asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Greek Government has placed in Salonika Gaol, under sentence of death, a boy of 15 years of age; that members of the U.N.O. Commission recently intervened and secured the postponement of his execution; and whether the British Ambassador in Athens will be asked to make representations to the Greek Government regarding this case.

I am informed that the execution of this youth, who is 16, and thus under Greek law fully responsible for all offences under the penal code, was postponed by the Greek authorities on the plea of youth before the intervention of the United Nations Commission. His case is under review and, in these circumstances, I do not consider that representations by His Majesty's Ambassador are called for at this stage.

In view of the fact that it is decisions and acts of harshness, such as this sentence exemplifies, which have led to great political bitterness in Greece, is not this a proper case on which His Majesty's Government's representative in Greece should make representations which, I think, all Members of this House would like him to make?

As, in the normal course of justice, this case is under review, there is no case for intervention at this stage. On the other hand, there may be a case for reconsidering the decision later.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will assure the House that the Government's plan to withdraw all troops from Greece by the end of June will in no way be changed by the offer of financial aid for Greece made by the U.S.A.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent exchanges between the British and U.S. Governments on the subject of Britain's financial and military obligations in Greece; whether the withdrawal of British troops from Greece is to be delayed as a result of these exchanges; and if he will state the date by which the withdrawal is expected to be complete.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether he is now in a position to announce a date for the final withdrawal of the British Forces from Greece;

(2) what requests he has made to the U.S. Government for economic and financial assistance to Greece; for what purposes this assistance is required; and what reply has been received from the U.S. Government.

As the House knows, U.N.R.R.A. relief supplies to Greece are about to come to an end and His Majesty's Government's commitment regarding financial assistance to Greece terminates on 31st March. It is evident that Greece will continue to need assistance in meeting her minimum foreign exchange requirements after that date, and His Majesty's Government are therefore discussing this question with the United States Government. I regret I am not in a position to give any further information on these discussions while they are proceeding.

There is no change in the current arrangements for the reduction of British troops in Greece, nor in His Majesty's Government's decision to withdraw the remainder of the troops as soon as practicable. I am not yet in a position to announce the date of final withdrawal.

Does my hon. Friend's reply mean that we shall not be influenced in the direction of allowing our men to stay there, when they are so badly needed at home, by United States money?

There is no change whatever in our decision to withdraw our troops from Greece, as soon as possible.

Is it not a fact that the British Government recently decided that all British troops should be withdrawn from Greece by the end of June, and will my hon. Friend state whether or not that decision has been changed? Secondly, in view of the revelation of the Greek Government's note to the United States that a part of the financial assistance is required to buy arms in order to prosecute civil war against the Greek Resistance Movement, will my hon. Friend make it clear that His Majesty's Government are unalterably opposed to the use of financial assistance for this purspose?

In reply to the first question, we have never made a decision about the date of the withdrawal of British troops. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] I am aware of no decision of the Government on the question of the date for the withdrawal of British troops. On the second question, the discussions are in progress, and the purpose for which assistance is given is under discussion. There is nothing further that I can add to the reply that I have given.

Can my hon. Friend say anything about last Saturday's Foreign Office Press Conference, when very full background information and guidance were given to the Press; and can he explain why it is possible to inform diplomatic correspondents more fully than it is to inform this House?

Without notice, I cannot answer that question.

Will the hon. Gentleman give information, which he foreshadowed last Friday, about the promised delivery of arms to the Greek Government?

The delivery of arms is a different question. These are financial discussions.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that no reconciliation between the Left and the Right in Greece is likely, as long as the Greek Government themselves can rely upon American money and support from British Forces?

Certainly there is much more to the matter of reconciliation than the use of armed forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many imprisoned and exiled Greek trade union leaders have been released in accordance with the undertaking given by the Greek Government in November, 1946.

