asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what was the cost of adapting H.M.S. "Resolution" as part of the Stokers' Training Establishment, Devonport, known as H.M.S. "Imperieuse."

The cost of adapting H.M.S. "Resolution" to improve living and other conditions which were seriously below a proper standard, was £94,577. This figure is exclusive of the cost of making good defects which were remedied during the time the vessel was in hand for alterations.

When was this £95,000 spent?

It was spent over a period; it was spent as the result of representations made in this House in connection with living accommodation.

Very recently?

Could the Civil Lord tell us the names of any other battleships used at present for accommodation or training?

The only one that is being actually used for training at present is H.M.S. "Valiant." H.M.S. "Revenge" was in use with H.M.S. "Resolution," but she has also been taken out of commission.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Stokers' Training Establishment at Devonport, known as H.M.S. "Imperieuse," has now been closed.

Yes, Sir. Training ceased on 2nd February.

Does the Civil Lord consider that the very recent expenditure of over £90,000 on this ship, which has been part of the establishment, and then closing the establishment, is good economy?

I do not think it is bad economy at a time when it is necessary to improve the living conditions of men serving in the Navy.

Do I not understand from the Civil Lord that men are not serving in the Navy in that establishment any more?

They are not, because the Navy has been reduced.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when the findings of the Noble Report, particularly with reference to the future status of warrant officers, will be promulgated; and whether, in view of its importance, it will be available to Members of this House before the Navy Estimates are discussed.

The report of the Noble Committee on the future of Warrant Officers of the Royal Navy is a confidential report to the Board of Admiralty, and, in accordance with normal practice, it will not be published. I promised the hon. and gallant Member for Hull, East (Commander Pursey) on 29th January, 1947, that I would certainly inform the House if any major changes were decided upon as a result of consideration of the report, and I hope to be in a position to do this either before or during the Debate on the Navy Estimates.

Will the Report which the Financial Secretary has promised us be sufficient for this House to arrive at a decision whether the abolition or otherwise of the warrant officers is premature or not?

I cannot possibly say whether it will be sufficient for the House, or for the hon. Member.

May I ask whether the Financial Secretary will ensure that the spelling of the title of the Report is correct in HANSARD, and, secondly, will he give an assurance that the points put forward by the warrant officers will be given consideration?

With regard to the first point, I am only too delighted to assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that I did not think his name was spelt as on the Paper. With regard to the second point, we will certainly give that consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what special steps he is taking to make known to parents and headmasters of boys in secondary schools that application forms for the Dartmouth College examination must be completed within a month from the time of circulating the Administrative Memorandum which gives the new arrangements for admission.

I presume the hon. Member is referring to the first examination for the new entry to Dartmouth at the age of 16, which is to be held in March. The regulations for this entry have been widely distributed to local education authorities and schools by the Ministry of Education, the Scottish Education Department and the Ministry of Education of Northern Ireland. The latest dates for receipt of applications are given in paragraph 17 of these regulations. A printed slip has also been attached to all copies of the regulations sent out, drawing special attention to the fact that completed application forms for the March examination must reach the Admiralty by 23rd February. As an additional measure the Admiralty has inserted a notice in the national and educational Press.

Does my hon. Friend realise that the time is very short, and also that the whole success of this scheme depends upon making these opportunities known in individual schools and will he do his best to see that that is done? Further, in view of the fact that science and mathematics are two of the compulsory subjects, will he bring to the attention of the Ministry of Education the chronic shortage of science and mathematics masters in the secondary schools of the country?

With regard to the last part of the question, that seems hardly to be a point for me. In reference to the earlier part, I think that this Question will give adequate publicity, which, I agree, is necessary. I fully realise the importance of this matter.

Can the hon. Gentleman say when the regulations were sent to the schools and whether he is satisfied that there is adequate time for the preparation of candidates? Would not he agree that it would have been better to extend the date of the examination until May, which would still give time for admission in September?

It would have been very difficult to have had a special extension until May. The regulations were sent to the Press on 9th and 10th February. I have not got the exact date when they were sent to schools.

