asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he is taking to ensure that more and better firearms are issued to the planters and Security Forces in Malaya; and whether he can assure the House that an adequate supply of armoured fighting vehicles is available in order to combat terrorist activities.

A quantity of current pattern arms and ammunition is shortly being dispatched to Malaya to meet the demands of the Federation Government. On arrival they will be issued to the Security Forces, which include many planters. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War assures me that an adequate supply of armoured fighting vehicles is available for the Army.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent there has been delay in the supply of jungle-green uniforms and small arms and ammunition to the Malayan Police and Security Forces or to the Home Guard detachments which are at present being raised.

There is a world shortage of cotton materials required in the manufacture of jungle-green uniforms. Every effort to procure additional stocks is being made, but I regret that there is likely to be delay in meeting outstanding demands. In the meantime, the War Office have agreed to the loan to Malaya of 20,000 suits of jungle-green from their stocks in the Far East. The transfer of this quantity is being left to local arrangements between the Federation Government and General Headquarters Far East Land Forces. The latest requirements of small arms and ammunition for the Malayan Police and Security Forces, including the Home Guard, are being despatched to Malaya shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that terrorists in Malaya have been obtaining funds to carry on their activities by stealing large quantities of rubber; and what steps are being taken by the Malayan Government to prevent those thefts.

Yes. Such thefts are extremely difficult to prevent, particularly from medium and small estates where there is no resident manager. Severe penalties are laid down for the illegal possession of rubber, and for moving it at night without a permit. Further work has started on the regrouping of labourers on rubber estates under the protection of special constables.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Malayan Government have stopped the running of the night mail train from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, thus causing inconvenience to business people in Malaya; what are the reasons for stopping the train from running; and when will the service be restored.

Yes. The number of civilian passengers using this service had, however, become very small, no doubt owing to the vulnerability of the railway to attack by terrorists at night. Extra facilities for day travel are being provided, and the Malayan Railway will no doubt consider restoring the service when the demand justifies it. There are, of course, frequent daily services by air between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that valuable war material, such as rubber, has recently been shipped from Malaya to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; and what steps he is taking to stop this traffic.

Shipments of rubber from Malaya to Russia are not above their normal level and there is no evidence to suggest that it is being imported for other than normal commercial uses. I am not aware of any war materials being shipped to Russia from Malaya. Rubber is at present sold on the open market, but His Majesty's Government naturally watches the quantities going to particular destinations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what assistance has been given by the Government of Malaya to the Malayan Co-operative Wholesale Society.

The Government of the Federation of Malaya have guaranteed an overdraft of 100,000 dollars (Malayan) and have made a free grant of 9,000 dollars to cover management expenses for the first year of the Society's existence. In addition, the Department of Co-operative Development provides the services of an officer as managing director. The Society has also been granted rent-free go-down space.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what were the principal recommendations of the Northern Rhodesian Land Commission of 1947; which of its recommendations have been implemented; and whether any Africans have been dispossessed as a result.

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the Report of this Commission, which was published in 1946, and a copy of the Order-in-Council of 1947 which gave effect to most of its detailed recommendations. As a normal rule Africans would be required to move from one area to another only where this was necessary in the general interests of the community. I have not full details of any such cases, but I will communicate with the Governor and write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the expression by the Northern Rhodesian African Congress of no confidence in the European member representing African interests on the Select Committee on Immigration, an African member may now be appointed.

This is a Select Committee of the Legislative Council; it is within the jurisdiction of that Council to decide what the membership of its Select Committee is to be. As far as I am aware, the Council does not intend to make any changes in this instance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the proposal to establish a hydro-electric plant and an aluminium reduction works on the Volta river in the Gold Coast.

The project is at present under investigation but I am not yet in a position to make any statement on it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in view of the electoral success in the Gold Coast of candidates of the Convention People's Party, whether the present imprisonment of its leader Kwame Nkrumah will be reconsidered.

The Governor of the Gold Coast announced on 12th February that to mark the inauguration of the new Constitution he has decided to remit the remaining part of the sentences of imprisonment imposed on Mr. Nkrumah and six other persons.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will define the relationship between the Government of Uganda and the Uganda Electricity Board; and, in particular, what provision is made for African representation on the Electricity Board.

The Board is appointed by the Governor in Council and has statutory powers and duties which are defined in the Uganda Electricity Board Ordinance, 1947, of which I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend. Members are appointed for their personal qualifications for the work and not to represent particular interests. The second part of the Question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will ensure that the Government of Uganda will now withdraw orders hampering free political activities of organisations and individuals in Uganda in view of the present peaceful conditions in the territory.

