asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in how many cases since 1900 have the repayment of Colonial loans been waived and therefore met by the British taxpayer; and what was the total sum so waived.

As the reply contains many figures I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can my right hon. Friend say what the total sum was, and if in the case of the very big loans which have been raised recently by the Colonies, the British Government, although they may have no legal responsibility for repayment of loans are in fact responsible because the funds in question are trustee securities?

The total sum, including loans to the High Commission territories in South Africa and, I believe, Newfoundland as well, is in the neighbourhood of £17 million. I should have to consider the last part of the supplementary question before giving an answer.

Do these loans and their destinations come under the scrutiny of the Auditor-General?

Yes, Sir, most emphatically.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many appointments have been filled in the Colonial Service in the last two years; and what is the present total cost of their salaries and allowances.

The number of expatriate officers recruited to the Colonial Service by my Department in 1948 and the first nine months of the present year was 2,329. As these officers are paid by Colonial Governments at rates which vary widely according to the nature of the job and the locality in which they are serving, I regret that it would not be possible to answer the second part of the Question without imposing undue extra work on my officials.

In view of the desperate economic situation caused by this Government, were these appointments all really necessary?

I think there is a very great deficiency of administrative officers.

As colonial development is still being held up by the shortage of qualified personnel, will my right hon. Friend say how many vacancies there still are in the Colonial Service and what steps are being taken to fill them?

I made a statement to that effect in the House last week.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what special terms by way of increased pension or gratuity are given to members of the Colonial Civil Service recruited from overseas on abolition of office in the event of a territory being granted self-government.

This is a matter which has to be considered as the occasion arises. Compensation in past instances has been generous and reasonable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now completed his negotiations with the Economic Co-operation Administration with regard to the attachment of 28 American geologists and associated scientists to the Colonial Geological Survey Service; when recruitment will begin; and to which Colonies will these geologists be sent.

Yes, Sir, and I hope recruitment will begin very shortly. Only 26 geologists are now required, 10 will be posted to West Africa, 13 to East and Central Africa, two to the Borneo territories and one to British Guiana.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now give further details of the arrangements with the British Council for the accommodation of Colonial students.

As from 1st January, 1950, the British Council will take over from the Colonial Office arrangements for accommodation and hospitality for Colonial students including the administration of the students hostels. I propose that the details of these arrangements should be made known in a public announcement which I hope will be ready very shortly.

Will it be possible in future to ask Questions of the Colonial Secretary regarding this accommodation when the British Council is taken over?

I should like to have notice of that.

Can my right hon. Friend say roughly how much is to be charged by the British Council, and whether he is of the opinion that the ex-Service men on temporary release who are among these students will be able to afford to stay at these British Council hostels as a result of his Department's recent very unwise and shabby circular to them?

I do not know much about the circular referred to. The standard of charges will not, I think, be any higher than that now operating in the hostels.

Is the cost of this activity borne by the funds of the British Council and, if so, is there any danger of its being restricted owing to the impending cut on those funds?

No, Sir. The cost will be provided by a grant under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act.

As my right hon. Friend is not aware of the circular, will he investigate and find out if it is not the case that it threatens all these students that their standard of living will be reduced very drastically and their allowances cut down?

I am not aware of the circular to which my hon. Friend refers, and would like particulars of it. I can only say that in large numbers of cases overseas Governments have recently increased the amount of the scholarships and of the allowances payable to students in London.

Do I understand my right hon. Friend correctly as saying he does not know whether he can be asked questions in the House about the work of the British Council in this respect?

As I have said, I would like notice of that, so that I may consider the implications of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will publish as a White Paper an account of the recent discussions at Lake Success on Trustee Territories.

I will gladly arrange for an account of these discussions to be published.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the capital expenditure so far on the Gambia farm project; and what are the short-and long-term prospects of return on this expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) how long he expects the salt production scheme in the Turks and Cacos Islands to be under way before it begins to pay its way; and how much will have been expended by that time;

(2) from what source animal feeding-stuffs for the Gambia scheme have been obtained; and what was their quantity and cost;

(3) the expenditure so far on the development of timber in British Guiana; and how many foreign experts and technicians will be associated with it.

