asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the measures contemplated and in process for the maintenance and expansion of the Sea Cadet movement; the facilities available for the supply of uniforms and equipment to officers and cadets; and if financial support will be provided for suitable premises as headquarters for instruction and training of cadets.

As the answer is necessarily long, I will, with permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Are we to understand from that sympathetic reply, for which I thank the hon. Gentleman, that we are to have something really helpful and consistently maintained in the way of concessions for officers' uniforms and equipment of headquarters?

The attitude of the Admiralty in this respect will be consistently helpful, as it always is.

Will the Minister do everything he can to ensure that Sea Cadets, when they are called up, go into the Royal Navy?

That is another question.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is little encouragement for these boys to join the Sea Cadet Corps which is the only cadet corps where boys are not allowed to go into the Service for which they have trained?

I cannot possibly allow that to pass. They are allowed to go into it, but there are not always enough vacancies.

Never.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what naval vessels have been sold to foreign Governments since the war.

As the answer is necessarily rather long and contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Would the hon. Gentleman tell us, when these arrangements with foreign Governments are made, if the possibility of selling these old vessels for scrap iron is also taken into account, and if that is weighed up against the possibility that these ships may be used against us in a future war?

Certainly, that is always taken into account, along with other considerations.

If my hon. Friend cannot give the details—and I understand that—can he give us the global amount involved?

The whole of the details are given in the statement. It is a very long one.

I do not want the details; I want the amount.

Frankly, I cannot give the global amount. It includes a large number of ships of different tonnages, and to add them all together would not make sense.

If the minimum cruiser strength of 50 is regarded as essential to the safety of this country, and the actual strength is only 34, why should any cruiser be sold to a foreign country?

That is quite another question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he has any further statement to make on the negotiations regarding the transfer of H.M.S. "Ajax" to the Government of Chile; and if the date of transfer has yet been fixed.

No, Sir.

Does not the Minister consider it rather illogical that we should be considering transferring a ship to a country with whom we have an outstanding dispute before the International Court?

I have said that the matter is under consideration. In due course, a statement will be made.

Has the Board of Admiralty taken into consideration the feelings of the Royal Navy when they see the historic "Ajax" flying the Chilean flag in Valparaiso harbour?

I have no doubt that we shall certainly take into consideration the feelings of the Royal Navy, and they will be expressed to us by those now serving in the Royal Navy.

Is not the Parliamentary Secretary aware that when H.M.S. "Ajax" is sold to Chile, the cruiser force will be reduced and that a force of 50 cruisers is totally inadequate for this country in the event of war?

Will the Parliamentary Secretary make it a condition precedent of the sale of a ship to any foreign country that that foreign country should evacuate any illegally occupied British territory?

No, Sir. Obviously, that is a question for my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the acreage of the property of Greenwich Hospital which is under afforestation in the constituency of Berwick-on-Tweed; how many acres have been cut; and how many acres planted since 1945.

Six hundred and twelve acres of Greenwich Hospital property in the constituency of Berwick-on-Tweed are under afforestation. Nineteen acres have been cut and nine acres planted since 1945.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will give an undertaking that as soon as possible one of the new capital ships or cruisers being constructed for the Royal Navy will bear the name H.M.S. "Malaya," to take the place of the ship which was presented to the Royal Navy by the people of Malaya, and to maintain the link between that country and the Royal Navy.

The hon. Member's suggestion will be borne in mind, with others, when the names of future ships of these Classes are being considered.

Cannot the Minister do better than that? Cannot he say definitely that at an early date one of the new ships shall be named H.M.S. "Malaya"?

One consideration which we have to bear in mind is that we have to ask the Government of Malaya whether the people of Malaya want it to be so named.

In sympathetic response to the suggestion will the Admiralty lay down a capital ship?

Come up to the Clyde.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what has happened to the plaque and pictures presented to H.M.S. "Malaya" by the people of Malaya; and if he will arrange for them to be returned to the Government of Malaya as a small token of the appreciation of the Admiralty for the gift of this ship to the Royal Navy.

