asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether records are kept of corporal punishment inflicted on young sailors in the Royal Navy; whether they are examined by his Department; and what form these punishments take.

Records of the caning of boys, to which I presume this Question refers, are included in the quarterly returns of punishments rendered by each ship and establishment. These are examined in the Admiralty, but not with particular reference to caning. Commanders-in-Chief are under instructions, before forwarding the returns to the Admiralty, to investigate any returns where the number of canings seems unduly high, or any entry in the daily record where a punishment of caning seems to have been awarded for an offence of insufficient gravity. This punishment is inflicted with a light and ordinary cane, and the offender wears trousers and pants.

Can the hon. Gentleman state whether or not this punishment is inflicted in the presence of the members of the crews of ships or in barracks? Is it public?

I am afraid that I cannot answer that question without notice, but I am rather of the opinion that what the hon. Member appears to suggest is not the case.

Is there an upper age limit for the infliction of this punishment?

The highest age limit is 18, but most of the boys have been rated above that age and therefore they do not come within the punishment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (1) whether he is satisfied that air engineer officers are competent and qualified to carry out the duties of air gunnery officers;

(2) what course is being taken by air engineer officers to qualify them to perform the duties of air gunnery officers; how many qualified air gunnery officers are at present serving; and how many air engineer officers have taken the full qualifying course;

(3) what qualifications are possessed by officers performing air gunnery duties in H.M.S. "Vengeance"; and whether a fully qualified air gunnery officer is to be carried by this ship during her arctic operating tests.

Owing to the development of weapons in naval aircraft the duties laid down for the air gunnery officer became too complex to be undertaken by an officer engaged in aircrew duties without interfering with his flying career. It was decided in 1947 that the duties then performed by air gunnery officers should be split up and that the air engineer officer should be responsible for the maintenance and repair of ordnance equipment in naval aircraft. This is, of course, only a part of the duties which hitherto had been the responsibility of the air gunnery officer. It has also been decided to introduce an air weapons officer to carry out the duties of the air gunnery officer in advising on the tactical use of weapons, and steps are being taken to enable suitable air gunnery officers to convert to air weapons officers.

Arrangements have been made for all air engineer officers to do a course of one month in air ordnance. A number of air engineer officers will, however, be given a two months' course for the purpose of filling the more specialised appointments, after which they are sent to air stations to gain more intimate experience of the work. I am satisfied that with this training they are competent to carry out these duties. One hundred and twenty-two air engineer officers have completed the short course and twelve have completed the long course. There are 41 qualified air gunnery officers at present serving. A fully qualified air gunnery officer is borne in H.M.S. "Vengeance" and will remain there for the Arctic tour.

Can the hon. Gentleman explain how he is going to arrange to achieve that very desirable position whereby officers experienced in ordnance are also capable of flying aircraft? What will be the position in the case of air engineer officers who will not necessarily be flying officers?

The air engineer officer is only undertaking a small section of the duties previously undertaken by the air gunnery officer. The air weapon officer will be the man who will be doing most of the flying.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if it is the intention of the Admiralty to complete the construction and fitting-out of H.M.S. "Research"; and for what purpose she is to be used.

The question of completing the Royal Research Ship "Research" has been considered at frequent intervals since the end of the war, but, in view of other commitments which the Admiralty feel bound to regard as of greater importance and urgency, it has not been found possible to authorise resumption of work on the vessel. The main purpose of the "Research" when completed would be to undertake magnetic surveys and to make oceanographical and meteorological observations.

Does not the Civil Lord realise that these surveys are even more necessary now than they were 10 years ago; and will not some of the tremendous Admiralty Vote be used in completing this ship for the purpose for which she was intended?

Does not the Civil Lord think that this ship, on which so much money has been spent, and which is to fulfil a vital service, should be completed and put to use rather than left lying rotting in the dock and wasting all this money?

I cannot admit for a moment that she is lying rotting in the dock, because she is being preserved at the present time. After weighing up all the conclusions the Admiralty have come to the opinion that this must wait for a little longer.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty by what means naval officers and ratings are made aware of the identity of Admiralty surgeons and agents who are civilian doctors with whom the Admiralty has made arrangements for the treatment of naval personnel when they are on leave.

