asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (1) if diesel engine generating plant and batteries were removed from captured German U-boats before these vessels were sunk;

Diesel engine generating plant and batteries were not removed from captured German U-boats before they were sunk. As stated by the First Lord of the Admiralty, in reply to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetlands (Sir B. Neven-Spence) on 23rd January, 1946, these U-boats were sunk in accordance with our international obligations. This equipment formed an integral part of the U-boats and it would not have been possible to remove it within the time set for carrying out these obligations. Salvage operations would not be possible.

Were no efforts made to change the arrangements when it was becoming apparent that this generating plant would be extremely valuable?

The U-boats had to be sunk within two months of the time of the settlement of the agreement, and the two months included the time necessary for them to be taken to a place where they were to be sunk, and that was over 15 months ago.

Have all the submarines been sunk within the two months, including those allotted to other Powers?

That is quite another question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware of the problem in regard to navigation caused by the presence of the wreck of H.M.S. Bulwark in the Medway; that the situation is steadily growing worse by siltation; and if his Department will take the necessary steps to remove this 25 year old menace to shipping in the Medway at an early date.

I am not aware that any difficulties are caused to navigation in the Medway by the wreck of H.M.S. "Bulwark". I am advised that it is not practicable to remove the wreck, and that its dispersal would be a proposition of doubtful practicability, and of prohibitive cost.

In view of the difficulty experienced by those engaged in shipping in that area, would my hon. Friend be prepared to receive a deputation to discuss the matter further?

I would be quite ready to meet a deputation and consider it again.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if all intending officers have to enter the R.N. as ratings.

No, Sir.

Why should there be this differentiation between the Navy, the Air Force and the Army? In the Army and in the Air Force, the officers rise from the ranks; why not in the Navy?

If my hon. Friend was present yesterday, he would have heard in my opening statement that my noble Friend the First Lord is giving consideration to the whole of this matter, and I hope to be able to make a statement within eight weeks.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the proportion of officers serving in the R.N. who commenced their service on the lower deck.

I regret that time does not admit of a complete answer being prepared to the hon. Member's Question. The percentage of permanent officers of the three largest branches, namely, the executive, engineering, and supply branches, who began their service on the lower deck is about 12½.

Is it not much easier for a rating to get on to the Front Bench than to get into the officers' mess?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that a commander of a motor minesweeper was court-martialled, dismissed his ship and severely reprimanded for sitting down to Christmas dinner with five of his men; and if he will review this sentence and take steps to see that the Regulations making such conduct an offence are altered.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the court martial at which Lieutenant John Wardle was sentenced to forfeit three months' seniority, to be dismissed his ship, and to be severely reprimanded for taking lunch with five ratings on Christmas Day; and if he will make a statement on the sentence.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that a commissioned officer in the Royal Navy was recently court-martialled for taking a meal with ratings on Christmas Day; and, as the disciplinary action against this officer was not in accordance with the new spirit of democracy in the Services, whether he will review the sentence imposed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty under what K.R.s, and A.I.s., Lieutenant John Wardle, R.N.V.R., recently sentenced by a Rosyth court martial for eating Christmas dinner with five ratings, was convicted; and whether he will review the case, and in future ensure that such treatment prejudicial to the development of a more democratic outlook in the Service will not be tolerated.

I would refer my hon. Friends to the statement which I made during the course of my speech last night.

Is it proper for my hon. Friend the Civil Lord, with all respect to him, to refer the House back to a statement of which the House is not in possession because it was made too late for inclusion in HANSARD today, particularly as that statement contains a very illogical argument which would really imply the desirability of the total abolition of the sale of alcoholic liquor on board ship?

If the House desires, with your permission, Mr. Speaker, I am quite prepared to read the statement again at this moment.

Circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

it is not very long, and perhaps I might as well read it right away. The statement is as follows:

A considerable amount of misunderstanding has arisen about the court martial at Rosyth on 7th March of Lieutenant Wardle, R.N.V.R. This officer was charged with two acts to the prejudice of good order and naval discipline in taking lunch and intoxicating liquor with five ratings in a ratings' mess of his ship, and in giving beer and spirit to these ratings. The gift of spirits or intoxicating drink on board His Majesty's Ships is specifically prohibited by King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions. Experience has shown that entertainment of ratings by officers frequently leads to acts of indiscipline or other unfortunate results and it has been found in the best interests of both officers and ratings that such entertainment should not take place. The wisdom of this rule was amply demonstrated on this occasion, for I am sorry to say that one of the ratings, who was seen after the meal in an intoxicated state, disappeared from the ship shortly afterwards and while there is no evidence to show how he disappeared, the possibility that he lost his life by falling overboard cannot be discounted. The circumstances of such an incident do not point to the desirability of altering the Regulations. I am advised that the trial was properly conducted in every way, and I see no reason for interfering with the sentence of the court martial.

Is not my hon. Friend aware of the old-standing custom in the Army and the Royal Air Force, for officers actually to wait at table on other ranks on Christmas Day, to take drinks with them, and generally to entertain them?

I am not aware of the customs in the Army, though I am aware slightly of the customs in the Navy. I feel that this incident alone shows the wisdom of, as far as possible, seeing that a position does not arise whereby ratings may be able to obtain intoxicating liquor on board, and which may result in the loss of life.

Could my hon. Friend tell me if this statement was drawn up in collaboration with the hon. Member for West Ealing (Mr. J. Hudson)?

I can assure the hon. Member that it was not.

Would the matter have been in order if it had been a teetotal lunch?

No, Sir, that is not in order. Under King's Regulations, as they exist at the present moment, it is not permissible for an officer to lunch or to drink with ratings on the fore mess-deck. That actually took place on this occasion. This occasion, as I have tried to point out, illustrates the undesirability of such a practice, in view of the possibility of ratings losing control of themselves.

Is my hon. Friend aware that Lieutenant Wardle was successful in his protest at the court martial against one of the judges, who was removed, because he was the informer; that that cannot happen in a civil court, but can happen in a naval court martial; and, surely, the time has arrived when this procedure should be abolished, and a more humane method of procedure instituted than obtains at the moment?

I can only say, so far as the court martial is concerned, that the accused officer pleaded guilty.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the increasing importance in the R.N. of engineering in all branches concerned with ships, gunnery, equipment and aircraft, he will consider the setting up of a special technical branch composed of specialists from each section, as has been done recently by the R.A.F. as set out in A.M.O. A1026/1946.

No, Sir. The range and complexity of machinery, weapons, and equipment in the Royal Navy is very great, and the separate specialist branches must be retained.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the increasing dependence of the R.N. on engineering technical administration, he will consider representation of a senior officer of the technical branches on the Board of Admiralty comparable to such representation on the Air Council.

No, Sir. The present arrangements for representation on the Board of Admiralty, under which the Third Sea Lord and Controller of the Navy is responsible to the First Lord for the provision of material of the Fleet, including ships and machinery are wholly satisfactory.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he has any further statement to make about the Report on the loss of H.M.S. "Glorious" and the attendant destroyers H.M.S. "Acasta" and H.M.S. "Ardent."

Yes, Sir. Since the statement I made oh 8th May, 1946, about this most gallant action, further information that has become available has now established, that one important source of information, namely, the German account of the action, confused the parts played by H.M. Destroyers "Acasta" and "Ardent," and the order in which they were sunk. The account published in the OFFICIAL REPORT is, therefore, incorrect in this respect, and should be amended. I will, with permission, circulate details of the necessary amendments in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

When are we to be allowed a really full report of what happened; is it not a fact that the proper escort, the cruiser and the other two destroyers, were taken away from the "Glorious"; is it not also a fact that neither the officer commanding Coastal Command, the officer commanding submarines, nor, I think, the officer commanding the Home Fleet was told of the movement of the "Glorious," and in consequence thousands of men were left rocking about in the water, and nobody went to look for them?

I cannot possibly accept that statement.

It is true.

At the request of the hon. Member we have had a very full statement prepared. I have now merely amended it in certain respects. That does give us as full a statement as we are able to provide.

