asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the incident of 8th March, at Khoi Nghia, in the Kienan Province of French Indo-China, which led to the death, after arrest, of 22 Vietnamese civilians and on the incident of 17th March, at Chocan, in the Quangtri Province of Central Viet-Nam, which led to much destruction of life and property; and if, in view of the joint responsibility of His Majesty's Government for the restoration of French rule in Indo-China, he will make representations to the French Government, with a view to preventing further incidents of this kind and securing peace.

No, Sir. I have no information on this subject.

Would my hon. Friend be good enough to answer the second part of my Question.

No, Sir.

Why not?

Because it is not a matter for us but for our French allies

Would it not be a good thing to give the French Government some good advice, reminding them of the excellent attitude adopted by His Majesty's Government towards Burma and other nations in South East Asia—which has been so much more sensible than theirs?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement concerning the recent elections in Southern Korea.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement about the elections recently held in Korea; the source and object of the opposition to holding the same; and as to the strength of the Korean Communist forces in Korea.

Elections were held in South Korea on 10th May under the auspices of the American occupation authorities. The United Nations Temporary Commission in Korea, after satisfying itself that the elections would be held under reasonably free conditions, formally decided to observe them.

All men and women aged 21 or over, and having normal residential and other qualifications, had a right to give their secret vote; and despite the fact that the Communists themselves boycotted the elections, and tried to induce others to follow suit, it is reported that about go per cent. of the potential electorate registered, and about go per cent. of the registered electorate went to the polls. These results show that a great majority of the people of South Korea desire a genuinely democratic government on Western lines.

In the newly-elected National Assembly, which is to be convened on 31st May, the supporters of Dr. Syngman Rhee, the Nationalist leader, have won nearly half of the 200 seats. The next step will be for the Assembly to draft and adopt a constitution, and thereafter a Government will be formed. The United Nations Commission, which, in accordance with its terms of reference, is not directly concerned with the formation of the National Government, has gone to Shanghai to prepare its report on the elections. When the Government has been formed, the Commission is empowered to advise it about the establishment of national security forces, the transfer of power from the occupying authorities, and the withdrawal of the occupying forces.

As to the strength of the Korean Communist forces, my right hon. Friend regrets that he can give no precise information. The Soviet authorities have not been communicative about the Korean army which they are known to have trained and equipped in their zone of occupation; but there is no doubt that the numbers involved are substantial.

Will any effort now be made to see whether the same kind of election can be held in Northern Korea?

I do not think the prospects of doing so are at all good, certainly not under United Nations auspices.

Is there any prospect of a free election in French Indo-China?

That is another question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Chinese Government have yet agreed to the compensation figure suggested by His Majesty's Government for the damage done in Canton.

No, Sir, not yet.

Can the hon. Gentleman give us any idea when we shall start putting pressure on the Chinese Government for some reply?

This matter was mentioned to the Chinese Government only a few days ago and they assured us of their anxiety to reach a satisfactory settlement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will cause a White Paper to be published concerning the efforts made by the Governments of the United States of America, Great Britain, France and the Soviet Union in the years 1936, 1938 and 1939 to avoid war with Nazi Germany and to prevent the advance of Nazism across Europe, such White Paper to cover the unpublished offer of President Roosevelt, early in 1938, to Mr. Neville Chamberlain and the circumstances in which the Soviet Union, later in 1938, indicated its willingness to fight with France and Britain for the defence of Czechoslovakia.

No, Sir. For a record of these events, His Majesty's Government prefer to await the publication of the "Documents on British Foreign Policy, 1919–1939."

Is my hon. Friend aware that in the compilation of the history of this very important period the Government have already been beaten to it in time by a private individual writing in his spare time, namely, the Leader of the Opposition?

We may be beaten in time but we shall win on objectivity and accuracy.

Does not my hon. Friend think that it is very important to get these facts out at the earliest possible opportunity because of their relevance to the present situation?