The names and addresses of Admiralty surgeons and agents are published in Admiralty Fleet Orders. A list is displayed on the notice boards of all H.M. ships and naval establishments at home. All ratings' leave tickets instruct them to consult this list before proceeding on leave.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the conditions under which the Admiralty pay the fees of civilian doctors for attendance on ratings on leave, and reimburse officers for expenses which they have incurred on leave, where circumstances are such that they are unable to consult an Admiralty surgeon and agent.

The naval authorities should be informed as soon as possible that private treatment is being given, and they should be kept informed of the progress of the case. The naval medical authorities or the Admiralty surgeon and agent should be given the opportunity of taking over treatment as soon as circumstances permit. It is also necessary that the charges should be accepted as fair and reasonable.

In an emergency, when an officer or rating has to go to a doctor, does the doctor apply to the Admiralty for the fee, or does he charge the man and leave it to the man himself to apply for reimbursement?

For ratings the surgeon has to make the application. For officers, the officers themselves make their own application to the Admiralty for any expenses they incur.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty on what date the Admiralty Fleet Order permitting plain clothes to be worn by ratings outside barracks was issued.

The Admiralty Fleet Order was issued on 30th May, 1947.

Does that Admiralty Fleet Order make it possible for naval personnel to wear plain clothes outside the barracks?

I think the position is perfectly clear. The Question asks when the order permitting the wearing of plain clothes by ratings outside barracks was issued, and the answer is that the Admiralty Fleet Order was issued in 1947.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will make a statement as to the award of pensions to the widows of Naval officers.

I regret that I am not in a position to make a statement.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this Question was asked six months ago; and can he give any indication of when he will be able to make a statement? It has taken some considerable time for the Admiralty to make up their minds about it.

I am aware that the question was asked some time ago, but this is really not a matter which concerns the Admiralty alone: it is an inter-Service matter. While I regret the delay, all I can say is that it will have to be gone into for Service agreement with other bodies before we can make any statement.

Could the Civil Lord inform the House whether there is any obstruction by the Treasury?

No, I could not say that the Treasury are at the moment obstructing in any way at all.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why Messrs. Anderson and Steel of Greenock, who applied for a let of a small factory at Bay Yard, Port Glasgow, after negotiations between the Industrial Estates, the Board of Trade, the Ministry of Works, and the Admiralty are still waiting for a decision after eight months; and if he will now let this factory to this firm.

As I have recently informed my hon. Friend in correspondence, the question of the purchase of this property for industrial development purposes is under consideration by the Board of Trade, and an early decision is expected. In the meantime, the Admiralty's wartime requisition of the property is being continued on behalf of the Board of Trade, and the occupation of any part of the premises by Messrs. Anderson and Steel cannot be authorised in anticipation of the decision regarding the future use of the premises.

Is my hon. Friend aware that in the first instance this firm were sent to the Industrial Estates people, who took them over the factory and agreed to let it at £130 a year; that the Board of Trade then stopped them and passed the matter on to the Admiralty, who passed it on to the Ministry of Works; is he further aware that this factory could be used; and what is stopping the letting of it?

Well, I am not responsible for decisions taken by the Board of Trade. All I can say is that this property is on requisition by the Admiralty, and that the Admiralty are prepared to derequisition it as soon as the Board of Trade make up their minds.

Flow long is it since this factory was actually used by the Admiralty?

Over 12 months.

The question has been answered: over 12 months. But it is because of the request of the Board of Trade, who were hoping to set up an industrial estate there, that we have been holding on to it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if his regulations permit Southern Irishmen resident in this country to be held eligible for service in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve.

Yes, Sir.

Is my hon. Friend aware that Southern Irishmen resident in this country have been denied entry to the Service on the ground that they were Southern Irishmen?

I am not aware of that, but if my hon. Friend gives me any details I shall be glad to look into them.

Can the Civil Lord say whether this would involve amendment of the Foreign Enlistment Order?

No, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why naval ratings serving overseas under the National Service Acts are allowed 28 days only for two years' service without home leave.

