asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will announce the date of demobilisation of group 57 of the W.R.N.S., in view of the fact that those in this group cannot take any steps for their resettlement in civil life without this information.

The release of W.R.N.S. in the current period ending 1st July, vary from age and service group 50 to age and service group 64 according to the category of work. If the hon. Gentleman is interested in any particular category in group 57, and will let me know, I will endeavour to let him have more precise information.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the special rank pension element of 1s. 3d. a week for each year of re-employment in warrant rank, recently announced for Royal Navy ratings, is in lieu of the chief petty-officer rate of 9d. or is in addition thereto.

One shilling and three-pence a week is the gross rank element payable for each year in warrant rank. The service element of from 1s. 2d. to 4s. is, of course, payable in addition.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when those wives of officers and men of the R.N., who are now in Australia awaiting transport to the United Kingdom, will be given facilities to travel; and whether he will ensure that all such ladies will be given priority before fiancees are given such facilities.

The priority to be granted to wives of British officers and other ranks married whilst in Australia is a matter for decision by the Australian Passage Priority Board. Representations have been made to the appropriate authorities in Australia, suggesting that priority accorded to them should be up-graded, so that they rank immediately after persons proceeding in the national interest, and before those travelling on private account. Arrangements have also been made to bring about 700 wives and dependants of Royal Naval officers and ratings from Australia to the United Kingdom in an aircraft carrier in the near future. If the Australian Passage Priority Board accepts the suggestions made for the priority of wives, all the wives ready to leave Australia will be given passages before fiancees.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he has any statement to make about the position at the R.A.F. station, at Madley, where all the airmen, except a small permanent staff, are compelled to walk many miles a day between the points where they live and mess and work and are refused the use of cycles, whilst German prisoners of war, doing similar journeys on the same station, are all supplied with cycles.

The prisoners of war are provided with bicycles, if they have long distances to go, to increase the time they spend at work. They are not allowed to use the bicycles off duty. The airmen under training—as opposed to the permanent staff for whom bicycles are provided—are not given bicycles, because their course is so short that it includes hardly any special time for drill or marching, and the marching to and from different parts of the station is used as a substitute.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when Castle Hill House, Huntingdon, and adjoining and nearby premises, all of which have been unoccupied since 1945, will be made available to the Huntingdon County Council and the Red Cross Society, by whom they are required for civilian requirements.

Castle Hill House is Air Ministry property but we are offering it to the Ministry of Works for accommodation for the local staff of Government Departments, and the Huntingdon County Council will then be able to take over the offices which will be vacated. I understand that this arrangement will meet the county council's difficulties. The nearby premises, which belong to the Red Cross Society are no longer needed by us And we will be able to release them provided they are not required for other Government use.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why releases of officers in the equipment branch of the R.A.F. have only been promulgated as far as group 27 by 30th June; and whether he will take steps to ensure that releases from this branch are brought into line with general releases from the R.A.F. in the near future.

We shall be releasing equipment officers in groups 27 and 28 during June. As my predecessor said in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Dumfries (Major Macpherson) and the hon. Member for Midlothian and Peebles, Northern (Lord John Hope) on 27th March, these officers have specially heavy responsibilities at present and we depend largely on their experience for the proper disposal of large quantities of valuable equipment; moreover, a very high proportion of equipment officers are in groups 20–29. We are doing all we can to improve the position by training every suitable general duties officer who can be made available and by commissioning more airmen. The position should progressively improve after July but I am afraid that I cannot forecast at this stage when the release of equipment officers will be brought up to the general level.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether there is hope of an early derequisitioning of the aerodrome near Ramsbury, Wiltshire, at present unused.

We have not yet decided the future of this airfield, but it may be needed permanently by the Royal Air Force. Pending a decision we are making the land available for cultivation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what customs, restaurant, cable, telephone and other reception facilities exist for Atlantic travellers at Heathrow; and how these compare with those at Prestwick.

The Airport is being opened to international traffic at the urgent request of operators on 31st May. To achieve this date tents have had to be erected for a passengers' waiting room and buffet and for customs and control services pending the provision of more appropriate accommodation. Cable and telephone facilities are available on a limited scale. These purely temporary expedients are, of course, for the time being inferior to the facilities at Prestwick, but operators are prepared to accept them so that they may use the London Airport at once.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation how many officers of his Department are authorised to sign Statutory Rules and Orders on his behalf; and what are the respective Departmental ranks of these persons.

