asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what allocation of nylon stockings is to be made to the members of the Women's Royal Air Force.

The scale for airwomen will be two pairs. I hope that issues will begin in March.

Does the hon. Gentleman appreciate the pleasure that this information will give to a body of women who have been disappointed time and time again? This problem, a fundamental problem to any normal woman, has caused a lot of bad feeling because the W.R.A.F. feel that the W.R.N.S. have had better treatment than they have.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is now in a position to announce details of the part the Royal Air Force is to play in the Coronation celebrations.

On Coronation Day, the Royal Air Force will join with the other Services in mounting guards of honour at Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey; about 2,000 officers and men will march in the Coronation procession and about 5,000 will help line the route. Later in the day, aircraft will fly past in salute to Her Majesty.

The Royal Air Force will take part also in the ceremonial associated with Her Majesty's State Visits to Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales and. where practicable, in local ceremonies and celebrations throughout the country. On 15th July, Her Majesty will review the Royal Air Force at the R.A.F. Station at Odiham in Hampshire.

Will the W.R.A.F. and the juniors take an appropriate place?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the anticipated cost of the various bomber aeroplanes in respect of which super-priority has recently been given.

I cannot give precise figures, but I can say that the cost of the Valiant, as production gets under way, is unlikely to exceed £350.000 and that, so far as can be foreseen at present, the cost of the Victor and Vulcan. at a comparable stage, will be higher but of the same order.

Has the hon. Gentleman thought of suggesting to the Minister of Supply that at some time some public tribute should be paid to the services of my right hon. Friend the Member for Vauxhall (Mr. G. R. Strauss), the previous Minister of Supply, in the work that he did in producing both military and civil aircraft?—[An HON. MEMBER: "That was done yesterday."] I am very glad to hear that it was done yesterday, but it was very belated. Is it not a fact that some five or six years ago we were producing bomber aircraft at about £50.000 each, that the price has now gone up to £350,000 while durability has been reduced, and that new models are coming forward at such a speed that the cost of bomber aircraft has become an almost inconceivably high sum? When will a limit be fixed, and where will it be placed?

It is undoubtedly true that the cost of aircraft and equipment of all sorts is going up. For that reason we have had to limit very strictly the number of bombers we have ordered.

Can my hon. Friend tell me whether the figures he has quoted, which were much lower than those which have been reported in the Press, include the cost of embodiment loan items?

Yes, Sir, they include embodiment lone items.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the numbers of instances of loss of life and of serious injury, respectively, caused to pilots and passengers in the Royal Air Force for the years ending 31st December, 1950, 1951 and 1952, respectively.

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

But there are only three man figures. Can the hon. Gentleman just indicate whether it is true, as it seems from the papers, that the loss of life is steadily increasing?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the strength, in officers and cadets, respectively, of the Wolverhampton Squadron, the Boscobel Squadron and the Cosford Flight of the Air Training Corps and their respective average attendances at training parades

The main point to remember is that the total flying effort of the Royal Air Force was nearly twice as great in 1952 as in 1950, and, although I regret that these figures are higher, the actual accident rate is lower.

Why cannot we have the figures? There are only three.

I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that are more than three.

Can the Under-Secretary say to what extent the backward-facing seat has prevented the loss of life after accident?

I cannot give the exact figures without notice.

Can the hon. Gentleman comment on the general principle?

Backward-facing seats have undoubtedly helped.

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

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will reconsider his decision to close down 16 training schools for pilots and navigators, in view of the adverse effect on air training.

No, Sir. My noble Friend is satisfied that the future requirements of the Royal Air Force for pilots and navigators can be effectively met without making use of these 16 schools.

Is the Minister aware that this is not the opinion held by those who have been considering this problem outside the Air Ministry, and will he give fresh consideration to it in view of the considerable amount of feeling in the opposite direction which exists in the country?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman and the House that very careful consideration has been given to this matter in the Air Ministry and that we took this step with the greatest possible reluctance. I am certain, however, that anyone who has studied the facts which led us to take this decision will agree that it was inevitable.

Has my hon. Friend received a second request from the British Air Line Pilots Association for discussions, and if so what answer was sent?

I understand that my noble Friend has written to B.A.L.P.A. making it quite clear that both he and myself are willing to meet them at any time to discuss problems arising out of the closing of these schools. We have had to make it clear, however, that we cannot discuss with them the question of financial compensation.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that pilots and navigators at those training schools for one year's service were asked to make superannuation payments, thus conveying to those men that their situations were permanent? How now is the Minister proposing to give them employment which will ensure continuity of the superannuation contributions that have been paid in the past?

