asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster for what posts in the Control Commission in Germany is recruiting still in progress.

Recruiting at present is mainly of supervising, officers for the Prisoners of War and Displaced Persons Division, engineers for the Reparations Division, intelligence and legal officers, interpreters and police officers. Recruiting is also proceeding on a smaller scale for posts in various other parts of the Commission.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many zonal, regional or district commanders there are in Germany who have responsibilities other than the direct com- mand of British occupational troops; and of these how many are Army and R.A.F. officers, respectively.

The Military Governor who is our representative on the Allied Control Council is a Marshal of the Royal Air Force; his deputy is a serving Army Officer. The four Regional Commissioners are civilians, one being a retired Army officer and another a retired R.A.F. officer. The head of Military Government of the British sector of Berlin is a serving Army officer. There are 14 Regierungs-bezirk Commanders; nine are serving Army officers; the remaining five are civilians and include two retired Territorial Army Officers and two retired R.A.F. officers.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) how many grammes of bread and grammes of cereals, respectively, were included in the official ration for period starting 14th October, 1946, of 1,550 calories; and whether, before these quantities could be purchased, an announcement has to be made as to the percentage to which they have been called up;

(2) the percentage of cereals included in the British zone ration of 1,550 calories and the percentage of this amount which has in fact been distributed since the 1,550 calories ration was reintroduced.

The quantities specified were 10,000 grammes of bread and 1,750 grammes of cereals. These represented some 70 per cent. of the total 1,550 ration calorie scale. The normal consumer was entitled to these quantities within the four week period wherever stocks permitted, or as soon as possible thereafter where supplies during the period in question had to be restricted because of local distribution difficulties. Since the introduction of the 1,550 scale about 90 per cent. of the total bread and cereals ration has been distributed. Whenever doubt exists as to the availability of adequate supplies, announcements are made in the Press and over the radio indicating which particular ration coupons will be valid and the quantities in grammes which will be available.

asked the Minister of Food why the exporters of tomatoes from Jersey have only been paid up to 21st September; and if he will put into operation the usual commercial practice of paying accounts weekly.

I have received no complaints that payment for supplies of tomatoes exported from Jersey has been unduly delayed. Responsibility for payment to the exporters rests with the Tomato Distribution Associations in this country to whom supplies are sent and the arrangements for payment are outside my control. I will, however, gladly look into any particular case in which delay has occurred if the hon. Member will let me have particulars.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that foreign athletic teams visiting this country are bringing extra food with them, as our food is not enough to sustain them; that our teams are contemplating training in Eire before competing abroad in order not to be handicapped; and whether, in view of the Olympic Games being held here in 1948 and the fact our prestige in sport is suffering due to lack of correct foods for British athletes, he will consider assisting them.

I have no information concerning the matters referred to in the first part of the hon. Member's Question. I regret, however, that I am not prepared to increase the rations of people competing in sporting events.

asked the Minister of Food what he contemplates doing with the milk for 4,000,000 children which is not supplied to them during the holidays unless they go themselves to collect it at the schools; and, in view of the large number of children who live too far from any school to afford the omnibus fare, or who will not be collected in school omnibuses, who will get the milk thus not claimed.

Milk not required by schools during the school holidays will remain in the common pool and be avail- able either for maintaining the non-priority allowance or for manufacture into essential milk products such as baby foods.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will tabulate the conditions on which His Majesty's Government recognised the Polish Provisional Government and say in each instance which condition has been complied with and which condition has been violated.

The following conditions arise out of the Yalta Agreement: 1. The formation of a Polish Provisional Government by representative democratic Poles from Poland and abroad. This was the basis on which the Polish Provisional Government of National Unity was in fact formed. 2. The holding of free and unfettered elections as specified in the Crimea Agreement. The Polish elections are to take place on 19th January. His Majesty's Government have made clear to the Polish Provisional" Government the conditions which they regard as essential of fulfilment if that Government's obligations are to be implemented. In addition, His Majesty's Government received assurances from President Beirut during the discussions in Moscow regarding the formation of the new Polish Provisional Government that His Majesty's Embassy in Warsaw would enjoy adequate facilities to communicate by mail, telegraph, radio and courier with the Foreign Office and with other Missions in Europe; that the Ambassador and his staff would receive facilities to travel in, to and from Poland; that permission would be granted to establish Consular Offices; that all facilities should be granted for sending British aircraft, and, if necessary, surface transport to transmit diplomatic bags and personnel; that British journalists should be allowed to reside and travel in Poland, to report freely without undue censorship restrictions, and to enjoy all appropriate facilities for the transmission of their reports; that no measures should be taken to prevent free contacts between British officials and Poles, and that His Majesty's Embassy should not be subjected to hampering attentions by the Polish police. Although, as the House is aware, there have been complaints, these' assurances have in the main been implemented.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Janusz Kazimierczak has been arrested in Warsaw for having acted as interpreter to Derek Selby, the correspondent of the "Sunday Times," who was expelled from Poland on 31st October in violation of the Potsdam Agreement; and what action he is taking.

I am aware of this arrest. This is not the first case of its kind, and I am concerned that such practices should not have, among other consequences, the effect of restricting the ability of British journalists in Poland to provide the public with accurate news from that country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has considered the allegations of incompetence in the administration in Singapore, which have been sent to him, concerning the appointment of an appeal board and the War Claims Commission; and if he will make a statement.