Would it not have been better in a step of this size and nature to have ensured that more time was allowed for consideration by the parents of the boys concerned; and why has not this been put on one side until the House has had an opportunity of debating the matter properly?

I do not think that the House felt that it should be put on one side. I think that hon. Members felt that this should be introduced as soon as possible, and that has been done.

In order to ensure the success of this scheme, would my hon. Friend consider establishing a college for Scottish boys either on the Clyde or the Forth?

That is another question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the passing out examination of an artificer apprentice, taken on completion of a full course of training, has any exemption value in relation to civilian professional examinations of a similar character.

I am not aware of any civil professional examination which is waived for candidates who have taken the artificer apprentices passing out examination.

Is my hon. Friend aware that anything that he could do along the lines suggested would be most helpful when these men come to settle down in civilian life, and would he, in particular, take up with the Ministry of Transport the question of marine engineers' certificates?

If my hon. Friend will send me details, I will certainly take up the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what encouragement or assistance is given to those artificer apprentices who wish to qualify for entrance to the Naval Scientific Service.

The naval artificer apprentice is trained to become an artificer in the Royal Navy and is under engagement to serve as such until he is 30. The Naval Scientific Service which is a civilian service is not in the normal line of his career and it would not be in the best interests of the service to train or encourage him to transfer to a different line before he has finished his engagement. After they have completed their initial training, however, men are encouraged to sit for the higher educational test, second class, which is the minimum educational qualification for ex-regular naval candidates for entry into the Assistant Scientific Grade. Classes are arranged for this purpose in all ships in which instructor officers are borne and correspondence classes are available for men in small ships.

Will my hon. Friend look at the Report of the Select Committee on Estimates and consider their recommendations in connection with using Service apprenticeship as a source for the supply of personnel to the Scientific Service?

Certainly.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will now consider the re-publication, of the customary prewar document known as the "Return of Fleets," in view of the publication by the Navy League, in the magazine "Navy," of the operational strength of the fleets.

The question of re-publishing "Fleets" has been considered but up to date information is not available in respect of all foreign fleets and considerations of security do not admit of publication of information relating to British vessels.

Is the Financial Secretary aware of the growing uneasiness both in this House and in the country about the continued silence of the Government as to the whereabouts and composition of our fleets and squadrons; and why cannot this House be told whether the Government confirm or deny the statements about the Royal Navy which are coming to us from all parts of the world's Press, when all the news we get is of the scrapping of battleships at a most unfortunate time?

In regard to the last part of the question, which is perhaps the most important, I suggest that the Admiralty should not take any person's guess and simply say that it is right or not right. If that is done, one paper after another can continue to publish guesses until at last they get the right guess. That is not the method which the Admiralty intend to pursue.

In view of the hon. Gentleman's reference to security, does he realise that every foreign Power knows exactly the state of the British Fleet today, and that that information is being concealed only from the British public and Members of this House, who ought to have it?

I am interested to know that the hon. Gentleman has such knowledge of what foreign Powers know. I personally have no such knowledge.

Can the hon. Gentleman account for the leakage to this publication "Navy," and will he, in this House, emphatically condemn the proprietors of that magazine for blaring forth information which, on security grounds, is withheld from the House?

I do not admit for a moment that it was a leakage. It was simply a guess.

Was not this kind of information issued by the Admiralty for a series of years before the war, and why cannot it be continued now? Is this an instance in which the Navy League must give a lead to the Admiralty?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are no half measures about an iron curtain and that if he intends to withhold information it is no good saying what is being scrapped—one must have both sides of the picture?

Does the hon. Gentleman deny the accuracy of the figures stated in this publication?

I have already said that if I deny them it simply gives somebody else an opportunity of producing another set of figures. One can play that game indefinitely until the right result is achieved.

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that ever since Sir Charles Dilke started this publication it is entirely without precedent in peacetime to conceal the strength or weakness of the Fleet from this House and the country; and does he intend to rely upon the perpetual secrecy of Russia in not telling us the strength of her Fleet in order never to publish the "Return of Fleets" again?