National Service men in the Royal Navy receive the same annual allowance of leave as men on regular engagements. A man who has served abroad for two years may have had 28 days' leave on the station, and on return home would get, in addition, 48 days' foreign service leave. On release National Service men also receive terminal leave at the rate of one day for each month of service.

Are foreign service leave and demobilisation leave permitted to run out before the actual demobilisation date?

No, I do not think that is the case. A National Service man who has spent two years abroad would be entitled to 48 days' foreign service leave and 27 days' terminal leave, making 75 days for which he would receive pay.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what opportunities there will be this year for Members of Parliament to visit the Fleet.

I shall be glad to make arrangements for hon. Members to visit the Home Fleet should they so desire. There will be suitable opportunities during April and August while ships are giving leave in their home ports; or if hon. Members prefer, arrangements could be made for a visit during the latter half of May or the month of June when the Home Fleet is expected to be exercising in Scottish waters.

I assume that this would be a collective visit and not individual visits?

We would rather it was collective. We should not like to have people going there every day.

Could the Civil Lord arrange for these visits to be made to ships that are under way, so that we do not just have to look at them while they are in harbour?

We will look at that when we see what requests come in.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is satisfied that there are sufficient anti-submarine craft of adequate speed to meet all probable eventualities.

It is the policy of the Admiralty to ensure that, when the need arises, the Navy shall have sufficient vessels of all types to meet any likely threat.

While accepting that admirable truism, may I ask whether the Civil Lord is not aware that the antisubmarine ships of the last war are now too slow for any possible war in which we may be engaged in the future, and that we may not get as much warning and time to build craft as we have had in the previous two wars?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we have that very fully in mind, and steps are being taken to deal with that situation.

asked the Postmaster-General when he will be in a position to instal further telephone kiosks on the New Parks Housing Estate, Leicester, in view of the fact that there is only one public kiosk available for the thousands of people now living on the estate.

Additional telephone kiosks will be installed on the New Parks Housing Estate at Leicester about the end of the year, when underground cables have been laid. I regret that it will not be possible to carry out this work earlier, owing to the heavy demands on the engineering force in the Leicester area and to the restricted supply of cable for home use.

In view of the fact that this estate covers a very large area and people have great difficulty in making contacts outside, cannot the Postmaster-General provide something a little earlier, not only one kiosk but several?

I appreciate that it is a large area. It is necessary to put in this equipment, and we are making as much progress as we can.

asked the Postmaster-General when additional exchange equipment can be expected to be fitted at the Chapel St. Leonards, Lincolnshire, exchange, to supply the needs of farmers and other members of the public who have been waiting for telephones for long periods.

I hope that additional exchange equipment will be available at Chapel St. Leonards by the end of April, when the new automatic exchange now being installed should be ready for service.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been drawn to the case of a post office telephonist who was convicted and heavily fined for divulging the contents of telephone messages to a London newspaper; and whether any action is contemplated against the newspaper in question for receiving this information knowing that it had been improperly acquired by them.

I understand that newspapers often receive information by telephone from persons who are not regular correspondents. In this case the telephonist's activities came to light indirectly as a result of the newspaper's independent check on his message, and I accept the editor's assurance that his staff had no reason to think that the information had been improperly acquired.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will restrict conversations in public telephone boxes to three minutes.

The hon. Member's suggestion would involve the installation of special timing and control equipment for public call offices at all automatic exchanges, as well as modification of part of the equipment at manual exchanges. Its adoption would be impracticable under present conditions, in view of the restricted production of exchange equipment for home use.

Has the right hon. Gentleman never seen young men, with that daft look on their faces which always indicates something feminine at the other end of the wire, occupying telephone boxes for anything up to 10 minutes while half a dozen of His Majesty's lieges wait outside to use the machine for their lawful occasions; and could he not at least put up in the boxes some such notice as Please restrict your conversation to three minutes"; or "Is your conversation really necessary"?

We do that but unfortunately everyone does not take notice of them. To do what is suggested in the Question is a matter of equipment which we cannot supply at the moment.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that we have quite sufficient restrictions already?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction of business men is Glasgow and East Renfrewshire at the persistent delay in delivery of mails from London which are not delivered to the addressees until the afternoon of the day following posting in London; and whether he will take steps to expedite their delivery.

