asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is prepared to issue wireless licences to old age pensioners free or, failing this, at the old price.

My noble Friend regrets that he is not prepared to adopt this suggestion.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether, in view of the distinct disadvantages to North of England listeners by reason of the North of England Regional and Northern Ireland programmes being broadcast on the same wavelengths, he will be prepared to give further consideration to the representations made by the various local authorities on behalf of their people and have these wavelengths separated.

My noble Friend has given careful consideration to these representations. He sympathises with the natural desire of listeners in the North of England and Northern Ireland that their Regional programmes should be broadcast on separate wavelengths and he fully appreciates that the present arrangement is not entirely satisfactory. In view of the limited number of wavelengths at the disposal of our country, however, it is not possible to give universal satisfaction in allocating them; and after going into the question thoroughly with the B.B.C. the Government are satisfied that any arrangement other than that adopted by the B.B.C. would prove less satisfactory to listeners.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he has studied the radio-telephone system now being operated by the New York Telephone Company as part of the Bell system; and whether he has any similar plans to announce for this country.

I am aware of some interesting radio-telephone developments in the U.S.A., including one for telephone calls from moving vehicles. These developments are being closely watched by the Post Office engineers and the possibility of their introduction in this country will be examined when the position in regard to providing basic telephone services is easier.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the present foreign service allowance and lodging allowance for salaried members of the Air Ministry Directorate of Works in Malta is insufficient to maintain a reasonable standard of living; and what increases he proposes to make.

The question of an increase is now being discussed with the other Departments concerned and with the staff side of the Departmental Whitley Council. I shall let the hon. Member know the outcome of these discussions.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if the Meteorological Survey is furnished with the modern equipment and methods of forecasting the weather resulting from advances made in this science as a result of wartime discoveries.

The Meteorological Service is making extensive use of these wartime improvements, many of which it was responsible for developing. Modern methods of collecting information and modern equipment, such as radio and radar, are being used more and more. Research and development is going ahead to ensure that we maintain the best possible service.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that baked chestnuts are being sold at the price of 6d. for four nuts; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent such charges.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to my hon. Friend, the Member for Bristol, South (Mr. Wilkins) on 18th October, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Minister of Food what contracts he has made with carrot growers in East Anglia for deliveries prior to the end of January, 1947; and whether arrangements have been made for the whole of the crop to be lifted before it gets frozen in.

I have made no such contracts. The practice as regards lifting the crop varies with different growers. Where growers put carrots into clamps, I am prepared to purchase them in the clamp at a valuation. Growers will no doubt safe guard their crops against frost damage in the manner they judge best.

asked the Minister of Food what steps he is taking to prevent the introduction of foot-and-mouth disease with the cow beef which his Department has arranged to import from the Continent.

As a result of a visit to Denmark by the Chief Veterinary Officer, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Danish Authorities have made arrangements which will minimise the risk of introducing foot-and-mouth disease. Further, the importation and distribution of meat will be entirely in the hands of my Department and at the request of my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Agriculture, I will restrict distribution to the densely populated areas.

asked the Minister of Food if, in view of the prolongation of bread rationing, with consequent dislocation of the points-rationing scheme, he will limit the availability of points obtained by the exchange of bread rationing coupons to ensure that all consumers can get their due share of biscuits, syrup, dried fruits and other popular foods.

I cannot agree that the exchange of bread units for points has dislocated the points rationing scheme. We have already made two B.Us. exchangeable for one point.

asked the Minister of Food if he will arrange for a more adequate distribution of points goods to Bexley, Bexleyheath and Welling, where such goods are hard to obtain.

My inquiries show that consumers in Bexley, Bexleyheath and Welling are able to spend the whole of their points allowance and that traders in the area obtain a fair share of supplies. The Ministry has, however, already released extra supplies to rebuild retailers' stocks and the consequent improvement in supplies should be noticeable during the next week or so, in Bexley and the neighbouring districts as well as in the rest of the country.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give the prices paid by this country to Denmark, excluding cost of transport, for the main agricultural commodities.

The prices we ale at present paying to Denmark for butter, bacon and eggs have already been made public, and excluding the cost of transport, they are as follow:

• Butter—220s. per cwt.
• Bacon—150s. per cwt.
• Spring Eggs (15¼ 1b. grade)—15s. 6d. per long hundred.
• Autumn and Winter Eggs (15¼ 1b. grade)—19s. 6d. per long hundred.

We are also importing meat and cheese from Denmark at prices which have not yet been made public and for reasons which I have already indicated to the House I do not propose to publish them.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will publish statistics, collected as a result of wartime rationing schemes, covering costs of distribution of foodstuffs, numbers of people concerned in food distribution, savings made by zoning and nationalising distribution, costs of transport and numbers employed.

Information and statistics bearing on these and kindred activities of the Ministry of Food have already been published in "How Britain was Fed in Wartime. Food Control 1939–45." (H.M. Stationery Office. Price 1s.), and I do not think another publication is called for at the present time.

asked the Minister of Food why the Seizure of Food Order, 1946 (S.R. & O., 1946, No. 1823), provides that the Crown shall retain any expenses of seizure out of the proceeds of sale by the Crown of an article of food, even when the owner has been acquitted of any offence alleged in respect of that article; and whether he will remove this injustice by revoking the Order.

The wording in the Order is not "expenses of seizure" but "expenses incurred in connection with the seizure and sale" and in practice this means expenses incurred in selling the goods. I do not think any injustice is involved in making a charge for the expenses of sale, since these would be incurred by the seller in any case. So I do not propose to revoke the Order, which since 1942 has provided powers essential to the effective exercise of our controls.

asked the Minister of Food the number of eggs imported into this country from the Argentine, month by month, since 1st January, 1946; what is the average price paid for such eggs; and whether there is any embargo or prohibition placed by the Argentine Government upon the export of eggs from that country.

