asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether, after the revision of duties due to take place on 15th January, 1947, it is intended to continue the employment of temporary full-time sorters who have been employed at the G.P.O. at Mount Pleasant since the beginning of the war.

The temporary full-time sorters will become redundant when the work performed by them is taken over by permanent established staff early next year; and they will then be discharged in accordance with general arrangements agreed with the staff representatives for the discharge of redundant temporary staff. Temporary sorters who are ex-Servicemen and otherwise eligible for permanent employment as postmen may register for such employment with the appropriate authority and will be considered in their turn with other ex-Servicemen under normal recruitment procedure.

In view of the fact that most of the men concerned are elderly and many of them are veterans from the first world war and are therefore unlikely easily to find new employment, will the Minister facilitate re-engagement in another capacity in as many cases as possible?

If they are ex-Servicemen and come within the age limits, they will be given their chance of re-engagement.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider cushioning their fall by not doing this thing so suddenly, in view of the difficult circumstances in which many of my constituents will be placed?

It will take some time for the scheme to be put into operation.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the average and the maximum time now taken by sea mail to and from Hong Kong.

Mails sent by sea to Hong Kong have recently taken from 35 to 77 days in transmission, with an average of 63 days. The minimum time for the homeward mails has been 33 days, with a maximum of 108 days and an average of 65 days.

Could the hon. Gentleman tell us why there is this very wide gap between the possible and the maximum, and can he also tell us what hopes there are of improvements in time and regularity?

I believe the main bottleneck was at the port of Singapore, but we have started another route for the outward mails. Incoming mails of course are a question for the Hong Kong authorities.

Does another route mean one not going by Singapore?

Yes, it means going by North America.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the long delays are often a source of grave anxiety to Service personnel?

I would remind the hon. Member that we have an air mail service.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what representations have been made by his Department to the Canadian Government in respect of the rates of postage charged on parcels dispatched from Canada to the United Kingdom.

My Department has suggested a modification of the present exceptional accounting arrangements between the United Kingdom and Canadian Post Offices with a view to a possible reduction in the postage rates. I will let the hon. Member know the result in due course.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will give an estimate of the increase or decrease, expressed in percentage or in approximate numbers, of letters, post cards and other correspondence handled by his Department on behalf of Government Departments in July, 1938, and July, 1946, respectively.

As a measure of economy, running records of Government Departments' postings were discontinued in 1942, and they have not yet been reinstituted. On the basis of such data as is available, it is estimated that in July, 1946, the Post Office was carrying about 100 per cent. more correspondence for other Government Departments than in July, 1938.

In view of the large increase, will the Assistant Postmaster-General consult his noble Friend with a view to asking Government Departments to reduce this appalling amount of red tape and correspondence which is cluttering up the country?

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is prepared to consider a reduction in air mail charges for letters and samples to the Commonwealth and Empire, to assist, in particular, those concerned with the export trade.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether first-class mail will now be sent by air between Britain and the British Empire without surcharge to enable British publishers to compete with U.S. enterprise.

The question of air mail postage is under consideration, and I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

Is the Assistant Postmaster-General aware that the present rate to Cyprus, for example, works out at just under £4,500 per ton, whereas the charter rate by air is just over £500? Will he not consider a considerable reduction in these air rates?

I am aware of that, but if the hon. Member thinks that the Post Office gets the difference, he is quite wrong.

When does the Assistant Postmaster-General expect to be able to make the statement to which he has referred?

It is rather a complicated matter concerning other Government Departments—[HON. MEMBERS: "Passing the buck again."] It concerns other postal administrations. We are very anxious to make a statement as soon as possible, and we are pressing on with the matter.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General when he proposes to make Ipsophone attachments to telephones available to subscribers in this country; and on what terms.

The possibility of introducing facilities on the lines of the Ipsophone is being borne in mind, but for the present the resources of the Post Office must be concentrated on meeting the heavy demands for the provision of basic services.