The question of superannuation was one between the employer and the employee and the terms of the contracts between the civil firms and the Air Ministry are perfectly clear.

Does my hon. Friend realise that the terms of contract make no allowance for pensions rights and that the onus is quite clearly on the Air Ministry?

Will the Minister have another look at this matter, and in looking at it will he give consideration to Kirton Lindsay which only opened last year and in the case of which, I believe, on the statement made by the Under-Secretary last Wednesday, the contractors were led to believe that there was definitely a three years' engagement?

I can only give another assurance that we have examined the matter in all its details, and while I always keep an open mind and will consider any points which hon. Members may bring to me, I can assure them that this was not a hasty decision.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the anxiety which has been caused to flying instructors and ground staff of volunteer reserve schools by the uncertainty of the future of volunteer reserve training, he will now give an assurance that no such schools will be closed other than those already notified.

While I appreciate the anxiety of instructors and other staff at the reserve flying schools, I regret that I am not yet in a position to make a statement about our future reserve requirements. I shall, however, deal with the matter fully in the Air Estimates debate.

Is the Minister not aware that owing to the uncertainty of the future many pilots and ground crew mechanics at these schools are now seeking employment outside aviation—indeed, outside the country? Will he not now give an assurance that no further damage will be done to the training organisation of this country by closing down further schools?

I cannot accept the implication that we have damaged the training organisation of this country in any way.

Is the Under-Secretary not aware that he has created alarm and despondency throughout the industry and that he ought at any rate to do something to stabilise the present position?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether Her Majesty's Government will now de-requisition those municipal airfields that have been used by the volunteer reserve schools which are now to be closed down.

I hope that it will soon be possible to release Wolverhampton, which is the only municipal airfield in this category held on requisition by the Air Ministry.

Is the Minister aware that the de-requisitioning of these aerodromes is a matter that is having repercussions on various municipalities and will affect rates? Will he therefore reconsider the matter?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air under what regulation or instruction an airman, who suffers the loss of a parent, can be granted leave for the purpose of winding up the estate but not for other compassionate reasons; and what must be the value of the estate before leave is granted.

A confidential Air Council letter dated 17th October, 1949. The value of the estate is immaterial.

Is not the situation quite intolerable to this House that a man can be given leave to wind up financial affairs but cannot be given leave on other compassionate grounds? Will he have this matter looked into again?

That is not quite true. It is only one of the factors which commanders-in-chief take into consideration when considering whether the compassionate grounds are strong enough for giving leave from overseas theatres.

Does the Minister really think that when a bereaved airman on active service applies for compassionate leave the winding-up of property has very much to do with it? What he really wants to do is to see his surviving parent, so will the Under-Secretary look again into the case that was brought to his notice recently?

Obviously if the surviving parent is in ill-health or is prostrated with grief or is alone without any other near relative, there would be strong compassionate grounds, but none of those considerations applied to that case.

From what the Under-Secretary has said today, and what he said last week, it now appears that if there are two cases exactly similar, except that in one case there are some financial considerations to be taken into account, he will grant leave in the second case and not in the first, and is not that against the wishes of this House?

No, Sir, the position is that the commanders-in-chief on the spot in overseas theatres have wide discretionary powers. Guidance in exercising those powers has been given to them in the form of the Air Council letter, including an appendix giving examples of the kind of cases in which these considerations should he applied. Further than that, we must leave it to the commanders-in-chief after giving them what guidance we can.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what arrangements exist at present under which the Meteorological Office provides highway authorities with the necessary warnings about snow and other conditions which may necessitate urgent action to put the highways into a usable condition by the use of snow ploughs or gritting; and what steps are being taken to improve these arrangements.

About 250 highway authorities take advantage of the scheme whereby the Meteorological Office will, for an annual fee of £1, give warning by telephone of the likelihood of snow. The Meteorological Office is always ready to extend this service to other highway authorities, or to make special arrangements to give them warning of other dangerous road conditions.

Is the Minister satisfied that these arrangements are sufficient, and will he take such steps as he thinks advisable to ensure that the other highway authorities make use of the services available to them?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will bear in mind that the responsibility of the Meteorological Office of my Department is confined to making available the information which is required and that its use is up to local authorities themselves to decide.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation if reconsideration will be given to the erection of a helidrome over the railway track leading into Charing Cross station for use as a helicopter passenger station; and whether he will also give consideration to a new set of plans submitted by the hon. Member for Dartford with the necessary revisions dealing with queries raised by his predecessor when plans were submitted in July, 1951.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation what further consideration has been given to constructing a landing stage for helicopters over Charing Cross station.