In January, 1946, 675,000 dozen shell eggs were imported from Argentina. None have been received since then. The average price paid for these eggs as shown in the Trade and Navigation Accounts was 1s. 8½d. per dozen c.i.f. An embargo was placed by the Argentine authorities on the export of eggs in any form from 31st July, 1946, to 28th September. On the latter date the embargo was lifted and the export of eggs was taken over by a State Export Board with whom the Ministry of Food is in negotiation.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the dissatisfaction of ex-Servicemen who have become poultry or fish dealers since 1939, by reason of the fact that they are unable to obtain as good a share of poultry for the Christmas season as those who were in business prior to 1939; and whether steps will be taken to improve conditions for those who entered the retail poultry and fish business since the war.

I am not aware of any dissatisfaction among ex-Servicemen concerning the arrangements for the distribution of poultry supplies this Christmas. There will be larger supplies available and I have made arrangements for a wider distribution of imported turkeys to all retailers, whether they entered the retail poultry trade prior to 1939 or since the war. These arrangements have been explained in an announcement, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will arrange for an additional allowance of soap to be distributed on the ration to the Portishead district, in view of the exceptional hardness of the water, namely 58 degrees, in the existing supply.

I regret that it is quite impossible to provide a larger ration of soap for people who live in areas where the water is exceptionally hard, because there is insufficient soap and it is administratively impracticable to issue differential rations on the basis of the type of water supplied to an area.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he is now in a position to announce that Yeadon has been selected as the most suitable site for an aerodrome to serve the industrial area of Yorkshire; and if he will now take steps to see that the existing aerodrome is made suitable, so that it may come within the civil aviation programme and be scheduled as a transport aerodrome.

My noble Friend appreciates the need for a modern aerodrome to serve this area and is examining whether and at what cost the present aerodrome at Yeadon, which is not at present operationally suitable for regular airline services, could be developed to the required standards.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation to what extent alterations are required to make Yeadon aerodrome the international airport for the industrial area of the West Riding of Yorkshire; when they will be completed; and when Yeadon will be taken into use by the three British airways corporations.

I refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Leeds (Mr. G. Porter).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation how many seats have not been occupied in British aircraft flying to and from Cairo in the last six months.

Out of 4,309 and 4,492 seats available on British Overseas Airways Corporation service in the outward and homeward directions respectively, 508 and 108 seats were unoccupied. A number of these unused seats represent seats, both priority and commercial, cancelled at the last moment and too late to fill and seats unused because passengers, priority and commercial, failed to appear at the airport. The passenger load factors were 89 per cent. in the outward direction and 98 per cent. in the homeward direction.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether it is proposed to proceed with the orders for 79 Tudor 11's for the Empire and South American routes and 20 Tudor 1's for the North Atlantic route as announced on 24th January, 1946, by the then Parliamentary Secretary; and when these aircraft will begin to come into service on the regular air line.

Work is being pressed forward on the orders for Tudor I and Tudor II aircraft for use on the North Atlantic, Empire and South American routes. The latest review by the corporations of their requirements indicates a need for not more than 50 Tudor 11's and the question of adjustment of the existing order for that type is under consideration. The aircraft of both types will be put into service on the regular routes as soon as they are available and the operators have completed the normal training and development flights.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation how many employees have left B.O.A.C. in the last three months; and how many have left the British South American Airways.

The number of employees in the United Kingdom who left the two Corporations during the last three months is 1,001 and 48. These figures include a considerable number of staff who have been returned to the Royal Air Force after secondment or have transferred to the British European Airways Corporation following its establishment on an independent basis. The totals also include deaths, resignations, dismissals, and men called up for National Service.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation when it is proposed to create the Scottish section of the British European Airways Corporation as envisaged in the Civil Aviation Act.

The Question is based on a misapprehension. There is no mention in the Civil Aviation Act of the setting up of a Scottish Division of British European Airways Corporation. Undertakings were, however, given in the course of Debate and these will be implemented—steps are on foot to that end.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation the precise profit per head on the £2 10s. air service between Renfrew and Belfast, recently inaugurated.

I regret that I cannot add to the answer I gave the hon. and gallant Member on the 6th November. The £2 10s. fare of course covers the whole journey from Glasgow to Belfast via Renfrew.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the salaries and allowances paid to senior members of the Control Commission, Germany and Austria, are paid according to a fixed scale or made the subject of special arrangements.

Salaries in respect of the most senior appointments to the Commissions are determined on an ad hoc basis according to the importance and responsibility of the individual post, and not in accordance with fixed salary ranges. Control Commission allowance is calculated as a fixed percentage of salary, and foreign service allowance is a fixed annual amount bearing no relation to the salary figure.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what procedure is adopted in choosing personnel for the Control Commission in Germany and Austria; and the names of members of the selection board and what contracts are entered into before those chosen start work.

Except for the highest appointments which are made by personal selection and the junior grades which are recruited directly by the Control office, candidates with suitable qualifications appear before a selection board consisting of a chairman nominated by the Civil Service Commission, a senior military officer, and an experienced civil servant. There are several of these boards, and the names of their chairmen are given below.Selected candidates receive a formal letter of appointment setting forth the conditions of service and duration of their appointment. Acceptance of this constitutes a binding contract.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will arrange for more decentralisation of control in the British zone of Germany.

