken immediately to improve the discharge of cargoes.

I do not want to embarrass the Minister, but will he give the House of Commons an undertaking that transactions of this kind, which indicate imbecility in the Administration, will not occur?

asked the Minister of Transport how many passenger-carrying vessels of over 2,000 tons are still requisitioned.

The number of passenger-carrying vessels of over 2,000 tons still requisitioned is 93, of which 73 are in service, and 20, including some of the largest vessels, are in course of reconversion and reconditioning prior to redelivery to owners.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what proportion of vessels is about to be released to the rightful owners?

I have just stated that an additional 20 are in process of reconversion for redelivery.

Can the Minister say when the remainder will be delivered?

Are there any vessels formerly employed between Great Britain and Northern Ireland among those vessels?

Not in this particular group, but there are some in the cross-channel service.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement as to the Government's intentions regarding the return of ships and the control of shipping to the owners.

The Government's decision to release shipping from requisition was announced in December last and effect has been given to it. The requirements of trooping make it necessary to retain a number of passenger ships in this service, but a substantial proportion of such vessels has already been released for reconditioning. In order to ensure the maintenance of essential supplies, it is still necessary to control the employment of shipping by licence.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the sooner he can return these ships to people who understand their management, the better?

I have done that very ex-peditiously, and the whole of these arrangements are made in agreement with the trade and the industry itself.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that in allocating priority sea passages the Sea Passage Priority Board are, in some cases, granting a priority passage to the wife and not to the husband; that many of these applications for priority passages are on health and compassionate grounds, and that it is quite unfair to divide up families in this way; and if he will instruct the Board to consider applications from a family as a whole.

Applications for passages on health and compassionate grounds are considered from families as a whole as well as from individuals. Owing to the shortage of accommodation, only the strongest cases qualify for priority for the whole family on these grounds Where it is impossible to offer berths to the whole family, either the husband or wife is given a passage. If my hon. Friend will let me know of any case where the granting of priority to a part of a family has caused undue hardship, I shall be happy to reconsider it.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that goods supplied duty-free for use on board some British ships are sold to the members of the crew at charges which include the duty, and that the prices are fixed at the discretion of the ship's master; if he will take steps to ensure that the duty is not charged to the crews under such circumstances and that the prices for cigarettes, matches, sweets, soap, etc., on all British-owned vessels will in future be controlled; and if he will arrange for a list of these prices to be posted in all shipping offices.

The arrangements for the provision and sale of tobacco, cigarettes, sweets, etc., are the responsibility of the owners or masters and have already been the subject of discussion by the National Maritime Board, on which the officers' and seamen's organisations, as well as shipowners, are fully represented. As a result, owners were asked to instruct masters that the prices to be charged to the crew should only include a reasonable margin over cost price to cover insurance, wastage, and a small profit. If my hon. Friend will furnish me with details of any excessive charges, I will arrange for inquiries to be made.

Is the Minister aware that on different ships different prices are charged for the same commodity?

It is very difficult to deal with the general problem. If my hon. Friend will submit any evidence I will make special inquiries.

Has the Minister any opportunity at all of investigating these prices from time to time? Are they submitted to him? Is he aware that there is considerable agitation amongst crews in respect of the prices charged, particularly for tobacco and cigarettes?

As I have indicated in my reply, this is really a matter for the National Martime Board, of which the officers' and men's organisations are a part. If the matter is not resolved to their satisfaction views can always be conveyed to me.

asked the Minister of Transport how many refrigerator ships are now employed in the repatriation of German war prisoners from this country to German ports; why those ships are so used instead of in the transport of food for which they are specially fitted; and when Government-controlled shipping will be restored to private management and direction.

The answer to the first part is none, Sir, and the second part does not arise. As far as the last part of the Question is concerned, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar Question asked by the hon. Member for Lonsdale (Sir I. Fraser).

Would the Minister indicate to the House at what point of time in the near future the management of these ships will be given over to the private owners instead of being administered by his Department?

I am afraid the hon. Gentleman is under a considerable misapprehension. In the main the management of ships is already in the hands of the present owners. The licence is reserved for special circumstances, as I indicated, in general agreement with the industry.

asked the Minister of Transport when it is proposed to reconstruct Potters Bar L.N.E.R. station in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report on the train accident of 10th February, 1946, prepared by Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Alan Mount.

The Company inform me that a scheme is now being prepared to meet Sir Alan Mount's recommendation for the reconstruction of Potters Bar Station and that the necessary Parliamentary powers will be sought in the forthcoming Session.