I understand that of the trades unionists whose release was sought by the trades unions from the Greek Government in fulfilment of their undertaking of November last, 15 have been released and that the release of a further 76 has been ordered. The majority of these persons had been arrested for reasons other than their trades union activities.

In view of the delay of the Greek Government in carrying out their pledge, and of the further persecution of the Left, started yesterday, behind the backs of the United Nations Commission, will he make it clear that, in his view, the present Greek Government are unworthy to receive financial and military assistance from the United Nations?

I cannot, of course, admit all the implications in that question. On the other hand, I agree that the action of the Greek Government in relation to the release of trade unionists has been slow and unsatisfactory. I have asked our Ambassador to make renewed and urgent inquiries about the cause of the delay.

Would my hon. Friend say whether he has any information as to the number of these trade union leaders who are released, only to be arrested almost at once, and whether any of these people to his knowledge were included in the mass arrests made yesterday?

I have asked for the fullest information of the new arrests, and until it is forthcoming. I cannot answer that question.

Will the Under-Secretary of State also ask for information about the murder of the wife of one and the daughter of another Populist M.P.?

I am aware of a recent case, but that is another question, and I shall need notice before I reply to it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the nature of the report, dated 10th August, 1946, on the Gaskiya Corporation in Nigeria; and what action has been, or is intended to be, taken on this report.

I am informed that the report was a confidential memorandum submitted to the Nigerian Government by the official who acted as chairman of the Corporation for a short period while the chairman himself was on leave. It contained certain criticisms of the Corporation's organisation and a suggestion that it should be transferred from Zaria to Kano. The Governor of Nigeria has carefully considered the report, but is satisfied that there is no justification for a departure from the proposals for the establishment of the Corporation which were approved by the then Secretary of State in 1944.

Can my right hon. Friend say if, in point of fact, the report shows that the organisation is wasting public money, it is sadly defective in its organisation and what steps he proposes to take in order to improve its supervision?

But the organisation has done some very good work and we should give it all the encouragement that we can.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what qualifications and recommendations appointments are being made by his Department of the development officers now being sent out to Nigeria.

The essential qualification for development officers in Nigeria is that they should be the type of men capable of obtaining the cooperation of Africans in the large schemes now being undertaken. In addition, for some of the posts, previous agricultural or veterinary experience is required. Candidates are selected, as for other appointments in the Colonial Service, by competitive selection based on record and personal interview.

How can my right hon. Friend account for the fact that out of the first ten development officers who went out to Nigeria four were returned home as unsuitable, and that the same thing applies to some 50 per cent. of those who have gone out since?

I certainly do not accept the statement of my hon. Friend but I shall be glad to have any information on the subject which he possesses.

Can my right hon. Friend say how many of these development officers are to be appointed in Nigeria and when they are to be appointed?

I cannot say without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made with African resettlement in Kenya; and for what reasons the Hon. E. Mathu, the Hon. S. J. Cooke and Archdeacon Beecher have recently resigned from the Commission on African Resettlement.

Archdeacon Beecher has not resigned from the African Settlement Board. Mr. Cooke and Mr. Mathu have resigned, I understand because they consider the progress so far made inadequate. Mr. Mathu has also expressed the view that the terms of reference of the Board are too restricted.

Both the Government of Kenya and I myself wish that it had been possible to make more rapid progress on African settlement and resettlement schemes during the past 12 months and we are determined to press forward with that work. But the preparation of settlement areas is a difficult and complex business, depending on surveys and investigations which unavoidably take time to complete.

The machinery for dealing with the matter is however being strengthened and measures to be taken will include the appointment at six Africans to an advisory board which will assist the Commissioner for African Settlement. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a report on the work so far carried out.

Is the Secretary of State aware that as a result of his recent visit great steps are being taken for the resettlement of these Africans, and is he also aware that if the African is not trained to use the land properly before he is resettled, vast spaces of Africa will be desert?

Yes, Sir, I think that is perfectly true and we are anxious to speed up development.

Are the Askaris who served overseas given any priority in this matter?

