asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is his policy in regard to the return of Germans to Tanganyika.

Of the former German residents of Tanganyika Territory who were interned in Southern Rhodesia, those who have shown no Nazi or hostile sympathies and who are desirable residents of the Territory in other respects have been allowed to return to Tanganyika. The remainder have either gained admission to other territories or have been, or are being, repatriated to Germany.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the very strong feeling in Tanganyika about this, especially in so far as the settlers are concerned? Could he indicate what special measures he is taking in regard to the return of these Germans?

Yes, there are several Questions today, the answers to which I hope to give a little later.

Can the Secretary of State say how many Germans have been allowed to return or are to be allowed to return, and whether, if and when they do, they will be given full rights, including the right to hold land?

There is a Question on that matter that I shall answer in a few minutes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many German settlers have so far been authorised to return to their prewar holdings in Tanganyika, and how many to resume their prewar professional, commercial and industrial occupations, respectively.

A total of 100 Germans formerly interned in Southern Rhodesia have been allowed to return to Tanganyika. They comprise 49 heads of families—35 men and 14 women—of whom 18 are settlers, three are members of the medical or nursing professions, 19 were formerly engaged in commerce or industry, and nine are returning to live with relations or friends. The position with regard to the settlers is explained in my reply to Question No. 11. Corresponding figures for Germans who were not sent to Southern Rhodesia but remained in Tanganyika during the war are being obtained, and I will send them to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of the Germans who have been repatriated are at present living in hotels without exercising any profession or business? Can he give the House an assurance that the Germans will not be allowed to come in unless they have some means of support?

Many of the Germans concerned, do, of course, belong, by their long settlement in Tanganyika, to that part of East Africa. They are not returning to their farms though they were settlers, and this question of their future settlement and the positions that they will occupy is now receiving the immediate consideration of the local Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give an assurance that British citizens who have been leased estates in Tanganyika, previously held by Germans, will not be ejected in favour of returning Germans, and that alternative properties will be offered to the latter; that, if for any reason any British citizen is required to leave such an estate in favour of a returning German, he shall be paid full compensation for any money spent in improving the properties; and that any Germans who have property re-vested will not benefit by the work put into the estates by the present lessees of such ex-enemy properties.

No lessee of an estate in Tanganyika which was formerly held by a German national will be ejected in favour of the former owner during the currency of his lease. The question of the arrangements which will be applied when the present leases expire is being examined by the Tanganyika Government and consideration will be given to all the points to which the hon. Member has drawn attention.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the first part of his answer will give great satisfaction because quite recently a German arrived at a local station and telephoned the British officer at 6.15 in the morning and expected immediate reinstatement?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in view of the protests of the British Legion in Tanganyika, as well as the bewilderment of African ex-Servicemen, he will give an assurance that no more Germans, other than the 47 families already permitted to return, will be allowed to re-settle in the territory.

1t is not the intention of the Tanganyika Government that former German residents in Tanganyika should be allowed to return to the territory, apart from the 49 families who have already been given permission to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many European settlers have taken up land in Kenya since the end of the war; how many of these are Kenya nationals; how many are ex-Servicemen from outside Kenya; and how many new settlers have arrived to live in Kenya without taking up land for farming.

I am asking the Acting Governor for up-to-date figures and I will send them to my hon. Friend as soon as I receive them.

Can the Secretary of State give the House any information as to the status of the children of European men and women settling in Kenya and taking up land?

I think that all information with regard to settlement and permanent residence in Kenya is supplied by the East African Office. It is now proposed that there should be some immigration legislation, and entries in the future will undoubtedly be controlled.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the terms of reference given to the Committee on European Education set up by the Central African Council; and whether he will establish the principle that there can be no administrative amalgamation of the education departments of Nyasaland, Northern Rhodesia and Southern Rhodesia, on the basis of racial segregation in schools.

The terms of reference of the committee are, in brief:

(a) to keep under review the existing arrangements for the education in Southern Rhodesia of European children from Northern Rhodesia;

(b)to recommend an equitable contribution by the Northern Rhodesia Government in respect of the cost of tuition of such children;

(c)to assist the Chief Secretary of the Council in studying the possibility of unification of the European Education Departments in the two territories; and

(d) to study arrangements for Asiatic and Coloured education in Northern and Southern Rhodesia.

As regards the second part of the Question, separate European educational establishments are at present in demand to meet practical requirements in all the Territories concerned. The committee has not finally reported and there is no cause for me to make any statement at this juncture.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the educational attainment of the child should be the basis of entering schools provided by public funds?