The only officers at present authorised to sign Statutory Rules and Orders on behalf of my Noble Friend are the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry or, in his absence, the Deputy Secretary.

asked the Minister of Food if it was with his authority that the North-East Divisional Food Officer announced that a conference had been held between his Department and the divisional food officers to discuss the employment of agents provocateurs in securing evidence of the breakage of food regulations; when such a conference was held; who were present; and what was the decision reached.

A conference between officers of my Headquarters and Divisional Food Officers was held on 3rd and 4th April. I am glad to say that the conference discussed measures for intensifying enforcement activities. But agent provocateur methods are not and will not be employed by my Department.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the large quantities of lettuces being destroyed in some districts while a scarcity exists in others; and whether he will take steps to improve the distribution of home grown horticultural produce so as to avoid unnecessary waste.

Small quantities of winter lettuce mostly affected by pests and disease have had to be ploughed back. There is no general scarcity of lettuces but there are some local scarcities and I am examining the existing arrangements for marketing fruit and vegetables with a view to seeing what action can he taken to improve them.

asked the Minister of Food whether he took into account, when fixing the growers' price of strawberries, the fact that the season is late; and if he will adjust the price drop periods accordingly.

Growers' prices for strawberries have to be fixed according to the average date of the maturity of the crop before it is known whether the season will be late or early. I am satisfied that the prices fixed this year will give a reasonable return to the growers.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will take steps to release materials for containers for agricultural produce so that British farmers can market their produce in a manner comparable to imported foodstuffs.

We cannot do much to improve our containers for agricultural produce until more soft woods are available. But I do realise the importance of attractive packing.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will take steps to curtail the importation of luxuries, such as strawberries and asparagus from Holland and France, in order to save the foreign currencies for necessities; and why the importation of 1,000 tons of radishes between 7th March and 30th July was permitted.

These foodstuffs help to provide greater variety in our diet and I hope to get more of them. I am satisfied that the Foreign Exchange involved could not at the moment be spent to greater advantage in other ways.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that widespread fears exist that there will be a shortage of beer in London on Victory day; and what steps he proposes to take in this matter.

Yes, Sir; there is, inevitably, a shortage of beer owing to the recent cut in production which had to be made in order to save cereals. I am assured by the brewers that they will do everything they can to meet the demand on Victory day.

asked the Minister of Food the present annual cost per head of population expended on Government subsidies for food.

The estimated cost per head of the population will be this year some £7.

asked the Minister of Food what proportion of the wheat available for use in Great Britain between now and September is in the form of unmilled wheat and how much in the form of flour.

The proportion of United Kingdom wheat requirement imported in the form of flour depends upon many factors and I am unable, therefore, to state the proportion of wheat available for use in Great Britain between now and September next which will be imported as flour.

asked the Minister of Food the cost of two pounds of bread in 1930, 1940, and at the present time.

The average retail price of two pounds of bread was 4¼d. in both 1930 and 1940. The price at the present time is 5|⅛d.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give the average number of loaves of bread sold per week before and after the weight of the loaf was reduced, respectively.

From preliminary reports I estimate that there has been a fall of approximately 6 per cent, in the weight of bread sold since the reduction in the standard weights of loaves: more exact information than this is not available.

asked the Minister of Food whether lie is aware that foreign grown vegetables and salads are being dumped into this country and sold at prices which are under the cost of production in this country; and if he will prohibit all such importations.

In face of the general demand for vegetables, I am not prepared to prohibit such importations. On the contrary I consider that they make a useful element of variety in our diet.

asked the Minister of Food Whether he will now modify his decision not to issue a special cheese ration to building operatives in those cases, especially rural areas, where it can be shown that it is not possible for employers to set up canteens or provide packed meals.

I regret that, for reasons I have previously explained to the House, I am unable to extend the special cheese ration to these cases.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that there are people in this country who wish to send food parcels to relatives and friends in Europe; and what steps he is taking to make this possible, if only on a small scale in special circumstances.