I have considered with interest the plans placed in the Library by the hon. Member for Dartford (Mr. Dodds). Elevated sites such as that proposed over Charing Cross station may be found to be efficient and economical airstops of the future. But at present not enough is known of the performance of multi-engined helicopters, and the areas they require, to warrant detailed planning of particular elevated sites.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if it is a fact that his Ministry asked local authorities in large cities some considerable time ago to allocate sites in the centre of the cities for this purpose? If that is so, does he not appreciate that the vital decision that must be taken, and soon, not only on behalf of the local authorities but for the development of helicopters in peace and war, is a site in central London, because all depends on that?

There are three other Questions which I shall answer shortly, concerning the need for a helicopter station sited in central London. The Question of the hon. and gallant Member for Brixton (Lieut.-Colonel Lipton) related to a particular form of station, and it was that Question which I was answering.

Is it not clear from the original answer of the right hon. Gentleman that in his view, apparently, this Charing Cross site is likely to prove the cheapest and the least inconvenient site for a helicopter station in central London?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman had better read my answer, which certainly did not give that impression.

Is it not possible that a preliminary elevated stage to deal with helicopters of the type at present being flown, namely the Bristol 171 and 173, could be erected in central London and elsewhere and later extended and reinforced to take heavier types as they come along?

I am by no means ruling out such a development. All I was anxious to convey to the House was that we do not yet know enough about twin-engined helicopters to warrant detailed planning with the very great expense involved. The Bristol 173, the first twin-engined helicopter in the world to fly, to which great credit attaches, is still only being flown by the manufacturing firms concerned.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation which sites, other than that on the South Bank, are being considered as possible helidromes in London so that full advantage will be taken of utilising helicopters in our transport system at as early a date as possible.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation in view of the fact that the South Bank site is considered unsuitable as a helicopter passenger station, what other sites adjoining the Thames are under consideration.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation what progress has been made in arriving at a decision on the site in London to be used as a helicopter passenger station.

Discussions have been re-opened with the London County Council on the general question of airstops. I hope that we shall reach agreement on a temporary site in the Festival area for occasional communication flights with the small helicopters now flying. We are also exploring the possibility of earmarking a temporary site, also on the South Bank of the river, against the time when experiments start, probably in 1954, with the twin-engined helicopters. Other available sites for permanent airstops in central London are also under examination.

Is the Minister aware that I am raising this matter on the Adjournment on Tuesday night?

I am quite aware of that.

I am glad to hear that.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I purposely worded my supplementary question so that I did not give notice that I would raise the matter. I asked if the right hon. Gentleman was aware that I would raise it on Tuesday night.

If it is to be raised on the Adjournment we can pass on to the next Question.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation what provincial sites are contemplated for helidromes as counterparts to the proposed sites in central London; and, in particular, what facilities for central city sites are proposed over or adjacent to the main railway stations in Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester in preparation for a rapid triangular service between the centres of each of the cities with connections to central London.

As my hon. Friend the Member for Brighton, Pavilion (Mr. Teeling), was informed in reply to a Question on 22nd October last, the earmarking of sites for airstops in provincial cities is a matter for the local authorities. I understand that many local authorities, including Birmingham and Manchester, have this very much in mind, and that a number have reserved sites.

Is my hon. Friend aware that it is quite insufficient to go only as far as the stage of earmarking a site and that what is wanted from the principal authorities, Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester, are plans for the erection of elevated sites? Is it not useless having that development in London unless there are complementary sites in the provinces? Will my hon. Friend urge on these local authorities the preparation of such plans?

I do not think we can go any further than we have gone at present, because it seems quite definite that it would be wrong to go into more detail until the characteristics of multi-engined helicopters are better known.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation for an assurance that British European Airways Corporation will be allowed an exclusive right for not less than five years to operate the Scottish air services, in order that they may be able to build up the existing services and to exploit new services.

No, Sir. The position remains as I stated during the Civil Aviation debate on 29th October.

In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman has created somewhat cloudy conditions for operations in Scotland, will be give an assurance that B.E.A. may expand confident that there will be no interference with Scottish air services?