Will my hon. Friend say whether any orders were received direct from the Minister of Defence, over and above the Admiralty, to divert destroyers away from these men?

I am afraid I could not say that without notice.

Well, it is true.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many ex-trainees who have completed courses in Government training centres as bricklayers, plasterers, tilers, carpenters and joiners, wood machinists, plumbers, painters and decorators, respectively, are at present employed in the Royal dockyards at Portsmouth.

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Has there been any objection on the part of the trade unions to the employment of these ex-trainees?

Not that I know of.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will make a statement upon the future use of Crail Naval Airforce Station.

It has now been decided to use the Naval Air Station at Crail as a boys' training establishment. It is hoped to begin the training of boys at Crail about the beginning of May.

Can the hon. Member say how many boys are to be brought there; and can he give any indication how the training establishments may develop in the course of the next year or two years?

No, Sir. The details have not been worked out. We have simply agreed the principle. I think the hon. Member will be interested to know that this is the first time boys of the seaman and communications branches have been trained on shore in Scotland.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that his last statement will be welcomed in Scotland, and if he could couple with it some decision about Rosyth, we should be well pleased?

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that the only time the Navy thinks about Scotland is when there is a war on?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty in what circumstances and for what offences the writing of lines is a prescribed punishment aboard His Majesty's ships or in R.N. establishments ashore.

The writing of lines is not a punishment authorised in the Naval Disciplinary Code. It is neither prescribed nor prohibited in Naval educational establishments, but I am not aware that this punishment is imposed in such establishments. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind, I shall be glad to consider the matter further.

Will my hon. Friend make quite clear to the House that he disapproves of this measure of punishment; that he will make his disapproval widely known throughout the Service; and that he will make sure that when men are punished they are put on more productive work than writing lines?

Certainly.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware of the shortage of wood, particularly larch and oak, in the boat-building industry, which is holding up the construction of much-needed fishing craft; and what steps he is taking to increase supplies.

I am aware of the circumstances to which the hon. Member refers. Owing to the timber shortage, the Admiralty's allocation of timber for the current quarter for the shipbuilding and boat-building industry is much less than the amount required by the industries for essential purposes. Every effort is made to increase supplies.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the present shortage will not only prevent ex-Servicemen going to sea, but will deprive this country of valuable food, and even more valuable exports; and can he not make a better effort to divert wood for the purpose of completing fishing vessels?

I am aware of all the difficulties of the shortage. So far as the builders of fishing vessels are concerned, they have a priority in connection with the Admiralty allocations for timber, in common with other sections of industry. The hon. Member can safely take it that we shall do all we possibly can. I am sure he realises there is a shortage which is affecting all kinds of industries.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that several shipyards in Scotland are threatened with complete closing down; that shipbuilders have written to me and to my hon. Friend in the course of the last two or three days to say that they expect to close down quite soon; and is not that a tragedy to be avoided, if possible?

We are in close contact with all the shipyards in Scotland, and in England as well, and this is the first I have heard of a threatened closing down of any particular shipyard. If the hon. Member will give me any details in connection with a particular case I shall be only too glad to go into it.

Is the hon. Member aware that a large amount of oak which was planted 120 years ago specially for shipbuilding is now being cut into firewood?

I am not aware of that.

It is a fact.

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many persons employed in the Royal dockyards have left their employment during the last six months on reaching the age of 65 years; and how many of these were invited to continue their employment in accordance with the Government's declared policy of asking persons to continue at work after their normal retiring age.

Three hundred and seventy-two workers have been discharged on grounds of "age" at 65 from the Home Dockyards during the past six months. A further 68 "over-age" workers were permitted to continue in employment for special reasons. As regards the second part of the Question, the hon. and gallant Member is no doubt aware that the normal retiring age for industrial workers in Admiralty employment was raised from 60 to 65 in March last year

In view of the Prime Minister's appeal for everyone to stay on as long as they can, why is the Admiralty sticking to the letter of the law and dismissing them at 65?

