asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is giving consideration to the East African farmers' request for a maize price nearer the world market price, particularly in view of the rising costs.

I understand that the hon. Member is referring to recent discussions in Kenya, following which the Kenya Government have increased the price to producers for maize planted in 1950, with retrospective effect, from 25s. to 28s. 80 cents per 200 lb. of naked maize. This increase is based on evidence of increased costs submitted by responsible producers' organisations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will publish a list giving the names of the established and temporary members of the administrative services of Kenya who own land in that Colony.

As I explained on 7th February, in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Gravesend (Sir R. Acland), under Colonial Regulations an official may be given permission to acquire land only if it is clear that his private affairs would not by reason of such acquisition be brought into conflict with his public duties. In the circumstances I see no reason for publishing such a list.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent there has been an increase in applications for certificates of admission to China from Chinese in Malaya since the call-up of manpower regulations were announced; and whether facilities for re-admission to Malaya will be granted to such persons.

There has been a considerable increase in applications by Chinese in the Federation of Malaya for certificates of admission. These are required by aliens normally resident in Malaya not for entry to China but for re-admission to Malaya. Until recently they were the only authority needed for this purpose but a visa is now required in addition. Apart from any other grounds on which such re-entry visas might be refused, it is the intention of the authorities to refuse them to persons who have obtained certificates of admission in circumstances which indicate that their object was to avoid direction by the Comptroller of Manpower.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what has been the response by Chinese in Malaya to the invitation to join the Police Force.

I am unable to say exactly how many Chinese there are at present in the Police Force but the recruitment of Chinese for the uniformed branch has been encouraging. The first batch of recruits completed their training in December last and more are now under training. There has always been a good supply of Chinese candidates for the Detective Branch.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many members of the Armed Forces and how many civilians have lost their lives in Malaya since 1st January, 1951, up to the latest convenient date; and how many bandits have been killed or captured.

Between 4th January and 15th February 64 civilian and 49 members of the Security Forces were killed. One hundred and thirteen bandits were killed or captured during the same period and a further 15 surrendered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what efforts are being made to eradicate the leaf scald disease from the sugar plantations in British Guiana.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to check the spread of the leaf scald disease threatening the sugar industry in British Guiana.

Surveys to determine the extent of the disease and measures to control it have been instituted in the Colony, and steps are being taken urgently to obtain the services of an experienced plant pathologist to supervise research work on the disease. I am aware of the serious threat that this disease constitutes to the sugar industry of British Guiana and hence to the whole economy of the country. Vigorous steps are being taken to combat it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now make a further statement on progress made about recommendations of the Evans Report respecting British Guiana and British Honduras.

Recent developments have been as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what facilities exist at Makerere College for the training of civil engineers.

None. It is hoped to train engineers at a new technical college shortly to be established at Nairobi.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what modification is being considered in respect of assisted economic and social development in Colonial areas, either in regard to financial expenditure or the acceleration of plans.

The policy of pressing ahead with economic and social development has recently been reaffirmed by the amendment of the Colonial Development and Welfare Act to provide a further £20 million for this purpose. Although rising costs have diminished the real value of the moneys provided under this Act, on the other hand the high prices prevailing for most primary commodities have resulted in increasing the resources locally available in many territories. The scale and pace of development wilt depend largely on the extent to which the Colonies' requirements of capital and consumer goods can be met.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how much rubber has been shipped to China from Colonial Territories since 1st July last year.

As I informed the hon. Member for Hornsey (Mr. Gammans) on 1st February, approximately 70,000 tons of natural rubber were imported into China from United Kingdom Territories in the Far East during the last six months of 1950. I regret that complete statistics more recent than those are not yet available, but my information is that shipments of the order of 12,500 tons have been sent since the beginning of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress the Bahamas are making in constitution reform.

I would invite attention to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on 15th November, 1950.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the terms arranged with the United States Government allowing for experiments with guided missiles in the Bahamas; and if he will give an assurance that there has been no movement of population to allow these experiments to take place.

The agreement with the United States Government has been published as Cmd. 8109. It gives that Government the right to fly guided missiles in the area of the Bahamas, to establish sites on various islands for observing and controlling the flight of the missiles, and to operate communications, shipping and aircraft in the area for that purpose. This is an Anglo-American project. The observation sites are being established in uninhabited areas, and I can give the assurance requested. The risks entailed in the experiments are negligible since the missiles are to be flown over the sea and are only observed and controlled from the land.

asked the Minister of Defence the number of illiterates and semi-illiterates found in the intake of men for National Service in 1950; and what percentage of the call-up this represents.

