asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will arrange for transit camps to be provided in the Middle and Far East to enable wives to sail with their husbands when they are posted there and to live there until permanent married quarters are available.

The proposal of the hon. Member would involve the construction of a large number of transit camps overseas in view of the widely scattered areas involved. This could only be undertaken at the expense of the married quarters programme and other building work. I think the greatest service to families is achieved by concentrating our efforts on the provision of married quarters.

Will not my right hon. and learned Friend have more regard to the point of view of the Service men and their wives; does not he agree that it is quite proper that they should desire normal family life in peace time; and will not they have to wait a very long time for the married quarters' programme to be carried out?

I think that the best thing we can do for our married people is to provide them with quarters, not transit camps. It is because I do not want to slow down the building programme of married quarters that I think it inadvisable to start transit camps, which would require construction almost to the same extent as married quarters.

Would not the best way of safeguarding family life for these men and women be to bring the men home?

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that no progress is being made with the provision of a main supply of electricity for Lambourn Woodlands and Woodlands St. Mary in Berkshire because of the unwillingness of his Department to assist the Southern Electricity Board in providing a supply line at reasonable cost close to Membury airfield; and if he will review the problem again so that the local residents may obtain the electricity supply promised to them.

I can assure the hon. Member that the lack of provision of main supply of electricity to the two villages referred to is not due to any unwillingness on the part of my Department to assist the Southern Electricity Board. Under existing Government policy the provision of such supply is a matter entirely for the Southern Electricity Board, and I regret I have no power to make ex gratia payments in cases such as the present.

Does the Minister really think that it is reasonable that these villagers, because they happen to live near an airfield, should be denied indefinitely a public supply of electricity at a reasonable cost, and will he carry out the suggestion in the second part of my Question and see whether some compromise can be reached with the Electricity Board?

I am given to understand that the difficulty in this case is not by reason of the requirements of my Department that the cable should be installed underground. I understand that the hon. Gentleman himself has been informed by the chairman of the Southern Electricity Board that even if the Air Ministry were to waive their requirements the extension could only be undertaken at a loss which the Board are not prepared to incur.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can now give an assurance that he will not interfere with the haunt of anser albifrons albifrons by establishing a range for heavy bombers at Frampton Sand on the Severn.

Yes, Sir. After considering the representations which I have received about this proposal I have decided that it must be abandoned. An alternative range area in this part of the country will, however, have to be found.

Good for the goose.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how the scale of rations issued to His Majesty's Royal Air Force vessel "Bridlington" compares with that issued to Royal Naval vessels.

I will, with permission, circulate a table in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say whether the scale of rations issued to the "Bridlington" is equivalent to that issued to Royal Navy personnel, and, if not, would he give that information to the House?

I have the table here, and it will be circulated, but it is quite impossible to say generally as it varies with various items of the rations. In the case of sugar, for instance, the ration for the "Bridlington" is better than that for the Royal Navy; on the other hand, in the case of meat, the issue is greater for the Royal Navy than for the "Bridlington."

Can the Minister state why there are these differences, and why there should not be the same rations for both Services?

I would not like to say why there are all sorts of discrepancies between the Royal Air Force, the Army and the Royal Navy.

What about the difference in gin and cigarettes?

I have not included gin as a food.

What about cigarettes?

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many workers employed at Burtonwood have recently been moved out to other places such as Handforth, 20 miles away; and what is the explanation for causing this trouble and transport expense to these workers.

Nineteen workers have recently been moved to Handforth from the R.A.F. unit at Burtonwood following a transfer of equipment holdings. Also workers at the United States Air Force unit at Burtonwood have been moved as a result of redundancy, one going to Handforth and 60 to other R.A.F. depots.

Does not this redundancy arise from the fact that Americans have come over here to take these jobs? Can the Minister say when this business of moving citizens to make way for Yanks is going to cease?

I can certainly say that it is not the case that United States nationals are coming over here to Burtonwood and taking the jobs of former Air Ministry employees.

In view of the fact that Question No. 2 has not been called, can nothing be done to stop Questions the answers to which can only be of advantage to Soviet Russia?

