asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many Germans are at present employed in factories which are scheduled for demolition.

Some 5,000 Germans are employed in war plants scheduled for demolition in the British zone. In addition, 14,000 are employed in factories where only part of the plant is to be demolished.

Can we have an assurance that these factories will not be demolished until alternative employment has been found for these men?

So far as war plant is concerned, our undertaking is to demolish the factories, but as the hon. Member knows, the demolition of non-war buildings has been suspended.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will exhibit in the tea room a copy of the notice posted in the British zone of Germany warning members of the Control Commission not to traffic in N.A.A.F.I. supplies; and if he will indicate the extent and amount of that trafficking to date.

With regard to the first part of the Question, I am sending the hon. Member a copy of this notice. In reply to the second part, I need hardly say that no statistics are available. The evidence suggests, however, that our counter-measures are having a considerable effect.

Does not the Under-Secretary realise that the mere fact of having to issue this notice proves that many members of the Commission are not fit for their job, and that the Commission have lost the respect of the Germans? Will he take steps to clean up this Augean stable?

If the hon. Member has any concrete details to give me, I will look into them; otherwise, he should not make these general assertions.

Is the Under-Secretary aware that not many Members on this side of the House will share this wholesale condemnation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will take immediate steps at the meetings of U.N.O. to insist on full reciprocity of travel, freedom of movement, Press, and conscience within the territories of the member States.

His Majesty's Government are already actively supporting measures to achieve these ends through United Nations' machinery.

Will the hon Gentleman seize every opportunity of enforcing reciprocity, and of exposing the danger from Communist infiltration?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Atomic Energy Commission of the United Nations has received any recent communication from the Soviet Government regarding the progress they are making with the manufacture of atom bombs.

Not as far as I am aware.

In view of the recent announcement in the Press that a test atom bomb was exploded in Russia last June, and that such bombs are now in production there, will my hon. Friend make a further effort to secure the international control of atomic energy?

I can make no comment on the truth of that report, but it certainly underlines the vital necessity of getting international co-operation on the question.

Will the hon. Gentleman make a general statement, in the near future, on the working of this Commission, as so little progress seems to have been made during the last two years towards real agreement?

If a question is put down we will answer it.

Will the hon. Gentleman also do something to stop the other form of radio activity in the U.S.S.R.?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the hardship being caused to many claimants from Malaya for compensation for war damage; and when he expects to be able to make a statement.

Yes, Sir, I am aware of the hardships referred to. The Malayan War Damage Claims Commissioner has completed his preliminary investigation, and has visited this country for discussion with Departments concerned. I will make a statement when the results of his investigations have been fully considered both by the Malayan Governments and by His Majesty's Government.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this has been going on for two and a half years, and that many of these people are completely destitute? Does he not think it time that a decision was reached, and they were given some compensation?

I am fully aware that it has been going on for some time, but the problem is a very complicated one, because it involves damages going back for five or six years. Excellent progress, however, is now being made.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that claimants are debarred from taking any legal action by the legal moratorium? Will he raise it to enable them to take such action in defence of their claims?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement setting out the facts known to His Majesty's Government, concerning the financing and organisation of illegal immigration into Palestine.

His Majesty's Government are in possession of a great deal of information about this traffic, but I regret that I do not consider that it would be opportune to make a detailed statement at the present moment, when the main problem of Palestine is under close discussion by the United Nations.

Is it not desirable, in view of the allegations which have been made against us, that we should give to the world all the facts now in our possession about this traffic?

Can my right hon. Friend give to the House the total number of Arabs residing illegally in Palestine, and can he say whether reductions are made from the monthly quota for Arab immigration on that account?

That does not arise on this Question.

rose—

It is quite obvious that we could go all over the place if we went on with this Question.

On a point of Order. As I have been unable to pursue this matter, Sir, I beg to give notice that I shall raise it on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.

On a point of Order. With respect, Sir, the main Question referred to illegal immigration into Palestine, and I was referring to illegal immigration over the borders of Transjordan, Egypt, and so on, by Arabs.

Further to that point of Order. As my supplementary question would have dealt with where the money comes from, and representations to the United States, would it be in Order to ask it now, Mr. Speaker?

No. I should have opened up a wide Debate if I had let the Question go on.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in view of the further murders of British soldiers and civilians in Palestine, he will arrange for the evacuation of British personnel from Palestine to be completed not later than 1st May instead of 1st August, as had been announced.

His Majesty's Government deeply deplore the continuing toll of British lives in Palestine, but they consider that 1st August is the earliest date by which the withdrawal of all British troops in Palestine could be completed, having regard particularly, to their number, the large quantities of equipment involved and the problem of transport.

