asked the Secretary of State for Air why woollen underclothing is not issued to R.A.F. recruits in winter time.

Woollen pants are issued to R.A.F. recruits if they prefer them to cotton, but only cotton vests are issued because experience has shown that there is little demand for woollen.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that I have here a letter from the Under-Secretary of State for Air, stating that the normal issue to recruits is two cotton vests? Is he also aware that a constituent of mine, who was called up and issued with two cotton vests, promptly caught pneumonia, and that woollen underclothing is issued in the Army?

I am aware that it is issued in the Army, and I should have no objection to it being issued to members of the Air Force if they desired to have them. But in fairness to my Department I should say that on the last occasion on which it was suggested that airmen should have woollen vests, in 1940—those serving in the North of England and in Scotland were given the option—the majority chose cotton.

Is woollen underclothing available for issue, because I understand that at the aerodrome I have in mind it was not?

No, Sir, the rule at the moment is that woollen underclothing can only be issued on the authority of the medical officer.

Could not the right hon. and learned Gentleman compromise between cotton and wool, and provide Aertex underclothing?

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will make a statement about the future of Mepal Aerodrome, near Ely.

Mepal airfield is being purchased by my Department for use by the R.A.F. Until the airfield is used again for flying, all the land, other than that covered with runways and buildings, is available for agriculture.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman re-open the right of way which used to exist across the middle of the aerodrome, and which would shorten the distance which villagers living in Mepal have to walk to their nearest shopping centre, in Sutton? Instead of having to walk four miles they would then have to walk only one, across the aerodrome.

I would like to look into that proposition, but it has been agreed with the Ministry of Transport that the existing alternative roads should be improved, and financial approval has been obtained for that work.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what has been the cost incurred by the Air Ministry since 1945 in connection with the rationing scheme for pigeon feedingstuffs; what tonnage of feedingstuffs has been imported since 1945 and made available to pigeon fanciers through the National Pigeon Service; and what has been the cost of that tonnage.

In 1946 and 1947 the pigeon food rationing scheme cost my Department about £1,500 a year. I am informed that altogether in these two years 6,163 tons of feedingstuffs, costing £168,000, were imported by the Ministry of Food and sold to members of the National Pigeon Service.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say why this expenditure has been incurred, as I have a letter from the Air Ministry which says that there is no intention of using pigeons in any future emergency? Can he say why we are importing feedingstuffs from abroad for pigeons? Would it not be better to import it for chickens?

That question ought to be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food. I am not aware of the existence of the letter which the hon. and learned Gentleman has mentioned, and I would like to see it.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say why we should be importing feedingstuffs for pigeons, in view of the fact that they are generally fed on maple peas, vast quantities of which are grown in this country?

The provision of food for pigeons is not my responsibility; it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Food. My Department is merely responsible for administering the scheme.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman intend to continue subsidising food for carrier pigeons?

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman do what he can to encourage people to keep pigeons? They played a great part in the last war, and will probably do the same in the next.

asked the Secretary of State for Air, in view of the shortage of modern ab initio trainer aircraft, what design and type have been decided on as standard equipment.

While approximately 400 Prentice aircraft have been ordered, final decisions have not yet been taken about the types of aircraft to be used in future for ab initio training.

Can my right hon. Friend say where these aircraft have been ordered? Are they being designed and produced in this country or are they being produced in Canada?

In this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether officers of the A.T.C., who served during the war, are entitled to the Defence Medal.

I regret that officers of the pre-Service Cadet Forces, which include the A.T.C., who were not called up for full-time service, are not entitled to the Defence Medal.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he can now indicate which are the eleven former R.A.F. airfields which are in process of being derequisitioned and returned to civilian use.

I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate the list in HANSARD.

Can the Minister say if there is any prospect of any of the airfields in Norfolk being released in this way?

I would like to have notice of that question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say offhand whether any of these aerodromes are in Cornwall?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many hotels are now being run by "T" Force; what is the number of British and foreign staff engaged; and what other useful functions "T" Force now carries out.

"T" Force run 23 hotels for business visitors to the British zone of Germany and British Sector of Berlin for which purpose they employ 53 British and 1,031 German staff. Their duties include providing transport for these visitors. At present they are also responsible for the movement of reparations to the United Kingdom under the unilateral scheme.

