asked the Minister of Works whether it is on his instructions that officers of local authorities, to whom he has delegated powers, withhold licences for the complete rebuilding of war damaged houses until applicants have come to prior agreement with the Commission as to the amount of the claim ultimately to be made on the Commission.

Yes, Sir.

In view of the considerable delay which has occurred in many instances owing to the need for applicants to seek this prior agreement, and in view of the fact that this provision is not in the War Damage Act, will the Minister consider withdrawing the instruction?

No, Sir. This was done in order to assist the applicant and to see that the applicant did not become committed to a licence beyond a figure the War Damage Commission were prepared to give.

While it is undoubtedly desirable to agree on what is war damage and what is not, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there is considerable delay in the granting of licences, owing to war damage claims taking up their time and that their decisions are very often indefinite and people are left where they were at the start?

asked the Minister of Works if he will now state the total cost of the work done at Richmond Park Camp; and the number of persons at present accommodated there.

Final figures are not yet available, but recent estimates suggest that the total cost will be about £120,000. At the moment an advance party of a military unit, some 30 men, are in the camp, while preparations are being made for the new occupants, who are expected to move in shortly.

asked the Minister of Works when the Committee appointed by him on 5th June, 1947, to keep under review the prices of building materials, will be making their recommendations.

This is a standing Committee which makes recommendations to me from time to time in response to requests for advice.

Will the right lion. Gentleman consider publishing those findings in order to ensure a more speedy implementation of whatever recommendations are made?

I am giving consideration to that matter but I think that on the whole I shall get better and more intimate advice if I do not publish all the reports of this Committee.

Will the right hon. Gentleman place some of the reports in the Library?

I have already said in answer to previous Questions that if there is any information which would be of value I will see that it is published.

asked the Minister of Works how many Reports on output in the building trade have been published by the Committee of Review which was to be set up under the Working Rule Agreement for building trades operatives in the London District, which was signed on 27th February, 1946; and if he will make copies available in the Library.

I understand that no Reports have been published by the Committee of Review set up by the National Joint Council for the Building Industry.

As the Agreement was signed two and a half years ago, surely some evidence has been collected? In order to assist in reducing building costs, will the right hon. Gentleman approach the Committee and see if he can get their evidence, in order to publish it?

This is entirely a matter for the building industry itself. I should appreciate any evidence they have to give me, but so far none has come forward.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take the initiative and ask for any evidence they have, in order to reduce building costs?

asked the Minister of Works if he will give a date for the de-requisitioning of 48–51, Old Gloucester Street, as these premises are urgently required by Faraday House Electrical Engineering College.

I cannot give a date for derequisitioning these premises, but I am glad to say that other accommodation has now been found for the present occupiers. The new premises will have to be adapted but the work will proceed as quickly as possible.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that in the meantime this college is suffering enormously from lack of facilities and that the training of ex-Service men is being held up? Will he say definitely when the new premises are likely to be ready?

As I said, I cannot say when they will be ready, but the present occupiers are going out and the adaptation will be carried out as quickly as possible.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give a more satisfactory answer? I have asked when the premises will be released and he refuses to give me the information.

I have said that accommodation has been found and I will do this other job as quickly as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement concerning the detention by His Majesty's Government of certain German generals as prisoners-of-war for over three years; the decision now to try them as war criminals; and the reasons for their demilitarisation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the conditions under which the German field marshals and generals still in British hands are detained in Germany; and whether he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what charges are being or have been preferred against four German generals now awaiting trial.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's decision to bring to trial for war crimes four senior German officers who were until recently held as prisoners of war.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what new evidence has come to light to justify the decision to place the German generals upon trial after so long a period of imprisonment; and how soon he expects to be able to announce the winding-up of the machinery for dealing with war crimes of the last war with Germany.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs for what reason the trial of Field Marshal von Runstedt and Field Marshal von Brauchitsch has been postponed until some three years after the conclusion of hostilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the Government have now decided to bring to trial the four German generals who were recently repatriated; and why the trial has been so long delayed.

I would ask the hon. Members to await the statement which my right hon. Friend will make in the Debate on Wednesday.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he proposes to continue the policy of the destruction of buildings in Germany capable of being used for production for peace time purposes or for housing the homeless population.

