asked the Postmaster-General whether he is now in a position to confirm whether S.I., No. 562, 1948, made by him was laid before this House and became subject to the procedure laid down under the Statutory Instruments Act.

Statutory Instrument, 1948, No. 562 was made by virtue of the Post Office (Parcels) Act, 1882, which contains no provision for the laying before Parliament of Regulations made thereunder. Consequently the provisions of Section 5 of the Statutory Instruments Act, relating to annulment, had no application. The Statutory Instrument in questionwas not in fact laid before the House and I regret that remarks which I made during the Adjournment Debate on 9th December conveyed a contrary impression.

In thanking the hon. Gentleman for the terms of that very fair and frank reply, may I ask him if he will now acquit hon. Members on this side of the House of the grave charge of not having moved to annul a Government Order?

Certainly.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is now in a position to state when the removal of the Post Office Savings Bank to Sheffield will take place.

No, Sir; it will be some considerable time before any date can be fixed. So far as can be foreseen at present, the move is unlikely to start within the next 10 years.

asked the Postmaster-General when he expects the television transmitter to be in operation in the Birmingham area; and what are his plans for the erection of further transmitters of this type.

I understand that the B.B.C. expect that the Midland television station will be in operation this autumn. The next station will probably serve South Lancashire and a substantial part of Yorkshire, but it is too early to say when it will be provided.

Will the Minister say why this station has been so long delayed in being installed? Will he bear in mind that in the United States something like 50 transmitter stations are now in operation, and will the Government get a move on and give the people the service they have a right to expect?

This is actually a relay station, and the question of development has to be considered in relation to the capital investment programme of the Government.

Is the hon. Member aware that weeks and weeks ago the Minister himself told me that inquiries had been made in different parts of Lancashire and the Pennines with a view to setting up a station? Have any reports been received yet?

I am not aware of that.

Will the hon. Gentleman say when he thinks the Birmingham station will be in operation?

In the autumn. I cannot give a fixed date but we are hoping it will be then.

Can my hon. Friend say whether this Birmingham station is supposed to supply Scotland?

I think the answer to that supplementary question is obvious.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether in view of the unsatisfactory conditions prevailing at the R.A.F. Camp, Pershore, he proposes to close this camp in the near future.

No, Sir. The complaints brought to my notice by my hon. Friend regarding R.A.F. Station, Pershore, have been investigated and work is in hand which will effect a substantial improvement in the conditions of the camp.

While thanking my right hon. and learned Friend for the many improvements he has made in this camp, does he not think from the correspondence he has received from myself and from the hon. Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère) that this camp, prepared during the war, is not really suitable for training men in peace time?

My difficulty is that a good many of the stations, which we have of necessity to occupy at the present time, were constructed for war purposes. I say quite frankly that in my opinion they are not up to peace-time standards but, until we are able to construct further peace-time permanent stations, I am afraid that we must make use of these war-time camps with any necessary improvements.

Will the Minister bear in mind that there is a great need for an auxiliary squadron in Worcestershire, and that if he is wondering what to do with Pershore, it would be perfectly suitable for that purpose?

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many applications for discharge under AMO 374/48 were made in the 12 months ended December, 1948; how many were granted in all; and how many in the three months ended December, 1948.

The numbers are 2,641, 1,514 and 162.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has now agreed to the immediate provision of two huts for the 1428, Heckmondwike and District Squadron, Air Training Corps, as requested over twelve months ago.

Yes, Sir. I have written to my hon. Friend giving him particulars.

Whilst appreciating the prompt and favourable action taken by my right hon. and learned Friend in this matter since it was brought to his attention, may I ask him if he will impress upon subordinate formations the need for taking prompt action to ensure that A.T.C. units get prompt consideration of their just demands?

That is certainly my policy as far as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether 308330 A/C M.F. Mallinson, 107 M.U., M.E.F., who is a clerk provisioning in Release Group 75, and whose release has been previously deferred, will be returned to the U.K. in time for his demobilisation during January.

I regret that the release of a number of airmen serving in the Midle East, including A.C. Mallinson, will be slightly delayed because of a mechanical breakdown in two of the ships scheduled to bring them home. The best alternative arrangements are being made but, owing to the shortage of shipping, it will, I fear, not be possible to get these airmen home before February.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what was the cost, including alterations, of the 21 Avro Tudor II aircraft which he is selling; at what price he is selling them; and what so far has been the best bid.