I can do nothing about Questions which are in Order.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what steps are being taken to stimulate the development of the services mentioned in the agreement made with the United States in 1946: London-New York-San Francisco-Honolulu-Manila-Singapore; London-New York-New Orleans-Mexico City; and London-New York-Cuba-Jamaica-Panama-Colombia-Ecuador-Lima-Santiago, with a view to increasing the earning power of American dollars by our overseas airlines.

As more capacity becomes available, British Overseas Airways Corporation plan to extend and intensify their services in the dollar area.

Can my hon. Friend explain the reason for the delay of nearly three years in getting these services; will he say if his noble Friend is satisfied that a really active dollar-earning policy is being pursued by the Corporation, and, if not, is he considering giving any directions under his statutory powers?

Whether one provides a service or not depends upon the availability of suitable aircraft. These aircraft have not been available, and, now that they are coming into use, the services will be provided.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what steps are being taken to stimulate the development of airline services in the Caribbean and to commence operations in addition to the one service between Nassau and Miami, in order to earn United States dollars and to implement the American agreement entered into in 1946.

Within the limits of the capacity at present available, frequencies on the existing routes are being increased. With the introduction of the newer aircraft types with which the Corporation is being re-equipped, there will be progressive extension of services to other routes in the Caribbean area.

Would my hon. Friend say what types of aircraft are being introduced in that area?

The Stratocruisers will release the Constellations for other services, and the Hermes, when it arrives, is planned to operate in that area.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if, in publishing the periodical statistics of civil air lines operation results, he will include information indicating not only the B.O.A.C. dollar-earning figure but also the total dollar expenditure; and, in particular, the dollar expenditure of B.O.A.C. in 1948.

No, Sir. The publication of information of this kind is a matter for the Corporation to decide in the light of commercial considerations.

Has my hon. Friend noticed the rather one-sided approach by the Corporation in this matter, in that it publishes the figures of dollar earnings but fails to publish similar figures of capital and revenue expenditure? Will he use his influence to try to get it to publish both sets of figures so that an intelligent interest in them may be taken by the public?

No, Sir, because they would not give a true picture, even then. Dollar expenditure would also have reference to aircraft and spares which operate on routes other than the dollar air routes.

Will my hon. Friend urge the Corporation to publish both the dollar earnings and the expenditure as an indication of what is really happening?

Perhaps this is a little counter-propaganda to what has been done by other people.

In order to present a true picture and also relieve Socialist hon. Members of embarrassment, would not the best way be to hand the lines over to private enterprise?

They were never private enterprise under the Tory Government. In fact, the Tory Government nationalised Imperial Airways into B.O.A.C.

Is there any reason to suppose that many dollar earners are also dollar losers?

It all depends on what one includes in expenses. If, in fact, one excludes the capital cost of aircraft which are American, then they are dollar earning.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what salaries and allowances are paid to pilots and navigators employed in his Department's communication unit at Gatwick.

£800 rising by annual increments of £25 to £950 per annum and £700 rising by annual increments of £25 to £900 per annum, respectively. In addition, an allowance of £100 per annum is paid to three pilots whose duties include an element of V.I.P. work, and a supervisory allowance of £150 per annum is paid to the Senior Staff Pilot.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the rates of pay which he has just given are far below those paid by the Corporations and commercial operators, and also that these aircrews are at a great disadvantage on pension rates, because the Minister of Civil Aviation, under the Act, insists on commercial firms paying a certain rate and then himself undercuts that rate?

The statement of the hon. and gallant Gentleman is fundamentally correct, and the discrepancies are now under consideration, but we note the desire to increase expenditure.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if the inquiry into the cause of the accident between the Dakota and the Anson trainer, near Coventry, last February is now completed; and if he proposes to publish the Report.

Yes, Sir. The Report was published on 28th September.

May I ask my hon. Friend if it is not within his recollection that, on the last occasion when this matter was raised, he said that he would communicate with me about it, and that his failure to do so has prompted this Question?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the United Kingdom has yet signed the United Nations convention on genocide; and when it is intended that this convention shall be ratified.

No, Sir. The exact implications of accession, from the point of view of United Kingdom law, are being studied.

Would my right hon. Friend state whether he cannot consider this very important matter between now and United Nations Day next week, so that we might show our goodwill towards the United Nations and the adoption of this convention? This is a very horrible crime, and the convention has now been agreed to by all concerned in the United Nations.

