asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that the proportion of medical officers to officers and other ranks in the R.A.F. is 30 per cent. higher now than it was at the end of the European war; and if he will take steps to reduce the proportion of medical officers to other personnel in the Service to the wartime level.

Yes, Sir, I am aware that the proportion of medical officers in the R.A.F. is higher now than at the end of the war. There are some good reasons why this should be so, but I share, nevertheless, the preoccupations expressed by my hon. Friend. I propose to consider the matter again in consultation with my right hon. Friends.

asked the Secretary of State for Air to what extent the release of wireless mechanics is lagging behind the normal scale of release; whether any of the work they are now doing could be taken over by general duties men, who had the same initial technical training; to what extent the retarded release is due to their employment on work for B.O.A.C. and other non-military work; and what prospects there are of reducing the deferment of release.

The release of wireless mechanics is at present five groups behind the general level of release for ground airmen and I cannot say when the position will improve. I am afraid the suggestion in the second part of my hon. Friend's Question is impracticable. Some other tradesmen have the same initial technical training, but the wireless mechanic is a specialised expert and cannot be replaced by a man of another trade. The release position of wireless mechanics is not affected by the fact that a small number of them serve civil as well as R.A.F. aircraft.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that in the India Command some radar mechanics are being misemployed as clerks; and, in those circumstances, why their releases are below the general level.

Instructions have been issued forbidding the misemployment of airmen in trades in which release is delayed. If my hon. Friend will let me have details of any particular case he has in mind, I will look into the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many towns in the British zone in Germany have not, during the past six months, received their prescribed quota of food.

Figures are not available but deficiencies certainly occurred in a number of towns at some time during this period. Wherever possible shortages in any one ration period are made good in subsequent periods.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will make known the decision and action taken as a result of the report from Scotland Yard officials who investigated recently the irregularities by members of the Control Commission for Germany.

The investigations related to alleged or suspected criminal offences and, as I indicated to my hon. Friend on 26th February, criminal proceedings will be taken where the evidence justifies this course. One such trial has been opened and the hearing has been adjourned. The results of this and any other trials of this kind are likely to be reported in the Press.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the extent of the personal fortunes of Adolf Hitler and Hermann Goering at the end of the war; where they were lodged; whether they have been expropriated; to what have they been devoted; and if he is satisfied that the fortunes have been completely traced.

Full information is not yet available but the four occupying powers are doing everything possible to trace such property, both inside and outside Germany, so that it can be seized along with that of other war criminals. British inquiries have so far failed to trace any assets outside Germany which can definitely be established as the personal property of Hitler or Goering. Inside the British zone and the British sector of Berlin no bank account or personal property belonging to Hitler has been found, but bank balances and securities of Goering's, to the nominal value of four million reichsmarks, have been traced and seized.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, in view of unanimous approval by the western delegates of the Allied Control directorate of the evangelical work of the Salvation Army in Germany, he will authorise the fullest development of its activities in areas under British jurisdiction.

Yes, Sir. The Salvation Army already has the fullest liberty to develop its activities in the British zone and there is no intention of imposing any restriction on it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he proposes to review the pensions of retired civil servants of the Sudan Government.

No, Sir. Any review of the pensions of retired civil servants of the Sudan Government is a matter for that Government alone.

asked the Minister of Food how much of the meat ration issued during the past month consisted of low-grade imported meat, such as cow buttock, which before the war was sold by butchers as dogs' meat.

None, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many persons have been arrested since the beginning of 1947 under the Banishment (Amendment) Ordinance, 1941; and how many are held at present under this Ordinance.

The Ordinance to which my hon. Friend refers is operative in the Colony of Singapore. I am in communication with the Governor of that Colony, and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I receive a reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when were representations made by his Welfare Department to the British Boxing Board of Control regarding British-born coloured boxers who are barred from contesting the professional boxing championship of the United Kingdom on the grounds of colour; what was the nature of such representations and what was the response to them.