Yes, Sir. We appreciate that, and it is for that reason that we have made arrangements to publish first the latest documents of this period.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the articles of the Leader of the Opposition are having the best possible effect in America in helping this country and America to understand each other, and will he refrain from making such damaging and ridiculous statements?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is satisfied that the British point of view and British interests are receiving full consideration, in shaping the future of Japan; and what plans for minimising the effect of cheap Japanese production on British industry, particularly on Lancashire textile production, have now been agreed.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir." Policy for Japan during the occupation period is formulated by the Car Eastern Commission in Washington in whose deliberations the United Kingdom representative plays a full part. But final decision regarding Japan's future must await a peace settlement and that is one of the reasons why my right hon. Friend is anxious to see a Peace Conference convened as soon as possible. With regard to the second part of the Question, I would call the hon. Member's attention to a Car Eastern Commission policy decision approved on 8th May, 1947, which provides that during the occupation period Japanese exports shall be sold at established world prices.

Was the Minister aware of the large-scale textile contract made between Japan and the Netherlands East Indies which will definitely have the effect of excluding our textiles from that country for a long time? Is such a contract in harmony with the Geneva Agreement?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would put down a separate Question.

The Minister ought to know.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that although British interests may be looked after by our representative on the Commission, until quite recently at any rate we had no access even to the Japanese Prime Minister or Cabinet? Can he assure the House that the Ambassador at the present moment has contact with the present Japanese Prime Minister?

I am sure that the proper solution is to get the Peace Conference assembled so that we can play our full part in the long-term decisions about Japan.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what consultations have taken place between this country and the U.S.A. regarding the future size of the Japanese Mercantile Marine; what conclusions were arrived at; and if he will make a statement.

Policy regarding the size of the Japanese Mercantile Marine during the occupation period is at present under discussion in the Car Eastern Commission and the views of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have been made known to the United States Government there. No conclusions have yet been reached. As an island nation Japan must have a reasonable amount of merchant shipping. The policy which we are advocating is that restrictions on her Mercantile Marine should be confined to those required for security. On security grounds, we consider that some limitation of shipping tonnage and speed, and of shipbuilding capacity, is desirable. The problem before the Commission is to reach agreement on the actual figures.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he will press upon his representative that it is impossible for Marshall Aid plans to succeed if any of the expansions of exports, direct or indirect, are to be cut away by a policy such as is outlined in the United States; and will he further answer whether it is in conformity with the ideas of this country that the Japanese shipbuilding industry should once again be reconstituted somewhere near its pre-war importance?

On the first point, I will certainly consider that. On the second point, I have nothing to add to my statement that the sole criterion should be the security interests involved.

While I note the hon. Gentleman's statement that the plans of the United Kingdom are before the United States, can he also say whether the Indian Government have been consulted in this matter, because they are very interested, too, and whether their case has been put?

Of course, we keep in close touch with the Commonwealth countries, but on this issue I should require notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement as to progress in the nationalising of industry in the British zone of Germany.

At the last Conference of Foreign Ministers it was agreed that the German people should decide on the form that future ownership of these industries should take. Until a properly representative German body has been constituted this decision cannot be taken. Meanwhile, the heavy industries in the British zone of Germany are vested in the Military Governor.

Does that reply mean that there has been a reversal of policy on the part of the Government, because a short time ago the Foreign Secretary said that it would be the intention to proceed in this way?

We have always held that it is the decision of the German people which shall be decisive. At the moment our policy is in accordance with the Four-power Agreement.

As all the established German political parties have so far come out in favour of nationalisation, will that be taken into account in regard to this most important matter?

We do not think that the final decision can be taken except by a properly representative German body.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what financial assistance has been given by His Majesty's Government to Transjordan during the past two years under Article 8 of the Annex to the Treaty of Alliance of March, 1946; and what further sums it is proposed to give during the current year.

Since 7th June, 1946, when the Anglo-Transjordan Treaty of Alliance came into force until the end of the financial year 1946–48, the sum of £3,790,000 has been paid by His Majesty's Government to the Transjordan Government. As will be seen from the Foreign Office Estimates, provision has been made for financial assistance to the Transjordan Government during the financial year 1948–49 at the rate of £2,000,000 for maintenance and £500,000 as a special grant for equipment. Of this £840,000 has been paid. As His Majesty's Government have already made it clear, the question of paying the balance will be decided in the light of circumstances prevailing when payment becomes due.

