asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what were the grounds on which it was decided to purchase the five Constellation air-liners at £315,000 each when the price paid by the Aer Linte Eireann was only £250,000 each when they were no longer wanted by the Irish Company and the aircraft being purchased were second-hand.

The price paid for these aircraft was a matter for the commercial discretion of the Board of British Overseas Airways Corporation. I am, however, satisfied from the information supplied to me by the Board that the price paid was fair and reasonable.

Could not the Corporation have been urged to make adequate forward plans to enable them to have purchased this type of aircraft with equal facility to and at a similar price to that paid by the Irish company, and would the Minister see if he could impress upon the Corporations the need for this planning to prevent such bad bargains for this country as occurred in that instance?

As far as the first part of the first supplementary question is concerned, that would have been outside the then Government policy to "Fly British." In the light of the supplementary question it is only fair to the Corporations to say that they have for some time impressed upon the Minister of Civil Aviation the necessity for this economic type of aircraft.

Is it a fact that the world price for Constellations has gone up considerably since they were purchased originally by Ireland?

The price has gone up considerably and, of course, if an order were placed today it would take 12 months before one could get delivery.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, what steps have been taken to enlarge and bring up to date Ringway airport.

Enlargement of the airport for Manchester has been deferred as one of the economies in capital expenditure for 1948 but airfield lighting and extended passenger buildings have been recently provided.

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that it is very disappointing that the development programme for one of the larger cities of the country has been deferred, and will he keep this matter under consideration and take the earliest opportunity to give some further information?

Yes, we are pressing it forward and hope to include it in the next programme.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if in view of the dislocation caused by the power cut on Sunday, 23rd May, he will instal emergency generating plant at London Airport.

Emergency generating plant is already available at London Airport for all operational purposes; arrangements whereby this plant will also provide essential lighting in the public buildings are in progress.

Can the Minister say why this emergency lighting was not used for lighting up the runways during the great shutdown a week or two ago?

It was in operation within ten minutes of the breakdown. However, it is a hand operated plant and, therefore, there has to be a lapse of time between the breakdown and the bringing into operation of the emergency plant. Arrangements are being made as soon as possible to instal an automatic switch plant so that there will be no lapse of time at all, but ten minutes after the breakdown is quite good time.

In view of the fact that this involved the safety of the lives not only of British subjects, but also of subjects of foreign sovereign states, is it not a further indication that this matter was not one of day to day policy of the executive of the electricity authority?

That is another question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he will consider leasing Northolt airport to B.E.A. in view of the complicated and wasteful nature of the present arrangements.

No, Sir, and I do not accept the implications in the latter part of the Question.

If I tell my hon. Friend that, when a mechanic in a hangar wishes to have an electric light bulb replaced, he has to report the matter to his foreman, who reports the matter to a liaison officer, who then has to report the matter to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, who then sends a man to put the lamp into the socket, does he not consider that that involves a certain amount of waste?

That, I should imagine, is a little Parliamentary exaggeration, but the lamp referred to in such a circumstance would be an electric light very high in a hangar which would require tower ladders with which to handle it. Normal bulbs for lighting that can be reached by ordinary methods are dealt with by the men in the workshop.

Yes, but may I assure my hon. Friend that it is possible for the employees of the Corporation to climb ladders equally with the employees of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, and will he get his new noble Friend to look into this policy of operating the whole of the airports of the country from the centre with a view to some decentralised administration?

Yes, Sir, there is already a large amount of decentralisation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of His Majesty's Government towards a solution of the dispute with Guatemala concerning British Honduras.

As was explained in an answer to the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale (Mr. Erroll) on 19th April, His Majesty's Government are anxious to reach a settlement of this dispute. Since the Guatemalan Government claim that by international law British Honduras belongs to Guatemala, His Majesty's Government consider that the claim should be decided by the International Court of Justice at The Hague in accordance with that Court's ordinary procedure for dealing with legal disputes. They have already taken steps giving the Court jurisdiction to decide this issue if the Guatemalan Government should choose to bring their claim there.

The Guatemalan Government have not, however, agreed that the case should be decided in accordance with the ordinary juridical procedure, but wish it to be dealt with as though it were not a purely legal issue. British Honduras is British territory, inhabited by British subjects. His Majesty's Government could not consider the surrender of this territory against the wishes of the inhabitants on any other basis than that they have no legal right to it.

