asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now made arrangements to enable British citizens to make visits to Western Germany.

Arrangements agreed between the three Western Occupying Powers already exist for persons having business or compassionate grounds to visit Germany. The extension of these arrangements to cover certain other categories of visitors is under consideration and my right hon. Friend hopes to be able to make a statement shortly.

Can the Under-Secretary say what he means by "shortly"? Will it be before the holiday season is over or not?

Yes, Sir; it will.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action has been taken to secure the release of the British officer and other ranks apprehended by Soviet military authorities in the British sector of Berlin on 22nd April, 1949.

These men were released on 30th April, following our representations to the Soviet Chief of Staff.

While in no way imitating the example of the Opposition in asking for action without specifying what kind of action ought to be taken, may I ask my hon. Friend whether there have not been far too many incidents of this character, whether he has taken that into account, and whether some form of retaliation may be considered?

I am not asked for any specific action in that Question, and I will not comment on this incident further until we have received the report which we are expecting from our authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what was the nature of the conversations recently held with the representatives of the Soviet Union with relation to the Soviet blockade of Berlin; and what result has been achieved.

Exploratory conversations have taken place between Dr. Jessup, United States Ambassador at large, and M. Malik, the Soviet representative on the Security Council, regarding the possibility of lifting the blockade. M. Malik has indicated that the Soviet Government are prepared to agree to the simultaneous lifting of restrictions on communications, transportation and trade between Berlin and the Western Zones of Germany and between the Western and Eastern Zones of Germany, followed by a Meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers. If it is confirmed that this represents in practice the position of the Soviet Government, the way should be clear for a raising of the blockade, followed by a Meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers.

In view of the undesirability of purely bilateral negotiations between the United States and the Soviet Union, may we be assured that His Majesty's Government have been consulted in every stage and brought into co-operation at every stage of these negotiations?

There is no question of bilateral consultations. We have been fully informed at all stages, and all four representatives are meeting today.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken, or are proposed to be taken, and what money has been spent, or is proposed to be spent, in connection with developing the Hong Kong Radio Station in order to extend its range, particularly throughout China.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he is taking to strengthen the radio station at Hong Kong.

The broadcasting coverage of the Far East, including China, is the function of the B.B.C's. station in Singapore, not of Radio Hong Kong. The possibility is being examined of an increase in power for Hong Kong's medium frequency broadcasting service; I am not able to give an estimate of the cost which may be involved.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that the Malayan station is going to take a long time to complete and will certainly not be effective in reaching North China, and possibly not Central China, and that, therefore, the Hong Kong station in present circumstances should be given priority?

No. I do not accept some of the allegations of the hon. Gentleman. I am informed that the Singapore station will be very effective.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that his statement that the B.B.C. has the responsibility for Singapore is utter nonsense, and contains just about as much sense as if he said that the responsibility for Canadian broadcasting was that of the B.B.C. in this country? Cannot something be done to increase the power of the station at Hong Kong?

We are doing that.

Is the Minister aware of the importance of developing the station at Hong Kong?

I am well aware of that and we fully realise the importance of increasing the power of the Hong Kong station.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the increasing gravity of the situation in China, he is taking steps to ensure that early improvement is made to the airfields and seaplane bases in Hong Kong.

Yes, Sir. Contracts are already being let for the repair of the runways at Kai Tak, and work will start this month. I am not aware of any inadequacy in the existing alighting facilities for flying boats and seaplanes.

Should not the Minister be aware of the very great difficulty which exists with regard to the landing, and particularly the taking off, of flying boats with the accommodation at present available, which is well known to everybody who has been there?

Is the Minister aware that Kai Tak is quite an unsuitable aerodrome at which to land aircraft at all, and further, that I asked three years ago that arrangements should be made for building a new airport in Hong Kong?

That is another matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that British settlers in Kenya Colony are being compelled, when the National Registration Bill comes into force on 16th May, to submit to the taking of full fingerprints of both hands for identification purposes; and if he will take steps to see that this practice shall not be put into operation.

The Bill was passed by the Legislative Council in 1947 after full public discussion. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that the measure commands wide support locally, and he sees no reason to intervene.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman why British subjects should be subjected to such degradation?

It is not degradation at all. The Committee, representing all races, recommended this in 1946.

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise the very great resentment against this infringement of civil liberties which is felt by the European population, and will he look into the matter again and do something about it?