This is really concerned with the resettlement in the tribal lands, and that calls for community action, although we are trying to put the Askaris in a favourable position.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if an experienced trade unionist has yet been appointed to the Labour Department of the Kenya Government.

Yes, Sir. An experienced trade unionist has been appointed and will shortly be leaving this country to take up his duties.

Will the Minister say what staff this man will take with him or will it be a case of one single trade unionist?

No, Sir. There is a Labour Department of the Kenya Government though I cannot give the number in the Department. Many of them are experienced in trade union affairs.

Is this appointment the same as some other appointments, that the trade unionist appointed draws his pension and other rates from the trade union for whom he was previously working?

This man is a railway worker who has been appointed, and I am not at the moment informed as to his superannuation position.

Can the Secretary of State say his name?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will secure and publish the evidence in support of the Kenya Attorney-General's contention in the Legislative Council that systematic underground intimidation took place during the recent strike in Mombasa.

From the evidence I have seen, I am satisfied that intimidation was pursued in the case of many workers out of sympathy with the strikers during the Mombasa strike. I see no need to publish the evidence.

Will not the Secretary of State at least make this available to the House by leaving a copy in the Library?

I am quite prepared to acquaint the hon. Member with the facts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been called to the enforcement of the colour bar against an official of his department by an hotel-keeper in Lagos and if he will refuse to renew the licence of the person guilty of this offence or take other steps to prevent repetition of it.

The Governor of Nigeria is at present considering what action can be taken on this deplorable matter, either on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend or otherwise. I shall communicate with my hon. Friend when I have the Governor's report.

Is it not a fact that there were two officials concerned and that while discrimination was practised against one the other was allowed to remain in the hotel?

It is quite true that there was discrimination, but the Governor is looking into the whole matter.

Can the Minister give the nationality of the owner of the hotel?

I am not able to do that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what active assistance he is giving to Fourah Bay College, Sierra Leone, in their search for new premises; and what are their prospects of finding permanent accommodation.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War has agreed to an extension up to May, 1950, of the lease of the War Department buildings which the college now occupies at Mount Aureol. I am at present awaiting a communication from the Governor stating whether the terms proposed are acceptable to the Sierra Leone Government; if, as I hope, such arrangements are made the question of the provision of permanent accommodation will not be one of immediate urgency.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many hospitals in the West African Colonies are equipped with X-Ray apparatus; and in how many hospitals is this equipment lacking.

According to the information available to me, hospitals at the following places in the West African colonies have been equipped with X-Ray apparatus: Bathurst, Freetown, Accra, Kumasi, Sekondi, Tarkwa, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kaduna and Kano. Other equipments have been ordered, and I am asking the West African Governments for a complete list, which I will let my hon. Friend have later.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of hospitals in West Africa have no form of X-ray apparatus? Does he not think that it is hindering the work of our medical ser- vices in West Africa if inferior standards of diagnosis and treatment are permitted?

Certainly that is the case, but it will be appreciated that there has been some delay in securing certain apparatus required. Under the new development arrangements we hope some of these shortages will be made good.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether in this matter, as in others, he takes into account the Medical Research Council and asks that they should render a report to his Department?

Oh, yes. The Research Advisory Board in the Colonial Office works in the closest association with that body.

Although there are so few examples of X-ray apparatus, can the right hon. Gentleman say how many iron lungs there are and whether they are ever used?

I cannot answer that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many anti-Husseini Arabs have been murdered by Arab terrorists in the Middle East during the past six months.

In the past six months there have been seven murders and two attempted murders of Arabs by Arabs in Palestine in which a political motive is suspected. In each the victim was or was believed to be concerned in the sale of land to Jews. There is no evidence that anyone was murdered solely on account of opposition to any particular faction. I have no information about incidents of this kind outside Palestine.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the opinion expressed by the British Goodwill Mission to Cyprus, in paragraphs 211 and 212 of its report on its visit to Cyprus in the spring of 1946, that there is need for a well-organised supply of electricity for pumping water for irrigation and for the needs of light industries, what progress has been made with the plans that were then under consideration; and if an early decision may be expected in regard to the provision of the proposed central power station of a capacity of about 65,000 kilowatts.