The specification and price of the freighter version of the Avro Tudor have not yet been finally settled.

May I ask, in all seriousness, how much longer the Minister is to be allowed to gamble in aeroplanes with the taxpayers' money?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he will make a statement regarding the B.S.A.A. aircraft Star Ariel which is missing on a flight between Bermuda and Kingston, Jamaica.

I much regret to inform the House that we must now presume the loss of the British South American Airways Corporation's Tudor IVB aircraft G-AGRE known as "Star Ariel" on a flight from Bermuda to Kingston, Jamaica, on the morning of Monday, 17th January. The machine carried 13 passengers and seven crew.

While I agree with the course taken by the hon. Gentleman's noble Friend, will he not also investigate the accident record of British South American Airways Corporation, which had a crash only two weeks ago involving loss of life?

Yes, Sir.

Can my hon. Friend say what steps have been taken by British South American Airways Corporation as regards the inquiry made into the loss of the Star Tiger?

All the recommendations of the Macmillan Report were fully implemented even before the Macmillan Report was made public.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the many recent cases of actions taken by Germans against Danes in South Schleswig and in particular of the dismissal of several members of the Maschinenbau Aktiengesellschaft, living at Pris and Frederiksort, on account of their membership of the Danish Association; and what action he proposes to take to protect the Danish speaking inhabitants of South Schleswig against intimidation.

The German firm in question is the successor of a demilitarised firm which formerly employed 229 persons. When de-militarisation and demolitions were completed, 50 employees became redundant, of whom only two were members of the South Schleswig Association.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have here numerous other cases of threats of dismissal against these people if they do not resign their membership of the South Schleswig Association; and does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that from Kiel, in Holstein, this intimidation has been carried out against these inhabitants of South Schleswig?

I know that the hon. Gentleman has submitted some details. As my other replies will disclose, however, in all suggestions except one our inquiries did not bear out the submissions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Theodor Henningsen, a railway official on pension at Lindaa, South Schleswig, has received notification that, if he and his wife do not resign their membership of the Danish Association, his pension will be withdrawn altogether; and whether he has made a protest to the German local authorities against the persecution of the Danish speaking inhabitants.

No such notification has been given to this man. I am, however, informed that he was told privately by a railway employee that, in the latter's personal opinion, German officials who had joined the South Schleswig Association might find themselves in an awkward position when the occupation ended.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that these attempts at intimidation are widespread and that it is impossible to deny them because the evidence is overwhelming? Why did His Majesty's Government allow this situation to arise, allow the admission of 300,000 Germans into that country and give them the vote so that they could control almost all the municipalities—men who had nothing whatever to do with Schleswig, who had never been in Schleswig in their lives; why were they given the vote and allowed to swamp the native population?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Walther Lawætz, for 12 years an official in municipal service in Egernforde, South Schleswig, was dismissed by the Germans because of his membership of the Danish Association; that Mr. Johannesen, an official in municipal service at Osterhever, South Schleswig, has been threatened with dismissal if he does not resign his membership of the Danish Association, and that Fr. Peters, employed in municipal service at Velt, South Schleswig, has also received notice of immediate dismissal if he does not resign his membership of the Danish Association, and whether Great Britain, as the occupying authority, will take action to protect the interests of the native Danish inhabitants of South Schleswig.

As the answer is long and detailed, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs under what agreement the Russians have been allowed to dismantle the Borbeck plant at Krupps works at Essen and remove it to Russia.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what grounds the U.S.S.R. is permitted to move munitions plants from the British zone of Germany while her blockade of the Western sectors of Berlin continues.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what machinery is being transplanted from the Krupps works in Essen to the U.S.S.R., and by what route.

Equipment for the production of pig iron and steel in Krupps Borbeck works was allocated to the U.S.S.R. as reparations by agreement of the Control Council on 5th December, 1945. All special purpose equipment for the manufacture of arms had previously been removed and destroyed. The approximate weight of the equipment was 74,500 tons, of which about 72,500 tons has been loaded for despatch by rail to Hamburg and thence by sea to the Soviet Union. No equipment has been allocated to the U.S.S.R. since the beginning of the blockade; but the delivery of the small balance of equipment already allocated to the Soviet Government continued after the blockade of Berlin began because His Majesty's Government did not wish to aggravate a grave situation by themselves breaking agreements to which they were a willing party.