In view of the fact that this ingenious little instrument allows messages to be taken in the absence of the recipient and allows questions to be answered at leisure, does not the hon. Gentleman think there would be considerable demand for it in Government Departments?

Answer.

There are only 80 of them in Switzerland.

Whatever the merit of this attachment may be, will my hon. Friend bear in mind that its name is an etymological outrage, and, if he does adopt it, will he rename it in plain English and not leave it a Græco-Latin bastard?

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is aware that subscribers in the London area wishing to make toll calls are subjected to delays, particularly after 6.30 p.m.; to what extent these delays are due to shortage of staff or to obsolete equipment; and when he hopes to improve this service.

Delays at present experienced in obtaining a reply from the operator on toll calls are largely due to staffing difficulties. Additional operators have been recruited and trained within recent months and as they gain experience the service will improve. The delays are not caused by obsolete equipment.

Is my hon. Friend aware that owing to the way in which his switchboards are arranged it is theoretically possible for a subscriber to dial TOL and never get a connection at all, because there is no way of determining priorities as to who started dialling first? Is he further aware that it often takes up to three-quarters of an hour to get a call on a toll exchange from London, and is he hopeful that an increase in staff will improve the position?

Yes, I am very hopeful.

What we really want to know is how to attract the attention of the young lady at the Exchange. [Laughter.] This is not a matter for laughter; once we get the young lady, then all is simple.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether any plans have yet been considered for the installation of an automatic exchange in Chiswick; and when he expects work to begin.

Arrangements have been made to provide a building for an automatic exchange in Chiswick, and I expect the work to begin within the next few weeks.

Will the Assistant Postmaster-General see that a special line is laid on from Chiswick to the passport office to enable the hon. Member to get permission before he visits friendly countries with unfriendly intentions?

May I ask my hon. Friend whether he is aware that during my recent journey to Spain there was no question whatsoever of false passports or false visas, and that I used the route used by many hundreds of friendly Allied airmen during the war?

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General when he now anticipates being able to reintroduce the cheap rate for trunk calls for the whole of the night period, instead of for the present period of from 6.30 to 9.30 p.m. on private telephones, and 5.30 to 9.30 p.m. in public call-boxes.

Conditions in the telephone service at present preclude an extension of the cheap rate period for trunk calls, and I regret that I am unable to say when such an extension is likely to be practicable.

Will my hon. Friend consider the possibility of extending the present hours as an earnest of his intention to reintroduce the full service as soon as circumstances permit, as I understand that it was such a popular service before the war?

When it started it was from seven o'clock and all through the night. We could not continue it all through the night, and so we fixed the time at 5.30. I think that the extra one and a half hours at the beginning was very much appreciated.

Could my hon. Friend consider extending it for at least an hour at night?

We will consider that.

If the difficulty is due to staff shortage, as in the case of the toll exchanges, is it not because the salaries paid by the Post Office to telephone operators compare so unfavourably with those paid to private switchboard operators?

No, Sir, I think it is due to the fact that our wartime staff has left us and our new staff is not fully experienced.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General why the B.B.C. has been prevented from having records made of important broadcast statements by approved firms at no cost to the taxpayer.

The B.B.C. have not been prevented from having any such records made.

Will the Minister do his utmost to induce the B.B.C. to allow historic records of great importance, which a tremendous number of people would like to hear again, to be made available as suggested in my Question? Is he aware that the B.B.C. are now refusing to allow this to be done; and cannot he use his influence in this matter so that the public may benefit as all believed it was the duty of the B.B.C. to permit this?

If the hon. Member means that the B.B.C. should make records for particular persons, I am afraid that that is not possible.

Does the Assistant Postmaster-General realise that if the B.B.C. are asked for a recording to be made by a private company for themselves, they are flatly refused?

Anybody can make a recording from a B.B.C. broadcast, but the B.B.C. cannot do it for other persons.

But the B.B.C. will not allow them to do it.

asked the Assistant Post master-General what rights his Department had given, other than those included in the original charter, to the B.B.C. officials; and where these are to be found.