In the first place our policy is that the country as a whole, and not individuals, must shoulder this nation's part in the task of world wide relief, and I need not recall to the House that we have recently foregone no less than 400,000 tons of wheat in this cause. These figures must necessarily dwarf anything which can be accomplished by individuals. I must also call the hon. Member's attention to the Prime Minister's statement on 4th April last, in which the objections to any voluntary collections of food for relief abroad were stated. The administrative difficulties of permitting the sending of individual parcels abroad, while not permitting the voluntary collection of food, are formidable. Nevertheless I recognise the intense and generous impulse of individuals in this country to send food parcels to Europe and elsewhere, and I will give careful consideration to this matter.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that sugar is being left to rot in the West Indies owing to lack of shipping; and if he will give an assurance that on no occasion has permission been refused by him to any of His Majesty's ships homeward bound to carry cargo of this nature when space was available.

I can most certainly give the assurance asked for by the hon. Member. I have no knowledge of any sugar left to rot in the West Indies or, in fact, in any other part of the world from which we draw supplies.

asked the Minister of Food if it is his intention to review the soft fruit prices in Scotland, in view of the extensive frost damage.

The frost damage to soft fruits so far reported in Scotland does not justify a revision in price, but the matter is being kept under review.

asked the Minister of Food why there is still a prohibition on the delivery of milk in large towns before 7.30 a.m.

This prohibition is still in operation because labour conditions in the industry have not yet been restored to normal but I propose to discuss the matter with the trade and labour interests affected at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the secondary school maintained by the Marist brothers in the Seychelles Islands is being closed; what other centres of secondary education exist in the islands; and what plans the Government have to meet the situation.

The Marist Brothers, who have supplied teachers for the boys secondary school in Seychelles for many years, recently announced their decision to leave the Colony next July. It is not proposed to close the school. The question of procuring as soon as possible other qualified Roman Catholic teachers to replace the Marist Brothers is now under urgent consideration. Under the Agreement which was signed last June between the Roman Catholic Bishop of Seychelles and the Director of Education it was agreed that there should be two new secondary schools, one for boys and one for girls. The Agreement provided that the boys' school should be staffed by the Marist Brothers or a similar Brotherhood who would be British subjects and qualified teachers. As regards the second part of the Question, there is a Government aided Roman Catholic secondary school for girls in Seychelles which will not be affected by these arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been called to the Report of the Anglo-American Committee of Inquiry into the Problems of European Jewry and Palestine, in which it is stated that a lido, with dancing and swing music is in operation on the shore of the Sea of Galilee; and if he will take appropriate action to bring to an end this offence to Christian sentiment.

I would invite the hon. Member's attention to my reply on this subject to my hon. Friend the Member for West Coventry (Mr. Edelman), on 15th May.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) what are the latest figures for unemployment in Trinidad; and what plans the Government of Trinidad has for a system of unemployment insurance;(2) what measures are at present being taken to provide unemployment relief in Trinidad.

The number registered as unemployed at the Labour Bureau on 30th April was 1,208. A committee has been engaged for many months in collecting data with a view to making recommendations on unemployment and health insurance. Its sub committee's report on health insurance was submitted to the main committee on 8th May and it is hoped that it will be submitted to Government at an early date, but it is not possible to say when the report covering unemployment insurance will be available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what success has attended the campaign for stamping out Leopard Society murders in the Calabar province of Nigeria.

Up to date 145 deaths have been established as Leopard Society murders. One hundred and three persons have been charged with murder, and 25 of these have already been convicted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will instruct the Government of Nyasaland to grant no more licences for European settlement on the shores of Lake Nyasa, since these result in the removal of African villages and the loss of fishing facilities by the African community.

No, Sir. Rights of occupancy on the shores of Lake Nyasa are granted in two defined areas only, which were set aside for this purpose after full agreement with the Chiefs and people concerned, and only after careful consideration by the Governor in Council of each individual application. I am informed by the Governor that in no case has an African village been removed or native fishing rights been affected as a result of such grants.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies en what conditions land may be alienated from Africans in Nyasaland, particularly, whether it may be alienated with the consent of the chiefs alone; and how many square miles have been alienated.