With the concurrence of His Excellency the Governor of the Malayan Union, the plaque of silver and copper recording the history of H.M.S. "Malaya" from 1918–46 has been lent to the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich where it will be exhibited until there is once again an H.M.S. "Malaya" in service. In accordance with Admiralty instructions for safeguarding trophies during the war, the pictures, which had been presented individually by eight residents of Malaya on 19th June, 1919, were landed at Alexandria in September, 1939. I regret that they were found to be missing in November, 1944, after a burglary at the premises at which they were stored, and police action failed to recover them.

As a token of the Admiralty's appreciation of the generosity of the people of the Malayan Union, the ship's bell of H.M.S. "Malaya" was presented to the Victoria Institution Kuala Lumpur, on 12th September, 1947, the second anniversary of Liberation Day, in the presence of His Excellency the Governor, the Sultan of Selangor, the Raja Muda of Perak (representing His Highness the Sultan of Perak), and Officials of the Malayan Union. Photographs of H.M.S. "Malaya" and of the history shield have also been presented to the Malayan Union for display in the Federal Legislative Council Chamber, and in each of the Council of State Chambers of the former Federated Malay States.

Can the Minister say whether the pictures that were stolen were insured?

No, Sir, I cannot say that, but I can say that they were not pictures of any outstanding value.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why the names of deceased Naval personnel, who were born and lived all their lives in Portsmouth but who may have been based elsewhere, are debarred by his Department from inclusion in the Portsmouth War Memorial; and whether, at the request of their parents, these names may be included on this Memorial rather than at some port with which they had no real connection.

The Naval War Memorial at Portsmouth as at other naval ports was erected to commemorate those of the Port Division who were missing in the first World War and it had been intended to add to the memorial the names of those who were missing in the last war on the same basis. My noble Friend is considering whether the suggestion of the hon. Member could be adopted and I will communicate with him further in due course.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what building development is contemplated in connection with the Royal Naval Engineering College at Manadon in the near future; what will be the cost of the building which is being projected; to what purpose will it be devoted; when is it expected that the building will be commenced; and how many men will be employed on the site this year and next.

The building development now contemplated at the Royal Naval Engineering College, Manadon, consists of an extension of the instructional block and the erection of a workshop and boiler house. The cost of the work will be of the order of £480,000. These facilities are required for the training of Engineer Officers of the Navy in marine, gunnery, and aeronautical engineering for whom facilities are at present inadequate. It is improbable that actual work on the site will start before the beginning of 1949. The number of men to be employed next year will probably not exceed 300.

Will by hon. Friend give an assurance that, whatever may be the labour force used in this construction work, it will not interfere with the supply of labour for housing projects in the City of Plymouth?

Whatever labour force is used will be taken from the allocation given to the Admiralty for actual building work.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if it has yet been decided that any part of the Headquarters organisation of the Admiralty shall remain at Bath.

It has been decided that a considerable part of the Admiralty Headquarters organisation is to be permanently located at Bath. Broadly speaking, that part will comprise those departments which are concerned with the construction, maintenance and supply of the Fleet and its establishments, and with contracts and accounts. Under this decision certain departments now in London will in due course be moved to Bath. The time required to put it into effect will depend upon reductions in the size of those departments now at Bath and on the provision of additional housing there.

Would the Minister consider, in making his permanent arrangements, the early release of hotels and the removal of those hutments which are unsightly; also, would be consider the question of greater protection in the event of war, because Bath wishes to be attractive to certain visitors in peacetime and unattractive to other visitors in wartime?

With regard to the second part of the question, that is not exactly a matter for the Navy. It is a question which might perhaps be addressed to other Ministers. In reference to the first part of the question, as the hon. Member knows, already a large number of buildings have been derequisitioned. We are fully aware of the desire of the citizens of Bath that as many as possible should be derequisitioned as soon as we can conveniently do so.

May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether the people of Bath agree with the observations recently made by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Bournemouth (Mr. Bracken)?