In order to save further questions, can my right hon. Friend tell me whether it is the intention to wind up this activity this year?

I cannot answer that offhand. I am looking into the whole thing afresh.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is proposed to accompany currency reform in Germany with a definite plan for the import of raw materials and the export of manufactured goods.

Consideration will be given to this together with the other economic factors connected with the planning for currency reform.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that if he reforms the currency without making goods available, he will have to reform the currency again next year and the year after as well?

I am quite aware of that. At the same time since this matter is now under consideration and being negotiated, I cannot give further details.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the forms required for categorisation, though promised for delivery in Germany in November last year have not yet arrived; that in consequence categorisation is held up; and what steps does he propose to take to get this matter put right.

There is no shortage of these forms in the British zone and I am not aware that categorisation is held up for the reasons stated by my hon. Friend. The categorisation of militarists is temporarily held up as our policy towards these persons is now under review.

I was referring to military categorisation or ex-military categorisation. Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a shortage of these forms and that categorisation of these people has been held up since last November?

I do not believe that there is a shortage of forms in this country or Germany.

While it may very well be that there are too many forms about, this form at any rate is in short supply.

May I ask my right hon. Friend in what respect "categorization" differs from "classification"? Would it not be better to discontinue the use of such horrible jargon?

I will consider that matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken to ensure that German industrialists and metal merchants do not fail to carry out arrangements for the supply of scrap metal to this country.

The German authorities are now responsible for assisting the scrap industry in the Combined zone to increase output both for domestic use and for export. The Anglo-American authorities are constantly impressing on them the urgency of this task.

Is the right hon. Gentleman convinced that the Germans are carrying out their obligations in this respect?

They have delivered a good deal. I cannot say that they are quite up to date in their deliveries, but there are a lot of other factors involved as well.

May I ask whether the main difficulty in effecting deliveries is not that under the Potsdam Agreement they are prevented from having enough rolling stock?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the short delivery of scrap from Germany is having a serious effect on the iron and steel industry of this country?

I am afraid I cannot answer these questions. They should be put to the Minister of Supply. I can say, however, that I noticed the other day in an answer, or in the paper, that there was no hold up of the steel industry of this country through scrap at the present moment.

Will my right hon. Friend look at the question of the staffing of a Department which has been set up to collect this scrap metal? At the present moment I gather that only 45 per cent. of the staff originally expected is actually at work. That is an important consideration, and I ask him to look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there are any regulations prohibiting Germans in the British zone of Germany or the British section of Berlin from writing letters for publication to papers in Great Britain.

No, Sir.

If I give the right hon. Gentleman particulars of a letter sent by a young German to an English paper—a quite reputable paper—as a result of which he was sent for by a member of the Control Commission and cross-questioned, and told not to do it again, will he have the matter looked into?

I will look at it.

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker, may I ask your guidance about Question No. 16?

That Question has not yet been asked, but the hon. and gallant Gentleman may ask a question about it if he wishes.

I wish to raise a point of Order about the fact that the Question refers to the Greek Supreme Council for National Defence as the "so-called" Council. That seems to me to insinuate that the Council is either improperly constituted or illegally elected which, so far as I know, is not the case. Is it in Order to insinuate that that is so when in fact it is not so?

An hon. Member is entirely responsible for what he puts on the Order Paper. If a Question obeys the Rules of Order, the Chair cannot withhold it. The hon. Member who puts it down is responsible for the facts or the allegations he puts therein.

I have always understood that insinuations were contrary to the Rules of Order for Questions. Is this not an insinuation?

I did not notice an insinuation in it.

Is not the insinuation in the word "so-called," that this body is not properly constituted?

Further to that point of Order—

I had better answer this one first. I cannot see that "so-called" makes an insinuation. The hon. and gallant Member for Lewes (Major Beamish) is responsible himself for saying that. That is his own opinion. I cannot see that there is an insinuation in that.

Might I raise this further point, Mr. Speaker? When does a Question become the property of this House? Does it become the property of the House when it appears on the Order Paper, or when it is called by you, Sir?

I suppose, when it appears on the Order Paper we must be able to take notice of it. That is a public document.

Is it not quite incorrect to refer to this as a "Greek Supreme Council" when there are Americans on it?

All I can say is that I am quite unable to answer that question.