Obviously, that is a sound principle, but in regard to this problem, one must wait until the committee concerned has made its report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has sent instructions to the High Commissioner for Palestine to the effect that law and order are to be maintained and terrorism stamped out; and what representations have been received from the High Commissioner as to the measures which he considers necessary for this purpose.

The High Commissioner is well aware of the policy of His Majesty's Government, which is that every effort should be made to maintain law and order in Palestine and to suppress lawlessness and terrorism. He has indicated that his existing instructions give him all necessary latitude.

Is it not a fact that the High Commissioner has recently intimated that if the Armed Forces were allowed to exert their full power against the whole Jewish community, terrorism could be eradicated in a very short time indeed? In view of that fact, why is such authority not given to the High Commissioner? Indeed, why are not orders given to him to use the full power of the Army?

There has been no withholding of the necessary authority to the High Commissioner in respect of the representations he has made. Indeed, he has always taken the view most strongly that suppression of terrorism is not a matter of military operations so much as a matter of police work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the failure of the recent attempt to blow up the British headquarters at Tel Aviv when a Palestinian Jew, Zeev Werber, sacrificed his life to save the lives of 300 British troops.

Shortly after 11 o'clock on 18th of June an explosion occurred in the basement of a house near the Military Cantonment in Citrus House, Tel Aviv. On investigation the body of a young Jew was found at the opening of a tunnel leading in the direction of Citrus House. The tunnel was timbered and construction must have been in progress for some time. In the basement was a chalked message in Hebrew, reading, "The Hagana were here. We want you by force not to carry out your evil intention. Signed Hagana." Outside the building was a vehicle loaded with cement which had been removed without permission from the Municipal garage. It appears that the Hagana had learnt that an attempt by terrorists to blow up Citrus House was in progress, and had decided to frustrate it by blocking the entry to the tunnel with cement. The entry had, however, been booby trapped; and when the leader of the Hagana party, identified as Zeev Werber, the son of a municipal employee in Tel Aviv, attempted to enter, he was fatally wounded by an explosion. His funeral in Tel Aviv the next day was attended by representatives of the District Commissioner and of the Superintendent of Police in recognition of the fact that he had lost his life as a result of action which had probably prevented a serious terrorist outrage and consequent British casualties.

Is not co-operation on the part of Hagana very much to be welcomed in combating terrorism? May I ask whether any pension will be payable to the dependents of this young Jew who gave his life? Is the right hon. Gentleman also aware that in the first report in "The Times" this man was described as one of the terrorists? Fortunately, the "Express" had the correct version. Is it not rather unusual for the "Express" to be more correct than "The Times"?

I cannot answer the last part of the question but it may be that "The Times" misreported it. It is a fact, of course, that Hagana has played some limited part in trying to root out terrorism and suppress this evil. I must say that the British Government would wish for a larger measure of cooperation than has so far been forthcoming.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the part of my question dealing with compensation?

I should require notice of that.

May I ask whether any steps are being taken to recognise the gallantry of this young Jew?

That is a matter for the Palestine Government. I confess that we have not given consideration to it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now arrange to meet at least once a month the corre- spondents of colonial newspapers in London and the editors of other journals concerned with Colonial matters in order to enable the Colonial newspapers concerned to be kept fully up to date with activities of his Department.

The information Department in the Colonial Office is now being re-organised. When this reorganisation is complete it is proposed to institute a regular monthly press conference particularly for the correspondents of Colonial newspapers in London and for editors of other journals concerned with Colonial matters. These conferences will normally be conducted by my Director of Information Services.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the London correspondents of Colonial newspapers were given no access to his Department's release of news about major schemes of development in the Colonies; that at the conference several days afterwards, no additional information was given to them; and whether he will give an assurance that in all releases of news with regard to Colonial developments, the correspondents of Colonial newspapers in London and all journalists specialising in Colonial matters will be enabled to get information published in Colonial newspapers at the same time as it can be published in London and dispatched overseas by the news agencies.

I presume that my hon. and gallant Friend refers to reports recently published of plans to review the production of foodstuffs and other essential commodities in the Colonial Empire. No news release on this subject was made by the Colonial Office, but a reference in this House gave rise to speculation in the Press. As a result my Press Officers were given information which was then made available to all inquirers. In view of the interest in the subject it was thought that representatives of the Colonial specialist Press would welcome an opportunity of meeting a senior official of the Colonial Office and a conference was arranged accordingly. The purpose of this conference was not to release, news but to give background information the answer to the last part of the Question is; "Yes, Sir."