Yes, Sir, progressive decentralisation is being effected by devolution through the four regional commissioners and German local authorities

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he is aware that Mil. Gov. Det. 309/804(R) in Meppen and U.N.R.R.A. Team 162 in Haren/Ems, ordered the Central Committee for Education, formed by displaced Poles to administer their schools, to cease its activities; and that in Lubeck a vocational school, which did not comply with the U.N.R.R.A. stipulation to subordinate themselves to a Warsaw Repatriation Mission representative, was actually dissolved by the sending of teachers and pupils to their respective PWX camps; and what steps he has taken in the matter.

No, Sir. The Central Committee for Education, which is an unofficial body, has not ceased its activities. The vocational school at Lubeck has not been dissolved and is still in operation. It is not subordinated to the Polish Repatriation Mission.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the respective rations in calories in the U.S. and British zones in Germany; what is being done to achieve parity; and whether there is any imminent danger to maintaining supplies consequent on the U.S. decision to take no further action on behalf of foreign purchasers in her markets.

In both zones the official ration for the normal consumer has stood at 1,550 calories since 14th October. There is great difficulty in meeting this scale in the British zone but not as a result of the U.S. Government decision to which my hon. Friend refers, which does not apply to grain, the only food we buy for Germany in the U.S.A.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many children in the cologne area are in urgent need of spectacles; from what sources spectacles are obtained; and whether their provision for acute cases can be expedited in order to save further deterioration in the vision of these children.

I regret that it is not practicable to furnish the figures asked for in the first part of the Question. I have, however, made inquiry and am informed that there is no evidence of a serious shortage of spectacles in the Cologne area, nor have any complaints been received from the German medical or welfare authorities. The main centres at which spectacle lenses are manufactured in the British zone are at Brunswick, Goettingen and Hamburg. The present monthly production rate is 50,000 pairs and output is increasing.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster why Yugoslav ex-prisoners of war in the British zone in Germany, who have been admitted to police duties in the zone, are being paid in German money instead of in B.A.F.S.A.; and whether he is aware that this prevents their purchase of supplies from the N.A.A.F.I. and cuts them off from cigarettes, soap, toothpaste and mending material.

In order to restrict our sterling expenditure to a minimum wages and salaries of personnel engaged locally in Germany are normally paid in German marks. I am, however, already considering a partial relaxation of this rule in the case of Yugoslav ex-prisoners of war employed on police duties. Meanwhile they are receiving free N.A.A.F.I. rations of commodities such as cigarettes and soap.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what facilities exist to enable parcels of food to be sent by individuals in this country to their friends in Germany and Austria.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 18th November by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Food.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he is aware that it is proposed to move a considerable section of the Control Commission, from Bünde in Westphalia to Berlin; that, since there is no furniture to meet their needs in Berlin, all billet, married family and office furniture is to be moved with them from Bünde to Berlin; and how such action can be reconciled with his guarantee that no further property of this kind would be requisitioned from the Germans.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster why orders have been given that furniture and effects requisitioned in the British zone for the use of the Internal Affairs and Communications Division of the Control Commission for Germany shall be removed to Berlin.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will rescind the order under which it is possible for personnel in certain branches of the Control Commission at Bünde, Germany, to strip requisitioned German property of its furniture and contents on the occasion of the transfer of their functions to new quarters in Berlin.

Certain units of the Control Commission are being moved to Berlin, and to avoid further requisitioning of furniture in that city they are taking with them their office furniture from Bünde. This consists mainly of Army issues. No billet or married families furniture is being moved, and no further requisitioning of furniture will be necessary for the vacated premises at Bünde.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he is aware that one of the difficulties in restoring the economic and social life of Germany is the disorganised condition of the German railways; what steps are being taken to restore the railways to a state of efficiency; and by whom.

No, Sir. The German railways are no longer disorganised but are working efficiently with the limited rolling stock at their disposal. The problem is now one of increasing that rolling stock, particularly locomotives and freight trucks, and this is receiving the constant attention of the Control Commission.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster why orders have been given to dismantle cement factories in the British zone in Germany.

No such orders have been given although, as a result of a quadripartite decision to reduce the capacity of the German cement industry, 27 plants in the British zone have been declared surplus to the needs of the peacetime German economy and available as reparations. So far the valuation of these plants is the only step which has been approved.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that the Herring Industries Board recently ordered the fishing fleet at an East Coast port to remain in harbour so as to prevent a glut of herring being landed; and whether, having regard to the cut in the fish ration in the British zone of Germany, he will, in future, arrange that catches of herring not required for consumption in the United Kingdom be diverted to feed the people in the British zone.

I understand the order was given to make possible the handling of an exceptional accumulation of herring already caught, and to obviate the arrival of quantities of additional fish which could not have been handled either for the home market or for export. The diversion to the British zone of Germany of sudden large surpluses of fish presents many difficulties, including the restricted range of fishing trawlers, the perishable nature of the catch and the limited manpower and other facilities at our ports. Nevertheless, large quantities of fish arc being shipped to the British zone including 25,000 tons of curred herring and 20,000 tons of klondyked herring, in addition to 5,000 tons of white fish already delivered as a result of a glut, during September. Within the limits of what is practicable I am doing everything possible to ensure that the British zone shall benefit by any surpluses of fish.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster why it has been decided to dismantle part of the plant of Messrs. Matthes and Weber, soda manufacturers of Duisberg.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether it is proposed to dismantle and export as reparations the factory of Matthes and Weber of Duisberg which produces soda for the manufacture of soap.

The German chemical industry is to be restricted under the present level of industry plan and this factory, which has been declared available for reparations, is on the list of those eventually to be dismantled and removed. It is, however, at present being maintained in production in view of difficulty in fully utilising other soda manufacturing plant in Germany.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many factories in the British zone are in process of being dismantled; how many are scheduled for dismantling; and what is the total which have been declared available for reparations and will eventually be dismantled and exported.