I much regret that, owing to late running, correspondence carried by the special mail train from London to Scotland is not now included in the first delivery in Glasgow and East Renfrewshire. Correspondence for Glasgow is necessarily included in the delivery beginning at 11.30 a.m. Everything practicable is being done, in close collaboration with the Railway Executive, to bring about such improvement as will permit correspondence carried by this mail train to be delivered by first delivery in Glasgow.

While not in any way imputing any sort of blame to the Postmaster-General or to his Department, is the right. hon. Gentleman aware that hundreds of thousands of business men and other people in Glasgow are gravely inconvenienced by this, and may I, on their behalf, ask him to use his utmost influence with the railways to see that trains arrive at least within two or three hours of the times scheduled?

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the widespread dissatisfaction in south-east London with the late delivery of mail in the morning; and if this cannot be remedied, if he will consider a later night collection.

I am not aware of any widespread dissatisfaction such as is suggested. I understand the first delivery of letters in south-east London is normally completed within the present standard time, namely, 9 a.m. To complete the delivery earlier or to provide a later final collection would necessitate additional calls on manpower which cannot be justified in present circumstances.

Is the Postmaster-General aware that a considerable amount of mail is delivered after nine o'clock when many people have left their homes, and that if the last collection has gone before they get back it means a day's delay?

I am told that that happens on very few occasions. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] At least, we have had very few complaints.

Surely the right hon. Gentleman knows that there is grave dissatisfaction everywhere about the lateness of the first delivery in the mornings, not only in this part of London but everywhere? Surely he is quite wrong when he says that he does not know about it.

I still stick to my answer that we are not aware of any widespread dissatisfaction.

asked the Postmaster-General how many postal deliveries there are in Brighton on a weekday, and what is the latest delivery; how these deliveries compare with those in towns in Great Britain of similar size; and what is the latest time on any one day when a letter can be posted in London guaranteed to be delivered in Brighton next morning by first post, and the latest to be delivered by the second post.

Brighton, in common with all provincial towns, has two deliveries of letters on weekdays. The second letter delivery in provincial towns commences generally in the forenoon; at Brighton at 11 a.m. Posting times in London for first delivery in Brighton on the following weekday are: 6 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. in street letter boxes; 6.45 p.m. to 7 p.m. at sub-district post offices; 8 p.m. at head district post offices. On Sundays the corresponding times are: 4.15 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., 4.45 p.m. to 5 p.m., and 6 p.m., respectively. Late fee letters for first delivery in Brighton on the following weekday can be posted at London Bridge Station up to 11.50 p.m. Monday to Friday, and up to 9.5 p.m. on Sundays. Letters intended for the second delivery in Brighton can be posted at the London Chief Office, King Edward Street, or at the Mount Pleasant Post Office, up to 6.30 a.m.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us why, when it takes only an hour to go down to Brighton by train, all this extra time is taken with letters?

rose——

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman be allowed time to reply to my supplementary question?

Perhaps the hon. Member for Twickenham (Mr. Keeling) wants first to put a supplementary question to the supplementary question of the hon. Member.

Will not the Postmaster-General add that any member of the public who walks into the Outer Lobby while the House is sitting can post a letter up to 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. and get it delivered in Brighton first thing in the morning?

asked the Postmaster-General by how many have the number of post office workers, employed directly or indirectly in the delivery of letters in Brighton, been increased in the last six months.

None, Sir.

At a time when Brighton has some 3,000 unemployed and there is this dissatisfaction in the town about the appallingly bad deliveries from London, cannot the right hon. Gentleman do something to help the Minister of Labour to find employment for some of these people in the postal service?

I do not agree that there is great dissatisfaction in the town. There are plenty of jobs in the country at the present time for the unemployed in the towns.

asked the Postmaster-General why letters to the U.S.S.R. and other Communist-controlled countries are sent by air without surcharge while letters sent by air to Western Germany and Berlin incur a postage rate 50 per cent. higher.

