asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation how many amendments have been made to the Air Navigation (Consolidation) Order, 1923, S.R. & O., 1923, No. 1508, prior to those contained in S.R. & O., 1947, No. 193; and when it is intended to issue a Consolidated Order.

The text of the Air Navigation (Consolidation) Order, 1923, as amended by thirty-four Orders in Council made to 19th February, 1946, inclusive, was reprinted early last year under the title "Air Navigation (Consolidation) Order, 1923, asamended to 19th February, 1946." No further amendment was made after that date until S.R. & O., 1947, No. 193 A comprehensive Air Navigation Order under the Air Navigation Act, 1947, is in course of preparation, and will be made as soon as practicable.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, on what special grounds of wide technical, commercial, aeronautical or other experience did the Minister make the appointment of the new Chairman of B.E.A.C.

The Chairman-designate of the British European Airways Corporation is deemed by my noble Friend the person best fitted for the appointment, having regard to all relevant considerations, including those specified by the hon. Member.

Is the Minister not aware that the early association of this individual with civil aviation came about through the Erlanger and Whitehall Securities Financial Groups, and that the workers of this country have suffered long enough under the rule of privilege and incompetence to justify him looking elsewhere when making his appointments?

If I might say so, that is an unfortunate observation. The gentleman concerned has a very creditable record in civil aviation right from 1935, including the appointment of Commanding Officer of the A.T.A. during the war.

I rather deprecate these personal attacks on people who cannot answer.

The point I want to make regarding this appointment is that the Minister is here to answer—

May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether it is not the case that the gentleman appointed—

Order.

Mr. Cooper.

May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary if his noble Friend is not aware that these appointments are of tremendous importance at this stage of development of the civil aviation Corporations, and that only qualifications of competence and knowledge of the job should be 'taken into account, and not what a man had done during the war?

It is knowledge and competence which guided my noble Friend in making this appointment.

May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether he will bear in mind that many of us on these Benches who had first-hand knowledge of this man during the war, regard this appointment as a very good one?

On a point of Order. Regarding the personal imputation made by the hon. Member opposite, I would point out that it was also made in respect of two firms. Is it in Order, Mr. Speaker, to cast slurs on these firms, and would the Minister make the same remarks on their behalf as he made on behalf of the gentleman in question?

I have no knowledge of the firms. All I am concerned with in this House is with the gentleman who has been appointed to the post. In that regard I would further state that my noble Friend, having made the appointment, is fully prepared to justify and defend it.

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that this gentleman ran a most excellent show in the A.T.A. during the war, and that that in itself is a very good recommendation for the appointment?

That is my information.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the efficiency of the A.T.A. never came up for review in this House, and could not the control of that organisation have been equally well carried out by an officer who had done operational service?

I think we had better get on.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation the present size of the staffs of B.O.A.C., B.E.A.C. and B.S.A.A.C., respectively.

In supplementation of the figures given in the British Overseas Airways Corporation report for the year ended 31st March, 1946, the present number of employees in the three Corporations, including staff locally engaged overseas, are: British Overseas Airways Corporation, 24,497; British European Airways Corporation, 5,731; British South American Airways Corporation, 972.

In view of the Ministry of Labour's Inter-Departmental Report, issued towards the end of the war, which showed that, in the case of B.O.A.C., there was no proper system of staff control, can my hon. Friend say what steps are being taken to see that there is a proper system of staff control applicable to these three Corporations, because of these ever increasing figures of staff?

Staff management in its detail is a matter of management to be decided inside the Corporations. By the express desire of this House, my noble Friend is excluded from the day-to-day management of the Corporations.

Would it not be appropriate for my hon. Friend's noble Friend to take into consideration the fact that the staff should be in proportion to the tasks which the Corporations have to perform?

Yes, Sir, and it will be in order for this House to do so when the annual statement is before it for discussion.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation when he intends to inaugurate direct air services between the Ringway airport of Manchester and Continental cities; and if he will now publish the routes and separate dates of inauguration.