I am quite certain that there are many hon. Members on both sides of the House who will take the view that Government Departments should decrease the number of people whom they have in their employment, so that they may go into other industries. Nevertheless, we have increased the age from 60 to 65 and that has been done in agreement with the trade unions concerned, from whom we have had no complaints.

Is there any arrangement with the Minister of Labour for the easy absorption of these people when they leave dockyard employment, whatever the retiring age may be?

We have liaison with the Ministry of Labour when it comes to the question of discharging people, and where possible, I think the Ministry of Labour tries to place them.

Would it not be possible to have a medical examination of all men at 65 who are about to retire, and who want to work on and are capable of being kept on in industry, and so eliminate all the troubles which the Prime Minister referred to in his broadcast last night?

There is a difficulty in the Royal dockyards. We are reducing the numbers, but the more we keep on over the age of 65, the more we shall get complaints by the younger people that there is a lack of opportunities for promotion. We have had that suggestion from some of the trade union people involved, and I cannot see that the suggestion of the hon. and gallant Gentleman is practicable.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he will consider putting the telephone kiosk in the Dorchester Post Office outside in the street instead of in the shop where it is only available to the public during office hours.

There is already a telephone kiosk within 100 yards of the post office at Dorchester-on-Thames, and I regret, therefore, I am unable to accept the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion.

Is the Minister aware that a number of these telephones in the post offices in these villages in Oxfordshire are unavailable, as they are closed for more than half the day, which causes great inconvenience to the public?

Yes, Sir, but the kiosk is close by outside, and is not closed.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many applicants there are on the waiting list for the installation of telephones in the Orpington area; and if he will take immediate steps to meet their requirements.

There are about 1,500 applicants waiting for telephone service at the seven exchanges serving the Orpington urban district council area. To provide for all of these, it will be necessary to lay over 12 miles of underground duct and nearly 50 miles of cable, as well as to provide a new exchange to relieve the present Orpington exchange. This extensive work is in hand, and is being pressed forward to the limit of our resources in manpower and. materials.

In order to help the situation, will the hon. Gentleman do two things? Will he see that the removal of instruments from houses where there is a change of tenancy is stopped, and will he make an appeal to the public coming into new houses to send in any redundant instruments?

With regard to the first question, it would not be fair to leave a telephone in a house for a new occupier if there are other people who have been waiting for a telephone in the same district.

Is there not an extraordinary expenditure of labour in removing telephones from houses when a new tenant comes in, and would it not be better to leave them there so that that labour might be saved?

It is an expenditure of labour, and, on the face of it, it does seem rather unwise, but, if there is a doctor or some other person in urgent need, and another person happens to get a telephone simply because he is a new tenant of a house, that would constitute unfairness to the doctor.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what quantity of air mail was carried by British and U.S. aircraft, respectively, from this country to North America during 1946.

The weights of British mails carried from this country to North America during 1946 by British and U.S. aircraft were 342,738 lbs. and 26,884 lbs. respectively. In addition 102,011 lbs. of British mails were carried by Canadian aircraft. The comparable figures of foreign transit mails re-forwarded from this country were: British aircraft 12,702 lbs., U.S. aircraft 189,071 lbs., Canadian aircraft 11,620 lbs.

While appreciating the shortage of British aircraft, may I ask the Minister what steps he is taking to see that this country gets its share of this valuable freight on the Atlantic service?

We use British aircraft right up to total capacity at present and only use other aircraft when necessary.

Will the Minister give an assurance that, when we get the aircraft, we shall be able to carry our fair share of the load?

Yes, Sir. We always take British aircraft first, up to their available capacity.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many temporary postmen and postwomen have been dismissed in the Henley area; and how many years it is necessary to serve to qualify for a gratuity.

The services of five part-time postmen and two part-time post-women in the Henley area were terminated in January last as a result of a revision of postal services. To qualify for a gratuity, an officer must as a rule have served for at least 15 years in a full-time capacity.

Is the Minister aware that some of these people who have been dismissed feel that they have a grievance in that they have received no gratuity?