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's replies, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the reduction in the strength of the Navy and the necessity of maintaining a training ground for the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve, he will consult the Minister of Fuel and Power with regard to a petrol allowance for motorcraft and auxiliary yachts.

Yes, Sir, but I doubt if he will be able to make any concession.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider what would have happened at Dunkirk if this training ground had not been available at that time?

Will the Minister say from where we are to get the men to join the R.N.V.R.? How are they to be expected to join the R.N.V.R. if they cannot take advantage of these facilities?

That is quite another question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the necessity for the Members of this House having exact and detailed knowledge of the strength of His Majesty's Fleet before voting money for its manning, armament, training and upkeep, he will make known these details to the House before the forthcoming Naval Estimates are presented.

I regret I cannot anticipate the presentation of the Navy Estimates, which will be published well in advance of the Debate and which, with the covering statement by my noble Friend, will contain as much information as is consistent with security considerations.

Is not that just another evasive answer, and does not the Financial Secretary realise that, in this and in many other respects, the people of the country want the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? When will he give it?

No, Sir. It is certainly not an evasion. It is most unusual to publish a statement of this character prior to the publication of the Navy Estimates. As I have stated, they will be published in due course together with a statement by my noble Friend.

In view of that most unsatisfactory statement, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment as soon as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what are his intentions with regard to Heathfield airfield.

Heathfield airfield, which is the Royal Naval Air Station, Ayr, is required permanently by the Navy as a war emergency station. It is at present being kept on a care and maintenance basis.

Is the Minister aware that Ayr Town Council, the County Council of Ayrshire and the Scottish Department of Health have made representations against this policy, and that the housing conditions in this area are about the worst in the country? Will he reconsider the matter?

I am quite aware that certain representations have been made, but I would invite my hon. Friend to realise that the Navy must have some air stations in this country, and something must be done in Scotland as well.

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

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will give an assurance that allegations about the treatment of prisoners at Kingston Naval Detention Barracks made by a constituent to his Member of Parliament and forwarded by that hon. Member to the Minister will be considered without involving the complainant in any victimisation or disciplinary action.

Yes, Sir. No disciplinary action is taken against officers and ratings for making representations to their Members of Parliament after having attempted, without success, to ventilate a genuine grievance through the proper channels. This, of course, includes men under sentence.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many petty officers and chief petty officers of all branches signed on to complete for full pension during each of the quarters of 1947.

During the first nine months of 1947 the following numbers of reports were received in the Admiralty of chief petty officers and petty officers in the Royal Navy (not including the Royal Marines) re-engaging for a second period of Continuous Service engagement: Chief petty officers, 530; petty officers, 568.

I regret that at present separate figures for the three quarters, or figures for the last quarter of 1947, are not available; a statistical investigation of the rates of re-engagement during 1947 has recently been started and I will communicate with the hon. Member when it is completed.

Will the Minister see that that communication reaches us before the Estimates are discussed?

If possible, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, when the new terms for discharge by purchase are being considered, special consideration will be given to those who joined as boys in the early days of the war.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the average number

Will my hon. Friend say that he is satisfied that the effect of the pay code is not to prevent chief petty officers from signing on?

No, Sir. I am satisfied that, in general, petty officers and chief petty officers are better off than they were before, having regard both to the pay code and to the extra amenities which have been granted to all ranks.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the total number of officers and men, respectively, in the permanent R.N.V.R. on the 1st January, 1938, 1st January, 1939, and at the present time.

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

When giving the figures, would the Minister distinguish between List 1 and List 2?

If possible, yes.

On average, 690 of the 10,800 public call boxes in the London area are out of order at any given time—i.e. about in 16. A staff of 760 attends to all telephones in the area and averages 14 public telephone call boxes per man.

In view of the large number of people waiting for telephones, as the Minister himself told us the other day, is he aware that public call boxes have become more important than before?

I quite agree, and we are putting on increased staff in order to attend to it, but I am sorry to say that some of this damage is malicious.