I am not aware of any rights to which the terms of the Question would apply.

Will the Assistant Postmaster General see that the B.B.C. do not usurp powers that they were not intended to possess? Is he aware that the public like to hear recordings more than once? I am suggesting that they should consider permitting people they select to make their own records. Why cannot this be done?

I am sure that the B.B.C. will take notice of my hon. Friend's suggestion that the public would like to hear certain recordings more than once.

Ought not the word "rights" to be "lefts"?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether Errol aerodrome was considered by the R.A.F. to be suitable for all types of aircraft, both from the point of view of weather conditions and absence of high-tension cables or other obstacles; and what special in structions were issued to pilots using this aerodrome.

We considered this airfield suitable for twin-engined and single-engined aircraft, and it was used for flying training. Weather conditions are average for the district. There are no serious obstructions, provided normal care is taken. I am not aware of any special instructions having been issued to pilots who have used this airfield, but routine briefing would, of course, have taken account of local conditions.

Will the Under-Secretary say what he means by "conditions average for the district," and is he aware that there is a high tension cable which goes most of the way around this aerodrome?

As to the conditions, there is a good deal of low mist and haze in that region of the country. With regard to the second point, there is a high tension cable a mile away, but that does not alter in any way the answer I gave.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will make a statement on the derequisitioning of the R.A.F. range at Old Harry, Stud-land, Dorset, which has not been used subsequently to VJ-Day.

We shall release this range as soon as the land has been cleared of unexploded ammunition, and the target offshore has been removed.

Would the Under-Secretary define exactly what he means by ''release"? Is he aware that a public relations officer in his Ministry stated that the land would no longer be used? Will he undertake here and now specifically to state that the process of derequisitioning will be initiated by him?

I can state here and now that the public will be able to go there. I should like to consider the full implications of derequisitioning. It will certainly be clear by March.

As my Question deals with derequisitioning, how is it that the Under-Secretary comes to the House of Commons so unprepared to make a reply?

I am sorry about that. I should not like to give an answer just at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that at R.A.F. station Sharjam, Persia, no films were received between 1st and 21st October; that when three films then arrived they had all been shown there during the previous two months; and, as this is the only form of entertainment, why these shows were free up to 1st September and now cost 9d. a projection.

Yes, Sir. I am afraid that at a time when we were re-organising the distribution of films for the Royal Air Force as a whole, a mistake was made in getting films to this station, which I should add is not in Persia. We are now making our film service self-supporting, and all stations are therefore having to make a small charge for admission.

Why have small charges now to be made, whereas in wartime and later on no charges were made?

During the war the film companies were able to give us their films free or very cheaply, but they are not doing so now.

If finance enters into this, will the Under-Secretary bear in mind that the Government recently came into an unexpected £150 at Rotherhithe yesterday?

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that members of the Special Technical Corps, Singapore, who rendered signal service to the Allied cause, are still awaiting the back pay and discharge papers which were promised to them in August; and if he will arrange an immediate settlement of this question and also announce his proposals for the re-formation of the Corps.

Owing to the loss, in 1942, of all records of this corps, it has been difficult to settle these points since we returned to Malaya. However, we have already cleared nearly 90 per cent. of the pay accounts and the rest are being dealt with. We issue discharge papers whenever they are applied for: 300 have already been issued. In considering the future of this corps, we shall take into account its excellent record, but I cannot yet say whether it will be re-formed.

Is my hon. Friend aware of the uncertainty in this matter among the men who rendered splendid service to the Allied cause, and which may operate against us at a time when we might need them?

I am not aware that there is any uncertainty.

asked the Secretary of State for Air when the hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Thames can hope to receive a reply to his letters of 3rd January, 1946, and 8th May, 1946, on the subject of an award to the widow of the late Wing-Commander Nettleton. V.C.

I hope to be able to write to the hon. Member early next week.

Does that mean that the hon. Gentleman accepts as proper a delay of 11 months in dealing with an individual case in his Department?