In this case the wishes of the inhabitants are quite clear. The constitutionally elected representatives of the people of British Honduras, spontaneously placed on record on 16th March, by means of a resolution carried unanimously in the Legislative Council of the Colony, the people's unalterable wish that their national status as loyal British subjects and that the position of their country as a component part of the British Commonwealth shall remain unchanged. Similar resolutions of loyalty have also been passed at public meetings in various parts of the territory.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if other large or wealthy States outside the United Nations have been invited to subscribe to the International Refugee Organisation; and with what results.

My hon. Friend will appreciate that it is primarily the function of the Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission of the International Refugee Organisation to invite States not members of the United Nations to join the International Refugee Organisation, or to subscribe to it. As stated in my reply to his Question of 26th May, His Majesty's representatives abroad have been instructed to give all possible assistance in this matter. I understand that the Executive Secretary has in fact been in communication with certain non-members of the United Nations, and that there is reasonable hope of success in some cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the action of King Abdullah of Transjordan in attacking Palestine, he will end the annual contribution to him of£2,000,000.

I cannot accept the implication in the first part of the Question. As regards the continuance of the subsidy to Transjordan, I have nothing to add to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Norwood (Mr. Chamberlain) on 31st May.

Is not this contribution and the maintenance of this contribution a condoning of the action taken by King Abdullah in invading Palestine and should we be involved in such an act?

I understand that King Abdullah did not invade at any point the territory which was allocated by the Resolution of the Assembly to a proposed Jewish State.

Is there any doubt whatever that Transjordan has initiated hostilities on territory which does not belong to her, and in that case has she not committed an act of aggression?

Certainly not. She has been invited by fellow Arabs to go into territory which was allocated to them—

But Mr. Speaker—

Do not be too impetuous: I know your anxiety for trouble. She has gone in to assist her fellow Arab nationals in territory which the United Nations allocated to the Arabs.

In view of this very important answer, is this House to take it that the Foreign Minister now recognises the Resolution of U.N.O. and is prepared to recognise the State of Israel in view of the fact that he recognises that the other part of Palestine belongs to the Arabs?

That is another question.

It is very important. Mr. Speaker.

I said it is quite another question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what conditions Brigadier John Bagot Glubb Pasha has been loaned or seconded to the King of Transjordan; and what instructions have recently been given to this officer.

Up to 15th May Brigadier Glubb was an officer of the Colonial Administrative Service seconded to Transjordan from the Palestine Administration. This arrangement was designed to secure his pension rights, pension contributions in respect of his Transjordan service being paid by the Government of Transjordan to the Palestine Government. With the end of the Mandate, Brigadier Glubb, like other British officers on the establishment of the Palestine Administration, had the choice of leaving the Colonial Service, or of being considered for employment elsewhere in that Service. He opted to sever his connection with the Colonial Service. He has remained in the employment of the Government of Transjordan.

Has the Foreign Secretary any information whether this officer has been directing military operations in Palestine?

I must have notice of that question.

Is it not a fact that any British officer who has ceased to serve in the British Army, or on behalf of the British Government, is entitled to serve in the Arab Army?

Is my right hon. Friend saying that Brigadier Glubb's position is different from that of the 16 or 17 officers—or was it 21 officers—whom the British representative at Lake Success offered to withdraw from Palestine?

Yes, quite different.

In view of the changed circumstances after 15th May, is not Brigadier Glubb now in fact proscribed in some degree by the terms of what I believe is called the Armed Forces (Foreign Enlistment) Act, which does not allow any British officer to serve in a foreign force at all?

No. He is not proscribed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs for what reasons the provision of Article Five of the Anglo-Transjordan Treaty of 22nd March, 1946, that mutual aid would be rendered in the event of one of the parties becoming involved in hostilities as a result of armed attack by a third party, has been omitted in the revised Treaty of 15th March, 1948.

Owing to the difficulty of defining aggression it was thought better in drafting the new treaty to rely on the United Nations Charter to determine cases in which the obligation of mutual aid might not come into play. We have accordingly, not attempted in Article 3 to define aggression but have, by means of Article 4, subordinated our obligation of mutual aid to our obligations under the United Nations Charter.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that through this change the Treaty is altered from one of mutual aid in defence against aggression to one of mutual aid in the event of hostilities arising from any cause whatever, with the effect that pending any decision by the United Nations regarding aggression this country is committed to assist Transjordan in any act of hostilities such as has recently arisen in Palestine?