Since these payments under the Treaty of 1946 have to be specifically linked with the defence of Transjordan, is my hon. Friend quite satisfied that these amounts of money have been used exactly for that purpose?

Yes, Sir. We are satisfied of that. As to the future, however, our decision has not yet been taken, as I have indicated in my reply.

Is there any truth in the report that Glubb Pasha and Bevin Pasha are shortly to exchange jobs?

In view of my hon. Friend's statement that he is satisfied that the moneys were expended in defence, against whom was Transjordan defending herself or against whom is she defending herself at this moment?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the third paragraph, Article 1, of the Treaty of Alliance, 1948, between His Majesty's Government and the Amir of Transjordan, has been violated by the refusal of the latter to cease hostilities in Palestine in response to the demand by the United Nations and what action he proposes to take.

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative; the second part, therefore, does not arise.

Can my hon. Friend say whether Palestine is a foreign country within the meaning of Article 1 of this Treaty, and if not, what is it?

I should say that on that point Palestine does not constitute a foreign country within the meaning of paragraph 3 of Article 1 of the Treaty.

Will my hon. Friend answer the second part of that supplementary question: if it is not a foreign country, what is it?

Answer.

In that case does my hon. Friend mean that it is part of the State of Transjordan?

No, it is in a state of transition.

Come on, answer.

I cannot accept that Palestine is a foreign country in the sense that under paragraph 3 of Article 1 of the Treaty that Treaty is then applicable.

Why not be objective and accurate?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what evidence he has received regarding the diversion to Palestine of military material supplied by this country to Egypt, Iraq and Transjordan.

Up to the termination of the Mandate there was no direct evidence of British war material supplied to Egypt, Iraq and Transjordan being diverted to Palestine. Since 14th May, the Arab forces operating in Palestine are, no doubt, making use of equipment supplied to them during several years past from this country. The question of export of war material to the Middle East is now covered in the resolution adopted by the Security Council on 30th May.

In view of the fact that on 24th March the Foreign Secretary specifically said that he would review the supplies if there was any evidence of their being used in Palestine, can my hon. Friend say that he has received no information from military intelligence, Middle East, that there has been such use?

I have already covered the period up to the relinquishment of the Mandate. The period since then and the present period are covered by the resolution of the Security Council yesterday.

Does my hon. Friend mean that up to the termination of the Mandate there was no evidence of any kind from those countries of material being diverted to Palestine?

I have no direct evidence of that.

Is my hon. Friend aware that specific pledges were given to the House that by the time the Mandate was terminated the Arab Legion would be withdrawn from Palestine?

Answer.

Can we have an answer to that supplementary question?

That is another question.

Whether it is another question or not, is it not relevant to this Question, and does not my hon. Friend know perfectly well that the Foreign Secretary publicly stated more than once that the Arab Legion would be withdrawn from Palestine before the Mandate ended?

This Question refers to the diversion to Palestine of military material, and I have answered it quite fully.

Is the Minister aware of the almost universal condemnation in the United States Press of our attitude in this matter, and will he bear this in mind?

This Question has nothing to do with the attitude of the United States.

In view of these numerous questions on Palestine, and as we do no want to put supplementary questions to the various items, it might be simpler to ask, are we to have a statement or Palestine?

I think I am right it saying that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will say something about that at the end of Questions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give an assurance that there has been no change in the policy hitherto followed by His Majesty's Government on the Palestine issue that they are not prepared to take part in enforcing a solution which is unacceptable to either party.

There has been no change

Can my hon. Friend give an assurance that the parallel declaration that His Majesty's Government accepted the decision of the United Nations regarding the partition of Palestine, and would do nothing to obstruct the implementation of that decision, is also still the policy of His Majesty's Government?

I do not think my right hon. Friend goes back on any of the things he said at that time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps have been taken to safeguards, so far as possible, the lives and the food supplies of those British subjects, such as the Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem and his staff, who have conceived it to be their duty to remain in Jerusalem, despite official warnings to leave, and whose presence and influence there may assist the process of reconciliation between Jews and Arabs.