Owing to the exceptionally large proportion of "gift," as compared with ordinary, traffic for Germany and Poland, it has not so far been a practical proposition to provide unsurcharged air services to these countries. I am reviewing the position and will write to the hon. Member.

Does not the Postmaster-General agree that it is really Gilbertian that letters should be sent to the other side of the iron curtain by aircraft flying over Western Germany at a lower rate than letters sent to Western Germany itself?

There were reasons why these exceptions were made, but, as I have said, I am looking into it.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will make arrangements for mails to be despatched to and from the Island of Coll by aircraft which are already flying there under charter to collect perishable food supplies for Glasgow merchants when the weather is too bad to permit of calls by the steamer serving the island.

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

Will the Postmaster-General press the Minister of Civil Aviation to see if an air service cannot be run to this island?

If it is possible to do anything in this direction I shall do it.

asked the Postmaster-General whether depositors in the General Post Office Savings Bank having reached the limits of deposits are still allowed to have their investment dividends sent direct to the bank by building societies, etc.; and whether these amounts of investment interest are acknowledged as at present, credited to the depositor's account with the additional interest from the bank over the amount due on the permitted limit of deposit.

Under the Savings Bank (Limit of Deposits) Order, 1946, the limits of amounts of deposits do not operate to prevent the crediting to the account of a depositor in the Post Office Savings Bank of dividends on Government stock and bonds held by him on the Post Office Register. Other dividends are not so exempted.

Does that mean that for other dividends a statement is sent that the dividend has been received and must be withdrawn?

I take it that that is the procedure.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the total area in square feet, and the rental value of property in St. James's Street occupied by his Department and used as a booking office.

The total area of this property is 6,820 square feet, and the rental is £7,050 per annum.

Does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman think that not only is it very expensive but also inconvenient to have a booking centre at this street; and could not he find a more convenient place near one of the main line stations, and at a quarter of the cost?

I certainly think it is expensive. As regards the second part of the Question, I am advised it is considered to be most convenient, and certainly extremely useful.

For what purpose is it convenient?

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he authorised the declaration made by the Director of the W.R.A.F., that punishment for women will be the same as for men; that there is to be provision for the detention of women members of the Forces; and whether special military detention prisons are to be established for women.

In her statement the Director explained that members of the Women's Royal Air Force are now subject to the Air Force Act with certain modifications. They may be awarded detention but not field punishment. While the building of special detention barracks is not contemplated, consideration is being given to the most appropriate place in which a service woman can serve a sentence of detention.

Is the Minister satisfied that these measures for stricter discipline are really necessary, and can he assure us there will be nothing in the nature of glasshouses for ladies.

I am quite sure that my hon. Friend is a believer in sex equality, and in view of the fact that we are integrating the women's services with the men's services, it is not inconsistent to provide punishments for women as we do for men.

Are we to understand from the reply of the right hon. and learned Gentleman that the Government have substituted a policy of equal punishment for men and women instead of equal pay?

No, Sir. There is not a complete integration either as regards payment or as regards punishment, as I indicated in my first reply.

Are we to take it from the reply of the Secretary of State that equal punishment will include corporal punishment for women?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many accidents to Royal Air Force aircraft have taken place since 1st January, 1949; how much loss of life was involved; and how do these figures compare with those in 1948.

Between 1st January and 19th February, 1949, there were 23 accidents to Royal Air Force aircraft in which lives were lost. The total number of deaths was 53. The figures for the same period in 1948 were 17 and 31, respectively.

Does the right hon. and learned-Gentleman say that the maintenance side of the Royal Air Force and the training are responsible for this?

No, Sir, I do not think that we can draw any such inference from these statistics, and I may say that the figures in relation to three months of this year have to have regard to our increased commitments necessitated by the Berlin air lift.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many Czech nationals are stationed at Cardington; what ranks did they hold in the Royal Air Force when they were serving during the war; and what are their present ranks.

Thirty-three Czech nationals are stationed at Cardington. They are volunteers for service in the R.A.F. and, pending selection and posting as short service commissioned officers, aircrew or tradesmen, hold the rank of Aircraftman 2nd Class. Eighteen of these men have passed the Selection Boards and await posting. During the war these men served in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, one as a Group Captain, two as Wing Commanders, four as Squadron Leaders, 13 as junior officers, four as Warrant Officers, eight as N.C.Os. and one as an aircraftman.