So far as this Treaty about which I was asked is concerned, I went into the matter very carefully when it was being decided, and I came to the conclusion that in dealing with aggression I preferred, instead of a long. schedule trying to define what aggression was, to rely on the United Nations decision defining aggression.

Would it not then be better in that case to assist the Security Council to come to a rapid decision on a matter of this kind?

I think I have done that, and I have done it all the way through. I cannot help it if other people do not agree.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether under the Treaty we had any right to be consulted before King Abdullah accepted the invitation to assist his fellow Arabs in parts of Palestine, and can he say by whom that invitation was issued?

I cannot answer that. All I can say is that I had no right to intervene in that case.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the further investigation of the case of Wilhelm Kopf, Minister-President of Lower Saxony in the British zone of Germany, who was listed A, for alleged ill-treatment and pillage in Poland, by Committee I of the United Nations War Crimes Commission, on 6th November, 1947, is now complete; and if he will make a statement.

The inquiry held into the Polish charges against Heinrich Wilhelm Kopf was concluded on 7th April. The Military Governor has considered the report, and has accepted the recommendation that there is insufficient evidence against Kopf to justify his extradition as a war criminal. The Military Governor accordingly proposes to take no further action in the matter, and the Polish authorities in Berlin have been so informed. Although Herr Kopf's name was contained in United Nations War Crimes Commission's list No. 65, it was deleted on 25th March after the hearing of further evidence.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what appointments have been made so far to the German Bizonal High Court; if he is aware that one of the candidates originally nominated by the British authorities was a member of the S.A. from 1933 to 1938; that another was a presumptive Class II offender under the de-Nazification regulations; that a British nominee for the post of President of the Court was praised by his Nazi superior for outstanding work in spreading the Nazi ideology in the legal profession; and if he will bear in mind the damage likely to be caused to the prestige of military government by the appointment of such men to high judicial office without adequate investigation of their records.

The only appointment which has so far been made to the German Bizonal High Court is that of President. My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension in suggesting that nominations for appointments to the Court have been made by the British authorities: nominations are, in fact, made jointly by the Economic Council and the Laenderrat for the Combined Economic Area for the consideration of the British and United States Military Governors. The three men to whom my hon. Friend refers were among the candidates from the British zone nominated by the Economic Council and the Laenderrat; none of them has, however, been passed as suitable for appointment. I fully appreciate the need for most carefully scrutinising persons appointed to high judicial office.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Prime Minister what arrangements he has made for the discharge of those duties in respect of Germany previously entrusted to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

The administration of the British zones of Germany and Austria remains, as before, within the general responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. The detailed arrangements for assisting him in this work are under consideration.

I am sure the Prime Minister will agree with the importance of the administrative tasks which have hitherto been carried out by the Minister of Civil Aviation as he now is, and the hon. Member for Attercliffe (Mr. J. Hynd); can we be told who is carrying out those tasks now?

They are being carried out under the general supervision of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; they will be carried out by him and his colleagues in the Foreign Office.

Is not the condition of Germany one of the greatest of the questions which lie before us now, and is it not rather a serious thing that a Minister who has spent considerable time in acquiring knowledge of this problem and who, if I may say so, seemed to be showing a great deal of sympathy with its many aspects, should have to be removed and his place taken by someone who has to start over again from the beginning, even if such a person should be found?

I quite agree with the right hon. Gentleman in his tribute to the noble Lord who lately held this office; but, as a matter of fact, the general work of supervision of Germany is highly important, and it is under the close supervision of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary.

In considering this matter, will the Prime Minister give particular consideration to two principles, namely, that one Minister should definitely be responsible for Germany, either under the Foreign Secretary or not, but preferably under the Foreign Secretary, and that he should be in this House so that he can be cross-examined about the condition of Germany?

While I am sure everyone on this side of the House is most grateful that the present Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is excluded from Germany, will the Prime Minister bear in mind the immense importance of having in charge of these duties a Minister who has time either to live in Germany or to visit it frequently? It has appeared from many Debates we have had that the Foreign Office is not really in touch with what is going on there, and it does seem vital.

I cannot accept that the Foreign Office are not in touch. We have never been in the position of having a resident Minister there. I do not think that a resident Minister in Germany would be a good idea.

No one has suggested a resident Minister. What we have suggested is a responsible Minister in this House who, whether under the Foreign Secretary or the Government generally, should be giving continuous attention to the very grave and painful problems which are daily developing in Germany.