Has the Minister any reason to think that Russia would be made more friendly to this country by our refraining from imposing a blockade on her while her blockade of us continues?

It is, of course, untrue to say that we have not imposed a blockade upon her in response to her action. I have already pointed out that no further allocations have taken place or will take place.

But the deliveries continue.

But the delivery of a relatively small tonnage—the remainder of a very large contract—we felt we should complete because we were parties to this agreement.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us at what date these deliveries stopped and will he give us an assurance that no further deliveries will take place in future?

I hope I have made it plain that this remainder has not been stopped. In January some 68,000 tons had already been trans-shipped but as to exactly what amount remains I should not like to be committed. I think it is around 2,000 tons.

Is it not rather contradictory to have come to a decision that deliveries are not to be made in all other instances but still to go on delivering in this particular case? Surely, if it is right to decide that no deliveries should be made, no deliveries ought to be made at all?

I think the right hon. Gentleman would agree that we may be talking about different things. There is a decision to prevent allocation. There is also, with a few exceptions, a standstill in trade movements which we did not seek to make. The real point is that all this tonnage—except, perhaps, for 2,000 or 4,000 tons—was already in train and that it was only that portion which was permitted to move thereafter.

Surely, the fact that the balance of deliveries is small is of no consequence at all, and is this not a matter of principle? Surely, this is an act of appeasement and an absolutely monstrous thing that we should continue to deliver these supplies when the blockade of Berlin is imposed against us?

I do not think it is necessary to prejudge the situation between principle and appeasement. I am already trying to make the point that my right hon. Friend did not wish to prejudge the situation or to precipitate one by withholding what was, I repeat, a minor balance in terms of the total tonnage, but that on the overall attitude we have held firm. We have not attempted to appease by any subsequent negotiations.

Hear, hear.

But are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's answer that these deliveries are not yet completed and, that they are still being made, and although it might have been quite reasonable in the early days of the blockade, does it not become quite ludicrous when the blockade has lasted for six months?

This is quite a complicated process. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] The stuff is brought to the ground, as I understand it; it is then trans-shipped to Hamburg. My information is that all the considerable tonnage is already at Hamburg. I have given the figures, that at an early date in this month 68,000 tons of the complete 72,000 had already been shipped from Hamburg.

rose—

On a point of Order, I beg to give notice—

Order.

I called the hon. and learned Member for North Hammersmith (Mr. Pritt).

Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that one vital principle is to keep a contract if we can? Does he not agree that it is wrong to refer to the position in Hamburg as a blockade, as nearly 1,000 tons of supplies are passing through by the freewill of the Soviet authorities every 24 hours, and they can get as much more as they like?

I am grateful to the hon. and learned Member for his intervention. I have tried to make it plain that we were attempting to keep to a contract, but it must also be plain that our subsequent attitude had to be altered when it was found that all parties were not keeping to it. I suppose it is literally inaccurate to call it a blockade, but, as has been pointed out, it has the effect of a blockade because only certain supplies are permitted through and then only by specific permission.

I beg to give notice that, owing to the intolerable weakness of His Majesty's Government in carrying out this monstrous act of appeasement, I shall raise this question again at the earliest possible moment on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the orders made by the British civil governors of the various Länder in Germany with effect from 10th November last, prohibiting the introduction, circulation or possession of, inter alia, all books produced in the Soviet zone of Germany, makes it almost impossible for Germans in the British zone to obtain the works of Feuchtwanger, Thomas Mann, Heinrich Mann, Tucholski, Brecht, Bebel, Liebknecht, Marx and Engels; what is the reason for this restriction on the freedom of reading; and whether he will have it modified.

I regret that I have not been able to complete my inquiries on this subject. I will communicate further with the hon. and learned Gentleman as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to which country it is proposed to allocate the Bochumer Verein steel works when their dismantling is accomplished.

The plant has not yet come up for allocation.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware how highly unpopular this dismantling is among the people of the Ruhr, and will he think again about the matter before proceeding further with it?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the average tonnage of food, fuel and other supplies imported into Berlin by means of the air lift; and what is the corresponding tonnage of exports.

During December 4,476 short tons were brought in daily and 293 brought out. During the first half of January the corresponding figures were 5,634 and 249 short tons.

Can my right hon. Friend tell the House approximately how much it costs per ton to deliver these goods into Berlin?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many Polish children are in the Western Zone of Germany; what steps are being taken to repatriate them; and how many were repatriated during 1948.