There are no orders in force in Uganda hampering legitimate political activities. Two organisations were banned in 1949. Their leaders were found by a commission of inquiry to have organised that year a planned rebellion against the Kabaka of Buganda, which led to loss of life.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the Service Press, Limited, Lagos, was raided on 17th November, 1950; and why the editor of "Daily Service" was not first asked to see the local police or other authority in respect of any alleged seditious matter.

I have asked the Governor for information on the matter and will write to my hon. Friend when I receive his reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what have been the results of the reorganisation of the Enugu Colliery Corporation.

The Nigerian Coal Corporation was established by law in the autumn of last year. The members of the Corporation have since been appointed and held their first meeting on 26th January. The Corporation and the Nigerian Government are giving close attention to the improvement of industrial relations at the colliery. There has been a satisfactory increase in output.

asked the Minister of Food whether he can now make a statement as to what manufacture, sale and importation of cream he proposes to allow this year.

It is intended to revoke the Order prohibiting the manufacture and sale of cream in the United Kingdom in the spring of this year. It is also proposed to make arrangements for imports of cream. Details of the plans will be discussed at once with representatives of the trades concerned and will be made public as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Food why, in the present circumstances, food packers are encouraged to export meat products packed in tins to foreign countries such as the Argentine and are granted additional supplies in order to enable them to meet the demand.

It is our considered policy to encourage exports of processed foods of all kinds, which earn many times their raw material value in dollars and other foreign currencies and so enable us to buy much greater quantities of basic foods. We are at present allocating only a very small amount of meat for export products, and we do not want to destroy the markets which exporters have worked so hard to build up. None is going to the Argentine, and I would, in all seriousness, advise the hon. Member and the House not to be misled by recent grossly misleading Press stories on this and relevant matters of our meat supplies.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will introduce the necessary order making it obligatory for the surrender of meat coupons for all meat dishes supplied in catering establishments.

No. Such an arrangement would almost certainly destroy the present rationing system; and what is no less important it would have a negligible effect on the domestic ration.

asked the Minister of Food why he still continues to make contracts for the shipment of Russian crab meat, in view of the difficulty of selling existing stocks at present prices.

To meet a ready demand for it by the public. My Department at present holds no Russian crab meat and it has had no difficulty in selling its stocks at the existing prices.

asked the Minister of Food what provision he has made for extra supplies of meat for restaurants and cafés for the period of the Festival of Britain; from where are the supplies to be obtained; and what is the amount.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Members for Gosport and Fareham (Surgeon Lieut.-Commander Bennett), Orpington (Sir W. Smithers), Lewes (Major Beamish) and Govan (Mr. Browne), on 12th February.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will now control the price of fish.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friends the Members for Dartford (Mr. Dodds), and Cardiff, West (Mr. G. Thomas), on 12th February.

asked the Minister of Food if he will publish a complete itemised financial statement of all the transactions including handling, shipping and storage in connection with the sprats and brisling purchased in 1949 and 1950, from Holland, Denmark and Norway or other European countries showing the losses that occurred.

These transactions are still going on and it would be premature to say what the results will be.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what measures have been taken to preserve the buildings and equipment of the Bermuda Dockyard with a view to its reopening at short notice.

All facilities essential for the support of the America and West Indies Squadron have been kept in use, and arrangements have been made for the needs of any of our ships which may be stationed in the West Indies in the foreseeable future. Arrangements are being, or have been, made with the Bermuda Government for the maintenance of certain equipment and services, and other installations are being kept at short notice by the Admiralty. Certain buildings which are beyond economical repair, and property for which no future requirement is foreseen, are being disposed of to best advantage by arrangement with the Bermuda Government.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what action he proposes to take to increase the pay and allowances of officers in the department of the Chief Inspector of Naval Ordnance; and if he will make a statement.

Group D officers of the Chief Inspector of Naval Ordnance's department are to be paid on a revised scale of £900 to £1,000 with effect from 1st September, 1950, and the minimum salary of Group C officers will be increased to £1,025 as from that date.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware of the complaints by men whose period of 12 years' service has expired or is about to expire, at the decision to retain their services for an additional 18 months over their normal engagement; and whether, in view of their long service, further consideration will be given to this matter.

Our proposed increase in naval strength can only be achieved by retaining trained men finishing their time and recalling trained Reservists. I know that this will cause some disappointment, but I am glad to say that the need for this measure has been generally understood in the Fleet. It is our intention to increase recruitment and speed up training, so that retentions and recalls will be brought to an end as early as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many naval ratings in the Chatham Division re-engaging before 1st September, 1950, to complete time for pension have had their claim for bounty disallowed.