Is the Secretary of State aware of the concern felt by relatives of these men in this country at the long time that it is proposed to take for evacuation, and can he give an assurance that all possible speed will be shown in bringing about the evacuation, and, in particular, that there is no intention to go slow with evacuation until April, in order to make possible the export of the citrus crop from Palestine?

All steps will be taken to secure as speedy a withdrawal as possible, but it is a very complicated operation, and problems of accommodation and transport must be considered if the thing is to be carried through efficiently and at all effectively.

Will my right hon. Friend make clear to our American friends that unless they stop subsidising the Zionist movement, the Western mammies will soon have to send their sons to Palestine to impose an unwelcome policy?

Could my right hon. Friend give an undertaking to make at least an early withdrawal of British Forces into the Gaza area where there is ample accommodation for all the troops at present in Palestine? Can he give a further undertaking that in the evacuation not only the ports of Haifa and Jaffa will be used, but that the widest possible use will be made of road and rail facilities to the Suez Canal zone?

The withdrawal from Palestine cannot be discussed by question and answer on the Floor of the House.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether his original answer was meant to imply that all equipment will be got out by 1st August?

We hope that as much equipment as possible will be withdrawn by that date.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the withdrawal has already started?

All I can say is that the matter is receiving our most active consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the main function of the Co-operation Adviser now appointed at a salary of £1,350, appearing in the 1947–48 Estimates.

The Adviser is concerned with the development of cooperative practice in the Colonies. He not only advises me on a variety of matters designed to assist the growth of the cooperative movement, but also advises Colonial Governments on the many problems and difficulties arising overseas. He is also most useful in organising recruitment and training, and acting as a link with the co-operative bodies in this country.

Could my right hon. Friend tell us what his policy is in connection with the formation of consumer co-operatives, particularly in Nigeria, as I believe there has been a certain amount of official obstruction? Could my right hon. Friend's Co-operative Adviser look into the matter, with a view to getting it clarified?

There has been no recent official obstruction, but in a circular I issued some months ago it was made clear that within the range of co-operative practice consumers' co-operatives are included.

In view of the national emergency, is it not time that many of these new and fancy appointments were abolished?

Anyone with a knowledge of the problems of agricultural development in the Colonies will appreciate how very valuable is this assistance.

Can we be told what is the length and time of the appointment, to what date, for how many years?

There is no time limit for these appointments. They go on to the establishment of the Colonial Office as advisers to the Secretary of State.

Is it not a fact that a large part of his work is to advise the producers' co-operatives, which form an important part of the production effort of the Colonies?

Yes, Sir. In the Colonies the producers' side of the cooperative practice is most important. In view of the big drive forward in developing agriculture, this work is of great significance at the present moment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in which colonies dependencies and mandated territories the basic petrol ration has been abolished.

Colonial Governments have been informed of the steps taken in the United Kingdom to reduce petrol consumption with a view to saving dollars, and have been asked to take similar measures, as far as possible, with the object of reducing local consumption by 10 per cent. So far as I am aware, all Governments concerned are taking steps to this end, and some are actually making greater savings.

I gather, from the right hon. Gentleman's reply, that there is to be a reduction of 10 per cent. How does that compare with the total abolition of the basic petrol ration here? Why should there be this discrimination against the people of Britain?

It is not a matter of discrimination against the people of Britain; it is a question of trying to effect economies in the use of petrol in the Colonies.

As we have been given so little information, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether consideration has been given to the possibility of growing carnauba and curicuri wax within the Colonial Empire; and what action is contemplated.

I believe that the carnauba palm has been grown in Tanganyika, British Guiana and Malaya but curicuri wax is nowhere known in the Colonial Empire. My Department is in touch with a Tanganyika planter who contemplates marketing carnauba wax, but there are at present no other plans for extending cultivation of these palms, which the hon. Member will realise do not start to produce wax until many years after planting.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of officers who have retired from the Colonial Service to the United Kingdom since September, 1939, and who have received no increase of pension on account of the rise in the cost of living.

As my hon. Friend will be aware, most Colonial Governments follow Section I of the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1944. I have invited them to adopt the amendments made by the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1947, and a number of Colonial Governments have now informed me that they have done so. I am at present in a position to provide figures only in respect of pensioners of Governments whose schemes are based on the Act of this country, but those figures cover the large majority of Colonial pensioners. One thousand eight hundred and seventy officers have retired from the Colonial Service to the United Kingdom since September, 1939, and of these 1,648 have not been awarded pensions increases because their pensions and other income are above the limits fixed by the 1944 Act. If all Colonial Governments concerned adopted the amendments made by the 1947 Act, 1,066 of these pensioners would be below the income limits governing the award of increase and would, therefore, have their cases reviewed.