The right hon. Gentleman could not have heard the question of his hon. Friend the Member for Flint (Mr. Birch), because that was exactly the suggestion he made.

No, I did not. I said "frequent visits."

"Resident" was the word I thought the hon. Gentleman used. The right hon. Gentleman may be assured that we have in this House the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, the Minister of State and the Under-Secretary who are continuously in contact with what is going on in Germany. There are matters of the highest importance with regard to its administration, and in these matters the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs is the Minister responsible.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's last answer mean that among the plans he has in mind in relation to the administration of Germany, he is no longer considering the appointment of a Minister in this House who will be responsible and who will answer Questions?

There has never been a question of a Minister since the transfer from the War Office. The general supervision of matters in Germany has been under the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. He has been assisted in the past by a special Minister. I think now it is more suitable that it should come under his general supervision.

Whatever may be the real position, would the Prime Minister bear in mind the fact that because of the nature of the change that has taken place and the departure of the Minister in charge of these affairs, there is a danger that the German people may be inclined to feel that we in this House and the British Government now attach less importance to German affairs than we did before? Would my right hon. Friend explain what steps will be taken to counteract what it seems, to me, will be the automatic reaction to the recent decisions?

I do not think that will be the reaction.

When does the right hon. Gentleman think he will be able to make a statement on this matter?

Any Question with regard to the detailed arrangements should be put to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

Can the Minister tell us, with respect to the three eminent Ministers to whom he referred, which have paid what visits to British occupied territory in Germany?

Certainly not without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will arrange for an exhibition in London of West African furniture.

I have brought the suggestion to the notice of the Governors of Nigeria and the Gold Coast and am awaiting their replies.

Is the Colonial Secretary aware of the Debate which took place on 27th April during his absence abroad, when the dog-in-the-manger attitude of British furniture manufacturers was laid bare? Is the Colonial Secretary, who has so often advocated the development of Colonial industry now willing to take up the cudgels on its behalf?

That is a rather different matter. The Question confines itself to the narrow issue of an exhibition, and on that point I am sympathetic.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is taking steps to provide that the recent reciprocal agreement between His Majesty's Government and that of the U.S.A., whereby dividends on U.S. securities held by British citizens domiciled in the United Kingdom, are now subject to tax reducton at source by the U.S. authorities of 15 per cent, as against 30 per cent, previously deducted, is to be extended to Colonial territories; and how long he anticipates it will take before this can come into effect.

I am in communication with Colonial Governments regarding the extension referred to by the hon. Member but as the consent of the United States' Government will be required., and certain other preliminary steps have first to be taken, it is not possible to say if and when the extension will come into force in the case of any particular Colony.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether trade union advisers to Colonial Territories are empowered to recommend the imposition of political levies by Colonial trade unions; and whether any directions are given as regards the disposal of these funds.

No, Sir. It is, however, one of the duties of labour officers in Colonial Territories to explain to trade unions, on request, the law dealing with the levying and disposal of political funds. With regard to the second part of the Question, no directions are given, but the political funds of a Colonial trade union may only be disposed of in accordance with the rules of the union as approved by the Registrar of Trade Unions.

Can the Minister give an assurance that these advisers do not use their influence to direct these funds into the coffers of the English Labour Party?

The trade union advisers are completely non-political and take a strictly impartial view. They are there to assist the workers in the creation of combinations, and so far as I have ever heard, they have always done their work impartially, and to the satisfaction of employers as well as of workers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a full statement with regard to the new policy announced in East Africa by the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies that East Africa must have more British settlers and artisans in particular; and what steps are to be taken to implement this new policy at the earliest opportunity.

No new policy was announced by my hon. Friend. He did, however, advocate assistance in the development of the territories through the increased use of British technicians, artisans, building foremen and water foremen. He also called attention, as I have done in the past, to the valuable contribution of British settlement and technical skill in the development of these territories.

Would the right hon. Gentleman get into touch with the Minister of Labour and get him to circulate employment exchanges as to the opportunities in East Africa?

That matter is now under consideration.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the policy of increasing the number of European technicians in East Africa, is very welcome, but will he also realise that any attempt to increase the number of settlers, especially in parts of East Africa where the black is not allowed to settle, is a different problem; and would he get into touch with the appropriate Minister to try to get him to introduce a scheme to populate not the highlands of Kenya, but the Highlands of Scotland?