Could my right hon. Friend give the House any idea of the proportion that is due to malicious damage by members of the public, and is he satisfied that sufficient police protection is provided in the interests of the service and of the community?

I am afraid I cannot answer that question without notice.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the inconvenience caused through the lack of posting facilities in the outskirts of Nottingham later than between 5.30 and 6 p.m.; and what steps he is taking to provide later facilities.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will examine the position in and around the City of Nottingham, to reinstitute a later posting and collection time for mails posted in the city outskirts and the restoration of the much used practice, operated during the war, of late facilities on certain corporation buses.

The final general collection from the street posting boxes in Nottingham is made between 5.45 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. as it is in towns and cities elsewhere in the United Kingdom. To provide a later collection by postmen, or by posting boxes on buses, would mean additional calls on manpower which could not be justified.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that the public enjoyed better facilities for the collection and delivery of letters 50 years ago?

I am not so sure about 50 years ago, but it is a fact that, last year, owing to the fuel crisis and the manpower crisis, the late services were taken off.

Will the Minister make inquiries locally, and, in those local inquiries, will he take into consultation the views of some local citizens, when, I am quite sure, he will find that it will not put a great strain on manpower?

Would the Minister consider restoring the late postal facilities on buses which proved so valuable before, enabling people to answer letters after their return home from work?

That is part of the Question, and I have already said that I cannot do it.

asked the Postmaster-General during what hours telegrams are delivered in the village of Keynsham, Somerset; why telegrams are accepted for but not delivered in this village on Saturday afternoons; what steps are taken to inform senders that their telegrams will not be delivered until the following day; and, where no such information is given, what steps are taken to reimburse senders for the cost incurred.

Telegrams are delivered in Keynsham, Somerset, from 8.30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, including Saturdays, and from 9 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. on Sundays. If my hon. Friend can give me details of any telegram which should have been delivered on a Saturday afternoon but was held over until the following day, I shall be glad to make inquiries. If, when a telegram is handed in, there is clearly a risk that it may arrive too late at the distant office for delivery the same day, it is the practice to inform the sender that delivery may not be possible that day unless a telephonic address is used. The cost of any telegram will be refunded, on application to the Head Postmaster, if the telegram fails in its purpose through not being delivered the same day from any cause within the control of the Post Office.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the hon. Member for the Sutton Division of Plymouth sent a telegram to her husband on 3rd January at 12.30 p.m. telling him of her arrival in the village at 7.30 p.m. that evening; that it was not delivered at all, but was pushed through the letter box of the house where he was staying at approximately 9 o'clock the next morning? Does that information coincide with what my right hon. Friend has just told the House?

Not exactly, but I have indicated that, if my hon. Friend will let me have particulars, I will look into the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General how many Japanese are employed in the B.B.C. service to Japan; how many have been applied for and when; and what the reply has been, and when.

The B.B.C. inform me that two Japanese nationals are employed in the service to Japan. As to the second and third parts of the Question, I regret I have no information.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the B.B.C. as far back as last September, before the members of the Delegation went to Japan, applied for leave for several Japanese broadcasters, and why cannot he give the House any further information?

I think the answer is that I have no control over the Corporation in that particular matter.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any appointment has yet been made to the post of Siamese Editor in the Far Eastern Service, and, if so, will he state his or her qualifications.

While I regard this matter as falling within the day to day management of the B.B.C. I understand from the Corporation that no appointment has yet been made.

When the appointment is made, will the right hon. Gentleman try to make sure that there is no actual Siamese appointed to be head of this Department at a time when Siamese Governments are changing so frequently?

asked the Postmaster-General by what authority a separate licence is required for a wireless receiving set fitted in a motor car; and why his Department has refused to treat such sets in the same way as domestic or portable sets.

The authority is in Section 1 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1904, which states that a licence shall contain the terms on and subject to which the licence is granted. Although the terms of a broadcasting receiving licence authorise the occasional use of a portable set elsewhere than at the licensed premises, I see no ground on which a set fitted in a motor car, which constitutes a separate wireless station at a separate place, should be exempted from separate licensing.