No, Sir. I understand that the observations of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Bournemouth met with some disapproval in Bath. The "Bath and Wilts Chronicle and Herald" said:

"If we may say so of one who is blessed with a distinguishing crown of red hair"—

[Interruption.] I am sorry if some hon. Gentlemen do not want to hear this, but it is rather interesting and I think that some hon. Members would like to hear it. The paper said:

"If we may say of one who is blessed with a distinguishing crown of red hair, Mr. Bracken went somewhat too bald-headedly at his subject. Indeed, there will be many in Bath who will feel that the former First Lord of the Admiralty, so far from hitting the deck, missed it altogether."

Will the Admiralty be able to give up Queen Anne's Mansions and other accommodation in London which is urgently needed for housing?

I said that this was a long-term project. I could not possibly agree that we could suddenly release Queen Anne's Mansions.

Can the Minister explain to the House why, now that we have a much smaller Navy, it is necessary to overflow the Admiralty to Bath? Surely, they ought to be able to come back again?

The suggestion that some of the Admiralty staff should be at Bath is part of the general move that is being made in other quarters for the decentralisation of certain offices from London.

Is the Minister satisfied that the supplementary question put by the hon. Member for East Woolwich (Mr. Hicks) was in the exact terms which the Minister agreed beforehand?

I should never dream of trying to explain to an hon. Member of the standing of my hon. Friend the Member for East Woolwich the terms in which he should put any question, or even what question he should put.

In view of the retention of premises in Bath, could the Minister say what premises in London will be given up by the Admiralty?

Not without notice, Sir.

As an hon. Member who, apparently, is alleged to be not equal in standing to the hon. Member for East Woolwich, in that he has taken at dictation from the Minister the wording of the Question put down, might I protest on this and ask the Minister whether he is aware that, in point of fact, there are two schools of thought in Bath—[HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."]—and that what the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Bournemouth said is a viewpoint which has a considerable following in Bath?

I was trying to explain that I thought that possibly the views of the hon. Gentleman the Member for Bath (Mr. Pitman) were more representative of Bath than the views expressed by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Bournemouth (Mr. Bracken).

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that a cable addressed to the Council Offices, Dorking, from the Mayor of Rangiora, Canterbury, New Zealand, asking for the names of 100 Dorking people to whom food parcels could be sent, was wrongly delivered to the Council Offices, Barking, who promptly replied, with the result that the food parcels were sent to Barking and not to Dorking; and what reparation he proposes to make to the people of Dorking.

A mistake was made in the transmission of the telegram to this country and the office of destination appeared as "Borking." As there is no such place in this country, the receiving telegraphist should have sought a correction from New Zealand; but unfortunately, though not unnaturally, he jumped to the conclusion that the telegram was intended for Barking. I sincerely regret the mistake; but I am glad to say that the people of Dorking will receive their food parcels, and the New Zealand senders with characteristic generosity are sending parcels to Barking also. The question of reparation does not arise.

Is the Minister aware that the cable was addressed, "Chairman, Council, Dorking," and that it was delivered addressed, "Chapman, Council, Barking"? There were two mistakes, and will he not consider some compensation in view of the fact that many mistakes are made now that Cable and Wireless has been nationalised?

My information is that the mistake was that which I have read out.

Did the telegraphist forget Bocking, which seems to have some reason to feel aggrieved?

asked the Postmaster-General why 22 members of the National Association of Women Civil Servants employed by the Post Office were granted special leave to attend their delegate conference in view of the fact that they are not a recognised association as such.

The National Association of Women Civil Servants, is not wholly unrecognised in the Post Office. The extent of its recognition has recently been much reduced and I propose to review the facilities allowed to its members in the light of the outcome of discussions now in progress on the National Whitley Council.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will give an assurance that he will grant recognition to the National Association of Postal and Telegraph Officers as soon as they have recruited sufficient members.

If and when the National Association of Postal and Telegraph Officers can show that it has in membership 40 per cent. of the organised Postal and Telegraph Officers in the Post Office, I shall consider the question of recognising it.

Could the Minister, therefore, assure the House, without discussing the merits of trade unions, that he is not attempting to set up or obtain a monopoly of any sort in this situation?