That is a very long supplementary question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the result of the negotiations which have been announced with Jews and Arabs for safeguarding the Holy Places in and around Jerusalem; and who is now responsible for their safety.

Truce proposals for Jerusalem initiated by the High Commissioner before his departure were accepted by the Political Committee of the Arab League and the Palestine Arab Higher Committee on 13th May but had not been accepted by the Jews when the Mandate ended. Thereafter truce negotiations were continued by the representative of the International Red Cross in Jerusalem, in conjunction with the Security Council Truce Commission. Responsibility for the safety of the Holy Places, which rested with the Mandatory Government, will be assumed by any successor administration which may exercise authority over Jerusalem and its immediate vicinity. Any questions relating to the progress of truce negotiations after 15th May or to present or future authority in Jerusalem should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement regarding the scheme that is being implemented by his Department to curb leakages of dollar currency from the British West Indian Colonies in accordance with the recommendations contained in the report made by Mr. Percy Donald after his visit to the British Colonies in the Caribbean, December-February, 1947–48, which report was submitted to him by the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, West, on 24th March.

The control of foreign exchange transactions in the West Indies is dealt with under local legislation. Prevention of leakages of dollar currency contrary to these regulations is a matter for local enforcement. I am considering what suggestions I can make for additional preventive measures.

What is the use of the Treasury taking all sorts of detailed steps in this country to control dollar expenditure when there are large openings for the wastage of dollars in our Colonial territories? Further, would he give consideration to the proposals in the report referred to in the Question to see if some of these areas cannot be turned into dollar earning, rather than dollar spending areas?

We are studying details of the report referred to, and we hope that we may be able to give more directions to Colonial Governments as regards dollar leakages.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why British travellers in Jamaica are required to show their passports whilst this formality is dispensed with in the case of U.S. travellers; and whether he will secure that throughout the Colonial Empire British subjects on travel are not subjected to greater formalities than other nationals.

The conditions as regards passport formalities applicable to British subjects on entering Jamaica are the same, mutatis mutandis, as those applicable to United States subjects. I am not aware of any Colonial territory in which British subjects are subjected to greater passport formalities than Foreign nationals, but if the hon. Member has any evidence to the contrary I shall be glad to consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that, in the Debate on the Constitutional Reform Committee's proposals in the Trinidad Legislative Council, only two out of the nine elected members supported the resolution in favour of the Majority Report with certain amendments, and that five of the elected members voted for a resolution in favour of responsible government; that the municipal councils and five of the seven county councils, have also declared in favour of responsible government; and what action he now proposes to take.

I am aware of the position mentioned in my hon. Friend's Question. I am now consulting the Governor's report and recommendations, which I have only just received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the proposed establishment of a film-making industry in Jamaica has been enthusiastically received in that Colony; and what approach has been made by the Jamaican Government to him with a view to his assistance to this project.

I am certainly aware of the proposals and I have been in communication with the Governor of Jamaica regarding certain concessions for which the promoters have asked.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken permanently to overcome the shortage of water in Malta, which is now increasing at alarming rate year by year.

As a result of a comprehensive survey of the water resources in Malta plans for increasing the supply by an extension of the underground water galleries and by sinking boreholes were submitted, and work on the necessary excavations was begun. An increase of about one million gallons in the daily intake of water has already been achieved, and it is hoped that on the completion of the schemes of improvement a further increase of a million gallons a day will be obtained. Assistance towards these schemes and towards the construction of a new trunk main is being given from the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund to the extent of £225,000. Apart from that financial assistance, responsibility for the improvement of the water supply in Malta now rests with the Malta Government.

Is the Colonial Secretary satisfied that with these improvements in the water supply, there will be an adequate supply in the future in view of the increasing population and the increased use of water in Malta?

I cannot give that absolute assurance, but it is a matter of anxious consideration, and obviously we want to co-operate with the Malta Government to the best of our ability.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that teachers employed by the Sudan Interior Mission School in Nigeria are compelled to sign a contract agreeing to be dismissed without notice if they join the Nigerian Union of Teachers; and if he will take action on this.

The matter to which my hon. Friend refers is already being investigated by the Governor, who has promised a report as soon as possible.

Will my right hon. Friend say whether this school has any State support or any grants from His Majesty's Government?

I have called for a report. I cannot answer that point at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has any information on the launching of a Yoruba national movement in Nigeria; what are its composition and aims; and what facilities are being put at its disposal by the Nigerian Government or by native authorities.

