asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) if he will make a statement on the progress of the anti-Communist campaign in Malaya;

(2) how many volunteers have joined up in the anti-bandit month scheme in Malaya; and how many of them were Malay, Chinese and Indian, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can give any indication of the results up to date of the anti-bandit month in Malaya; and whether he can make any general statement about the progress towards peace and security in that territory.

During the last three months there have been over 700 operations by the security forces against terrorists, whose total losses since the start of the emergency are now 1,115 killed, 358 wounded, 644 captured and about 350 surrendered.

The anti-bandit month (which began on 26th February) has mobilised nearly half a million volunteers of all communities in a concerted and intensified effort in support of the offensive operations against the terrorists. These volunteers are helping with resettlement of squatters, and the closing of bandit communications and sources of supply. This civilian effort, which is warmly supported by the leaders of all the racial communities and by the trade unions, will, of course, not end the emergency but will, I hope, bring the end appreciably nearer. The violent reaction of the terrorists to anti-bandit month was shown by the recent increase in the number of bandit attacks, which have been marked by such tragic incidents as the indiscriminate shooting of civilians in a cinema tent, and the burning down of a village whereby 1,000 people were made homeless. These savage attacks may continue, but the Malayan peoples have shown that they are more united than ever before in their determination to rid their country of the remaining gangs of terrorists. Their courage and endurance are worthy of the highest praise.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer the second part of my Question No. 9? Is he aware that the number of attacks has gone up considerably since we recognised the Communist Government in China?

Taking the second part of the supplementary first, I think there is no connection whatever between the two things—none whatever. With regard to the first part of the supplementary, no break-down into racial groups is available. but all races are, in fact, helping in the anti-bandit campaign.

Why is it only at this late stage that it is decided to send out additional troops in the aircraft? If they are necessary now, were they not necessary a month ago?

No, Sir. It has been decided, after having seen how far the anti-bandit campaign has gone and what degree of success it has had, and seeing the difficulties, that it would be well to send out this extra brigade. This brigade will in fact enable those troops who have already done such gallant work to have some rest and recuperation, which are necessary for them after this campaign, and would not have been necessary a month or two months ago.

Is the right hon Gentleman really satisfied that these additional reinforcements will be all that will be required? We cannot forget that on a previous occasion when we pressed for reinforcements to be sent we were told that they were quite unnecessary, and that then within a month or two they had to be sent. Will the right hon. Gentleman go into it very carefully to see whether these additional reinforcements are the final requirements in Malaya?

Yes, Sir. Naturally, it is gone into very carefully. We are satisfied that they are the final requirements.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say how many there are now in prison or detention camps in Malaya, and what arrangements are being made for deportation now that so many ports are closed in China?

I could not say the exact number without notice, but quite a number have already been deported, and they are being deported gradually as facilities are available; but it is a rather slow job.

Can the Minister say whether a squadron of Lincoln bombers is to be sent to Malaya? If he objects to the indiscriminate shooting of civilians by terrorists, what steps will be taken to prevent the loss of civilian life by bombing?

It is our duty to protect the people of Malaya from bandits. If it is necessary that this protection should take the form of the sending out of Lincoln bombers, then the Lincoln bombers must be sent so that people can be protected.

Are we to understand from what the right hon. Gentleman said that the troops being sent from Hong Kong are to enable the troops already in Malaya to be relieved, and that the troops being relieved are to go to Hong Kong, where, I think the right hon. Gentleman will agree, the situation is. to say the least of it, also very serious?

No, Sir. I did not say "being relieved" in the sense that the troops are to go somewhere else, but in the sense of being given a rest from the front line.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he is taking to ensure that consuls and other diplomatic representatives of the Chinese Communist Government have no contacts with the Communist-controlled rebels in Malaya; and whether he is aware of the widespread misgiving amongst the Chinese community that the presence of Chinese Communist diplomats may lead to a further deterioration of law and order.

To prevent misapprehensions amongst the Chinese community and to make it clear that interference in the internal affairs of the territories will not be permitted, a full statement on the functions of consular representatives was issued recently by the Malayan Governments, and a copy of this is being sent to the hon. and gallant Member.

Does the Minister agree that whatever the pros and cons of the recognition of the Mao Tse-tung regime in China, the presence of its representatives in Malaya at this moment is most unfortunate? May I ask if they have arrived yet, and, if so, will the Minister reconsider the matter?