I am not aware of any incompetence, on the part of the Government of Singapore, in regard to the matters mentioned by the hon. Member. At all times since the re-occupation of Malaya, regulations governing claims for compensation in respect of requisitioned property have been in operation. A new Board to adjudicate on claims was appointed on 21st June and the President was notified of his appointment on the 30th. New Rules of Procedure were published on 18th October and further rules were published on 22nd November. Claims under the War Risks (Goods) Insurance Scheme are now being registered by the office of the War Damage Claims Commission on behalf of the Board of Management.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that a Singapore importer was recently refused permission to ship 30,000 tons of Brazilian rice to Mayala at a price which would have enabled it to be sold between 40 and 50 cents a kati, and that other importers who have received offers of rice from overseas have been similarly refused permission to import it; and what is the reason for this action by His Majesty's Government.

I am aware of the particular case of the proposed transaction of 30,000 tons of rice to which my hon. Friend refers, and there may have been other cases of the same sort. In the specific case referred to permission to import this quantity into Malaya was not granted because, after a full investigation, it was apparent that physical stocks did not exist. Even had the stocks existed, His Majesty's Government could not have made them available for purchase through commercial channels as the whole of the Brazilian exportable surplus of rice for this year has already been allocated by the International Emergency Food Council and contracted for by the Ministry of Food on behalf of, amongst other territories, Malaya.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the amount of money received by the Custodian of Enemy Property for Malaya and the Federated Malay States up to 30th October, 1946; and the amount of money disbursed.

During the period ending on 15th February, 1942, the Custodian received 960,429 Malayan dollars and 52 cents. and disbursed 109,982 dollars and nine cents. The Custodian's receipts from the 15th September, 1945, up to the end of October, 1946, were 20,053,153 dollars and 18 cents., and in the same period he disbursed 3,625,462 dollars and 70 cents.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that food production in Malaya is being seriously affected by wild pigs; that constant applications have been made to him to supply 12-bore ammunition to eradicate them; and when does he expect that sufficient supplies will be available.

I am aware that the depredations of wild pigs are affecting the production of food in Malaya. It is estimated that 200,000 rounds of ammunition are required for dealing with this pest. The supply position of cartridges is difficult, but 50,000 are already in course of shipment to Malaya and further supplies are receiving special attention; the remaining needs will, it is hoped, very soon be met.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what recognition has been given, or compensation paid, to the staff of the Chatsworth Auxiliary Hospital at Singapore, in view of the invaluable service rendered by this hospital and the serious casualties sustained by the staff, both British and Chinese, in the execution of their duty.

I am in communication with the Governor of Singapore on this matter and will write to the hon. and gallant Member as soon as a reply is received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he is taking to have the monument, erected on The Peak at Hong Kong by the Japanese, dismantled.

The Government of Hong Kong is taking steps to remove the Japanese war memorial. It is, however, a massive concrete structure and the work of demolition and removal is likely to take several months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the proposed team of statisticians and nutritionists, to compile a cost-of-living index and to study expenditure-patterns in Nigeria, as recommended by the Tudor-Davies Report, has been set up; and whether he will make a statement on its progress.

This team has not been set up. because the reconstitution of the wages structure for the established staff in Nigeria, with which the proposal was linked in the Report, has been dealt with by the Commission on the Civil Services of British West Africa. Further, the fixing of minimum wages is already provided for through the medium of labour advisory boards appointed under the Labour Code I hope, however, that, when the necessary staff is available, the Government of Nigeria may be able to set up a team, including officers with the special qualifications required, to carry out cost-of-living investigations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that furniture made in West Africa has been shipped to this country; to what extent the manufacture of furniture has increased in recent years; and what special arrangements are contemplated to encourage the export of furniture and other manufactured goods to this country.

According to my information, the only imports of West African furniture into this country have been the shipments to the W.V.S. and certain other sample shipments. I am aware that there has been some recent increase in the manufacture of furniture the output of which is to a large extent absorbed by local demand. In Nigeria the local demand will exceed supply for some time to come. The Gold Coast Government is giving special training to cabinet makers, but it is not considered desirable to encourage exports on a large scale until the output of high quality furniture is sufficient to enable the trade to be firmly established and developed. I am consulting my right hon. and learned Friend the President of the Board of Trade, regarding the extent to which the import of manufactured goods from the Colonies can be encouraged within the limits imposed by the financial and production policies of this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has supported the action of the U.S. Government in protesting against the falsification of the Rumanian elections in violation of the Potsdam Agreement.

The views of His Majesty's Government about the conduct of the Rumanian elections were conveyed to the Rumanian Government in an oral communication on 30th November. The sense of this communication was similar to that of the reply which my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. T. Reid) on 2nd December.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the present figure of the cost-of-living index in the Seychelles as compared with 1939; and whether wages have been increased accordingly.

The Seychelles maintain cost-of-living indices for two classes of wage earners, namely, town workers and countrymen. The index figures have fallen substantially since 1943. The increases in the cost of living over prewar for these two classes, as at the latest available date in 1946, were 128 per cent. and 139 per cent. respectively. Increases in wages amount to no per cent. in the case of town labourers, and 166 per cent. in the case of agricultural workers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give particulars of the education plans recently put into operation in the Seychelles and of the success of its operation to date.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the plans for educational development which form part of the ten-year development plans for Seychelles. These plans, which include a provisional estimate of £150,000 for education, have not yet been finally worked out in local discussion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give details of the ten-year plan for the Seychelles, in particular with regard to the amount available from Colonial development and welfare funds and the methods of raising finance in addition to those amounts.

The Seychelles Development plan envisages a total expenditure during the next ten years of some £375,000, of which £250,000 is the Colony's allocation under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act. The preliminary plan, which has yet to be elaborated in local discussions, includes £150,000 to be devoted to the expansion of educational services. A further £140,000 is provisionally allotted to health services including not only hospitals and health centres, but also such measures of indirect benefit to health as reclamation and road improvements in Victoria, water supplies, sewerage and a cattle importation scheme designed to increase milk production. Other proposals include expenditure on land settlement, reafforestation, fisheries, public buildings, and smaller sums for harbour extensions, additional staff and further road improvements designed to encourage tourist traffic.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the position in regard to Government-sponsored Bacca clubs in the Seychelles; and whether the local government will consider a prohibition of toddy.