The figure on 31st August, 1948, was 43,748 in the British zone. Almost all of these are with parents, but the total includes approximately 130 "unaccompanied" children, that is orphans and children whose parents have not yet been traced. Children are repatriated only with the consent of their parents or legal guardians, except for unaccompanied children, who are repatriated on the authority of the Military Governor, and for whom repatriation is recommended and authorised unless it is considered to be contrary to the interests of the individual child. The task of tracing children is being continued by the International Refugee Organisation with every possible assistance from the zonal authorities. During 1948,926 accompanied and 109 unaccompanied children left the British zone for Poland.

Can the Minister tell us how many Polish citizens in the last two months have been forcibly moved from Poland to the interior of Soviet Russia?

Can the Minister say how many of the parents of the children referred to have disappeared since Russia's so-called liberation of Poland?

Who actually decides whether it is in the interests of the child concerned that he be repatriated or not?

The legal decision is taken by the Military Governor; no one else can take it. I should make it plain that the Military Governor is advised by the Welfare Board of the International Refugee Organisation.

Does the child have any say in the matter?

Is there a representative of the Polish Government on the Welfare Board to give advice?

I should think that it is unlikely. My recollection is that the Polish Government, for reasons no doubt acceptable to themselves, refuse to join this international organisation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the British representative on the Security Council abstained from voting on the resolution calling on the Netherlands Government to release the Indonesian Ministers from captivity.

My hon. Friend appears to be under a misapprehension. The United Kingdom representative on the Security Council did not, in fact, abstain from voting for the resolution calling for the release of Republican leaders by the Dutch. He voted for the resolution of 24th December calling for a cease fire, a report from the Committee of Good Offices, and the release of political prisoners by the Dutch. This resolution called on the Dutch inter alia

"immediately to release the President and other political prisoners arrested since 18th December,"

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what instructions he has issued to the British representative in the Security Council regarding his future attitude to the Dutch military action in Indonesia; and if he will make a statement on the present situation.

I am arranging to make available in the Library a telegraphic summary of Sir A. Cadogan's speech in the Security Council on 14th January, which was made in accordance with the instructions sent to him. As regards the second part of the Question, the present situation is that, on 14th January, the Netherlands delegate on the Security Council outlined a programme for the setting up of an interim government in Indonesia and for holding elections, leading to the transfer of sovereignty to the United States of Indonesia in 1950. According to a recent report from Java, the Council of Indonesian Federalists has appointed a committee to make contact with Republican personalities, to include, amongst others, Messrs. Sukarno, Hatta and Sharir.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the serious repercussions of this situation throughout Asia, as shown by the Delhi conference which opens tomorrow, and of the danger that a situation may develop in which the Asiatic Powers may seem to be lined up in hostility to the Western European Powers generally? Will His Majesty's Government use their influence with the Dutch to prevent the development of such a situation?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the danger to which my hon. Friend draws our attention, and His Majesty's Government will continue to use their influence to prevent that happening.

Is it not clear that the Dutch have carried out neither of the Security Council's instructions? They have neither withdrawn their troops nor set at liberty the political prisoners. Is it not just as important that the authority of the Security Council should be upheld in Indonesia as in Palestine?

The first part of the question cannot be answered by a simple "Yes" or "No." Regarding the second part, I agree it was not complied with. I would also point out that the representative of the Netherlands Government has already apologised, and agreed that this was dreadful and inexcusable behaviour.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the example of Hyderabad may have influenced the Dutch Government in this matter?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether in view of the terms of the Human Rights clause in the Treaty of Peace with Hungary, he proposes to appoint an official observer to attend the forthcoming trial of Cardinal Mindszenty.

As no arrangements for the trial of Cardinal Mindszenty have been announced, this question does not yet arise. I will, however, bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give a little more definite assurance on this vital matter, which affects the human conscience, that they will do more than bear the matter in mind and will take some positive action?

In view of the very widespread concern among His Majesty's Roman Catholic subjects—[HON. MEMBERS: "And others."]—about the circumstances of the trial of this very high ecclesiastical dignitary on a political charge, will my right hon. Friend do his best to see that the fullest information about the circumstances is made available in the country and that a careful watch is kept on the procedure?

As far as lies in our power to see that information is made available for publication, I am most glad to give that assurance.

Will the right hon. Gentleman accept the statement that not only are Roman Catholics interested in this, but every branch of the Christian Church and every other church as well?