I have indicated to the hon. Member more than once that we have a well-recognised course of conduct in this business, and that 40 per cent. is the percentage generally recognised.

Will my right hon. Friend make it clear that, despite the insistent political pressure placed upon him, it is not his intention to give an assurance of the kind which may tend to encourage the leaders of minority cecessionist movements in the Post Office to try to promote disunity amongst the workers, thus jeopardising the good relationships between the Post Office and the trade unions which are recognised already?

Bearing in mind the unanimity of the Transport and General Workers' Union, will the right hon. Gentleman now give an answer to the question I put a few moments ago?

asked the Postmaster-General in what values the stamps issued to celebrate the liberation of the Channel Islands are available to the public; and why there is no indication on them of their association and object.

1d. and 2½d. The scene depicts a familiar local activity and was selected as typical of the Channel Islands; the object has been announced widely in the Press.

Does not my right hon. Friend recognise that there is no indication on the stamps that they are in any way associated with the Channel Islands; and will he explain why there has been this absurd mistake, so that philatelists are writing in and complaining to the Post Office that it does not know its job?

We have had no complaints at the Post Office. The Channel Islands people were taken into full consultation on this matter, and it was done with their consent.

In view of the fact that the penny stamp depicts a refuse cart drawn by one horse, and that the 2½d. stamp depicts a refuse cart drawn by two horses, could not the right hon. Gentleman add a few more horses and issue a few more stamps of a higher denomination?

Have the people of the Channel Islands insisted that they must have stamps bearing these carts, horses and seaweed?

This design was approved by the Channel Islands people themselves.

Would not either potatoes or tomatoes have been a more suitable emblem for these stamps?

I am not sure that that would have been appropriate to all the Islands.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me if these stamps are usable in this country, since I had a letter posted in the United Kingdom and received by me in London, bearing a Channel Islands stamp?

Yes, they are.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will reduce the present cost of carriage of newsprint by air to East Africa, in order that British newspapers may be made more easily available to dwellers in the East African territories.

The possibility of extending to East Africa, and other Commonwealth destinations, facilities for the transmission of newspapers and other second class mail by air at reduced air postage rates, is being considered in consultation with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and British Overseas Airways Corporation, but I am not in a position to say when it may be possible to introduce such facilities.

Is the Minister aware that his reply will give a certain amount of satisfaction in the territories concerned; but is he further aware that, at this moment, an air mail copy of "The Times" costs 3s. 4d. in Nairobi, that is, 4d. for the newspaper and 3s. for air freight, and that other newspapers are practically unobtainable there, and will he do something urgently to remedy this state of affairs?

I have said that this matter is being considered at the moment.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that opinion in many of these territories is that, even if it is a question of subsidisation, it is the sort of thing we ought to do for Imperial relations?

We may be able to help.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will take the necessary steps to ensure that anyone broadcasting on a matter of political or other importance shall do so under his or her real name, and state to what political party he or she adheres.

The answer is, "No, Sir."

In view of the fact that the Prime Minister himself has acknowledged the danger of Communism by instituting a purge in the Civil Service, will he extend that purge to the staff of the B.B.C? Can I have an answer? On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the fact that you have ruled that we have some difficulty in asking Questions about the B.B.C. and other nationalised industries, when I do ask a Question why cannot the Postmaster-General answer it?

I have no intention of applying any purge to the B.B.C.

Is it to be understood that the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) may now broadcast from Moscow under an assumed name?

asked the Postmaster-General what steps have been taken by the B.B.C. to carry out the requirements of Clause 8 of its Charter.

The Corporation has informed the Minister of Labour and National Service and myself that within the terms of Clause 8 of its Charter it has recognised the B.B.C. Staff Association as a negotiating body. The Corporation has received representations from the T.U.C. for similar recognition of a number of trade unions. A meeting between the Corporation, the T.U.C. and the Unions directly concerned has taken place and the Corporation expects further meetings.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that it is now 18 months since the Charter came into effect, that these representations were made shortly after the Charter came into effect, and that speed is called for in this matter, in as much as a large section of the B.B.C. staff are not members of the Staff Association, and do not wish to be members of it, but are members of the legitimate trade unions, and wish to have their unions recognised for collective bargaining and other purposes?