I will look into it, but I cannot do it between now and next week. There are Departmental views concerning the application of this law which I must study.

May I ask my right hon. Friend in what way United Kingdom laws conflict with the convention on race murder? I cannot think of any of our laws which permit race murder in this country.

I think it is the application of the law in relation to our practice, but I will give an answer later.

Could not we find a word which better expresses our thought than this horrible word "genocide"?

Could the right hon. Gentleman, who is himself innocent in this matter, say who invented this horribly illiterate word "genocide," and whether the United Nations proposes to continue to use it?

I am glad to hear someone in the House say that I am innocent of something.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether payment has yet been received from Albania as the result of the decision of The Hague Court in the case of His Majesty's ships mined by Albanian action in the Corfu Channel; and what action he is taking in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he is taking to secure damages or reparations from the Government of Albania for the mining of British ships in the Corfu Channel.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has a statement to make about His Majesty's Government's complaint against the Albanian Government in the matter of the mined warships.

No payment has been received, since the amount of compensation payable has not been finally fixed. The International Court of Justice by an order of 9th April, 1949, reserved for further consideration the assessment of this amount and invited, in writing, observations by the two parties. The Albanian Government in the written observations which it filed expressed the view that the Court had no jurisdiction to fix the amount of damages, although the Court had already decided that it had jurisdiction to do so. The Court have now fixed an oral hearing at The Hague on 17th November.

His Majesty's Government have followed and continue to follow the procedure prescribed by the International Court and will, of course, abide by the Court's decision, which is expected towards the end of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the United Kingdom agreed to permission being given to Japan to pay Siam and Indo-China debts incurred during the war; and why these debts have received priority over debts due to British subjects from before the war.

The hon. Member is doubtless referring to the impending transfer of certain quantities of gold from Japan to Thailand and Indo-China. According to the Legal Advisers of the United States Government there is no doubt that, as a matter of law, this gold is already, and has long been, owned by the Governments of France and Thailand. It is, therefore, not the case that His Majesty's Government have agreed to permission being given to Japan to make payment now to Thailand and Indo-China for debts incurred during the war. Since we had no grounds for refuting the case as presented by the United States Government, that title to the gold had been legally transferred before the Japanese surrender, His Majesty's representative on the Far Eastern Commission was instructed not to oppose the physical transfer.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, at any rate in France, it has been at least semi-officially announced that these were the repayments of debts due—I have seen that myself—and will he assure the House that in no circumstances debts will be paid to any other country before they are paid to British subjects who have been owed this money since before the war?

I gave a lot of thought to this before I instructed our representative on the Far Eastern Commission to agree to the physical transfer. I had the same doubts as the hon. Member, but, in the end, I thought the case was proved.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now make a statement about the attitude of the United Kingdom concerning reparations from Japan.

In May of this year the United States announced that there would be no further reparations removals from Japan under the Advance Transfer Reparations Programme. This programme was based on an interim directive issued by the United States Government in accordance with the terms of reference of the Far Eastern Commission. Its termination means that Japan will pay no further reparations at any rate as long as the present régime of control continues. It does not necessarily mean that Japan will make no further reparations payments at all, since final decisions on this subject will eventually have to be embodied in the terms of the general peace settlement. But it would be misleading to hold out any hope that Japan will ever be able to pay any further substantial reparations and at the same time to pay her own way in the world.

Are we to understand from the Minister's reply and from the fact that the right hon. Gentleman has, presumably, been discussing these matters over the last few months, that Great Britain will in no way try to demand further reparations?

I would not say that; it has not been discussed on that basis at all. The fact is that there is an adverse balance in Japan, and the American Government are not willing to let reparations continue at this moment, and, in that, I think they have a good case.

Is it not the case that the right of the United States Government to give interim directives refers to matters of urgency which cannot, of course, be applied to questions of this kind, and, if that is so, by what right have the United States Government taken a unilateral decision of this kind without consultation with us?

I would like notice of that Question.

He cannot answer that because it would give the game away.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received notification from the Yugoslav Government of the date on which three of the six Yugoslays forcibly repatriated to Yugoslavia for trial as war criminals from the British zone of Germany on 2nd August, 1948, were executed; and whether he has any information as to the fate of the other three.