While appreciating the intention of the right hon. and learned Gentleman may I ask him if he will expedite that policy in order to give these men something approaching their war rank as soon as possible?

Yes, Sir. Of the total number of 148, I think 12 or 13 remain to he dealt with.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, on closing down 18 Maintenance Unit, he will offer similar employment elsewhere to all Air Ministry civilian employees who have received training and hold qualifications in aircraft maintenance, irrespective of the trade union to which they may belong.

It has been decided that No. 18 Maintenance Unit shall not be closed down, but is to change its functions and become a sub site of No. 14 Maintenance Unit, Carlisle, an aircraft equipment depot. It is expected that the reconstituted unit will be able to absorb a number of semi-skilled and unskilled grades now employed. But I regret that there is no prospect of the aircraft maintenance grades being retained. I am, however, communicating with the Ministry of Labour with a view to finding them alternative employment. In addition, we have a limited number of vacancies for fully skilled workers at other Air Ministry units and these will, so far as possible, be offered to fully skilled men who may become redundant at No. 18 Maintenance Unit.

As many of these skilled men have nine or ten years' experience of aircraft maintenance at great expenditure of public money, is it not common sense to find them jobs elsewhere in aeronautical engineering?

Yes, Sir. I said that I was communicating with the Ministry of Labour in the hope that it might be possible to do something.

Is it not a fact that there are trained Air Force personnel on the maintenance side who can do the jobs that the civilians do; and is it the policy of His Majesty's Government to get rid of these civilians, because they are not part of the Air Force regular personnel?

No, Sir. This particular difficulty has arisen because of the change of function at this particular depot.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the number of personnel employed in the Air Ministry Photographic Section; how many trips have been made during the last three months to obtain photographs in Germany of the airlift; what is the total number of photographs taken and the estimated cost of the various special trips for taking these photographs; and what steps are taken to ensure that all those employed are fully occupied and that there is no unnecessary waste in photographic equipment and materials.

I understand that my hon. Friend is referring to the photographic section of the Information Division. Sixteen persons are employed in it. A visit to Germany to photograph the airlift was last made at the beginning of November. Eighty photographs were taken. The cost of the visit was about £60. The activities of the section are subject to normal establishment and financial control and independent audit.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that on a recent air trip, undertaken especially to make further photographs of the airlift, none of the photographs came out because of mishandling of the cameras? Is he aware of the charge being made, and of the present waste of equipment and material, and will he have this matter looked into?

This is the first I have heard of it, and I will certainly inquire into the allegations of the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Defence if he is prepared to authorise the full grant of £50 uniform allowance to non-regular officers commissioned after 3rd November, 1948, who can prove to him that, before his statement of 19th January, 1949, they had ordered uniform costing more than £29.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Defence if he is satisfied that the British military mission in Burma is fulfilling any useful purpose; and what instructions have been issued to them to prevent their being involved in a civil war.

The British Services Mission have done, and are doing, useful work in the difficult conditions now prevailing in Burma. The directive issued to the Head of the Mission provides that its functions are purely advisory.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what good work the Mission can possibly be doing in a country which is in a state of chaos? What guarantee can he give the House that the Mission will not be involved indirectly, if not directly, in a civil war against the Karens?

As regards the last point, the actual wording of the directive to them provides that they are in a purely advisory capacity. As to the first part of the supplementary question, I am quite satisfied that in the difficult circumstances the Mission is faithfully and properly carrying out our agreement with the Burmese Government.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whom the Mission are actually meant to advise?

Under the agreement with the Burmese Government they advise the Burmese Government.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will consult with the Chiefs of Staff Committee in order to solve the problem created by the invention and development of several jet engines, which, in due course, will come off the secret list, in order to ensure that certain jet developments remain, so far as is practicable, secret, and that in no circumstances can they be sold to any foreign Power, except one in close, friendly and permanently harmonious relations with His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom.

