HC Deb 21 November 1945 vol 416 cc422-3
34. Major Guy Lloyd

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the complaints being received by their relatives from airmen in Siam woth regard to lack of food, soap and boots; that many had not been paid any money for at least five weeks; and what steps are being taken to remove the legitimate grievances of these airmen.

Mr. Strachey

I am making inquiries, and will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member as soon as we hear from the command.

Major Lloyd

In the meanwhile, while these inquiries are being made, does the Minister realise that these complaints are widespread in Siam, and that these airmen, when I got the letter, had not had pay for five weeks, and that they were short of much of the most essential things?

Mr. Strachey

I would like to say, with your permission, Mr. Speaker, that 22 Questions on yesterday's Order Paper were addressed to us, a great many of them involving inquiries in Siam and distant fields overseas. Almost inevitably I have to give Members the rather unsatisfactory answer that inquiries are being made. If they could give us even 48 hours' notice of putting questions down, we should be able to give them a more satisfactory answer.

Mr. Hogg

When the Minister finds himself in this position, has he not an excellent Parliamentary Private Secretary who could ask for the Questions to be postponed?

Mr. Strachey

Yes, Sir. We should be very happy if Members would postpone their Questions when there is a chance of giving them better information if they do so.

Mr. Sydney Silverman

Are we to understand from what my hon. Friend has just said that he only had notice for the first time yesterday of the particular Question which he is now answering?

Mr. Strachey

I think that is so.

Wing-Commander Hulbert

Are inquiries of overseas commands made by signal or by overseas mail?

Mr. Strachey

By signal.

Wing-Commander Hulbert

In that case why should it take a month to get an answer?

Mr. Strachey

It does not, but it takes more than 24 hours.

Major Lloyd

This Question was put in last Thursday to the Clerk at the Table, and the Minister must have received it last Friday morning.