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Gibraltar

Volume 484: debated on Wednesday 21 February 1951

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Barbary Apes

23.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is satisfied that the subsistence allowance of 4d. a day paid out of civil funds for the maintenance of each of the Barbary apes at Gibraltar is still sufficient: when the amount was fixed at 4d.; and to what extent the ape population has increased or decreased since the end of the war.

I am informed that the allowance of 4d. a day each for the Gibraltar Barbary apes is still sufficient. The allowance was raised from 3d. to 4d. in 1944. At the end of the war there were 20 apes in Gibraltar: there are now 30, all, I am assured, well fed and in excellent health.

I see from the records that in 1944, when the right hon. Gentleman was Prime Minister, he gave a direction that the establishment should be raised to 24 and maintained at that figure. I am glad to be able to say that we are now above establishment.

Can the Minister say how he reconciles the statement that this amount is sufficient, in view of the fact that it costs 1s. a day to keep an ape in the London Zoo? Further, since these are State apes, borne on Civil Service funds, are they not automatically entitled to a cost-of-living bonus?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the hon. Gentleman who has asked this Question has not declared his interest?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether these apes have any representation on the people's council which decides how much they get to live on?

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the Government still seriously accepts the legend that while these apes live on Gibraltar, the British will remain there?

In view of the point of order raised a short time ago by the hon. Member for Nelson and Colne (Mr. S. Silverman), will the Minister ascertain whether these apes resent being described as "Barbary" apes?

I shall convey to them the keen interest of the House in their welfare.

Evacuees

32.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many evacuees from Gibraltar now remain in this country.

All who applied for repatriation have now returned home, except one family detained here by illness. About 2,000 Gibraltarians have chosen to stay here permanently.

Hong Kong (Oil Exports And Imports)

24.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what quantities of oil have been shipped to China from Hong Kong since 1st October, 1950: and whether steps are being taken to stop further shipments.

There have been no shipments of petroleum oils from Hong Kong to China since 1st October, 1950, except for 308 gallons of petrol in December to repay a loan made by the Chinese authorities to a British salvage vessel. The answer to the last part of the Question is "Yes, Sir."

Is the Minister aware that there is a feeling among oil executives in the United States that the Chinese are getting oil through Hong Kong? Is his answer to be taken as an absolute assertion that there is no possibility of this whatsoever, apart from the minor exception he has mentioned?

Apart from the exception, the answer is as given, that since 1st October, 1950, there have been no shipments.

25.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what quantities of oil were imported into Hong Kong in the months of October, November and December, 1949, and 1950 respectively.

The import figures, by quantity, of petroleum oils into Hong Kong are not yet available in London for the months of October to December, 1950. I am obtaining the figures from Hong Kong and will send them to the hon. Member, with comparative figures for 1949, as soon as possible.

Colonial Students (Hostel, London)

27.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what principle Colonial students are selected for admission to the Hans Crescent Hostel: and whether any preference is given to students who are preparing for Government service.

The aim is to produce a balanced student community, widely representative not only of the various Colonial territories but also of the different subjects of study. Priority is given to new arrivals in the United Kingdom, for whom up to half the places are reserved. Thirty-five places are reserved for 15 cadets taking the First Devonshire Course and 20 English students attending London University, who in turn release a corresponding number of places at their hostels for colonial students. This admixture of U.K. students has been a conspicuous success. The future career of a student is only one factor, though an important one, affecting his admission to Hans Crescent Hostel.

Disturbance, Mukalla

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper:

28. Mr. FENNER BROCKWAY,—TO ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the shooting in Mukalla of 16 persons during a demonstration outside the Sultan's palace in protest against a recent appointment to the Secretariat.

I ask that this Question be transferred to Questions not for oral answer, Sir.

Questions cannot be transferred from the Order Paper. They must either be asked or not asked.

[See Written Answers, Col. 184.]

Tanganyika (Development Corporation Assets)

29.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent any part of the proposed £24,000,000 to be expended by the Government of Tanganyika on its welfare programme will be spent in acquiring any assets of the Overseas Development Corporation.

The Government of Tanganyika hope to purchase from the Overseas Food Corporation some surplus material which is suitable for use in implementing the territory's development programme, but it is not possible at this stage to give details of the nature or cost of purchases which have still to be made.

Would the Minister give sympathetic consideration to any mutual arrangements that can be made in this direction?

Can the Minister say anything about the transfer? Will it be done by open sale or at valuation, and, if at valuation, who will do the valuing?

Discussion is taking place about this between the Tanganyika Government and the O.D.C.

Jamaica (Maroons Of Accompong)

33.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if a procedure for the election of a new colonel of the Maroons of Accompong has now been agreed: and if he will make a statement.

I understand from the Acting Governor of Jamaica that Mr. T. J. Cawley has been elected colonel.

In view of the remarkable history of these people, will my right hon. Friend do his best to ensure that, under the leadership of their new colonel, they will be enabled to preserve their identity and that measure of self-government that they have always enjoyed?