Is it not quite clear now, from the remarks of the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher) that there is an innuendo in this phrase "so-called Greek Supreme Council"?

I thought it was quite clearly the other way. I cannot see that there is an innuendo. I suggest, as this Question is not being asked, we had better get on with Questions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reports he has received from the British Labour Attaché in Athens regarding the threatened execution of four members of the Patras Trades Council.

His Majesty's Embassy in Athens have reported that four members of the Patras Trades Council were arrested on 28th April, 1947. They were tried by the emergency court martial procedure at present in operation in Greece, and found guilty of being active members of an illegal and subversive organisation. They were condemned to death on 17th August, but have not yet been executed, and are believed to be still in prison at Nauplion. The House should clearly understand that their membership of the Patras Trades Council was, of course, in no sense an offence.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that these men were in exile at the time that the offence alleged against them was committed? Will he continue to watch the matter and urge, not only that these men should not be executed but, if possible, that their sentences be quashed?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs under what clause of the charter or other international instrument the Assembly of the United Nations Organisation proposes to use military Forces to enforce the partition of Palestine.

The General Assembly did not propose the use of military force to impose partition in Palestine.

Can my right hon. Friend say under what Clause of the Charter, or any other international instrument, any member State of the Arab League would be entitled to use force to prevent it?

That is another question altogether.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies from what funds pensions of the Palestine Government officials will be met after the termination of the Mandate.

I hope that it will be possible within a few days to make an announcement which will cover the question of payment of the pensions of Palestine Government officials after the termination of the Mandate.

Can my hon. Friend say what provision is being made for giving compensation in the case of those officials who are prematurely retired through no fault of their own?

All that will be dealt with in the statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that Fawzi el Kaukji is in Palestine, and as he is on the special list for detention on entering Palestine what steps have been taken to detain him.

No, Sir. Various reports have been received by the Palestine Government of the presence of Fawzi el Kaukji in Palestine, but I am informed by the High Commissioner that they have not been substantiated and that it is not believed that he is at present in the country.

In view of the fact that this man led a revolt during the war against Britain in Syria and in Irak, and was constantly attacking the Allied Forces, will my hon. Friend see to it that this man at least will be prevented from entering Palestine?

Would not the Under-Secretary of State agree that the best help in stopping this gentleman from being allowed to come into Palestine would be the cessation of the murderous attacks on British troops and Palestinian policemen by Jews?

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any further statement to make concerning the recent outrages in Jerusalem in view of the fact that the Arab Higher Committee have repudiated as false the document taking responsibility for the outrages.

I have seen a Press report of the statement purporting to have been made by the Arab Higher Committee to which my hon. Friend refers. It is, however, a fact that such a pamphlet was circulated in Jerusalem yesterday, and I informed the House of that fact.

Can my hon. Friend say whether he will now make investigations as to the origin of the pamphlet and whether, in the light of all that we now know, he does not now consider that the very best service that can be rendered to all people interested is to hold an inquiry into the matter?

That does not arise from the original Question.

Arising from the Minister's reply, may we take it that whatever statement has been made by the Arab Higher Committee, or anybody else, he stands by his declaration of yesterday that in the view of His Majesty's Government British troops have no responsibility whatever for the outrages?

Most certainly. I entirely stand by the statement I made yesterday.

I must, of course, accept my hon. Friend's assurance about British troops not being responsible, but in view of the ambiguity that has been created, does he not think that the most sensible thing to do is to carry out a full and proper inquiry so that the facts may be known?

Is it not a fact that the name on the memorandum is the name of someone closely connected with the Mufti?

Yes. He is one of the leading adjutants of the Mufti.

In view of the fact that the Arab Higher Executive have stated that Husseini was not in Palestine at all and that he had been away for the last four days, and in view of the fact that this pamphlet was supposed to have been signed by him, will my hon. Friend consider the importance of having a proper inquiry into this matter?

I do not think that we can carry this any further. The Minister has said that he did not know. Therefore, what is the good of going on?

Will not my hon. Friend consider whether, in answer to the question which has been put to him from all sides of the House, he might agree that the proper thing is to hold an inquiry?

That does not arise out of this Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the circumstances which led the British Chargé d'Affaires to leave the Red Army celebrations in Vienna.