A full report on this scheme by the London consulting engineers is under active consideration by the Cyprus Government, whose views on the scheme and its financial implications I expect shortly to receive.

Will the Secretary of State give an assurance that due consideration and priority will be given to this scheme?

It will be most seriously considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when it is expected that Lord Winster will take up his duties as Governor of Cyprus.

Lord Winster expects to leave by air to assume duty in Cyprus towards the end of this month.

Can the Secretary of State say why there was such a long delay before Lord Winster took up his duties?

The explanation is quite simple. The late Governor has been on the pay roll until the last week or so.

Why?

Can the Secretary of. State say why Lord Winster has been appointed since he was such a failure as Minister of Civil Aviation?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now make a comprehensive statement on the recent unrest in Trinidad and on the events leading up to the police raid on the oilworkers' union premises; if he is satisfied that the repudiation by the police of responsibility for the destruction of the printing press on these premises is well-founded; and what action is being taken against police or other officials guilty of acts of violence and mass intimidation.

In reply to the first part of my hon. Friend's Question, and to his references to the action taken by the police or other officials, I would refer to the statement I made to the House on 26th February. As regards the alleged destruction of the printing press, I am now informed by the acting Governor that no representations have been received from Butler's Union that the press was damaged and he is entirely satisfied that there is no vestige of truth in the allegation that the police damaged it The five police officers who entered the premises have given definite assurances that they in no way interfered with the press.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the estimated total cost of the development schemes for Trinidad; how much of it is proposed to be spent on expansion of social services; and how much on economic and industrial development.

I have as yet received only outline proposals, as a preliminary to a ten-year development plan, and these tentative proposals, in which expenditure of some £13 million is envisaged, have still to be referred to the Legislature of Trinidad. They have been discussed with the new Governor, who will review them in order to secure that the maximum provision is made, within the means available, for works of economic development, including especially the development of local food production and of secondary industries. Pending such review I cannot indicate whether a development plan of the magnitude suggested will be financially possible or the amounts which will be allocated respectively to social services and to economic and industrial development.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the serious industrial disturbances which have occurred in Trinidad since the war, and will he take steps to inaugurate industrial schemes which will tend to solve the difficulties existing there?

Yes, there is a problem of unemployment and we are looking into the whole question of further development.

Will the development plan be shown to the oil companies and will their comment be invited?

I imagine that in the discussions in Trinidad itself the representatives of all interests will have an opportunity of making their views known.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the annual cost of wireless licences in Jamaica; how many licences were issued in 1946; and how this number compares with those issued in 1945 and 1944.

The cost of a wireless receiving licence in Jamaica is ten shillings a year. The number of such licences issued in 1946 was 7,218, compared with 6,725 in 1945, and 7,280 in 1944.

But is this not an extra-ordinarily small number in view of the fact that the population of Jamaica is over one million, and does not the right hon. Gentleman think that something ought to be done about improving the wireless service in Jamaica?

If the hon. Member read the reply I gave a week ago, he will know that experiments are being made and technical improvements are taking place, and the Government are very actively pushing on with improvements to the existing arrangements.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will consider offering deserters the option of service in the mines as an alternative to returning to the Forces.

I am afraid I could not adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion. Apart from other objections, it would require legislation. A man found guilty of desertion must be dealt with under the Services' disciplinary codes.

Is it not a fact that a good many of these men have expressed their desire to work in the mines and would prefer them to the Services? Would the right hon. Gentleman not consider this again? Such men would be much more useful in the mines than where they are.

That would be a matter on which there would be differences of opinion; there would certainly be a good many in the mining industry itself who would object.