Is the Minister aware that, in 1946, the Postmaster-General ruled that car radios were not portable sets, whereas, at the same time, the Commissioners of Customs and Excise levied Purchase Tax on them on the assumption that they were; and will he say what steps were taken to reconcile the conflicting views of the two Departments?

I do not know the answer to that at the moment, but I will look into the matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman get together with the Financial Secretary to the Treasury and try to work it out?

I have already promised that I will look into the statements which the hon. Gentleman has made.

asked the Prime Minister how many ministerial broadcasts in addition to party political broadcasts have been made by Members of the Government during the last 12 months.

In the year ended 31st January, 1948, the number of broadcasts to the nation made by Ministers on subjects for which they have Departmental responsibility was 20.

In view of that quite substantial number, can the right hon. Gentleman say who has the difficult responsibility of judging whether both the subject matter and the manner of these broadcasts are so impartial as to entitle them to rank as Ministerial and not party broadcasts?

When there is any question as to whether they are controversial or not, the matter is dealt with by the British Broadcasting Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many airfields are not in use by the R.A.F.; and what percentage of the total acreage is tinder cultivation.

The number of airfields no longer used by the R.A.F., but still held by my Department, comprises 33 used for flying and 209 for storage by other Government Departments, and 11 which are at present being derequisitioned. All of this land has been made available for agriculture, except where it is covered by buildings, concrete tracks and hard-standings, or is otherwise unsuited to agricultural use.

Could the right hon. and learned Gentleman say how many out of the 200 odd aerodromes used for storage, are actually being used for cultivation?

I think the total acreage involved in all these stations is about 135,000 acres—at least, it is estimated to be about 135,000 acres. It is also estimated that about 70,000 are being used for agricultural purposes.

As my right hon. and learned Friend's reply indicates that some of these airfields which are not in use are serviceable, will he consider sympathetically applications by air charter companies to lease these airfields until such time as they are required by his Department?

That raises an entirely different question.

Will the Minister say what he means by "made available for agriculture"? Does he mean that the land is handed over to the Land Commission or to the local war agricultural committees, or is cultivated by the airmen in their spare time?

It is mostly taken over by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Will the Minister insert in the report the list of the Tr airfields that are being derequisitioned?

I will certainly consider doing that.

Can the Minister say whether the airfields in Scotland are handed over to the Ministry of Agriculture?

Yes, Sir.

Why?

They are handed over to the Ministry of Agriculture in order that they may be used for agricultural purposes.

What about the right hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State for Scotland, who is responsible for agriculture in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many flying accidents occurred during 1947 in the vicinity of pilots' homes; and how many aircrew lost their lives.

One, Sir; the pilot, who was flying alone, was killed.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the equivalent rank in the Diplomatic Service for air attachés and assistant air attachés; whether they receive the same pay and allowances; what is the present arrangement for dealing with local cost of living changes; whether such arrangements are retrospective; and whether an Inspector has been sent out to inquire into their financial problems.

The position of air attachés and assistant air attachés is similar to that of military attachés and assistant military attachés. I would, therefore, refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 27th January by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for War.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman infer that the Air Ministry does not go separately into the position of the finances of their air attachés and, furthermore, can he say why it is that air attachés and assistant air attachés are not given the same allowances for lodgings and flats as those given to members of the Diplomatic Corps of equivalent rank?

The question which the hon. Gentleman put to me was as to the position of air and assistant air attachés. What I said was that their position was similar to that of military and assistant military attachés. That is not inconsistent with my Department having gone into the financial aspects relating to this type of officer.

That does not answer my Question about pay and allowances and why they are not given allowances for lodgings and flats, the same as people of equivalent rank in the Diplomatic Corps.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for War to an exactly similar question which referred to military and assistant military attachés.

Why does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman answer my Question?

I said that if the hon. Gentleman referred to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for War to a similar Question, he could apply that to air and assistant air attachés.

On a point of Order. That is an absolutely ridiculous answer. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that men are being retained in the Royal Air Force for several weeks after their release date, due solely to the fact that their records are missing; and by what authority this is being done.