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he proposes to issue a White Paper concerning commodity production in the Colonial Empire.

No, Sir, but with the permission of the hon. Member, the House, and Mr. Speaker, I will make a statement at the end of Questions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the salaries of Colonial Governors and Colonial civil servants have been augmented to meet the increased cost of living; and whether, in view of the natural reluctance of Colonial governors to raise the question of their emoluments, he will, if satisfied that there are good grounds for doing so, bring the point to the notice of the local legislatures.

In nearly all Colonies the salaries of civil servants either have been revised or are in process of revision. Cost of living allowance schemes operate in practically all Colonies where salaries have not yet been revised. Improvements in the effective emoluments of Governors—which include salary, allowances and privileges—have also been made in a number of cases and will be considered in others as and when occasion arises.

But what is happening in the Colonies where no increases have taken place? Does not the right hon. Gentleman feel that he has a responsibility in view of the fact that these officers are appointed by the Secretary of State?

Of course, we have a measure of responsibility, but I think that I can say in all cases, in all the territories throughout the Empire, this matter has received the attention either of the Colonial Office or myself directly and certain steps have been taken.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many of them get a salary of £3,700 a year or above?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps His Majesty's Government has taken to ensure that the Dominions are allowed to play a full part in the formation and execution of plans for expanding the output of industry and agriculture in the Colonies.

The United Kingdom Government are aware of the part which the Dominion Governments can play in the field of Colonial development. Already in a number of important respects, close co-operation has been established. So far as expansion of production in industry and agriculture is concerned, the Dominions are, of course, much occupied at the moment with their own economies and the expansion of their own productive capacity. The assistance of the Dominion Governments will, I am sure, be readily forthcoming as necessary in the larger Colonial development plans, and there will undoubtedly be opportunity for Dominion investment in this field.

Have the Dominions been invited to join the Economic Advisory Council, and what has the Council done so far?

I hope that I may be in a position to circulate a statement to the House in regard to the work of the Economic and Development Council, but in all our development work there has been very close contact with the Dominion Governments, and we have received in some of our schemes very practical assistance indeed.

Would the right hon. Gentleman try to let us have that before the Supply Day, if that is possible?

I am hurrying it on, but it is a matter for the printers now.

Has any Dominion Government made any contribution to the Colonial Development Fund?

I am not aware of it.

asked the. Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has examined the recommendations of the Development Commission of Tanganyika as to African educational requirements in the next 10 years; and how these recommendations are to be financed.

I have examined the recommendations, which have been generally endorsed by the Advisory Committee on Education in the Colonies, and I have informed the Governor that I am prepared to approve them. It is proposed that the ten-year plan shall be financed as follows: From the Territory's resources and surplus balances, £3,537,000; from the resources of the Native Administration, £605,000; from the Colonial Development and Welfare Vote, £1,250,000 — total, £5,392,000. These financial arangements are subject to the approval of the Tanganyika Legislative Council as far as expenditure from the Territory's funds is concerned and to the concurrence of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer as regards the proposed grant under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act. The plan has still to be considered also by the Advisory Committee on African Education in Tanganyika. I am sending a copy of the plan to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action has been taken by the Government of Trinidad to implement the recommendation of its Cost-of-Living Committee that the prices of essential foodstuffs should be subsidised; and whether any action is to be taken in response to the committee's criticism that the Government's import policy compels Trinidad to buy in a dear market.

A policy of food subsidisation has been in operation for some years in Trinidad. Proposals for increasing subsidisation expenditure in order to reduce the cost-of-living index by 10 points from 220 to 210 have recently been agreed in principle by the Finance Committee. It is proposed that the cost of these measures should be met partly from Trinidad revenues and partly from a grant by His Majesty's Government. The necessary vote to authorise such a grant will be brought before Parliament in due course. As regards the second part of the Question, the Governor reports that import control is effected with the object of conserving "hard currency," and in some instances this involves purchases from the sterling area at higher prices than those for which similar goods could be purchased from "hard currency" countries. Since April last, however, licences have been issued for the importation from any source of certain essential consumer goods which are in very short supply.

Could I ask the Secretary of State whether this assistance from the Colonial Office Vote to reduce the cost of living where that is increased by the necessity of sterling control, will be extended to other Colonies which are in the same position?