There are seven factories being dismantled; a further 35 are scheduled for dismantling, and a further 398 declared available for reparations but not yet allocated.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, in view of the hardship endured by many non-Nazi and anti-Nazi Germans who are unable to draw their Government pensions, whether, the question of allowing these men now to draw their pensions will be sympathetically reconsidered, seeing that pensions are drawn in other zones.

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to pensions on non-Nazi and anti-Nazi Germans who were dismissed by the Nazis. I have no information to suggest that the position in regard to the restoration of these pensions in other zones is different from that existing in the British zone. The whole matter is however under quadripartite discussion with a view to a common policy being adopted in all four zones.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster why there have been cuts in the railway passenger services in the British zone of Austria; when he anticipates the recently cancelled services will be restored; and whether similar cancellations have been made in the railway services in all four zones.

Cuts in railway passenger services were made by the Austrian authorities because of the depletion of stocks of locomotive coal. A number of trains were reinstated on 10th November as a result of the release of emergency coal stocks by the occupying Powers. Similar cancellations were made in all four zones, but these were less extensive in the French and American zones which possess sources of hydro-electric power.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster why the censorship of private correspondence from Austria by Allied Military Control cannot now be discontinued.

The censorship of private mail from Austria is the subject of quadripartite agreement, and is exercised on the authority of the Allied Commission for security reasons which require its continuance.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many Poles are there in this country who have volunteered to return to Poland but are held up on account of formalities imposed by the Polish Government; and how long they have been waiting.

Over 20,000 Poles now in this country have volunteered to return to Poland and are awaiting repatriation. His Majesty's Government have requested the Polish Provisional Government to speed up the individual screening of these men which the Polish authorities wish to carry out, and for which they require the men to come individually to the Polish Consulates in London and Glasgow. As the rate of screening is low the last ship left with only 768 men instead of 2,000. The Polish Provisional Government have as a result of our pressing representations now agreed to send some extra screening staff, and I hope this failure to fill the ships will not recur. But the present rate of repatriation, namely, between 3,000 and 4,000 a month, is too low, and the Polish Provisional Government have been urged to provide screening staffs for 10,000 a month. I earnestly hope these will soon be forthcoming, as some of these men already complain of having waited several months.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will consider approaching the Soviet Government with a view to arranging a goodwill mission of hon. Members from this House to visit the U.S.S.R. on a reciprocal basis.

As my predecessor said in his answer to my hon. Friend on 24th June, a British Parliamentary delegation visited the Soviet Union in January, 1945, and before the suggestion is put forward that a further delegation from this House should visit the U.S.S.R., His Majesty's Government hope that a delegation from the Supreme Soviet will come to this country. Such a visit may be arranged in the New Year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many employees have been discharged by the Defence Departments from the dockyards and other employment in Malta since VJ-Day; and what plans exist for absorbing such displaced labour.

Between VJ-Day and the end of last month 78o men were discharged by the Admiralty and 68 by the Air Ministry, while the number of War Department employees had increased by 147. The net decrease in employment under the Service Departments was, therefore, 701. Unemployment has so far not exceeded a normal transitional figure, now standing at 1.22 per cent. of the adult male working population; and the Governor informs me that in anticipation of future discharges he has in hand a programme of building and road works that should eventually divert a substantial number to employment under the Malta Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will issue a White Paper each year similar to that recently issued for Wales, recording a summary of Government activities in each of the countries concerned.

As I have previously stated, I am considering the question of resuming next year the practice of presenting to Parliament an annual statement which will meet a similar purpose to that served by the statement furnished with the Estimates for Colonial and Middle Eastern Services in 1938 and 1939 (Command Papers. Nos. 5760 and 6023). Also as stated in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. T. Reid) on 30th October, Colonial Governments are being asked to resume the issue of their annual reports.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements are made to enable civil servants on leave from the Colonies to visit Departments similar to those in which they are serving.

There is no formal scheme, but in practice, such visits are frequently arranged by my Department with the ready cooperation of other Departments of Government in this country. In some cases they are made at the instance of Colonial Governments who are well aware of the value of such visits, and I am anxious that such arrangements should be extended.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why "Radio Malaya" was not informed of his broadcast to Malaya, and why arrangements were not made to have the text published in the Malayan Press.

"Radio Malaya was informed of my broadcast to the Colonies and included quotations in its news bulletins. I he full text of the broadcast was released to the Press in Singapore on 16th October, and in the Malayan Union on 18th October. The delay in the latter case was due to pressure of other urgent work in the decoding office and to telegraphic corruptions in the text.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that dissatisfaction has been expressed in Malaya regarding the method of appointment of officers 10 the Malayan Union Transport Board; and if he will state the number of appointments already made to that board, with their salaries and the qualifications demanded; and why these appointments were not advertised publicly.

No, Sir. I am not aware of any such dissatisfaction. Of the 27 higher appointments under the Malayan Union Transport Board, 14 have been filled by new recruitment and the remainder by available prewar staff. The salaries of new appointments no doubt vary within time scales ranging between £560 per annum and £1,120 per annum, but exact information about every case is not available in this country. The qualifications demanded were previous experience of motor transport work and personal suitability, and the selection for new appointments was made from those members of the Fighting Services who were applicants, in accordance with conditions circulated throughout the Army and Royal Air Force, for appointments to the Civil Affairs Staff of the Military Administration and to the service of the Civil Governments which were to succeed that Administration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps the Government have taken, in view of the shortage of edible oils, to increase the production and export of Malayan palm oil; and when compensation will be paid to producers to enable the industry to regain its efficiency.