No, Sir. This letter was one of nearly 4,000 which were received in the Under-Secretary's office from Members during January, and I regret to say that it was lost and has only just been found.

Then why could not a statement that the letter had been lost have been given to me when I sent a reminder in May?

The papers were entirely lost—and I am not trying to defend that—and it was impossible to say to what letter the hon. Member's letter referred.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will give instructions that when airfield lighting poles are removed, the persons removing them should fill in the holes left by the poles in order to avoid the danger to livestock.

Such instructions have already been given.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that German prisoners of war employed in Buxton were to be accommodated in the town, but that squatters have now taken possession of the intended accommodation; and what action the Government proposes to take.

Yes, Sir. We do not intend to use this camp for prisoners of war, and the local authority are considering converting the habitable section for housing.

Is it the case that it had been the intention of the Department to use this camp for prisoners of war until it was occupied by squatters, and that the Government then changed their mind as a result of the squatting?

I would not like to say entirely that. At one moment we did intend to go there, but now we find it more convenient to go elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many Transport Command flights operate weekly from the United Kingdom on the Mediterranean routes.

Seven which end in the Mediterranean area, and 13 which pass through on the way to India and the Far East.

Is Transport Command to be asked to operate passenger services, for which its planes were not designed, for yet another winter?

I could not say that; it depends on how far civil aviation expands. There are, and there must be, contractions in the services as the Royal Air Force contracts.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware of the growing discontent among the men at Compton Bassett camp; and if he will institute an inquiry.

No, Sir. There was a temporary shortage of airmen's shirts at this station, but this has now been overcome.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why it is in tended to close down his Department's unit at Locharbriggs, Dumfries, and to disband 18 Maintenance Unit; on what grounds this decision has been taken; and when it will become operative.

This unit is one of a number of maintenance units which we are having to close down as we reduce the Royal Air Force from its wartime strength. It is less suitable for retention than other maintenance units, and we shall probably close it down about November, 1947.

Does that mean that there will be no maintenance unit in Scotland?

I would not like to say that. We have always looked after Scotland, and there will be other places in Scotland where there will probably be maintenance units.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many of the applicants for commissions in the new education branch of the R.A.F. were able to satisfy all the conditions laid down by his Department for appointment to permanent and short-service commissions in that branch, respectively.

All the 131 applicants for permanent or temporary commissions, and 44 of the 81 applicants for short service commissions have the necessary age and academic qualifications. The applicants are now being medically examined.

Is my hon. Friend satisfied that he can make up his full establishment in this branch of the Service?

I am hopeful, but there is a great shortage of teachers. We have many vacancies.

asked the Secretary of State for Air (1) the number of officers who have been re-employed in the R.A.F. during the war who had commuted part of their pensions while out of the Service; and how much was paid back by them as commutation of retired pay during the time they were re-employed;

(2) why officers re-employed in the R.A.F., who had commuted part of their pensions, have to pay back each year they are in the Service a certain proportion annually, depending on the amount commuted; and why, when they go back on to retired pay, they are still only pensioned at the commuted rate, although the State has gained to the value of the annual payment multiplied by the number of years re-employed.

I will, with permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is a large amount of money involved?

I would like the hon. and gallant Member to read the reply I am circulating, and then put down a question if he wishes.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of pigeons used by his Department during the war; and whether any estimate is available of the losses from enemy action.

Approximately 100,000. About 23,000 were lost on operations, but how many of these were shot down we cannot say.

Are there so few pigeons now because all the pigeon holes are full of Socialist Bills?

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will investigate the recent action of the commanding officer, No. I Wing, No. 4 School of Technical Training, R.A.F., St. Athan, in fining some 200 airmen 9d. each for breakages of crockery, for which most of them were not responsible, and threatening those who objected to paying this sum with stoppage of week-end passes and other loss of privileges; whether such action was in accordance with regulations; and how the money so collected was accounted for.