I cannot give a definite promise that it will be extended, but it is a matter which is under constant discussion with the Treasury, and I think both the Colonial Office and the Treasury take a reasonably sympathetic view in regard to the matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is possible to extend similar help to other West Indian Colonies?

I have just said that the whole problem has the constant attention of the Colonial Office and the Treasury.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when he proposes to make a statement regarding the future of Rosyth dockyard and the project of establishing a graving dock in the Clyde.

The future of Rosyth Dockyard is still under active consideration, and although I cannot say when a decision will be taken, I hope that it will be at no very distant date. The question of a new graving dock requires detailed examination of a number of different factors and is unlikely to be decided for a considerable time.

May I ask the Civil Lord whether the Chiefs of Staff have given any decision about the strategic advantages of Rosyth which was so apparent during the two great wars?

The Chiefs of Staff are, of course, taken into consultation on these matters, and everything they have said is being borne in mind.

Would the Civil Lord arrange for me to have a talk with the Chiefs of Staff, so that I can get them to make up their minds over this question, which has been hanging fire for two years now?

I am afraid I shall have to ask the Chiefs of Staff whether they would consider that.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise the great handicap to recruiting in Scotland and the North-East coast of England as a result of there being no home port in this part of the country?

We have been shown no evidence of that.

Will the hon Gentleman bear in mind that Rosyth is the only docks on the North-East coast and that it provides deep water anchorage for the whole of the Home Fleet in a comparatively safe area?

We are, of course, fully aware of that.

When will the Admiralty make up their minds that we are to have this graving dock on the Clyde, where we have built the finest ships which have sailed the Seven Seas, including the "Queen Mary," the "Queen Elizabeth" and the "Vanguard." Is the Civil Lord aware that these ships are going down to Southampton in order to be equipped, when they could come back to the Clyde to be finished? We have been pushed off for years; surely, it is time for them to decide? I would like to know when they are coming to a decision?

I think the answer to that supplementary question is given in the second paragraph of my original reply. My hon. Friend will find that we are examining the matter, but it must take some time before a decision can be reached.

The Admiralty have been examining it ever since the present Government came in. We do not want an examination, we want a dock.

During discussions with the Chiefs of Staff, would the Minister bear in mind the apparent influence of the Minister of Defence in this direction?

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, and the period of time over which this matter has dragged on, I beg to give notice that I will raise it on the Adjournment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware of the hardship being caused to naval officers and ratings, now serving in Greece, due to the inadequacy of their allowances on account of the present rate of exchange between drachma and sterling; and what action he is taking to remedy this hardship.

Officers and men of the Royal Navy now serving in Greece are in the same position as members of the Army in this matter, and I would therefore refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War. The allowances for members of the Naval forces will be reviewed at the same time as those of the other Services.

But is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this matter has been dragging on now for 18 months? Why cannot this be put right and a decision be given now? Is he further aware that this hardship is greatly increased by the quite inadequate stocks kept by N.A.A.F.I., and can he not do something in that direction to try to meet this hardship?

As regards the second part of the supplementary question, that seems to be another matter. As regards the first part, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War said yesterday that the allowance was reviewed recently. It has been reviewed from time to time and will be reviewed again.

But in view of the fact that the Secretary of State for War told us yesterday that this matter is being examined jointly by the Navy, Army and Air Force, will the Senior Service perform its proper function of taking the lead in this matter and see that review and discussion are translated into action and remedy?

They act in co-operation with the other Services. It is not a question of taking the lead; they all act together.

Will not my hon. Friend agree that the best way out of this dilemma is to bring all our officers and men back from Greece?

Can the Parliamentary Secretary inform the House whether action will be taken in regard to the review which is being undertaken by the Services in this matter, and will it not be a matter of ordinary procedure that the Services should take action in accordance with what is the currency in these nations and adjust the pay of the Services accordingly?

We are certainly anxious to take action as soon as the review can be completed, but I cannot promise when it will be. I hope it will be soon, because we are just as anxious as hon. Members are to see that these men are not put to any hardship at all.

Is it not a fact that the Treasury has already agreed to this increase for the staffs of the Embassy and the Economic Mission, and why should there be any delay with regard to the Services?

That seems to be quite another question.

It is not.

I have no doubt that it will be taken into account when we are discussing the matter with the Treasury.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Royal Navy intend extending to naval aircrews the same rules with regard to the granting of operational stars to ferry and transport pilots as now apply in the R.A.F.