It is our present policy, pending agreement with our Allies, to suspend the destruction of buildings in Germany which are required for civil use, unless they are of a specifically military nature.

Is the Under-Secretary aware that in one part of Germany there are three generations of tubercular people living in one room, that the buildings in the neighbourhood are being pulled down and that this is making things exceedingly difficult for people who wish to build up a new democracy in Germany?

I should be glad to have details of the special case which my hon. Friend has in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why food parcels sent to Baron von Neurath, imprisoned at Spandau, are withheld from him; and whether he will arrange both to extend the period of 15 minutes every two months during which this man may receive visitors, as well as allow him and other prisoners similarly placed, to write more than one letter of two pages a month to a relative of their own choosing.

The regulations governing Spandau prison were quadripartitely agreed and the prison is under quadripartite control. Since the Kommandatura is in abeyance the normal machinery of negotiation is not working. I am, however, asking the Military Governor for a report on this subject.

Is it not a fact that this man was much more of a Nazi than the German field marshals and generals mentioned in other Questions?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he anticipates that a final and definitive plan for dismantling industry in Germany will have been agreed; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make a statement but will do so as soon as possible.

Is my hon. Friend aware that a Mr. Barrett of the British Clockmakers' Association has publicly boasted that he has had some responsibility for the threat of unemployment with which the clock-making industry in South Wurtemberg is now faced, and that this has added to the already considerable scepticism in Germany about the disinterestedness of the dismantling policy? Will he therefore reconsider the American proposal for a review, which could either prove or disprove these suspicions and thus have a most salutary effect inside Germany?

I would ask my hon. Friend to await the statement of my right hon. Friend.

Are we to understand that that statement wil be made on Wednesday? We would like to know what the position is before the House adjourns.

I will certainly ask my right hon. Friend if that can be done.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations have been made to the British Government by the United States Government, or by those responsible for administering the European Recovery Programme, to the effect that the dismantling of industrial plant in Western Germany should now cease; and what reply His Majesty's Government has given.

My right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make a statement but will do so as soon as possible.

Were such representations made to the British Government and has any reply whatever been made to those representations?

Yes, Sir. The Government of the United States have made their views clear to us on this subject and discussions are in progress but there has been no change in our policy

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the value of the equipment dismantled during the past twelve months at Krupps Works at Essen; how much of this equipment has been sent to U.S.S.R. by way of reparations or otherwise; and whether such dismantling will continue in the future.

I am obtaining the answer to the first part of the Question and will write to the hon. Member. The answer to the second part is "None," and to the third part" Yes, Sir."

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can give the total cost to the last convenient date of supplying food and fuel to Berlin by British aircraft; and how many tons of petrol have been used for this purpose.

The extra cost to the Exchequer up to 31st August of supplying food and fuel to Berlin by British aircraft was approximately £1,000,000. The operations have involved additional petrol consumption up to 16th September of about 9,000 tons.

Can the Under-Secretary say whether the whole of this amount will be charged to the United Kingdom or whether it will be split between the Western Powers?

I should need notice of that Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many civil aircraft are now employed in the Berlin airlift; and on what terms they have been chartered.

The number of civil aircraft under charter for the Berlin airlift on 17th September, 1948, was 23. It is contrary to established practice to divulge the terms of Government contracts or charter parties.

Can the Under-Secretary say if all these contracts were negotiated on an ordinary commercial basis?

I should need notice of that Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has lodged any protest against the sentences of 25 years' imprisonment recently imposed by a Soviet Court upon three young Germans from the British sector of Berlin.

No, Sir. Since none of the young men was a resident of the British Sector, a protest would not have been appropriate.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this particularly savage instance of Fascist vindictiveness aroused great indignation in this country?

Yes, Sir, I am aware of that. I think that the sentences can be considered vindictive and indeed I am glad to know that the Soviet Commandant has ordered a revision of the sentences.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what compensation has been paid for British assets nationalised in Yugoslavia.

None yet, Sir; but it has been made clear to the Yugoslav Trade Delegation now in London that satisfactory undertakings about compensation must be given before the trade agreement now under negotiation can be concluded.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the international undertaking that war prisoners handed over on capture to Allied Powers would be given a fair trial, what steps he took in the case of the six Yugoslavs who were handed over on his instructions by the British authorities in Germany to the Yugoslav Government on 2nd August to ensure that this would be the case.