The gratuity is given only for full-time service, and these people were employed part-time.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General why Mr. Sam Healam, a disabled 53 years old ex-Serviceman of the 1914–18 war, who has been full-time postman at Drighlington, near Bradford, for the last 10 years, is now no longer considered suitable for such an appointment; whether there have been any complaints as to the way he has carried out his duties; and, if not, whether he will reconsider the decision to replace Mr. Healam by a younger man.

Mr. Healam has been employed continuously as a temporary postman since March, 1940, and his services have been entirely satisfactory. He is, unfortunately, ineligible by age for a permanent appointment under the postwar recruitment scheme agreed generally with the Service Departments, and I am sorry that, in fairness to other ex-Service applicants, I cannot make an exception in his favour.

In view of the fact that Mr. Healam has been employed by the Post Office since 1937, and of the fact that he has worked satisfactorily, and in view of the shortage of manpower, is there any justification for training another man to do his work and putting Mr. Healam, who is a disabled man from the last war, on part-time employment?

We have a scheme which fixes a certain age limit beyond which a person cannot be offered a permanent appointment. Another ex-Serviceman, who has had nine years' service with the Forces, has taken Mr. Healam's place.

May I ask the Minister whether he has taken into account that this man has been in public employment since 1937?

It has been continuous employment only since 1940.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how soon the late collections which were cancelled because of the electricity cuts will be restored.

My noble Friend has decided that, in view of the present shortage of manpower, the restoration of these services would not be justified.

Are we to understand then, that the electricity cuts have nothing whatever to do with it, and that it is a staff difficulty entirely?

These services were withdrawn originally at the time of the electricity cuts. While they were withdrawn the whole matter was reconsidered, and these services and others, in view of the manpower position, are not now considered justified.

I beg to give notice that, in view of the continued deterioration of the services, I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if, in view of the fact that the Post Office surplus was £30,000,000 and the cost of the reduction of ½d. on the postage of all letters would he £7,900,000, he will now make this reduction.

I regret that I must not anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget Statement.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the delays that are taking place in the arrival of food parcels in Germany and Austria; and what steps are being taken to expedite their delivery.

Some delay to parcels for overseas destinations has occurred in recent months owing to congestion and dislocation of transport services in this country. There is normally no delay at the present time to parcels for Germany and Austria in the British service.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how long it takes for a parcel to be delivered to Germany and Austria, respectively?

I have not the exact information, but I should say that parcels should reach Austria and Germany within a fortnight.

There have been delays of about three months.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a parcel despatched immediately the restrictions were removed has not arrived at all?

There was some dislocation and congestion earlier on, but as far as we know it does not exist now.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that the Third Programme is inaudible in the Hastings area, he will consider the reinstatement of the local relay station on 203 metres wavelength and, in the meantime, represent to the B.B.C. that the 261 metres wavelength be used for the Third Programme.

The B.B.C. are still considering the best methods of extending the Third Programme coverage, and they do not contemplate reinstatement of the local transmitter at Hastings at present. The 261 metres wavelength is already in use to give adequate coverage for the Light Programme.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he has considered a report from the Institution of Electrical Engineers regarding interference with radio reception caused by unscreened domestic and industrial equipment; and if he proposes to take legislative or other action to deal with the matter.

Legislative action to provide for the compulsory suppression of electrical interference with radio reception is being considered. In this connection, the Council of the Institution of Electrical Engineers have made valuable recommendations, which will be taken fully into account.

Can the Minister say if legislation will be introduced in the very near future?

I am afraid it will not be this Session.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether arrangements will now be made to reinstate the television programmes in the mornings and afternoons for testing purposes for the benefit of manufacturers and distributors whose work is held up in the absence of such programmes.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the date when television will be permitted to recommence operations at some period during business hours, in view of the fact that retailers of television receivers have had their business brought to a standstill due to their inability to demonstrate their sets to potential buyers.

An additional television transmission between 1 and 2 p.m. has been started.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many broadcasts have been given over the British radio during Children's Hour this year under the auspices of the Ministry of Health; and if he will give the respective names of the speakers chosen.

None, Sir.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the talk given on 25th February by Major Lewis Hastings was anti-Government and anti-Soviet?