British subjects were advised to gather at the Anglican Cathedral of St. George and warnings have been conveyed to both Arabs and Jews to avoid involving the Cathedral in the fighting. Archdeacon MacInnes was wounded in the leg on 16th May while walking outside the Cathedral compound but was conveyed to the French hospital where he is progressing well. Though shells fired by Arabs struck the compound on 17th May and the Cathedral itself on 19th May, there have been no other casualties there. Representations were made by His Majesty's Representatives in Jerusalem and Amman and no further incidents have been reported. As regards food supplies, provisions were stored in advance in consultation with the authorities of the Government of Palestine, and there is no reason to believe that the British community is short of necessities.

Is it then perfectly clear from what my hon. Friend is telling the House that the shells which burst on the Cathedral were British shells supplied by Great Britain to the Arab Legion and by the Arab Legion fired at Jerusalem?

At the end of Questions —

May I ask the Prime Minister, in view of what the Leader of the House told us on Thursday, whether the Foreign Secretary intends to make a statement on Palestine today.

My right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council stated last Thursday that the Foreign Secretary hoped to be in a position to make a statement at an early date and he indicated that possibly it would be on Monday—

On Friday or Monday.

On Friday or Monday. The House will be aware of the position at the present time in the Security Council and the endeavour that is being made to arrange a cease fire. Those matters are now under consideration by the various parties and it would be inconvenient for a statement to be made or questions to be put which might in any way jeopardise the possibility of acceptance. In those circumstances, I hope that the House will give their indulgence to the Foreign Secretary not to make a statement today.

Will the Prime Minister do his very best to heal the rift which has appeared between Washington and London and use every means in his power to close the breach and make our policy quite plain in Washington?

I am not aware of any rift of that kind.

While everyone hopes that there will be a truce in the fighting and that discussions will take place, I want to ask—and I think that the House has a right to know this—whether the Government in any discussions that take place will take no action, or give no support of any kind to any action, that would prejudice the new Jewish State of Israel? Can I have an answer?

No.

Before any answer is given, may I ask whether there has yet been any recognition by His Majesty's Government of any such entity as that referred to?

I rather deprecate these questions.

I do not want to press at all about these matters, but are we clear that the position now is that His Majesty's Government are using their best endeavours with both parties in respect of the resolution agreed upon by the United Nations?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he intends to close the "Germany Under Control" Exhibition this Summer.

Yes, Sir. An abridged version of the Exhibition which has been visiting Army units in this country will end its tour on 30th June.

Does not my hon. Friend consider that this exhibition has a unique educational value, and is it not important that it should be continued?

That is so. At the same time we are necessarily cutting down the activities of the Control Commission, and we are particularly trying to economise in manpower at the present time. We feel that after 30th June it might be wise to wind this up.

Is there any prospect of the Britain under control exhibition coming to an end?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the probable amount of compensation which will be payable to British nationals in sterling on Zloty securities under the terms of the agreement reached between the British and Polish Government on compensation for British interests affected by Polish Nationalisation Laws.

The Polish Government have not yet published the Compensation Decree which is to lay down the principles for assessment of claims. No estimate of the amount payable can, therefore, be made.

asked the Minister of Food why, in the matter of a retail licence for premises at 8, Lavender Street, Reading, he reversed the decisions of the Reading Food Committee and the Divisional Food Officer; and why, without consulting the Committee, he directed that this licence should be granted to Mr. O. Grey instead of to Mr. A. J. Kent, who in the first instance applied to the Committee.

Mr. Grey appealed to Headquarters against the refusal of the Food Control Committee and, later, of the Divisional Food Officer to allow him a retail licence. During the consideration of the appeal it was decided that the regulation, on which the refusal was based, was unduly restrictive and a direction was therefore issued that the licence should be granted and the regulation amended. At the time of the decision the Headquarters of the Ministry was unaware of an earlier unsuccessful application for a licence by Mr. Kent, who had not appealed against the ruling of the Food Control Committee.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the members of the Reading Food Committee are disgusted with the way in which the Minister has handled this case, and can she say whether there were any special circumstances, particularly the intervention of a Cabinet colleague, which influenced the Minister in deciding to give this licence to Mr. Grey?

The special circumstances were that Mr. Grey felt he had a grievance because the period of grace which we give people who have a business transferred to them was as short as 10 days; we felt this grievance was legitimate and, therefore, we decided to amend the regulations.