Representatives of my Department discussed this matter with the President and Secretary of the Board in June last, and pressed that British subjects not of pure European descent should no longer be debarred from boxing for British titles if otherwise qualified for them. In reply the point was made that such people can compete for Empire titles and it was implied that this should be sufficient to satisfy their aspirations. Little hope was held out that the Board would be prepared to change its policy of excluding coloured boxers from contests for British titles. I regard this colour bar as quite unjustified and I know that it is strongly resented by Colonial people as well as by a large public in this country who are interested in boxing. I hope that the Board may be persuaded to alter their practice and with that in view further representations will be made to them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the delays that occur between the appointment of British teachers for service in the West Indies and their arrival there; that during these delays, which frequently amount to six months, excessive strain is placed upon the depleted teaching staffs in the West Indian schools; and what action he is taking.

I am aware that delays occur, due partly to passage difficulties but also to the numerous arrangements which have to be made in regard to the fixing of terms and conditions, medical examinations and innoculations, collection of kit, and so forth. I can assure the hon. Member that everything possible is done to minimise the delays, which I regard with concern.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that Mr. Bustamente, the leader of the Legislative Council of Jamaica, has demanded publicly that the Governor must go; if he will make a statement on the issues involved; and if he proposes to comply with Mr. Bustamente's demands.

Mr. Bustamente has been reported in the Press as making this demand in public speeches during the recent strike of sugar workers, but he has not made any official representations to this effect to me, and the last part of the Question does not arise. The strike in question arose out of a wage dispute in the sugar industry, and lasted for six weeks following a breakdown in negotiations; but I am glad to say that Mr. Bustamente has now agreed that the dispute should be referred to arbitration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, how many people are employed in the department of the Comptroller of Development and Welfare in the West Indies; what are the qualifications of the senior staff; and what are their salaries.

There are 23 senior staff and 25 subordinate. Apart from five administrative officers, the senior staff comprise advisers and their assistants on agriculture, economics, education, engineering, labour, medicine, social welfare and town planning. All the advisory staff hold high professional qualifications and several, in addition to the Comptroller himself, have Colonial or related experience. The salaries of the advisers range from £1,200 to £1,700 a year, with certain allowances in addition. The salaries of their assistants and of the administrative staff average £650 a year, with allowances in addition. Full particulars are given in the Colonial Office Estimates, subhead C.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what schemes put forward by the Department of the Comptroller of Development and Welfare in the West Indies have been accepted by the Governments of the individual West Indian Colonies; which Governments have called for and benefited from the department's advice; and whether he is satisfied with the machinery set up to coordinate development schemes in the West Indies.

The normal procedure is not for schemes to be put forward by the Comptroller for acceptance by the West Indian Governments, but for them to be prepared in joint consultation by, the Comptroller and his advisers and the Government concerned. Full particulars of schemes up to 1944 are given in appendices to the Comptroller's report for 1943–44 (Colonial No. 189) and the list will be brought up to date in his report for 1945–46 which is shortly to be published. All the Governments have made use of the advice of the Comptroller and his staff. As to the last part of the Question, the present arrangements can be said to have worked reasonably well They are, and will continue to be, reviewed from time to time in the light of experience.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether inward telegram No. 674, from the Governor of the Gold Coast, dated 8th August, 1946, sent in reply to the Secretary of State's, telegram No. 644, was marked "secret" and whether permission was given to the Solicitors' Law Stationery Society Limited, to print it in a form intended for wide public distribution.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes." As a very exceptional step copies of both the telegrams referred to in the Question were sent by me, with the Governor's agreement, to certain Members of the House who had shown great interest in this case. This was done at the Members' own request. When sending the copies I told Members that, while they were intended primarily for their own information, there would be no objection to their publication if Members thought it desirable, provided the telegrams were quoted in full, as they had been. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why Mr. W. L. Sohm, an Indian resident of Kenya, has been refused re-entry into that country after a temporary absence abroad; and why his re-entry permit No. 3585 has been cancelled.

I am asking the Governor for a report on this matter and will communicate with my hon. Friend when I receive his reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made to date with Research Scheme R.106 for research into mental illness and juvenile delinquency in West Africa; and whether any report is yet available.