I was asked in the Question how many broadcasts there have been under the auspices of the Ministry of Health, and I have answered it.

Is it not a good thing that the B.B.C. sometimes speaks in the national interest?

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will make a statement regarding the release of electricians from the R.A.F.

In March, April and May of this year, six groups of Electricians I will be released, and four groups of Electricians II. This will bring them to Group 49. The Royal Air Force will still be short of electricians, however, and at the end of May, they will be five groups behind the general level of release. I hope for an improvement later in the year, but I regret that I cannot now predict when the general level will be reached.

In view of the disappointment these men have suffered, will the Secretary of State try to do all he can to have these men released on the same basis as those in other trades?

Certainly, I will. Unfortunately, we are also experiencing a very heavy shortage of electricians, up to the danger limit; but I hope that as men come out of training the rate of release will be accelerated.

asked the Secretary of State for Air when he will be able to give a decision with regard to the Benson bypass; and how long this matter has been under consideration between his Department and the Oxfordshire County Council.

It was recently decided that the R.A.F. Station at Benson should be retained, that the by-pass must accordingly remain closed, and that a suitable alternative road should be constructed. Until the future of the station had been settled, no useful consultation with the Oxfordshire County Council could be begun.

The Secretary of State has not answered the last part of the Question—how long have these negotiations been going on? It is something like three years, is it not?

Oh, no, Sir. We could not begin any really useful negotiations until the main decision had been made.

There has been a lot of correspondence between the right hon. Gentleman's predecessors and the Oxfordshire County Council. Why is he trying to mislead the House in this matter?

I am not trying to mislead the House. Of course, there has been correspondence ever since the road was first closed, and my engineer has been in touch with the County Council surveyor. I think it began in 1941. I think that was when the road was first closed. Consultations about the future could not have begun until the future of the station had been decided.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what steps have been, or are being, taken to decrease sleeping, messing and other transit facilities which were, in February of this year, available on Luqa aerodrome, Malta, to both private charter companies and B.O.A.C.; and how much official notice was given, respectively, to private charter companies and B.O.A.C. of any proposed changes in existing arrangements.

No cut has yet been made in the provision at the Luqa station of the R.A.F. of beds, meals and so on for the charter companies and for the B.O.A.C. It is clear, however, that the R.A.F. cannot continue to carry this burden; B.O.A.C. were warned of this some time ago, and the charter companies have now been told that we want some new arrangement within a month. I am discussing with my noble Friend the Minister of Civil Aviation, and with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies, how the change can best be made.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that charter companies will be treated in exactly the same way as B.O.A.C.?

We shall do our best to do justice to all. I think it would be probably the case that, under the arrangements finally made, B.O.A.C. will make arrangements with the charter companies and will do their best to help them.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will give an explanation of the incorrect weather forecasts given by his Department during the recent cold spell.

To my regret I must admit that the science of meteorology still leaves much to be desired. During the recent cold weather, however, the Meteorological Office issued about 2,000 weather forecasts for the different regions of the British Isles and of the surrounding seas, and many thousands to the crews of British and other aircraft, and I am advised that the vast majority of them were correct. I am placing copies of these recent forecasts, and of the subsequent weather reports, in the Library of the House. If the hon. Member finds among them any to which he takes particular objection, perhaps he will put down a further Question.

Is the Secretary of State aware that the Air Ministry predicted two thaws which did not come off, and that once they predicted rain and fog, which, fortunately, did not arrive? Will he try to improve the reliability of his forecasts, in view of the great inconvenience this country has suffered from the unreliable forecasts of the Minister of Fuel and Power?

I am aware that, as someone said, one "thawcast was a frost." I am also aware that many people tend to confuse the science and the practitioners of the science. The science is imperfect, but I think our practitioners in the very difficult conditions of the British Isles really do remarkably well.

Is the right hon. Gentleman's difficulty that the information which is available will take, at least, six months to collate, and that, like so many other Government plans, that is quite impracticable?