I have had a report on this case. It shows that the action taken was in accordance with the Air Force Act and the King's Regulations, which provide for collective charges in cases where public property has been destroyed. The money recovered has been credited to public funds under the normal procedure.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what use he proposes to make in future of the R.A.F. station and airfield at Bradwell-juxta-Mare, Essex, officially known as Bradwell Bay; and if he will expedite a decision on the derequisitioning of agricultural land thereat.

We have not yet decided on the future of this airfield, but we shall do so as soon as we can. The county agricultural committee have arranged for the agricultural land to be farmed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation the number of British civil aircraft engaged and the total mileage flown during the past six months without accident; the number of British civil aircraft involved in accidents and the number of casualties resulting during the same period.

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

In view of the episode yesterday, which might have ended in tragedy, and taken from our midst one of His Majesty's Ministers, could the hon. Gentleman assure us that greater precautions will be taken when carrying "V.I.P.s," if only to prevent grief and mourning among members of the friendly societies?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, why British aircraft, ex British airports, often fly with vacant seats when there is a long waiting list of intending passengers.

It would be wrong to assume that empty seats necessarily mean that an aircraft is not fully loaded. The weight an aircraft can carry is, of course, limited. Civil aircraft carry freight and mails as well as passengers, and the corporations in the ordinary course of management have to strike the happy mean in balancing the three classes of load.

Is my hon. Friend aware that on a recent trip which I made to Vienna—which was not at the Government's expense—five seats were occupied out of 17, and that when I made inquiries, privately, why the other seats were not taken, I was told that they had been reserved for military and diplomatic personnel who had not cancelled their bookings?

That does arise on occasions, but they are very few indeed.

Will the hon. Gentleman get out a statement showing what proportion of seats was vacant when civil aviation companies were free of Government control, as compared with the number vacant now?

If the hon. Gentleman will put down a question, and the information is available, I will supply an answer.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he is satisfied as to recorded weather conditions at Errol aerodrome; with road and rail communications; with the presence, or other wise, of obstacles to safe flying; and when an adequate service to and from this aerodrome may be expected to begin.

The weather conditions at Errol aerodrome, though poor, compare favourably with other aerodromes in the east of Scotland to be used by scheduled air services. Road and rail' communications to both Perth and Dundee are better from Errol than from any other aerodrome in the area which could serve both towns. Five of the six approaches to the aerodrome are obstruction free. The remaining approach, which is seldom used, is obstructed by a high tension cable which, however, caused little interference with Service flying from the aerodrome, and which, I am satisfied, is unlikely to restrict civil flying unduly. A range of mills three miles south of the aerodrome caused no anxiety to the R.A.F. during night flying operations, and do not in themselves obstruct the approaches. A service to and from Errol will be introduced when suitable aircraft are available and when the necessary buildings can be provided and equipped.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what facilities exist for the refuelling and servicing of aircraft at Errol; if he is aware that aircraft arriving there have to be refuelled and serviced at Perth, 10 miles away; and if, in view of the facilities available, he is prepared to reconsider the question of utilising Perth as a civil aerodrome.

No facilities at present exist at Errol for the refuelling and servicing of aircraft as the aerodrome, which is in use for non-flying purposes by the Royal Air Force, is not open to civil flying. Perth is already licensed as a civil aerodrome but it will be too small for safe and regular use by the types of aircraft to be used on main internal air routes.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation when a passenger air service from Great Britain will be extended to Londonderry.

Although we plan to extend a service to Londonderry at some future date, I regret it will not be possible to do so for some time to come.

Is the Minister aware that this promise was given many months ago, and can he give some indication of when a service is to be provided; and is it not the case that a service by a private company would have been provided long ago?

I am afraid not.

Is it not quite indefensible, as between loyal Northern Ireland and this country, that at Londonderry no such facilities exist, when the Government are only too anxious to make a minority agreement with Eire?

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether permission will be given to private enterprise to run a scheduled service, if the Government cannot do it?

The provision of services is entirely a matter for the various corporations which have been set up.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation how soon a passenger air service equipped with large modern aircraft and all appropriate safety devices in the air and on the ground will be available between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

I hope by the end of the year.