The Government of Seychelles, which holds the monopoly of the sale of Bacca in the public interest, operates two canteens in Port Victoria, where plans are in hand for a third, and also maintains centres for the sale of this liquor in two other places in the island of Mahé. This undertaking is run as an economic entity and all profits are entirely devoted to the improvement of the social amenities and the welfare of the Colony. Since the supply of sugar cane is at present insufficient to satisfy a reasonable demand for Bacca, coconut toddy is also sold in the Port Victoria canteens. The sales last October were 13,288 litres of Bacca and 18,641 litres of toddy. I am satisfied that the system whereby Bacca canteens are operated by the Colonial Government is having beneficial results. As regards the second part of the Question, the general position with regard to toddy is kept under under close and constant review by the Colonial Government. The present system of controlled sale was introduced in 1944 because of the abuses which existed under the previous policy of prohibition.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is satisfied with the food position in the Seychelles; and what steps have been taken by the local government to ensure adequate food supplies.

Yes, Sir. The Colony's food-import programme is being adequately met in spite of the shortage of shipping. Stocks of cereals are sufficient with the exception of rice, of which there is temporary scarcity. Pulses and lentils are still hard to obtain. Recently the Colonial Government was able to obtain a good store of frozen meat from Kenya and to arrange for further consignments when shipping permits. In the Colony itself, the Government gives every encouragement to vegetable production, seed being distributed free of cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken by the Government of the Seychelles to encourage development of a tourist trade.

A special Committee was appointed by the Governor of the Seychelles in 1944 to draw up plans for developing the tourist trade after the war. I understand that one of the results is that negotiations are now in progress with a view to the provision of suitable hotel accommodation for visitors. Both the Governor and myself are anxious to encourage tourist traffic to the Colony.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what Governments are to meet the cost of war damage to property in non-self-governing parts of the British Empire.

In Malta and Ceylon the cost of war damage to property is to be met from war damage funds provided under contributory insurance schemes. In Malta where the resources of the community are wholly inadequate to meet the damage, His Majesty's Government have undertaken to assist the Government of Malta by a Grant from the Exchequer. Aden and Kenya will meet the cost from their own funds. In other Colonial territories assessments of damage have been or will be made but until the extent of the damage is known it will not be possible to say how far the Government concerned will be able to meet the full cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will recommend to Colonial Governments that some provisional increase of a temporary nature should be made on all Colonial pensions, pending consideration of a permanent increase.

As the hon. and gallant Member will be aware, the Pension (Increase) Bill has now been presented. The attention of Colonial Governments will be drawn to any alterations which may be made in the United Kingdom Law in this respect; but I should not be justified in inviting those governments to take action in advance of any concessions which Parliament may see fit to make to pensioners of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that tenements built under the auspices of the Government of British Guiana on the Wortmanville Housing Scheme are to be let at a high rental; that they are inconvenient, badly built and equipped; whether he will inquire in what circumstances the Government of British Guiana allocated the execution of the Wortmanville Housing Scheme to a private concern without tender; and give an assurance that no further houses of this standard will be built under any Government scheme.

The Governor has reported that this scheme was a minor emergency arrangement to provide four two-storied buildings to accommodate 48 families in an acutely congested area in Georgetown. The flats were erected from municipal funds and responsibility was delegated by the Governor to the Mayor of Georgetown and a special unofficial committee. This committee contracted with a local firm. Various faults in the construction have since been reported, including the use of unseasoned timber through shortage of seasoned timber. Difficulties were experienced in obtaining materials, and the costs of construction proved higher than was expected. Rentals, I understand, have not yet been settled. In the light of experience, the contract for this work was faulty in some respects. The Governor is satisfied that the Mayor and committee acted in good faith. The design is stated to be satisfactory and the housing will be a great improvement on previous standards. A further report will be submitted later and the standards and rentals under any further housing scheme will be most carefully reviewed. Meanwhile, a planning officer with architectural qualifications is being recruited for British Guiana under a Colonial Development and Welfare Scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will abolish any restrictions at present placed by his Department on the development of new markets for the products of the confectionery industry of Jamaica.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the limitations placed on the quantity of sugar for confectionery manufacture which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food makes available from his purchases of the Jamaican crop. As long as the world supplies of sugar remain critically short the allocation of sugar for such purposes has to be restricted. At my request, however, a special allowance of sugar for the development by Jamaica manufacturers of local markets in the Caribbean area has been made available. But I have not felt that I could support an allowance to cover exports to the U.S. and Canada.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the riots which took place recently in Jamaica.

I assume that this question refers to the disturbances which took place at May Pen on 13th and 14th of November. The following official statement was issued in Jamaica on the evening of 14th NovemberOn the evening of 13th November, following a meeting of labourers in May Pen, an attack was made on a police patrol in a Service vehicle. An Inspector was hit by a stone, and damage was done to the police vehicle. The Inspector, and a policeman who accompanied him, fired two revolver shots into the air. There were no casualties. On the morning of 14th November, a sergeant-major and six policemen in a police vehicle visited a point about a mile and a half from May Pen, where work undertaken by the Parochial Board was in progress. Disorder was taking place between different sections of the labourers, and the sergeant-major left the police vehicle to make inquiries. A part of the crowd of labourers then attacked and damaged the police vehicle and assaulted the police. Several of the policemen were injured and the police opened fire. One member of the crowd was killed and three injured. No further disorder was reported. A number of arrests has been made. Strong police reinforcements were at once despatched to May Pen and the situation is now quiet. His Excellency the Governor has directed that a Commission of inquiry should be immediately appointed. An announcement regarding the membership and terms of reference of the Commission will be made as soon as possible.