As I explained in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Stroud and Thornbury (Mr. Perkins) on 22nd November last, there is no standard of scholastic or general ability other than that measured by medical category now required of men called up for National Service; the figures for which the hon. Member asks are therefore not available.

asked the Minister of Defence the value of orders which have been placed in connection with the increased defence programme first announced in the summer.

As I stated during the defence debate last week, orders have already been placed to the value of £450 million for completion over the next three years.

asked the Minister of Defence whether members of His Majesty's Forces who qualify for a bounty upon completion of their enlistment period and who are retained beyond that period, will receive a proportionate addition to their bounty.

I regret that I cannot at present add to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Portsmouth, West (Brigadier Clarke), on 22nd November last.

asked the Minister of Defence if he can now make a further statement on the special air mail parcel rate for Army personnel serving in Korea.

The Government's decision on this matter was announced in the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry, South (Miss Burton), on 7th February.

asked the Minister of Defence how many male aliens resident in the United Kingdom will be called up for a course of military training this year.

No aliens will be included in the call-up of Royal Air Force Class G Reservists for training this summer. It is not known how many aliens will be included in the call-up of Army Class Z Reservists, but the number cannot be very large.

asked the Minister of Defence why officers of the Class Z and G Reserves of the Army and Royal Air Force who are to be recalled for 15 days service this summer are not to receive a £4 bounty.

A decision has not yet been reached on this matter, but I hope that an announcement will be issued shortly.

asked the Minister of Defence what British Forces in Europe will pass to General Eisenhower's command; and on what date.

British ground forces in B.A.O.R. together with tactical Air Force units will pass under General Eisenhower's command in the near future. The exact date on which General Eisenhower will assume command of these British Forces will be decided by His Majesty's Government, in consultation with the Supreme Commander.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will make a statement on the new pay code for the Royal Marines.

The following New Pay Code for other ranks Royal Marines has been approved with effect from 1st September, 1950. As in the New Pay Code for the Royal Navy (Command 8027) extra pay is given for higher qualifications. Thus rate A shown below is for the man with the minimum qualification, rate B for a higher qualification and so on. The new rates are in substitution for those announced in Appendix III of the White Paper (Command 8027).

	Weekly rates of pay
	A.		B.		C.		D.
	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.
Marine, 2nd Class.	49	0	56	0	59	6	—
Marine, 1st Class.	66	6	70	0	73	6	77	0
Corporal	84	0	91	0	94	6	98	0
Sergeant	115	6	119	0	122	6	—
Colour Sergeant.	133	0	140	0	147	0	—
Quartermaster Sergeant.	—		—		—		154	0
Regimental Sergeant Major.	—		—		—		164	6
Notes:—
(i) Royal Marine tradesmen will receive the higher rates of pay according to classification in their trade.
(ii) The new rates of pay shown above will be granted to National Service men after they have served 18 months of their period of full-time service.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why gratuities due to time-expired naval personnel, who are now required to continue in the Service, have not so far been paid.

These gratuities are to help men to settle in civilian life and are paid on discharge or transfer to the Reserve. Those men who have been retained will draw their gratuities on final discharge. Meanwhile they continue to accumulate at the rate of £25 per year up to a maximum of £200.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will now implement the recommendations contained in the Madden Report in regard to the pay and conditions of service of officers in the Naval Ordnance Inspection Department.

As the hon. and gallant Member is aware, a number of changes in the pay and conditions of service of the Naval Ordnance Inspection Pool have already been made as a result of the Madden Report. I cannot make any further statement at present.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of officers and ratings, respectively, borne in shore establishments on the 1st January, 1951.

The numbers of officers, and ratings and other ranks, respectively, borne in shore establishments on 1st January last were approximately 8,750 and 63,650. These figures include 29,800 officers and men training or employed in training establishments, 13,900 officers and men employed ashore on naval aviation duties, and also personnel on passage.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the numbers of officers and ratings, respectively, borne on the books of ships in full commission, sea-going vessels employed on training duties, and ships in reserve on the 1st January, 1951.