I am satisfied that the present security arrangements are adequate. Even when no longer on the secret list these engines are subject to export control and their export is restricted as necessary to comply with security requirements.

In view of the reversal of policy announced on Monday whereby we are not to sell any more jet engines to Russia, can the right hon. Gentleman give an absolute assurance that the measures which are being taken to protect our latest types and developments are really effective?

I have already said that we have been into the matter and are satisfied that the security arrangements adopted are satisfactory.

asked the Minister of Defence what was the total expenditure on recruiting campaigns in 1948; and what was the cost per recruit obtained.

The figures requested by my hon. Friend are being worked out and I will communicate with him when they are available.

Will my right hon. Friend look into the question of the cost of some of these recruiting displays; and will he tell us what disciplinary action he is taking against the Secretary of State for War for speeches calculated to hinder recruiting?

The question put by my hon. Friend raises an administrative matter for which the Service Ministers themselves are responsible to the House.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in some recruiting areas the cost per head for recruits amounts to nearly £8? Does he not think that a more practical demonstration of goodwill by the Government to the Territorial Army by providing proper equipment and accommodation would be better than many of these social functions?

I should say that that ought to be raised on the Estimates of the War Department. I would say at once, however, that there might be some local circumstance of the kind which the hon. and gallant Gentleman mentioned but the general cost over the country is certainly nowhere in the region of that figure.

asked the Minister of Defence what action is being taken to implement the recommendations of the Report of the Army and Air Force Courts Martial Committee.

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

asked the Minister of Defence when the Navy List, the Army List and the Air Force List will again be made available for the public; and if copies will be provided for Members of this House.

Service Lists, which are in future to be published on an annual basis, will be placed on sale in the early summer. Copies will be placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Minister of Food what are the present stocks of imported and home produced barley; whether he is satisfied that no serious deterioration is taking place; and if he will release extra quantities at once to pig producers.

It would not be in the national interest to disclose the figures of imported stocks, but for the Ministry's stocks of home grown barley on 3rd February I would refer to the reply given to the hon. Member for Orpington on 14th February. The answer to the second part of the Question is "Yes, Sir." With regard to the third part, my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Agriculture, is not prepared to increase ration issues of animal feedingstuffs at this time because he is not satisfied that an increased ration could be maintained.

Is not the right hon. Lady aware that members of pig clubs who see all this barley lying idle in the country feel that they could put it to better use than is the case at present? Surely she should give them a chance to use it and to produce the pork which is required?

Yes, Sir, but the hon. Gentleman sees only a little of the barley while we see it all, and we know exactly how much we have. [HON. MEMBERS: "Then tell us."] The facts are that the animal feedingstuffs which we have in stock now are enough to maintain our present rations until September, 1949, and no longer.

The right hon. Lady says that it would not be in the public interest to disclose stocks. That is not a phrase which should be used lightly or an attitude which should be adopted lightly. Can the right hon. Lady say what public interests are affected?

Certainly, Sir, the interests of the taxpayers of this country—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Hon. Gentlemen opposite who have some business knowledge must realise—I have said this time after time—that when we enter into transactions with people abroad, it would be very stupid and certainly not in the interests of this country if we disclosed our stocks.

From that point of view, can the right hon. Lady say what is the difference between telling the prospective seller overseas, as she has just done, that we shall run out of stock in September this year and telling this House the actual amount?

If the right hon. Gentleman will look at the Question and the figures which we have given before, he will see that we have not disclosed how much imported foodstuffs we have in this country but have only disclosed home produced stocks, which is an entirely different matter.

asked the Minister of Food why he recently purchased from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics 5,500,000 quarters of barley at a time when there is a glut of homegrown barley; and whether the price was in the region of 126s. a quarter in that country.

My Department has bought no barley from Russia since December, 1947, when the price paid was substantially less than that quoted by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Food how many tons of potatoes were sold in the United Kingdom during the year ended 31st March, 1947; how many tons were sold for delivery abroad; and to what countries principally did they go.

In the year ended 31st March, 1947, 6,612,000 tons of ware and seed were sold in the United Kingdom and 133,659 tons were exported, principally to France, Italy, Greece, the Netherlands and Germany.