Will the Minister give an assurance that the reconstruction of Potters Bar Station will be subject to the promise that he gave me many months ago, that the reconstruction of Twickenham Station would have priority—especially in view of the great importance of Twickenham?

asked the Minister of Transport the reason for the embargo on deliveries of goods forwarded by rail from Leeds to Ramsey, Huntingdonshire; and how long it is intended that that embargo shall last.

The restriction was imposed by the London and North Eastern Railway to relieve congestion caused mainly by a shortage of locomotive power. The restriction will be removed as soon as the congestion has been cleared.

Is the Minister aware that this embargo is holding up the supply of essential fittings for the housing programme in the Ramsey district and, bearing that in mind, would he give an undertaking that the restriction will be removed in, shall we say, a fortnight?

If the hon. Member has any special particulars of that kind and will furnish me with them, I will see what can be done to deal with them, but I doubt whether his statement is correct.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has now considered the representations made to him on behalf of railway superannuitants; and if he will state the action he proposes to take in the matter.

I have received the representations on this difficult problem and they are still under examination.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has considered the Report of the Charges Consultative Committee on proposed increases in L.P.T.B. fares; what action he proposes to take on such a report; and when it will be published.

I have received the Report and propose to make a statement at an early date.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the delays that occur on the No. 11 omnibus route, due to the fact that these omnibuses seem to travel in convoy and to the resultant hold up at the check points; and if he will ask the L.P.T.B. to look into this matter and, if possible, arrange for a stricter schedule to be kept.

This service operates with a headway of two minutes over a relatively short route, which passes through a large number of congested traffic points, and it carries a large number of short-distance passengers. Some "bunching" of omnibuses is, therefore, inevitable, but the London Passenger Transport Board give close supervision to the operation of this service in order to maintain the scheduled interval as closely as possible.

Has the Minister brought this Question to the notice of the London Passenger Transport Board?

Yes. This is a longstanding difficulty. I have again asked the L.P.T.B. to make a special investigation into its possible improvement.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, if he is aware that British subjects sentenced for offences in Germany may be kept in prison in Germany under German guards and on rations of under 1,250 calories or which are, in any case, much lower than those given to convicts in His Majesty's prisons in the United Kingdom; and if he will give an assurance that British subjects sentenced to imprisonment in Germany are brought back at once to serve their sentences in the United Kingdom.

British subjects and other nationals of the United Nations are detained in a special wing of a prison which is staffed by properly trained German warders but with a British supervisory staff. United Nations prisoners receive an average ration of 1,811 calories a day, as compared with German normal consumer ration of 1,550 calories, and there are special rations for those in hospital. I appreciate that this scale is lower than that given to prisoners in this country, and this matter is under consideration. I am advised that legislation would be required to authorise the transfer of persons sentenced in Germany to prisons in the United Kingdom.

Would the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that this legislation will be introduced at an early date? Does he agree that it is extremely unsatisfactory that British prisoners should be under German guards in German prisons?

I cannot give any assurance as to the date when that legislation will be introduced, but it is our purpose that such legislation should be introduced. In regard to the circumstances referred to in the latter part of the supplementary question, I would remind the hon. and gallant Gentleman that the answer indicates that these men, whilst under direct domestic German warders, are under the supervision of British personnel.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much potash is produced in the British zone of Germany; and how it is disposed of.

In July and August of this year, the total production of potash fertiliser amounted to 76,400 tons, all of which was retained in the British zone. For figures of production and allocation up to the end of June this year, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given to a Question by the hon. Member for Bodmin (Mr. Douglas Marshall) on 15th July last.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proportion of the officers of the Control Commission for Germany are classed as talking fluent German.

No statistics are available. No German language test is applied to those appointed to the Commission (apart from interpreters) although in recruiting staff for the British element of the Control Commission the ability of applicants to speak German is taken into consideration. Many of the staff of the Commission possess or are acquiring knowledge of German, and fluent German speakers are available for posts where this is necessary.

Does the hon. Gentleman think that the President of the Board of Trade would engage officials in this country without asking them if they knew English?

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what reduction in the staff of the Control Commission for Germany has resulted from the integration of the British zone with the United States zone.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the estimated reductions and adjustments achieved and anticipated, in the British Control Commission staff consequent upon the merging of the British and American zones in Germany.

Plans for the reduction of the staff of the British element of the Control Commission, particularly in the economic fields, are being prepared, and this will be assisted by the integration of the British and American zones. I am sorry it is not possible at this stage to give figures.

Is it the case that arrangements are contemplated in the Russian zone that would enable still further reductions to be effected?