Will my right hon. Friend give the greatest care to any suggestion of the kind and do his best to see that private commercial companies are encouraged in Scotland? Will he accept the assurance that that would meet with the wishes of the great majority of the people of Scotland?

Has the right hon. Gentleman put any stop to B.E.A. developing services in Scotland or, in the meantime while a decision is pending, are they perfectly free to go ahead with essential services?

They are perfectly free to go ahead, and any limitations which exist at present are due to economic considerations. The uneconomic nature of some of the possible routes is due to no action of the Government. I can assure my right hon. and gallant Friend that if an opportunity arises of giving equally good or better services at less burden on the taxpayer, I shall certainly not close the door to any such negotiations.

Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that he will not give authority for any new services between Scotland and London without the provision of a stop in the North of England, particularly in the North-West, which is very badly served since nationalisation?

That would be a matter for the Air Transport Advisory Council, to whom any such representations might well be made.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation how many Scottish companies have applied for licences for temporary air routes in Great Britain.

One, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that his answer condemns the attitude of himself and the Government in refusing to give the assurance for B.E.A. which I asked for as there is no company in Scotland prepared to do the things which the Opposition expect them to do?

I was only answering on what has happened up to the present. Naturally this is a matter which must be settled and cannot be left open indefinitely.

Why are hon. Members opposite so nervous about B.E.A. meeting with competition?

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation the nature of the changes taking place in the control station at Redbrae; and if he is aware that they may adversely affect the safety of aircraft in the Prestwick circuit.

No such change is taking place, and therefore the second part of the Question does not arise. I would, however, draw the hon. Member's attention to the reply I gave to the Question by the hon. Member for Central Ayrshire (Mr. Manuel), on 17th December last.

I understood from that answer that certain changes were taking place at Redbrae—

Of course they are.

I thought that was made clear by the answer the Minister gave. The assurance I want today is that these changes shall not affect safety conditions at Prestwick.

I quite appreciate the sentiment of the hon. Member in this matter. What I said was that no changes were taking place in the control centre, but changes have taken place in the signal centre, and I can give the hon. Member the assurance for which he asks.

Are we to assume then that two different control systems exist with regard to approach landings?

No, Sir.

Can the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that these changes taking place at Redbrae, which at least are causing a transfer of 23 of the staff, will do nothing to lessen the status of Prestwick, as there is an impression that they will create a lesser degree of safety at Prestwick than formerly?

I think the impression to which the hon. Member refers is a false one.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation what measures are being taken to combat fog at the London airports.

As my hon. Friend will appreciate, this is a very complex problem. The following aids already exist at London Airport and Northolt: Radio and Radar Aids; High intensity lighting; Runway day markings and Runway visual range markers. In addition, the Royal Air Force Station, Manston, possess a F.I.D.O. installation. The only way to maintain air services to and from the Metropolis in conditions of severe fog is by diverting aircraft to alternate aerodromes within reasonable range of London.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this has been a complex problem for a great many years and his answer does not tell me what has been done in experiments with F.I.D.O. and other means? Is he aware that, if this situation continues, in a few years' time Britain may be severely handicapped and it will be quite intolerable for business people to trade in the future?

I am answering a Question on F.I.D.O. later on. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will await my answer to that Question.

Is the hon Gentleman aware that a London fog concerns a number of Departments between whom there is a lack of co-ordination and a lack of initiative? Will he make representations to ensure that the problem is considered to be of sufficient gravity for co-ordinated action at the earliest possible moment?

I think that the implication that there is a lack of co-ordination arises in the mind of the hon. and gallant Member as a result of the actions of his own Government; it certainly does not exist now.

Will my hon. Friend consider the possibility of laying F.I.D.O. apparatus along the roads from Brixton to Croydon?

In view of the attack of the hon. Gentleman on the late Government in this matter, is he aware that there has been much more fog in this country since the Tory Government came into office?

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation what progress has been made in the experiments and discussion on the possible installation of F.I.D.O. at London airport.

As a result of experiments at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, satisfactory burners for a F.I.D.O. system have been developed. Further work, particularly on igniters, is continuing. Discussion with the airline operators has, of course, been mainly concerned with the likely economic benefits of F.I.D.O. to their operations.

That answer is almost identical, word for word, with one which I gave in this House nearly two years ago, and apparently nothing has been done since that time. As the hon. Gentleman knows so much about co-ordination, can he get a little co-ordination with his hon. Friends behind him, as they knew all the answers to this problem two years ago?