That is not at all the case. So valuable is the information that a number of commercial people want to pay us money to obtain it.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if speedier notification can be given to serving applicants for permanent commissions in the R.A.F. whose applications are unsuccessful, in order that men who desire to do so may claim special release in order to pursue interrupted studies at the universities from the beginning of the academic year.

In an Air Ministry Order published on the 13th February, candidates for permanent commissions in the Royal Air Force were told that, if they had been selected, they would be so informed before the 28th and that, if they heard nothing further by that date, they must assume that their applications had been unsuccessful. This Order, however, did not apply to the Medical, Dental, Legal and Chaplains branches, nor to the R.A.F. Regiment. In these branches, further selections will still be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why permission was given for the Blankney hunt ball to be held at Cranwell; and between what hours and by what authority was the college front floodlit.

Cranwell College was lent to the Blankney Hunt on 7th February, on condition that the Hunt Committee should pay the whole expense. The College front was not floodlit, but lamps connected to mobile generators were used to light up the College drive for half an hour while the guests were arriving, and again for half an hour while they were leaving.

On whose authority was the permission given to floodlight the front of this college?

The decision was made by the air-officer commanding.

Had he been an ordinary man, disciplinary action would have been taken. Can my right hon. Friend say whether such action will be taken against this man?

I think that my hon. Friend is mistaken about dates. This was 7th February, the date on which the cuts were announced, but before they came into force.

Was not the serious position which we were then in well known?

The announcement was made at four o'clock that afternoon; this happened at eight o'clock.

Will my right hon. Friend assure the House that the same facilities would be granted to the Agricultural Workers' Union for a rally?

Yes, Sir, I would consider that with the utmost sympathy.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the improved arrangements for recruiting and training civilians to replace R.A.F. meteorologists have now been made; and whether it is yet possible to raise the level of release of R.A.F. meteorologists to bring them in line with the average of releases in the R.A.F.

Improved conditions have recently been offered to civilians who wish to join the Meteorological Service. Applications are being invited from young men and women who have reached the School Certificate standard, and from those who have already served as meteorologists in the Royal Navy and in the R.A.F. The response has so far been satisfactory, and I have every reason to hope that the arrangements made for training will be the same. I am afraid, however, that I cannot now predict when R.A.F. meteorologists will reach the general level of release.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman admit that this is a very inexact science, and would he say whether he thinks it necessary to keep in the Service so many of these meteorologists who are very anxious to be released?

The main trouble with the science is that one cannot predict far ahead, but anything up to 95 per cent. of our short-term predictions are correct. They have been of immense importance to aviators, transport workers and farmers, and we must go on with the service and make it better.

Will the Minister consider taking on some experienced fishermen, who are much more accurate in their forecasts?

I shall be very glad to consider any nominations which the hon. and gallant Gentleman may put forward.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the terms of service for cadets joining the A.T.C.; and whether any distinctions gained during such service will count to their credit when subsequently called up for the Forces.

The Air Training Corps is a voluntary body. Its members, therefore, do not engage on terms of service like those which apply in the regular forces. Local units can, of course, get any advice and help they may require from the Regional Groups of the R.A.F. Reserve Command, which now administers the A.T.C. The hon. and gallant Member will recall the recent statement by my noble Friend the Lord Henderson that all Cadets in the A.T.C. who qualify for the Proficiency or Advanced Training Badges, and who are medically fit, will be guaranteed entry into the Royal Air Force. I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a note on the other advantages they will derive in the R.A.F. from the distinctions which they earn as members of the A.T.C.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the recruitment for the A.T.C. is falling off, particularly in my constituency, and that I have a resolution passed by the local mayor and corporation in regard to this falling off in numbers? Will he ask the air officer in chief, who is responsible for training, to explain the precise terms of service and what results will be achieved by such service?

I hope my answer this afternoon and what I am sending to the hon. and gallant Member will serve that purpose. Certainly I will give instructions to the air officer responsible to go into this matter locally. I might add that in many places there are difficulties about the reconstitution of the A.T.C., and shortage of premises is one of the worst.

asked the Minister of Defence, in connection with the 748 men of the three Services who are serving sentences for desertion, how many of these sentences have been decreased subsequent to review; and whether he will give in detail the lengths of sentences being served by these men.