A resolution of the General Assembly passed last October reminded members of the United Nations that "trials of war criminals and traitors should be governed by the principles of justice, law and evidence." Responsibility rests upon Yugoslavia to ensure a fair trial under this resolution and His Majesty's Government were not in a position to take such steps themselves.

Has the Under-Secretary's right hon. Friend any information as to what has happened to these six people since they were sent back?

I understand that their trial has not yet taken place.

Is my hon. Friend aware that I and other Members of this House have made representations to the Yugoslav Ambassador and have got no change at all, not even a reply?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there is any change in the policy of His Majesty's Government towards Spain.

No, Sir.

Without in any way wishing to condone the very inimical attitude of the Spanish Government towards the Allies during the war, may I ask if it is not a fact that Spain has for long set its face steadfastly against the menace of Russian Communism, with which the rest of the world is now faced, and that we can find much common ground with them on that account?

The Spanish Government have long set their face towards Fascism and we therefore find nothing in common with them.

Is it not a fact that the British attitude towards Spain has done more good than harm to Franco, and is it not a fact that we need as much unity as we can get in Europe? If we are to withhold recognition of totalitarian Governments surely we shall have to revise our diplomatic arrangements very considerably?

I do not agree with those assumptions at all. As a Fascist country Spain is a source of weakness to Western democracy.

If we are considering Fascist countries, is it not quite extraordinary that we should be aiding the Germans towards recovery and cold-shouldering a country which gave us positive aid during the war?

Can the Under-Secretary say whether we are to assume from the original reply that the Government have taken no part in the negotiations in which the United States have been indulging during the Recess with regard to the restoration of the Monarchy?

I am not aware of any negotiations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider approaching the Spanish Government on the subject of joint air defence in case of aggression by a third Power.

No, Sir.

Can the hon. Gentleman assure us that with regard to the future every effort will be made by this country to make sure that Western Europe is properly defended in case of attack, and that no personal or party reasons will be used which will mean that Spain would not be asked to support us?

I assure the hon. Member that we shall take all the necessary steps and that no personal or party considerations will -come into account.

Will the hon. Gentleman remember in regard to Spain that where there are olives there are also olive branches?

Will my hon. Friend also bear in mind that the Right Wing Spanish Socialist leader, Senor Prieto, stated that in the event of war the Spanish people would fight against any Government which supported Franco?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what information he has received from the British Mission about participation by Yugoslav soldiers in the fighting inside Greece.

The Greek and Yugoslav Governments have published accounts of this incident but I have no positive information about it from any other sources. I understand that the United Nations Special Committee on the Balkans are investigating the incident.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what quantity of British-owned cargo destined from Britain to Palestine has been detained in Egypt by the Egyptian authorities; and how much has been confiscated.

I regret that accurate figures are not available, but the value of cargoes in which there is a British interest is certainly very considerable. His Majesty's Ambassador at Cairo on instructions from my right hon. Friend has made repeated representations to the Egyptian Government about the detention and seizure of British ships and cargoes in the waters of the Suez Canal, acts which are in the view of His Majesty's Government a flagrant breach of the Suez Canal Convention. As a result of these representations a proportion of these ships and cargoes have been released, and I can assure the hon. Member that we shall continue to insist on a satisfactory solution to this question.

Can the Under-Secretary say whether in the view of His Majesty's Government this action is in conformity with international law, and will he further say whether a list of articles which were considered to be contraband had been issued before the action was taken?

The answer to the first part of that question is that we do not consider it to be consistent. I should require notice of the second part of the hon. and gallant Member's question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he has taken in recent months to further the chances of peace with Japan; whether he will take the opportunity of the presence in Europe of Australia's Foreign Minister to come to some joint Anglo-Australian agreement on this subject; and whether he will consider making a further approach to Washington to bring about a solution to our differences on this subject.

As is well known, His Majesty's Government strongly favour an early Japanese peace treaty; and are of course in constant touch with the Australian Government and also with other Commonwealth Governments on this question. As to the third part of the Question, the position is not one of difference with the United States Government, but that the Soviet Union and China, for their own reasons, could not see their way to accepting American proposals for the summoning of a Peace Conference last year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the Japanese threat during the recent war to murder allied prisoners if Allied Forces attempted to land in Japan was conveyed to the Allied Powers.