I have received no further information about these disturbances. I have informed the Governor that I shall await the report of the Commission of inquiry which he has appointed. In doing so I expressed the hope that the Commission would treat the matter as one of urgency.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Chairman of the Port of Spain Assessment Board has been nominated as a member of the Trinidad Legislative Council; whether any other members of the Trinidad Legislature hold offices of emolument under the Crown; and if he will take action to ensure the enforcement of the constitutional prohibition of holders of such offices from being members of the legislative council.

Yes, Sir. There is one other Member of the Legislative Council who receives fees as a member of the Rent Restriction Board. The position of these two members is at present under examination by the Governor, and I am awaiting his considered views on the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the grant of £37,500 made in the current financial year to meet the balance of the planting subsidy of the sugar industry in Trinidad has proved adequate; and if details of the expenditure of this grant can be made available.

The total subsidy due to be paid this year is £4 an acre subject to a maximum of £64,000 if the acreage of newly planted or replanted cane exceeded 16,000 acres. In addition to the sum mentioned by the hon. Member, a further £20,000 has already been issued this year. I understand that the target of 16,000 acres has been exceeded but the balance of £6,500 has not been paid pending the results of the final inspection of crops which has only recently been completed. The Governor has informed me that the details of the expenditure of this subsidy will be available by the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of his statement that the person referred to as "HAYYIM" in telegram No. 2 of Cmd. 6873 is Dr. Weitzmann, and the fact that it is known that "WLSLY" is Wellesley Aaron and "GSBR" Eliezer Kaplan, he will now state who NWBW is.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to my hon Friend on 16th October, when I informed him that I was not in a position to state with certainty the identity of these persons and that to make public the various speculations on the subject might be unfair to individuals in fact not concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the armed terrorists who were caught after murdering and wounding both Arab and British persons on 13th September and robbing the banks in Tel Aviv and Jaffa, will be brought to trial.

Five of the persons arrested following this incident will be brought to trial on 10th December. Of the remainder, one was released after interrogation, and five are detained on the Emergency Regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is now in a position to reply to the correspondence sent to him on 6th May, 1946, by the hon. Member for South Derbyshire relating to a claim by Mr. A. E. Massey.

My hon. Friend will now have received a reply. I regret the delay, which is due to the disruption in the administration caused by the serious destruction of the Palestine Government Secretariat on 22nd July.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is being done to compensate Albert Alvarez, claim No. 90/Gib./62, and other Gibraltarian refugees who were removed from Kensington Palace Mansions to Northern Ireland on the night of 18th-19th July, 1944, in respect of the loss or pilferage of belongings from their luggage which was subsequently delivered to them with many articles missing.

I am informed that 127 claims were submitted by Gibraltarian refugees for war damage to private chattels at Kensington Palace Mansions and that claims have been approved in 124 cases leaving only three cases still under consideration. A payment to Mr. Albert Alvarez in respect of his claim for loss through war damage has now been approved. On completion of consideration of the war damage claims it will be possible to settle claims received in respect of other losses.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement upon the general scheme of development in the island of Mauritius, in view of the loan of £700,000 free of interest to meet expenses of rehabilitation and revive the planting of sugar cane and other crops in the island.

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind the financial assistance outlined in the reply given by my predecessor to the hon. Member for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on 19th December, 1945. This assistance was given by His Majesty's Government specifically for the rehabilitation of the sugar industry, following the hurricanes of 1944 and 1945, and is additional to the sum of £1,750,000 allocated to Mauritius under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act, 1945. A ten-year plan for development and welfare in the Colony, estimated to cost £7¾ millions, has recently been passed by the Mauritius Council of Government. This plan will be examined by my advisers and by the Colonial Economic and Development Council. I have arranged for a copy of it to be placed in the Library of the House for Members' information;

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the exact conditions under which the benefits of the United Kingdom Personal Injuries (Civilian Scheme) can be applied to British citizens who were interned in the Fast East by the Japanese and who suffered severe impairment of mental and physical health in consequence; and whether such benefits can be given to these persons in the Far East, especially in those cases where, if they returned home, they would have no means at all of earning their livelihood.

British citizens who suffered severe impairment of mental and physical health in consequence of internment in the Far East by the Japanese are eligible for consideration by the Ministry of Pensions for the grant of awards in respect of their continuing disablement under special arrangements and on the lines of the United Kingdom Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme. The conditions to be satisfied are: ( a ) That they were ordinarily or originally resident in the United Kingdom or, if not so resident, that they have good grounds for being regarded as "belonging to" the United Kingdom: for example, the disabled wife of a British subject who was born in the United Kingdom can be considered although she her self was never previously in the United Kingdom. ( b ) That they are residing in the United Kingdom.

As regards the second part of the Question, the benefits referred to are provided from United Kingdom funds and it is not possible to extend them to persons not actually residing in the United Kingdom.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why a credit in Latin in School. Certificate is considered a necessary qualification for a commission in the electrical branch of the R.N.

The scheme of training of Naval electrical officers includes for the present a three year course at Cambridge University where the officers read for the Mechanical Sciences Tripos. This knowledge of Latin is necessary in order to meet the University regulations of admission. Although the requirement of the University in this respect is of general application, I will discuss the matter further with the Cambridge University authorities.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state the arrangements made to correlate the naval defence of Eire with British naval organisation in the Atlantic; and the number and description of naval vessels sold or transferred by His Majesty's Government to the Government of Eire.