I have said that the matter is being considered and is still proceeding.

asked the Postmaster-General why bookmakers are given priority in the matter of obtaining a telephone and clergymen are not.

In the matter of obtaining a telephone, bookmakers are not given priority, whereas it is the general practice to accord a measure of priority to clergymen.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a senior official of the postal organisation in Southampton informed a canon in my constituency to this effect, and will he take steps to reprimand that official?

I understand that that is not so, and that the clergyman in question got an entirely erroneous impression of what was said.

Could my right hon. Friend ask the two people concerned in this case to share a telephone to their mutual advantage?

Could my right hon. Friend say why those who are tipping for the future, should be given preference over those who are tipping for the present?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is yet in a position to offer telephone subscribers on the Lee Green Exchange a better service.

I am pleased to say that our records show a marked improvement in the service at Lee Green exchange during the last six months.

Can my right hon. Friend explain why this service, even compared with that of other exchanges in the neighbourhood, is so appallingly bad, and why something more effective has not been done two years after the war has ended?

I think this is one of the few manual exchanges still left. If it had not been for the war, it might have been replaced before now, but the war stopped a great many of these things. I might also say that there has been great trouble in getting telephonists, and, at this time last year, the number of people leaving was about 50 per cent. That meant that we always had to take a number of untrained people into the exchanges, but it is much better now, and I am glad to say they are being replaced.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the service at Lee Green Exchange cannot possibly be any worse than that at Clissold?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Lee Green Exchange shares with Greenwich and Tideway the unenviable reputation of being the worst in London?

I have said that this is one of the few manual exchanges still left.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what special arrangements have been approved for the encouragement of recruitment to the Air Training Corps; what is the present strength of the A.T.C. organisation; what financial provision is being made to provide officers uniforms and essential equipment for A.T.C. units; and if financial support will be given to the provision of suitable headquarters where necessary.

A number of special measures have been introduced to encourage boys to join the A.T.C. and I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate details in the OFFICIAL. REPORT. The results of these measures are now being seen; the strength of the Corps, which is now 49,600, and its efficiency have both risen appreciably since the autumn of last year.

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I ask whether it means that some concessions will be made to officers in respect of uniforms, essential equipment and the provision of headquarters, and that the general encouragement of the work of the A.T.C. will be on better lines than those at present pursued by the Government?

Both those points are covered in the statement, and I am sure the hon. Gentleman will find it encouraging.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what personnel are to be catered for by Air Defence Unit at the Westwood Aerodrome, Peterborough; from what area or areas is the personnel to be drawn; and what buildings or huts will be required.

This unit will have a strength of 565 officers, airmen and airwomen. They will be drawn from an area of 30 miles radius around Peterborough. The unit will require the block containing the officers' mess and living quarters, the married quarter and eight huts.

Is there no possibility of this air defence unit being taken to a nearby aerodrome, thereby releasing Westwood for local essential purposes?

I am afraid not. This R.A.F. station is in the centre of the area from which the recruits are to be drawn, and the airmen and airwomen, who, of course, are civilians, will be able to reach it by public transport because it is there.

asked the Secretary of State for Air on what date was Westwood Aerodrome or parts thereof declared as surplus to the requirements of the Air Ministry and handed to the Ministry of Works for disposal.

At different dates since January, 1947, as the needs of the R.A.F. at the airfield contracted. Except for the huts and buildings that are needed permanently by the R.A.F., all accommodation at the airfield has been surrendered.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has considered the representations from racehorse trainers and from farmers using the Berkshire Downs concerning the proposal to utilise the Odstone bombing range for intensive high and low bombing by day and by night; and whether he is in a position to make any statement on this matter.

These representations are being examined and replies will be sent as soon as possible. Meanwhile there will be no change in the present use of the range.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many recruits were obtained for the Auxiliary Air Force as the result of the display addressed by Sir Hugh S. P. Walmsley, in Edinburgh, on 14th June; and what was the cost of this display.