So far as I am aware, no such threat was ever conveyed to the Allied Powers.

May I ask, then, if no such statement was ever made, either by the Japanese Government or Japanese leaders?

Yes, I think that is so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what consultations His Majesty's Government have had with the Government of the U.S.A. in regard to the recognition by both Governments of the State of Israel.

The Jewish authorities in Palestine have already been recognised de facto as a provisional government by the Government of the United States. His Majesty's Government have not so far extended similar recognition and in present circumstances there is no change in their attitude.

May I ask my hon. Friend if the British Government are entering into consultation with the United States with a view to both Governments recognising the State of Israel?

We are in constant touch with the Government of the United States on the Palestine question, but I could not give that assurance.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply he has sent to the Arab League's proposal to set up an Arab State in Palestine.

No such proposal has been communicated to His Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government has now recognised the new Southern Korean Government; and whether he has any statement to make regarding the present position in Korea.

The answer to the first part of the Question is, "No, Sir." In South Korea, the National Assembly elected under the supervision of the United Nations Temporary Commission on Korea has adopted a Constitution and has elected Dr. Syngman Rhee as President of the Republic. The formation of the new Government was notified to the United Nations Temporary Commission on 6th August. On 23rd August, the United States authorities announced the formal ending of the occupation, the withdrawal of the United States Commanding General, and his replacement by a diplomatic representative with the personal rank of Ambassador who is now supervising the transfer of power to the new Government. The report of the United Nations Temporary Commission on the conduct of the elections is to be submitted to the General Assembly at the forthcoming session in Paris.

In the Soviet Zone, a constitution on Soviet lines is reported to have been adopted on 10th July. Subsequently an administration was formed under the same leadership as before.

If the Government of the United States have recognised this Southern Korean Government, can the hon. Gentleman tell us why we also have not done so?

We think that formal recognition would be premature before the presentation of the Report to the current United Nations Assembly.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the sentence of five years' rigorous imprisonment passed upon Captain David Vivian in Rangoon for smuggling arms into Burma; when, where and at what date Captain Vivian was arrested; by what type of court he was tried; and until when he held His Majesty's Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any statement to make about the handing over of a British subject, Captain David Vivian, R.E.M.E., to be tried by the Burmese Government which has resulted in a sentence of five years imprisonment for alleged gun smuggling.

Captain Vivian is a British officer of the old Indian Army, who was seconded for service with the Rangoon Police. Shortly before the assassination of members of the Burmese Cabinet on 19th July, 1947, he, according to his own admission, arranged the illegal issue of 200 Bren guns and a quantity of ammunition from an Army Ordnance Depot to U Saw, who was afterwards convicted and executed for the assassinations. The offence of which he was accused was clearly a civil matter of great political importance, and no question arose of his trial by a military court. He subsequently confessed to the offence with which he had been charged, and was convicted and sentenced by a regular Burmese civil court on 9th August, 1948, to five years' rigorous imprisonment.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a sentence of rigorous imprisonment in a climate like Burma is virtually a death sentence on a European, and since this man was not convicted on a capital charge, will the right hon. Gentleman do everything he can to mitigate this imprisonment?

No, Sir. I am not convinced that the sentence was out of proportion to the crime accused.

Can the hon. Gentleman assure the House that there is such a thing as a regular Burmese civil court today?

There was nothing irregular about the proceedings.

But is there such a thing as a civil government in Burma today? There is no sign of it.

Can the hon. Gentleman assure us that the Consular staff in Burma is quite satisfied that conditions in Burmese prisons are at all possible for Europeans?

Captain Vivian will, I have no doubt, have access to our Consul-General. I have no reason to suppose that Captain Vivian will not have the ordinary access to His Majesty's Consul-General, and that should cover that point.

I know nothing about this case, but surely the hon. Gentleman can tell us if Captain Vivian has already had access to the Consulate? It is the normal practice in cases of this kind in what is now a foreign country.

I have no doubt that he has access. Without notice—I think perhaps there is some misunderstanding— I should not like to say that he has seen the British Consul, but I have no reason to suppose that he has not access to the British Consulate.

