Written Answers To Questions
Wednesday, 4th June, 1947
Battle Of Britain (Polish Pilots)
1.
asked the Secretary of State for Air how many aeroplanes were fully manned by Polish Air Force crews in the Battle of Britain; and how many enemy aircraft the Polish Air Force destroyed in that battle.
Two Polish fighter squadrons, and two Polish bomber squadrons took part in the Battle of Britain. In addition, 68 Polish pilots served in fighter squadrons of the R.A.F. during the Battle. The records of enemy aircraft destroyed during the batty do not show the nationality of the pilots responsible, but Polish pilots claimed that they had shot clown 203. It is clear, therefore, that they made a most notable contribution to our victory over the Luftwaffe, and all ranks of the R.A.F. are agreed that they showed the utmost gallantry.
German Educational Reconstruction
13.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what facilities he has made available to German Educational Reconstruction to assist them in collecting and despatching books, periodicals and educational equipment to German schools and colleges.
Arrangements have been made for the books, periodicals and educational equipment collected by "German Educational Reconstruction" to be despatched to Germany through the machinery of "Save Europe Now" which is permitted to use official shipping facilities. The goods are then distributed through a German organisation in Hamburg, which has the active support of both the British authorities and the German Land Ministers of Education.
Swiss Visitors (Visas)
15.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when visas will be no longer required for Swiss citizens wishing to visit this country.
Negotiations for the reciprocal abolition of visas for Swiss citizens and British subjects travelling to the United Kingdom and Switzerland and Liechtenstein, respectively, are still in the exploratory stage, and it is not possible to give any estimate of the date when Swiss citizens will be able to travel to this country without visas.
News Restrictions (Foreign Countries)
26.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any restriction or censorship is imposed by any foreign Governments on the publication of English news and information in their countries.
I know of no restrictions or censorship imposed by foreign Governments which discriminate specifically against English news and information, but many foreign Governments impose some form of restriction on the publication of news and information in general.
Heathrow Aerodrome
7.
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he has investigated the complaints sent to him by the honourable Member for Cheltenham relating to the unsatisfactory reception of passengers who arrive from overseas at Heathrow; and what steps he has taken to reduce the long delay at the Customs and to ensure courteous treatment of passengers by the officials.
As the investigation of the complaint involves consultation with a number of different authorities, it has not been possible in the time available to furnish a full reply. I will, however, write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
Singapore
Trade Unions
32.
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he will take to secure the annulment of the recent declaration of the Governor of Singapore that the Singapore Federation of Trade Unions and fifty separate trade unions are illegal for want of registration, and the amendment of the trade union legislation in the Colony to remove its restrictive features including, in particular, the prohibition on the use of funds for political purposes.
I am assured by the acting Governor that no such declaration has been made. The only applications to form friendly societies and trade unions which have been rejected are from 19 bodies, 16 of which were from political organisations, friendly societies and others which for one reason or another fall outside the definition of "trade union" in the Singapore Trade Union legislation. Ninety-four trade unions have already been registered in Singapore and 66 are in process of being registered.
Political Parties
33.
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the Governor of Singapore is attempting to compel the registration of political parties under the Societies Ordinance, 1909, and to treat as illegal all parties which do not apply for registration; whether he is aware that this Ordinance has never hitherto been applied to such parties; and what steps he will take to stop this procedure and to amend the Ordinance so as clearly to confine it to ordinary clubs and societies and to remove its objectionable features.
The Governor of Singapore is not attempting to compel the registration of political parties. The Societies Ordinance, which was only brought into operation on 1st June, was amended on the same date for the express purpose of excluding political parties from its provisions.
Banishment Ordinance
34.
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will take steps to secure the repeal of the Banishment Ordinance now in force in Singapore and Malaya, or its amendment, so as to confine it to cases of serious crime, to prevent its use to stifle political activities, and to provide in all cases for some form of appeal against orders of banishment.