I regret that I have not this information and would refer the hon. Members to the Colonial Development Corporation, who are carrying out the schemes referred to.

Does not the Minister interest himself personally in these very important economic affairs of territories of which his Department is more or less in charge, and could not he get some information for us?

This is a responsibility for the Colonial Development Corporation, which operates under its statute. There are monthly meetings between the representatives of the Corporation and my office in which all these matters in regard to the development of the activities of the Corporation are brought into review.

Was not the right hon. Gentleman told at the last monthly meeting the answer to these Questions?

No.

Will he be told at the next meeting?

In view of the alarming statements which are being made about the Gambia scheme, could we have a progress report to know how it is proceeding, and can the right hon. Gentleman assure us that its accounts are being kept so that it does not get into the same mess as the groundnut scheme?

That is not likely to happen. If I may refer the hon. Member to the report recently published by the Colonial Development Corporation, he will discover there certain particulars regarding the scheme and the progress being made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the amount of coffee exported from Kenya to Italy for each month of the past year.

As the answer consists of a table of figures I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the cancellation of the weekly coffee auctions in Nairobi following an official announcement by the Kenya Government that coffee was being sold for hard currencies; and whether he has any statement to make.

I am aware that the weekly coffee auctions in Nairobi were cancelled by merchants on 26th October, pending consideration of large sales abroad for soft currency which might through resales have represented loss of hard currency to the sterling area. The auctions have now been re-opened. The Kenya Coffee Board have voluntarily agreed to divert 25 per cent. of the remaining "free" crop to hard currency destinations although this means a sacrifice in the returns to growers.

Has my right hon. Friend any estimate of what this country has lost through those leakages?

I am quite unable to say, but I am in consultation with the Governor about it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the licence to Jivraj Air Services Limited in Kenya has been suddenly terminated by the Director of Civil Aviation in East Africa; and why the company's request for a period of three months grace has been refused.

I am asking the East Africa High Commission for the information and will write to the hon. Member when I have received it.

Is the Secretary of State aware that this company in the last year has made over 2,400 charters without accident, without uncompleted trips, and with no forced landings; and does not the right hon. Gentleman think that this efficient private enterprise ought to be allowed to operate for the public advantage of the Colony?

This is a matter within the discretion of the High Commission in East Africa itself. I have no effective jurisdiction over it.

Will the inquiries of the right hon. Gentleman also be directed to whether any air corporation like B.O.A.C. has made any representations to the Government in East Africa?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) how much work has been carried out to dredge the Escravos Bar off the Nigerian coast; whether he is aware that continued silting has now reduced the channel to under 13 feet; and whether any new decision has been reached as to the minimum depth of water needed for the passage of ocean vessels;

(2) whether he is satisfied that the crew of the Lagos harbour dredger "Ibadan" is suited to the work on the Escravos Bar; and that his technical staff is adequate to prevent the suspension of dredging in Lagos Harbour when work on the Escravos Bar is in progress.

I am in consultation with the Governor of Nigeria on this matter and will write to the hon. Member.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that until this bar is dredged it adds greatly to the cost of traffic out there and that it is a matter of extreme urgency?

I appreciate both the urgency and importance of the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of existing regulations requiring nurses and other women officers employed by the Nigerian Government to resign on marrying and the requirement that nursing sisters should not be over 35 years of age, whether he will secure a modification of both these limitations.

Established women officers are required to resign on marriage, but the Governor has power to waive this requirement in the public interest. The age limit for nursing candidates can always be relaxed in suitable cases.

But could the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is the invariable custom of the Governor to allow nurses on marriage to continue, and is he aware that, if that is not so, large numbers of nurses being trained here and in West Africa will on marriage at a fairly early date be lost to the Service?