About 60.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that the relatives of several missing Royal Marines of 41st Independent Commando, in addition to those whose names have been published already, have been notified unofficially that they have been taken prisoner; whether he has yet been able to obtain official information in these cases; and if he will make a statement.

In addition to the names of two Royal Marines of 41st Independent Commando which have already been published, only one other Royal Marine has been reported unofficially to the Admiralty as a prisoner. The next-of-kin of all three have been informed. Official confirmation of their capture has not yet been received.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty to what extent he expects in the near future to increase the number of civilians employed in establishments under the control of his Department; and to what extent the new personnel are likely to he skilled craftsmen.

The aim is to increase the number of industrial work-people employed at Admiralty establishments at home by 4,500 by 1st October, 1951, of whom approximately 40 per cent. should be skilled men.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many of the ratings and other ranks of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines who completed their first period of service since the end of the war, failed to sign on to complete their time for pension.

16,900 R.N. ratings and R.M. other ranks completed their first 12 years' service between 1st January, 1947, and 31st December, 1950, and 12,800 of these did not re-engage. I regret that I have no similar figures for the earlier post-war period.

asked the Postmaster-General how many telephones he plans to provide in South Angus in 1951–52, in order to reduce the size of the waiting list.

About 200.

asked the Postmaster-General when the new local telephone directory for the Reigate, Red-hill and Horley area will be issued, which in a letter to the hon. Member for Reigate on 30th May he said would be available for issue in less than three or four months.

Distribution will be completed this week.

asked the Postmaster-General what progress has been made in reducing the waiting list for telephones on the Byron exchange which stood at 2,631 last May.

On 31st December, 1950, there were 2,342 outstanding applications, including 558 now in course of being met. It is hoped that the waiting list will be further reduced during 1951.

asked the Postmaster-General what was the cost of telephone calls by Government Departments in the years 1947, 1948 and 1949, respectively.

The recorded values of inland telephone calls made by Government Departments were as follows: 1947–48, £5,470,000; 1948–49, £4,880,000; 1949–50, £4,810,000.

asked the Postmaster-General how many coloured workers are at present employed by his Department; and in what grades are they principally employed.

Detailed information is not readily available, but the number is of the order of 500, mainly in the manipulative and clerical grades.

asked the Postmaster-General why there is no parcel rate for parcels despatched to the Forces in Korea.

Parcels may be sent to members of His Majesty's Forces in Korea by surface route at concessionary rates from 1s. 3d. for a 3 lb. parcel, to 5s. 6d. for a 22 lb. parcel. For the reasons given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence in reply to a Question on 7th February last, no parcel post service by air has been introduced.

asked the Postmaster-General the reason why a cable sent to a soldier serving in Korea, whose name has been notified him, informing the soldier of his father's death, had not reached its destination six days later.

Preliminary inquiries show that the cable dated 15th January was transmitted to Korea, and handed over locally on the following day for delivery to the soldier. As soon as I receive a full report on the disposal of the telegram, I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General when the Expeditionary Force's concessions were reintroduced for the Forces in Korea; and why they were not reintroduced earlier.

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind the Expeditionary Force Message (EFM) service. As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer him to my reply to his question on 7th February. The arrangements for this service are complicated and the facilities were introduced as soon as arrangements could be completed.

asked the Postmaster-General why Todmorden, Lancashire, is used as the postal address of a town in the administrative county of the West Riding of Yorkshire; and if he will have this procedure stopped.

The geographical county boundary between Yorkshire and Lancashire runs along the main street of Todmorden; the Post Office is on the Lancashire side of the boundary. The present address, which is of long standing, best serves the local interest in a speedy and reliable postal service.

asked the Postmaster-General why members of the Post Office staff forfeit all pension rights on appointment as sub-postmaster; and if he will reconsider this matter.

Under the Superannuation Acts, any established civil servant less than 50 years of age is required to forfeit his pension rights if he voluntarily takes up a non-pensionable post such as that of sub-postmaster.

asked the Postmaster-General in what circumstances he refuses to permit repayment of National Savings Certificates held by children under seven years of age when their parent or guardian makes proper application for him to authorise repayment.

The Savings Certificates Statutory Regulations provide that no repayment shall be made in respect of a Certificate held by a person under the age of seven years except at my discretion. This discretion is normally exercised only where the money is needed for the maintenance, education or other benefit of the child and there appears to be no other source from which the money could reasonably be obtained.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will amend Post Office regulations to permit the enclosure of crossed cheques with invoices or statements sent as printed papers.