The approximate numbers of officers and men borne on 1st January last in the three categories were:

	Ships in full commission (other than on training duties or in reserve)	Seagoing ships on training duties	Ships in reserve
Officers	2,750	700	850
Ratings and Other Ranks.	37,500	8,400	10,850

These numbers do not include officers or ratings on passage. There was some reduction in numbers afloat between 1st January, 1950, and 1st January, 1951. This was due to unusually large numbers of officers and men on foreign service leave at the latter date following the arrival of four carriers from the Far East and Mediterranean shortly before Christmas, and to additional numbers ashore required for the Royal Marine Commandos in Korea, and for an R.N. air station in the Far East.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty on what medical grounds Mr. R. G. Hunt, of Maryland, Challis Lane, Braintree, Essex, was rejected when he volunteered to serve in the Royal Navy; and if, since he has now been passed medically fit for National Service, he will now be acceptable for service in the Royal Navy.

I have written to my hon. Friend about Mr. Hunt.

asked the Postmaster-General what action his Department is taking to meet complaints from commercial undertakings in respect of delays in cables sent to all parts of the Far East.

Telegraph traffic to the Far East has increased by well over 70 per cent. during the last few months, and much of the traffic is carried by wireless channels which are subject to atmospheric interference. The matter is constantly under examination, and arrangements are in hand to improve the cable position as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General when he expects to receive a report from the committee of inquiry established to investigate delays in telecommunications.

I am not aware of any special committee of inquiry. Communication problems are under constant examination by all responsible for the operation of the services.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will arrange facilities for parcels sent to Service men in Germany to be registered.

Parcels sent by surface route to members of the Forces in Germany may be insured up to a maximum value of £50.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of telegrams handled by the Cable and Wireless each year since 1948 to 1950.

The approximate numbers of telegrams handled in the London station, to and from Cable and Wireless destinations, in the years in question were as follows: 1948, 14,040,000; 1949, 14,260,000; 1950, 15,150,000. The traffic in January, 1950, was 1,320,000 telegrams and in January, 1951, 1,690,000 telegrams: an increase of 28 per cent.

asked the Postmaster-General how far the operation of Cable and Wireless between Commonwealth countries by Cable and Wireless is under the Post Office.

The Post Office operates wireless stations in the United Kingdom directly or through relay points with Commonwealth bodies. It deals with cable traffic up to the point at which it passes to the cable system owned by Cable and Wireless Limited.

asked the Postmaster-General at what time the cabled report of the debate in this House on 12th February reached Australia.

The first report handed in at 12.21 a.m. could not get through until 9.11 a.m. G.M.T.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that Royal Air Force units serving in Cyprus have suffered from irregular deliveries of mail, and that, in particular, for 10 days in November they received no mail at all from the United Kingdom; and what steps he is taking to improve the position.

Yes. These have been due to breakdowns of connections and to interruptions arising from bad weather. In order to minimise the risk of missed connections, I am arranging for the mails to be forwarded as far as Athens each weekday.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it will be open to staff associations and trade unions claiming to be entitled to recognition by him to be heard by, and to submit evidence to, the Committee appointed by him to advise him on this question; what limitations will be imposed on such organisations in so doing; and what action should be taken by them to enable them to submit their case.

The answer to the first part is "Yes." The others are matters for the Committee, which will no doubt bear in mind the points raised by the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General how many telephones were installed each year for the years 1920 to 1950; and the estimated installations for the year 1951.

The required figures are:

Year ending 31 st March			Year ending 31 st March
1920	…	110,000	1936	…	308,000
1921	…	103,000	1937	…	373,000
1922	…	108,000	1938	…	365,000
1923	…	129,000	1939	…	351,000
1924	…	164,000	1940	…	381,000
1925	…	181,000	1941	…	380,000
1926	…	175,000	1942	…	429,000
1927	…	183,000	1943	…	407,000
1928	…	195,000	1944	…	384,000
1929	…	201,000	1945	…	356,000
1930	…	217,000	1946	…	411,000
1931	…	204,000	1947	…	695,000
1932	…	203,000	1948	…	586,000
1933	…	209,000	1949	…	505,000
1934	…	224,000	1950	…	540,000
1935	…	291,000

For the current financial year, the number is expected to be about 550,000. In view of the defence programme, I cannot give a firm estimate of the telephones likely to be installed next year.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that Mr. W. Ellis, in business at 120–122, Devonshire Street, Salford, has been registered for a telephone for six years; and when he is likely to have one installed or when can he become a joint user of another.