Yes, Sir.

Will the hon. Gentleman inform their Lordships that this decision will give some pleasure, and will he-tell them that it is satisfactory to the friends of the Senior Service to see them so successfully trying their wings?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what use has been made of the electric cable which had been reeved, clipped, and connected to H.M.S. "Terrible" at Devonport and which, under a recent order, consequent upon alterations of specifications, was removed.

The cable removed from H.M.S. "Terrible" will be used as far as possible in other ships and shore establishments.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the cable could have been salvaged, but that was not done, and will he please explain to the House why this wanton wastage is allowed in the dockyards, and what he proposes to do in order to stop it?

I cannot see where the question of wanton wastage comes into it. We say that we shall use the cable as far as possible in other ships and establishments, and what cannot be used will be handed over to salvage.

Is the Civil Lord aware that the cable was cut into short lengths which it is not possible to use again and that rewinding could have taken place, salvaging a great part of it, if care had been taken in giving orders to that effect?

If my hon. Friend likes to give me details of the allegations made, I will go into them carefully for her, but my advice up to now is that there has been no misuse of this cable at all.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that Maker Parish Council has complained that landing craft have been discharging waste fuel-oil in Cawsand Bay; that the foreshore has been covered in oil and people have had their clothes ruined; and if he will take the necessary action to prevent a recurrence of this nuisance.

I am informed that the Maker Parish Council wrote to the King's Harbour Master, Plymouth, on 9th June complaining of oil fuel pollution in Caw-sand Bay, and that an acknowledgment of this letter was sent by the King's Harbour Master on 10th June asking for details of the time and date of the alleged pollution in order that the matter might be fully investigated. The Council's reply is still awaited. I can assure the hon. Member that the Naval authorities at Plymouth make every effort to prevent contamination by His Majesty's ships. King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions, in fact, state that:

"to pump overboard in harbour or basin, or within 50 miles of any coast, any oil fuel, oily refuse, or bilge water, etc., which may contain oil fuel residue is strictly forbidden."

Is it possible for the Admiralty to find out what type of vessels were in the vicinity of Cawsand Bay at the time mentioned?

I can state that, among other vessels, there were six landing craft which have been sold to the Greek Navy and are on their way to Greece. They were there, and it is possible that pollution may have been caused by them, but I cannot say, because we got the information so late that it was impossible to take any action.

If information does reach the Admiralty that this occurrence had nothing to do with the Royal Navy, will the hon. Gentleman give publicity to the fact?

Certainly.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how much coal is consumed each week in stoking up tugs, other than duty tugs, which are subsequently not brought into use.

Coal-fired tugs are used only in naval dockyards. All those in use are duty tugs and are normally employed at some period during the day. In any isolated case where a tug is for some reason not used, the coal consumption under banked fires is under five cwt. per week.

Is my hon. Friend aware that tugs other than duty tugs are stoked up every Saturday morning and not subsequently used, and will he take steps to see that this wastage of fuel is stopped immediately?

I am afraid that my hon. Friend and myself are getting different information. If my hon. Friend would be good enough to let me have the source and type of information which she receives, I shall be only too glad to go into the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, what aircraft produced by the Blackburn Aircraft Company have been accepted for service by his Department since 1939; which of these types were rejected for any reason; and after what period of service.

Since 1939, the following types of aircraft produced by the Blackburn Aircraft Company for the Navy have been accepted for service:

(a) The Firebrand torpedo-strike air craft.

(b) The Swordfish torpedo-spotter-reconnaissance aircraft.

(c) The Barracuda torpedo-bomber aircraft.

The Swordfish and Barracuda were designed by the Fairey Aviation Company. None of these aircraft was rejected after service; the Firebrand and Barracuda are in use but the Swordfish has been withdrawn on account of obsolescence.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that not one of these aircraft used by the Fleet Air Arm has been a success, and that the performance of the Swordfish was completely ruined when the manufacture was taken over by this company, and that at least one of the aircraft taken over by this firm was little more than a flying death trap?

No, I cannot accept all those statements, and I ask the hon. Member to await the reply to his next Question which, I think, will answer some of them. From my personal experience, the Barracuda is not as bad as all that. I have landed on an aircraft carrier in one myself.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (I) whether the Board of Admiralty is entirely satisfied with the quality, performance and suitability for naval air service of the Blackburn Firebrand;

(2) for what purpose it is intended to use the Blackburn Firebrand; and for what purpose this aircraft was originally designed.