Three corvettes, the "Bellwort", "Borage" and "Oxlip", have been sold to the Eire Government and one has already been transferred. As regards the first part of the Question, no arrangements have been made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will now state who placed in the Corfu Channel the mines which damaged our ships and killed British subjects.

No, Sir. Our inquiries are not yet complete.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty for what reason H.M.S. "Aurora" has been transferred to the Chinese Navy.

As stated by the First Lord in this House on 23rd January, His Majesty's Government have undertaken to lend the Chinese Navy certain warships, including one cruiser. H.M.S. "Aurora" has been selected as the cruiser to be lent, but has not yet been transferred. The date of transfer will depend upon when the Chinese crew, who are being trained in this country, are ready to take over. This promise for the loan of warships was made in response to a request by the Chinese Government in October, 1944; the original reason for it was to enable the Chinese Fleet to take an effective part in the war against Japan, but we hope that the ship will assist in the postwar reconstruction of the Chinese Navy and consolidate the association, which has continued over 70 years, between the Royal Navy and the Chinese Navy.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many R.N. and ex-R.N. personnel were on demobilisation leave on 31st August 1946.

Until the naval accounts have all been received, it is only possible to estimate the figures from the returns of people discharged at that time. The estimated numbers are: 56,024 officers, ratings and other ranks of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, and 9,497 of the W.R.N.S.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many establishments are now occupied by his Department in the county of Merioneth; the location and area of each establishment and whether it is owned, requisitioned or held for the exercise of training rights; and what the intentions of his Department are with regard to each area.

The only establishment now occupied by the Admiralty in the county of Merioneth is the Royal Marine Establishment in Gibraltar Camp at Llanegryn, which consists of a requisitioned house and a camp built on requisitioned land approximately 60 acres in extent. The Cader Idris training area, approximately 12,000 acres in extent, which is subject to an order under Defence Regulation 52, is used by the Royal Marines who are accommodated in the camp. It is intended that the Royal Marines shall vacate the camp and give up the training area as soon as alternative accommodation with a suitable training area can be found elsewhere.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will make a statement on the causes of the explosion which occurred on 29th November in War Department ship "Maxwell Brander" whilst it was moored in Portsmouth Dockyard; whether he is satisfied that the prescribed safety regulations were complied with; and if he will give an assurance that all the victims, whether service, N.F.S., or civilian, are adequately covered by existing compensation arrangements.

Inquiries into this matter are still proceeding and I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will cause inquiries to be made into the delay which is taking place in the delivery of a landing craft to Mr. Norris Scaife, of Horning, Norfolk, by the Directorate of Small Craft Disposals; and if he will give instructions for the delivery to be expedited.

I have made inquiries into the delay which occurred in this case. The Director of Small Craft Disposals was asked by the purchaser of the craft to arrange delivery at his expense. Certain inevitable delays which were quite outside the control of Director of Small Craft Disposals occurred during the course of these arrangements, due not only to the stress of the weather conditions at the time, but also to difficulties in arranging suitable transport facilities. The craft was, however, loaded and finally left on 20th November, 1946.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how long he anticipates that the R.A.F. Transport Command staging post at Istres will remain in use; and whether he is satisfied that the airmen's accommodation is satisfactory.

I cannot say how long we shall be using the Transport Command staging post at Istres. The buildings were heavily damaged by the Germans when they withdrew, and, although some repairs have been carried out, the accommodation is still unsatisfactory. Materials and labour are short, but we hope to make further improvements in the early future.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that an offer to purchase 150 used surplus cycles at Great Massingham R.A.F. station, Norfolk, was refused; that, subsequently, these cycles were laid out on the aerodrome runway and completely smashed by being deliberately run over by a steam roller; and why they were not handed over to the appropriate department for disposal.

Some used bicycle parts at this station were classified as beyond repair, broken down for salvage and disposed of to a Ministry of Supply metal recovery depot. The inquiry about their purchase was received after they had been scrapped.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why 266 R.A.F. and naval air stations have been totally prohibited for civil aircraft to land at them and only five permitted.

The present list of Service airfields which may be used by civil aircraft has been agreed with my noble Friend the Minister of Civil Aviation. Two R.A.F. airfields and one naval airfield are open to all privately owned civil aircraft. Thirty-six other R.A.F. airfields, and three other naval airfields may be used by aircraft on charter or on scheduled services. I am always ready to consult my noble Friend the Minister of Civil Aviation on the use of additional R.A.F. airfields by civil aircraft Civil aircraft may, of course, always make emergency landings at Service airfields.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many R.A.F. and ex-R.A.F. personnel were on demobilisation leave on 31st August, 1946.

On 31st August, 1946, about 67,000 members of the Royal Air Force were on demobilisation leave.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the release rate of R.A.F. police service is behind the normal release rate and, if so, when is it anticipated that release in this trade will come into line with the normal release rate.

The Royal Air Force Police are two groups behind the general level of release for ground trades. I am afraid I cannot now predict when they will reach the general level.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how and when it is proposed to employ those officers who, as a result of their ability and experience, have been selected for C.F.S. and T.C.U. courses, have consequently had to sign on for additional time but have now been sent on indefinite leave before completing their courses.

We have no record of any officer on indefinite leave from either of these courses. Earlier in the year the transport conversion units were unable to accept all who had been selected for the course, and a number of aircrews had to be sent on leave. Since then we have had to reduce the capacity of the transport conversion units and those who have been unable to complete the course, including those who were sent on leave, have been released or given other employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Air (1) whether he will arrange that the new review to be undertaken of the case of L.A.C. Cymbalist be carried out by persons wholly independent of the authorities who have hitherto dealt with it; whether he has any explanation of the manner in which the previous reviews were carried out; and if he will express any regret thereon;

(2) How many R.A.F. or legal authorities in all have purported to review the case of L.A.C. Cymbalist up to date; how many persons were responsibly engaged in this work; whether any of those persons observed and reported the defects in the record; what action was taken on such reports; and whether any persons who failed to observe or report such defects are still engaged on the work of reviewing court-martial proceedings.