Fifty candidates for the Royal Auxiliary Air Force came forward on the afternoon of this display. The flying was part of normal training and involved no additional cost. The publicity was arranged by the local Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Association, and cost about £100.

Is the Minister aware that this appeal for recruits by this Air-Marshal was on the assumption that we were going to be at war with Soviet Russia? In view of the fact that last week it was stated that this was not the policy of His Majesty's Government, have steps been taken to tell this Air-Marshal not to make similar speeches in future?

In reply to the second part of the supplementary question, there is another Question on the Order Paper which I will answer later on. As to the first part of the supplementary question, the policy of my Department to seek to recruit to the Reserve forces of the Air Force had been in operation long before this speech was made.

Can the Minister say how many recruits have been obtained for the Royal Air Force as a result of speeches made by the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes)?

Does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman consider this result very satisfactory for the very small amount of money spent?

Yes. Sir.

Does not the Minister agree that the actual response to the recruiting campaign was because the Air-Marshal spoke the truth?

asked the Secretary of State for Air what disciplinary action he has taken in the case of Air-Marshal Sir Hugh Walmsley for the speech he made on 12th June without the authority of His Majesty's Government.

I have spoken to Air-Marshal Walmsley on this matter and I do not propose to take any further action.

Is the Minister satisfied that he has carried out completely the terms laid down in paragraph 541A of King's Regulations in the same way as they would be carried out if it was not a senior officer of the Air Force who was involved?

Yes, Sir. I have reminded the Air-Marshal of what should be said and what should not be said by a serving officer, and I am satisfied that he fully understands the position.

Is the Minister aware of the simple elementary fact that in view of the condition in which this country is now, talk of war is talk of national suicide, and will he stop it?

I have previously replied to a Question on this matter, and have indicated that the reference in the speech to Soviet Russia did not represent the policy of His Majesty's Government.

Was it not the Air-Marshal's speech which helped recruiting so much at that meeting?

I must clear up that point. In fact, the recruits were not present when that speech was made.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many Czechoslovakians have arrived in this country by R.A.F. transport in the last four months.

None, Sir.

Is it not the case that on 16th June an R.A.F. transport arrived at Manston containing a number of Czechoslovakians? Should not they be included in the answer to this Question?

That is not the case. That is why I said "None, Sir."

asked the Secretary of State for Air why a R.A.F. transport was provided for newspaper reporters to go to Manston on 16th June in order to meet Czechoslovakians who were landing there.

R.A.F. transport and an escorting officer were provided because Manston is an aerodrome which the Press are not allowed to enter without permission, and because it was desirable, in the interests of the refugees and of their relatives, that certain precautions should be observed when they were interviewed.

Is it not the case that these journalists were transported to Manston in a R.A.F. transport in order to meet the Czechoslovakians who were arriving there?

Yes, Sir; that is perfectly true. The journalists wanted to go, and, therefore, a R.A.F. coach was laid on to take them. They went together in the coach.

Will my hon. Friend make it clear that these facilities will be provided without any form of political discrimination, and that they may include Communist refugees from what the Cominform has officially described as "the Turkish terrorism of Tito in Yugoslavia"?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that some of these Czechoslovakians fought for Great Britain in the Battle of Britain, and that we should do everything to facilitate their arrival in this country?

Yes, Sir.

Can the Under-Secretary give an assurance that at least his Ministry is not interfering in another country's affairs?

That has nothing whatever to do with this Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what steps he proposes to take to lessen the nuisance to the people of Norwich and to teachers and pupils in the schools arising from the manœuvring of aeroplanes over the city.

I am sorry for any disturbance that the R.A.F. may be causing to the people of Norwich, but I can assure my hon. Friend that we have reduced to the minimum the amount of flying over the city.

While I am grateful for the Minister's sympathy, may I ask if something more could not be done to put an end to this almost intolerable nuisance? Could not St. Faith's be closed and one of the unemployed aerodromes in Norfolk be used, far removed from populated towns?