The hon. Member knows very well that a great deal of progress has been made, including a test which was recently carried out at Blackbushe in order to discover pilot and passenger reaction, and it was generally satisfactory. Discussions and experiments are still continuing.

Is my hon. Friend aware that when the hon. Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Beswick) made his statement two years ago he was basing it on what had been done in the days of the war and the Coalition Government?

The hon. and gallant Member is quite wrong. May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary to send him a copy of the statement which I then made? Is the Parliamentary Secretary further aware that two years ago it was demanded that a fog dispersal system should be in operation at London Airport for the winter of 1951? What is now being done about that?

If the hon. Member wants to ask a question which relates to matters for which the Minister of Fuel and Power is responsible, he must put a Question down to my right hon. Friend. I hesitate to answer for him.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation if he will make regulations to ensure that, in future, no statement on air accidents will be made until an inquiry has been held.

No, Sir. It may well be in the public interest that certain information should be made available at the earliest possible moment in such cases.

Is my hon. Friend aware that when a Comet aircraft crashed at Rome in an attempt to take off, a high official of B.O.A.C. said it was not in any way due to the pilot? Events were subsequently proved to be quite different from that and it was contradicted. Will my hon. Friend issue a directive to the chairmen of the nationalised corporations and private operators that no unofficial statements should be made until an official inquiry has been held?

I appreciate the point made by my hon. and gallant Friend. but I do not think it would be possible to devise regulations to prevent such statements from being made, nor would any such restrictions be compatible with the right of the subject to freedom of speech. It is, however, undesirable that statements other than purely factual ones should be made by operators and any other interested parties.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that as a result of the statement made by the chairman of B.O.A.C. the engine constructors, De Havilland, were compelled to make a statement in direct conflict with it, which appeared in the Press? Is not the making of statements prior to an inquiry by people who are interested something which the Minister ought to prevent?

Yes, I think that statements which are made should not anticipate conclusions on matters which will need investigation.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation how many applications from independent operators to run air services had been submitted to the Air Transport Advisory Council under their new directive by 31st December, 1952; how many applications had been recommended for his approval; and what approvals have been given by him.

By 31st December, 1952, the Air Transport Advisory Council had received 131 applications from independent companies to operate scheduled air services and had recommended 25 of them for approval. Of the 17 recommendations which I have now approved, five were approved by 31st December, 1952.

Is the Minister aware that apart from the merits or demerits of these applications, it is very difficult for companies to plan their operations when there is this delay? May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to have a look into this machinery because there seems to be something wrong with it? May I also ask him where the announcements are being made as to which companies are being granted these services?

In so far as it takes a long time for these applications to be considered by the Air Transport Advisory Council, I should like to say that many new considerations arise involving much closer examination and giving much more security of tenure to the company. I think that the A.T.A.C. have pursued their work with vigour and despatch. I know that they are always anxious to cut down any avoidable delay.

With regard to any delays which occur when their recommendations come to me, as Minister, I have now managed by today to clear 27 of the 38 recommendations which they have made. I often require to have close contact with Colonial and Dominion Governments before giving my final approval. In regard to the last question, the companies themselves are informed, and notification is sent to the public Press.

How many internal air services in Scotland have been offered to independent companies of the taking over of which they have so far not been able to avail themselves?

We do not go round offering services. Applications have been made and I have answered a Question on that.

Is the Minister aware that services have been offered in Scotland to independent companies which so far have been unable to operate them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the amount of British property destroyed in Hungary for which the Hungarian Government have accepted responsibility; and how much has been paid.

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to property losses resulting from damage or injury as a result of the war or from special measures applied to such property. Under Article 26 (4) of the Peace Treaty the Hungarian Government is committed to provide in Hungary compensation in Hungarian currency to United Kingdom claimants who sustained such losses there. Three hundred and forty-two such claims have so far been presented to the Hungarian Government through Her Majesty's Legation in Budapest. The total value of these claims according to figures supplied by the claimants is somewhat over 1,106 million forints. The Hungarians have so far failed to settle any of the outstanding claims. Her Majesty's Government have of course taken and will continue to take any suitable opportunity of pressing these claims on the Hungarian Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made in the talks with the Egyptian Government on the question of the Sudan.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to make a statement as to the present state of negotiations between Her Majesty's Government and the Egyptian Government on the future of the Sudan.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a further statement on the progress of negotiations on the future of the Sudan.

I have nothing at present to add to the statement I made in this House on 20th January last.