The Malayan Union Government are, of course, giving the industry whatever practical assistance is possible and arrangements have been made in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food for a bulk purchase of the entire exportable production up to 30th June, 1948, at 400 dollars per ton. With regard to the second part of the Question it will not be possible for the Malayan Union Government to consider the question of payment of compensation for war damage until after the report of the War Damage Claims Commission which is shortly to be set up has been received. In view of the delay thus involved, an application by representatives of the industry for financial aid is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a detailed statement with regard to the basis on which compensation pay is being granted to those who served in the Civil Defence Forces of Malaya and who were subsequently interned by the Japanese; and whether, in view of the fact that full pay in respect of their period of internment has been allowed to members of the permanent Civil Service in Malaya, he will take steps to ensure that similarly generous treatment is' given to those who served before the Japanese invasion as land transport officers or other officers of the Civil Defence organisation.

Members of the Civil Defence Services of Malaya who were interned have been granted payment in full subject to the following limits and reservations:

(a) A deduction of 10 per cent. on payments in excess of £1,250.

(b) A general maximum of £1,500.

(c) A maximum of three months' pay in the case of women not normally dependent on their own earnings.

(d) A maximum of £300 in the case of members of certain units, including the Auxiliary Drivers Corps, who, though paid at a uniform rate of so dollars a day, had responsibilities comparable with those of a staff warden in the A.R.P. or a sergeant of the special constabulary, for both of which classes the accrued pay amounted to approximately £300.

All the limitations mentioned above are considered reasonable in the case of persons towards whom, in that they entered Government employment temporarily as members of the Civil Defence Services, the local Governments cannot be expected to undertake the fuller financial obligations which they have assumed towards their permanent staff.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent labour is still being recruited in Northern Rhodesia on other than a voluntary basis; and how long this policy, which is contrary to the spirit of I.L.O. conventions, is to be pursued.

All forms of compulsory recruitment of labour by the Government of Northern Rhodesia have entirely ceased.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the difficulties in respect of the export to this country of furniture made in West Africa; and to what extent such furniture has been exported during the past 12 months.

I am keeping in close touch with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade about the possibility of importations of this kind from the Colonies generally; but I understand from him that he cannot at present permit the importation of West African furniture except of types and at prices which can be brought within the utility furniture scheme. No furniture has been exported during the last 12 months except a small quantity consigned to the W.V.S for free distribution

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the Secretary of State or the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Colonies last visited Northern Rhodesia; and if arrangements will be made for a visit to this territory in the near future.

My information is that the last visit was by the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary in 1924. I cannot say at present whether there is any likelihood of a visit to Northern Rhodesia by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary or myself in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is in a position to make a statement about the future marketing arrangements for West African cocoa.

I have pleasure in informing my hon. Friend that a statement on the Future Marketing of West African Cocoa has been published today as Command Paper No. 6950 and copies are available for hon. Members in the Vote Office

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will take steps to secure the representation of local Civil Service Associations on the Promotions Boards of Trinidad, St. Vincent and Grenada; and whether he will appoint such Boards, with staff representation, in Barbadoes and the Leeward Islands, on the same lines as existing Boards in Jamaica, British Honduras and British Guiana

The appointment of a promotions board is in all cases a matter for the Colonial Government concerned. In St. Vincent the Promotions Board already includes a representative of the local Civil Service Association. I understand that the question of co-opting a representative is under consideration in Grenada. In Barbadoes a representative of the local Civil Service Association is to attend meetings of the Promotions Committee in future. The position in Trinidad and the Leeward Islands is under consideration

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that servants of the Trinidad Government Railway are debarred from obtaining loans from the Government Employee's Housing Loan Fund; and whether he will take steps to remedy this position.

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. I will certainly consider the point which my hon. Friend has raised.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plans have been made to train local civil servants to fill the highest administrative and technical posts, as demanded by the Federation of British Civil Servants Associations in the Caribbean area in 1944 and again in March, 1946.

A special allocation of £1,000,000 has been set aside for the training of inhabitants of the Colonies to qualify them for higher posts in the Colonial Service. The Comptroller for Development and Welfare in the West Indies proposes to allot further funds for training purposes in the West Indies

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will appoint a commission to visit the separate Colonies in the Caribbean area to consider the existing conditions of service of Government servants and to make recommendations for reorganisation, with a view to establishing a unified service.

It is generally agreed to he desirable that, so far as is feasible, the Government services of the West Indian Colonies should be unified, and I have already had under consideration the question of setting up a commission of the kind suggested by my hon. Friend. But this problem is very closely bound up with the wider question of the closer association of the Colonies concerned, and as at present advised, I feel that it would be undesirable to appoint a commission in anticipation of the results of the conference which, as I said in reply to a Question on 3oth October, it is hoped to convene as soon as practicable in order to consider what practical steps can be taken to achieve closer association between those Colonies. The possibility of unifying the Government services of the West Indian Colonies will clearly be an important matter for consideration by that conference.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the conference of the Federation of Civil Service Associations in the Caribbean area, held in March, 1946, recorded a protest at the deviation of West Indian Governments from British announced intention to give priority to West Indians in making appointments to senior Civil Service posts; and if he will take steps to ensure that such posts are filled by local candidates wherever possible.

I have received a Memorandum containing resolutions made by the Federation at its Conference held in February and March, 1946, from one of which I observe that the

"Conference views with concern the deviation of Governments from their announced intentions of giving priority to West Indians in making appointments to the Senior posts in the services in this area."