Service will be provided when new cables are completed in about six months' time or earlier if a suitably situated subscriber would agree to share his line.

asked the Postmaster-General why his Department has been unable to move a builder's telephone from one part of the Stott Housing Estate, Flixton, to another part in less than 13 weeks.

The removal, which involved the erection of three poles, was completed on 16th February, five weeks before schedule.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the view of a jury at the Old Bailey on 29th January that the system of collecting money from telephoning kiosks needs drastic overhaul has been brought to his notice; and whether he is having the system investigated.

Yes. I have this matter under close examination.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he has taken to investigate complaints of interference with television in the Coggeshall Road and Newtown area of Kelvedon, Essex; if he is aware that a number of residents have complained that the interference is unabated; and if he will make a statement.

Investigations have shown that the interference is due to nearby high voltage electricity supply lines, and the electricity board concerned is doing what it can to minimise the trouble. Interference with television reception from nearby high voltage electricity supply lines, due to weather conditions and variations in the load carried, is a general problem to which no complete solution has yet been found.

NET PROCEEDS OF SALES OF HIDES, CALFSKINS AND SHEEPSKINS FOR THE YEARS ENDED 31ST MARCH
				1947	1948	1949	1950
				£	£	£	£
Hides	…	…	…	3,794,783	4,117,841	4,091,552	4,928,995
Calfskins	…	…	…	387,452	318,769	438,689	437,098
Sheepskins	…	…	…	1,751,526	1,957,434	2,801,700	4,226,972
				5,933,761	6,394,044	7,331,941	9,593,065
Note: Sheepskins may be sold whole or processed before sale; the proceeds shown are net realisations for the skins however sold, i.e. whole or skin wool and pelts sold separately.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the highest cost for manufacturing margarine is roughly three times the lowest cost and that margarine output is only 66 per cent. and cooking fat output only 25 per cent. of total capacity; and why he allowed the

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the poor reception and limited choice of programmes available to wireless listeners in Cumberland; and if he will consider the erection of a relay station in that part of the country.

Yes. There is a limited choice in West Cumberland and the B.B.C. is examining proposals for improving reception in the area.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can give an estimate of when he expects television for the North-East.

The five-year plan of the B.B.C. provided for a station to be opened in the area of Newcastle before the end of 1954, but I cannot say at present whether this date will be realised.

asked the Minister of Food what revenue his Department has received from the sale of raw hides and wool, respectively, for the years 1947, 1948, 1949 and 1950.

Following is the information:units with higher cost and lower output to continue in production.

The figures quoted by the hon. Member relate to 1947 when the fats ration was lower than it is now and the capacities mentioned are potential capacities if the factories work three shifts a day. At present the normal working capacities for making margarine and compound cooking fat are being fully used. The smaller firms in the industry have been allowed to resume production in accordance with a promise given when they were closed during the war.

asked the Minister of Food why delays are taking place in the wholesale deliveries of margarine and fats in the Leeds distribution area; and whether shortages will be made up.

Since the beginning of the year deliveries of margarine and cooking fat to wholesalers in certain areas have fallen behind a little because of sickness at the factories, difficulties in obtaining packing material and transport hold-ups. Any shortages which may have resulted will be made up; in most cases this has been done already.

asked the Minister of Food the price per ton he has paid for the cargo of New Zealand meat which is to be shipped to Great Britain instead of to the United States of America.

This meat will not be a separate purchase. It will increase shipments to the United Kingdom under our long-term contract with New Zealand and will be paid for according to the price schedules in that contract.

asked the Minister of Food how much tinned steak and kidney has been exported to Canada; and whether these exports receive a subsidy similar to the meat ration.

During 1950 licences were approved for the export to Canada of 35½ tons of tinned steak and kidney and 156 tons of tinned steak and kidney pudding. Meat issued to manufacturers is not subsidised.

asked the Minister of Food what sum of money, in each year since 1945, has been paid by his Department and the butchers, respectively, in the form of surcharges and rebates on meat and offal.

Following is the information:

Year ending	Surcharges paid by Butchers	Rebates allowed to Butchers
	£	£
31st March, 1947	2,563,599	—
31st March, 1948	1,656,537	—
31st March, 1949	—	107,211
31st March, 1950	1,925,054	1,515,903
31st March, 1951 (estimated)	5,400,000	5,100,000

asked the Minister of Food the number of staff engaged on the control and direction of the allocation of rationed meat to catering establishments.

No staff are engaged solely on this work which forms a small part of the rationing arrangements.

asked the Minister of Food the total amount of meat allocated to catering establishments, industrial canteens, school meal services and domestic ration book users in any stated week, giving money and weight values in each instance, separately.