Will the hon. Gentleman ascertain, yea or nay, whether Captain Vivian has that access?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any further information about compensation payable to British individuals for property lost or destroyed in Burma in 1942.

His Majesty's Government have been giving consideration to the cases of United Kingdom British subjects who suffered losses in the occupied British and ex-British territories in the Far East and who have returned to this country and intend to remain here permanently. As soon as certain administrative arrangements have been completed, which I hope will be within the next few months, a further statement will be made.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that very great hardship is being caused to those people, and that there is a clear case for payment by the Exchequer if no other arrangement can be made?

is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that sufficient staff are dealing with this matter, or is this case parallel to that in Malaya, when the Government had to confess that they had not sent enough people out to deal with the matter, thus causing great hardship to those who have been deprived of their property?

Our difficulties are not concerned with shortage of staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply he has given to the Government of Iran's claim that the Bahrein Islands are Iranian territory.

The Persian Government are aware that His Majesty's Government have not changed their view that Bahrein is an independent Arab Sheikhdom in special relations with His Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether compensation has been arranged for by the Chinese Government in respect of recent damage to British property in Canton.

No, Sir. No progress has, I regret, been made in the matter. Negotiations are still proceeding.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this Question has been asked pretty frequently over the last six months, and we always get the same answer? It is not all that difficult to contact the Chinese Government and get an answer?

asked the Prime Minister what steps he is taking to implement the recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee, contained in their reports issued since 30th July.

I have been asked to reply. The outstanding report of this Committee is now being considered and the result will be contained in the Treasury Minute that will be issued in the normal course early in the next Session.

In view of the fact that these reports reveal a waste of public money and an excess of bureaucrats, may I ask the Lord President if he will set up an independent committee of business men to overcome this further evidence of Socialist mismanagement?

I rather think the hon. Member is confused about the report. There is only one outstanding report of the Public Accounts Committee.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider making a formal reply to the recommendations and suggestions of these very important Select Committees of Parliament, the Public Accounts Committee and the Select Committee on Estimates, by means of White Papers to be laid on the Table?

I am dealing with the Question on the Order Paper. As regards this, the result will be contained in a Treasury Minute which will be available to hon. Members.

asked the Prime Minister if he will set up a Commission on the lines of that which inquired into the Canadian spy activities appointed in Ottawa under Order in Council of 5th February, 1946, and publish their findings.

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to him in answer to a Question on Thursday, 1st July. 1948, to which he has nothing to add.

Am I to understand from that reply that, while paying lip-service to the Communists, the Government have not the courage to stand up to their fellow travellers and take effective steps to eradicate this grave menace from Great Britain?

If I may say so, I think that hon. Members on this side of the House are in a far better position to deal with Communists than the hon. Member opposite.

asked the Prime Minister if in view of the growing menace of Communism he will set up a Royal Commission on the lines of the Committee on un-American activities of the Congress of the U.S.A., with power to call witnesses and to take evidence on oath to inquire into Communist activities in Britain.

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister does not think that the appointment of a Royal Commission for this purpose is necessary.

Has the Lord President of the Council, or have the rest of the Members of the Government responsible, seen any of the reports of this Committee on un-American activities? Is he aware that the conditions therein revealed are equally applicable to this country, and would he take immediate steps to stop similar happenings in this country to those in other parts of the world?

I have seen some of the Press reports of the activities of this Committee and, with great respect, although I express no opinion as to its suitability in the United States, I do not think this method of procedure would be appropriate in Great Britain.

asked the Prime Minister if he will issue instructions that in cases where more than one Department is concerned with a derequisitioning situation, one Department be given power to make a final settlement for all of them, to prevent the delays now sometimes occurring.

I have been asked to reply. Where several Departments have liabilities under the Compensation (Defence) Act they are frequently negotiated as a whole. This is however not always possible and if the hon. Member will send my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister particulars of the cases he has in mind he will have them examined.

asked the Prime Minister to which Minister should Questions relating to Eire now be addressed, in view of its recent change in status.

I have been asked to reply. Questions relating to Eire should be addressed to the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Government of Eire have repudiated all connection with the British Commonwealth and consider that they no longer belong to it? Is the Department of Commonwealth Relations to deal with countries which, according to their own account, are foreign countries?