The Central People's Government of China have not yet sought to appoint consuls in British and British-protected territories.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that a large proportion of rubber planters in Malaya were Japanese prisoners of war during the period of hostilities and that since the reoccupation of Malaya most of them have lived largely in isolation and suffered continued hardship as a result of the operations of bandits; and whether some suitable steps can now be taken to recognise the exceptional services which have been given by this body of men.

Many rubber planters in Malaya, in common with men and women of other classes, races and professions, have suffered serious hardship and His Majesty's Government have great admiration for the courage which all these people have shown in the face of the terrorist attacks. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that since the beginning of the emergency the High Commissioner, in making his recommendations for recognition of public services in the Federation, has been giving full weight to the claims of this section of the population.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to sentences passed by the Buganda Government Court on eight persons for conspiring to rebel against the Gabaka, ranging from 16 years' hard labour to 10 years' imprisonment, with the option of a fine in only one case; and whether he will take steps to secure some remission of these sentences.

The reply to the first half of the Question is "Yes, Sir." The second half does not arise as all eight convicted men have announced that they intend to appeal to the High Court and their cases are therefore still sub judice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken, or are contemplated, to act on the recommendation in the Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the disturbances in Uganda during April, 1949, paragraph 483, that a more liberal price be fixed for the produce of the cotton growers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give an assurance that the prices offered by the Cotton Price Assistance Fund and the Coffee Price Assistance Fund to the African growers will be more liberal in the future, as suggested in the Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the disturbances in Uganda.

I would invite attention to the memorandum issued by the Uganda Government on the Commission's Report, which contains, in paragraphs 37–43, a full statement of the Government's policy regarding prices. I am sending each of my hon. Friends a copy of the memorandum and I am having a copy placed in the Library of the House.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the prices which the growers get for this cotton is only a fraction of price after it is in, and is a still smaller fraction of the export price? Will he encourage their desire for the co-operative organisation of both prices?

Certainly; my right hon. Friend will look into this matter and see what can be done to help them.

Will my right hon. Friend also bear in mind that since November, 1948, the value of the Cotton Price Assistance Fund alone has more than doubled, and now stands at nearly £7 million? As the day when it may be of use to the growers seems to be getting progressively more remote, and as this is causing discontent will he keep that point in mind?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action has been taken on the recommendation of the Report of the Committee of Inquiry into the disturbances in Uganda to include an increased number of educated Africans in the Lukiko.

I would refer my hon. Friend to paragraph 8 of the Government of Uganda's memorandum on this report, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the establishment of a land bank, or a credit and savings bank, is being pushed forward with all speed, in view of the recommendations in the report of the Commission of Inquiry into the disturbances in Uganda.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what report has been received from the Naval Court Martial Committee; and when it is proposed to publish it.

The Committee appointed under the Chairmanship of Mr. Justice Pilcher presented on 21st February its first report dealing with the court martial aspect of its terms of reference. The report is now under consideration and will be published when His Majesty's Government are ready to announce their decision.

Can the hon. Gentleman say when that will be?

Yes, Sir, when consideration has been given to it.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the Senior Service has been holding up the whole question of courts martial for a very long time, and that the matter is now very urgent?

Does that mean that the Lewis Report will be published almost immediately as well?

That is a question which should be addressed to the Secretary of State for War.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why the Royal Naval Hospital at Port Edgar is to be closed; and what alternative accommodation is to be provided for service personnel in the Firth of Forth area who require hospital treatment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware of the concern caused by the proposed closing of the Royal Naval Hospital at Port Edgar; whether he will make a statement as to the position of the patients and staff involved; and what future use is to be made of the hospital.

As explained by my noble Friend in his statement on the Navy Estimates 1950–51 (Cmd. 7897), the R.N. Hospital, Port Edgar, is being closed because satisfactory arrangements can be made to accommodate naval patients at other military or civil hospitals in Scotland. The naval personnel at Port Edgar will be required for naval service elsewhere. We expect to find it possible to transfer the established civil staff to other naval establishments in the area and will endeavour to do the same for as many as possible of the unestablished staff. The future use of the hospital will be decided in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland. The possibility that the Hospital may be required for civil hospital purposes is being borne in mind.

What accommodation will there be for the naval patients to which I have referred in the second part of my Question? Can the hon. Gentleman say to which hospital he will send them?

This will be carried out in consultation with the regional hospital boards; we are working in close consultation with them.

Does the closing of this hospital mean that any decision has been taken with regard to the Rosyth naval base as well.

This decision has nothing to do with the Rosyth naval base.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many Royal Naval hospitals are at present in use; and how many of these are situated in Scotland.