No.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the deterioration in the reception of the Light Programme in the area of Bishop's Stortford and environs; and what steps are proposed to be taken to ameliorate this situation.

I understand from the B.B.C. that reception of the Light Programme on the medium wave (247 metres), is liable to fading, but that reception of the same programme on the long wave (1,500 metres) should be perfectly satisfactory.

asked the Postmaster-General what action is being taken by the British Broadcasting Corporation to co-operate with the Central Electricity Authority in giving warning to consumers to reduce electricity consumption to minimise electricity cuts and in warning consumers that a cut is about to be made.

This is a matter for the B.B.C., but I understand that warnings of impending cuts over large areas are frequently broadcast already. Methods of helping the public in this matter are constantly under discussion between the B.B.C. and the British Electricity Authority.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he can now announce the Government's policy with regard to the recommendations made in the Beveridge Report on the British Broadcasting Corporation.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Morecambe and Lonsdale (Sir I. Fraser) on 24th January.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether all his Department's contracts for the operating of reserve flying schools contain a fair wage clause covering the salaries of pilots engaged as instructors and staff pilots.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why notice of his impending call-up for 15 days' training under Class G Reserve has been sent by Royal Air Force Records, Gloucester, in their letter of 5th February, Ref. 9 DIV./2/41640 to Mr. L. W. O'Brien, 60 Green Lane, Thornton Heath, considering he will be 43 years of age in May and was in trade group, clerk SD.

A notice of impending call-up was sent to Mr. O'Brien because he is in a trade group for whose members some refresher training is considered to be essential in the national interest. I am afraid that it has been necessary to include in the call-up for this trade, a small number of men over 40, as the numbers available fur call-up are very limited.

asked the Secretary of State for Air when it is proposed to lengthen the runways at Turnhouse.

It is hoped that work on extending the main runway will start within the next few weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will give details of the Class G Reserve, with special reference to the strength of age groups, to the number of low category personnel, and to the proportion of married to unmarried persons upon it.

Approximately 1,087,000 personnel had been transferred to the Class G Reserve by 31st December, 1950. Figures in respect of the other details asked for are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for War how far aliens who served in the British Armed Forces during the war, but who have not yet been granted British nationality, are liable for service with the Class Z Reserve.

Aliens who served in the British Army during the war and who are still resident in this country, remain on Class Z or Class W Reserve, and are therefore liable for service. Personnel of the Polish Resettlement Corps were discharged and, not being Reservists, have no liability for recall.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether men of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force compulsorily transferred to the Army in 1945 will be recalled if necessary to their original service; and what number of men is involved.

These men will normally have been placed in an Army Reserve and, if their recall for full-time service becomes necessary, they will be recalled initially for service with the Army. At present, transfer from an unpaid Reserve of one Service to a similar Reserve of either of the other two Services is inadmissible. The subsequent employment of these men will depend upon the various Service requirements. In 1944, the numbers compulsorily transferred from the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force to the Army were 6,458 and 16,360 respectively. In 1945, the corresponding figures were 2,595 and 13,971.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many pillboxes and fortified points have been demolished during the last 12 months; at what cost; and whether he will give an undertaking that all such demolitions, particularly along the coasts, will be suspended forthwith.

I am advised by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works that the provision of the information required by the first parts of this Question would involve an undue amount of time and labour. The policy regarding future demolitions is being re-examined.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the recommendations, a copy of which has been sent to him, proposed by a representative conference of the medical profession to introduce at an early date an agreed code of colour markings of gas cylinders and for the manufacture and use of a non-interchangeable valve that can be attached to United States and British cylinders with the object of avoiding fatal accidents as a result of the mis-identification of a cylinder prior to or during the administration of an anaesthetic; and what steps he proposes to take to provide doctors within the National Health Service with the cylinders and valves they desire to eliminate fatal accidents.

I am aware of the recommendations referred to. A colour code and non-interchangeable valves are under consideration by the British Standards Institution and the International Organisation for Standardisation. When agreement is reached urgent consideration will be given to revision of the existing British Standards.

asked the Minister of Health what payment will be made to the doctor who vaccinated the majority of the 900 staff of the Dental Estimates Board at Eastbourne during the recent smallpox epidemic.

I understand that the doctor concerned is being paid on the basis of the usual sessional fees.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of smallpox there were at Brighton during the last six months.

The number of cases, which all occurred during the recent outbreak, was 29.