The Firebrand is primarily for torpedo attack. This aircraft was originally designed as a single-seater fighter to be fitted with the Sabre engine. The use of this engine by the Navy had, however, to be given up owing to the greater need of the Royal Air Force. The substitution of another type of engine would have involved a major re-design of the aircraft if it were to fulfil its original function, and before this could have been completed, the aircraft would have been out-dated as a fighter. It was, therefore, decided to develop it for torpedo work. The Firebrand, with the modifications incorporated, has now been cleared for Service use, and the type has satisfactorily completed deck-landing and other tests. A new squadron of Firebrands has just been formed and these aircraft are likely to be retained for front line service until a more modern type is available.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this aircraft has reached Mark IV before even going into service with one squadron and that even today far the greater part of its time is spent on the ground on account of unservice-ability? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Firebrand is now out of date?

Every aircraft becomes out of date extremely quickly, but this aircraft is in use, and will be in use until a better type is evolved.

This has been messed about with for five years.

Is my hon. Friend satisfied that the contact between the designers of the Fleet Air Arm and constructors is sufficiently close, and that it takes place at a sufficiently early stage in development?

Yes, I am so satisfied and I wish to make it perfectly clear that had the original plans gone through, this plane would have been in service long ago. But at that moment the needs of the Royal Air Force were considered paramount and the needs of this particular plane for the Navy were sacrificed for that purpose at the time.

aske the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is satisfied that sufficient incentive is offered to petty-officers and chief petty-officers by the new pay code to make a career in the Royal Navy; and what proportion of these ratings, eligible to sign on to complete for pension, are taking advantage of the opportunity to do so.

The new pay code has not been in operation long enough to enable us to give considered opinion whether or not there is now a sufficient incentive to encourage men to take up a career in the Royal Navy. With regard to the second part of the Question, I regret that I am at present unable to add to the information given in the reply of 30th April to the hon. and gallant Member. I will, however, inform him further as the necessary figures become available.

Can the Civil Lord say to what extent the petty-officer and chief petty-officer, particularly men with families, are better off under the new pay code than they were before?

This matter was very fully discussed in the Navy Estimates last year. We feel that under the new pay code they had a far better career in the Navy than has ever been the case before.

But is my hon. Friend aware that the new pay code varies to the disadvantage of a young petty-officer compared with comparable grades in the other two Services?

I am afraid I cannot accept that. The new pay code has been devised to achieve equality between the three Services. It may be true that a young petty-officer is not getting as much as an old petty-officer, but eventually he will do so.

Is my hon Friend aware that many chief petty-officers today are worse off than 25 years ago?

They may be worse off than 25 years ago, but I am sure my hon. Friend will agree that they are far better off than 10 years ago.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that throughout the Navy there is considerable doubt as to whether the new pay code is going to improve the welfare of the men in the Navy? Unless he can give the House a satisfactory answer, will he appoint a Committee to consider whether another new pay code should be introduced?

; I am afraid I cannot agree that there is considerable doubt about the effects of the new pay code. Apart from the pay codes, we are endeavouring to make conditions of service as easy as possible, and better than they have ever been for the chief petty-officers and petty-officers, and that has to be taken into consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he proposes to make any changes in the present system of training upper-deck ratings in gunnery and other technical subjects; and whether he is satisfied that the present system, particularly that part of it which has to be carried out at sea, is producing as good results as the old system involving non-substantive rates.

There has not been sufficient time, and circumstances have been too abnormal, for adequate experience to have been gained on the present system of training of upper-deck ratings in technical subjects. I can, however, say that no change in the system is at present contemplated.

Does not the Civil Lord realise that just as my previous Question was about welfare, so this deals with efficiency, neither of which is improved by the present pay code. Will he not, therefore, consider setting up a technical committee to examine the whole matter?

I must say that the information which has been provided by the people who have charge of the Navy—the Naval Staff—indicates that that allegation bas no foundation whatever.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many German submarines were surrendered to the United States and Soviet Governments under the terms of the Potsdam Agreement; how many of these have now been destroyed in each case; and when this information was received.

As was stated in the reply given to the hon. Member for Londonderry (Sir R. Ross) on 30th April last, ten German submarines were allocated to each of the United Kingdom, United States, and Soviet Governments at Potsdam. The remainder were to be destroyed by 15th February, 1946, and of these, four were, reported by the United States Navy in March, 1946, as having been sunk by them by the appointed date. Eleven others were held by the Soviet Navy, and the Soviet Government gave a further undertaking last March that they would fulfil their obligations in this matter by August this year.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell the House that these, I think, 21 submarines are all the German submarines which are held by the Soviet Government at the present time in contravention of the Potsdam Agreement?