By the Nyasaland Native Trust Land Order in Council, 1936, all lands in the protectorate were declared native trust land, with the exception of Crown lands and reserved lands, the latter consisting of townships, forest reserves and land leased or otherwise disposed of prior to that date. Native Trust Land cannot be alienated with the consent of the Chiefs alone. This land is vested in the Secretary of State; and, subject to his directions, may be leased by the Governor, after consultation with the native authority concerned, if this appears to be for the common benefit, direct or indirect, of the natives of the Protectorate.Of approximately 2½ million acres of Native Trust Land 32,000 acres only had been alienated at the end of 1945. Crown and reserved lands amount to three million acres, of which 1¼ million had been alienated at that date. Questions of land tenure and policy are receiving the close attention of the Nyasaland Government, and arrangements have been made for the problems involved to be investigated shortly by the Right Honourable Sir Sidney Abrahams.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the respective wage rates of Africans, Asiatics and Europeans employed on the Nyasaland railways.

The wages paid by the Nyasaland Railways Limited cover a considerable range. I am informed by the company that Europeans are em ployed in a supervisory capacity only, and their remuneration varies according to the individual contract made with the company. Asiatics are also recruited on contract terms, usually from India, as skilled tradesmen and technically qualified clerks, at salaries varying from £126 to £350 per annum. Africans are employed as general labourers, artisans, clerks, etc., and are divided into five grades, 1, 2, 3, 4 and " special."Their food, medical attention and housing are provided by the company and they are paid in cash:

	Annual Increment
	s.	d.
" Special " over 80s, per month	—
Grade 1 45s. to 80s. per month	5	0
Grade 11 27s. 6d. to 40s. per month	2	6
Grade 111 17s. to 25s. per month	2	0
Grade IV 10s. to 15s. per month	1	0

Higher wages according to qualifications are paid to Africans capable of specialised work. It is the company's policy to encourage the advancement of Africans and their scheme for training Africans to fill more skilled posts, which had to be suspended during the war, is to be restarted as soon as the necessary staff becomes available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to promote the production of food in Malaya.

The shortage of imported foodstuffs has, since liberation, made the promotion of food production for internal consumption in Malaya a first object of policy with the Government. A variety of measures have been adopted to that end, including the enactment of compulsory legislation for the short-term production of indigenous foodstuffs (the direction of effort by a Food Production Board and the dissemination of local propaganda).More specifically, the measures taken have involved financial provision for increasing the extent and productivity of rice areas, the cultivation of rice substitutes, the grant of permission to squatters to remain on Crown lands and the compulsory cultivation of vegetables on estates. Urgent efforts are being made to rehabilitate the fishing industry and the livestock population, both of which have suffered severely as a result of the war. It is also hoped to resuscitate to the extent that conditions permit exports of vegetable oils; but so long as imports of alternative foodstuffs are not available, it is impossible to revive exports of these commodities to their prewar extent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to reply to the letter sent to him on 8th March, 1946, followed by reminders on 27th March, 24th April and 7th May, by the London and Counties Medical Protection Society, on the subject of payments to members of C.D. services in Malaya and Hong Kong.

I regret to say that there has been some delay in sending the reply. The letter of 8th March raised two general issues affecting. a number of individuals and involving another Government Department and expenditure of Government funds. Decisions have now been reached on both these points and a full reply is on its way to the Society. The letters of 27th March, 24th April and 7th May referred to an individual case. The reply in this case was despatched on 9th May.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why, in deciding to make ex gratia payments equivalent to accrued pay, at the rate appropriate to the rank of the individual, in the case of those members of the C.D. services of Malaya and Hong Kong who were prisoners of war in Japanese hands it was necessary to make a deduction of TO per cent.; and why it was necessary to make a maximum of £1,500 in any one case.

The deduction was made on account of local taxation, which would have been payable if the territory had not been occupied by the Japanese, and salaries had been issued as they fell due. It has, however, now been decided that no deduction should be made in respect of any payment up to £1,250. The maximum of £1,500 was imposed because it was considered that this was the maximum payment which could be justified to a purely temporary official from Government funds as an ex gratia grant in respect of his period of internment by the Japanese.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give increased opportunities to persons of Asiatic race in Malaya to occupy posts of importance in the civil administration of the country.

I would invite attention to the separate statement which I am making today on the general question of the organisation of the Colonial Service. The principles which I have laid down with regard to the increase of opportunities for Colonial people to staff the public services of their own countries will apply in Malaya no less than in other Colonial territories.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many cases in the last six months of terrorism in Palestine have resulted in the murder of British troops or police; how many terrorists have been brought to trial; and what punishments were inflicted in each case.