The Governor is sending me a report and I will write to my hon. Friend when it comes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why he requested Mr. Bauer to visit Malaya to examine and report on rubber smallholdings in Malaya; and what was the cost to public funds.

A grant of £700 was made in I946 from Colonial Development and Welfare funds to enable Mr. Bauer to visit the rubber smallholdings in Malaya, because His Majesty's Government wished to have a report on the economic position of the smallholder in current conditions. Claims under the grant have totalled £668. In addition the cost of printing, which has not yet been completed, is estimated at £470 gross. No other direct cost has fallen on public funds in connection with this visit.

In view of Mr. Bauer's known hostility towards plantation interests in Malaya, was he exactly a suitable man to send?

He was sent to Malaya to study the problems of the smallholders, and his report has been of very considerable assistance, both to the local Government and ourselves.

Does that mean that the right hon. Gentleman cannot rely upon the reports from the Government in Malaya? Will he not answer?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty which British ships have been loaned or transferred to China; what are the financial arrangements concerned; and whether he will make a statement.

Since my reply to the hon. Member's former Question on this subject on 3rd March, there have been further negotiations with the Chinese Government, as a result of which H.M.S. "Aurora" and eight harbour defence motor launches, which it had previously been intended should be transferred on loan, with a view to eventual purchase, have now been bought by the Chinese Government, and H.M.S. "Mendip" has been lent for a period not exceeding five years.

In my Question I asked whether a statement could be made defining the financial arrangements. As the Financial Secretary has said that certain ships were bought, can he say what was the price paid, and, with regard to the loan, of the ship mentioned, on what basis was it arranged?

No, Sir. It is not usual to disclose the terms on which ships are sold to a foreign Government.

Has cash been paid for these ships? It would be interesting to know this, in view of the cash owed by the Chinese Government under the Canton Claim.

Whether the transaction has actually resulted in cash being paid is, at this precise moment, another question. But, in fact, we shall get full value for money.

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that these ships will be of far more use in Chinese waters than on the scrap heap in this country?

Is the Minister aware that the type of answer he has given will create the impression that these ships are a present to a reactionary Government.

No, Sir. They are nothing of the kind. There is no reason whatever why we should not let a friendly country buy ships from us as China has done. I make no apology for it, and I am glad we have been able to do it.

asked the Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will cause inquiries to be made from officers and men throughout the Service as to how far they are able to meet their living expenses on the present rates of pay.

No, Sir. I do not consider that any useful purpose would be served by initiating such action at the present time. I should like to take this opportunity to refute the misleading article on this subject which appeared in the "Daily Mail" on 22nd May for which, so far as the Navy is concerned, there is no foundation.

In view of the tact that the new Pay Code is not all that it was made out to be, will the Minister give an assurance that any such representations, whether they refer to that article or not, are given every consideration?

I do not accept the implication. I am surprised at the interest taken by hon. Members opposite in the pay of sailors, remembering as I do certain troubles that took place at Invergordon, when the Conservative National Government, far from increasing sailors' pay, actually reduced it.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that that is not the feeling within the Service, either in the home ports or abroad, and what means has he of ascertaining the feeling and carrying out his actions in accordance with it, if that is his intention?

I can assure the hon. Member that I have much better means than he has of ascertaining opinion in the Navy.

Does the hon. Gentleman's reference to Invergordon mean that he approves of mutiny?

Certainly not. I was only explaining that mutiny had arisen, or very nearly arisen, as the result of the policy of the Party opposite.

Has not the hon. Gentleman forgotten the events of 1931, that legacy of two years of futile Socialism?

asked the Postmaster-General why Cable and Wireless closed its Jerusalem station.

As the safety of their staff and equipment was in considerable danger, and evacuation could not be arranged after a certain date, the Company closed down operations from Jerusalem. Service from Haifa and Tel Aviv will be continued as long as circumstances permit.

Is the Postmaster-General aware of the fact that an American service was installed in Jerusalem by the Radio Corporation of America even before Cable and Wireless withdrew? If it was safe enough for them, why was it not safe enough for us to stay there?

asked the Postmaster-General what action he is taking to prevent confusion being caused through the use by the Conservative and Unionist Party of a stamp which in size and colour is a replica of the silver wedding issue.