It is not clear to what announcement of intentions the resolution refers, but it has, I understand, long been the policy of the West Indian Governments in making appointments to senior Civil Service posts to give full consideration to West Indians wherever possible. These Governments will adhere to that policy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in view of the proposal made by the Financial Secretary, Ceylon, to avail himself of the temporary world shortage in tea supplies to impose a heavy export duty on Ceylon tea, he will take steps to forestall this attempt to compel British tea drinkers to contribute indirectly to the revenues of Ceylon.

I am in communication with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food and with the Ceylon Government on this matter. The reported proposal to impose an export tax has not yet been confirmed and until I receive further details I am unable to say more.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that during this year two paramilitary Arab organisations called "Najjada" and "Futuwwa," respectively, have been formed in Palestine and have been holding parades of their uniformed members in public places and training members in the use of small arms weapons; and whether this has been done with the approval of the Palestine administration.

The Arab youth organisations in Palestine, to which my hon. Friend refers, "Najjada" and "Futuwwa," originated as Arab scout movements, the former towards the end of 1945 and the latter as far back as 1935. Their present activities are being kept under close observation by the Palestine Administration, and cases which have come to notice of unlawful drilling and interference with the liberty of the subject are being dealt with. There has been no reliable evidence that these groups have been indulging in small arms training, but the question whether or not they should be granted the requisite permission to wear distinctive dress is under current examination by the competent authorities in Palestine.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why Mrs. Stenhouse has received no letters from her son, P. D. Stenhouse, imprisoned in Hong Kong, for a year; if he will take steps to have this young boy brought to this country to serve the rest of his sentence; and if he will obtain a report of his medical condition.

I have ascertained from the Governor of Hong Kong that Stenhouse has recently written to his mother, and that he sent messages to her by two shipmates last May, instead of writing. As regards the second part of the Question, the removal of Stenhouse to this country has been considered on more than one occasion, but the Governor of Hong Kong has not felt justified in giving the necessary certificate under the Colonial Prisoners Removal Act. I am asking for a medical report, and I will communicate with my hon. Friend when I get it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in view of the fact that his Department has now taken over responsibility for British North Borneo what steps are being taken to expedite the unfreezing of credit balances with the State Bank of North Borneo; and whether, in view of the hardship imposed on ex-internees and others who have such balances, he will arrange for this matter to have priority of consideration.

The first step is the reconstitution of the records which were partially destroyed. It was the intention that the former manager of the State Bank, who was interned by the Japanese, should return to Borneo for this purpose, and to deal generally with the affairs of the bank, including the claims of depositors. Unfortunately this gentleman has recently been declared physically unfit to return, and other arrangements will have to be made. I can assure the hon. Member that this matter will receive all possible priority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements are being made for the 400 Spanish Republican refugees who have been informed that they must now leave Gibraltar, where they were working for the Allies during the war.

The purpose of the notice which e hon. Member has in mind was to bring to the attention of these Spaniards the facilities for settlement offered by the Venezuelan Government. It was simultaneously pointed out to them that, in view of the large number of Gibraltarian evacuees still unable to return owing to lack of accommodation, they could not expect to remain m Gibraltar indefinitely. It is not correct to state that the Spanish refugees in Gibralta have been informed that they must now leave the Colony. It was not intended by the announcement of 1st November in Gibraltar that the political refugees would be compelled to leave the Colony. The demand for accommodation for evacuated Gibraltarians however, is urgent and intense and where possible refugees should be encouraged to accept suitable alternative arrangements elsewhere. The recent offer of the Venezuelan Government should be seriously considered by them. Many of the refugees rendered good service during the war years.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when he expects to be in a position to make a statement on the future of Rosyth.

The future of Rosyth depends upon the strength, composition, and disposition of the peace-time Fleet. These matters themselves depend upon a number of factors which cannot yet be determined, and I regret that I cannot forecast at present when I shall be able to make a statement.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty it he is aware that letters addressed to naval personnel at Hong Kong are suffering great delay, which is bad for morale; and if he will arrange for all such letters to -be transported by air.

All letters of 1 oz and under, and all heavier letters which are prepaid for air transmission, are already sent by air to naval personnel at Hong Kong. I am aware that owing to bad weather conditions there have been delays during October, but the most recent report received from there indicates that the position has now improved. Letters heavier than 1 oz. not prepaid for air transmission necessarily take a considerable time in transit owing to the great distance and shortage of shipping. Nevertheless, steps are being taken which will, it is hoped cut down delays. It is not possible to send all letters by air owing to lack of air freight facilities.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of casualties killed and injured in the R.N. since the termination of hostilities in Europe and in Asia; and if he will give details of the various military spheres where these casualties have taken place.

Forty-four were killed and 42 injured as the result of the damage by mines to the "Saumarez" and the "Volage" off Corfu recently. Three others were killed, and two others injured as the result of another mine explosion in the course of minesweeping off Greece. Seven were killed in operations in the Far East, and six were killed and two injured in home waters as the result of a mine explosion and of the explosion of a depth charge while on wreck disposal duties. In addition to the above, 190 have been killed and 46 injured in the course of non-operational accidents occurring in various parts of the world.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when, in view of the urgency of the case of S.F.X. AMA G. W. Eskins, Mess B.B.6, R.N.A.S., Senbawang, c/o B.S.M.O., Singapore, now in the Cameron Highlanders Convalescent Home, Malaya, the hon. Member for North Dorset can expect a reply to his letter dated 29th October, in which the full facts were given.

This matter necessitated getting into touch with the authorities in Singapore. A reply has been sent to the hon. Member this week.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what are the reasons for delay in the granting of compassionate leave to 722765 A.B. Clem Hartness, P/J.X., H.M.S. "Simbag," Singapore, who wishes to see his mother who is dangerously ill.