The number of Royal Naval hospitals at present in use is 10, of which six are at home and four overseas. The Royal Naval Hospital at Port Edgar is the only naval hospital in Scotland.

Would it not be desirable to keep one of the hospitals in Scotland and close one of the others?

I am sorry, but in present circumstances that is not possible. I would remind the hon. and gallant Gentleman that we do not have one in Wales either.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that this decision about the Port Edgar Hospital does, as the right hon. Member for West Lothian (Mr. Mathers) said, raise the whole question of Rosyth; and is it not obvious that if all the medical facilities are taken away it is highly likely that all the naval personnel who require those facilities will also have to be taken away?

As I have said, this has no connection at all with the Rosyth Dockyard decision. We have dispensed with the use of Port Edgar Hospital because naval patients can be accommodated in civilian hospitals.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty to what extent the proposed reductions in civil staff will affect the manning of Sheerness Dockyard.

The only reduction of staff at present planned at Sheerness Dockyard will amount to approximately 130 industrials and 30 non-industrials in the Naval Store Department. The Naval Store supply services at present carried out at Sheerness will, under the re-organised arrangements, be carried out by Chatham Dockyard. As many as possible of the men affected will be offered alternative employment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what steps are being taken to provide new and additional married quarters for Royal Naval personnel at Chatham Barracks.

There are no plans for building married quarters for naval personnel stationed at the Royal Naval Barracks, Chatham, at present. Priority is being given to building at remote establishments and isolated naval air stations, where the need is greater.

Is the Minister not aware of the need for additional married quarters at Chatham?

We are well aware of the need for married quarters at all places, but we have made priorities, and up to now the priorities have been the remote naval air stations and fleet establishments. The question of home ports will be considered at a later date.

asked the Postmaster-General if the provision of adequate telephone facilities for the Sale area can now be facilitated.

Provision of telephone service to new subscribers in the Sale area is dependent on extension of the existing exchange building and installation of additional switching equipment. The work will be put in hand as quickly as our restricted programme of capital investment permits.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the improved facilities are likely to be available to these hard-pressed townspeople?

The position of the capital investment programme limits prophecies as to the future. I invite the hon. Gentleman to get the co-operation of the subscribers in that area, which would enable us to connect about 200 more people.

Could the right hon. Gentleman guarantee improved facilities to every other city, town, village, and hamlet in the United Kingdom?

This Question asks about the Sale area, not other areas.

asked the Postmaster-General how many persons in Blackpool who have applied for telephones in their offices and private houses are still waiting for telephones; and what further delay he anticipates.

One thousand four hundred and fifty telephones were connected in Blackpool in 1949, this being 30 per cent. more than in the best prewar year. At present there are 1,744 business and 1,031 residential applicants waiting for service. The rate of supply in 1949 slightly exceeded new demand, but in certain areas additional plant is required to meet outstanding applications. As to the future, I regret that I cannot forecast when we shall be able to overtake demand.

In making that comparison is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the population of Blackpool has increased substantially since before the war; is he further aware that certain people have been waiting for their telephones for over four years; and ought he not do something to see that the delay is very much shorter than that?

I cannot accept any responsibility for the increase in the population of Blackpool. I am aware that there is very great difficulty in this matter, and I assure the hon. Gentleman that I am giving it urgent attention.

asked the Postmaster-General how many applicants in the county borough of Gateshead are awaiting telephones; the date of the earliest of their applications; how many of the applicants applied in that and in each succeeding year; and when he expects to provide additional telephone facilities in the area.

As the reply contains a series of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Postmaster-General how many telephones there are in business and private premises in Belfast; how many applicants in each of these categories are waiting for them to be installed; and what further delay he anticipates.

There are 11,000 business and 9,645 residential lines in Belfast; 1,970 business applications and 3,334 residential applications are outstanding. There is a shortage of plant in Belfast; and, while certain remedial measures are in hand, I regret that, in view of our limited resources, some time will elapse before the outstanding applications can be cleared.

Is not the number of waiting applicants in Belfast a good deal more than in many other towns and cities of a similar character.

No, Sir. The problem is fairly even, especially in the industrial towns.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to remedy the difficulty experienced by subscribers throughout Belfast in obtaining the dialling tone on automatic exchanges.

I much regret this difficulty, which is experienced mainly by subscribers in central Belfast. Additional equipment is being provided to remedy the trouble, and conditions should be much easier by mid-April.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether he is now able to make a statement as to the result of his consideration of the rules he proposes to apply to the recognition of staff associations;

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will now make a further statement about official recognition of the Engineering Officers (Telecommunications) Association.