The Yugoslav Government have now informed His Majesty's Embassy in Belgrade that four of the six men have been executed, and that the fifth man has been sentenced to death but that his sentence has not yet been confirmed or carried out, and that the case of the sixth man, who is in prison, is still under investigation.

Can my right hon. Friend answer the question which his Under-Secretary promised he would answer before—that is, the date on which the first three of this group were executed, how soon they were executed after being handed over, and whether they stood any trial at all?

We have made inquiries but we have not had the answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in view of the recent order issued by the Military Government in Germany, how many newspapers were found to be published in Western Germany using the names under which they were published during the Nazi era; and how many newspapers were found to have the previous Nazi editors again editing them.

Up to the time when the Allied High Commission Press law, to which I assume my hon. Friend is referring, was promulgated on 21st September, 1949, licensing continued in the British zone, and there were therefore no newspapers of the type referred to.

Will my right hon. Friend say whether any have been published since and whether among those to be published is that horrible, pornographic paper "Der Sturmer," and is he aware that the printer of that paper has intimated that he proposes to publish it? If so, will my right hon. Friend take steps to see that that paper is not published and that even its name is not used because it stinks in the nostrils of every decent person?

I cannot interfere in this business now; I could interfere while we held the control of the licence.

Is the Minister aware that if he had carried out his own promise to nationalise the industries in the British zone of Germany this question would not have arisen?

I am extremely anxious to nationalise them in all Germany and so prevent them getting into the hands of the Soviet.

Is it a fact that "Der Sturmer" is still being circulated in the Western zone of Germany?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman must give me notice of that Question.

Will my right hon. Friend investigate the matter again, because I am under the impression that we still have control over the publication of these papers, and, if that is the case, will he see to it that papers of this nature are not published?

We have overall powers of intervention, but not in every detail of everything that occurs in Germany now.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent he retains power to control the newspapers and journals which were permitted to be republished in the Western zone of Germany, many of which are continuing the Fascist and anti-Semitic propaganda which they published formerly; and what action he is taking in this matter.

The only powers reserved by the Western Allies over the German Press in their zones, are contained in the Allied High Commission Law on Press, Radio, Information and Entertainment, a copy of which I am having placed in the Library. This Law contains provisions enabling the High Commissioners to intervene to prevent measures being taken which threaten the freedom of the Press and to take action against newspapers printing matters which offend against the prestige and security of the Occupying Powers. No evidence of such propaganda as is mentioned in the Question has come to my notice, and the second half of the Question, therefore, does not arise.

Arising from the last part of the answer, that no evidence has been furnished, may I ask whether it is not the case that ample evidence has been furnished by several organisations, including the Jewish Board of Deputies, who received a very sympathetic reply from the Minister's noble Friend in another place? Will the Minister further consider what can be done to prevent these outrages?

I will look into this business of the Press, as I have already promised.

In view of what my right hon. Friend has said about the connection between dismantling factories and the security of Europe, may I ask whether he does not think that the security of Europe would be better served by preventing the rise again of Nazism in Germany than by pulling down factories which can be used for peaceful purposes?

The hon. Member is asking for an opinion and not for information.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he has recently received from German trade union leaders on the question of dismantling factories that could be used for peace-time production; and what has been his reply.

The President of the Trade Union Federation of the British zone has expressed his concern to me about the effects of the execution of the Allied dismantling programme upon employment and upon the development of the trade union movement in Germany. Similar representations have been made orally and in writing to me and to the British authorities in Germany in respect of dismantling at individual plants. The replies made to these representations have made it clear that the dismantling programme is the subject of international agreements which His Majesty's Government is in duty bound to carry out. We have, however, always been willing in consultation with our Allies to consider local adjustments of the programme designed to mitigate hardships without sacrificing the objectives to which it is directed.

Does not the Foreign Secretary agree that the time has come for the complete ending of this dismantling programme, and will he take the initiative in that direction?

No, I do not agree until I am satisfied that security is put right. I am not satisfied yet that the rest of the world is entirely safe.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the execution of his settled policy on dismantling is assisted by the unilateral utterances of high officials of our Allies?

No, it is not assisted. It is a joint agreement, and the kind of unilateral statement which the hon. Member has in mind is unsatisfactory.

Does my right hon. Friend mean that nowadays we can get security by the process of dismantling factories? Is not that idea a little ludicrous today?