Is the Minister aware that it is a disgrace that, after this length of time since the war, such pitiful services as are at present provided should be the only ones there?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether meteorological officers have been recruited for airfields on the West African route; and when will the air service to West Africa recommence operations.

The first part of the Question is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air. As to the second part of the Question, the air service to West Africa which was suspended on 9th June last on account of the loss of meteorological officers in key positions was restarted on 2nd July.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary consult with his colleague and find out what the position is with regard to this meteorological service, because there is room for improvement?

That is agreed, and consultation is already proceeding.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what are the regular British services flying between Scotland and any foreign country.

The only British service at present operating directly between Scotland and any foreign country is that between London—Prestwick—Gander and New York.

Does the Minister realise that the provision of direct flying routes between provincial centres, such as Manchester, and foreign countries is very much desired by people away from Whitehall?

The Question applies only to Scotland.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what foreign lines conduct regular services between foreign countries and Scotland.

Regular services between foreign countries and Scotland are run by the following foreign airlines: Air France, K.L.M., Icelandic Airways, Trans-Canadian Airways and Scandinavian Airlines.

In view of the answer to the first and second Questions, comparing these results, can the Minister say if he is still satisfied that nationalised air services can hold a candle to private enterprise?

That is not the subject of the Question.

Is it not a disgrace that, after 18 months of this Government, Scotland has to rely wholly on foreign air liners?

Answer.

May I ask whether the hon. Gentleman—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."] May I say that air line services are provided through the British Government, and Scotland has its fair share of the services which are available.

Will the Minister say when these air services are to be provided from Scotland to foreign countries?

As soon as there are the available aircraft to enable that to be done.

; In view of the unsatisfactory reply, I beg leave to give notice that I shall raise the matter again on the Adjournment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation how many aircraft under his control were prevented from leaving Great Britain on Saturday, 2nd November, due to fog; how many were diverted and unable to land on stations using Fido; and whether he will reconsider his decision not to install Fido at Heathrow and other large civil airfields.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he has finally decided to abandon the use of fog investigation dispersal operation at London airports.

On 2nd November there were 14 cancellations owing to fog of aircraft outbound from Great Britain. Eleven inbound aircraft were diverted to various alternative airports where better weather conditions prevailed, and one returned to its place of origin. No aircraft were diverted to airports where Fido was in use. My noble Friend is giving urgent consideration to the question whether Fido, which is already available at certain diversionary airports, should be installed at other airports in the London area.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that since this there have been many worse days of fog, and a terrible accident in Holland, which might easily have been here; and that Heathrow has already had a large amount spent on preparing Fido which has all been scrapped; and cannot his Department quickly make up their minds, because this is beginning to terrify large numbers of travellers?

Very serious consideration is being given to the matter.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that it is not really necessary to go to this enormous expense on establishing Fido when Prestwick is always available, fog-free?

Is my hon. Friend aware that a fortnight ago on the trip from London to Prestwick, while Renfrew aerodrome was out of commission, there was a delay of over half an hour due to fog at Prestwick; and is he not aware that on the day this unfortunate accident took place in Holland there was no fog at all?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (1) when it is proposed to issue the schedule of air services to be operated within the United Kingdom; the dates on which operations will commence; and the types of aircraft to be used;

(2) when it is proposed to issue for each of the three airline companies schedules of external routes to be operated; the dates on which operations will commence; and the types of aircraft to be used.

External services in general are operated on routes laid down in bilateral agreements between His Majesty's Government and the foreign Governments concerned. Such agreements as have been concluded have been laid before Parliament and others are under active negotiation. As regards internal operations, a schedule of services was published in June of this year. The hon. Member will of course appreciate, that circumstances from time to time involve modification. Timetables of existing services are, of course, available and I will arrange for copies to be sent to the hon. Member.