Actually the number which they are responsible for destroying is 11. They have promised us that they will do that by August of this year.

Was any reason given or known to the Admiralty why these submarines should not have been destroyed by the agreed date?

No actual reason has been given, but we are justified in accepting the assurance they have given.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that personnel of H.M.S. "Wild Goose," now at a foreign station, "are more than three months overdue for relief; that the relief is still at Colombo and cannot leave there until the end of July; and whether he will arrange that men who have served long periods on foreign stations are relieved on time and that reliefs are sent from this country in sufficient time to effect relief at the proper date.

I can assure my hon. Friend that every effort is made to relieve men serving overseas on time. In view of his statements I am, however, making inquiries in the case of H.M.S. "Wild Goose," and will inform him further.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he can give any indication as to the working of the scheme of financial assistance for special entry cadets introduced last year.

Yes, Sir. Since the scheme was introduced last September grants varying from £10 to £150 have been made to the parents of 58 cadets entered through the Special Entry Group of examinations. The parents of these boys form an interesting cross section of the community ranging from gas stoker, colliery overman and bench engineer to cost accountant, mercantile marine officer and schoolmaster. There is no doubt that it would have been impossible for a great many of these boys to enter the Royal Navy as officers without this financial assistance. I think the House will agree that the scheme has achieved its object of broadening the field of entry and made it possible for any boy who reaches the required standard to become a Special Entry Cadet regardless of the financial circumstances of his parents.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is in a position to state the amount of prize money available; and when it will be paid.

As after the 1914–18 War, a considerable time must elapse before the amount of prize money can be determined because in condemning ships and cargoes seized in prize, the Prize Courts throughout the Empire have not distinguished between droits of the Crown and droits of Admiralty. We are trying, in close consultation with the Dominions, India and Burma, to estimate as accurately as possible the amounts which should become available, as droits of the Crown, to be granted for the benefit of the Naval and Air Forces of the Empire. Until returns are received in a common form from all Empire Prize Courts, it will not be possible to frame a sufficiently accurate estimate of the amount or to forecast when grants can be made. I must, however, repeat my former warning that the amount will certainly be very much smaller than after the 1914–18 War. Legislation will also be necessary, and this cannot be introduced before next Session.

Will the hon. Gentleman tell us whether the Board of Admiralty have yet decided what will be the service qualification for entitlement to this prize' money when it is available?

No, Sir. That has not definitely been settled.

asked the Post master-General when the Highbury Corner branch post office will be reopened.

Unless unforeseen difficulties arise, I hope it will be possible to reopen a branch post office at Highbury Corner early next year. Negotiations for the lease of suitable premises have recently been concluded and the necessary building alterations, which are being given priority, are in hand.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that letters posted in London before 6 p.m. are often not delivered in Newport until 36 hours later, although the train journey is less than three hours; and if he will take steps to see that delivery is effected by the first post following such collections.

Letters posted in London in time for the 6–6.30 p.m. collection are due to be delivered in Newport (Mon.) by the first delivery on the following week-day. Unfortunately, there have been occasions recently when staffing difficulties in London have made it impracticable to maintain all due course connections and certain letters for Newport (Mon.) may have suffered delay; remedial measures have, however, been taken which I am confident will prove effective.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that delivery of letters in Newport takes place between 7 and 8 a.m. and a second delivery about noon; and whether, during the present temporary restrictions, he will arrange for the second delivery in the afternoon instead.

The postal services in Newport (Mon.) and in towns throughout the country have been modified in order to save manpower and to release staff for production. I regret that an afternoon delivery at Newport (Mon.) could only be arranged by drawing on the manpower which the Post Office has been asked to release for productive industry.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that by having two deliveries in the morning, one following the other almost immediately, many letters which would otherwise reach their destination the same day are held over until the following day, and would he make arrangements so that there would be an afternoon as well as a morning delivery?

With our present manpower position I do not think it is possible to do that. We have arranged the second delivery so that business men receive their letters in time to reply to them the same day.

Does not the first reply of the right hon. Gentleman flatly contradict the assurance of the Assistant Postmaster-General a few days ago that letters posted before 6.30 p.m. in London are delivered all over the country next morning except in remote spots like Penzance and Thurso?