There are some factories in the world whose dismantling would make a great contribution.

Can the House be assured that the security consideration is the only one in this dismantling issue?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply he has received from the Soviet authorities in respect of the detention by them of Private R. Tirell, Queen's Royal Regiment; whether our representative has seen Private Tirell; and with what result.

A satisfactory reply has not yet been received from the Soviet authorities. On 16th September, 1949, the General Officer Commanding British troops in Berlin visited the Garrison Commander of the Soviet sector and requested the immediate release of Private Tirell or alternatively that he should be allowed to send a staff officer to interview him. The Garrison Commander promised to look into this matter. In spite of a written reminder on 30th September, the Soviet authorities have not yet complied with our request. The British authorities are continuing to press energetically for the right to interview Private Tirell.

Is it a fact that a British subject has now been held for a long period of time by the Soviet authorities in circumstances which must cause us the greatest possible disquiet, and are there other British subjects held by them? Will my right hon. Friend personally take steps over and above the heads of the local authorities in Berlin in order to indicate that this Parliament takes a very severe view of those who maltreat British subjects in any part of the world?

I understand that there are one or two more, but I am not certain whether or not they have gone voluntarily.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the second part of the last supplementary question, whether the time has not come to remove these representations from the purely military level in Berlin and for political representations to come from the right hon. Gentleman?

Well, I seem to get the same result.

As the question of political asylum may be involved in such cases, will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that if the desertions are voluntary and are mainly for political purposes, whether from this side or from the other side, there will be no question of forcible return?

If a Russian soldier comes over to our zone we do not use force to send him back; but we have always allowed a Russian officer to interview the man, and that is exactly what we on our side are asking for.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he will take to clear the character of British officials officially accused of taking part in the alleged plot against the Government of Hungary.

So far as I know no British officials have been accused of taking part in the alleged plot against the Government of Hungary to which my hon. Friend refers. Though it is true that a number of British officials were mentioned by name at the trial of the supposed ringleaders, their characters do not seem to have been impugned, and it will have been obvious to anyone who has read an account of the trial that the so-called evidence bore very little, if any, relation to the facts.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the establishment of the People's Republic of China at Peking and the announcement by its Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mr. Chou En Lai, that they desire to enter into diplomatic relations with other countries, His Majesty's Government have taken a decision on this matter; and if he will make a statement.

His Majesty's Government have not yet reached a decision on this matter and propose to consult with other friendly governments before doing so. I am consequently not yet in a position to make a statement.

In view of the importance of this event and of the opportunity for us to develop friendly relations with the new Chinese Government, will the Minister take more speedy measures than he has taken? Does he have to wait until he gets orders from Washington on this occasion?

This is a very important matter. Does the Minister mean that the Government of this country will consult the Government of America? Can he guarantee that the Government of America will consult this country before they make recognition?

We are in constant consultation with all friendly Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the British representative in the Political Committee of the United Nations voted against the proposal that the United Nations intervene to stay the execution of the Greek trade union leader Georgiu Demothenes, sentenced to death by a military court in Athens.

I am informed that no such proposal has ever been brought before the Political Committee, or any other committee of the United Nations General Assembly.

Is the Minister aware that it was reported in many newspapers that the matter was raised? In view of this reply, may I ask the Minister whether, if the matter is raised, the British representative will support such representations?

I have answered the Question and I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what courses are now being held at Wilton Park; how the students from Germany are chosen; and what is the estimated cost of running the college to the British taxpayer.

This year there have been five six-week courses each attended by 60 students. The courses are designed to promote the understanding of democratic institutions and the development of a Western European outlook, and comprise a carefully balanced programme of lectures, discussions and extra-mural visits. Students are selected by the British High Commission after careful consultation with the German authorities. The annual cost is £34,300.

Will the Foreign Secretary review this expenditure? Would it not be more economical to educate these Germans in Germany rather than by transporting them here and educating them in Wilton Park?

I think environment counts for something.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recognise the very great value that these courses at Wilton Park have had in familiarising parties of selected Germans with the democratic political methods which are practised in this country?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on his recent discussions with the Government of Malta.