As I stated on 30th October, 1946, in my reply to a similar Question by the hon. Member, British European Airways Corporation plans to start services to the Continent of Europe from different cities in the United Kingdom as soon as the necessary aircraft and ground facilities can be made available. The setbacks in the delivery of Viking aircraft have materially affected the programme of the Corporation, and decisions cannot yet be taken as to the dates or routes on which Continental services can be inaugurated.

Does the Minister realise that Manchester is a great centre of our export trade, and will he get the matter speeded up as much as possible?

Yes, Sir. But in fairness to the hon. Gentleman who put the Question down, I think I ought to make it clear that the first allocation of Vikings will be made to the Continental service from London, and not to the services from the provinces.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he will make a statement giving a complete list of U.S. aircraft on order for British air Corporations or about to he ordered.

There are six Boeing Stratocruisers on order for the British Overseas Airways Corporation, and three Sikorsky S.51 helicopters for the British European Airways Corporation. An order for two Bell type 47B helicopters also for the British European Airways Corporation is about to be placed. No further United States aircraft orders have been authorised on behalf of British air Corporations.

Does that mean that the Ministry does not intend to order Constellations fitted with British engines?

I could not give that undertaking. As a result of exploratory exchanges between the Bristol Aeroplane Company and the Lockheed Corporation, a proposal has been received for the development of a new version of the Constellation aircraft powered with Bristol Centaurus engines. The merits of the project, and the commitments which would be involved, are under examination by the Corporations concerned, in consultation with my Department and the Ministry of Supply. It would be premature to make any statement at the pre-sent time. I need hardly repeat, however, that it is the policy of my noble Friend that British aircraft should be employed on British airlines to the maximum extent practicable.

Could the Minister tell us the cost of the aircraft?

Which aircraft?

The American aircraft.

Yes, Sir. The information has already been given to the House. For the Stratocruisers it is about 12 million dollars, for the Sikorsky helicopters it is £15,000 each, and for the Bell, £7,000 each.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why it is possible to publish particulars of American aircraft and not of British aircraft?

I cannot answer that question beyond saying that we do know the cost of this because it is a direct purchase.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he is satisfied that the pilot's B licences in night-flying test, as laid down, are reasonable; and, in view of what happened to the four pilots carrying out these tests on 15th January, r947, if he will review the whole matter.

The night-flying tests for a pilot's B licence, which are laid down by paragraph 99(1)(f) of the Air Navigation Directions, 1936, are under review.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the fact that the tests now laid down are out of date, are useless, and are dangerous to the pilots?

The tests which were given up to a little while ago have been discontinued pending the review which is going on. All that is now required are night take-offs and night landings, under the supervision of a staff pilot of the Ministry.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Civil Aviation why no proposals have yet been made by his department for an airport and air service for the Leeds, Bradford, and heavy woollen district of the West Riding of Yorkshire; whether the proposed extension of the Yeadon airport has been finally rejected; and whether he will bear in mind that an airport at Doncaster will not provide the service required.

The only airport in the Leeds-Bradford area is Yeadon which is at present unsuitable for regular scheduled services. A detailed engineering survey, which has not yet been carried out owing to shortage of staff, will be completed as soon as possible to determine whether Yeadon can be improved to the necessary standard, and at what cost. The answer to the second part of the Question is "No, Sir." As regards the third part my noble Friend recognises that the distance of Doncaster from Leeds and Bradford is a disadvantage.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say how long these considerations will continue, in view of the fact that his Department have been going into them for the last 12 months?

The staff available for carrying out these work surveys are limited, and they have to take them in order of precedence. Yeadon is fairly high in the list, and we hope it will be undertaken fairly shortly.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say whether there are any prospects that the Yeadon airport can be made into an all-weather airport?

That, Sir, will be one of the considerations of the investigations. I think I ought to say that it is a very difficult airport, and that the installation of both S.B.A. and S.C.S. 51 will present some difficulty, but they will be included within the survey and in the recommendations arising from it.

Can the Minister tell us when the Ministry are going to make up their minds whether or not they want Doncaster airport? If they do want it, we want to know when it is to be taken over. If they do not want it, we should like to put the land to better use.

That is an entirely different question, and if the hon. Gentleman will put it down, I will give it consideration,

The hon. Gentleman's Ministry have been considering it for the last 18 months.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the total cost to the taxpayer of the 223 Control Commission for Germany employees who were engaged, but did not take up their posts in Germany.