On 22nd February, the British Chargé d'Affaires in Vienna, Mr. Cheetham, attended officially, as guest of the Austrian Society for Cultural and Economic Relations with the Soviet Union, a function in honour of the 30th anniversary of the Red Army. Unfortunately, the Soviet Commander-in-Chief and High Commissioner in Austria, Colonel General Kurásov, made this the occasion for an attack, couched in the most offensive terms, against the so-called Imperialist Powers and directed particularly against Great Britain and the United States of America. Amongst other things, General Kurásov accused these Powers of having subsidised Hitler to launch his attack on the Soviet Union, and of now preparing an attack of their own. Both Mr. Cheetham and his United States colleague felt that it would be inappropriate and undignified for representatives of the two Allied Powers concerned to remain in the hall while their countries were being subjected to insult and abuse by the representative of a third Allied Power, in the presence of a large Austrian audience. They therefore left the hall while General Kurásov was still speaking.

In view of the fact that the Russians have repeatedly shown that they do not wish to be bound by the elementary courtesies of international intercourse, would it not be better if our representatives refrained from attending functions of this sort?

Has not a written protest been sent protesting against these statements?

I assume it will be dealt with when the Allied Council meet in Vienna, but such action will be repeated the next day just the same. There is something in the Question which has just been put which I feel I ought to consider.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action His Majesty's Government proposes to take as a result of the removal of the Danube floating dock from Austria to Hungary.

At yesterday's meeting of the Austrian Deputies, the United Kingdom Representative drew attention to the report that this dock had been removed to Hungary at the very moment when the question of the Danube Shipping Company's assets was being considered in London. He made it clear that His Majesty's Government would strongly deprecate any attempt to prejudge, by action of the kind reported, a question which the representatives of the four Powers now meeting in London have been specifically charged with settling. In this he was supported by the United States and French Deputies. The Soviet Deputy was asked to furnish an explanation; he undertook to seek information from his authorities.

Does this not appear to be a case of just plain thieving and pillage?

If the representative has undertaken to communicate with his authority, I must wait for the answer before I pronounce an opinion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many coloured men are unemployed in Jamaica, Trinidad, Windward Islands and Leeward Islands, respectively.

In these Colonies there is more under-employment than total unemployment. Accurate figures for the latter are not available but the latest estimates are: Jamaica, 50,000; Leeward Islands, 10,000; Windward Islands, 2,000; Trinidad, 1,100. The Jamaican estimate includes under-employed. No separate statistics are kept of coloured unemployed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether satisfactory schemes for health and unemployment insurance have yet been drawn up in Trinidad; and when it is proposed to operate them.

The recommendations contained in the interim report of the Committee on Health Insurance in Trinidad, to which my right hon. Friend referred in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Heston and Isleworth (Mr. W. R. Williams) on 30th October, 1946, were found on examination to be imprac- ticable. The possibility of operating health insurance through the machinery of the friendly society movement was then explored, but so far without success and the Governor is not sanguine about the prospects. Another committee which is studying unemployment insurance has not yet submitted any report. In view of the difficulties which both committees are known to be experiencing owing to the complexity of the subjects in question, the Governor has recently asked them to state at an early date whether or not they were going to complete their labours and report shortly.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this matter has been the subject of repeated Questions in this House by many of us; it has been going on for nearly two years. Can I now take it that some action is really to be forthcoming?

Yes. We have sent an urgent telegram asking them to expedite their report, if they propose to make one.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent are such places as Birnin Kebbi, Okitipupa, Badagry, Arochuku, Obubra, Abakaliki, Sapele, Lokoja, Yola, Bauchi, Maidugari and Sokoto, which are away from the easily-travelled routes, included in the itinerary when official visits are paid by the Government House staff, or by Colonial civil servants, Ministers or Members of Parliament from this country visiting Nigeria; how many times has each of these places been visited during the last three years by such individuals, shown separately, for the Colonial Government staff, Colonial Office staff and others for each place mentioned.

My right hon. Friend attaches the greatest importance to the inclusion of outlying places in the itineraries of official visits, and this view is fully shared by Colonial Governments. I am asking the Acting Governor of Nigeria to provide me with any information which is readily available as to the extent to which visits have been made within the last two years to the places mentioned and I will communicate with my hon. Friend when I receive this information.