Can the hon. Lady answer the question put by my hon. Friend whether there was or was not intervention with her right hon. Friend by Ministerial colleagues?

As far as I know this case has only just reached Ministerial level. The amendment was made by the Department. My right hon. Friend is away now and, therefore, it is quite impossible for me to discuss the details, but I understand that the only intervention so far as he was concerned was when he acknowledged a letter from his right hon. Friend the Minister of National Insurance.

Does it not appear that this regulation had to be made restrospective in order to cover Mr. Grey's case? What special circumstance was there to justify the making of restrospective legislation for the purpose of favouring Mr. Grey?

When an appeal is pending, and when an amendment is officially made, it is obviously restrospective.

Can the hon. Lady explain why, in the circumstances, towards the end of last year the Minister of Food refused to receive a deputation from the Reading Food Committee on this point?

My right hon. Friend cannot possibly receive all those people who would like to see him. We are asked to receive hundreds of deputations which we have to refuse.

asked the Minister of Food if he will now announce the changes in the method of distributing extra rations to farm workers.

My right hon. Friend has arranged that where a farmer fails to apply for seasonal allowances, one of the workers or some responsible person acting on their behalf may do so. Farmers are however still required to sign the form of application.

Will the farm worker or his wife be allowed now to draw these rations direct?

No, I am afraid we cannot alter the decision which we made some months ago and which I have conveyed to the hon. Gentleman on many occasions.

Yes, but can the hon. Lady give any reason for not altering the decision?

Yes, because there are many people who would be shopping with the farm worker's wife who would feel aggrieved if she had extra rations.

Oh.

Will the Minister consider the possibility of making it compulsory upon a farmer to apply for rations for his own men?

We will certainly consider that.

Is the Minister aware that this is causing a great deal of hardship to the farmer's wife, and is condemned by the National Union of Agricultural Workers? Does she not think it is about time this method was stopped?

There would be no hardship to the farm worker's wife if every farmer played the game.

You try it.

asked the Minister of Food of how many tons of ware potatoes the Ministry stands possessed; and how many tons are coming forward from Holland, Northern Ireland and Denmark.

We hold about 68,000 tons, that is, less than a week's supply. No more potatoes are coming from Holland but another 650 tons are due to come from Denmark and 2,000 from Northern Ireland.

May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary how long it will be before the Ministry of Food realises that panic buying and interference with the laws of supply and demand of swedes, potatoes and turnips create shortages and chaos and involve big loss to the taxpayer?

There has been no panic buying.

All the time.

And the fact that we have a week's reserve proves the success of our policy.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the present substantial traffic in aged horses which are shipped alive from Eire to Antwerp for slaughter and consumption on the Continent; and if he will purchase such horses so that they can be humanely slaughtered in Eire and the carcases shipped here.

The export of horses from Eire to the Continent is, of course, a matter for the Eire Government, but I am not aware that these horses are particularly aged as the Eireann regulations prohibit the export of any horse which is not certified as fit for work at the time. The Eireann regulations also prohibit the export of horseflesh, and, apart from this, there is no adequate reason at present for the extension of Government buying of horseflesh.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the considerable hardship inflicted on the inhabitants of Smallfield, Surrey, by the revocation of the licence of the only butcher's shop in the village; and why permission was refused to this butcher to transfer this business.

I regret that a number of inhabitants of Smallfield have been inconvenienced by the revocation of Mr. Marett's butchery licence. He has not, however, been refused permission to transfer his business. This has not taken place because, despite four extensions of time he has failed to arrange a bona fide purchaser.

Does the hon. Lady appreciate that this butcher has already been punished by the courts once and now she is punishing the whole village?

My Ministry is not punishing the village at the moment, but Mr. Marrett is. Mr. Marrett in the first place produced his manager as the buyer of the business and in the second place a man Halliday, who withdrew because Mr. Marrett was not prepared to undertake not to practice in the district. But if he can produce a bona fide buyer we are quite prepared that he should take over.

asked the Minister of Food what form of control he proposes to create to ensure that none of the barley products taken off points are fed to livestock.