No airman's release should be delayed for more than a few days because his documents have been lost, and the particular case which the hon. Gentleman has brought to my notice, for which I am grateful, is exceptional. It is being specially investigated, and I will write to him as soon as possible.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that I have already had a letter from him about this case, and can he give a definite undertaking that such retention will not occur again?

I cannot give a general undertaking that such things will not happen again. All that I can do is to ensure that regulations will be made which will obviate any such difficulty arising again.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will now issue a certificate of death to Mrs. Mary Kraus, formerly Miss Mary O'Rorke, in respect of the death on active service of her brother, No. 819061, Sergeant James O'Rorke, R.A.F., on 20th November, 1942, in order that she may satisfy the Sheriff of Chancery, as to her title to subjects, 47, Balgreen Road, Edinburgh.

My Department issued on 23rd October, 1944, a certificate stating that Sergeant O'Rorke must be presumed, for official purposes, to have lost his life on 20th November, 1942. This is the normal practice when an airman is missing, and it is beyond all reasonable doubt that he has not survived.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, though this certificate was sufficient to enable the airman's widow to remarry, it has not been accepted by the Sheriff of Chancery, and will he consult the Lord Advocate on the matter to see that a certificate is issued which will enable the airman's sister to obtain the property mentioned in the Question?

The difficulty has arisen because of the difference between English and Scottish law on this matter.

Will he consult the Lord Advocate about the issuing of the appropriate certificate?

indicated assent.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that it is the form of certificate which creates the difficulty, and that the refusal by the Sheriff of Chancery to accept the certificate imposes difficulty and expense upon the parties concerned who are seeking to lay title to the assets? Will he see that a proper certificate is issued which will be accepted by the Sheriff?

As I have already explained, the difficulty is that what is acceptable under English law has not been found to be acceptable under Scottish law.

Does my right hon. and learned Friend realise that he can issue a certificate which will be acceptable to the Sheriff, and that, without such a certificate, the parties are put to enormous expense in laying title to their assets?

The certificate used is one which has been agreed by the Registrar-General, and which has always been acceptable in the English courts.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation to what extent the proceedings of the public inquiry about the fall into the sea, and the death of the pilot and two passengers, of a Proctor aircraft belonging to Guernsey Air Charter, Ltd., and operated by Atlas Aviation, Ltd., revealed breaches of the regulations by either or both companies; and whether criminal proceedings will be taken.

The report on this accident, published on 30th January, revealed breaches of the regulations. But the pilot was dead, and the Minister was advised that there was no one else against whom proceedings could be successfully instituted.

Is it not a fact that Atlas Aviation Limited carried out none of the maintenance or inspection required by the regulations, and can the Minister say why they are not going to be prosecuted? As regards the other company, is it a fact that a chartered aircraft flying from the Channel Islands is not subject to the ordinary regulations, and, on that account, cannot be prosecuted?

So far as the first part of the supplementary question is concerned, it is a matter of, the ownership of the aircraft, and, in this case, Atlas Aviation Limited were not the owners. So far as the second part of the question is concerned, both A.R.S. regulations and the Air Navigation Act are not applicable in the State of Guernsey.

How is it that the report says that Atlas Aviation Limited were believed to be the owners?

The report says they were believed to be the owners, but, in actual fact, the owner was found to be a Mr. Dawson.

Does not the Minister's reply indicate that the regulations need tightening up very much, because it seems perfectly evident that anybody can obviate the necessity of complying with the regulations.

Legal advice is being taken. The regulation gives a defence when action is taken without fault or privity, and that is the outlet in this case.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation why eight weeks elapsed after the disaster to a Proctor aircraft in the Channel on 16th April before an inquiry was held; what was the interval between the Minister's receipt of the report of the inquiry and its publication; and what was the cause of the delay in each case.

The preliminary investigation began on the day after the accident. Following the public hearing of the inquiry, the Chief Inspector of Accidents submitted his report on 28th July, 1947, but publication was deferred pending a decision as to whether criminal proceedings should be taken. The report was published on 30th January, 1948.