The authority charged by Parliament with the duty of reviewing R.A.F. court martial verdicts in cases such as that of Mr. Cymbalist is the Air Council. I have, therefore, no power to adopt the proposal made by the hon and learned Member for a review by independent persons, even if I desired to do so. Before making their decisions, however, the Air Council have the advice of the Judge Advocate-General Before he gave his advice in the case of Mr. Cymbalist the Judge Advocate-General had observed the omission in the record to which the hon. and learned Member has drawn attention. Having fully considered the effect of this omission the Judge Advocate-General came to the conclusion that the record was sufficient to enable a Service reviewing authority to form a reasonable impression of the accused's cross-examination and that since Mr. Cymbalist's evidence in chief and that of his witnesses were adequately recorded in the proceedings, he was not prejudiced by the omission and that there was a valid and sufficient record of the trial for all purposes. He has, however, suggested that I may wish to refer this point to the Law Officers of the Crown before the Air Council undertake the new review of the case which was promised last week by my hon. Friend the Under- secretary of State. I intend, accordingly, to consult the Law Officers. In view of these facts I hope the hon. and learned Member will agree that the points which he has raised in Question No. 119 do not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has any further information about the six forgotten airmen in Trinidad; and whether, in view of his promise that they would be repatriated before the end of the year, all moneys due to them will have been paid them before they leave Trinidad.

I have already written to the hon. Member about these airmen. I would add that at no time were they forgotten

asked the Secretary of State for Air in how many instances in the last three years R.A.F. court-martial proceedings have been reviewed on records which were defective in respects similar to those which occurred in the case of L.A.C. Cymbalist; how many convictions have been confirmed on such records; how many of the prisoners involved are still in detention; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter.

Any person tried by a court martial of the Royal Air Force can at any time submit a petition and can obtain a copy of the proceedings at his trial, it he desires to do so. For this reason I am reluctant to impose on the staffs concerned the heavy additional burden of work which would result from the inquiry proposed by the hon. and learned Member.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General why the airmail postage rate between this country and the U.S.A. is double the amount charged in the opposite direction; and if he contemplates reducing the United Kingdom rate to a similar level to the U.S. rate.

The recent reduction in the air mail postage rate from the U.S.A. to this country from 30 cents per ½ oz. (equivalent to 1s. 6d.) to 15 cents per ½ oz. (equivalent to 9d.) formed part of a general reduction in U.S.A. overseas air mail rates. The question of reducing air mail rates from this country to the U.S.A. is being considered and my noble Friend hopes that it will prove possible to reduce the present rate of 1s. 3d. per ½ oz.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether his inquiries into the possibility of a reduction in the air-mail rate of postage charged by his Department are now complete; and whether he is in a position to make a statement.

The inquiries are not yet complete, but they are being pressed forward and a statement will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is aware that there is a delay of four to five months in delivery to this country of parcels from Kenya; and if he will explain the causes of delay and endeavour to effect an improvement.

Parcels from Kenya in recent months have normally been delivered to the addresses within four to ten weeks from the date of posting. If my hon. Friend will furnish particulars of parcels which seem to have been delayed, I will gladly have inquiry made.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the hardship being caused to old age pensioners by the payment of the £1 radio licence in one sum; and whether he will arrange for them to pay it in half-yearly instalments.

My noble Friend regrets that he cannot make any arrangement which would differentiate between old age pensioners and other classes of person, many of whom may also be in poor circumstances. To collect half-yearly payments for wireless receiving licences from all licence holders who might desire to pay half-yearly, would cost about £250,000 a year more than the present system of collection, and I would not feel justified in recommending to this House an arrangement involving this additional expenditure. The Post Office already affords facilities to persons of small means for saving by means of 6d., 2s. 6d. and 5s. Saving Stamps, and any listeners who wish to do so can save up the money for their licences in this way.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether, in view of the increase in the number of telephone subscribers, he will consider abolishing the whole or at least part of the present surcharge.

Against the expansion of revenue from additional subscribers has to be set the additional charges arising from the substantial programme of capital expenditure now being undertaken, in combination with increased costs of operation generally. In the circumstances I regret I cannot adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, on 20th November, 1946, a number of postal packages bearing the postmark "December, 1945," were delivered in the Epsom district of Surrey, including a batch of letters addressed to the Horton E.M.S. hospital; and what is the reason for this delay.

Yes, Sir. I very much regret that by an inexcusable mistake the bag containing these letters was not fully emptied when it was received during the period of Christmas pressure last year and the letters were only discovered when the stored bags were brought out for use during the coming Christmas period.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the European countries to which parcels can now be sent from the United Kingdom.

Parcels can now be sent by post from the United Kingdom to all countries in Europe except Albania, Bulgaria, the Dodecanese Islands, Germany, Roumania, and the U.S.S.R.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General, in the light of the statement of the Financial Secretary to the Treasury in the House of Commons, on 5th November, 1946, that the Post Office cost £2 per head of the population of the United Kingdom between 20 and 60 years of age in 1938 and the same figure in 1945, if he will give a detailed statement showing how the profit from the increase of the 1½d. letter to 2½d. was spent in 1945.