I regret that this information is not readily available.

Could the Minister make it available in due course, for is he not aware that this is a matter of great importance to 748 men, who feel that they are serving longer sentences merely because they have been caught, while others, who are giving themselves up, are getting reduced sentences?

What the hon. Member asks for is a detailed return of each of 748 cases, which would take a great deal of time. I have already given an assurance in regard to the regular review of all such sentences.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he has co-ordinated the local overseas allowances made to officers and other ranks in each of the Fighting Services; and what local overseas allowance is paid to each of the Services in each of the overseas stations.

The assessment of these allowances is fully co-ordinated. In most cases, rates common to the three Services have already been fixed, and are being paid. The new scales for a few areas are still under consideration; but they will, shortly, be agreed. In view of the very large number of separate rates, I hope the hon. and gallant Member will not press for their publication in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House where it is possible to find the details for which I have asked, and, further, will he say whether any members of the Committee who advised him on the co-ordination of these allowances have, since the war, been to any of these overseas stations to which the allowances apply?

I should have to have notice of the last part of the hon. and gallant Gentleman's supplementary question before I could say more than that the matter has been dealt with by a committee on which each of the Service Departments is represented and which is presided over by a member of the Treasury staff. With regard to the first part, there are so many different documents relating to rates for different areas and commands that I am not sure where he could find them altogether. I doubt whether he could find them in any one place.

asked the Minister of Food to what extent the export duty on tea, recently levied by the Government of Ceylon, will fall on the British consumer or taxpayer.

The full export duty will be payable by the Ministry of Food on all Ceylon tea imported into this country. Consideration is being given to the extent to which this shall be passed on to the consumer.

Does not that mean that the British taxpayer has to bear the duty? Is the hon. Lady aware that, on 11th February last, the Colonial Secretary informed the House that export duties in the Colonies were borne by the producer, and not by the consumer, and that, when sales are made under bulk purchase contracts, provision is normally made in the agreements covering the arrangement to prevent the purchaser having to bear any new or additional export duties imposed by the Colonial Government concerned, and, further, why was that not done in this particular case?

I cannot add to it because no decision has been come to.

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

rose—

The hon. Gentleman has given notice that he proposes to raise the matter on the Adjournment, and, therefore, it cannot be discussed any further now.

asked the Minister of Food how many forms have to be completed weekly, in respect of each employee, by an employer of building labour who provides a service of packed meals.

Not more than one for all employees.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation the number of times since the inception of the service that B.S.A.A. aircraft flying between the United Kingdom and Venezuela have arrived at their destination according to schedule.

The British South American Airways Corporation service from the United Kingdom to Venezuela was inaugurated on 2nd September, 1946. Of 21 flights operated on this service between that date and 16th February, 1947, 14 arrived on schedule, and seven were delayed.

Does the Parliamentary Secretary consider that such a performance is a tribute to the nationalisation of aviation?

It is not a question of tributes or nationalisation, but of the difficulties of the route and the head winds which have to be met, in particular, between the Azores and Bermuda.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the application of the Civil Aviation Act to the Channel Islands.

As I stated in my reply on 12th March to the hon Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson), my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department and my noble Friend have had under consideration resolutions of the States of Jersey and of Guernsey regarding application of the Civil Aviation Act, 1946, to the Channel Islands. In the course of the past year there have been numerous consultations between the Island authorities and the Home Office and the Ministry of Civil Aviation and last week delegations were received from the States of Jersey and of Guernsey, when the representations of the Island States were fully discussed. As a result an Order-in-Council was made on 17th March applying the Civil Aviation Act, 1946, with certain modifications, to the Channel Islands. The main modifications are that the Minister's power of compulsory acquisition of land is not extended to the Islands and that the Insular Authorities are empowered to licence operators to run scheduled air services between the Islands, in addition to the Statutory Corporations.

Can my hon. Friend say if the agreement now arrived at which he has announced is one which has met with the approval of the authorities in the Islands?