That is an important point and I propose to raise the matter with the Governor, but at the present time he is able to exercise his discretion, and that discretion has been exercised often to the advantage of the person who has applied for the relief.

Then are we to take it that the existing regulations which specifically laid down that a woman officer is required to resign her post on marriage will be withdrawn?

No. It is a matter for consultation with the local Government and at present the Clause is waived at the discretion of the Governor.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements he has made for an aerial survey of British Guiana.

I hope that photography in British Guiana and the Caribbean area generally can be undertaken next year by the Royal Air Force in co-operation with my Directorate of Colonial Geodetic and Topographical Surveys. In the meantime a contract has been placed with a private firm on behalf of the Government of British Guiana for the air photography of 4,000 square miles covering the areas of the Colony which the British Guiana Government most urgently desire photographed.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the private firm are a British company and whether they are using British aircraft?

I gather that it is a British company. It is called "The Air Survey Co. Ltd."

Are they using British aircraft?

I believe they are.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the two American agricultural experts with experience of modern methods of rice cultivation and milling, who recently visited British Guiana under the technical assistance programme of the Economic Co-operation Administration, have now completed their assignment; whether he has received their report; and what action he proposes to take with regard to it.

These experts have completed their visits to British Guiana but their report has not yet been received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what amount has been spent on harbour improvements at Accra of recent years; and what sum during the same period has been collected in the form of harbour-dues.

I have asked the Governor for detailed information and will write to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why he has notified his acceptance of the main recommendations of the Coussey Committee Report, subject only to certain reservations, before giving an opportunity for the Report to be debated in this House.

As I said in my despatch on the Report, I considered it advisable to let the Governor have immediately the views of His Majesty's Government on the main recommenda- tions so as to help forward the examination of the Report in the Gold Coast. Some time must, however, elapse before the proposals are implemented and during this period Members will no doubt be able to raise the subject at a suitable opportunity.

When matters of such fundamental importance to the constitution of a Colony are involved, as is the case with this Report prepared by the Coussey Committee on the Gold Coast, is it not important that an opportunity should be provided for a Debate in this House before the Government finally commit themselves or even accept all or any part of the Report?

I have raised no objection to a Debate. It is a matter for Members themselves, through the usual channels, to obtain what facilities they think desirable and proper in the House.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain how it was that five days after he sent his despatch to the Governor accepting the recommendations, the Leader of another place said he would consider having a Debate before any commitments were entered into? Should not the Lord Privy Seal have been informed that the commitment had already been made?

I think that the procedure followed in another place is precisely that which was followed in 1944 regarding the Gold Coast Constitution discussions. There has been no change in the procedure normally adopted.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his very prompt response to this Report has created a very favourable and helpful impression in the Gold Coast?

Yes, and I think that on the whole the Gold Coast has received the Report with very great calmness and is giving it most serious consideration. It would be unfortunate if anything said in this House were to provoke difficulties.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what changes have been made in West Africa whereby more African officers will be commissioned; and what steps are being taken to implement a similar policy in East Africa.

Africans who attain the required standards are now eligible for the grant of King's Commission in the West African Land Forces. The grant of local commissions to Africans in the East African Forces is at present being considered.

To what extent are commissions being made available to African cadets in the Royal Air Force?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many health visitors exist in the West African Colonies; and what encouragement is given to ensure that an increasing number of health visitors work in the country areas.

The Governors of the West African territories have been asked to supply this information, and I will write to my hon. Friend.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the number of health visitors in country areas is very small indeed, and will he, therefore, take some steps to encourage a larger number of health visitors to work in those areas?

We will certainly do all we can to encourage an increase in the number of health visitors, but we can only cut our coat according to our cloth.

Are health visitors from these territories being trained in this country?

Yes, we are receiving here people from all kinds of professions, and on the medical side increasing numbers are coming.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress is being made in dealing with cocoa tree disease in West African Colonies; how far resistance to cutting down remains as strong as formerly; what other experimental methods of dealing with the disease have proved successful; and what is the anticipated production in the next 10 years compared with the best year of production.