No further control; it is already an offence to feed pot and pearl barley to livestock, and barley meal and flakes may only be bought for this purpose against feeding-stuffs rationing documents.

Does not the hon. Lady think that it would be better, instead of making empty threats as she did in this case, to rely on the public to carry out this Order, as in the past they have carried out such orders really well, and that empty threats only minimise what remaining respect there is for her Ministry?

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that on a number of occasions the Manchester and Salford Co-operative Society offered gifts of milk to passengers on their charabanc trips to the Co-operative Dairy at Northenden; and what steps have been taken against the people concerned.

I understand that on one occasion in April a party of Co-operative members were invited to look over Northenden Dairy and that while there the children were given milk to drink. It is not certain whether any offence was committed but I am looking further into the circumstance and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Food on what basis canned fruit is now allocated to hotel and boarding house keepers and other caterers in Blackpool.

We do not control the distribution of home-canned fruit. Imported canned fruit will be distributed to all catering establishments, on points, according to the number of main and subsidiary meals served.

Is the hon. Lady aware that the local food officer has insisted that the allocation should be based on the number of main meals served last September which is out of the main season and would it not be better for all concerned, including visitors, if the allocation were based on the number of main meals during the last year in the height of the season?

I think the hon. Member is misinformed. It is based on the number of main meals served in the eight weeks up to 8th November, but where it is favourable to the catering establishment we are prepared to base it on the 16 weeks before 8th November and we think that surely covers the holiday season in Blackpool.

asked the Minister of Food what steps will be taken to ensure that adequate consultations take place with representatives of the horticultural industry before concluding commercial agreements between His Majesty's Government and foreign countries for the import of fruit and vegetables.

It is our rule to consult my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries in connection with negotiations with foreign countries and I understand that he consults representatives of the horticultural industry as and when necessary.

Will the hon. Lady agree that in the recent Anglo-Dutch Agreement her Department consulted the Minister of Agriculture and he agreed that it was necessary to import 4,000 tons of frozen fruit and vegetables into this country, starting from September?

I must have notice of that question.

When the Minister of Agriculture consults "as and when necessary," does he bear in mind the possibility of the industry considering it to be necessary?

I cannot speak for my right hon. Friend, but I imagine he does.

Will the hon. Lady look into the question of imports from Holland, because I understand that £15 million worth of horticultural produce was imported into this country this year and it threatens our own industry with destruction?

The hon. Member must realise the needs of his constituents and that the consumption of fruit is greater than the home-produced supply.

asked the Minister of Food how many hundredweight of tinned crab he has bought or has contracted to buy from the U.S.S.R. since 25th December, 1947.

No purchases, or contracts to purchase, have been made since 25th December, 1947.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will consider modification of the policy outlined in paragraph 8 of the White Paper on the Labelling and Advertising of Foods, Command Paper No. 6482, to the extent of requiring disclosure of ingredients in the case of pre-packed foods for which a standard is prescribed under the Defence (Sale of Food) Regulations, 1943.

I agree that in the case of some foods for which a standard is prescribed it would be in the public interest to require the disclosure of ingredients on the label. We have therefore decided to modify the White Paper policy, and in future the Committee which has been set up to advise on food standards will be free to recommend that the ingredients of these foods should be disclosed on the label when this is considered advisable.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the recent incident on board of Union Castle liner "Good Hope Castle," in which wild animals being transported from Mombasa, East Africa, to the London Zoo, broke out of their quarters and roamed the decks of the ship; and whether he will take steps to prevent a recurrence of this threat to the safety and security of passengers and crew travelling on the high seas.

I have read the report by the Master of the "Good Hope Castle" on the incident to which my hon. Friend refers. This ship is registered in the Union of South Africa. Even in respect of ships registered in this country, I have no powers to regulate the carriage of wild animals and I have no record of any previous incident of this kind in a British ship, although the carriage of wild animals is a frequent occurrence. I do not think it necessary to consider seeking such powers. I am advised that, in respect of ships registered in this country, both civil and criminal liability may be incurred, in certain circumstances, by owners, masters and others concerned with the transport of wild animals.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that chaos reigned on board this ship in the middle of the night and a great many people had to seek refuge on the bridge while a laughing hyena jumped overboard after releasing two leopards? Will he make representations to the shipping company concerned to prevent the recurrence of such an alarming incident?

