§ Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Supply whether he is now in a position to make any statement on the work of the Ministry of Supply mission to India?
§ Sir A. DuncanI am glad to take this opportunity of paying tribute to the successful way in which the mission, under the chairmanship of Sir Alexander Roger, has discharged the complicated and arduous task assigned to it. Apart from representing the position in the United Kingdom in the discussions at the Viceroy's Conference last autumn on the organisation of supply East of Suez, the mission has carried out an exhaustive survey of the whole field of production in India for the purpose of the war and has made valuable recommendations for the expansion of production of the more important types of finished munitions. These proposals include extensions to existing factories and new production projects, and the Government of India is now proceeding actively to implement the approved recommendations. This programme of development will provide substantial assistance, not only to the United Kingdom, but to all the countries in the Eastern Group. In addition to their work in India, members of the mission have visited Australia, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, and other countries in the group, and have discussed munitions production in those countries with the Governments concerned. The mission has throughout received the fullest measure of assistance from the various Governments, who, I am sure, share with His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom the view that the work of the mission will prove to be of the utmost value in the co-ordination of the war effort in the area East of Suez. Not the least valuable part of the mission's work has been the assistance it has provided in translating into practice the spirit of co-operation which exists between the various members of the group and their 369W determination to apply all their resources to the successful prosecution of the war. The mission has returned to the United Kingdom with the exception of the chairman, who is returning via Australia, where he has been discussing questions of munitions production with the Commonwealth Government.