I have seen some observations reported in the Press, but I think that it would be premature to draw deductions from them.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the official statement made by the Minister of External Relations on 21st July in the Dail, where he said:

"We are certainly not a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations"?

How, therefore, is it possible to put Questions on this subject to the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations?

I have intimated to the House that Questions in regard to Eire should continue to be addressed to the Secretary of State, and I have no reason to think that they will be refused at the Table.

asked the Lord President of the Council what is the salary and allowances paid to Mr. Gerald Barry as Director-General of the Festival of Britain; and from what date these are payable.

Mr. Barry's salary is £3,000 a year from the 30th March last. There are no special allowances. Travelling and incidental expenses may he claimed under the normal rules.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether his attention has been drawn to the announcement by the Film Controller for the Central Office of Information that it is proposed to make six feature films a year; what is the estimated cost of this programme to the taxpayer; what are the subjects of the films; and what objects it is hoped to achieve.

The announcement made by the Film Controller of the Central Office of Information does not indicate any new departure in the scale or type of film production undertaken by the Central Office for other Government Departments. Central Office films are mainly one or two reels in length but a small number run to second-feature length. Two such films, dealing with Nursing and Cotton, are now in the early stages of preparation and others are under consideration. Each of these films is estimated to cost between £15,000 and £30,000, but they will be shown on an ordinary renting basis, which will considerably reduce the net cost. The objects of the films are, according to their subjects, to describe at home and overseas the spirit and the achievements of the nation, and, in particular at home, to encourage awareness of the economic situation and recruitment to particular industries.

As it is apparent from the reply that this will cost the taxpayer some money, will the right hon. Gentleman assure us that these films will not savour of propaganda for the Government, that they will not be used to urge people to work harder or eat less, or whatever it may be, and would he not think it wise to use some money on exports or on arms?

As regards propaganda for the Government, I have given the House an assurance more than once that these activities will not engage in propaganda for the Government. If ever hon. Members think that they do, if they will draw my attention to the matter I will be happy to look into it. This is necessary expenditure for the furtherance of the general well being of the community, and I think that the expenditure is justified.

Are we to assume that these two cheap little films cannot bring in from the public the money that they have cost to produce?

It is not a question of "these two cheap little films." There are more than two films, and the production of these films will continue. Actually production of documentary films started in 1931, the hon. Member may remember. If we get a revenue from them, I think that we are doing pretty well in view of the fact that they serve the interests of the community at the same time.

asked the Attorney-General when he expects to receive the report of the Committee on the Law of Libel.

The Report of the Committee on the Law of Defamation has now been presented to my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor and it will be published as soon as arrangements can be made.

Will this law of libel apply to Members of His Majesty's Government and to the statements they make?

Does not the learned Solicitor-General agree that this Report is long overdue, seeing that the Commission was appointed in 1938 to consider a Private Member's Bill, introduced by myself in co-operation with the junior Burgess for Oxford University (Sir A. Herbert), and that the House has been promised publication again and again, yet after this long delay we are still awaiting it?

The war intervened and imposed an inevitable delay, but the excellence of the Report no doubt will make up for the delay that has ensued.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that the Royal Commission on Justices of the Peace recently reported that it was in the public interest to maintain the Lord Chancellor's practice of inviting Members of Parliament to refrain from sitting as justices in their own constituencies; to what extent the invitation has been complied with; and whether the Government propose to take any action to enforce this principle.

The practice prevailing for many years has been to refuse to appoint as justices Members of Parliament or candidates for constituencies comprised in the area of the Commission concerned. The reason for this practice is that it is felt the two positions may not be compatible. But there has never been a practice to call upon an existing justice either to resign on his becoming a Member of Parliament or to refrain from sitting; this has long been regarded as a matter for his own discretion. The statement therefore in paragraph 139 of the Royal Commission's Report in so far as it purports to state the existing practice is not quite accurate. In answer to a Question by the hon. Member on 14th November, 1945, I made it plain that my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor would not regard a Member of Parliament as neglecting his magisterial duties if he felt that it was on the whole better for him while he is a Member not to sit on a Bench in his constituency. My noble Friend has not at present taken any steps to depart from the existing practice: but in view of the definite recommendations of the Royal Commission contained in that paragraph, he is arranging to give this matter further consideration.