The officer appointed to conduct these researches, Dr. Geoffrey Tooth, recently completed a report on juvenile delinquency in the Gold Coast, which is under consideration in my Department. He is now investigating various forms of mental derangement in that territory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any groundnut scheme similar to that for East Africa is also to be applied to West Africa; to what extent the production and export of West African groundnuts has progressed in recent years; and whether any action is to be taken to avoid disadvantageous competition between the two areas respecting groundnuts and an adverse effect upon the West African trade.

The possibility of initiating a scheme for the mechanised production of groundnuts in West Africa is under urgent consideration in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food, but I am not able to make a statement at the moment. Production in West Africa has increased in recent years, and purchases of decorticated groundnuts for export from the British West African territories in the last three crop years have been progressively 260, 330 and 355 thousand ton. In view of the present and prospective world shortage of oils and fats, I do not anticipate competition of the type my hon. Friend fears between East and West Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why martial law has been discontinued in Palestine although terrorism and outrages still continue; whether he will see that it is re-imposed and maintained in force until terrorism has been suppressed; and whether he will consider the imposition of collective fines on districts in respect of outrages committed within their limits.

Statutory martial law was imposed in consequence of the serious outrages of 1st March and was designed to facilitate action by the Army and Police against the terrorist groups responsible for these outrages. It was never expected that this action would in itself put an end to terrorism, although an appreciable number of members of the terrorist gangs were apprehended and much valuable information was gained for the purpose of future operations against them. Statutory martial law was discontinued as soon as the immediate object of the operation had been achieved. The question of future action must depend on the course of events.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his advisory committee advises on educational policy in Bermuda; and on what basis the teaching staff is recruited and remunerated.

Educational policy in Bermuda is a matter for the Colonial Government, but my Advisory Committee on Education in the Colonies would be consulted if my advice were sought on any substantial question of policy. As regards the staff, although school teachers in Bermuda are not members of the Civil Service, their salaries, apart from those of teachers of non-vested schools, are paid from Government funds. Head teachers of non-vested schools receive a Government grant and fees: assistant teachers are paid by the Bermuda Board of Education. At the end of June, 1946, when war bonus and subsistence allowances were discontinued, new salary scales, including adjustments for the bonus and allowances, were introduced. Recruitment is predominantly from local sources.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the functions of the taxation committee appointed in the Seychelles; what interests are represented by the members of the committee; and whether he is satisfied that the interests of the mass of the people are adequately represented.

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to the committee recently appointed by the Governor to draw up the final draft of the Ten-year Development Programme for Seychelles. The Governor has also asked this committee to consider and advise on the measures necessary to secure adequate funds for the Colony's requirements, since questions concerning local taxation, on which a full expression of public opinion is desired, are closely connected with the Development Programme. As regards the second part of the Question, the committee consists of Government officers, the unofficial members of Legislative Council and representatives of the Taxpayers and Landowners Association. The reply to the last part of the Question is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Section 52 of the Seychelles Penal Code imposes severe restrictions on the holding of public meetings; and if he will take steps to have this Section deleted.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for St. Albans (Mr. Dumpleton) on 26th February. I can assure him that the provisions of Section 52 will be carefully reviewed together with other Sections of the Seychelles Penal Code. In the meantime, I might observe that Section 52 has not been the subject of any local representations to the Governor, and no application has been made under it during the last five years. I understand that in actual practice it is improbable that proceedings would be taken under this Section in respect of a meeting not held in a public place.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now make a statement on the future of a modern airport at Hong Kong.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, South (Mr. Rees-Williams) on 12th of February. A technical survey party of officers of the Ministry of Civil Aviation have recently conducted a survey of the available sites suitable for the construction of an airport in Hong Kong and their preliminary report is now under consideration. I am in consultation with the Governor on the financial aspect.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what has been the increase in taxation in Cyprus since 1939; what are the figures for that year and 1946; and what is the rise in the cost-of-living index for the same period.