Can the Minister say whether he proposes to review the position of those officers who have received no increase of pension, in view of the reduced buying power of money?

We have made representations to all the Colonial Governments asking that the most recent Act shall apply.

Can the Minister say whether any special steps have been taken to find employment for ex-Colonial officers when they return to this country?

Most of them are pensioners who go into retirement, but we try, in some cases, to absorb men suitable for work for which we can get no other applicants.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if in staffing the overseas corporations he will consider the employment of suitable administrative and engineering officers who have had experience in India and Burma and who, owing to recent changes of policy, have been dismissed or have reduced prospects in those countries.

The Bill proposes that the Colonial Development Corporation should be responsible for the engagement of its own staff. I understand that the Chairman-Designate has already been in negotiation regarding the recruitment of officers from India and Burma, and I have no doubt that the Corporation will make every use of this possible source of supply.

Will the right hon. Gentleman watch this position, taking the view that His Majesty's Government have some responsibility for old servants, or even young servants, whose careers are affected by their policy?

That is very much in our minds, and we have already absorbed some of these men.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many stowaways from the Colonies have arrived in this country during the past twelve months; how much has been spent on their behalf by the Welfare Section of his Department; and how much subsequently recovered from the recipients.

I am unable to give the information required on the first part of the Question which should be addressed to my right hon. colleague the Home Secretary. Financial assistance to destitute stowaways is provided under Assistance Board machinery which does not differentiate between stowaways and other destitute Colonials. Such assistance is not recoverable but every effort is made to bring these people into employment.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say why it is necessary to spend so much public money on individuals who are unwilling to work hard enough in the Colonies to earn their own living?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, what the stocks of groundnuts in the Kano area were during the period 1st November, 1946, to 1st November, 1947; what were the total shipments during the period 1st November, 1946, to 1st November, 1947; and what proportion of the remaining stock is new crop or old crop.

The unshipped stocks of groundnuts in the Kano area were 10,000 tons on the 1st November, 1946; they rose to a peak figure of 208,000 tons in February, and declined to 98,000 tons by the 1st November this year. Total shipments from Nigeria during that period amounted to 225,000 tons. Stocks at the 1st November this year were entirely from the 1946–47 crop.

Does not the Minister think that, to use his own phrase, anyone familiar with agricultural appointments in the Colonies would realise that this is a gross failure on the part of the Government to move an old crop, and will he take steps to see that East African schemes do not get such priority in railway matters as to stop these groundnuts from coming here quickly?

There is no question of East Africa getting priority. All steps have been taken to get the necessary locomotives and additional railway equipment, and I hope that, before long, these demands will be met.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what attempts have been made to organise the export of cottonseed cake from Uganda.

Disposal of all Uganda cottonseed and its products is under Government control. All the cake produced by local crushing is exported to Kenya as cattle food.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he will give a statistical classification, according to motives, of the 157 cases of murders committed by secret Leopard Societies in Nigeria, which have been brought to light by recent investigations.

I have asked the Nigerian Government to supply such information as is available on this point and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as it has been received.

Does the right hon. Gentleman really consider that the large number of death sentences passed in these cases has been fully justified, and cannot this very tragic sociological problem be dealt with by other than punitive measures?

I have brought certain aspects of this matter to the notice of the Nigerian Government, and I would ask the hon. Gentleman to wait until I receive a reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress is being made towards the establishment of the new University of West Africa at Ibadan; and when it is expected that the first of its faculties will be open for the reception of students.

As I wish to give a full answer to this Question I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the reasons for the opposition of the Sierra Leone Protectorate Assembly to the Sierra Leone Protectorate (Acquisition of Lands) Ordinance; and why it is considered necessary for the Sierra Leone Government to hold land in the Protectorate on a freehold instead of leasehold basis.

I am asking the Governor for a report on the matter, and will communicate with my hon. Friend on receipt of his reply.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he has yet received in a common form returns from all Empire Prize Courts; and whether he can now give an estimate of the amount of prize money available, and when grants can be made.

No, Sir. Complete returns have not yet been received and cannot be expected for some time in view of the complexity of the position in some Dominions. Until the returns have been received in a final form it is not possible to make a reliable estimate of the amount of prize money available. For the same reason I am unable to make any forecast of when the grants can be made. Approval has been given, however, to the inclusion of a Prize Bill among the Bills which it is hoped will be taken later in this Session.