Is the Solicitor-General aware that the Lord Chancellor expressed the opinion, which was endorsed by the Royal Commission, that a Member cannot satisfactorily combine serving his constituents with the exercise of judicial functions in his constituency? Will the Solicitor-General say whether an invitation to comply with that advice has been sent to the hon. Member for West Willesden (Mr. Viant) who habitually sits on the Bench there, and frequently occupies the Chair?

I have stated the practice, which is that it is left to the discretion of the hon. Member concerned. That practice has been followed. It has been followed in the case of the hon. Member mentioned by the questioner.

Can the Solicitor-General say whether Members of Parliament who happen to sit on advisory committees to advise the Lord Chancellor on the appointment of new justices have been asked to resign from those advisory committees?

That does not arise out of this Question.

Will the Solicitor-General bear in mind that there are considerable differences of opinion on this subject and that, on the whole, the wisest course is to treat it as a matter of the personal discretion of the magistrate concerned?

Can the Solicitor-General say conveniently how many Members of Parliament exercise the right to sit as justices?

No, Sir. Some exercise the right, but I have no accurate figures before me.

asked the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries what steps he is taking to re-stock the pre-war oyster beds round our coasts; and to what extent are oysters being exported to hard currency countries.

A research station has recently been established at Burnham-on-Crouch to investigate problems affecting the restoration and development of oyster beds. Import licences for seed oysters are freely granted. Exports of oysters are negligible.

Will the Minister examine the possibility of reopening old beds in South-East Cornwall?

asked the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries whether he will make a statement as to the causes of the deaths of large numbers of fish in the Hogsmill river during August.

The Thames Conservancy carefully investigated this matter immediately it was brought to their notice. They established that the fish were killed by a toxic substance but were unable to determine its nature or origin. They are watching the position closely, but I hope there will be no recurrence of the trouble.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if in view of the lack of work for harvest volunteers in some counties, he will review the need for as many camps next year; and if he will state the cost of this year's camps that will fall on public funds.

This year's plans will, of course, be reviewed; and if necessary modifications will be introduced next year. Those for 1949 will be framed, as usual, according to the best information we can get about farmers' probable labour needs: but no one knows better than the hon. Member how impossible it is to foretell, months in advance, just when and to what extent demand will materialise. The cost falling upon public funds will be much affected by the numbers of volunteers obtained after 2nd October, when camp charges are reduced and rail fares are refunded. Bookings for that period are still being made, so that I cannot say yet what the total cost will be.

Would the Minister tell us if those counties which have a seaboard and rather attractive holiday facilities will be discouraged from recruiting more volunteers than they are likely to use in July and August; and can he also tell us what was the cost to public funds last year, if he cannot tell us what it is this year?

1f the hon. Gentleman wants a reply to his last question, he must give me notice. With regard to the seaboard areas, the number of volunteers recruited is based upon local conferences all over the country, attended by representatives of the Ministry of Labour and National Service, the National Farmers' Union, the workers' union and the county agricultural executive committees.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that full use has been made of volunteer labour in gathering the harvest or other agricultural work.

In the great majority of cases, the answer is "Yes." There have been instances where, owing to unforeseeable conditions farmers have not, for short periods, found full employment for all the volunteers at 'agricultural camps, but the potato harvest will undoubtedly require all the volunteer labour that can be obtained.

Could my right hon. Friend say whether he is satisfied that these failures were due to unaccountable events, and that they were not due to administrative failures on the part of the agricultural committees?

Clearly, I can assure my hon. Friend that that is the case. Considering the scale of the volunteer camp bookings this year, which were 145,000 to the end of August, and the essentially unpredictable nature of the work, the number of complaints of lack of employment have been very few indeed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will give the figures for the number of deer killed in Somerset for each of the years 1938 to 1947, showing how many were killed by hunting them to death with hounds and how many in other ways.

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

While eagerly awaiting my right hon. Friend's fuller reply, will he not agree that these figures show quite conclusively that there are other methods of getting rid of these animals which are just as effective and far more humane than the rather crude and sadistic methods of the savage barbarians of the Quantock Hunt?

Not according to the information at my disposal.

Following is the answer.