I am sorry to have to tell my hon. Friend that during the last two years we have gone into this point on many occasions. This station was built as a permanent fighter station; it cost a great deal of money, and on strategic and financial grounds we must stay there.

Is it not the fact that this station has been so badly planned that it is only possible for aeroplanes to gain height by flying over the city of Norwich, and is that not a good reason for abandoning it?

It is quite true that the aircraft must fly over the city of Norwich. It is most unfortunate, but this airfield was built in 1937, a great deal of money was spent, and we cannot afford either financially or strategically to move from there.

Has the Minister considered that if there were a war somebody would come along and destroy not merely the aerodrome, but the city as well. Is not that a good reason for moving?

The airfield was sited there by people whose job it is to know the best strategical siting for airfields, and I am content to accept their view.

How much did they know about 1948 in 1937?

Nothing, but, as I have already said, this question has been reexamined several times within the last two years.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he will circulate, in the OFFICIAL REPORT, details of the aircraft owned by the three Airway Corporations.

No, Sir. I do not think I should be justified in requiring from the Corporations information of this kind which appears in their annual reports.

Surely, the hon. Gentleman agrees that it is very desirable that the public who now own these Corporations should know what aircraft they have.

Yes, Sir. They get that information as and when it is published in the annual reports of the Corporations.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he will make a further report on the allocation of priority seats to air passengers.

I am glad to say that as from 1st July next, the Corporations will be entirely free from priority control.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how many air passages have been lost to the nationalised air services by the over-booking of priority seats?

Not without notice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he will direct the airways corporations to require that none of their high executives shall hold a financial interest in private aircraft companies operating in or from the United Kingdom.

No, Sir. This is a matter which may safely be left to the discretion of the Boards of the Corporations.

Does not my hon. Friend consider it an undesirable practice that an executive employed by the Airways Corporation should hold an interest in companies with which the Corporation has an agreement at the present time?

No, Sir. The association or interest is not in any air line or any air company which is associated in any degree with the Corporation of which the man is an executive.

Is it not the case that there are executives who are directly associated with charter companies which are carrying on work for one or other of the corporations? Does the hon. Gentleman think that is advisable?

No, Sir, it is not so. The only case is that of Mr. Whitney Straight, who is chief executive to B.O.A.C. and who has a financial interest, but not a managerial interest, in Western Airways.

Would it not be better if he were disassociated from this company in the same way as in any other nationalised concerns members of the board are not allowed to hold interests which conflict with their work in the nationalised undertaking?

In the opinion of my noble Friend that conflict of interest does not exist and would not exist unless, in fact, there was a responsibility for management. My noble Friend feels it is exactly the same position as that of a Member of His Majesty's Government who may have a financial interest but is required to give up a managerial interest on taking office.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary say if Mr. Whitney Straight made his position clear when he accepted an appointment under the Corporation?

Yes, Sir: that is so.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if, in view of the urgent need for economy in the operation of nationalised air services, he will state what economies in staff have been effected since 1st January, 1948, in the three Corporations, respectively.

No, Sir. This is a matter of management.

Surely the hon. Gentleman will agree that, as these Corporations lose large sums of money, more and more in the year, we ought to know what economies, if any, have been introduced?

The view taken by my noble Friend is that for a given amount of work, the given number of staff required to perform it is one of the responsibilities of management of any undertaking.

Would it not be in the interests of the Corporations themselves, if, as has been said, they are making large reductions in staff that we should know about them and not have to wait a year before we know what they are?

The information will be given, I have no doubt, in their annual reports.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation when permission will be given to British South American Airways to purchase Tudor IV aircraft.

British South American Airways already have three Tudor IV's. A further 16, which were constructed as Tudor I's and are being modified to Tudor IV's, have hitherto been earmarked for British Overseas Airways Corporation. Any re-allocation of these aircraft as between British Overseas Airways Corporation and British South American Airways Corporation will depend on the outcome of certain wider discussions now in progress.

Is it not a fact that B.S.A.A. want these Tudors and B.O.A.C. do not, and is it not rather foolish of His Majesty's Government to continue to press a Corporation which does not want them to have them, and not to allow a Corporation which does want them to make speedy purchases?