The gross cost of these appointments, terminated as a result of reductions in the establishment of the Commission, was £8,702.

Can the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster say who is responsible for this waste of the taxpayers' money, and whether disciplinary action will be taken against those responsible? Does he not realise that if someone got the sack for these misdemeanours, these things would not happen so often?

I do not think it is correct to say that this is a result of misdemeanours. It has been a considerable task to set up the vast organisation necessary at the beginning of the occupation of Germany. It had to be done rapidly and involved many thousands of people being recruited at short notice. There were a number of factors which intervened, including the slower run-out of military Forces, the difficulty of finding accommodation suitable for the new personnel, and, subsequently, the very heavy cuts which were made in the establishment.

Is not this an example of the result of recruitment of officials by bulk purchase?

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if the terms of a recent questionnaire submitted to all members of the Special Police Corps of the Control Commission for Germany indicate an intention of the authorities to reduce the establishment of that corps; and if he will give an undertaking that no engagements will be terminated so as to prejudice the pension rights of any police officer in respect of former police employment in this country or in respect of pension rights at the end of the term which he originally contracted to serve in the corps when appointed.

The answer to both parts of this Question is in the affirmative.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will now make a statement about the nationalisation of heavy industry in the British zone of Germany.

I regret that I am not in a position to make a statement at the present time.

Does my hon. Friend realise that there is a very considerable uncomfortable feeling in this House and elsewhere that this policy, which was announced six months ago by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, has been shelved owing to external pressure on this country?

I do not know whether it is correct to talk in terms of external pressure. Certain complications have arisen since the last statements which were made in connection with this matter, which have delayed it, but have not in any way held up the proposals which are being examined at the moment.

Will the hon. Gentleman give an assurance, in view of the increasing ties between our zone and the American zone, that he will ensure the closest harmony between the Americans and ourselves in this and all other matters?

This is a matter which refers only to the British zone and does not affect the Americans or American administration.

Can the hon. Gentleman give us the assurance that 'it is the intention of the Government to proceed with this nationalisation?

Yes, Sir. That assurance has already been given. I would like to make it clear that the considerations which are involved at present are technical considerations not affecting policy.

Has the hon. Gentleman yet found out on what principle, either of international law or of democracy, there can be any right thus to nationalise industries in military occupied territory?

I do not know that the question of international law comes into this. The Government of Germany at the moment is not a German Government. The Government is in the hands of the occupying Forces and the Commander-in-Chief is the authority in his own zone. It is necessary that he should organise affairs, economic and otherwise, in that zone as efficiently as possible.

Is it a fact that the Russians have put a stop to nationalisation in their own zone because they want reparations paid?

rose—

Could I have an answer?

The Question relates only to the nationalisation of industry in the British zone.

Will my hon. Friend make a statement which will give an indication of the difficulties which have been met? So far, several questions have been asked and no statement at all has been made.

Will the Minister bear in mind that all the established political parties in Germany thoroughly approve the idea of nationalisation of heavy industries in the Ruhr?

So far as statements have been made by the political parties, I think the suggestion in the last supplementary question is substantially correct. In regard to the other supplementary question, I am afraid I cannot say more than I have said, that certain problems are being examined. In reply to the preceding question, the answer is that it is a matter for the Russian zone, and I cannot answer for them.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the amounts of the private fortunes, seized by the Allies, of Himmler, Goebbels, Hess, Von Papen, Schacht, Schmidt and each of the Nazi criminals executed under the Nuremburg verdicts, respectively; and to what purpose they have been devoted.

The amounts seized in the British zone of Germany are as follow:

• Ribbentrop, Rm. 690,000.
• Von Papen, Rm. 721,000.
• Rosenberg, Rm. 657,000.
• Keitel, Rm. 1,045,000.
• Doenitz, Rm. 153,000.
• Goering, Rm. 4,000,000.

British inquiries have so far failed to trace any assets outside Germany which can be established as the personal property of any of the Nazis in question. Full details of what additional amounts have been discovered by the Allied Powers in the other zones of Germany or outside Germany are not yet available. The amounts seized in the British zone are being held under control, pending quadripartite decision as to their disposal.