Is it not a fact that the Government are afraid of Mr. Homer?

This Government is not afraid of anything of the sort.

Will the Minister bear in mind that the profession of coalmining is a profession of honour and dignity, and will he not rebut any suggestions by sentimental people that it may properly be used for penal purposes?

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there are some men temperamentally unfit for the Services who could serve in the mines, and they are not men who wish to shirk their responsibilities? They would be more useful in the mines. What on earth is the use of sending such men to prison?

I have had to say before that all these questions of desertion cannot be dealt with in general. Every deserter knows what he deserted for, and each case has to be dealt with on its merits—

I said "some."

Those cases can only be dealt with under the Services' disciplinary codes in accordance with the proper legal procedure.

asked the Minister of Defence the number of men now serving in the Forces who have had previous experience in the mining industry.

The approximate numbers of men in the Forces recorded as having had coalmining experience are:

Navy	…	…	44
Army	…	…	11,600
R.A.F.	…	…	3,700

But of these a great many are men who were called up as unfit for heavy mine work or unsuitable for other reasons for work in the mines and men on Regular engagements. Apart from these, all experienced miners in the Forces have already been offered release to return to the mines but the proportion of refusals has been high. The Services cannot, therefore, be regarded as a source from which any great numbers of mine workers can be obtained to help alleviate the present crisis.

Could my right hon. Friend say whether the offer of release is still open to men who have previously rejected it, in view of the changed circumstances and the fact that they may have altered their minds during the crisis?

Under the bulk Class B release scheme, out of 4,700 who were offered release only 790 accepted. Of course, the nomination scheme is still open to anybody. I should think that if a man who refused release under the bulk release scheme got a nomination from a colliery, there would be no reason why his case should not be reconsidered.

The way is not closed?

No.

In view of the fact that the recognised disciplinary approach to this problem of desertion has not succeeded, would my right hon. Friend consider another approach to the problem?

That does not arise on this Question. I have had correspondence with my hon. Friend on that subject.

asked the Minister of Defence how many deserters from the Army, R.N. and R.A.F. have, upon arrest, either before or after their trials, attempted to commit suicide or otherwise have inflicted personal injuries on themselves during the past six months to the nearest convenient date.

I regret that this information is not available.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that two incidents recently took place at Inglis Barracks, Mill Hill, where two young deserters who had been arrested attempted to commit suicide from dread of military discipline? In cases of this kind where young men prefer to take their lives rather than submit to the discipline of military service, of what value are they to the Services concerned?

I really cannot answer questions in general about individual cases of which I have had no notice. Perhaps my hon. Friend had better put down a question on those cases to the Secretary of State for War.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will state the number of non-Regular Service personnel who had completed four years' and three years' service, respectively, on 31st December, 1946.

So far as the Army is concerned I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for War on 26th November. I am sending him a copy. I regret that comparable figures for the Royal Navy are not available. I will, with permission, circulate details for the Royal Air Force in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will now make a statement about the payment of marriage allowances to officers under 25 years of age.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War. on 28th February.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this statement was unsatisfac- tory in that no allowances whatever were made for children, and what possible justification is there for treating officers under 25 differently from those over 25?

I think that my right hon. Friend said that the latter point was under consideration, but in regard to the other matter, we must consider not only the rates of allowances, but also the rates of pay.

asked the Minister of Defence in which Colonies it is intended to recruit land and air Forces for service in peacetime outside their home countries; and if he will make a statement on His Majesty's Government's policy concerning the employment of colonial manpower to share in the burdens of Imperial Defence.

The Colonies made a notable contribution to our war effort in the recent struggle; and Colonial Forces served abroad, with great distinction, in a number of campaigns. The help of the Colonies will be needed to ease the burdens of Imperial Defence in the years that lie ahead. Careful consideration is now being given to the form this assistance should take in the future. For the most part, service in peacetime will be confined to the Colony, but the question of service outside the Colony is also being investigated.