I am unable to agree to consider the repeal or amendment of these Ordinances in present circumstances. I have recently examined the question of their operation closely in consultation with the two Governors, and am satisfied that their powers are necessary and are exercised only after the most scrupulous examination of individual cases. They are not used to prevent genuine political activity.
Food Supplies
Holiday Resorts
52.
asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the allotment of basic permits for rationed food to boarding houses and hotels in Aberdeen is insufficient for their needs during the coming summer holiday season; and, having regard to the large numbers of people who will visit that seaside resort, if he will increase the allotment.
I would refer my hon. Friend to an answer given on 21st May to the hon. and gallant Member for North Blackpool (Brigadier Low).
Ice-Cream (Sugar Allocation)
61.
asked the Minister of Food why, when his officials informed Mr. W. A. James and Mr. W. G. James, 91, Richmond Street, Brighton, that they would have a decision upon their allocation of sugar for making ice-cream before the Whitsun holiday, they had heard nothing by the Tuesday before Whitsun; and whether he realises that the holiday season is now in full swing in Brighton and he is thus penalising these ex-Service men.
A letter was sent to Messrs. James on 21st May, several days before Whitsun, informing them of a decision which I announced on that date. The decision was that I am now prepared to allow sugar to be issued to ice-cream manufacturers who abandoned their businesses at the outbreak of war provided that before the war they bought sugar for ice-cream making. Messrs. James were invited to submit details of their case to the local food office.
Non-Rationed Foods (Increased Allocations)
asked the Minister of Food (1) what steps he has taken since 27th February to give extra non-rationed food to mining communities; and if there has been any increase allocated to South Wales;(2) on what basis were allocations of non-rationed foods made to the South Wales development area in 1946; and what change has been made since then.Mr. STRACHEY,
pursuant to his reply (OFFICIAL REPORT, 16th April, 1947; Vol, 436, col. 185), supplied the following information:
FOOD OFFICE AREAS WHOLLY OR PARTLY RECEIVING INCREASED ALLOCATIONS OF MATERIALS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CAKES, MEAT PRODUCTS, AND FRIED FISH AND CHIPS.
Cumberland: The Boroughs of Whitehaven and Workington; the Urban Districts of Cockermouth and Maryport; the Rural Districts of Cockermouth, Ennerdale, Millom and Wigton.
Northumberland and Durham: The Administrative County of Durham; the County Boroughs of Darlington, Gateshead, South Shields, Sunderland, West Hartlepool, Newcastle-on-Tyne and Tynemouth; the Boroughs of Morpeth, Wallsend and Blyth; the Urban Districts of Longbenton, Newburn, Ashington, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Bedlingtonshire, Seaton Valley, Whitley and Monkseaton, Gosforth, Amble and prudhoe; the Rural District of Morpeth.
Yorkshire: The County Boroughs of Middlesbrough, Barnsley, Wakefield, Rotherham and Doncaster; the Boroughs of Thornaby-on-Tees, Pontefract, Ossett, Todmorden and Redcar; the Urban Districts of Eston, Guisborough, Saltburn and Marske, Skelton and Brotton, Loftus, Dodsworth, Cudworth, Darton, Worsborough, Hoyland Nether, Darfield, Royston, Barnoldswick, Earby, Hebden Royd, Rothwell, Hemsworth, Parkgate, Rawmarsh, Normanton, Featherstone, Adwick-le-Street, Garforth, Horbury, Wombwell, Conisborough, Bentley, Castle-ford, Maltby, Tickhill, Mexborough, Wath-on-Dearne, Swinton, Dearne and Stanley; the Rural Districts of Thorne, Rotherham, Wakefield, Hemsworth, Kiveton Park; in the Rural District of Doncaster, the parishes of Armthorpe, Edlington, Rossington, Barnby Dun, Kirk Sandal, and Askern; in the Rural District of Stokesley, the parishes of Ingleby, Barwick, Maltby, Stainton, Hemlington, Marton and Ormesby; in the Rural District of Whitby, the parish of Hinderwell.
Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire: The Boroughs of Chesterfield, Worksop, Mansfield and Ilkeston; the Urban Districts of Clay Cross, Bolsover, Alfreton, Mansfield-Woodhouse, Staveley, Ripley, Warsop, Swadlincote, Hucknall, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Belper, Eastwood, Heanor and Codnor; the Rural Districts of Chesterfield, Blackwell, and Clowne; in the Rural District of Repton, the parishes of Harshorne, Woodville, Overseal, Netherseal, Castle Gresley, Linton, Coton-in-the-Elms, and Rosliston; in the Rural District of Belper, the parishes of Hersley Woodhouse, Smalley, Kilburn, Denby, South Wingfield, Crich, Shipley, and Mapperley; in the Rural District of Basford, the parishes of Awsworth, Cossall,
Btinsley, Selston, Greasley, Nuthall, Kimberley, Bestwood Park, Annesley, and Newstead; in the Rural District of Southwell, the parishes of Ollerton, Edwinstowe, Bilsthorpe, Rainworth, Clipstone, and Blidworth.
North Wales: The Boroughs of Flint and Wrexham; the Urban Districts of Buckley, Mold, Connah's Quay, and Holywell; the Rural Districts of Hawarden and Holywell; in the Rural District of Wrexham, the parishes of Llay, Gwersyllt, Broyston, Brymbo, Bersham, Minerva, Eslushan Above, Eslushan Below, Erthig, Rhosllanerchongog, Ten-y-cae, Cefn, Ruabon, Marchwiel, Cesswick, Abenbury, Is-y-wed, Biston, Gresford, and Holt; and in the Rural District of Ceirog, the parish of Chirk.
Leicestershire: The Urban Districts of Coalville, Ashby and Shepshed; in the Rural District of Ashby, the villages of Coleorton, Measham, Oakthorpe, Donisthorpe, Moira and Albert; in the Rural District of Market Bosworth, the parishes of Ibstock, Nailstone, Bagworth and Desford.
Warwickshire: The Boroughs of Nuneaton and Tamworth; the Urban District of Bedworth; the Rural Districts of Tamworth, Atherstone and in the Rural District of Meriden, the parishes of Keresley and Arley.
Shropshire: In the Borough of Wenlock, the parishes of Ironbridge, Madeley and Broseley; the Urban District of Oakengates; in the Rural District of Ludlow, the parish of Cleobury Mortimer; in the Rural District of Bridgnorth, the parish of Highley; in the rural District of Wellington, the villages of Ketley, Hadley, and Donnington.
Gloucestershire: In the Rural District of Fast Dean, the village of Cinderford; in the Rural District of West Dean, the parish of Cole-ford; in the Rural District of Lydney, the parish of Lydney; in the Rural District of Sodbury, the parishes of Coalpit Heath, Frampton, Winterborne, Cotterell, Yate, Pucklechurch.
Somerset: In the Rural District of Bathavon, the parishes of Camerton and Peasdown; in the Rural District of Clutton, the parishes of Old Mills, Paulton, Chilcompton, Timsbury, Clutton, Faringdon, Gurney, Farnborough, High Littleton, Pensford, Bishop Sutton, Stanton Wick, Stanton Drew; in the Rural District of Frome, the parishes of Coleford and Highbury; in the Urban District of Norton Radstock, the parishes of Clandown, Writhlington, Radstock, Midsomer Norton, Shoscombe, and Haydon.
Kent: In the Urban District of Deal, the locality of Mill Hill; in the Rural District of Eastry, the villages of Aylesham, Bettershanger, Eythorne, and Tilmanstone; in the Rural District of Bridgeblean, the village of Chislet.