If these inquiries are to have a salutary effect on others, is it not desirable that the report should be published less than nine months after the inquiry?

Yes, Sir, but it is also required that, if criminal proceedings are contemplated, the report should not be published, because that would prejudice those proceedings if taken.

Is eight or nine months' delay active consideration?

No, Sir. It was, in fact, six months; and, in so far as the three months, from the end of October to the end of January, are concerned, I must apologise to the House and take responsibility for Departmental laxity there.

Why should not proceedings be taken against Mr. Dawson?

Because the action taken was without his fault or privity.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if the posts of Divisional Controllers South Western Division and Northern Division were advertised.

Yes, Sir.

Can the Minister say why the two posts were filled by a retired air vice-marshal and a retired naval captain? These posts have been filled by senior officers, and does be not agree that it would be better to bring in men from civil aviation to fill the posts?

These posts are advertised nationally and applicants come from all walks of life. The appointments are made by the Civil Service Commission. I think it is generally understood that the Civil Service Commission appoints the best person for the post to be occupied.

Were the applicants warned that if they made a profit for their branch they would be sacked?

As the hon. Gentleman is aware, I had an Adjournment on this matter, when he gave an assurance that men from civil aviation would be considered. These two senior officers have been given jobs which ought to have been given to men in the Corporations or other companies.

These posts were advertised in the national and the trade Press. Applications were considered and appointments made by the Civil Service Commission. I think it is right to assume that those appointed were the best persons for the posts, in the opinion of the Civil Service Commission.

What is the purpose of the appointment of a Divisional Controller for the Northern Division when we no longer have any air lines serving the North of England?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether, in view of the recent losses shown by British European Airways, he is satisfied with the competency of the management; and if he will hold the public inquiry into this matter which the workers employed by B.E.A. are demanding through their trade unions.

The reply to the first part of the Question is, "Yes, Sir." As to the second part of the Question, no such request has been made by the trade unions.

Will the Minister now accept the request from me that an inquiry should be made into the policy of management, and will it not be desirable to see that the workers themselves are more or less represented on the management of these nationalised undertakings in order to get the very best results?

Under Section 19 of the Civil Aviation Act there is a requirement that there should be an opportunity for consultation in regard to efficiency within the industry, and that has in fact been met by the National Joint Council.

Does not the Parliamentary Secretary regard it as a matter of regret that the one case of an important change in the management of these Corporations is the one exceptional case where there has not been a loss?

That is an entirely different question and, if the right hon. Member puts a Question down, I shall be happy to deal with it.

Is it not important that there should not only be consultation, but that the managerial bodies should be predominantly of the working class?

Will the hon. Gentleman take notice of the fact that it is apparently now the policy of the Communist Party to go outside the accepted joint consultative machinery between the Corporations and the trade unions, and that it has now also become pledged to the view that losses, and presumably profits, are the proper test of the efficiency of an organisation?

When this House decides to give a subsidy to any particular industry, is it to be treated as a loss?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he can state the total value of the nation's property now controlled under the direction of the three civil aviation Corporations.

The value of the Corporations properties as at 3rst March, 1947, was disclosed in the balance sheets recently published.

Could the Minister answer whether, if Questions are put down by Members of this House about expenses and property, he will be able to answer them?

All the figures are given in the balance sheets as published, and these balance sheets are in much greater detail than those ever given by any private undertaking.

May I have an answer to my Question? Will the Minister answer Questions about these Corporations in this House?

Before I answer any Question, I should like to see it on the Order Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the present food situation in Western Germany and the continued maldistribution of food between the countryside and the large towns, he is satisfied with the efficiency of the administration of Herr Schlange-Schoeningen.

The failure of the Germans to collect and distribute supplies of food in a satisfactory fashion has been giving much concern to the Allied authorities. I am, however, assured that the position in regard to the German food administration at Frankfurt, whose powers are now being extended, has recently improved and that its efficiency is steadily increasing.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not a fact that shortages from collections on the farms amount only to about 55 calories per head per day, whereas shortages from expected imports amount to 200 calories a day, and that really the collectors have done pretty well?