A full statement on the conversations with the Malta Government Delegation to London was issued from the Colonial Office on 1st September and appeared in the Press on 2nd September. An earlier statement had been issued on 16th August describing the attitude which His Majesty's Government had taken in face of the Malta Cabinet memorandum of 6th August, which was subsequently withdrawn by the Maltese Prime Minister, Dr. Boffa. There is little to add to the account contained in those announcements. After the second statement had been issued I had further talks with Dr. Boffa, as a result of which I wrote to him recording the position reached and inviting him to send me, after consultation with his colleagues in Malta, his further views on some of the subjects discussed. Dr. Boffa then returned to Malta but has not yet approached me again.

May I ask whether in all these negotiations concerning the people of Malta the right hon. Gentleman will always remember that Malta did get the George Cross?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the total of the financial assistance given or allocated to Malta since the end of the European war; and how many Maltese are employed by the British Government to-day as against the figure for 1938.

The total assistance granted or allocated by His Majesty's Government to Malta during this period is £22,775,000. This is in addition to a gift of £10 million made during the war towards war damage reconstruction, which increased by interest to £11 million.

As regards the second part of the Question 18,707 Maltese civilians are employed today by the United Kingdom Government in Malta as against 11,164 in 1938. These figures do not include Maltese actually in the Armed Forces or Maltese civilians employed by contractors on works on behalf of the Service Departments in Malta.

While I express gratification at this answer may I ask will the right hon. Gentleman deal with the very serious issue, which has been used against His Majesty's Government, that apparently Italy is receiving Marshall Aid while Malta is not receiving Marshall Aid? Would my right hon. Friend explain the position quite clearly?

I would welcome a further Question on the point in regard to Marshall Aid, but I would point out that Malta does draw benefits from the agreements which have already been made under this particular system.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think, in view of the mis-statements circulated in Malta, that it would be very helpful if a White Paper could be issued including everything this country has done for Malta and the actual position as regards labour?

I am quite prepared to consider that suggestion, but there is already information in White Papers which have been issued from time to time in this country. We will see what further publicity can be given.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that these scattered bits of information and a variety of White Papers have no effect on the public mind at all? I think the House as a whole would like the record of what has been done to be categorically stated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) what steps are being taken in Malaya and the Pacific area to combat the destructive effects of the giant snail, Achatina Fulica, and similar species; and what are the existing arrangements with the Governments of Australia and New Zealand for joint action;

(2) what steps are being taken to stop the spread of the giant snail, Achatina Fulica, Achatina Achabine and similar species, to those parts of the Colonial Empire where the species are unknown, in view of the great destruction caused by them; and what co-operation is taking place with the Dominions of Australia and New Zealand and the United States of America in this connection.

As my statement is necessarily of some length, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now indicate by what date it will be possible to complete the arrangements for the distribution of war compensation in Malaya; and whether it has yet been found possible to grant interim compensation to those suffering hardship as a result of the delay which has occurred in this respect.

It is hoped that legislation to implement the War Damage Compensation Scheme will be enacted before the end of the year to enable distribution of war damage compensation to commence. For administrative reasons the local legislatures have rejected preferential treatment in cases of hardship; but arrangements are now under discussion for implementing the proposals to pay immediately the first 350 dollars of each assessed claim for compensation for loss of chattels.

Would my right hon. Friend say whether he will speed up this matter, in view of the very long delay which has taken place, and see to it that these people, who are suffering very considerable hardship in many cases, receive some kind of ethical treatment?

Yes. I think my hon. Friend appreciates that these difficulties do not arise at this end. They are in Malaya itself. We have done everything in our power to achieve a speedy conclusion to this matter and to get some of these payments made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the increasing number of African students from Kenya now reaching university degree standard in appropriate subjects, he intends to make any African appointments to the Kenya Senior Administrative Service.

In accordance with the policy which I announced in 1946, candidates in the Colonies will be considered for any appointments for which they have the necessary academic and personal qualifications on the recommendation of the local Public Service Commissions. The establishment of such a Commission is now under consideration in Kenya.

Where a qualified applicant has been trained and has lived some years in this country cannot he be recruited into the general Colonial Service in this country?

There is no Colonial Service in this country, but obviously he can be recruited for service in the colony from which he comes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the new Trades Union (Re-registration) Bill, which has been introduced into the Kenya Legislative Council; and if a copy of this Bill will be made available in the Library.