In view of the Prime Minister's explanation the other day about the Declaration of Human Rights, does my right hon. Friend consider that there is any difference between the binding effects of such a Declaration on Hungary and on this country?

My hon. Friend is unwittingly confused. This does not refer to that Declaration, but to a Treaty obligation which the country in question accepted.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the terms of the Human Rights clause in the Treaty of Peace with Hungary, he has received any report from the British Embassy in Hungary relating to the circumstances of the arrest of Cardinal Mindszenty.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what protest he has made to the Hungarian Government, under the Human Rights clause of the Peace Treaty, at the arrest of Cardinal Mindszenty; what reply has been received from them; and what further action is contemplated through the United Nations organisation on this violation of the promise to maintain religious freedom embodied in the Atlantic Charter.

My right hon. Friend has received numerous reports from His Majesty's Minister at Budapest about the arrest of Cardinal Mindszenty. His Majesty's Government have not protested officially to the Hungarian Government nor do they contemplate action through the United Nations organisation because His Majesty's Government have no reason to believe that either of these courses would lead to the Cardinal's release. I am glad, however, to express the profound disapproval of His Majesty's Government of this action of the Hungarian Government and to urge them both to release the Prince Primate and to have, in all matters, that respect for the freedoms which they have accepted by their treaty obligations.

Can the Minister justify the attitude of the Government in not making a protest to the Hungarian Government at this gross assault on a distinguished member of the Christian Church? Do they propose to take any further action to bring to the notice of the whole Christian world the indignity inflicted upon this Catholic representative of all Christian religion in Western Europe?

His Majesty's Government have every sympathy with the outspoken indignation of the hon. Member. Unfortunately, this is by no means our first experience of comparable cases. We have no reason to believe, even more unfortunately, that protests of this kind are effective, but His Majesty's Government will continue to keep in closest contact with the subject and to take any action they think appropriate, or likely to be effective.

What is the difference between censuring the Hungarian Government—and rightly censuring them—from that Box and making a formal protest in Budapest? Would not the latter be the preferable alternative and the most effective?

I was asked about two courses, of which one, the more laborious, and not very speedy process was through the United Nations.

Viewing the matter from the point of view of Christianity as a whole, is it not possible for our Government to make a protest—everybody in the country is talking about it?

While I appreciate and understand the attitude of hon. Members towards the arrest of this cardinal, if the right hon. Gentleman is making representations, will he also make representations to the American Government about the arrest of 12 Communist leaders who are charged with political beliefs and there is no question of an overt act?

There are these differences. The American charges are publically specified and the men are being publicly heard according to the canons of well known law. Secondly, we have no locus in the United States, but we have a locus as a joint signatory to a Treaty with the Hungarian Government which Communists there and in some other countries have run away from every time that civil liberty has been assailed.

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's last reply, will he bear in mind the opinions expressed in this House and make a protest to the Hungarian Government embodying the terms of his answer given in this House this afternoon?

I will certainly bring to the attention of my right hon. Friend the representations made this afternoon.

Is there not something to be said for hearing the evidence first?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that a British student holding a year's Hungarian Government scholarship was summarily told to leave Hungary after only six weeks in the country, without any reasons being given; and what action he has taken in this matter.

Yes, Sir. It is, of course, within the rights of the Hungarian Government to expel any foreigner from their country and there seems, therefore, to be no legal ground for an official protest. My right hon. Friend nevertheless deplores their arbitrary expulsion, at the shortest notice, without specifying a reason, of a British student to whom they had just awarded a State Scholarship for one year.

Does the Minister's answer mean that His Majesty's representatives in Budapest made no inquiries or protests when this was reported to them by the student?

Inquiries were made.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what instructions have been given to His Majesty's diplomatic representatives abroad warning them not to consort with reactionary elements in the countries to which they are accredited; and what definition has been given of the term "reactionary."

It is true that guidance was given to certain of our diplomatic representatives that they should be chary of accepting as reputable organisations whose primary distinction was that they were anti-Communist. The Oxford Dictionary defines "reactionary" as politically retrograde, and I would not seek to improve on that.

Can the right hon. Gentleman make it clear whether he called the attention of representatives abroad to the sense in which he was using the word "reactionary," or not?

I should think that is the normal use of the word accepted by all except those who feel a little guilty about its use.

Is it not the case that in the opinion of many people those to whom representatives are accredited regard the Foreign Secretary as an instrument of reaction?