Under the provisions of the Civil Aviation Act, 1946, the three corporations are required to submit to my noble Friend their programme and estimates for each financial year as well as a forward programme covering three years. Consultations on the future programme are already on foot between my Ministry and the Corporations. As arrangements are made for new services to come into operation, timetables will be issued, but to publish a schedule in anticipation might be prejudicial to our competitive position.

asked the Minister without Portfolio how many members of His Majesty's forces were, on 31st December, 1945, and on 31st October, 1946, respectively, absent from their units; how many of these, though not proved to be dead, were then and are now unaccounted for; and how many have and how many have not been traced to civil life.

I have been asked to reply. Some of the figures asked for are not available or could only be obtained by the expenditure of an inordinate effort. I can, however, give the following information:

In the Navy the number of deserters and absentees on 31st October, 1946, was about 1,500, but I have no figures for 31st December, 1945.

In the Army there were 19,792 unaccounted for on 31st December, 1945, and 19,267 on 31st October, 1946.

In the R.A.F, there were 3,214 unaccounted for on 31st December, 1945, and 3,579 on 31st October, 1946.

Is the Minister aware that the mystery surrounding these men, who are reported missing though not proved to be dead, is causing great suffering to their families and great domestic complications, and will he take steps to relieve these complications?

I am afraid that it is not within my power. It is mainly within the power of the missing to relieve the anxiety of their own relatives.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are many cases in which there is an element of doubt as to whether men are genuine deserters and that in those cases the wives or widows, as the case may be, are suffering great hardship and have to have recourse to public assistance; and that, in answer to inquiries to his Department, one is merely referred to the findings of the original court of inquiry which have been lost, and wide hardship is caused?

I would not agree with the hon. Gentleman that there are many cases; there may be a few; but as I have informed the House before, where there is any reasonable doubt on the part of an individual Member of this House or of the relatives, I am willing to reopen the case.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in cases which I have taken up with his Department and with the Prime Minister, I was merely told that as the original evidence had been lost, nothing further could be done, and is not that profoundly unsatisfactory?

ft is not as simple and as precise as that. Certainly, the evidence before courts of inquiry may have been destroyed, but as I have said, if there is any doubt at all, I am prepared to examine those individual cases—and only individual cases—and to give the benefit of the doubt where I am convinced it is right to do so.

May I send a case to the right hon. Gentleman?

Certainly.

What explanation is there for the fact that the figures which the right hon. Gentleman has given us in the case of the Army are about twelve times those for the Navy and six times those for the Air Force? Is it due to some different system in dealing with these cases of missing men?

I should have thought the hon. Gentleman would have known the answer to his supplementary question Mr. Lindsay: I do not, and that is why I asked it.

First, the Army was much larger than the Navy,- and secondly, the Army was on the land and not on the sea.

asked the Minister without Portfolio how many of those members of His Majesty's Forces now in prison were sentenced for crimes of turpitude and how many for Forces offences; how many of these offences were proved to have been caused by domestic trouble in the lives of the offenders; and if he will take steps to review these cases.

Some of the figures asked for are not available or could only be obtained after lengthy research which I do not feel would be justified in present conditions. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT such figures as are available. I have no information about the number of cases due to domestic trouble, but this factor is always taken into account by courts martial in awarding sentences and also by the reviewing authority when sentences are periodically reviewed.

In view of the shortage of manpower, will the Minister take steps to restore as many of these men as possible to the Forces, to industry. and to their families?

Yes, Sir, but I should like to have the assistance of those who are absentees and deserters.

Is there any method of revising these sentences so that in cases where leniency might be extended, it shall be extended?

Yes, Sir, and they are constantly being revised.

What is the distinction between crimes of turpitude and Forces offences?

In the statement that I am circulating in HANSARD, I am distinguishing between what are known as civil offences and military offences.

asked the Minister without Portfolio if he will now reconsider and differentiate the cases of His Majesty's Forces sentenced for crimes of turpitude from those sentenced for Forces offences, during the war and since, by courts martial; and if he will take steps to provide an amnesty in suitable cases, so that as many as possible of those persons may be restored either to the Forces or to civil employment.