I informed the hon. Member on 30th October that on the information then available the Commodore of A. B. Hartness' depot had recommended to the Commander-in-Chief, British Pacific Fleet, that leave should be granted. It has since been reported, however, that Hartness has a father, younger brother, and sister at home, and an elder married brother living nearby. In these circumstances, Hartness is ineligible for the grant of compassionate leave, and has been informed accordingly.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why the yacht "Cortynia," which was requisitioned and served as a wireless base ship during the war, has been sold to a Greek firm; and what was the amount received by the Government Disposals Board.

This yacht was requisitioned in 1939, and was subsequently acquired by His Majesty's Government. When no longer required, she was offered to her original owner in this country, who did not, however, wish to re-purchase her. After other yacht owners whose yachts had been lost on war service had been given an opportunity to acquire her, she was eventually sold as and where she lay to a gentleman, understood to be a Greek subject, at a price which was considered by the Government selling agency to be satisfactory in the light of her age and condition. I regret that it would be contrary to accepted policy to disclose the contract price, but I may say that it exceeded that suggested by a recognised professional yacht valuer who had been asked to advise on the price.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will now define the boundaries of Culdrose air station; and, in particular, state whether the waters of the Helford River are to be left to the free and uninterrupted access and use of the public.

I am sending the hon. Member two maps defining the boundaries of the Royal Naval Air Station, Culdrose, and the siting of the station relative to the Helford River. From these he will see that it does not interfere with the public access to, and use of, the Helford River, nor does the operation of the air station so interfere. The nearest boundary of the airfield to this river is about one mile distant.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will make a further statement on the provision of married quarters for ratings serving abroad.

This matter is now being investigated locally and I will let my hon. Friend know as soon as I am in a position to make a statement.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will make a further statement on the recent mining of two destroyers; what further mine sweeping of the channel between Corfu and the mainland has been carried out since 22nd October; and with what result.

Yes, Sir. The damage sustained by H.M.S. "Saumarez" was very severe, and she may he a total loss. The damage to H.M.S. "Volage" was also severe, but it will be possible to repair her. On 12th and 13th November, His Majesty's minesweepers swept the North Corfu channel. During this operation 22 mines were cut, two of which were recovered and sent to Malta for detailed examination. I regret that I cannot make a further statement until the evidence produced by this examination has been fully considered.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why four rafts, which have been lying at Fortrose Harbour for a considerable time, were broken up with crowbars and pickaxes after an offer made by the town council of Fortrose to purchase these rafts had been rejected.

These rafts contained timber in excellent condition and in sizes suitable for jetty repairs, and it was decided in view of the timber shortage to dismantle them and transfer the material to Invergordon for use at the naval base.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action has been taken by his Department in consultation with the Colonial Office to restrict the export of goatskins from Nigeria; and if it was with his authority it was announced that the shippers and merchants had agreed to export only to the United Kingdom and at a price less than the open market figure which would provide the natives with a better return for their product.

In view of the serious shortage of footwear and of upper leather for its production, the Nigerian authorities were informed that the Board of Trade were prepared to buy all Nigerian exportable goatskins for the lime being. The Nigerian authorities accordingly restricted the grant of export licences to the United Kingdom only, while discussions took place with the shippers. The Board are fully prepared to discuss the prices paid for Nigerian goatskins from time to time with the Nigerian authorities with a view to ensuring a reasonable return to the producers of the skins.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware of the hardship caused to a number of old age pensioners who retired from work on or about the date at which it was announced that the increased pension would be paid but have not yet received it; and if, in particular, he will expedite payment of it to Mr. C. E. Cundy, 5, Belvedere Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, Mr. F. Warren, 20, Granville Terrace, Burnham-on-Crouch, Mr. W. Mapes, Whitney Terrace, Burnham-on-Crouch, Mr. A. Richmond, Lilian Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, and others resident in this neighbourhood.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to several Questions on this subject yesterday by my right hon. Friend. Inquiries are being made into the particular cases mentioned in the Question and I will communicate the results as soon as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the names of the ships which have arrived during recent months off the Palestine coast with illegal immigrants in an unseaworthy condition, together with their owners' names, those responsible for the charter, the ports from which they sailed and the flag flown by them

Ship		Flag		Port of Departure.	Gross Registered Tonnage.	Number of Immigrants.
Smyrna	…	Greek	…	Contanza	760	1,662
Haviva Reik	…	Egyptian	…	Probably Greece	140	466
Josiah Wedgwood	…	Panamanian	…	Savona	1,039	1,259
Akbel	…	Turkish	…	Not Known	284	1,011
Hagana	…	Panamanian	…	Not Known	1,039	2,678
Hochelaga	…	Hondurean	…	Antwerp	628	500
Yagour	…	Turkish	…	Toulon	255	758
Henrietta Szold	…	Greek	…	Greece	150	540
Katriel Yaffe	…	Italian	…	North Italy	250	615
The 23	…	Italian	…	North Italy	200	815
Fede	…	Italian	…	Near Spezia	512	985
Palmach	…	Italian	…	Near Spezia	300	626
Fenice	…	Italian	…	Spezia	298	819
San Dimitric	…	Panamanian	…	La Ciotat	733	1,279

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will make available in the Library of the House the text of the Central Office of Information Speakers' Notes on the subjects for which such speakers are available for private meetings of members of the Labour Party.