Those are the very points which are now under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why instructions have been given to British diplomatic missions in the Far East no longer to honour Indonesian Republican passports.

The hon. Member has, I think, misunderstood the position. There is no question of a change of policy or attitude. The only instructions issued to His Majesty's Representatives abroad relate to the affixing of British visas to passports issued by the Republican authorities. As a result of a review of the situation created by the Renville Agreement, His Majesty's Government decided that it was inappropriate for British visas to be affixed to these passports, since they are not internationally recognised travel documents. There is no question of seeking in any way to restrict the travel of Indonesians by these arrangements.

Has my right hon. Friend borne in mind, in discontinuing the practice of recognising Indonesian passports, that the latest conduct of the Dutch in unilaterally breaking off relations and in their endless procrastination is being condemned by all three members of the Security Council's Commission now in—

It is not a question of the Dutch. It is a question of honouring Indonesian passports. That is the Question and it is that to which the hon. Member must apply his mind.

On a point of Order. I was seeking to get the Foreign Secretary to apply his mind to giving the House reasons for our failure to give recognition to these passports. Might I complete my Question?

It is no use making charges against another country.

On a point of Order. Might I not draw attention to the fact that the Security Council's good-will Commission, now in Batavia, have used certain phrases about the Dutch?

Would it be much use taking these passports down to Victoria?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the scope of the understanding between His Majesty's Government and the U.S. Administration to keep each other informed regarding policy developments in the Middle East; and whether he will seek to extend this bilateral arrangement to include the U.S.S.R.

His Majesty's Government exchange information and views with other friendly Governments, including the United States Government, about developments in the Middle East and in other parts of the world as occasion arises. His Majesty's Government have not concluded any special bilateral agreement or arrangement for this purpose. The second part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

Does the working of this understanding with the United States include, as Mr. Sumner Welles has just asserted, United States backing for the Foreign Secretary—

Reading a speech.

and of the Foreign Secretary's encouragement, which just preceded the truce, of Syria and the Lebanon intensifying their campaign, particularly in the case of Syria—

That is a supplementary question which is so obviously being read out that it is quite contrary to our custom. Supplementary questions should not be long statements; they should be short and snappy and to the point.

While I agree with your Ruling on that question, Mr. Speaker, a whole series of questions was asked earlier this afternoon, and we had the most laboured and long drawn-out arguments from an hon. Member on the other side, whose constituency I do not remember but who put down the original Question. It was a long, laboured, drawn-out argument directed to the Minister. Nobody protested, and I think a little allowance might be made for the solitary hon. Member behind me.

The hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher) will remember that the long, laboured questions were started by a question which came from the opposite side of the House and which had really not very much to do with the original Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether further representations will now be made for the release from prison of Archbishop Stepinac now serving a sentence of 16 years imprisonment and hard labour in Yugoslavia.

No, Sir. I have nothing to add to previous statements on this subject.

Does my right hon. Friend realise what a large body of opinion in this country and elsewhere is outraged by this, and would it not be a most prudent, wise and humane act on the part of Marshal Tito at this stage to set Archbishop Stepinac free?

I am afraid I cannot interfere in this matter. I have answered the Question.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that the news of this sentence was received by His Majesty's loyal Catholic subjects with a feeling of real horror and that it is against the consciences of many people that a man of this eminence and this distinction should be kept in prison for these many years? And is this not a very convenient moment when representations might be made that it would be for the good of relations with Yugoslavia for some action now to be taken?

I do not think the attitude of Yugoslavia has changed as a result of what has happened in another sphere. The horror of this sentence is shared not only by His Majesty's Catholic subjects, but by every decent person, but I am afraid I cannot add to the answer.

Can the Foreign Secretary tell us how many clergymen were killed by the Black and Tans in Southern Ireland?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that 20 Yugoslavs are now detained in prison at Esterwegen in Germany and have now been detained there, or in Italy, for more than 18 months; and whether he will give instructions for their immediate release.