Lancashire: The County Boroughs of Liverpool, Bootle, Burnley, Blackburn, Oldham, St. Helens and Wigan (including Upholland, Skelmersdale and Orrell); the Boroughs of Crosby and Litherland, Colne (including Trawden), Nelson (including Barrowford), Clitheroe, Accrington (including Great Harwood, Church, Clayton, Rishton, and Oswaldtwistle), Darwen, Haslingden, Mossley, Stalybridge, Ashton-under-Lyne (including Dukinfield and Lymehurst), Glossop and Leigh; the Urban District of Padiham, Denton, Audenshaw, Lees, Chadderton, Royton, Standish with Langtree, Billings
and Wynstanley, Ince-in-Makerfield, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Haydock, Abram Golborn, Westhoughton, Hindley, Blackrod, Newton-le-Willows, Aspull, Tyldesley, Atherton, and in the Urban District of Worsley, the parishes of Walkden, Little Hulton and Boothstown; the Rural Districts of Burnley (including Brierfield and Hepton), Clitheroe, and Blackburn (including Whitnell); in the Rural District of Wigan, the parishes of Shrington and Haigh.
Cheshire: The County Boroughs of Birkenhead and Wallasey; the Borough of Congleton.
Staffordshire: The County Borough of Stoke-on-Trent; the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme; the Urban Districts of Kidsgrove, Biddulph, Rugeley, Cannock and Brownhills; the Rural District of Newcastle-under-Lyme; in the Rural District of Cannock, the parish of Cheslyn Hay; in the Rural District of Lichfield, the parishes of Burntwood and Chasetown.
South Wales: The Administrative County of Glamorgan; the County Boroughs of Cardiff, Newport, Merthyr Tydfil and Swansea; the Boroughs of Kidwelly, Llanelly and Pembroke; the Urban Districts of Brynmawr, Abercarn, Abertillery, Bedwas and Machen, Bedwelty, Blaenavon, Caerlon, Cwmbran, Ebbw Vale, Mynddislwyn, Nantyglo and Blaina, Pontypool, Rhymney, Risca, Tredegar, Usk, Ammanford, Burry Port and Cwmamman; the Rural Districts of Llanelly, Carmarthen, Magor and St. Mellons, Pontypool, Crickhowell, Vaynor and Pendryn and Ystradgynlais.
Scotland: The County of Dunbarton and the Burghs of Dumbarton and Clydebank; the County of Renfrew and the Burghs of Renfrew, Paisley, Greenock and Port Glasgow; the County of the City of Glasgow; the County of Lanark, and the Burghs of Lanark, Hamilton, Airdrie, Coatbridge, Motherwell and Wishaw, and Rutherglen; in the County of Dumfries, the Burgh and Parish of Sanquar; in the County of Ayr: the Burghs of Ayr and Kilmarnock; the Burghs and Parishes of Ardrossan, Galston, Irvine, Kilmarnock, Kilwinning, and Stewarton; the Parishes of Beith, Dairy, Dreghorn, Dunlop, Fenwick, Kilbirnie, Kilmaurs, Loudon, Riccarton and Stevenston; the localities of Cummoch, New Cummoch, Prestwick, Monkton, Glenburn, Aucklinleck, Lugar, Commondyke, Cronberry, Skares, Dunaskin, Dalmellington, Dailly, Marchline, Catrine, Sorn, Muirkirk, Glenbuck, Ochiltree, Tarbolton, Ann-bank, Patna and Coylton; in the County of Clackmannan: the localities of Tillicoultry, Sauchie, Clackmannan, Fishcress and Coalsnaughton; in the County of Stirling: the Burghs and Parishes of Falkirk, Grangemouth and Stirling; the Parishes of Campsie, Baldernock, Muiravonside and Slamannan; the localities of Denny, Kilsyth, Plean, Redding, Bannockburn, Cowie, Haggs, Dennyloanhead, Banknock and Fallin; the County of the City of Dundee; in the County of Fife: the Burghs of Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly, Leven and Kirkcaldy; in the Parish of Beath, the villages of Hill of Beath, Kelty, Lassodie, and Mossgreen; in the Parish of Auchterderran, the villages of