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Department are considering issuing instructions to members of the Foreign Office to refrain from associating with reactionary elements in this country as well?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what consultation there was between His Majesty's Government and the Canadian Government before the latter decided to recognise de facto the State of Israel; and, in view of the step taken by the Canadian Government, whether he will now review his attitude and take similar measures.

His Majesty's Government and the Canadian Government have been in continuous contact on the subject of Palestine, and His Majesty's Government were informed by the Canadian Government of the latter's intention before recognition was granted. With regard to the attitude of His Majesty's Government I have nothing to add to the reply given yesterday to a Question by my hon. Friend, the Member for North Salford (Mr. McAdam).

Is it the Minister's intention to wait until the last member of the United Nations has recognised the State of Israel before he does so? Is it not also the case that the unfortunate events of the last two days might have been obviated had there been any common understanding between the two sides, and had an attempt been made to reach such an understanding?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now make a statement regarding His Majesty's Government's non-recognition of Israel.

I have at present nothing to add to the reply given yesterday to a Question by my hon. Friend, the Member for North Salford.

Can we hope that before very long the Government will take the honourable step of recognising the State of Israel, as has been done by other countries?

On a point of Order. I do not wish to raise a stink but in the last quarter of an hour there has been a strong smell of burning oil in this quarter of the House and we feel, Mr. Speaker, that we ought to bring the matter to your attention.

I will have inquiries made and see if I can get it stopped.

Has it anything to do with inflammatory opinions held by certain Members behind the Government Front Bench?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now state the result of the inquiries concerning the shooting down of the Mosquito aircraft in the Eastern Mediterranean area on 20th November. 1948.

An interim report has been received from the Acting Mediator. He has not yet succeeded in establishing the facts of the incident, but his staff have expressed the view that the loss of the aircraft may have been due to an accident. His Majesty's Government have asked the Acting Mediator to undertake further investigations.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if any high level reconnaissances took place since this date. 20th November, 1948?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will take steps to expedite the establishment of a Court of Appeal to deal with cases in Fiji, thus avoiding such delays as that which occurred in the case of Mr. Joseph, who waited in prison for two years until the Privy Council allowed his appeal and quashed his conviction.

I have now been informed by the Governor that a draft Bill is under consideration in Fiji for the establishment of a Court of Appeal in the Colony.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement regarding the impending Colonial Exhibition; and what body has been charged with the preparation of this undertaking.

As part of a campaign to increase public knowledge of the Colonies, arrangements are being made for a Colonial Exhibition to be staged on behalf of the Colonial Office by the Central Office of Information at their Exhibition Hall, Oxford Street, for six weeks from the third week of June next. The Exhibition will present a general picture of the Colonies and is designed particularly to show the relationship between Great Britain and the Colonies.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether special steps are to be taken to bring the Colonial Governments themselves into this Exhibition, or is it to be entirely organised by the Colonial Office here?

There will be the closest consultation with Colonial Governments and I might say that if hon. Members have any suggestions that they would like to sec embodied in the Exhibition I should be very happy to receive them.

Will my right hon. Friend arrange for this Exhibition to tour the main provincial centres after its period in London?

That presents some difficulty. The point will be considered.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make certain that a small space is reserved to show the progress of the groundnut scheme?

Will the Minister consider finding a more suitable and attractive building for this Exhibition? He may be aware that one of the reasons why the recruiting campaign failed was because his right hon. Friend held his exhibition in this appalling place?

That point is under consideration at the moment. We are anxious to get a very much bigger site.

While there may be difficulty in sending this Exhibition to the provinces, will there be any difficulty in sending it to the capital of Scotland?

That will be considered.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will make a statement on the policy of His Majesty's Government on the continuity of operational research applied to industry; if details are available of the number of industries which have undertaken operational research activities; and if he will give an assurance that the departments concerned will extend every encouragement to firms anxious to develop operational research within their respective organisations.

It is the policy of His Majesty's Government to encourage all scientific activities which contribute to increasing the productivity and efficiency of industry. Operational research, I am told, is a term given in the recent war to the use of the scientific method for obtaining data on which executive decisions can be based. It has been employed by progressive firms in many industries for a number of years; I cannot say how many, but there is certainly room for more of it. I have had a full report on its possibilities from a Panel of the Committee on Industrial Productivity.