The figures given by my hon. Friend on 5th November covered a part only of the Post Office costs. The rounded per head figures given also obscure a substantial increase in that part of Post Office costs covered by the Question. An attempt to relate the revenue from one item of business to personnel costs only would be an unprofitable exercise.

asked the Secretary of State for War the average annual cost to the British taxpayer of the civil administration of British Somaliland during recent years.

The average annual excess of expenditure over revenue of the administration of British Somaliland, charged to His Majesty's Government, has been approximately £73,000 during the four years ended 31st March, 1946 Some particulars of the figures for the earlier years are given in Cmd. 6589.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the Hargeisa Hospital. Somaliland, has been closed down.

On 1st October the hospital at Hargeisa was closed to all but the most serious and dangerous cases owing to a strike of thirty-eight dressers and fifteen nurses of the Somali nursing staff. The strike was in sympathy with a dresser who refused to perform necessary ward duties for a patient in great distress, claiming that these tasks were degrading and should be performed by the hospital sweepers or cleaners. Religious leaders were consulted by the authorities and it was, confirmed that such duties were in no way contrary to their religion, rather was it incumbent on them to help their sick and helpless countrymen in every way. The strikers, however, adopted an uncompromising stand and all attempts at reasoning with them failed. The situation was explained to the people in a broadcast address on the following day, 2nd October, and there was a satisfactory response to an appeal for replacements. The hospital reopened almost immediately and all the Somali dressers and nurses now employed have signed statements that they will be entirely responsible for all the needs of the patients in the wards.

asked the Secretary of State for War for what reason the scheme to enable British schoolchildren to visit Service parents in Malta for Christmas has been abandoned.

A scheme for holiday visits was suggested, but I am sorry that owing primarily to the unsuitable travelling conditions for children, it was not found possible to proceed at present with the scheme. Proposals for visits during the summer holidays will, however, be examined. I have every sympathy with both parents and children and I hope that successful arrangements can be made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether in view of the conditions prevailing in the British zone of Germany, he will cancel all such arrangements as have been made for sending British children there during their Christmas holidays.

No, Sir: these arrangements were made in order that children, forced to remain in this country, whose parents were now united in Germany, should be able to join them for the Christmas holidays. As their parents are already living in Germany I can see no serious objection to the children joining them.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons signing on at the Blackwood, Monmouthshire, employment exchange; the number of men signing on who are suffering from one or other of the diseases peculiar to miners; and what is being done about the factory which was to be built there to employ a number of these men.

The number of insured workers 18 years and over who were unemployed at Blackwood, Mon., on the 14th October, 1946, was 817 of whom 576 were men and 341 were women. 105 men were registered as disabled through pneumoconiosis and 21 through nystagmus —including 21 classified as incapable of ordinary employment. Negotiations for the acquisition of a site at Blackwood for a Factory for the severely disabled are at an advanced, stage and building is expected to begin at an early date.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state, for each of the three services for the 12 months ended 31st October, 1946, the total number of male personnel released under the age and service principle; the average length of service in each branch of the men discharged; and what proportion, for each service, do these totals represent of the service strength on 30th June, 1945.

The figures asked for in the first and third parts of the Question are as follow: per cent. Royal Navy … 469,250 59.5 Army … 1,674,260 57.1 Royal Air Force … 572,670 59.5

The information asked for in the second part of the Question is not readily available and could be obtained only by the expenditure of an undue amount of labour which would delay other urgent work.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men under the age of 30 years, who have worked in reserved occupations during the war, have been called up for military service since 1st January last; and how many have been excused.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 21st November, 1946, c. 1018], supplied the following statement: Precise statistics on this question are not available, but it is estimated that about 110,000 men between 20 and 30 years of age who had been retained in industry during the war entered the Forces during the period January to October, 1946. It is also estimated that there are at present about 390,000 men of the same age fit for military service, in civilian employments who have not served in the Forces or the Merchant Navy; the majority of these are in the coalmining, farming and railway industries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if there is still a Polish welfare section in Madrid and how is it being subsidised.

Yes, Sir, but it is intended to close is at the end of this year, and we are in touch with the Inter-Government Committee with a view to their becoming responsible for the finance and resettlement of these Poles. The present cost to His Majesty's Government is about £2,000 a month.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the conclusion of a financial agreement between this country and France.

An Agreement was signed yesterday. The French Government will repay the outstanding balance of the advances granted to them by His Majesty's Government under Article 1 of the Financial Agreement of 27th March, 1945, in 12 equal annual instalments beginning on the 1st September, 1950. After taking into account the payment by the French Government of £50 million in gold, the sum remaining due is £99,188,750. Interest at ½ per cent. will be charged on the principal.

The Agreement also provides for the continuation of the sales to His Majesty's Government of sterling securities requisitioned by the French Government from French subjects resident in France. The proceeds will, however, henceforth be used to finance current French payments to the sterling area instead of for reimbursement of the French Government's debt.

Certain financial claims which the two Governments have against one another, arising from the war and immediate postwar period, will be set off. The French Government have undertaken to repay any net balance due by them to His Majesty's Government in two equal instalments on 1st September, 1950, and 1st September, 1951. The text of the Agreement will be presented to Parliament and copies will be available in the Vote Office shortly.

asked the Minister of Education the financial commitments in connection with youth service for the last three financial years.

The expenditure upon the Youth Service in the last three financial years has been as follows: — Direct Grants by the Ministry. Expenditure by Local Education Authorities. £ £ 1943–44 … 272,530 742,984 1944–45 … 304,443 874,060 1945–46 … 346,210 1,035,000

The expenditure by local education authorities attracted grant from the Ministry at the appropriate rates.

asked the Minister of Education how many courses in youth service are now in session; at which universities are they conducted; and what measure of financial support is given by her Department.