No. The European population were represented on the Committee in 1946 which made this recommendation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies where, in Kenya, the 384,000 acres of Crown Lands offered for alienation are situated; and whether he has approved the alienation in view of the urgent need for the resettlement of considerable numbers of the native African population.

My right hon. Friend would, I feel sure, approve the arrangements proposed by the Kenya Government to bring into more effective use this land which is in North Laikipia within the settled area and can only be economically used for large scale ranching.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this land has been chosen for climatic conditions, that settlers are waiting to go there to increase the food production, and will he do everything he can to facilitate its transfer as quickly as possible?

Before any more land is handed over for native cultivation, will the hon. Gentleman take care that supervision is retained in order to see that the natives do not erode the land as they are doing in their own settlements at the present time?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) what steps will be taken in East Africa to secure further improvement in facilities for primary and technical education, in the light of the Report of the Kenya and African Labour Efficiency Survey;

(2) whether he has considered the references in the Kenya and African Labour Efficiency Survey concerning grave discontent among African workers as a result of continued colour discrimination, grievances concerning alienation of land and lack of opportunities for advancement; and what steps it is proposed to take in these matters in the light of this survey.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action is proposed on the recommendations of the recent Survey of Labour Efficiency in Kenya that a more extended inquiry into the economic and social life of the African should be undertaken; what steps are being taken to provide a larger number of maternity and child welfare clinics in view of the conclusion that many Africans are suffering from malignant malnutrition developed in infancy; and whether the Kenya-Uganda railway administration is setting up an African Housing Advisory Committee as recommended in the Survey.

The Report is at present under consideration by the East African High Commission and the East African Governments, and my right hon. Friend is awaiting their observations on its recommendations. With regard to the first part of the Question by my hon. Friend the Member for St. Albans (Mr. Dumpleton), a more extended survey is not at present contemplated.

In view of the emphasis which has been placed on race discrimination, is the Minister aware that a large proportion of these charges of race discrimination arise from misapprehension on the part of the African community; that a large number of them are matters which could be avoided or properly discussed with the African community, and that some could be avoided by proper legislation? That being so, will he consider—arising from this Report—the advisability of setting up a joint Anglo-African Commission to inquire into the possibility of removing or modifying this race discrimination?

There is a good deal in what my hon. Friend says. I will put the suggestion to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Governor of Kenya has banned the importation of the "Labour Monthly" newspaper; why this step was taken; and if he will take steps to rescind this order.

Yes, Sir. The importation of this newspaper was banned as a result of recent articles in it glorifying Communism, revolution and mutiny. My right hon. Friend sees no reason to intervene in the matter.

Is not the Minister aware that this paper, which has now been published for some 27 years, is in the Library of this House and is accessible to every intelligent Member who desires to read it? If that is the case, why should it not be equally accessible at least to white citizens in Kenya?

I have not heard of any demand by white citizens in Kenya for this paper, and the Government do not think that it is a good thing to put before any of the people in that country.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it would be a good thing if the Governor prohibited other subversive papers in Kenya for stirring up strife amongst a primitive and ignorant people?

Is not the Minister aware, as he should be, that this is one of the finest and best journals, that it is a highly valuable educational organ particularly in doing away with racial discrimination and racial superiority and, above all others, should be circulated in those areas? Will the Minister see that it is circulated?

Can the hon. Gentleman assure the House that this paper has not been guilty of publishing the Communist manifesto to celebrate its centenary?

Can my hon. Friend say whether the Governor concerned is the same one who recently said that he hoped soon to retire from work and take up farming?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has considered the resolution sent him from a large meeting of the peasantry in Queen's Park Pavilion, St. George's, Grenada, expressing dissatisfaction with the Grenada Co-operative Nutmeg Association and requesting that the Association be made a voluntary organisation, leaving producers free; and what action he has taken, or proposes to take in this matter.

My right hon. Friend has not received the resolution which, it is understood, was not addressed to him but to the unofficial members of the Grenada Legislative Council.

In view of the fact that I have sent the hon. Gentleman the resolution and that the people of Grenada see the folly of State control, when will light dawn on the British Government?

The people of Grenada see nothing of the kind; the people of the Colonies are in full accord with our policy, but, in any case, a Bill to amend the ordinance referred to will shortly be put before the Legislative Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is yet in a position to make a statement regarding permission granted to the Jamaican "Gleaner" newspaper to increase its advertising content up to 60 per cent. of the total newsprint used; and why the Jamaican "Daily Express" has been cut in its newsprint allocation to eight pages of tabloid size whilst the "Gleaner" is permitted 14 pages standard size.