Separate figures of the numbers of deer killed by hunting, and by other means, are not available, but only a very small number are killed by other means.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that considerable quantities of seed of the dangerous weed Brassica Juncea, which had never previously been found in Great Britain, were contained in bags of seed of Canadian Royal Linseed imported by his Department and supplied to farmers in sealed bags for growing at the request of agricultural executive committees; and what steps he is taking to compensate farmers for losses caused by the presence of the weed, and to prevent the spread of the weed in this country.

I am aware that small quantities of the seed of this weed have been found in imported linseed. Consignments in which this impurity has actually been found have not been sold for seed, but samples may not always disclose all the impurities present. The provisions of the Seeds Act have been complied with by the Seeds Import Board and no question of compensation of farmers arises. Farmers will be advised to use an appropriate hormone weed-killer to destroy this plant.

If I tell the right hon. Gentleman of a farm where several acres of linseed have been smothered by this weed so that the crop is a total loss, will he send somebody from his Department to examine it and report?

Certainly, if the hon. Member will give me the details.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many ex-Service men have attended, and are attending, the Kent Farm Institute, Sittingbourne; how many of these have found employment in agricultural employment, and why non-Service men receive no grant and have difficulty in finding work in agricultural pursuits.

Under the Vocational Training Scheme, to which my hon. Friend presumably refers, 28 men have completed courses at the Kent Farm Institute and 24 men will take the course which starts next month. All those who have completed the course had posts to go to, but two are known to have since left and the principal is assisting them to find other employment. The scheme is not restricted to ex-Service men and women, but is open to anyone with a period of full-time service on work of national importance, if they are in need of training, to enable them to obtain satisfactory employment suited to their general capacity. Students who do not qualify under the Vocational Training Scheme are eligible for consideration for scholarships awarded by local education authorities, and I am not aware that they have any difficulty in finding employment.

Can my right hon. Friend say what is the amount of the grant given to ex-Service men?

Not without notice

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has investigated the results achieved by the livestock panel set up by the Somerset Agricultural Executive Committee and if he will take steps to encourage the setting up of similar panels in other counties.

I am aware of the good work that has been done by the panel set up by the Somerset Committee and by similar panels in other counties. The organisation of the work of livestock improvement differs from county to county according to circumstances, but I shall be glad to encourage the setting up of such panels where they do not exist and appear to be needed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether in view of the numerous cases of delay of many months in making settlements in connection with the grant for water supply schemes to farmers throughout the country, he will now give an assurance that he will amend the procedure with a view to expediting the settlements in future.

I do not accept the implication in the first part of the Question. Schemes must necessarily he inspected to ensure that they have been satisfactorily completed in accordance with the proposals originally approved, before grant can be paid. Once they are certified as complete, there is normally no undue delay in paying grant. Early this year, however, authority was given to deal locally with the great bulk of proposals for farm water supply schemes; and when schemes locally approved under these arrangements are completed, then certification and payment of grant will also be dealt with locally, thus expediting settlements.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there have been many cases of months of delay; is it not possible to speed up this process? Is he not aware that what is needed is a little peace-time common sense in these matters?

I can inform the hon. Gentleman that we only apply common sense in dealing with these problems.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of public concern regarding suffering of horses in transit to slaughter houses, namely, lack of food and water for long periods; and what steps will be taken to stop this suffering.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what arrangements he has made for the transport of worn-out horses during their journeys to slaughter for human consumption; and whether he is aware that horses are now being conveyed at the rate of 80,000 a year for this purpose.

I am aware that allegations have recently been made that horses have been kept on rail for long periods without food and water. Inquiries into specific cases made by my veterinary officers show that, in the main, these allegations are unfounded. I am sending a note on the subject to my hon. Friends together with a copy of the Exportation and Transit of Horses, Asses and Mules Order, 1921, which contains provision for the feeding and watering of horses and for the prevention of suffering during rail transit. I am satisfied that these requirements are generally being observed by the railway authorities. I have no information as to the number of horses conveyed for slaughter for human consumption.

While accepting the Minister's answer to a certain degree, is he aware that this racket is becoming very great in the slaughter of healthy horses, and that it is in the hands of certain people who are not caring one iota regarding the care of, and accommodation for, horses awaiting slaughter, and also for the feeding of horses during their journeys on the railways? Can he assure the House that his veterinary officers are taking complete notice of these facts, because this matter is becoming a scandal in this country?