I am reviewing the general question of recognition of staff associations in the Post Office. I propose to make an early statement in the House on this matter, and on the particular case of the Engineering Officers (Telecommunications) Association.

I would not wish to press the right hon. Gentleman if that statement is really to be an early one, but is he aware that the organisation mentioned in Question No. 25 has, according to the admission of his predecessor, nearly six months ago, sufficient numbers to entitle it to recognition? Is the right hon. Gentleman therefore aware that to postpone this matter much longer will amount to a very serious injustice?

I want to do what is right and fair; it is a very grave matter for all parties concerned. I give an assurance to the House that I will make a very early statement.

On 31st December last, had the Association mentioned in Questions Nos. 25 and 26 sufficient numbers to qualify for recognition under the old rules?

I should not like to be pressed on this matter at this stage. I only want to say that this matter has been hanging about, if I may use the phrase, for more than 10 years, therefore, I ought not to be pressed.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in order to avoid unnecessary expense and to economise in the use of paper, he will amend paragraph 6 of the Regulation made under Section 79 of the Representation of the People Act, 1949, so as to permit folders of a maximum length of 9 in. and a maximum depth of 4½ in., to be sent by post.

The greater the size of the folder the greater will be the danger of trapping other items in the post and delaying them. For this reason, maximum limits of 6 in. × 3½ in. have been fixed in the light of experience, and I regret I cannot see my way to extend them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that in the past, and even in the 1945 election, folders of this size were sent out in many districts; and will he reconsider the matter?

Representatives of the three parties met my predecessor on this matter, and after discussing the whole problem they regarded this as the most satisfactory size for posting.

asked the Minister of Defence under what conditions members of the regular Forces can take their wives to Hong Kong; and how many wives have joined their husbands in Hong Kong since the garrison was reinforced last year.

The conditions under which wives may join regular Service men in Hong Kong are the same as those applying elsewhere. The main condition is that either a married quarter or suitable private accommodation must be available for the family. One hundred and fifty-seven wives have joined their husbands since the garrison was reinforced last year; a further 69 sailed early this month; more will, I hope, sail in about two months' time.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say, in view of the fact that a substantial garrison is likely to remain in Hong Kong for some time, whether some other arrangements can be made for temporary quarters for the wives of regular officers and other ranks of all three Services?

We have that matter under consideration. There are, of course, very great difficulties in Hong Kong.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the same conditions apply to wives wishing to join husbands who are at present in overseas stations, and who have subsequently been transferred to Hong Kong?

Yes, Sir, they are considered in precisely the same way.

asked the Minister of Defence if he can now supply the further information in regard to objects and future position of the cadet forces of the Navy, Army and Air Force, especially in regard to the pay and conditions of cadet officers; and what is the final arrangement for the administration of Royal Air Force cadets in the County Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Associations, as indicated by his predecessor on 2nd July, 1947.

The Cadet Forces provide pre-Service training in military and allied subjects and also in citizenship. Several improvements in the conditions of service of Cadet Force officers have recently been introduced. These officers may now receive pay for up to 28 days per year; they are entitled to marriage allowance under certain conditions; they receive either free rations or ration allowance while attending camps or courses of instruction. As regards the last part of the hon. and gallant Member's Question, the future administration of the Air Training Corps is to be discussed during April at a series of regional conferences at which the Council of Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Associations will be represented.

asked the Minister of Defence what arrangements have been made to increase and improve the accommodation of a semi-permanent character for troops and airmen now quartered in the Canal Zone, Egypt.

I recently paid a visit to the Canal Zone, during which I examined the accommodation problem closely. The position is admittedly un satisfactory and we are examining ways and means of bringing about an improvement. As the hon. Member will appreciate, however, the matter is not free from difficulty.

Can the Minister say whether the 2,000 houses to be built abroad will include this area in the coming year? Would he say also which has the greater priority, married quarters or accommodation for the troops themselves?

We have to look at the picture as a whole, not only in regard to married quarters but quarters for single soldiers.

Is the Minister aware that the already difficult political situation has been aggravated by his tactless statement that he intended to press forward with housing of a permanent character? Can he now give an assurance that the Government will press forward with all speed with a temporary housing programme?

I do not regard the hon. and gallant Member as a judge of what is tact.

asked the Minister of Defence how much it is estimated that assistance to other countries, in accordance with the North Atlantic Treaty, will cost during the next financial year; and where this sum is provided for in the Estimates.