The Jamaica "Gleaner" newspaper has agreed to restrict its advertising space to an average of 60 per cent. as against a previous 70 per cent. of the newsprint used. In consequence the Government of Jamaica decided to withdraw a newsprint control Order of 1948 formally restricting advertising content. As regards the second part of the Question, my information is that the Jamaica "Daily Express" still publishes a 12-page issue.

Will the hon. Gentleman say why there should be this disparity between the newsprint allowed to one newspaper, which is of standard size, and the newsprint allowed to the other newspaper, which is of tabloid size; and will he also say what justification there is for allowing Jamaican newspapers to use as much as 60 per cent. of their newsprint for advertisements when nothing like that percentage is allowed here.

As I have said, the former Order was withdrawn, and the Government are now operating on an agreement between themselves and the newspapers. As the hon. Gentleman knows, the conditions in this country are not in all respects similar to those in Jamaica.

But why the disparity between the two newspapers?

The disparity, as I have said, is not really a matter under the control of the Government; it is a matter controlled by the trade.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the appeal by Mr. Ganapathy against sentence of death in Malaya has been heard; and if he will make a statement.

On 1st March last this man, when challenged near Rawang in Selangor by a party of special constables, showed fight and grabbed a revolver which he had in his belt. After a short struggle he was overpowered, and the revolver was found to be loaded with six rounds of ammunition. Mr. Ganapathy was charged and convicted of unlawful possession of arms and ammunition under the Emergency Regulations. Both assessors (one European and one Indian) found him guilty without retiring. His appeal to the Court of Appeal was dismissed. The Ruler in Council has declined to exercise the prerogative of mercy in his favour, and he was executed this morning.

Is the Minister aware that the announcement he has just made will be met with widespread disapproval in the Labour movement in this country as Mr. Ganapathy was a leading trade unionist in Malaya; and, further, is the Minister equally aware that this penalty of death for the carrying of arms in Malaya is something which does not conform with what he has often declared is the Western way of life, and will he therefore remember what he previously said in this particular matter?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many local men in Malaya have been given senior official appointments since the end of the war; and to what extent have the recommendations of the Trusted Report been implemented.

The figures are not readily available, and I will write to my hon. Friend when they have been obtained from Malaya. As regards the second part of the Question, most of the principal recommendations in the Trusted Report have been implemented with retrospective effect.

Is the Minister aware that there is a general feeling in the Federation that the Government are putting obstacles in the way of the implementation of this Report, and will he do what he can to remove this feeling?

I can hardly think that what my hon. Friend says can be entirely correct because most of the recommendations have already been implemented. There are a few which have not, and we are awaiting a report on those.

Is my hon. Friend also aware that the probable reason why the figures are not available is because no local men have been appointed to the senior appointments?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the conditions laid down for members of all races resident in Malaya to become Malayan nationals.

As the answer is necessarily long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the Minister aware that the Pan-Indian Federation are calling upon the Indian Government to protect their nationals until the Malayan Federation comes to a decision with reference to the nationality of the Pan-Indian Federation?

Malayan cititzenship is not a nationality, and I was not aware of the matter to which my hon. Friend has referred.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the amount of the accumulated profits transferred to the Nigerian Marketing Board for groundnuts, benniseed, palm oil and palm kernels, relating to the period between the end of hostilities and 1st February, 1947.

The West African Produce Control Board did not sell at a profit during this period. The question of transferring accumulated profits does not therefore arise.

Is the Minister aware that last week the Parliamentary Secretary disclosed the fact that very considerable profits were made during this period by the Ministry of Food on this produce, and will he take up the matter with the Ministry of Food to see that the Nigerian producers get their fair share of profits?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension on this point, and had he read last week's Debate, as I suggested, he would be clear about it. He does not appreciate the difference between trading surpluses of the Board and the resultant profits of the Ministry of Food after the produce has come into their hands.

Is the Minister aware that during the Debate on 24th February, he carefully avoided any reference to profits made during the period in question, and will he now give an explanation?

It is quite clear from the Debate recorded in the OFFICIAL REPORT why there were no trading surpluses up to 1st February, 1947, and why there have been surpluses since that date. There was then a change of policy.