Yes, Sir, but I should add that no material is specially produced for private meetings of Labour Party members Lecturers are available on the same terms for all voluntary societies, including the private meetings of party organisations. Hon. Members were each sent copies of the lecture notes dealing with production at the time of their issue, and those dealing with exports were sent

The ships given in the table below are those which have arrived in Palestine waters during the last six months. They were not all unseaworthy in themselves, but it will be seen from the figures of immigrants carried and gross registered tonnage which have also been included that all the ships were grossly overcrowded, and that some carried as many as ten times the number of passengers which would in normal conditions be accommodated. This movable topweight is very dangerous, and all the ships were for this reason unstable. The ownership and charter arrangements are in most cases extremely obscure, and such information as exists is too unreliable to form the basis for a useful reply to this part of the Question.to the Parliamentary parties for supply to hon. Members if so desired. The following numbers of lectures were requested by party organisations and supplied in the last three months: Conservative 21; Labour 3; Liberal 1.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury in what publications, in addition to the Labour Press Service, the lecturing facilities of the Central Office of Information have been advertised

The Central Office of Information does not advertise its lecture service in any publications, and the particulars given in the Labour Press Service were included without its knowledge. I have no information as to other publications in which similar particulars may have been given.

asked the Minister of Transport how many railway owned wagons and how many private owners' wagons are now held by the Freight Rolling Stock Control.

661,863 railway owned and 585,152 requisitioned private owners' wagons are now controlled by the Freight Rolling Stock Control.

asked the Minister of Transport how many railway wagons are now standing under or awaiting repair; and the corresponding figures for 1940 and 1945.

The number of wagons under and awaiting repair on 25th October, 1946, was 164,462, and the figures for corresponding dates in 1945 and 1941 were 159,031 and 67,730 respectively. Figures for 1940 are not available.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will inquire into the practice of the L.N.E.R., on the service between Cambridge and Liverpool Street, of running fast trains shortly after slow trains, with the result that the fast trains regularly arrive late; and if he will take steps to improve the service both to and from Liverpool Street.

It is normal railway practice, on sections of line where both express and ordinary trains run, to operate stopping trains in advance of fast trains. The stopping trains thus act as feeder services to the fast trains and provide better facilities for passengers from intermediate stations at which the fast trains do not call. The delays on the Cambridge line are due to the poor condition of locomotives, the maintenance and renewal of which suffered during the war, and not to faulty planning of the timetable. The railway company appreciates that the service is unsatisfactory and assure me that they are doing all they can to improve it.

asked the Minister of Transport on how many days since 7th October, the 7.47 a.m. train from Cambridge to Liverpool Street and the 5.49 p.m. train from Liverpool Street to Cambridge have arrived on time.

I am informed that during the period 7th October to 30th October, the 7.47 a.m. train from Cambridge to London arrived on time on four days. The 5.49 p.m. train from Liverpool Street to Cambridge was late every day.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons resident in the Channel Islands have been reported to his Department for collaboration with the Germans during the occupation; and what action is contemplated in dealing with such cases where there is prima facie evidence of collaboration.

Communications alleging unpatriotic behaviour on the part of a limited number of British subjects in the Channel Islands were received by my Department and by the commander of the liberating forces. Careful inquiries were made into all these allegations, of which many were found to have no basis but hearsay or suspicion. In only 12 cases was there information to suggest consideration of the question of prosecution. All these cases were submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who came to the conclusion that there were no sufficient grounds to warrant the institution of criminal proceedings.

asked the Minister of Education how many teachers she expects will be available in the national schools on 1st April, 1947; the number of pupils with whom they will have to deal on that date; the figures of teachers and pupils, respectively, at the date of the passage of the Act in tire autumn of 1944; and the present proportion of graduate teachers in secondary schools as compared with the figure 78 per cent. in 1944.

It is estimated that there will be 188,000 teachers and 5,100,000 pupils in maintained and assisted primary and secondary schools on 1st April, 1947. Comparable figures for the autumn of 1944 are about 170,000 and 5,000,000 respectively. About 42 per cent. of the teachers in all types of secondary schools on 31st March, 1946, were graduates. This percentage is not comparable with the figure of 78 per cent. in 1944 which relates to secondary grammar schools only.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the need for a fresh examination of the Agricultural Marketing Acts in relation to changes in conditions and policy since these Acts were placed on the Statute Book, he will set up a committee or commission for this purpose.

Yes, Sir. The Secretary of State for Scotland and I have decided to set up a small committee of independent persons to review the working of the Agricultural Marketing Acts; to consider what modifications of the provisions of those Acts for the organisation of producers are desirable in the light of experience before 1939 and of developments during the war and subsequently in Government policy as it affects food and agriculture; and to make recommendations. I hope to be able to announce the composition of the committee at an early date.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will raise the price of mutton by 3d. per lb. so as to ensure the preservation of flocks of black-faced Suffolk sheep which, at today's prices, are rapidly being annihilated.

No, Sir. I do not agree that flocks of black-faced Suffolk sheep are rapidly being annihilated; I see no justification for raising the price of all mutton in order to stimulate the rearing of a particular breed of sheep; and in any case I am not prepared to review the prices of particular farm products in between the reviews for which provision is made in the agreed procedure.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the case in which two Cheshire farmers were awarded damages against two veterinary surgeons for injury to 60 cows and heifers and the death of 24 calves following inoculation; and whether his Department will take steps to discontinue the use of this serum or vaccine in view of these disastrous results.

The toxoid with which the cattle were inoculated as a preventive against summer mastitis is not used by my Department. It is a commercial preparation which, I am informed, has been used without harmful effect before, and since, this unfortunate case.

asked the Minister of Works the total number of building operatives now engaged in the building industry in England and Wales; and the proportion of this number who are engaged in work other than the provision of housing accommodation.

The number of male operatives aged 16 and over in the building and civil engineering industries in England and Wales at the end of October, 1946, is estimated to have been 850,000. Of these about 39 per cent. were engaged on work providing for additional housing accommodation and a further 28 per cent. on housing repair and maintenance. About 33 per cent. were engaged on building and civil engineering work unconnected with housing