I think that question refers to the previous Question.

Yes.

I said that this particular trouble in Newport has been due to certain difficulties and that we had tried to alter them. I think we have done that.

Would not the Postmaster-General agree that if the request in this Question was acceded to, and there was more call upon labour throughout the country, it would mean the employment of part-time labour and split attendances for the staff; and would not he agree that most of the members of the staff in my hon. Friend's constituency would object to that sort of thing?

Why is Newport singled out for this peculiar treatment when there are many thousands of people unemployed in South Wales?

Newport is not singled out for treatment as suggested in that question, which relates to the Question I answered previously. As I said, difficulties in Newport were particular difficulties which arose from a certain line of action. We have dealt with that.

Could the right hon. Gentleman explain why a London newspaper is delivered in Wales every morning punctually whereas a letter frequently takes two days?

No, I cannot tell the hon. Member why on information like that. If he will give me the full information and let me have the dates, I will deal with the matter.

Does not the Postmaster-General recognise that during the past few months there has been a grave deterioration in postal delivery services not only in Newport, but all over the country?

What I do realise is that owing to the changes made and the restrictions in services, there has had to be a certain re-allocation of men, in particular on new duties, and it has taken these men some time to "bed down" and get used to their new routine.

rose—

We have been on this Question long enough. Mr. Osborne.

asked the Minister of Food if he will make a statement on the provision of extra rations, mobile canteen facilities or packed meals for building-trade workers in rural districts.

Last December I asked local food officers to do everything in their power to help building employers, in both rural and urban areas, to provide packed meals or canteens for their workers. This campaign has had considerable success, but, because of the practical difficulties, town and suburban workers have benefited most. I have decided, therefore, that from 20th July, when the new ration book comes into use, rural building workers who cannot be given canteens or packed meals shall be eligible for the special cheese ration and for the extra bread which goes with it.

asked the Minister of Food whether in view of the indications of an improved sugar position, he will consider making allocations of sugar to office workers for tea making.

I am sorry, but the supply is not good enough for this at present.

Is it not a fact that the stock position is good and that the international allocation is about to be increased; why should there be this discrimination between industrial workers and office workers? Is it because the latter are unorganised and are of the "tinker's cuss" variety?

I am glad to say that office workers are by no means completely unorganised.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that a food executive officer, in a letter to the proprietor of the Station Hotel, Basingstoke, states that he is not permitted to issue a licence to him to kill a pig unless a written undertaking is given that no part of it shall be used in connection with his catering establishment; under what authority the demand for such a written undertaking from the proprietor, as a condition precedent to the granting of such a licence, was made; and whether he will take the necessary steps to abolish this restriction.

Licences to slaughter a pig under the self-suppliers scheme are issued on my authority. For the past seven years it has been one of the requirements that a caterer must give an undertaking not to use any of the meat in any form for the purposes of his establishment. The restriction is made quite clear on the application form.

If the proprietor of a catering establishment could feed his customers in this way, is it not grotesque to prevent it?

No, Sir. I think the dividing line must be drawn between the self-suppliers who do not produce for sale and those who are producing for sale or commerce in any form.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman not to consider giving way on this point, because if he does, Lyons Bros, would be able to supply themselves with pork from their farms and really they would have good fun out of it?

If the Minister could not allow it in that case, certainly he could allow country hotels to become self-supporting so far as bacon is concerned?

No, Sir. An equal quantity of feeding stuffs would be subtracted from commercial producers.

asked the Minister of Food to whom, in connection with the issue of extra rations of cheese and bread, the description of workers not insured under the Agricultural Unemployment Insurance Scheme but engaged full time under contracts for work in agriculture refers.

These workers include groups of men employed under contract on such tasks as ditching, draining and reconditioning agricultural land; and also hedgers, thatchers and rabbit trappers working under contract.

Would it be possible for the Minister, by the exercise of a little sympathetic imagination, to include farmers' sons in this category provided they were working under contract for their fathers?

The definition is whether or not they are wage earners.

asked the Minister of Food why he was unable to arrange for the opening of a sub-office, as on previous occasions, for the distribution of the new ration books to people living at the southern end of South-East St. Pancras, who now have to go to Camden Town and wait in long queues.

The food executive officer decided that too few people used this sub-office last year to justify the extra staff needed there. She tells us that its absence has not led to long queues at the Camden Town centre or elsewhere in the Borough.