On the progress of the campaign I have nothing at the moment to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Mr. Keeling) on 19th October. Farmers are on the whole showing greater co-operation. No other method of dealing with the disease other than cutting out is known to be effective. As regards the last part of this Question, as my hon. Friend was informed on 13th July, it is not possible to forecast production over the next 10 years.

If my right hon. Friend knows approximately how many trees are being planted, would it not be possible at least to produce a rough estimate?

It all depends, surely, on the cocoa disease, which we are doing our best to arrest, and it is quite impossible to make any estimates with regard to the future.

In view of the fact that over the next few years this disease may mean a very great loss of dollar earnings, and that in reality the campaign to secure native co-operation has failed, will the Colonial Secretary make special efforts to bring the matter forward again with much more urgency?

The position is quite the reverse. The campaign is beginning to succeed. As, I think, there will be a Debate on this problem in the House tomorrow night, I hope to be able to show the extent to which success is returning.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he is taking to supply fertilisers to African peasants growing groundnuts in Nigeria and the Gambia.

The question of supplying fertilisers to groundnut cultivators either in Nigeria or in the Gambia did not arise until the value of the "placement" technique was recently demonstrated. Even now small supplies of phosphatic fertiliser in tablet form for demonstration purposes are being made only in Nigeria where the new technique is still in the late stages of development. The form in which the fertiliser will be made up has not yet been finally determined. No supplies of tablet fertiliser have yet been made available to the Gambia for distribution.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make sure that every encouragement is given to the proper understanding and use of fertilisers throughout Africa?

Yes, that is our intention.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent a survey has been made of a coastal road between Dar-es-Salaam and Lindi in Tanganyika Territory; what is the estimated cost; and whether the project has been approved.

A coast road which is passable during eight months of the year already exists. A survey of a higher standard road will be made as soon as staff is available. As the survey has not yet been made the second and third parts of the Question do not at present arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what stage has been reached in developing the coalfields in Tanganyika and Nyasaland; what is the distance to the nearest railway; and what is the distance from there by rail to the nearest port.

The quality and extent of the coal deposits in parts of Tanganyika and in Nyasaland are still under investigation. The Nyasaland and the Tanganyika fields are between 250 and 300 miles from the nearest railway which runs down to the coast at Beira, a distance of some 500 miles.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of temporary engineer officers, R.N.V.R., and temporary senior commissioned and commissioned engineers, R.N., still serving.

Nineteen temporary engineer officers, R.N.V.R., and 115 temporary senior commissioned and commissioned engineers, mechanicians and air engineers, R.N., are still serving. These numbers are, however, being rapidly reduced by normal wastage.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a feeling that by retaining these ranks, which were designed to meet a wartime emergency, promotions, or permanent promotions, are being blocked?

In view of what my hon. Friend has just stated I think he will realise that the problem will not remain for long.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he can now make a statement indicating the progress made in improving the underwater efficiency of His Majesty's submarines.

Considerable progress has been made in improving the underwater efficiency of His Majesty's submarines. All operational submarines have now been fitted with the snort device, which enables them to cruise for periods of four weeks, or more, without having to come to the surface. As regards submerged speed, too, progress is satisfactory; but the hon. and gallant Member will appreciate that I cannot go into details.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the progress of our submarines is keeping up with that of foreign countries? Can he at least go as far as, or elaborate on, what his noble Friend said at a recent dinner?

Yes, I can state that so far as we know we have run submarines at as fast a speed as any other nation.

Is the Navy able to follow the investigations which take place in the United States Navy of one submarine against another, both submerged?

Naturally we could follow the tests carried out by the United States, or any other Navy available to us.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what progress has been made by the Committee on Naval Courts Martial; and when a final report is expected.

My noble Friend has consulted Mr. Justice Pilcher, who has informed him that the drafting of the first report of the Naval Court Martial Committee is now well advanced, and that he hopes to be able to present it in the course of the next few weeks. As my hon. Friend is aware from my reply to his Question on 18th May last, the first report will deal with naval court martial procedure alone, and a final report on the other aspects of the administration of justice in the Royal Navy cannot be expected for some months.