Auchterderran, Bowhill, Cardenden, Jamphlars Coalden, Capeldrae Row and Cluny; in the Parish of Ballingry, the villages of Ballingry, Crosshill, Glencraig, Lochore and Lumphinnans; in the Parish of Kinglassie, the village of King-lassie; in the Parish of Aberdour, the village of Fordell; in the Parish of Dumfermline, the villages of Crossford, Blackmoor of Pitfirrane, Charlestown, Crossgates, Halbeath, Limekilns, Parknouk, and Wellwood; in the Parish of Tulliallan, the villages of Kincardine-on-Forth; in the Parish of Culross, the villages of Culross, Blairhall, High Valleyfield, and Low Valleyfield; in the Parish of Saline, the villages of Saline, Kinnedar Park, and Steelend; in the Parish of Terryburn, the villages of Crombie, Newmills, and Torryburn; in the Parish of Carnock, the villages of Cairneyhill, Carnock, Comrie, Gowkhall, Oakley and Milespark; in the Parish of Auchtertool, the villages of Auchtertool and Gray Park; in the Parish of Kirkcaldy and Dysart, the villages of Chapel, Prinlaws, and Walkerton; in the Parish of Wemyss, the villages of West Wemyss, Coaltown of Wemyss, East Wemyss, Buckhaven, Methil, Kirkland, Methilhill, and Rosie; in the Parish of Kennoway, the villages of Baintown, Bonnybank, Star, and Kennoway; in the Parish of Leslie, the villages of Leslie and Cadham; in the Parish of Markinch, the villages of Markinch, Coaltown of Balgonie, Kirkforthar Fues, Milton of Balgonie, Thornton, Woodside, and Windy-gates; in the County of West Lothian, the Burghs and Parishes of Linlithgow and Bathgate; the Parishes of Ecclesmachan, Kirkliston, Winchburgh, Livingston, Torpichen, Uphall and Whitburn; in the County of Midlothian, the Burghs of Musselburgh and Dalkeith; the Parishes of Kirknewton, Midcalder, West Calder; in the Parish of Inveresk, the villages of Wallyford and Smeaton; in the Parish of New-battle, the villages of Newtongrange, East Houses, and Arniston; in the Parish of Borthwick, the town of Gorebridge; in the Parish of Cockpen, the town of Bonnyrigg; in the Parish of Lasswade, the villages of Lasswade, Loanhead, Roslin and Rosewell; in the Parish of Crichton, the village of Pathead Ford; in the County of the City of Edinburgh, the Parishes of Newcraighall and Gilmerton; in the County of East Lothian, the Burghs of Prestonpans and Tranent; in the Parish of Tranent, the villages of Macmerry and Elphinstone; in the Parish of Ormiston, the village of Ormiston; in the Parish of Prestonpans, the villages of Cockenzie and Port Seton.
Northern Ireland: Belfast and Castlereagh, Londonderry Borough and Rural District, Newry Urban and Rural Districts, Ballymena Borough and Rural District, Portadown Urban District, Newtownards Borough and Rural District, Lurgan Urban and Rural Districts, Dungannon Urban and Rural Districts, Armagh Urban and Rural Districts, Antrim Rural District, Lame Borough and Rural District, Carrickfergus Urban District, Lisburn Urban and Rural Districts, Hillsborough Rural District, Coleraine Borough and Rural District, Ballyclare Urban District, Strabane Urban and Rural District.
Public Institutions (Old Couples)
asked the Minister of Health the number of men over the age of 65 years in public institutions in Dorset whose wives are in other public institutions; and what steps are being taken to reunite such husbands and wives.
I am informed that there is only one case of this kind in Dorset, and that, although the public assistance authority offered to accommodate the couple together, they were content to remain as they were. The husband is taken each week by car to visit his wife. I am making further inquiries into the case and will let the hon. Member know the result in due course.