The use of the label in question is permissible, provided it is affixed to the back of the envelope. Some envelopes bearing the label on the front, in contravention of the Post Office rule, have wrongly been allowed to pass. I am directing the attention of all officers concerned to the importance of ensuring that the rule is properly observed.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the majority of the loyal citizens in this country would be pleased if he would stop this shoddy, offensive, contemptible, political trick?

Would the right hon. Gentleman assure his hon. Friend that this stamp was issued long before the Silver Wedding stamp was issued?

I think that is so. What I am concerned about is its wrong use.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that the proper place for the Conservative Party is at the back?

asked the Postmaster-General the quantity of petrol used by his Department during the first quarter of 1948, with comparable figures for the first quarter of 1938, 1946 and 1947.

The information requested is as follows:

Would the right hon. Gentleman say how he reconciles the increased consumption of petrol with the decreased collections and decreased deliveries?

Most of this increase has taken place in the engineering department, particularly with regard to telephones. The hon. Gentleman will be aware that, since 1938, there has been a lot of mechanisation up and down the country, and that, time after time, I have been asked from the other side of the House to mechanise in rural areas, particularly in hilly districts.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that postal deliveries are made to Raeburnhead, Mid Raeburn and Raeburnfoot, Eskdalemuir, Dumfriesshire, on only two days a week; and whether he will arrange for more frequent deliveries.

I am looking into this matter, and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Defence what contributions for National Insurance and National Health Services are to be paid by members of the Forces during their service.

This matter is still under consideration. The necessary regulations under Section 57 of the National Insurance Act will be made shortly.

Does the Minister mean to imply from that answer that members of the Forces will have to pay some contribution?

I do not imply anything. The hon. and gallant Member had better wait and see. We are fully aware of the special conditions which apply to Servicemen.

Is the Minister aware that the National Health Service Act takes no contributions from anybody? Obviously, hon. Members on the other side of the House do not know that.

asked the Minister of Defence why a free travel warrant is not issued to any Service man who is called to a university for an entrance examination or for an interview for other purposes connected with his future return to civil life.

Service men are entitled to three free leave travel warrants a year and I do not feel that the grant of further free warrants for the purposes referred to is called for.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recall that the publicity, particularly of the Army, at the moment is encouraging men to join that Service with a view to their future after leaving it, and does he not appreciate that nothing could give more assurance that the Government mean what they say than if he gave these free travel warrants for those who are looking after their future life when they leave the Army?

I have already pointed out that they have three free railway warrants a year. I do not know where it would lead if we gave a sort of carte blanche every time a man asked for a free warrant to go for an interview for some employment.

asked the Minister of Defence if he is now in a position to make a further statement on the uniform allowance to a newly commissioned officer.

I am not yet in a position to make any statement on the matter.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will now grant a licence to serve snack meals to Mr. Francis J. Fazackerly, 58, Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh, who is a disabled ex-Service man engaged in business as a tobacconist and confectioner at the above premises.

Mr. Fazackerly has already been established as a tobacconist and sweet confectioner. I regret I cannot agree that he should be given additional priority to serve snack meals in an area which is already adequately catered for.

Would not the hon. Lady take into consideration the fact that this man is a disabled ex-Service man?

Certainly. We have taken that into account and we have effectively rehabilitated and established him, but I think that the hon. and gallant Gentleman would agree that, having given him two licences, it would not be fair to other ex-Service men to give him a third.

On what basis was a decision made that this area is satisfactorily catered for in this direction?

When an application for a licence is made we take into account the population and the fluctuations in population in the last few months. If we think it is necessary, we grant another licence.

asked the Minister of Food what is the present maximum potential output of bacon factories in this country; and what steps he is taking to ensure that these factories will be able to obtain their full requirements of British pigs at the earliest possible date.

The maximum potential output of the bacon factories in Great Britain is between three and four million cwt. a year. An increase in pigs for bacon production is one of the aims of the agricultural programme and the latest livestock census showed a marked increase in the numbers of breeding sows and young pigs. The continuation of this trend, however, depends on the supply of animal feedingstuffs about which my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries made a statement on 25th March.

asked the Minister of Food how many tons of last season potatoes are held in Lincolnshire; at what price were they purchased from the farmers; and at what price does he now propose to sell them back to the farmers for the purpose of feeding livestock.

Of 185,000 tons of reserve potatoes bought from growers in Lincolnshire only 2,400 tons remain. Growers are paid the prescribed fixed prices which vary according to the date of delivery and variety of potato. Two thirds of the 2,400 tons are already under orders to be distributed for human consumption and the balance will be needed for the same purpose. The last part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

Would the Minister be good enough to give me figures instead of a lot of words? I asked the Minister what price her Department had paid for these potatoes and at what price it is now offering to sell them to the farmers as feedingstuffs. Could I have the figures?