Is my right hon. Friend bearing in mind the promise of the Minister of Defence that action will be taken on these reports within the lifetime of this Parliament; and is he aware that action on the Lewis Report is being delayed until this Committee has completed its work?

I am certainly bearing in mind, as I said I would, the statement made by my, right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the publication of the Annual Report on Fleets will now be resumed.

No, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is impossible to follow the state of affairs in the Navy, which is withering away by ships being sold or given to other navies, and that we cannot follow how the Navy is decreasing without this return? Why is it not published, as it used to be published before the war?

I really cannot accept the statement, nor do I think the hon. Gentleman really means it, that the Navy is "withering away." The Navy is in a perfectly fit and proper state, but we do not intend to publish Fleet returns until other nations publish information about their fleets as was done before the war.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the lack of knowledge concerning our Fleet, which must result from the absence of this publication, does damp down ardour for the Fleet in the public mind? Will not he encourage people to take an interest in their Fleet by giving them more information about it?

No, Sir, I think the public have every confidence in the strength of their Fleet and also in the officers and ratings, whatever anybody on the other side of the House may say.

If all other nations take the view that they will not publish information until other nations do likewise, is it likely that any nation will ever be able to publish it?

We have stated that we will do so when other nations do. If they said the same, I have no doubt it would be published.

If it was thought proper to publish information about our Navy before the war, when there were formidable hostile naval Powers, why cannot it be done now, when there is no formidable hostile naval Power?

That was not the point. Before the war all other nations, including Germany, published these figures. This time this information is not published by various other nations.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will make a statement on his plans for extending television services to other parts of the country.

The provision of a nation-wide television service is being pushed ahead as fast as national economics permit. The B.B.C. has submitted a plan which has been approved by the Government, but it is, of course, subject to that qualification. The aim is to bring television within the reach of over half the population in less than two years and about 80 per cent. of the population by the end of 1954.

The plan provides for five high-power and five low-power stations as follows: High-Power: Alexandra Palace, London; Sutton Coldfield; Holme Moss, near Huddersfield; Central Scotland; Bristol Channel area (one, or possibly two stations). Low - Power: Tyneside; Southampton; Northern Ireland; Aberdeen; Plymouth—giving a coverage to a population of something less than 40 million.

The Sutton Coldfield station will open on 17th December of this year and it is hoped to open the Holme Moss station by the middle of 1951. The Scottish station, the Bristol Channel station and the low-power stations will be provided thereafter as soon as circumstances permit.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that by accelerating this programme he would assist British exports considerably? Does he mean by his answer that the unexpended balance on the capital account of more than £2,300,000 is going to be expended in the time?

Is the hon. and gallant Member referring to the accounts of the B.B.C.?

Yes.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why there should be so much delay before the Scottish station is established?

This programme, subject to the qualifications I have already admitted, rather doubles the progress.

Then why not alter the programme?

Why is Northern Ireland getting a low-power station?

Does the answer mean that Manchester is not to have a television service before Christmas, 1951?

I have not given a date in 1951. I said 1951, but did not give a particular month.

Was this programme agreed to after the recently announced capital cuts? Is this the real programme, or is it to be subject to the capital cuts?

No, there are considerations arising out of the capital cuts which have to be taken into account.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is now intended to revise the programme for the extension of television as announced by the Lord President of the Council on 28th September, 1949.

No, Sir, not as regards the scope of the programme, but I cannot say at this stage whether its completion will be delayed by the need for economy in capital investment.

When does the right hon. Gentleman expect to be able to announce the precise dates of the opening of these stations?

Within a few weeks.

asked the Postmaster-General how the scheme for television in Yorkshire and Lancashire will be affected by the economy measures recently announced.

I hope not at all.

asked the Postmaster-General what negotiations have taken place for the interchange of television programmes with European countries; and if he will make a statement.