On the general question, is the Lord President satisfied that research work now in relation to industry is receiving the full support of His Majesty's Administration?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Defence if he is aware that information has been received of his intention to use the Imber Training Area for experimental and research purposes which do not appear to fall within the assurances as regards safety, which he gave to the hon. Member for Westbury on 5th May last; and if he will make a statement.

There has been no change in the purposes for which the training area will be used. The assurances given in my statement of 5th May last hold good.

May it be taken, therefore, that no live bombs will be dropped in this area?

I think not, beyond what were contemplated in the original assurance which was given. I think perhaps the inquiry of the hon. Member comes from the recent statement about the flash experiments that may be carried out, but I am assured that there is no change from the assurance originally given.

Does not the Minister of Defence recollect that in reply to a supplementary question he gave me a specific assurance that no live bombs would be dropped in this area, and can I take it from his reply, although it is somewhat woolly, that it is still the case that no live bombs will be dropped?

No live bombs are being dropped, but I did not want to convey the impression this afternoon that there were no live ammunition experiments.

asked the Minister of Food whether he has considered the application sent to him for a special ration of meat for the old people's party to which 8,000 persons of over 70 years of age have been invited, to be held in connection with the Oldham centenary celebrations; and whether he is prepared to grant a special ration.

I am sorry, but we could only make special allowances of meat for parties, even when they are for old people, at the expense of the domestic ration. And I think it would be wrong to do that.

Will the Minister bear in mind that special permission was given for the importation of meat for the Lord Mayor's banquet, and that this is a historic ocasion in the history of a town that has made a unique contribution to our industrial effort; further, if the real reason is that the meat is not available here, would he give me a licence to import it from friends in Australia so that these people can have this very special and historic privilege and can participate in it?

I do not think that it is a question of a special import licence. Of course, allowances of rationed foodstuffs are made for these occasions but I am afraid that no allowance of meat is made. After all, this is a tea.

In these circumstances would my right hon. Friend give permission for application to be made abroad individually for meat to be sent for this occasion.

Is not the hon. Member pointing out the benefits of individual buying as against bulk purchase?

asked the Minister of Food whether he will now permit fish friers to serve hot drinks with fried fish.

Fish friers may serve hot drinks made from unrationed or uncontrolled foods such as coffee or meat essences; but for allocations of rationed foods they have to apply, like anyone else.

Is this a new regulation or the relaxation of a regulation by the Minister, or have fish friers always been allowed to serve hot drinks?

It is a change in the regulation.

If coffee is served, must it be served without milk and sugar, or are allocations of them granted on application.

They may be granted.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the true tradition in Lancashire in this matter is not to have hot drinks with fried fish but lemonade.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the fact that jam has been derationed since 5th December, 1948, he will now make some reduction in the staff of his Department, with special regard to the checking side of his Department's office in Oxford.

Of the nine clerks employed at Oxford on checking returns only three are being retained, to deal with table jellies, mincemeat and imported honey, which are still rationed under the points scheme. Jam rationing made only part-time demands on other staff, but its ending will help us in our successful efforts to reduce the total numbers employed on food control.

Is the Minister aware how very hard I have worked for the de-rationing of jam, and can we not understand that there will be a substantial reduction of redundant staff at Oxford in the immediate future? Why retain them part-time when there is nothing for them to do?

Six of the nine clerks are not being retained.

I do not want six. I want to get rid of 6,000 of these redundant people.

asked the Minister of Food whether it is still his policy to advise jam manufacturers to refrain, as far as possible, from seeking or accepting new bakery customers, in view of the fact that the consumer demand, freed from the restrictions of rationing, has now had adequate time to settle down.

I think I can now leave jam manufacturers to use their own discretion in this matter.

Is the Minister aware that I am very glad that he can leave something to the discretion of the manufacturers, because they know better than he does how to deal with these matters?

And better than the hon. Member, if I may say so.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is yet in a position to state his decision concerning the inclusion of de-rationed foodstuffs in parcels to Europe.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will now make a statement about sending parcels containing foodstuffs, which have been taken off the ration to friends in Europe.

asked the Minister of Food why parcels of unrationed food can be sent abroad by commercial or air freight but not by post.

The present regulations permit rationed foods only to be sent out of this country in gift parcels, except very occasionally under Board of Trade licence. I appreciate that many people may want to send small quantities of unrationed foods to their friends overseas, and that it is particularly hard not to be able to send foods which have recently come off the ration. Yet we cannot afford to send out freely unrationed foods which are cheap and easily obtainable here for fear of their re-sale at a high profit in, for example, certain European countries.