How much money has already arrived?

I cannot tell the hon. Member.

In view of the large number of people interested in this decision, will the Parliamentary Secretary give an assurance that everything possible will be done to expedite it?

Certainly, but I have made it clear we are not the only people concerned. All the Dominions are concerned.

Does my hon. Friend realise that this has been going on for two years and will he give some more definite information concerning the date by which the Bill will be introduced?

I certainly cannot. I have stated today that the Bill will be introduced, and that is something.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when rebuilding of the Royal Naval Barracks, Devonport, is likely to be completed.

It is hoped to begin an instalment of the reconstruction scheme early in 1948 but present circumstances make it impossible to forecast when the full scheme will be completed.

By "present circumstances" does the Minister mean that part or whole of this rebuilding scheme for the Royal Naval Barracks comes within the £200 million capital expenditure?

No, Sir, that is not exactly the case, but we are in difficulties with regard to building materials, labour and money at the present time, and that, of course, has to be taken into account.

What has happened to the rather generous promises made in the Estimates for the last two years?

What is happening is that we are doing all that is humanly possible to bring about those promises.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many Reserve officers for training were carried by ships of the Home Fleet during the recent summer cruise to the Baltic.

No Reserve officers were borne for training in ships of the Home Fleet during the recent summer cruise to the Baltic. I may add, however, that all those who volunteered for sea training during the past year were accommodated in His Majesty's ships.

So that the whole of this picture may be seen, can the Financial Secretary say how many Pressmen were accommodated for this cruise?

No, Sir, I certainly cannot. A certain number were, and it is right that we should have adequate public relations with the Press. I see no objection to the Pressmen being so accommodated.

Can the Financial Secretary give the figures of the number of Reserve officers who volunteered for some sea training?

I can say, in fact, that 60 officers and 46 ratings did go for training in various ships during the year.

Did the ships go to sea?

Of course, they did.

It is very unusual.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when he intends to derequisition the stretch of beach along the shore of the River Orwell between the R.A.F. station and the Old Stone Pier at Felixstowe.

Negotiations are now in hand with the owners, the Harwich Harbour Conservancy Board, for release of the last remaining stretch of beach held by the Admiralty along the shore of the River Orwell. It is not possible at this stage, therefore, to say when this site will be de-requisitioned, but I will write to the hon. Member as soon as negotiations are completed.

I am sure the hon. Gentleman is aware of the great pleasure which this announcement will give to many hundreds of people from both Felixstowe and Ipswich, who for the last two years have been deprived of the use of this length of beach which at long last will again be made available to them.

For what purpose is this bit of beach being held?

It is not really being held for any particular purpose. The question of derequisition is one for negotiations and these are taking place now.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, since provision was made under the Appendix to the Navy List, page 93, paragraph 5 (f) for widows' pensions, under certain circumstances granted prior to 17th December, 1929, to cover the period of the first world war, when he will consider reintroducing these measures for retired officers re-employed in the second world war.

This is one of the points now under consideration in connection with the general review of the Regulations governing the grant of widows' pensions.

As the Parliamentary Secretary is no doubt aware, he used the words "under consideration" to me in March. Can he tell me when, in fact, he is going to take action instead of saying "under consideration"?

No, Sir. As I made it quite clear in the answer, this is only one of many points that have to be taken into consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the present size of the Pacific Fleet; and how many of these ships are now in or east of Singapore.

I regret I am unable to give the information asked for, and in this connection I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence in reply to the hon. Member for Hereford (Mr. J. P. L. Thomas) during the Debate on the Address on 27th October, 1947.

In view of the fact that there is really no need for secrecy on this subject, could the Parliamentary Secretary say whether an estimate of two cruisers and eight destroyers is fair?

Really, Sir, I am not going to be led into making guesses. [HON. MEMBERS: "Guesses? "] All right, then, I am not going to be led into making statements. The hon. and gallant Member is quite entitled to make his own guesses, and I am not going to say whether such guesses are correct or are incorrect.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in the Press last week there were reports giving detailed information, which came from high ranking Australian naval officers, about some alarming cuts in the Pacific Fleet, and is it not time that this House was told whether these reports are correct?

No, Sir. We do not think it desirable to give the general disposition of the Fleet, and the dispositions of the Fleet in the Pacific are among those details which it is not considered desirable to give.

Has the Admiralty received any representation from Australia or New Zealand as to their concern at the weakness of the Pacific Fleet?