Is it not a fact that the only obstacle now to agreement is the question of the guarantee to Southern Sudan? Is it not also a fact that any guarantee we can secure will only extend over three years; that we cannot guarantee the rights of Southern Sudan after three years? In that case is it not rather absurd to stick on this one point when by agreement with the Egyptians on it there might be a far better atmosphere for discussions on the Canal Zone and it might lead to a sensible result in connection with the Middle East Defence Organisation?

The hon. Member will be aware from the Press this morning that there were discussions yesterday between us and the Egyptian Government, which are being continued today. I do not think that it would really help those discussions, or the result which I feel sure the House will wish, for me to reply to a question of that kind, which I should have thought might only weaken our negotiators there.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the detailed arrangements that have been made with the United States of America for British troops to have reciprocal treatment to that given to the American forces in this country under the Visiting Forces Act.

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Aston (Mr. Wyatt) on 26th November last.

Will the Minister bear in mind that when that Act was passed by the House specific assurances were given by the Home Secretary that reciprocal arrangements would be made by the United States? Can we have an assurance that the Government are doing everything possible to get those reciprocal arrangements?

We are in touch with the American authorities on that point. We certainly hope that reciprocal arrangements will be provided.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that no Order in Council under our Visiting Forces Act will be presented to the House so as to make the Act operative in this country until satisfactory reciprocal arrangements have been made with any country affected by that Order in Council?

That is another question, which should not be addressed to the Foreign Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) on what basis British forces in Korea share responsibilities for former prisoners of war who are now civilian internees under the United Nations in Korea;

(2) how many former prisoners of war of the opposing forces in Korea are now civilian internees in Korea under the United Nations; where they are interned; and what are the physical conditions of their internment.

There are now about 10,000 civilian prisoners detained in South Korea by the United Nations Command; about 9,000 of them are on Pongam Island and the remainder in a hospital camp in Pusan. As far as I am aware, they are housed in conditions similar to those of military prisoners of war. British troops have taken no part in guarding prisoners of war or civilian prisoners in Korea since the 10th July, 1952.

Is it not a fact that the responsibility is shared by the United Nations, and if that is so, what does that responsibility involve? Does it involve health and welfare? Are doctors in attendance to report personally as to the health of the internees?

I think the responsibility is that of the United Nations Command.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say how many of these civilian internees were formerly listed as military prisoners of war and subsequently re-screened as civilians, and can he indicate what the basis of the re-screening was?

I would like notice of that question.

Can the Minister tell us if, when these men were captured, they were fighting as guerrillas and not in uniform, and whether that deprives them of their rights and amenities under international law? Can he make any further statement on that aspect of the matter?

I think again that I would prefer a Question to be put down on the Order Paper with regard to that matter. My impression is that in this 10,000 are people who constitute a number of different categories. Some had arms, some had not, but were officially classified as prisoners of war.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has considered the protest of the International Committee of the Red Cross made in May, 1952, to the United Nations Command in Korea regarding a violation of the Geneva Convention on the treatment of prisoners; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the protest together with the reply of the United Nations Commander.

Yes, Sir. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Windsor (Mr. Mott-Radclyffe) on 19th December. The documents were placed in the Library last month.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any further statement on the progress and prospects of negotiations for a truce in Korea.

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the right hon. and learned Member for Rowley Regis and Tipton (Mr. A. Henderson) on 21st January.

Would my right hon. Friend consider, and if possible re-define, what are the purposes which we have in view in joining with other Powers in this war in Korea, and what circumstances are likely to arise there should victory be attained?

I thought that at the last meeting of the U.N. General Assembly nothing could really have been clearer than the proposals put forward by the Indian delegation, with our support and that of all but the Soviet bloc, to try to bring this conflict to an end. We still stand by those proposals and we can only deplore the fact that the Communist bloc derided them.

While agreeing with what the Foreign Secretary has just said, may I ask him if he will tell the Indian Government that he will give them his support, with that of others whom he can persuade. if they will make another attempt with the Chinese Government. and if in particular they will try to clear up the misunderstanding of the Peking Government on the Prisoner of War Convention?

I think every attempt was made by the India Government, and by the United Nations, to explain the meaning of that Resolution to the Government in Peking. But, as I have said, we are always ready to consider any other possible basis of negotiation, provided it does not infringe the essential principles which this House as a whole has endorsed.

In view of what the right hon. Gentleman has just said, and while agreeing that the Indian proposals were reasonable and might well have been accepted, may I ask him if, nevertheless, he would say whether in the present situation there would be anything very dangerous in having a cease-fire now, and referring the question of the prisoners, with all other questions that arise out of an armistice, to negotiations there?