Does my hon. Friend appreciate that Colonial officials, including district officers, much appreciate visits being made to these outlying districts, and could he encourage such visits to take place on every possible occasion when visits are being made, rather than, as they usually are, to the places which are easier of access?

I fully appreciate that. We will do all we can to facilitate these visits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reply he has made to the proposals submitted to him by the National Council of Nigeria last summer, and whether he is satisfied with the working of the present Constitution.

I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the letter and memorandum sent by the Nigerian Government on my right hon. Friend's instructions to the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons. The letter deals with the constitutional proposals put forward by the delegation. The answer to the second part of the Question is, "Yes, Sir."

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if it is intended to review the position with regard to retired Colonial civil servants with fixed pensions with a view to treating their pensions in the same way as those of home civil servants, whose pensions have been subject to increases due to rising cost of living; and will he take into account the fact that when these Colonial pension schemes were first started, they were not subject to Income Tax in this country which has since been applied.

The position of Colonial pensioners in this country was reviewed in consultation with Colonial Governments in the light of both the Pensions (Increase) Act and the amending Act of 1947. Most Colonial Governments now award increases to their pensioners on the same basis as that prescribed in Section 1 of the Pensions (Increase) Act of this country, as amended by the Act of 1947. I understand that Colonial pensions have always been subject to United Kingdom Income Tax when paid to a pensioner resident in this country.

Would my hon. Friend give consideration to making representations to the Colonial Governments in those cases where it is seen that the conditions of retirement pension are less favourable to retired Colonial civil servants than they are to retired civil servants who have served in this country.

I will look into that point.

Would my hon. Friend be good enough to place in the Library a statement which would enable us to see which Colonial Governments have increased pensions, and which have not, and in the case of those which have increased them, how the increases compare with those sanctioned by the Pensions (Increase) Act? We ought to be able to keep track of what is happening to these people.

I will see that that is done.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what date an adviser on colonial inland transport was appointed to succeed Mr. C. E. Rooke, C.M.G., resigned.

On the 1st January last.

May we know who is the gentleman?

Mr. A. J. F. Bunning, formerly general manager of the Nigerian Railways.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the posts of woman assistant labour adviser, and social welfare adviser, announced as approved in Command Paper No. 7167 (para. 85), were filled, and by whom.

Miss S. A. Ogilvie, formerly Inspector of Labour, Palestine, was appointed Woman Assistant Labour Adviser on 13th October, 1947. Mr. W. H. Chinn, formerly Director of Social Welfare, Palestine, was appointed Adviser on Social Welfare on 17th November, 1947.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies who are the present members of the Colonial Economic and Development Council; and how frequently they meet.

The present members of the Colonial Economic and Development Council are: Sir Graham Cunningham, Dr. Arthur Lewis, Mr. McFadyen, Sir Drummond Shiels, Dr. Wellesley Cole and Mr. Wansbrough. With regard to the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Pollok (Commander Galbraith) on r8th February.

May I ask the Minister to repeat the date of the last meeting?

The last meeting was on 25th August last, but as will be seen when hon. Members read the answer to the hon. and gallant Member for Pollok, we are now reconstituting it. We have extended invitations to the members on the reconstituted body and practically every one of them has accepted. We hope to go on at a much greater speed than in the past.

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that this important body should meet more frequently and may we expect to hear of better progress in the future?

I quite agree, and we have every intention of holding frequent meetings of this body.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plans are being made for the provision of the necessary building materials for each of the Colonies which will receive funds for Colonial development, involving the commissioning of additional buildings; whether local sources of building material supply and production, and co-operative contracting organisations, will be developed in each of the Colonies so far as possible, or is it intended that the majority of the building materials shall be supplied and building contracts obtained from this country.

Every effort is being made to develop the production of local building materials in the Colonies. But it will, of course, not be possible to dispense entirely with imports and special study is now being given to the best means of ensuring for the Colonies their essential requirements of scarce materials such as iron and steel. Government building in the Colonies is normally undertaken by the Public Works Department or by one or more local contractors, but for major projects it may be necessary to employ one of the leading firms of civil engineering contractors from this country.

Would my hon. Friend take active steps to encourage the development of local firms and co-operative organisations to produce the necessary building materials and to take on building contracts as an essential part of the new Colonial development schemes?

Yes, we will look at that suggestion.