I am obtaining a report from the Governor of Cyprus. On its receipt, I shall communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware of the discontent existing in the Royal Marines in consequence of the decision to withdraw the opportunity for men to transfer to the "hostilities only" scheme; that there are men in this Service who have served for five years and who now desire to be treated as fairly as their predecessors in the Service; and what steps he is taking to meet this grievance.

Men who joined the Royal Marines on regular engagements during the war period did so on the understanding that they would be liable for a longer period of service than those who entered on a "hostilities only" basis. At the end of the war a number of individual transfers from regular to "hostilities only" engagements was allowed but the increasing number of applications made it necessary to restrict further transfers to cases in which there were exceptional compassionate grounds. I regret that I am not yet in a position to say when transfers will again be freely permitted.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he has any information to give about the new legal branch of the R.N.

The duties of Officiating Deputy Judge Advocate at Naval courts martial and of Clerk of the Court at disciplinary courts are carried out by the officers of the Supply and Secretariat Branch, who receive legal instruction in the course of their ordinary training to qualify them for these duties. The growing complexity of the criminal law, not only as regards procedure, but also as regards the technical and involved nature of the offences which may be committed has immeasurably increased the difficulties of courts martial and of the officers who advise the courts. The Admiralty have accordingly carefully examined what measures might best be taken to relieve the burdens which are being thrown on these officers. After the fullest consideration, it has been decided that a separate Legal Branch is im- practicable, and ill-adapted to conditions of service in the Navy, and that the best results will be obtained by giving a fuller legal training to a number of officers of the Supply and Secretariat Branch.We have decided that a small number of these officers shall be selected for training at public expense with a view to qualifying as barristers. Arrangements have been made with the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple for the admission of selected officers, who will normally pursue their training during a period of three years while holding suitable shore appointments. After qualification, these officers will gain practical experience by spending six months as pupils in the chambers of practising banisters. On re-appointment for Naval duties, they will be employed in their normal capacity where their special qualifications will be of greatest value, and it is contemplated that in due course there will be one such officer in each of the major commands. In addition, a number of more junior Supply officers will spend one month in the office of the Deputy Judge Advocate of the Fleet (who is himself a Supply officer qualified as a barrister), and a further four to five months as pupils in chambers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of cadets entered at Dartmouth College at the age of 13 years, and through the Special Entry Scheme at 17 to 18 years, respectively; and the number of ratings commissioned as executive officers under the Sub-Lieutenant Scheme in the year 1946.

The following is the information for the year 1946:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when he expects to make a statement on officers' widows' pensions as a result of discussions between the three Service Departments.

I cannot at present give an exact date, but I hope that it will be possible to make an announcement before very long.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of ratings promoted to the warrant rank of gunner, gunner (T) and boatswain, respectively, during the year 1946; and the number now qualified educationally and professionally, respectively, for each of these ranks.

The number of ratings promoted to the ranks in question during 1946 and the number now qualified professionally, and both educationally and professionally, are as follow:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the actual number of increased executive commissions to be awarded to lower deck ratings this year under the recently announced increased percentage; whether the corresponding decrease is to be made from the 13-year-old cadet entries into Dartmouth College or from the 17–18-yearold special entry cadets, or from both; and, if from both, in what proportion.

It is exceedingly difficult to estimate the actual number but, as I explained when introducing the Navy Estimates last week, we hope in future to select 20 per cent. to 25 per cent. of our officers from men who began their career on the lower deck. If, as I hope, we are able to achieve and maintain this percentage, a reduction in the ratio of cadet entries will be necessary, but it is not yet possible to say exactly how this will affect these entries.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Wimbledon Rent Tribunal habitually withholds from applicants for rent reduction information as to the answers given by their landlords to the questions in official forms of inquiry as to the price or value or rent of the house unfurnished; and whether he will instruct tribunals on this matter, since it is contrary to natural justice to take evidence from one party behind the back of the other.