The average price which we are paying to farmers now is £9 5s. The hon. Gentleman will see from my answer that these potatoes are not being used for stock feeding but for human consumption.

asked the Minister of Food where the cargo of 1,000 tons of potatoes which came into Grimsby docks in the last fortnight came from; why permission was refused for this cargo to be landed and to what port was it diverted; and who was the purchaser and how much loss does he expect to make on this shipment, when allowance has been made for transport charges and administrative expenses.

A cargo of 975 tons of potatoes from Denmark was diverted to Bremen and sold to the Control Commission for Germany because the recent spell of warm weather made them surplus to home requirements, and Germany is in great need of food to raise the caloric level to a more satisfactory figure. The loss involved in selling to Germany is about £5,500.

Is the Minister aware that only yesterday another steamer brought into Grimsby 1,700 tons of potatoes from Poland, and that there are already 6,000 tons at Grimsby and Immingham which are rotting? What does she propose to do about it, and is she aware that both the growers and the men who handle the potatoes feel that this is the greatest scandal for which even the Ministry of Food have been responsible.

I think that the hon. Gentleman is exaggerating. We have sold for animal consumption what is equivalent to one day's human consumption in this country. If we had not made this provision to tide us over what might have been a difficult period, hon. Gentlemen opposite would have been the first to have charged us with irresponsible administration.

Is the hon. Lady aware that a cargo of seed potatoes arrived in Preston this week and that it has been given up entirely for animal feeding? Would she say how much money the Government lost on that transaction?

This Question concerns a cargo of 1,000 tons of potatoes which arrived at Grimsby, and nothing else.

Before I say that I wish to raise this matter on the Adjournment, because I am totally dissatisfied with the answer, may I ask whether it is true that, allowing for the cost of transport, these potatoes have cost—

That is an argument not a question. Questions should be asked in order to get information, but hon. Members should not indulge in argument.

I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Food how many tons of potatoes which were purchased by him at the full price, have been sold since the end of potato rationing for food for animals; how much per ton loss has resulted; what are the remaining stocks; and whether he is satisfied that they can still be sold in this country.

17,094 tons of potatoes or about one full day's supply have been sold in this way. The average loss was about £4 10s. a ton, as compared with what would have been realised by sale for human consumption. We now have left about 50,000 tons and these are all likely to be needed for human consumption.

In view of the scandal of the inefficiency with which this potato business has been handled, is it not about time that the Minister of Food resigned and let the hon. Lady "have a go "?

asked the Minister of Food how many tons of potatoes from the end of season reserve, purchased at £9 5s. per ton, have been dyed for sale as stock feed at £4 5s. per ton at the order of his Department; and why the price of £4 5s. was fixed at a time when imported Danish potatoes were coming on to the market at £3 15s. delivered at the nearest station to the purchaser.

Out of an end of season reserve of 700,000 tons, about 1,100 tons have been sold for stockfeeding at £5 a ton to farmers and £4 15s. a ton to merchants for resale. Up to the end of last week no Danish potatoes have been sold at £3 15s., but within the last few days, this price has been fixed for all potatoes sold for stockfeed.

Is the hon. Lady aware that merchants in the district have been only too anxious to buy these potatoes as ware potatoes rather than have them dyed for stockfeed, and whenever a request has been made for that to be done her Ministry have turned it down. Will she say why?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will give me specific details, I will look into the matter.

Is the Minister aware that this is not only a question of what has been sold for stockfeed but a question of thousands of tons which cannot be sold for any consumption at all?

Where are they?

At Grimsby.

Will the hon. Lady explain why it is necessary to compel farmers to send in monthly returns showing their stocks if the Ministry do not relate those returns to the consumption.

Can the Minister say whether the dye used in this process renders the potatoes unsafe for human consumption?

Speaking medically, I think that in view of the fact that the animals survive it must be innocuous.

asked the Minister of Food when the findings of the Committee investigating the retail distribution of milk will be published; and whether this will include the cost of distribution in rural areas.

The report will be published on Friday.

Is the question of the retail distribution of milk in rural areas to be given attention by the Ministry in the near future?

It is not included in the report, but if the hon. Gentleman would like details, I will let him have them.