Can the right hon. Lady tell the House whether we made a profit or a loss on these sales abroad, and, if so, how much?

That is another question.

I want to know the answer, Mr. Speaker. May I give notice——

Surely, if it is another question, it can be put down on the Order Paper?

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. I merely wished to say that because the answer was so unsatisfactory, I should like to have the opportunity of raising the matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Food if, in view of the fact that the basis whereon potato tonnages are handled by agents dates back to the period 1st June, 1938–31st May, 1939, he will now, in the light of post-war experience, institute an inquiry into the section trade adviser system of control.

I think the hon. and gallant Member is under a misapprehension as to the duties of these people. The work done by agents—which involves inspection of farm stocks, negotiation of contracts and ancillary duties—is not allocated on any datum basis but is passed to the agent best situated to do the particular job. Section trade advisers have the duty in some areas to supervise the work of these agents, and in those areas and elsewhere they act as expert advisers on potato problems.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that the section trade advisers in many cases have made a good business out of this and have obtained a great deal of business which was previously in the hands of merchants whom they are now responsible for administering? Will she do something to prevent this ever-growing bureaucracy from throttling existing merchants?

I think these generalisations are a little unfair to these men who have served us well for many years. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will give me the name of a person who is abusing his powers, I will certainly make an inquiry.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that the amount of business now in the hands of section trade advisers is vastly greater than it was when this system came into operation, and that a great many merchants are being forced out of business by her bureaucracy?

asked the Minister of Food what were the separate acreage figures for the Isle of Ely and Holland areas of Royal Kidney potatoes grown this season; what was the average yield per acre; and how much of each crop remains to be disposed of.

Two hundred and seventy and 283 acres respectively. The average yield per acre was estimated to be 7.8 tons. I regret that as farmers are not required to make returns of their stocks by varieties the information required in the last part of the Question is not available.

Could it be made clear to the House exactly what the position is about these potatoes? When I had a conversation with the right hon. Lady in this House—at her suggestion—she told me there were 14,500 tons of these potatoes from this area. Last week her right hon. Friend told me there were 4,500. Now how many are there?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman knows full well that the amount changes because, as he suggested to me, the growers want to export them to Spain, and no doubt that is why there is a discrepancy in the amounts.

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker Although my right hon. Friend has not taken the point, it is one on which I would like your Ruling. The hon. and gallant Gentleman has referred to what was apparently a private conversation between himself——

What is the point of Order?

The point of Order is whether it is right for an hon. Member to make public, information which he has received during the course of a private conversation.

Is it not in Order to refer to a conversation which had been asked for by the right hon. Lady herself in this House?

May I clear up this matter, Mr. Speaker? Perhaps the House will remember that the hon. and gallant Gentleman was a little confused the week before last, and I said I would see him behind your Chair. I think we were not far away from you Mr. Speaker—and it was quite open to anybody to listen in.

Is there anything particularly compromising in having a conversation with the right hon. Lady?

I should not like to think so.

asked the Minister of Food what quantity of tea was sold in the United Kingdom and how much for delivery abroad for the year ended 31st March, 1947; and to what countries principally was it sold.

For the year ended 31st March, 1947, 472 million lb. of tea were sold in the United Kingdom, of which 36 million lb. were re-exported, principally to Eire, Holland, Denmark and Belgium. At that period the United Kingdom bought for the other countries under arrangements made by the I.E.F.C.

May I again ask the right hon. Lady if this House is not entitled to know whether this was sold at a profit or a loss, and, if so, how much?

Certainly, Sir. The hon. Gentleman knows that I never disappoint him. If he cares to put a Question on the Order Paper, I shall be only too happy to answer him.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that large quantities of oats in the North of Scotland are unsold; and what steps are being taken to alleviate this position.

As my right hon. Friend informed the hon. Member for Kinross and West Perth (Mr. Snadden) on 14th February, we are prepared to buy, at the guaranteed price, all the sound oats offered to my Department.

Arising out of that answer, and in view of the glut of oats which undoubtedly exists at the moment, will the right hon. Lady give serious consideration to the possibility of taking oats off coupons in the near future?