The Bill was enacted on 8th September, 1949. Its object is to ensure that trade unions registered before 20th April, 1948, the date on which the Trade Union and Trade Disputes (Amendment) Ordinance, 1948, came into force, fulfil the same conditions as trade unions registered after that date. A copy of the Bill and copies of the Kenya Trade Union Ordinances of 1943 and 1948 have been placed in the library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of African dissatisfaction with the policy of sending prisoners from Nyasaland to. Southern Rhodesia to serve their sentences when their labour is urgently required for work on water conservation, road making and food production in Northern Nyasaland, which is being seriously affected by prolonged drought; and if he will reverse this policy.

I understand that this arrangement was necessitated by lack of prison space in Nyasaland. It is not practicable to change this arrangement. The intention is that only long-term prisoners of a type unsuitable for employment outside gaols will be sent to Southern Rhodesia. The number away is unlikely at any time to exceed 50 and the initial number is not expected to be more than 20 out of a daily average prison population of over 800. This arangement will therefore not deprive Nyasaland of labour which could usefully be employed in the Protectorate.

Do we understand from that reply that the majority of the prisoners retained in Nyasaland are, in fact, being used on work of urgent public importance?

Most prison labour is suitably employed on public work.

Is this not the very thing which has been condemned by the Press and every public personage when taking place in Russia? Is it not the very thing which has now been introduced in this case?

Nothing of the kind. The prison labour is employed on suitable public work and under reasonable conditions.

There is no difference.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action he is taking on the conclusions reached by the International Commission on swollen-shoot disease in the Gold Coast and endorsed by the Cocoa Conference on 1st September, to the effect that the problem has not received adequate attention; that it must be tackled on a much larger scale; and that, if adequate staff cannot otherwise be provided, it should be sought overseas.

An intensified campaign is under way and funds have been voted for it in the Gold Coast. Supervisory staff is being actively recruited both here and in the Gold Coast; in addition training of staff is being pressed on, and subordinate staff and labour are being organised.

Can the Secretary of State confirm or refute the authoritative statements made at the Cocoa Conference that the number of diseased trees is growing faster than the number being cut down?

It is quite true that sufficient staff has not been recruited up to date to cope with the demands which the farmers are making for cutting out, and the disease is spreading, and spreading to an alarming extent.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what exactly this staff does? Are not the farmers themselves competent to do what is required?

Obviously the resistance comes from the farmers themselves and, consequently, a staff is employed to persuade the farmers to agree to this cutting-out process. In addition, the inspectors who take part in this work are also assisted by a very considerable staff of native officials.

As the whole existence of the cocoa industry in the Gold Coast is threatened, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement in regard to the proposed date of the General Election.

The hon. and gallant Member will no doubt have seen the statement which was issued on this matter last week. I have nothing to add to it.

Surely the Prime Minister realises, as was recently stressed by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition, that the country wants and needs an immediate change of Government, which can only be secured by a General Election?

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether he desires the public to believe or to disbelieve the statements publicly made on this subject by the Minister of Health?

May I ask my right hon. Friend if he will do his best to have the General Election at a time when Lord Beaverbrook is in this country and making his usual vigorous contribution to Tory policy?

Is not the whole trouble that the Government are suffering from "giant snail" and their policy from "swollen shoot"?

Is there any truth in the report that the Prime Minister is waiting for the Opposition to formulate a policy based on something more substantial than gas and geysers?

I should like to ask the Prime Minister a very serious question. In view of the forecast of a very early Election by the Minister of Health, can we take it that the Foreign Secretary came back with orders from Wall Street to postpone the Election?

I am afraid the hon. Member is trying to draw a parallel with orders given by another Power to other countries—a parallel which does not exist in relations between this country and its allies.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will give an estimate of the increased cost of defence in the current year as a result of the devaluation of the pound.

asked the Minister of Defence what is his estimate of the increased cost of the Defence Services following upon the devaluation of the pound.

It is not yet possible to estimate the effect of the alteration of the sterling exchange rate on the cost of the Defence Services.

Surely it is possible for the Minister to give some estimate, based on the dollar costs of overseas Forces. In view of the fact that the overseas military expenditure in the first part of this year shows almost 100 per cent. increase over last year, has the Minister taken steps to point out to the Government of the United States that this country cannot continue to carry this increasing burden?