Can the Minister tell us whether the sums that have been seized from these Nazi criminals are being devoted to relieving the plight of the German people, and thus relieving the British taxpayer?

No, Sir. The answer I have given is that the disposal of these assets is a matter for quadripartite agreement, and no agreement has yet been reached.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to what purpose Goering's bank balances and securities, to the nominal value of 4,000,000 Reichmarks, seized inside the British zone, have been devoted.

The amounts are being held under control pending quadripartite decision as to their final disposal.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if any planned scheme exists for the requisitioning of German homes for English families; what becomes of the evacuated families; and whether they are allowed to keep their furniture and the gardens attached to their homes.

Normally requisitioning takes place only after consultation with the German housing authorities, who are responsible for providing suitable alternative accommodation for displaced Germans.. As for the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 19th March to my hon. Friend the Member for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen).

While I did not hear the Minister's reply, I would like to ask him to bear in mind that the apparently indiscriminate requisitioning of houses in Germany has done almost more than anything else to lower British prestige and justice in the eyes of the Germans.

There is no indiscriminate requisitioning On the contrary, the difficulties in accommodating our own people are very much wrapped up in this question, and the fullest possible consideration is given to German accommodation.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster under what regulations letters from the British zone of Germany addressed to Members of this House are censored; and if he will issue instructions forbidding this practice.

The regulations in question are laid down by quadripartite agreement and are applicable to the private correspondence of Germans in all four zones of occupation. It would clearly lead to difficulties if I introduced exceptions in the British zone.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will arrange for parcels of food sent to Germany for distribution among displaced persons by the British Red Cross to be earmarked for a particular nationality at the request of the sender.

As I stated in my reply to the hon. Member on 2nd April, distribution of these food parcels is a matter for the British Red Cross who allocate them to those whose need is greatest. I know of no grounds which would justify my seeking to influence these arrangements.

Does not the Chancellor think that if people in this country want to give part of their rations, for example, to people displaced from the Baltic countries, some means ought to be found of allowing them to do so?

; As I say, the arrangements are a matter for the Red Cross authorities, and, while I would not like to make any official comment on these arrangements, I think it should be regarded as equitable that the supplies should go to the parts where the need is greatest. In so far as the Baltic displaced persons are in need, I think their needs are provided for.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he is taking to ensure that Polish recalcitrants sent to Germany shall have an opportunity to earn an honest living and that they do not resort to crime or join any Fascist or semi-Fascist organisations there; what will be done to authorise their passage to other zones or to prevent unauthorised passage; and whether he has the assent of the authorities in the other zones to any arrangements he is making.

On arrival in the British zone of Germany, these Poles will be demobilised and required to register at German labour offices, which may direct them to employment. They will then be subject to the same regulations regarding employment and travel, and liable to the same penalties for criminal or subversive activities, as the ordinary German population. Demobilisation of these Poles is taking place in the British zone only, and the authorities in the other zones haw not been consulted.

Does not the Minister recognise that there are special dangers in connection with people who will not live in Poland, in putting them in a country where they cannot even speak the language, with no particular ties, where they are very likely to get into bad company or to get into neighbouring zones? Will he take special precautions?

Yes, we are acutely aware of the difficulties arising from these situations and from these foreign elements in the German population. Therefore, they come under the restrictions to which I have referred, and which I can assure my hon. and learned Friend are very rigid.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us what category of Poles is constituted by the term "recalcitrants"?

I am not responsible for the term which is used in the Question, but I gathered that it referred to those Poles in this country who are not prepared to join the Polish Resettlement Corps, nor to accept repatriation.

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. May I seek your advice and ask whether it is in Order to put down a Question in which an adjective of a hostile and unflattering description such as this is used in connection with people who are merely doing what they have been publicly told they can do, and that is to opt not to return to Poland? It does appear to be a grave misuse of the opportunities of Debate and Question in this House to put down a Question using such a word.

I do not know how the Oxford Dictionary would describe the word "recalcitrant." I do not think it is a particularly offensive word. It passed the Table and, therefore, I think I am satisfied that it is in Order.