I think perhaps that the hyena jumping overboard showed it was more terrified than the passengers.

Can the Minister say which touring Member of the Government these wild animals were in search of?

Since quite a large number of animals jumped overboard, showing they were more terrified of the human beings than the human beings were of the animals, would it not be better to leave them where they belong instead of putting them into captivity in this country?

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the delay which takes place in the shipment of pedigree cattle from the United Kingdom to the Union of South Africa, Southern Rhodesia and British Colonial territories in Africa; that his Department recently commandeered the Houlder Line steamship "Ocean Valley" four days before it was due to sail for South America with cattle and sent it out under ballast; and what steps are being taken to facilitate this important dollar-earning export.

No, Sir; I am informed that delays in the clearance of pedigree cattle actually ready for shipment to South and East Africa are negligible. The "Ocean Valley" has not been commandeered or sent out in ballast. She was freely chartered by her owners for a voyage to the West Indies. I am fully aware of the importance of our cattle exports and am satisfied that they are being adequately catered for.

Will the Minister make further inquiries, because the information I get from all quarters is that there is considerable delay in getting these cattle and other livestock to the Colonies, and also to foreign countries, and it causes a great deal of expense to the owners of the cattle?

I have already made inquiries which prove that the information the hon. Member had in the first place in regard to this vessel is incorrect, and, secondly within the last 18 months the time for quarantine and preparation has been reduced from one year to three months.

asked the Prime Minister what progress is being made with regard to the issue of the Campaign Stars, the Defence Medal and the War Medal.

These awards are now ready for issue. A copy of the instructions for claiming them will be included in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

May I thank the Prime Minister for speeding up this matter, and ask him if his proposals include putting the individual's name on the medal? If not, in view of the very great importance attached to that, could he consider the suggestion made by the British Legion and the Royal Artillery Association that the medal might be inscribed locally and paid for, on the form which goes with the medal being given into a post office?

Perhaps the hon. Member will remember that there have been a number of questions and I have explained the difficulty which putting the names on the medals would cause. I am willing to look into any practicable proposal, but I do not think this would be practicable.

Could some simple system be evolved whereby the men to whom these medals are due could make application for them, rather than that they should be distributed wholesale when in many cases they will not be wanted?

If my hon. Friend will look at the instructions for claiming the medal, which will be published in the OFFICIAL REPORT, he will find his point answered.

Following are the instructions:

asked the Attorney-General, in view of the fact that legal aid is denied to many deserving persons because their incomes are above the prescribed limit and, having regard to the change in the value of money, if he is yet in a position to take steps to raise the prescribed limit and also to implement the other recommendations of the Rushcliffe Report.

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the reply given by my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General to my hon. Friend the Member for Wimbledon (Mr. Palmer) on 26th January this year.

While thanking my hon. and learned Friend for that reply, and agreeing that the major recommendations will require a major Bill, may I ask him whether he does not agree that this particular change could be effected by a very simple Bill which would obviate a continuing injustice to a very large class of people?

The question of some interim measure, probably by way of regulation, was taken into consideration, but it was found that there would be great practical difficulties in the way of implementing it.

Is it not possible for the limit prescribed to be raised without any legislation but merely by rule of court?

I have just said that it was hoped that it might be possible by regulation, but there were difficulties in the way which could not be surmounted.

asked the Attorney-General under which Section of the Official Secrets Act of 1911, 1920, or 1939, Mr. J. W. Atkinson, a journalist, has been prosecuted for receiving information from a telephone operator concerning a supposed murderous attack on a woman, such information having been invented and sent by telephone by the police in order to entrap one or both of these men into committing this offence; and if he is satisfied that this prosecution was in accordance with the original intention of the Acts, as reaffirmed by successive Governments.

Mark Appleyard, a telephone operator, was charged under Section 2 of the Official Secrets Act, 1911, with giving information, and J. C. Atkinson, a journalist, with receiving it, knowing, or having reasonable ground to believe, that the information was communicated to him in contravention of the Act. There were two separate charges against each defendant, one relating to the giving and receiving of information concerning a genuine case into which the police were inquiring, and the other relating to a fictitious case. It is important that the police should not be hampered in their criminal investigations by disclosure of information, and I am satisfied that this prosecution, which received the prior consent of my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General, was in accordance with the original intention of the Act.