The only country concerned at present is France. There is a standing liaison committee, representing the B.B.C. and the French broadcasting authority for promoting programme exchanges. So far these have been limited to films, mainly news reels; interchange of programme producers is under discussion.

Is the right hon. Gentleman thinking of extending these facilities to the Netherlands and other West European Powers?

Yes, if we can.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the recording of complete programmes other than the news reels so that these can be sold to aid our export drive?

I will look into that suggestion.

asked the Postmaster-General what month during 1951 does he expect to complete and open the Holme Moss television transmitting station.

The B.B.C. hopes to open this station by the middle of 1951 but it is too early yet to say in which month.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to say that he entered into a commitment to spend public money without having a completion date inserted in the contract?

asked the Postmaster-General at what rate per annum telephones were installed before the war; and at what rate they are being installed at present.

Three hundred and seventy-seven thousand six hundred and thirty-one telephones were installed during the year ended 31st March, 1939, this being close to the average for the preceding three years. The figure for the 12 months ending 30th September last was 600,401.

In view of the very satisfactory state of affairs which the answer reveals, will my right hon. Friend use his influence to get transferred to Swindon a considerable number of these telephones, as they are badly needed there?

Can the Postmaster-General say whether the second figure he read out includes instruments operating on party lines, to the great discomfort of individual subscribers?

Yes.

Can the right hon. Gentleman also give the figures of unsatisfied applications for the two periods and say when the considerable arrears will be made up?

I stated last week that more than half a million were waiting. I would not like to say that all are dissatisfied, but all are anxious.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state what is the result of his inquiries regarding the possibility of making the emergency telephone number 999 luminous, so as to facilitate this call being made in the dark.

Inquiries have now reached the stage where materials are being subjected to field trials and until these are completed it is not possible to say whether a practical solution has been found.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman, I should like to ask him to bear in mind that these trials have been going on for a long time since he said that he was sympathetic to the idea, and will he see whether he cannot bring them to a conclusion soon?

The sooner they are finished the better I shall be pleased.

asked the Minister of Food what is the average period between the manufacture and consumption of margarine.

About 3½ weeks elapse between manufacture and sale in the shops.

Is not that approximately a period three times longer than before the war, and is it this delay which gives to the margarine that distinctive colour which makes it so easy to distinguish from butter?

The last part of that Question is a little stale. The answer to the first part is that the hon. Member is wrong. The time which elapsed was about two weeks. It is now longer because grocers keep a reserve in stock a little longer in order to ensure that the ration is honoured.

Can the right hon. Lady say whether this margarine is mixed with butter to make up what is called "standard butter," because the butter nowadays is very nasty?

Will the right hon. Lady give an assurance that the young twins whom she was nursing in a recent photograph were not fed on this margarine?

They were fed on welfare food supplied free by the Ministry of Food, and I think they are a credit to the Labour Government.

Would not the right hon. Lady agree that those healthy parents who were brought up under "Tory misrule" are producing the healthy children now?

Surely it is an advance in physiology if the whole of the Labour Government can be responsible for them?

asked the Minister of Food what proportion of the consignment of approximately 2,000 carcases of Dutch mutton brought by him to this country towards the end of September has been issued as part of the meat ration; what proportion will be so issued; what has happened to the rest; and what was the total cost of this consignment.

None of this particular consignment was issued for the ration, but five tons was used for making meat products. The rest was condemned. We cannot assess the cost until the reason and liability for the loss is determined.

May I take it that the right hon. Lady is conducting vigorous investigations into this very considerable loss, and that she will make a statement to the House when those investigations are completed?

We are in discussion with the Dutch Government. The hon. Member will realise that the Dutch Government were responsible for the shipment of this meat, and it was guaranteed that it would be in a fresh condition when it arrived.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will now make a statement with regard to the extra rations of food which will be made available for Christmas.

asked the Minister of Food what increase of rationed foods he intends allowing for Christmas.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will grant an extra bonus of sweets during the Christmas period.