Further to that point of Order. Is it in Order to insinuate, as is insinuated here, that these men might wish to join a Fascist or a semi-Fascist organisation, in view of the fact that they are members of a country which was an Ally of ours from the first days of the war to the last?

The hon. Member who puts down the Question is entirely responsible for what is in it.

Has the hon. Member any ground whatever to suppose that any of our gallant Allies would resort to crime, as suggested in this very disgraceful manner?

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish in HANSARD, in tabular form, the results of the latest screening of German prisoners at Radwinter Youth Camp, showing the numbers of prisoners in the various categories from A to C+ before and after this screening.

Yes, Sir. I am circulating a table in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Would my hon. Friend say whether that table will show that satisfactory progress is being made in this very important experiment?

I think that when my hon. Friend reads the figures in the table he will be satisfied that considerable progress has been made.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has become of all the art treasures, tapestries and other valuables looted by the Nazis and found by the Allies in Karinhall, Goering's country mansion in the Schorfheide; whether they have been sold; and to what purpose the proceeds have been devoted.

No information has been received regarding the disposal of art treasures found in Karinhall, which is in the Soviet zone. A number of art treasures which had been removed by Goering from Karinhall to South Germany were recovered. These have not been sold, but are being restored under the agreed restitution procedure to the Governments of those countries from which they were removed.

Will the Chancellor of the Duchy say whether he has made any approaches to our Allies to find out whether they have seized this property, and what they have done with it?

As Karinhall is in the Soviet zone I do not think it is for us to suggest that treasures might be going to particular parts. It is for our Allies to announce.

With regard to goods recovered in the Southern district mentioned by the Minister, will he see that they are not only restored to the Governments concerned, but to the original owners, whether museums or private owners?

I do not know whether I can go so far as to dictate to the Governments concerned, but I will certainly look at the point.

Has any request been received from our Soviet Ally for the services of those British nationals who were entertained at Karinhall before the war, in order to identify the art treasures concerned?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in preparing the comprehensive handbooks, one for each Colony, with comparative facts and figures for different periods, promised by his predecessor in reply to the hon. Member for Swindon.

The publication of Annual Reports on Colonial Territories is being resumed in the new form to which I referred in my reply to my hon. Friend's Question on 30th October. Reports for the year 1946, which, I hope, will include brief reviews covering the period during which the issue of these Reports has been suspended, are being prepared by Colonial Governments, and will be published as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what authority 10 per cent. was deducted from the salaries of Malaya and Hong Kong civil servants during their internment by the Japanese.

Payment of the salaries of interned civil servants less the deduction referred to was authorised by my predecessor in 1945 on behalf of the Civil Governments of Malaya and Hong Kong prior to their re-establishment. There was not at that time any legal authority for the payment of the salaries of Malayan officers, but the payments actually made were validated by legislation enacted after the re-establishment of civil government. The reasons for making the deduction were explained in a memorandum issued in April, 1946, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member. Certain representations recently made to me in this matter are now under consideration.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say why the civilian internees had a cut in their pay, whereas the military prisoners of war did not? Would he also say why Europeans were treated far more generously in this matter than Asiatic employees?

That raises a much larger question than the Question on the Order Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are taken in respect of goods imported by Britain from the Colonies to ensure that colonial export duties levied before or after prices have been agreed on with the British Government for such imports, are not paid by British consumers.

Where prices are agreed for bulk purchase transactions on a Government to Government basis, it is normally understood, if it is not provided for specifically in a contract, that no increase will be made in the existing rate of export duty except for seller's account, or, if the duty is paid by the purchasing Ministry, with that Ministry's prior agreement.

Is this country at present paying export duties on tea and copra?

In regard to tea, the price is determined by the world market, and in any case the Ceylon Government had the right to impose duties, because contracts had expired.

With regard to Copra, will the right hon. Gentleman reply to the last part of the supplementary question? Is it not a fact that a 50 per cent. export duty on copra, imposed after the five-year contract had been signed, is costing this country £15 a ton?

It is quite true that the Ministry of Food had a contract with the Ceylon Government on a f.o.b. basis which did not specifically cover this duty point.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies for what reasons it is found impracticable to broadcast in Hausa to the 10,000,000 Hausa-speaking peoples in British West Africa; and how soon the matter will be reconsidered.