Five one-year full-time courses of training for work in the youth service are now in session at universities and university colleges, two at Durham, one at Bristol, one at Swansea and one at Nottingham. The Ministry of Education pays a tuition grant not exceeding £40 for each approved student and refunds expenditure on maintenance allowances at the rates set out in Circular 116, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member. In all, 85 students are attending these courses. There are also two part-time two-year courses in session at Durham attended by 20 students, for each of whom the Ministry pays a tuition grant not exceeding £10 and refunds expenditure on maintenance allowances of up to £9 a head.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the importance of the motor-car industry in relation to exports and of the fact that the price of motor-cars, is, inter alia, dependent upon their mass production, he will review the question of allocation of steel supplies to motor-car manufacturers, in order to ascertain to what extent these allocations can be increased in the near future.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Members for West Coventry (Mr. Edelman), and Luton (Mr. Warbey), on 21st October last.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many bombs fell during the recent war on the London built-up area.

The total tonnage of all incendiary and explosive bombs delivered on the London Region during the recent war from aircraft and "V" weapons is estimated at 12,745 metric tons. No reliable estimate is available of the actual number of bombs.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he proposes that railways employees shall continue to receive existing privileges with regard to railway tickets for themselves and their families when the railways are publicly owned.

The British Transport Commission will take over any existing arrangements of this nature and their ultimate continuance will be a matter for their consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will indentify the amounts, specified in Part 1 of the Fourth Schedule of the Transport Bill, which were computed by reference to quotations on the alternative dates specified in Clause 17 of the Bill.

The Securities, the values of which were computed by reference to quotations on the alternative dates specified in Clause 17 of the Bill, are as follow: Southern Railway Company—Deferred Ordinary Stock. London Midland & Scottish Railway Company —5 per cent. Redeemable Debenture Stick (1952). London & Northern Eastern Railway Company —4 per cent. Second Preference Stock; 5 per cent. Preferred Ordinary Stock; Deferred Ordinary Stock. London Passenger Transport Board—London Transport 'C' Stock. Forth Bridge Railway Company—4 per cent. Guaranteed Stock. Mersey Railway Company—Consolidated Ordinary Stock. Company of Proprietors of the Birmingham Canal Navigations—Consolidated Stock. Grand Union Canal Company—5½ per cent. Perpetual Debenture Stock. Leeds and Liverpool Canal Company—Consolidated Ordinary Stock.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the areas under cereal crop and potato crop, respectively, in 1945 in Cumberland and Westmorland, respectively; and what was the nature and purchase value of the agricultural equipment held by the A.E.C for the use of farmers in each of these counties.

The areas under cereal crops and potatoes in 1945 in Cumberland and Westmorland were as follow: — Cereals (including mixed corn). Potatoes Acres Acres Cumberland 92,032 14,237 Westmorland 23,142 3,110

The agricultural machinery held by the Cumberland W.A.E.C. in 1945 included 148 agricultural tractors of various classes together with a complement of other machinery for cultivating and harvesting work, the cost of which was approximately £84,000. The Westmorland W.A.E.C. held 64 agricultural tractors and other agricultural machinery costing £38,000.

This machinery was available for cultivating lands in possession, for contract work undertaken by the Committees or for hire to farmers or contractors.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity of tobacco produced in Empire countries and imported from Empire countries in the years 1920, 1928 and 1938, respectively; and what is the corresponding position at the present time.

The following table shows the aggregate production of tobacco in, and imports into the United Kingdom from, Empire countries in the periods required. Tobacco Production in the British Empire. Million lb. 1928 … … … … 1,458 1958 … … … … 1,280

Note —Indian production of tobacco in 1928 was 1,337 million lb. and in 1938, 1,100 million lb. The greater part of this is unsuitable for use in this country. Production figures for India are not available for years prior to 1927.

Imports of Unmanufactured Tobacco into the United Kingdom from Empire Countries. Million lb. 1920 … … 18.2 1928 … … 43.1 1938 … … 82.8 Jan.-Oct, 1946 … … 48.3

Note —Figures of total production in the Empire as a whole are not available for recent years.

I would also refer the hon. and gallant Member to a similar statement showing details for each Empire country circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT of 20th February in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Sir J. Mellor).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement regarding the commissions at present engaged in negotiating the purchase of furniture for import to this country; and whether any limit of value has been imposed on the quantities which may be imported monthly or yearly.

Furniture imports are subject to two important conditions—first, that we should import only domestic furniture of a type and price suitable for inclusion in the Utility scheme; and second, that no purchases of furniture should be made which might in any way prejudice our supplies of timber. We buy furniture in addition to timber, not instead of timber.

When suitable offers have been made, missions are sent to the countries of potential supply to conclude firm agreements to purchase, and to see that their furniture will meet our requirements in every way. These missions consist of administrative and technical officers from the Board of Trade, whose job it is to see that the furniture conforms to Utility standards. They are accompanied by not more than three representatives of the Furniture (Emergency) Import Association, which is a body set up by the trade to make the actual purchases and to handle the distribution of the furniture. Such missions have so far visited Canada, Finland, Holland, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria and Italy.

A total sum of £5 million has been authorised for these purchases. There is no fixed time limit on the expenditure of this sum and it is not sub-divided into monthly or yearly quotas. Up to date, firm contracts have been placed for just under £2 million worth of furniture. In addition, a further £1 million has been authorised for expenditure on furniture suitable for the rehabilitation of hotels and of this sum £746,000 has been spent.

I should make it clear that the purchases are not made on public account. The transactions, though approved by the Board of Trade, are between members of the Import Association and the foreign exporter

asked the Minister without Portfolio the number of men in the Services now with two or more years to their credit.

I regret that complete figures for the three Services are not available.