No, Sir, we have received none. We have kept them informed and we have received no such representation.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider making some re-allocation of duties of counter officials in some of the larger post offices, so that such things as postage stamps, registered envelopes, etc., could be obtained from every serving department and thus avoid queues.

It is the policy and practice so to spread the work at post office counters as to reduce queues to a minimum but this object would be defeated if every clerk was required to sell registered envelopes and stamped stationery. Additional to the stamp clerks most other clerks can supply postage stamps in small quantities. If the hon. Member has any particular counter in mind and will let me know, I shall be glad to investigate to see if anything further is possible to speed up the service.

If I give the right hon. Gentleman the name of a post office where the practice which he has mentioned is not followed, will he have the matter looked into?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Postmaster-General why he recently increased the postage on air mail to Palestine; and whether he will reduce it from 6d., as this causes hardship to families of men in the Forces serving there.

asked the Postmaster-General what are the reasons for the recent increase in the postage on correspondence sent by air to members of the Forces overseas; and what are the present rates for surface and air transmission, respectively.

I appreciate the opportunity thus given me of dealing with a subject which has become a little confused. The recent increase in the postage rate for air conveyance to the Forces overseas followed a Government decision that the war-time arrangement of despatching ordinary letters up to one ounce prepaid 1½d. by air could no longer be justified, and that the charges for air conveyance must be raised to a level more in keeping with the cost. The 2½d. lightweight "Forces Letter," on the form obtainable from any post office, is available for transmission by air to all Forces to which an air service operates. I regret I can hold out no present hope of reduction in these rates. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a full statement of the air and surface letter rates of postage to the various Forces overseas.

As Palestine is still an active service area, could not the Postmaster-General give a special dispensation for that area?

I have just said that all this matter was discussed by the Government and we came to the conclusion that we must put it up in some respects, but the lightweight "Forces Letter" still remains and only costs 2½d.

Is the Minister aware of the confusion that has arisen with regard to the statement which he made, and will he make every endeavour to give great publicity to the statement he has made this afternoon?

I quite agree that this is not as widely known as we would like it to be. We did take the usual steps at the time when we made this change, but a large number of people still do not know about it. I hope that the Question and answer this afternoon will help in that direction.

If I put down a question, will my right hon. Friend tell the House what it works out at per ton of air letters, and whether he is aware that the profit is perfectly fantastic?

asked the Minister of Defence what reports he has received from chaplains regarding attendances at religious worship since church attendance was made voluntary in the Forces; and whether he will furnish any information to show in each service how the work of padres is being supported.

Attendances at Divine Service in the Forces have declined considerably since church parades were abolished, but this is, in part, due to the fact that weekend leave is now granted on a wider scale. Attendance at midweek services and at the weekly chaplains' hours are, however, satisfactory. The work of the chaplains is recognised as of the greatest importance and has the fullest support in each Service.

Does not the Minister agree that the abolition of compulsory attendance was a retrograde step and will he consider reinstituting it as soon as possible?

asked the Minister of Defence what approximate acreage of land in the United Kingdom is occupied by the Service Departments under D.R. 51, D.R. 52 and through renting and ownership, respectively; and whether D.R. 51 will lapse after 24th February, 1948.

The Service Departments now hold about 512,500 acres under Defence Regulation 51, and about 515,000 acres through renting or ownership. They exercise rights under Defence Regulation 52 over about 661,000 acres. As my hon. Friend was informed in reply to a Question on 16th July, it is proposed to extend the powers under Defence Regulation 51 beyond 24th February, 1948.

Can the Minister tell us when the often promised White Paper dealing with this issue will be forthcoming?

I hope it will be placed before the House within a week or two.

asked the Minister of Food what method is employed for distributing food sent through commercial channels to this country from Australia; and what proportion of food exports from Australia to Great Britain is diverted to other destinations by the International Emergency Food Council.

The principal foods imported from Australia through commercial channels are wines and spirits, rabbits, jam and marmalade, honey and essential oils; they are distributed through trade-controlled schemes approved by my Department. The I.E.F.C. has no power to divert food supplies from this country; it makes recommendations to the member Governments in regard to a limited number of foods from Australia. Of these foods, namely, oils and fats, wheat and flour, meat and meat products, dried peas and rice, the I.E.F.C. recommendations entail only 2 per cent. being sent to foreign countries, the whole of the balance being available for the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth territories.

Does not the Minister of Food realise that unless the destination of this food is made absolutely clear, our generous Australian cousins may be sending the food here under false pretences?

I have not quite followed the hon. Member's point. As to destination, when food is bought from Australia it is, of course, bought for this country.