Broadcasts in Hausa are already made over rediffusion systems from six stations in Nigeria, and it is hoped to provide this year three new stations, all in the Northern Provinces.

The resumption of Hausa broadcasts from the Gold Coast is also being considered. The question of arranging broadcasts in Hausa from London will be kept under review. At present there is an insufficient number of receiving sets in the Northern Provinces of Nigeria to justify the use of staff and wavelengths urgently required for other services.

Does riot the Secretary of State think that a supply of broadcasts would create a demand for sets? Has should be made available for the Hausais understood by more British subjects, outside India, than any other language, except, of course, English?

I think the hon. Member will appreciate that I am most anxious that broadcast arrangements should be made available for the Hausa speaking peoples, and that, therefore, I am doing all I can to extend this particular service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether standard prices are still fixed for palm kernels and rice in Sierra Leone; whether the quota system is still applied to the production of these commodities; and whether farmers are still required to barter their produce in return for manufactured goods, as was the case during the war.

Standard buying prices are fixed for these commodities in Sierra Leone. The quota system is not applied to the production of palm kernels. Rice producing chiefdoms are required to sell a small proportion of their production to the Government at the standard price. Since 1945, farmers have not been required to barter their produce for manufactured goods.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the system he described is no longer giving rise to serious local shortages, as was alleged some time ago?

I think that is the case at the present time.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how long the rice levy is to be maintained to feed the population of Sierra Leone?

At the moment there is only a very small proportion of the crops which the respective chiefdoms surrendered. At the moment it is a precautionary measure, and will not stay longer than is absolutely necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Association of West African Merchants and other firms are still operating as agents for the Government in handling rice and palm kernels produced in Sierra Leone; and what commission has been paid to these firms for their services up to date.

Firms who are members of the Association of West African Merchants and other firms operate for the Government of Sierra Leone in handling rice and are paid a commission of 5 per cent. The amount thus paid out since 1944 is £23,855. In the case of palm kernels, merchant firms act as agents of the West African Produce Control Board. Between 1st September, 1942, and 30th August, 1945, purchases by merchants from producers were regulated by quotas, and the firms remunerated on a cost-plus-profit basis, the amount paid out being £46,530. On 1st September, 1945, quotas were abolished, and the price at which the Board bought from the merchants was fixed at £2 13s. 6d. per ton above the minimum price at which the merchant might buy from the producer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the right to import into West Africa is still restricted to the Association of West African Merchants and other firms on the basis of their past performance for 1937–41; and when he expects to be able to end this system.

No, Sir. The issue of import licences is no longer restricted, as a general rule, to firms that can prove past trade, though the restriction is still in force in at any rate one West African colony for a limited range of scarce commodities. All colonial governments are aware of the desirability of ending this restriction as soon as circumstances permit.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say that equal trade facilities will be granted to non-British trading firms?

I think that is the case with regard to African firms.

And to other firms?

That is another point.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether deposits of good quality coal exist at Udi, Southern Nigeria; and what steps are being taken to exploit the resources of this coalfield.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale (Mr. Erroll) on 12th March. In addition to the measures referred to in that reply, I am arranging for the Government of Nigeria to obtain expert advice from this country on the development of the existing colliery.

Can the Minister also arrange for the Minister of Fuel and Power to go out and investigate these deposits?

He is aware of them.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will arrange with the Service Ministers to retain in the Services and in uniform officers, non-commissioned officers and other ranks, who are still undergoing plastic and other more or less continuous treatment for severe wounds and mutilation, having regard, particularly, to the bad psychological effect of discharging these men before their treatment is completed.

Personnel suffering from disabilities attributable to or aggravated by service are at present retained in the Services, in uniform, until medical or surgical finality is reached, within an overriding time limit of 4- years. I am glad to say that in future, however, such men will not be discharged from the Services until their treatment is completed, provided that there is a prospect of this within a predictable time.

May I take it that that means even if it is after 2½ years?

We shall not adhere to the 2½ year limit in future, but will keep men in the Service except in those cases where finality of the treatment is unpredictable.