There have been six incidents of terrorism during the past six months resulting in the murder of British troops or police. The total number killed was 16 British soldiers, including five Africans and five British police.As regards the second and third parts of the Question, 10 persons have been brought to trial. Two were acquitted and eight were sentenced to the following terms of imprisonment: 1 to 12 years, 2 to 7 years, 1 to 5 years, 1 to 4 years, 1 to 3 years, 1 to 6 months, one case was a technical offence only. A further 71 persons are awaiting trial in connection with these terrorist incidents.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now made arrangements for a colonial regional conference in the South Pacific; which countries will be represented; what will be the terms of reference; and whether be will consider inviting, as full delegates to this conference, the representatives of popular movements in the area under discussion.

Discussions are still proceeding with the Governments of Australia and New Zealand, but at present I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Chelsea (Commander Noble) on 15th May, 1946.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is now in a position to make a statement on the organisation of the Colonial Service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now make a statement regarding the future organisation of the Colonial Service.

Yes, Sir. I would invite attention to two Papers which are being issued this afternoon as non-Parliamentary publications. The first deals with the general principles of organisation which in my view should be adopted to enable the Colonial Service to discharge efficiently its duties in present conditions. It is to be remembered that each Colony has its own public service and that the Colonial Service is a name for these separate public services considered as a whole. The Paper emphasises the need for improving the opportunities for Colonial people to staff the public services of their own countries. At the same time the Colonies need considerable numbers of recruits from this country and the Dominions, and the Paper lays down certain general principles for the employment of such officers which I should like the respective Colonial Governments to embody in their local arrangements for salaries and conditions of service.I have come to the conclusion that, apart from the general services which it renders in recruiting staff and supervising their distribution, His Majesty's Government can best assist the Colonial Governments in this matter by organising and contributing to the cost of schemes of training. Accordingly out of the money available under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act I have allocated £1million for enabling people from the Colonies to obtain the basic qualifications necessary for entry into the higher grades of the public services and £1½ million for giving selected candidates, whatever their origin, the further special training which they need to fit them for their particular work.Details of the special training schemes to which this £1½ million is allocated are given in the second Paper, which embodies the report of a committee appointed by my predecessor under the chairmanship of the Duke of Devonshire, then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State. I take this opportunity of thanking the chairman and members of that committee and the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and London for the generous help which they are giving in this important matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to increase the production of linings for men's suits.

The production of linings for men's suits is being expanded as fast as possible, and deliveries so far this year show a substantial increase compared with 1945.

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what date the experimental spinning processes at the Wye mill stopped; for what reason; and when will they be resumed and under what conditions.

The series of experiments at the Wye Mill are still in progress. As I informed the hon. Member on 10th May, I expect to receive a report from the Cotton Board in due course. Meanwhile, I am unable to make a statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what procedure is adopted in selecting industrialists to take over Government factories in the development areas.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given to my hon. Friend the Member for Upton (Mr. A. Lewis) on 18th March. I am sending him a copy of the note referred to in that reply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider introducing legislation making it compulsory for a person, who has been found guilty of exceeding a maximum price regulation, to refund to the person who has been overcharged the amount of the excess.

An innocent purchaser may recover the amount of any overcharge he has suffered in respect of price controlled or price regulated goods or price regulated services, either under Section 10 of the Prices of Goods Act, 1939, or the First Schedule to the Goods and Services (Price Control) Act, 1941, which enable him to take proceedings in the appropriate court to recover any loss sustained by him or, alternatively, under Regulation 8 of the Defence (Price Control) Regulations, 1945, which enables the court, upon convicting a person summarily of a price offence, to order repayment of the excess charged. I do not contemplate introducing any further legislation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the values expressed in sterling of exports of animal foodstuffs from this country to Eire, Germany, other British countries and other foreign countries, respectively, during the period January to March, 1946, inclusive.

Exports of animal feedingstuffs, other than grain, from the United Kingdom to Eire and to other British countries during the first quarter of 1946 were valued at £40 and £23,000 respectively. The corresponding figures for Germany and other foreign countries were £2,000 and £6,000. Re-exports were only £22, but maize to the value of £279 was re-exported, to British countries other than Eire.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the values expressed in sterling of imports of animal foodstuffs to this country from British India, other British countries, and foreign countries, respectively, during the period January to March, 1946, inclusive.