We shall continue to make available equipment for many of the North Atlantic Treaty organisation countries, and any necessary financial provision for the manufacture of such equipment by this country is made under the appropriate sub-heads of the Votes concerned. As, however, supplies are normally on a repayment basis no net cost should fall on the United Kingdom in the next financial year.

How much is included in the Defence Estimates for next year in respect of the original purchase of equipment which is ultimately destined for other countries?

I cannot give a specific reply to that question.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will downpoint sweet and semi-sweet biscuits immediately, and give an assurance that these varieties of biscuits will be de-rationed by June, 1950.

I naturally want to take foods off the ration or downpoint them as soon as supplies allow, but obviously I cannot promise when that will be. I am told that sweet and semi-sweet biscuits are being bought readily at the present points values.

Is the Minister aware that the consuming public have been continuously denied their everyday requirements? Is he further aware that a ration-card-weary public will, at an early date, show their discontent by turning this Government out?

If the hon. Gentleman will exercise a little patience, he will find that in due course everything will be thoroughly satisfactory.

asked the Minister of Food whether the Government will take steps to encourage and develop supplies of sugar which could be made available for consumption in this country, with special regard to Jamaica, and with a view to taking sugar off the ration at the earliest possible date.

As I told the House on 13th March, I am looking into the whole question of our sugar supplies, including the future production of Commonwealth countries. I should, however, like to point out that we have undertaken to buy all the sugar the Commonwealth, including Jamaica, can send us until 1952.

Is the Minister aware there is no world shortage of sugar but a potential surplus? Surely the public ought to have a reasonable allowance of sugar. It is very important.

asked the Minister of Food how much extra sugar for domestic jam-making he expects to be able to allow this year; and if he will bear in mind the needs of people with small gardens growing only soft fruit and endeavour to make it possible for them to draw the entire extra allowance early in the season.

I am at present considering how much I can spare and hope to make a statement soon. I shall certainly bear in mind what my hon. Friend says, but I doubt if it would be practicable to make all the extra sugar available so early in the season as he suggests.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will now hand back to the Milk Marketing Board the powers which were taken from it in 1939.

No, Sir.

While appreciating that the Minister has not yet had much time to consider the matter, may I ask him to look at the Report of the Select Committee on Estimates which deals with his own Department, and to consider whether the step suggested in the Question would not result in considerable economy?

That Report is one of a number of reports relating to this matter, into which I shall have to look in due course.

asked the Minister of Food what is the average price at which soya beans are bought by his Department; and at what price they are sold to manufacturers in the United Kingdom.

Soya beans are sold to manufacturers at £59 per ton, but my Department is a trading concern, and I am not prepared to disclose the prices at which we are buying.

Although I suppose that within the meaning of the words the right hon. Gentleman's Department is a trading concern—though I do not think it would be accepted as such by any successful trading concern—is it not simple to ask the producers what price they get? Is it not a fact that 34s. per cwt. is what the producer gets and does not the Minister consider that the margin between that price and 59s. is a little too much'?

All I can say is that I thought the profit was a very fair one.

Are we to understand that the Government consider that the difference between 34s. and 59s. is a very fair profit?

I am not necessarily accepting the figure of £34 per ton.

What is it?

asked the Minister of Food whether his attention has been called to the grievance of banana growers in Sierra Leone that, whilst his Department is paying for bananas from that territory £27 per ton, less £5 against any claims for bad or poor quality, such bananas are to be sold in Great Britain at an average price of £170 per ton; and whether, in view of the fact that the present price paid to Sierra Leone growers is insufficient to allow for expansion of their plantations, he intends to revise the arrangements in the near future.

We are buying these bananas under a contract with the Sierra Leone Government, and I consider the price quite fair for the first year of a new trade. Because of the nature of the fruit, the costs of shipping, storing, ripening and distributing bananas are undoubtedly high. The retail price, in this country, in fact, works out at £103 a ton, but my Department's selling price is little more than half that figure.

Would the Minister point out this very considerable profit to some of his colleagues behind him, who are always talking about the profits made by middlemen?

Would my right hon. Friend also bear in mind that hon. Gentlemen opposite are equally annoyed when his Department makes a profit and when it makes a loss?

I thought both hon. Gentlemen wanted to ask a question to obtain information.

asked the Minister of Food what quantities of chocolate have been imported from Czechoslovakia in the last six months.

Five hundred and forty-three tons of chocolate were imported by private traders from Czechoslovakia in the six months ended on 31st January.