Has it not been stated repeatedly in this House that the Official Secrets Acts were only intended to be used in cases of espionage or on issues of major national security and that kind of thing?

Statements have been made about the Acts, but they were primarily in relation to Section 6 of the 1936 Act, which concerned the interrogation of persons who were thought to be able to give information about offences that had been committed.

Would the Solicitor-General tell us whether there was a conviction on the count dealing with the real information as well as on the one dealing with the fictitious information?

Appleyard was found guilty and was fined £10 on each of two charges of giving information. Atkinson was found guilty on two charges of receiving information and was fined £5 in each case.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I am afraid that I shall have to try to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture on what basis wheeled or tracked vehicles which are no longer required by the Service Departments are transferred to his Department and to the Forestry Commission; and where such transactions are shown in the annual accounts.

The Ministry of Agriculture is the disposal Department for agricultural machinery, which includes wheeled tractors but not tracklaying tractors nor other wheeled vehicles, for which the Ministry of Supply is the disposal department. Wheeled tractors surplus to Service requirements are taken for disposal by my Department direct from the Service Departments without cash adjustment. Other surplus wheeled or track vehicles are purchased by my Department or the Forestry Commission for cash either from the Ministry of Supply direct or from the trade as reconditioned vehicles. All receipts from the disposal of surplus stores, whether by my Department or by the Ministry of Supply, are brought to account as Exchequer Extra Receipts. So far as my Department is concerned, purchases are charged to Subhead A of its Vote for Food Production Services (Class VI., 9) but both this subhead and the statement of extra receipts payable to His Majesty's Exchequer include other items. In the Forestry Commission's annual accounts the purchases are included under the headings of "Stores "and" Plant and Machinery."

Would the right hon. Gentleman simplify that by saying approximately what is the value of the machinery on charter to his Department?

That is a different question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will appoint an expert committee to advise him on the development of the export trade in pedigree stock, particularly to the Dominions and Colonies.

The maintenance and development of the export trade is best left to the interests primarily concerned, with such advice and encouragement as can be given by the Agricultural Departments, the Royal Agricultural Society of England, the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, the Livestock Export Group, and the individual Breed Societies. I do not see any need for the special Committee suggested by the hon. Member, but my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I are in touch with the organisations I have mentioned on the subject of developing exports of pedigree stock and maintaining their quality.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether his Department has received any complaints from exporters with regard to the delay in getting shipments of cattle sent abroad? If he has not done so will he get into touch with the Export Livestock Group and find out the truth?

I have received complaints of certain cattle that have been exported and the quality thereof, but not on the other side of the Question which has been put by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that trappers in Dorsetshire are being paid 30s. each for badgers sold for food; and whether as these animals are of great value to agriculture he will take steps to discourage this practice.

Inquiries have failed to produce any information to support this allegation, but if my hon. Friend can furnish me with evidence I will do what I can by appropriate publicity measures to discourage the destruction of this useful animal.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that tribute to a most interesting and valuable wild animal in this country, may I ask him if he will pursue investigations further, particularly in regard to foreign workers employed in agriculture, who I have reason to think are the culprits in this part of the country?

I should like such instances to be brought to my notice.

Might not the answer be to put badgers on points?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what action he is now taking, or proposes to take, as a result of the recommendations of the Lucas Committee on Agricultural Marketing.

The Government have decided that the main recommendations of the Lucas Committee with regard to Commodity Commissions raise issues of such far-reaching importance that they must be further examined in relation to wider problems of procurement, marketing and distribution. While this further examination is being undertaken it will not be possible for the Government to reach decisions on the Committee's main recommendations. In the meantime the Government have decided to prepare legislation to effect a number of necessary and desirable Amendments to the Agricultural Marketing Acts and will take into account the recommendations in Chapter 7 of the Lucas Report. The Agricultural Departments will shortly consult the agricultural and other organisations concerned about the Amendments proposed. These Amendments will not prejudice decisions on the main recommendations in the Report.