Sir William Davison: asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the devastation of our already insufficient woodlands by the cutting down of trees during the present war to meet urgent national needs for timber; and what steps are being taken to make good this loss to the nation's security and health and increase our timber acreage from the lowest in Europe by planting some of the 7,000,000...
Sir William Davison: Do the Government recognise the necessity of making an immediate start by the establishment of training centres for the training of men suitable for forestry work, so that there may be no delay in dealing with what, I am glad to hear, the Government consider to be a very important matter immediately after the war?
Sir William Davison: But surely this is all part of the same question, and it is an urgent matter that these men should be trained now, so as to be able to take up the work immediately after the war?
Sir William Davison: asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the shortage of hair combs, which in many places are not obtainable; and if he will take steps to deal with this matter.
Sir William Davison: But is not my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that a large proportion of the population no longer wear hats, and that under those circumstances a comb is essential to make seemly their disordered and frequently dishevelled locks?
Sir William Davison: Arising out of the important statement made by the right hon. Gentleman, is it not most desirable that at an early date there should be a discussion in the House on the work of the British Council, of which many people in the country, and many Members of the House, are largely ignorant?
Sir William Davison: rose——
Sir William Davison: In view of the important statement made by the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs with regard to the British Council and of the important work which is done by this body, will my right hon. Friend consider the desirability of allowing a Debate at an early date so that both the House and the country may know more about the work of the British Council, on which at present they are very ignorant?
Sir William Davison: asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the bad conditions in which some 5,000 Gibraltarian evacuees are now being housed in camps in Northern Ireland, many of them in the depth of the country where no work is available and practically no amusement of any kind; what was the reason for their deportation from England, where they were fully and gainfully employed; and will immediate...
Sir William Davison: While I thank my right hon. Friend for his reply, I hope he will regard it as very undesirable that a large number of people in the small population of Gibraltar should return there with a sense of grievance.
Sir William Davison: asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if he is aware of the serious handicap to motor manufacturers who are anxious to respond to the Government's appeal to make preparations for export after the war, by reason of the fact that British requirements regulating the design of motor vehicles in this country are for the most part unacceptable in other countries; and...
Sir William Davison: asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that there has been a recent recurrence in the activities of the common informer; that these persons, as a rule, take action on payment by third parties and frequently make money by threats of blackmail; and when he proposes to amend the law to prevent their activities.
Sir William Davison: Does not my right hon. Friend think it is very undesirable that facilities for blackmail should be given by the law as it exists at present? What is the reason for the delay in dealing with this matter which, some little time ago, he informed the House he had under consideration?
Sir William Davison: asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will assure the House that Mr. de Valera will have no repre- sentation at any peace conference which may be held or any discussions regarding the terms of armistice.
Sir William Davison: Cannot my hon. Friend say definitely that a man who has said he could not give an assurance not to harbour war criminals, and allows a German paper to be published in Dublin, would not be acceptable to attend the Peace Conference, or any discussions in connection therewith?
Sir William Davison: asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress is being made in the settlement of Lend-Lease negotiations with America after the war; and whether, in reaching any settlement, full allowance will be made to Great Britain for her war inventions, such as radio-location, the jet aeroplane, etc.
Sir William Davison: Do the American Government recognise that the value of the British inventions referred to in the Question, and of others, is considerably greater, as regards winning the war, than the value of the goods and supplies actually received from America?
Sir William Davison: asked the Prime Minister what is the total number of Members of Parliament holding official posts as well as the number of Parliamentary Private Secretaries.
Sir William Davison: Does my right hon. Friend consider it desirable that the complete independence of such a very large number of Members of Parliament should be curtailed by holding offices of any kind under the Government, directly, or under the various Ministries?
Sir William Davison: asked the Prime Minister whether, in fixing the armistice terms, the desirability will be borne in mind of organised bodies of Germans being sent to make good the devastation, other than military, which was deliberately organised in occupied countries.