May we not expect an appreciable reduction if there is further integration? Is not the Minister aware that there is criticism of our administration on the ground that much of the work is dual government, and could be done by the Germans themselves? Is he aware that the Estimates Committee said we should aim at getting quality rather than quantity?

I am, of course, aware of all these factors, which are amongst the reasons why these plans are being prepared for drastic reductions in staff.

Is it not the fact that, apart from the integration, plans for a reduction in personnel were actually in hand in May of this year? Will the Minister say what has happened?

It is true that plans for the reduction of staff have been made before and have been carried out. We are now visualising still further reductions.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind, in spite of the necessity to reduce staffs, the need to distinguish between the political and economic integration of the two zones, in view of the different political conceptions between ourselves and the other administrators of Germany?

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether in view of the importance of the development of a democratic trade union movement in Germany, he intends to appoint a person actively sympathetic to trade unions to a senior position in the Manpower Division of the Control Commission.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster why German war disability pensions have been discontinued or reduced.

These pensions have now been assimilated into the normal system of social insurance pensions in Germany. They were abolished as military pensions by quadripartite decision, first, because their continuation involved the maintenance of military service records which, in the interest of total dispersal of the German Armed Forces, it was deemed desirable to destroy; secondly, because it is inequitable that disabled Wehrmacht pensioners should receive greater benefits than other disabled persons; and thirdly, because benefits were on a scale that Germany could not in present conditions afford. The scale of benefits is subject to review, and consultations are now proceeding with the German Advisory Council in our zone.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster why a man who had been a member of the Nazi Party since 1933 was permitted to fill the appointment of Director-General of Railways in the British zone of Germany.

I presume my hon. Friend is referring to Dr. Liebrand, who died in August. This man's record was investigated and his death forestalled his dismissal. I am having further inquiries made about his appointment, and will communicate with my hon. Friend later.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I was not referring to Dr. Liebrand, but to Dr. Busch, who was appointed, in spite of the fact that he had been a member of the Nazi Party since 1933, to succeed Dr. Liebrand?

I must apologise, but the terms of the Question suggested that the individual in question was Dr. Liebrand. Dr. Busch, his successor, had not been a member of the Nazi Party since 1933, so far as our records suggest. The only information we have about Dr. Busch is that he applied for membership of the Party in 1938, but was refused, presumably on the ground that he was a fervent Catholic. Dr. Busch has, incidentally, been approved by the four occupying Powers for a senior post in the German Central Transport Department if and when that is established, and the records of Dr. Busch are at present under examination.

If the hon. Gentleman is given Dr. Busch's Party number will he look into the matter further?

We have already the number in question, but it is not substantiated that that number does, in fact, represent his membership of the Nazi Party, which is the point into which we are inquiring at the moment.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what arrangements have been made to return to the German trade unions the property stolen from them in 1933.

The occupying Powers have agreed that such property should be returned, where title or succession can be established. In the British zone claims for restitution of property by trade unions are being examined by a Claims Committee formed from the zonal trade union conference.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether arrangements have now been made to enable HANSARD to be posted from this country to responsible political, religious and journalistic leaders in Germany and Austria.

As regards Germany, HANSARD comes within the scheme announced in the Press last week under which newspapers and periodicals may be ordered through publishers, newsagents and booksellers and posted by them to any individual in the British zone or British sector of Berlin. We are discussing with our Allies the extension of this scheme to the other three zones. It has been possible for individuals in this country to post newspapers and periodicals, including HANSARD, direct to persons in all four zones of Austria since 25th July.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will now give instructions that nothing of any value is to be blown up in the British zone and that any buildings or equipment which it is considered must be removed under the Potsdam Agreement shall in future be moved in an orderly fashion and not by dynamite.

In general we are already working on the lines suggested by my hon Friend. Demolitions required to conform to the Potsdam Agreement are carried out with explosives only when other methods are impracticable, e.g., in the case of pill boxes and flak towers and gun emplacements. Normal housebreaking methods are used whenever possible and care is taken to preserve material suitable for later use.

If that is the case, why the idiotic blowing-up of the yard of Bloehm und Voss, in which 12,500 tons of useful steel were converted into twisted scrap which can now only be made useful by using coal, which we have not got in the zone?

The episode in question took place some time ago. It was carried out because it is not always either practical or economical to demolish by other means structures which can equally effectively, and more economically and speedily, be demolished by explosives. Since then, the blowing up or dismantling of a pile of scrap iron has been an economic question, but the policy which is in operation is the one to which I have referred.

Does my hon. Friend really suggest that converting into twisted scrap is the best way of making use of what was useful steel?