Is it not a fact that the farmer in Nigeria receives for his groundnuts only about half of what the Minister of Food proposes to pay the Overseas Food Corporation in East Africa?

That is another question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is yet in a position to make a statement on the removal of controls imposed on the commercial export of goods from Nigeria.

Export is freely permitted, except where the produce is internationally allocated or marketed centrally through a statutory organisation. Exports to the sterling area are under open general licence, but specific licensing remains necessary for exports elsewhere to ensure compliance with exchange control regulations.

Is the Minister aware that within a week after I asked this Question at the end of March, the Nigerian Government made a change of policy which they announced to Nigeria, and will he now make a statement on that change of policy which he has not yet disclosed and of which he has not shown he is aware?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put that question down.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received the first report of the Colonial Development Corporation; and when he proposes to publish it.

The Corporation's report is expected shortly by my right hon. Friend. It will then be laid before the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what further attention has been given to the need of increasing pension rates for retired colonial civil servants and their dependants in view of the hardship now being experienced by many of them.

Colonial Governments were invited to revise their pension increase schemes to conform to the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1947, of this country, and most of them have done so. No further general increase is at present proposed.

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is still great hardship? Cannot some action be taken by which all the various Colonial Governments are brought into line to meet what is admittedly a very grave hardship?

Most of them have, and we are constantly making suggestions to those who have not come into line to do so.

Could the Under-Secretary say what percentage increase has been allowed?

Not without notice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state the number of His Majesty's ships by classes present and available in the Pacific on 20th April, 1949, with comparable figures for 1st January, 1947.

No, Sir. To give the disposition of the Fleet would not be in accordance with the policy of His Majesty's Government on the disclosure of defence information. In this connection I would refer the hon. Member to the statements made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister during the Debate on the Defence White Paper on 3rd March last and by my hon. Friend the Civil Lord during the Debate on the Navy Estimates on 8th March.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say how the public in- terest can be adversely affected by disclosing the disposition of the Fleet two-and-a-half years ago, and can he also say how this House can discharge its responsibility in this matter if the relevant facts are deliberately withheld?

The hon. Member asked not only for the strength two years ago but for the strength now, and that is quite a different matter. It is a matter of general policy upon which statements have been made on a number of occasions, as I have said, by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and others.

As it is quite obvious to the House that there is no aircraft carrier on that station, can the Minister say when there was last an aircraft carrier on that station?

That is quite another question. There was in October, 1947.

Why was it withdrawn?

It was withdrawn because it was considered, and His Majesty's Government were satisfied, that the allocation of ships to the Far East station at that time was in proper proportion to the total available for service abroad and adequate for the duties of the Royal Navy in Chinese waters.

Are not aircraft carriers an absolute necessity if a Fleet is to be in proper proportion when there are a large number of ships on any station?

In view of the fact that we had only 23 tanks in France and Belgium in May, 1940, are not these questions rather fantastic effrontery?

In view of the fact that, in reply to a supplementary question, the Parliamentary Secretary disclosed part of the information which he refused to give in answer to the original Question, can he say how he can now defend his refusal to give the full facts?

No, Sir, I did not. In fact, I disclosed a piece of information, whereas I was asked for the full disposition of the Fleet, which is quite another matter. I have nothing to add.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that Merchant Navy officers who contribute to the Merchant Navy Officers Pension Fund are not credited for the periods they spend attending the Royal Naval Reserve, unless they are in receipt of pay from the ship owner for that period; and whether the Admiralty, as the employing authority for the time that these officers are with the Naval Reserve, will agree to contribute the employers' share of contribution.

The position of these officers in this respect has been carefully considered by the Admiralty on a number of occasions. It is established policy that the State should not accept liability for the financial commitments incurred in civil life by members of the Forces and, while I wholeheartedly appreciate the value of the services rendered by Royal Naval Reserve officers, it would not be possible to treat them differently from other Reservists by giving them what would be, in effect, an increase in emoluments.

Is not this an example of the Admiralty revealing itself in the role of an exceedingly bad employer?

No, Sir.

asked the Postmaster-General if he now has a further statement to make regarding the date on which the television service will be provided in Lancashire.

No, Sir.

When my right hon. Friend's Department decided to extend the television service surely, apart from the question of equipment and cost, they must have taken account of the time factor. Is not my right hon. Friend in a position to give any indication to this House and to the people of Lancashire when they may expect to have the benefits of the television service?

No, Sir.