In the Army and Royal Air Force sentences awarded by courts martial are reviewed individually at intervals of not more than six months and all the circumstances of the crimes for which sentence was awarded are considered by the reviewing authority. Sentences by Naval courts are reviewed on receipt in the Admiralty and may also be reviewed at any time on petition by the offender.

It is the policy of the Services to make use of suspension or remission of sentence in order to restore to useful service all those men whose crimes do not necessitate further incarceration. This policy is in the interest both of the Services and of the individual and I do not think that any special action is called for as the present policy is on the lines suggested by my hon and learned Friend.

Does the right hon. Gentleman remember the Army (Suspension of Sentences) Act, 1915, which authorised the suspension of sentences of penal servitude and imprisonment passed on soldiers during the 1914–18 war, and in view of the present shortage of manpower, will he take steps to restore as many of these men as possible to industry and to their families?

I cannot say that I recollect the Act to which my hon. and learned Friend refers—it was passed some time ago—but I will take an opportunity of having a look at it.

Does the Minister realise that that Act was passed especially to deal with the shortage of manpower during 1914–1918, and would it not be suitable to pass a similar Act now?

No, Sir, not necessarily.

Will the right hon. Gentleman convey to the Minister without Portfolio the need for considering whether the time has not come for a general amnesty?

Perhaps my right hon. Friend, during his enforced idleness in hospital, may be able to look at HANSARD and see this Question.

asked the Minister of Food what his policy is regarding the exchange of bread rationing coupons for points; and when he anticipates that he will be able to increase supplies of the various foodstuffs which are obtainable on points.

I propose to allow the exchange of B.U.S for points so long as it continues to meet the need for which it was introduced. Of course, we shall issue more points foods as soon as they are available. There have been some recent increases, for example, canned milk, and next week, canned fruit, and some decreases, for example, biscuits.

Is the Minister aware that there are many people who need all their bread units for bread and who think it most unfair that others, especially large families who do not want so much bread, should have a large number of extra points to use; and, secondly, is he aware that, especially in North London, shops are unable at this moment to produce goods when the points are tendered?

We changed the exchange rate between bread units and points because we thought there was an excessive inducement, but it has been a very great inducement to people to save bread, and it has been very successful in that way. With the present ratio, I do not think it is acting unfairly.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his original answer hardly tallies with the assurance which he gave to the House and the country last July that he had taken steps to see that adequate supplies of points goods would be available in exchange?

Points goods have never run out. What the right hon. Gentleman must have in mind is that particular points goods may not be available at a given time and place. That is always so under points rationing.

Is the Minister aware that no such qualification was made by him when he gave the original assurance?

asked the Minister of Food if he will take steps to ensure the adequate distribution of suet and dried fruits in all areas in good time for the making of Christmas puddings and mince meat.

Allocations of dried fruit for the Christmas trade in all areas were made on 13th October and 10th November and the fruit will reach the shops during the next month. All the shredded suet that can be made available will be distributed during the next few weeks, but I regret that it is very scarce.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are only five weeks to Christmas, and that housewives are very anxious to get ahead with preparations? Will he give an assurance that he will speed up the release of the suet, and take all possible steps to increase the supply of this very important supplement to the fat ration?

Certainly, Sir. The difficulty has been shipment from the Argentine.

Can we rely on that assurance from the right hon. Gentleman?

I made a remark on the difficulties of shipment from the Argentine. If the right hon. Gentleman thinks that an assurance, I do not know what he means.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that many milkmen refuse to leave milk against emergency ration cards; and if he will take steps to remedy the hardship caused to those who have to use these cards.

Milk retailers get a special allowance of milk out of which they should be able to supply holders of temporary ration cards. If some retailers have difficulty in serving all such customers with milk, the local food office will help.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the experience of people going on visits or lodging temporarily is that they simply cannot get milk on the emergency card, and can he not issue some instruction to milkmen that these cards must be honoured on their milk items as on others?

Yes, we will endeavour to do that.

Will the Minister say how the food office can help? It doe? not keep milk.