It is a question between making it into a pile of twisted scrap in a few minutes, or making it into a pile of dismantled scrap in a few months or years

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster why instructions have been given for the destruction of the deep-water wharves and quays at Kiel, and how it is proposed to maintain a population of nearly 300,000 persons in that district if no ocean-going vessels are in consequence able to dock there.

The deep-water wharves and quays in question are naval installations, the destruction of which is an essential measure in the disarmament of Germany to which we are committed by the Potsdam Agreement. Full consideration will be given to preserving at Keil any facilities which will be required for its peaceful trade. The dockyard facilities at Kiel were confined before the war almost entirely to the service of the German navy, cargo services being handled at Hamburg, Lubecke, Wilhelmshafen and other ports. The problem of finding alternative employment for workers displaced as a result of disarmament is one which is receiving the attention both of the Control Commission and German authorities responsible for reconstruction.

Can my hon. Friend assure the House that instructions have been given by his Department to cancel the orders which have already been issued for the destruction of all deep-water wharves which can accommodate any vessel of over 1,250 tons, which is only the size of a large fishing vessel?

If my hon. Friend is referring to Kiel, I cannot add anything to the answer that has been given. If the question refers to other ports, I would point out that we are not demolishing the quays and wharf facilities of other ports.

Am I to understand that wharves at Kiel, over and above what is sufficient to accommodate vessels of 1,250 tons, are being destroyed, and, if so, why?

I should like to nave notice of the exact terms of that question before I give an answer.

Is it not important that the principal German naval base should be completely destroyed?

Yes, for all naval purposes.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what arrangements have recently been made to concentrate the administration of British military and civilian government in Hamburg; and what effect this is having on the housing situation in that city.

The zonal executive offices of the Control Commission for Germany are at the moment dispersed in a number of separate small towns. This position is unsatisfactory and wasteful. The move to Hamburg has therefore been decided upon as the only practicable way of achieving a concentration of staff in the zone with consequent economy and increased efficiency. The move will not be complete until the spring or early summer of 1948, and requisitioning of existing properties will not in the main be necessary before the autumn of 1947, by which time it is anticipated that the present building plans, for which special allocations of building manpower and materials have been made, will have relieved the housing shortage.

In view of the inadequate housing accommodation in Hamburg consequent upon the good work of the R.A.F., the conditions under which many of the people are living, and the impending fusion with other zones in Germany, which may alter our administration, could not this project be slowed down?

As I have pointed out, the project will not be completed until the spring of 1948. There will be no requisitioning for the purposes of the project until the autumn of 1947, and in the meantime there will have been considerable changes in the staffing arrangements of the zone, and it is impossible to say precisely what the position will be then. I hardly think that we can plan for any slowing down.

May I ask my hon. Friend whether the report in the "Daily Herald" that the project has been suspended is incorrect?

As I have stated, the project is still on, and it is intended that, according to present assessment of staff requirements and so on, it shall be ready by the spring of 1948.

Will the Chancellor give an assurance that there will be no requisitioning of buildings for this purpose, and that anything required for British staffs will be provided by new buildings?

I am afraid I cannot give that assurance, because the plan which has been drawn up has been drawn up very carefully in conjunction with the German authorities in order to provide for the most practical disposition of the Control buildings and of the German residential quarters. Simply to say that one particular house should be left, in a whole block occupied by the Control Commission, would not be practicable.

Although the project is not going forward for some time, are not all the facilities being occupied by military personnel and their families at the moment, and is it a fact that 36,000 people will have to be evacuated or changed about in order to accommodate some 5,000 of our civilian government and military personnel?

The first part of the supplementary question is not accurate, and to the second part of the question, as to the number who would have to be evacuated by the end of 1947 or the spring of 1948, I obviously could not give an accurate answer at this stage.

In view of the ambiguity of the situation, I wish to give notice that I intend to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what electoral system is being used in the British zone in Germany, in view of the fact that in the recent elections an average of roughly 235 votes was sufficient to return an independent candidate, whereas 320 were required for a Christian Democrat, 430 for a Social Democrat and 3,400 for a Communist.

The electoral system used is based on the principle of direct election as in the United Kingdom, with varying modifications for the Gemeinde and Kreis elections. As my hon. Friend will be aware, direct election does not give the same mathematical results as election by proportional representation methods. In the recent Gemeinde elections, electoral areas varied between 200 and 20,000 voters; and in the smaller parishes, where party influence is not yet greatly developed, many candidates—especially independents—were returned unopposed. In the Kreis elections, which took place yesterday, and where parochial and personal issues were less predominant, party alignments will no doubt have been more clearly marked, and the number of seats gained by the respective contestants should show a closer relationship to the total number of votes cast in their favour.