Will the Minister see, when the time comes, and in view of the very staggering, vacillating figures which sometimes appear, that a very steady appearance is given to people, including hon. Members from Lancashire, who may appear on the screen?

In considering this question would the Postmaster-General see whether he can give a television service which can be extended to Northern Ireland, whether from Lancashire or somewhere else?

We regularly consider a television service to all places.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the Publicity Office of his Department have stated that the number of television licences current at the end of February, 1949, was only 111,850, whereas he himself, in a recent statement, said that the figure was 120,100; and if he will explain the discrepancy.

The Press notices issued by my Department contained no discrepancy. They gave 111,850 as the number of television licences in force at the end of January and 120,100 as the number in force at the end of February. I referred to the latter total when replying to my hon. Friend on 30th March.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he is aware that National Service men are now serving for approximately the same length of time as did men of age and service groups 70 to 78, but do not get the same release benefits; and whether he will review the release benefits of National Service men. with a view to removing the disparity.

The point to which the hon. Member refers received careful attention during the recent review of the scale of release benefits for National Service men and no undertaking can be given to reconsider the question.

Can the Minister give no logical explanation of the distinction, or are the men concerned to assume that whereas the earlier scheme was introduced by a Coalition Government and is more favourable, the latter scheme was introduced by a Socialist Government and is less favourable?

The inference is quite unwarranted. The whole of the earlier scheme was related to war service and was worked out on that basis. We came to a decision, which was announced as far back as January, 1947, and it is only in the recent months that any question has been raised about the differentiation between the position of these men and those who had war service and were being released under the age and service group scheme of demobilisation.

In January, 1947, a shorter period of service was contemplated.

The National Service Act had not been introduced.

Is the Minister trying to tell the House that groups 70 to 78 had war service? Is that correct?

I was saying nothing of the kind, but I am quite sure that hon. Members with long experience of the House know that when a change of policy takes place, from wartime, there must be a dividing line somewhere, and the date was fixed.

In view of the adverse vote at the Co-operative Party conference, will not the Minister withdraw National Service altogether?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Defence what facilities are available to young men serving their time in the Services under National Service regulations for pursuing studies in preparation for professional and other examinations.

The Services are anxious to help National Service men who wish to prepare for professional and other examinations in their spare time and various facilities are provided for them. These include libraries, quiet rooms for study, personal advice, and assistance by the Forces Educational Services, correspondence courses, and instruction at units and education centres or in institutions run by local authorities.

asked the Minister of Defence whether the Committee of Commanders-in-Chief of the three Services in the Far East have completed their recommendations in regard to the measures required to maintain the security of Hong Kong and the new Territories in view of the deteriorating military situation in Southern China; and if he will give an assurance that action has been taken accordingly.

asked the Minister of Defence if he is satisfied that the air defences of Hong Kong are adequate.

I would invite the hon. Members to await the Debate to take place tomorrow during which a statement will be made on behalf of His Majesty's Government with a reference to the defence of Hong Kong.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the precautionary measures taken to safeguard the mainland frontiers of Hong Kong are now sufficient to protect the Colony when the Communist armies reach there?

I think we had better wait for the Debate tomorrow and the statement which will then be made.

While I appreciate that the Minister wants to make a statement tomorrow, will he make specific reference in tomorrow's Debate to the air defence of Hong Kong?

Let us await the statement.

asked the Minister of Defence how many officers and other ranks of His Majesty's Forces are serving with the Government of Burma.

According to the latest information available the strength of the British Services Mission in Burma is 85 officers and 87 other ranks.

asked the Minister of Food if he will consult with the National Farmers' Union and the National Union of Agricultural Workers in order to arrange a more satisfactory method of issuing the seasonal rations to farm workers this Summer.

My Department has been continuously in touch with both these organisations. The arrangements for seasonal rations were revised last Summer and I think they should work satisfactorily this year.

Has the Minister now agreed that these rations can be drawn directly by the farm worker, as the miner draws his extra rations?

No, Sir. In an answer which I shall give to another Question this afternoon the House will see the exact arrangements which have now been come to, but they do not amount to direct differential rationing, which we are advised against.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say who it is, or what organisation it is, that is objecting to the workers drawing their own rations, or is it he and his Department; and if so why?

Certainly my Department objects to extending differential rationing, I think for good reasons, and so does the Trade Union Congress Advisory Committee.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that this is not only a question of a differential ration, but that it is a question of how the ration is drawn?