Can the Minister answer Question No. 60? Can he explain why the Board of Trade issued a licence for a small parcel of unrationed food to be sent by air or sea, but not by post?

It is within the discretion of that Department, in consultation with my own, to allow the export of food parcels.

Why not by post, then?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his reply will give great satisfaction to many generous-hearted people throughout the country?

asked the Minister of Food whether he will consider granting an additional soap allowance for the use of persons working in a pharmacist's shop, who constantly have to handle drugs.

Yes, Sir; I am glad to say that now that we have a little more soap I have arranged for an allowance to be granted on application for all dispensers in chemists' shops.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will make a statement concerning the shooting down of five R.A.F. aircraft in Palestine; and what instructions were given to the aircrews prior to the flights.

I will, with the permission of Mr. Speaker, make a statement at the end of Questions.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will make a statement as to the circumstances in which the Press were notified by the R.A.F. authorities of the death of 3051236 Pilot Officer David Crossley Tattersfield before his parents had been informed.

A telegram informing Pilot Officer Tattersfield's parents that their son was missing and believed killed was despatched at 11.49 a.m. and delivered at 4.15 p.m. on Sunday, 9th January. No such information was given by my Department to the Press until 5.37 p.m. I am advised that Mr. and Mrs. Tattersfield's address, which enabled the Press to approach them, was probably obtained from a message which originated with an Israeli spokesman in Tel Aviv and was received by the Press at 1.49 p.m. on Sunday.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will order a public inquiry to take place into the circumstances in which 3051236 Pilot Officer David Crossley Tattersfield lost his life.

No, Sir, but a court of inquiry is being convened as laid down by King's Regulations.

Without trying to anticipate the Minister's statement after Questions, which obviously bears upon this subject, may I ask if he will make sure that this court of inquiry will be open to the public and that if the parents of Pilot Officer Tattersfield wish to be represented facilities will be given to them?

I will certainly give the most sympathetic consideration to the suggestion of my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many aerial reconnaissance flights British aeroplanes have made in the past two months over territory in Palestine occupied by the Jewish forces.

I have been asked to reply. No reconnaissance flights by British aircraft have been made in the past two months exclusively over territory in Palestine occupied by the Jewish forces. High level reconnaissance flights, usually at 30,000 feet, have been carried out since the end of the war over all the main Middle East areas as part of our peace-time operational training programme. Since the Security Council truce in June and the placing of a complete embargo on the supply of military materials to Palestine and all the Arab countries, these flights were continued with the knowledge of the United Nations Mediator. Information regarding breaches of the truce by either side was a matter of importance both to the Mediator and to His Majesty's Government. Twenty such flights which passed over Palestine have been carried out in the last two months.

Was my right hon. and learned Friend always aware of these reconnaissance flights? Secondly, can reconnaissance flights be made on the instructions of the Foreign Office without the Secretary of State for Air being aware of that fact?

The question of these reconnaissance flights to which I have referred in my reply is entirely a matter for the local Air Commander-in-Chief, and it is well within his discretion.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend telling the House that since the date upon which the Security Council asked that no forces should be sent into this area we have been sending aeroplanes on reconnaissance flights two or three times a week for two months?

My hon. Friend can work out the number per week in relation to the total number of flights in this period. If it works out at two or three per week, that is the case.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman seriously mean that after the troubles arose in Palestine this Summer the decision as to reconnaissance over Palestine, and that part occupied by Israel, was a matter solely for the decision of the local commander, and was not one in which the authority of London had to be sought?

I said that this type of reconnaissance flight was carried out before the troubles began in the middle of last year, and they were certainly continued. There was, as I said, no Ministerial authority given because they were carried out within the discretion of the Commander-in-Chief, Middle East.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman mean to say that after British troops evacuated Palestine no fresh directives were given to the Commanders in the Middle East, and that the discretion was left to them in exactly the same way as it was when Palestine was a British mandated country?

Yes, Sir. That is the position.

In view of the fact that the British Government have not been very friendly with the Israeli Government was the Israeli Government informed that these reconnaissance planes were operating over their territory, even if that were done with the understanding of the United Nations Mediator?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question down.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman make quite clear to the House whether any of these reconnaissance flights were undertaken on instructions from the United Nations to our own Government?