In the first quarter of 1946, imports of animal feedingstuffs, other than grain, from British India, other British countries and foreign countries were valued at £1,500, £47,000 and £120,000 respectively. Imports of maize amounted to £724,000, all from foreign countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent West African timber is now being imported into this country; and, in view of the shortage of timber for building and furniture manufacture, what action he is taking to develop this trade.

West African timber is now being imported into this country at the rate of some 4,000,000 cubic feet per year. This is more than double the rate of import before the war. The maximum quantities possible are being, and will continue to be, purchased from West Africa, and it is hoped to increase imports still further in the future. Production is being encouraged as much as possible both by His Majesty's Government and by the local governments.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when a chairman of the British Council will be appointed.

I regret that I am still not in a position to give a definite answer to this Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether full consideration has now been given to the Report on the British Council by Sir Findlater Stewart; whether a decision has now been taken as to the organisation of British overseas publicity services; and whether he will now make the promised statement on the future constitution and policy of the British Council.

Full consideration has been given to Sir Findlater Stewart's report and to the future of the British Council, and it is hoped to make a statement at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether discussions have yet been started for associating Holland and Belgium with the occupation of Germany and the Commission for the Control of Traffic on the Rhine.

The answer to both parts of the Question is in the affirmative. The European Advisory Committee decided in September. 1944, that each of the Powers occupying Germany might include amongst the forces assigned to occupation duties under the command of its Commander-in-Chief auxiliary contingents from the forces of any other Allied Power which had participated in military operations against Germany, and invitations were extended shortly afterwards to the Netherlands and Belgian Governments, among others, to provide troops to help in the garrisoning of the British zone. The Belgian Government accepted the invitation and there is now one division of Belgian troops in the British zone. I understand that Netherlands commitments in the Far East have until recently made it difficult for the Netherlands Government to offer a contingent for use in Germany, but when the Netherlands Prime Minister paid a visit to this country last month he said that the Netherlands Government were anxious to contribute a certain number of troops. His Majesty's Government welcomed this offer and are now examining its practical aspects.Questions relating to traffic on the Rhine have so far been handled by an Interim Rhine Working Committee. This Committee, which was established at Duisburg in September, 1945, is composed of technical representatives from the British and United States zones 01 occupation and from France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland. His Majesty's Government and the French and United States Governments recently agreed to invite the Swiss, Belgian and Netherlands Governments to join in transforming this Committee into a Temporary Committee for Rhine Traffic, to be composed of accredited representatives of the Governments of Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Switzerland, and of the French, British and United States zones of occupation.

asked the Secretary of State for War what reports he has received on the unsatisfactory conditions during last winter in prisoner-of-war and civil internment camps in Germany and Belgium, including those at Paderborn, Rechlingshausen and Ostende; and whether he is satisfied that these conditions have now been rectified

My right hon. Friend has called for a full and immediate report on the various allegations which have been made concerning conditions in Prisoner of War and Civil Internment camps in Germany and Belgium. He would prefer to await this report before making any further statement on the matter

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that only three British journalists as against 187 U.S. Press correspondents and photographers are being invited to witness the atomic bomb tests at Bikini in the Pacific; and whether he will make representations to the State Department in the matter.

The atomic bomb tests are being conducted entirely by the United States Government and my right hon. Friend would not consider it proper for him to intervene in whatever arrangements they decide to make.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has satisfied himself that the U.S.S.R. troops in Poland have been reduced to the minimum necessary to guard their lines of communication with the Russian zone in Germany in order that the Polish elections may be held in conformity with the Potsdam agreement.

I regret I can add nothing to the answer which gave to the hon. Member for London University (Sir E. Graham-Little) on 7th December last.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now give a list of the allied war leaders who can attend the Victory Day celebrations on 8th June.

As stated by the Prime Minister in the House on 1st April, only high ranking officers of the Allied forces have been invited to take part in the Victory March. The foreign Governments concerned have each been invited to send three high ranking officers representative of their righting forces. The following are the names of such officers so far as the information is available:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now publish full accounts of the conversations which took place at Yalta; and whether he will assure the House that a full record has been kept of all conversations which took place between the Big Three, or any two of them.