Yes, Sir. The hon. Gentleman has more than once, and perfectly reasonably, put this point to me. But I do not think Her Majesty's Government, or the Governments who have troops in Korea, would think it wise, or indeed could agree, to that suggestion for an armistice without arrangements being made about our prisoners of war. We should, I think, place our prisoners 3f war in a most dangerous position.

But will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that in those circumstances we should still have in our hands very many more prisoners than they have in theirs? And in view of their expressed anxiety in these matters about the fate of their prisoners, may it not very well be that the dangers of such a course as I have suggested have been exaggerated?

As the hon. Gentleman will understand, there are other considerations besides that. I do not want to put it offensively, but one has to bear in mind the relative feelings we have in respect of prisoners of war in these countries, and I do not think it would be right or just to agree to an arrangement of that kind.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken to recapture the German war criminals Hans Kühn and Wilhelm Kuppe who escaped four months ago from the British prison at Werl.

The search for these two war criminals continues.

Is the Minister of State aware that the Bonn Government gave instructions in late November that no further steps should be taken to try to recapture these war criminals? Is he aware that these men have been tried and convicted of brutal crimes committed during the war, and in view of the refusal of the Bonn Government to make any attempt to recapture them, does he not think that makes a sorry sham and a mockery of Dr. Adenauer's protest at our arrest of war criminals—or rather of Nazis—now?

I will make no comment on what the hon. Member has said, except to say that at the present time we are receiving co-operation from the German authorities.

Is the Minister satisfied with the competence of the present administration of these prisons?

That is a different question from the one on the Order Paper.

Can the Minister say when the Bonn Government again refused to co-operate in trying to recapture these men?

I prefer to limit myself to what I have said, that at the present time we are receiving co-operation from the German authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will define the powers of investigation of German political activities and arrest of German nationals reserved to Her Majesty's Government after the final ratification of the Bonn Contractual Agreements.

After the entry into force of the Bonn Conventions the position in this respect will be governed by Article 2, paragraph 1, and Article 5 of the Convention on Relations. The three Powers retain by that Convention the rights at present held or exercised by them relating to the protection of the security of Armed Forces in Germany, but the exercise of these rights will conform to the provisions of Article 5 of the same Convention.

Action such as that recently taken by the United Kingdom High Commissioner could not be carried out by the three Powers or one of them in comparable circumstances after the Bonn Conventions enter into force. The powers of the British military authorities to take into custody German nationals will be those specified in Article 7 of the Convention on the Rights and Obligations of Foreign Forces.

I am obliged to my right hon. Friend, but does he not consider that the description, in paragraph 2 of Article 5 to which he referred, of what constitutes a state of emergency, is a description of events of a far more momentous character than those which were the subject of Her Majesty's Government's action a fortnight ago? Does not it appear, therefore, that the Convention has been so broadly drawn as to make it almost impossible after the ratification of the Bonn Agreements to deal with these political movements in their incipient and emergent stages?

My noble Friend is right in drawing a distinction between the powers we now have and the powers we should have under the Bonn Convention. It is correct to say that the Articles which give us these powers are very complicated. Broadly, I should say that they could only be operated then in an emergency and not perhaps in a potential danger such as we are dealing with here.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the powers of the German Government, to which he referred in his original answer, differ now from what they will be when the Conventions are ratified, in so far as arrests of German nationals, similar to those recently undertaken by H.M. Government, are concerned?

What is quite clear is that the powers of the German Government, and the powers of a future German Government, under their own constitution, would not be as wide as those which H.M. Government now exercise in Germany.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now take the initiative with the Governments concerned to suggest that the Treaty for the European Defence Community should be re-negotiated and that Britain should join the European Defence Community, provided a suitable method of identifying Britain with the European Defence Community can be found.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is now proposed that Britain should join the European Defence Community.

No, Sir. The six Governments concerned are well aware of the reasons which preclude this country from becoming a member of the European Defence Community. I am, however, glad to have this opportunity to reaffirm that Her Majesty's Government regard the early entry into force of the European Defence Treaty, signed last May, as an essential factor in strengthening the European defence effort through the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

In addition to their contribution to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, Her Majesty's Government have further demonstrated their practical support of the European Defence Community by signing a Treaty of Mutual Assistance with its members, by subscribing to the Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty and in the Tripartite Declaration of May last year.