It is not yet possible to make a firm estimate. There are many concomitants in the make-up of a Defence Budget. Even in matters like raw materials, non-ferrous metals and the like, prices have not yet settled down.

Can the Minister tell us what steps he is taking to help his right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer by reducing Defence Estimates?

No, Sir, not at this stage.

On this question of the calculation I think we all understand the difficulties, but may I ask—for this question is of fundamental importance to our whole national position, since this decision was taken last August by the Government—whether they are really waiting to see the price of non-ferrous metals settle down? If so, how many months or years will they have to wait?

I referred to other concomitants in the budget besides nonferrous metals. There are others which cannot yet be estimated. But the matter is well in hand, and it would be quite wrong for the right hon. Gentleman to assume that we had not paid attention to it. But I am not at this stage able to give a firm answer as to what the effect will be.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us when he will be able to give us that figure?

Not today, Sir.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any estimate of when the Government will be in a position to discharge their primary duty of giving an estimate of the effect on defence costs of devaluation, which they themselves decided?

The House will always get the information it requires at the proper time, and I can assure it now that it will get it at the proper time.

If it was possible for Treasury officials to work out in detailed estimates, the increase in the cost of living as a result of devaluation, why has it not been possible for my right hon. Friend's officials to work out similar estimates of the increase of the cost of the Armed Forces?

Answer.

I do not accept the interpretation in the first part of my hon. Friend's question. I am quite sure that the estimates given then of the cost of living were only for a period, not for a long term.

I understand that the right hon. Gentleman cannot give the amount involved, but can we be assured that the officers and other ranks serving overseas in the dollar area will have their pay and allowances made up to what they were before devaluation?

Money for jam.

Are we to take it from the answers to these questions on estimates that my right hon. Friend's Department is totally unable to control the estimates, and simply has a blank cheque, and endeavours to meet the bill when it is handed in?

My hon. Friend would be quite wrong in understanding that. He would be all wrong. I have been in public life and at this work too long to be led into these traps.

asked the Minister of Defence what has been the expenditure on the reinforcements to Hong Kong up to 30th September, 1949.

A number of factors have to be taken into account in estimating the extra cost involved by the reinforcement of Hong Kong. Accurate evaluation is not yet possible, and I am, therefore, unable to give the information requested.

Is not the Minister able to give us any information, even if it is general information, as to the cost of the Hong Kong expedition?

The question is now being put on a different basis—the cost of the expedition. I should not give costs of that kind at the present time because I think that would trespass upon security.

As the Minister is, no doubt, concerned with the unnecessary expenditure in this matter, perhaps he would urge the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to speed up recognition of the Chinese Communist Government, and, perhaps, the matter could be settled?

It is always necessary for this country to take whatever steps are required to prevent aggression.

If I put down a Question on this subject could the Minister tell the House what has been the cost in dollars during the past six months of maintaining troops in Hong Kong?

I should like to see the Question on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Defence what steps he is taking to ensure that Service men in each of the Services who failed to complete a fresh Service declaration on Form J before 10th June, 1949, and are consequently disfranchised at present, may still complete the Service declaration up to 1st December, 1949, for the spring of 1950 register.

The widest publicity has been given throughout the Services to the qualifying dates for the spring Electoral Register, which are, for Northern Ireland, 31st October, for England and Wales, 20th November, and for Scotland, 1st December. All facilities have been provided for Service men and, overseas, for their wives as well to complete the necessary declaration, and every encouragement has been given to them to do so.

In view of the fact that on the previous date when it was possible to register many Service men in fact did not register, and consequently at the moment are disfranchised, would the right hon. Gentleman see that the whole point is clarified this month in unit orders?

It has already been included in all the unit routine orders, in addition to which separate broadcasts and pamphlets have been issued.

asked the Minister of Food whether, with a view to assisting the asparagus growers throughout the country and to provide for the public, he will now consider amending the existing regulations under which it is not permissible to serve asparagus as a separate dish, in addition to the three courses.

No, Sir, we do not want to reduce further the supplies in the shops.

Is the Minister aware that home-grown asparagus is plentiful? Why continue to handicap the home producers and consumers by uncertainty about next year? Is it not really highly desirable that this malignant regulation should be abolished?

No, Sir. There is ample demand for home-grown asparagus in the shops. It is quite short in the shops.