The answer to the first part of the Question is " No, Sir." As regards the second part we have our own records but there was no agreed minute of the Conference.

asked the Minister of Supply what are the plans of the Government for disposing of surplus aircraft; and whether ex-Servicemen have any priority in acquiring them.

Arrangements for the sale of surplus aircraft suitable for commercial or private flying are as follow:

(a) aircraft allotted for export are sold to the design companies for export by them after reconditioning and conversion to civil standard; and

(b) other aircraft are sold as they lie by competitive tender.

As regards (

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that at the R.A.F. dump at Standlake, materials and products are available which could be sold to the public to advantage since many of them are unobtainable in the shops; and if he will arrange for these goods to be offered for sale to the public.

The material at this Depot is mainly light metal scrap from aircraft, and aircraft parts and accessories generally unsuitable for further use. These parts and accessories are, however, carefully sorted to recover any which may be usable. The light metal then goes to furnaces for smelting to secondary ingot for use in aluminium house parts and for other industrial purposes.

asked the Minister of Supply if, in view of the urgent need for conserving all food crops, he will arrange to coordinate the activities of his Department, the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Agriculture, in order to increase the output of wire-netting and allocate supplies essential for the protection of kitchen-garden crops against rabbits.

We are doing everything possible to increase the output of wire netting and arrangements are in hand for increased supplies to be made available to the small user. The Ministry of Supply is in constant contact with the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Agriculture regarding supplies.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will give an assurance that provision will be made to compensate the persons who will be dispossessed as the result of the extension of the runway at Filton aerodrome for the loss of their businesses; and when they will be requested to move into alternative accommodation.

Yes, Sir. Compensation will be paid for trade disturbance. The residents will probably be asked to move into the alternative accommodation at the end of June.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to ensure that the unit, 77th Welsh H.A.A. Regiment R.A., which, as a Territorial unit was, for a considerable period, on A.A. defence duty in Cardiff, is eligible for the Defence Medal.

The Defence Medal is not granted to units as such. Men who served with this particular unit would, however, be eligible for the Defence Medal provided they fulfil the necessary conditions. Full details of these conditions were given in Cmd. 6633 issued in May, 1945. Time spent as prisoner of war does not count towards the qualifying periods for the Defence Medal.

asked the Secretary of State for War the present position with regard to the military hospital at Wheatley; how many wards there are; how they are all individually to be heated; and if he has any statement to make as to conditions.

Improvements to this hospital costing £ 11,100 have been authorised and will be carried out as quickly as the supply of labour permits. There are 21 wards in the hospital. The six surgical wards are to be heated by electricity and the remainder are being equipped with Courtier stoves. The annexes will also be heated electrically. Gas cookers are to be installed in the patients' cookhouse and in the Sisters' Mess kitchen, and a number of other improvements will be made to the living accommodation of nurses, medical officers and other members of the staff.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the average Trice of strawberries to the grower in 1938 and 1939.

The estimated annual average price for strawberries received by growers in England and Wales was approximately 65s. and 62s. per cwt. in 1938 and 1939 respectively. These average prices cover strawberries of all kinds and qualities including those sold to manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and consumers.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that many bereaved parents have experienced considerable difficulty in securing a passage to visit their sons' graves in Holland; and whether special facilities will be granted in these cases.

I am not aware of any difficulty in securing a passage to Holland. The L.N.E.R. operate a steam ship service between Harwich and the Hook of Holland with the s.s. " Prague " sailing three times a week in each direction. The vessel has accommodation for 524 passengers. The service is open to all, there being no special reservations.

asked the Minister of Transport the approximate number of vehicles propelled by the use of petrol in Great Britain during April, 1946, and the corresponding number of vehicles in a similar classification during April, 1939.

The latest information available relates to February, 1946, and the undermentioned figures show the number of licences current at the end of that month and at the end of February, 1939. I regret the analysis does not differentiate between vehicles operated on petrol and on heavy oil.

Number of Mechanically Propelled Vehicles for which licences are current at end February, 1946 and 1939.
—	28th February,1946.	28th February,1939.
	(Thousands)
1. Private Cars	1,448	1,742
2. Cycles	266	290
3. A. Hackneys (other than trams).	98	75
B. Tramcars	6	8
4. A. Goods (liquid fuel).	473	470
B. Goods (steam, gas and electric).	7	5
5. Miscellaneous	190	115
	2,488	2,705