It is also their intention to arrange for the closest possible political liaison with the institutions of the European Defence Community and military association with the European defence forces.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that unless the British do now join E.D.C. it is highly unlikely that the French will ratify the agreement and the whole scheme for a European army will collapse? Even Lord Montgomery now says there is no possible military objection to the British joining this scheme, and the whole of Europe is waiting for us to give a lead in this matter. Is he aware that if we do not the scheme will collapse and that we shall have a German national army formed in a few years' time with no possible hope of controlling it within the framework of the European army?

We do want this scheme to succeed. I do not share the views of the hon. Gentleman. I think it is still possible that it will be ratified by France and Germany. But it would be wrong for the House to suggest that it would go into the European Defence Community as at present constituted, unless at the same time we accept the object of its endeavour which is political federation in Europe. Unless this House is willing to join in political federation—which I believe it is not—we should be quite wrong to lead anybody to have false hopes in this matter.

While appreciating the position taken up by the right hon. Gentleman and Her Majesty's Government on this matter of associating the United Kingdom with the European Defence Community, is the right hon. Gentleman not now aware of the position taken up by the French Government in a statement recently made by M. Rene Mayer on this subject? Is it not becoming increasingly obvious that the French Government have no intention of associating themselves directly with E.D.C. until the United Kingdom decides to associate itself with E.D.C., and in view of the delay—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech."] This is a most important matter. In view of the delay we have experienced, will the right hon. Gentleman do two things: one, place a time limit so that we should know before very long what the situation is; and, two, if there is no progress made in this direction, will he review the whole position?

It is only fair to recall that the conception of E.D.C., as the right hon. Gentleman will remember, was entirely the French Government's own proposal. There was never at that time a condition that Her Majesty's Government should belong to it, nor is there, so far as I am aware, any such condition now. If there were such a condition I do not think that it would be just or reasonable to tell Her Majesty's Government that she must acquiesce in certain arrangements when in fact we have, so far, apart from joining E.D.C., undertaken all the obligations which our Western Allies have asked us to shoulder.

Does not my right hon. Friend welcome the news on the tape that the French Cabinet have decided to proceed with this matter at once?

I should welcome it very much. I hope that it will be confirmed in due course.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that M. Mayer and other leaders of French opinion have made it perfectly clear that if Britain will signify her willingness to join, they will be quite happy to re-negotiate the Treaty in such a way as to remove British objections to the federal element?

No, Sir, the statements I have seen are not that. They are that the French Government require certain additional protocols to the existing arrangements. I have not seen the suggestion that either a part or the whole arrangement should be re-negotiated. If that were suggested, obviously there would be other considerations, including Germany's position, to be taken into account, and I should deplore that.

rose—

Order. This is too big a matter to pursue at Question time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what stage has now been reached in the negotiations between Her Majesty's Government, the United States Government and the Iranian Government as to the disposal of the oil in Iran belonging to the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company.

I am not yet in a position to make a statement on the consultations which have been going on between Her Majesty's Government and the United States Government and between the Persian Prime Minister and the United States Ambassador at Tehran. I can assure the hon. Member that I will inform the House as soon as it is possible to do so.

In view of the somewhat flamboyant promises made by the party opposite at the last General Election, is not it about time that something were done in this matter and some oil made to flow again from Persia?

I do not know what the hon. Gentleman means by flamboyant promises. I certainly made none. I said that I hoped that, despite the existing situation, it might be possible to rescue something; but I had no confidence in the matter.

What have the United States to do with a dispute between our Government and the Persian Government in regard to British property in Persia?

I think that I should say that the recent arrangements arrived at here in London with Mr. Byroade, had they been accepted by the Persian Government, would have been very satisfactory to Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to make a further statement on the negotiations with Iceland on fishing rights.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now consider referring the Icelandic fisheries dispute to the International Court, in view of the continuing deadlock and the increasing tension developing between this country and Iceland arising from the protracted dispute.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to make a further statement on the Icelandic fishing dispute; and what hopes there are of an early and amicable settlement.

Her Majesty's Government have made certain proposals to the Icelandic Government in the hope of bringing about a solution of the dispute. I should prefer not to add to this statement until the reply of the Icelandic Government has been received and considered.

Has my right hon. Friend any idea how long he may have to wait before he hears from the Icelandic Government?

No, Sir, but last week we made these proposals to the Government of Iceland and we must give them a reasonable opportunity to reply.

As this matter has now been delayed for a very long time, and as it is causing a great deal of distress and tension, would not it be better now seriously to consider referring it to the Hague Court?