I was not previously aware of this and am drawing the attention of the Tribunal to the relevant paragraph of a memorandum my right hon. Friend has already issued, of which I am sending the hon. and learned Member a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many of the diesel generators offered by the three Services for loan or hire to industry during the present crisis have actually been allocated to individual firms; and how many are still available.

The number of engine generator sets allocated to industry by the three Services between 17th February and 17th March is 513, of which 278 were diesels. The number of such sets available for loan in approved cases as at 20th March is 641, of which 540 are diesels.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the respective quantities of merino yarns used by the woollen cloth trade and the hosiery trade for 1946.

Actual quantities for merino yarns separately are not readily available, but the proportions were roughly two-thirds to weaving and one-third to hosiery.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will name those serving on his working party dealing with enemy property.

It has not been found necessary to supplement the official Departmental machinery for dealing with enemy property by a working party.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will accept as a charge upon the national Exchequer the cost of emergency aid and compensation to victims of the recent floodings.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he proposes to start a relief fund for flood victims.

I would refer the hon. Members to the statement on this subject made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how much money annually is being spent on bringing home candidates for the Civil Service executive entrance examination; what is the average cost; and whether they are brought home by sea or air.

About 180 people have been brought home up to the present, about 80 per cent. of whom were serving with the Armed Forces, and 20 per cent. members of the Civil Service on tours of duty abroad. The first group would normally use Service transport, and it is not possible in their case to identify the cost. Elaborate inquiries involving disproportionate labour would be necessary to ascertain the numbers who travelled by sea and air respectively.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will provide for the publication of a full record of the results achieved by the research department of the Post Office during the past 10 years or other appropriate period.

Technical publications, notably those of the Institute of Post Office Electrical Engineers which have a world-wide circulation, are used as being suitable and convenient for the timely publication of the results achieved by the research department of the Post Office. In view of paper shortage and printing difficulties, it is not considered desirable at present to publish a full record of past achievements, but an illustrated booklet describing the current work of the research department is being prepared.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what steps he has taken to improve postal delivery services in the area of Longburton, Sherborne, Dorset-shire, details of which were sent to him on 3rd December, 1946.

I am happy to say that the improvements asked for by the hon. Member have been brought into effect as from 24th of this month.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what profit was made by the Post Office during 1946 on the carriage of non-service air mail.

The Post Office profit during 1946 on the overseas civilian air mail services is estimated at approximately £75,000 on a total gross revenue from this source of £3,700,000.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if negotiations have yet been opened with the Government of Nepal for the employment of Gurkha troops in the British service after 31st May, 1948.

Negotiations with the Government of Nepal for the employment of Gurkha troops under His Majesty's Government have not yet been opened, but it is hoped that they will be opened shortly.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will make a full statement on the fuel and power situation; what is the average age of the generating plant, the coal consumption per kilowatt hour in 1939 and 1946, the estimated increase in coal consumption due to the quality of coal and the age of the plant and the percentage of uneconomic generating plant; and what steps are being taken to deal with these problems.

I regret that it is not possible to deal with the points raised by my hon. Friend within the limits of a Parliamentary Question. If he cares to write to me on any specific point, I shall be only too pleased to supply him with such detailed information as is available.

asked the Minister of Supply what civilian commodities are in the course of production at the Royal Ordnance Factory, Swynnerton, Staffordshire; what number of men and women are engaged; and what is the maximum staff which will be employed.

This factory is engaged on the following work of a civilian nature. the production of electrical ceramics, the recovery of steel, brass and copper from surplus ammunition, the repair of boots, and laundry work and the manufacture of clothing for the Services. The total employment at the factory is approximately 2,375, and it is hoped to maintain it at about that level.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will supply information as to the number of British made combine harvesters manufactured in this country during 1946; if these were all allocated for use on British farms; the number likely to be manufactured this year before the harvest of 1947; and if these will all be allocated for home use.

In the production year 1st October, 1945, to 30th September, 1946, of the 126 combine harvesters manufactured in this country 125 were supplied to the home market. It is expected that production for the 1947 harvest will be over boo and that about 90 per cent. of the total will be supplied to the home market.