It is estimated that the distribution of meat during the week ended 9th February, 1951, as between industrial canteens, schools, civic restaurants and staff dining rooms, commercial caterers, institutions, and the domestic ration was as follows:

—	£	Tons
Industrial Canteens	102,080	732
School Canteens and Day Nurseries	142,490	1,022
Civic Restaurants and Staff Dining Rooms	8,510	61
Commercial Caterers	74,435	534
Total Catering Establishments	327,515	2,349
Institutions	42,534	305
Domestic Ration	1,756,669	12,596
Total Allocations	2,126,718	15,250

asked the Minister of Food the number of catering establishments registered with his Department for the purposes of receiving rationed allocations of meat in each of the following: hotels, restaurants, cafés, etc., industrial canteens, and school meal service.

On 7th October, 1950, the latest date for which information is available, the following establishments were entitled to obtain meat:—

Hotels	32,856
Civic Restaurants	406
Industrial Canteens and Hostels	40,299
Day Schools and Day Nurseries	24,427
	97,988

In addition 88,110 restaurants and other establishments were recorded as serving main meals, but many of these were tea-shops, cafés and snack bars not entitled to allocations of meat.

asked the Minister of Food if he will make a statement on the reason for the £99 million loss on milk last year; and what steps he is taking to reduce this loss.

This is a subsidy, granted as a deliberate act of policy and forming part of the total food subsidy. About one-third is represented by the milk-in-schools scheme and milk under the welfare foods service; the remaining two-thirds represents the subsidy on milk generally. The guaranteed price paid to the farmer for milk, together with the necessary distribution costs would, if passed on in full to the consumer, mean that poorer people would not be able to buy the milk they need.

asked the Minister of Food what was the reason for the wastage of about 70 per cent. of the 1948 carrot crop amounting to 28,000 tons; and how much it has cost.

The Ministry of Food guaranteed this crop (which was exceptionally heavy) and had to buy 117,000 tons out of approximately 455,000 tons. But it is incorrect to say the 70 per cent. was wasted. About 33,000 tons (7½ per cent. of the crop) had to be left on farms because no outlet could be found for human consumption or stockfeeding. The cost was £246,800.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what facilities are made available at Royal Air Force stations to airmen wishing to play Rugby League football.

Where sufficient airmen desire to play Rugby League football a ground and kit would, so far as possible be made available at the station.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what are his proposals for the release of Royal Air Force Regular Reservists who have been retained for the present emergency, but whose period of Regular engagement has expired, or will expire, during their period of retention.

Airmen who are due for discharge to pension or who are in well manned trades will be released six months after the normal date of expiry of their Regular engagement. The period of retention of other airmen will not exceed 12 months.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many civilian hourly-rated aircraft mechanics are employed at 15 Maintenance Unit, Royal Air Force, Wroughton; how many of these are registered dilutees; and how many were formerly so registered who are now classified as craftsmen.

The number of metalworking craftsmen employed on the repair and modification of aircraft at No. 15 Maintenance Unit, Wroughton, is 193, of whom 111 are registered dilutees. The number of craftsmen recognised as fully skilled who were formerly registered as dilutees is 16.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that the leading squadron in the North-East Command is compelled to leave its present quarters at the Richardson Dees School, Wallsend, by July this year; that negotiations for another site in Wallsend area are being unnecessarily prolonged; and if he will endeavour to bring negotiations to a speedy conclusion.

It is presumed my hon. Friend has in mind No. 1151 Air Training Corps Squadron. Local negotiations for a new site for this squadron's headquarters have not so far been successful and the matter is now being taken up by my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many civilian hourly-rated aircraft mechanics are employed at 9 Maintenance Unit, Royal Air Force, Cosford; how many of these are registered dilutees; and how many were formerly so registered who are now classified as craftsmen.

The number of metalworking craftsmen employed on the repair and modification of aircraft at No. 9 Maintenance Unit, Cosford, is 134, of whom 32 are registered dilutees. The number of craftsmen recognised as fully skilled who were formerly registered as dilutees is 32.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will publish, county by county when the information is obtained, the result of the survey of agricultural land which may be required for opencast coalmining, rather than wait until the information has been collected for the whole country.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary gave on 12th February to the hon. Member for Ashford (Mr. Deedes).

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how the United States coal, at present being supplied to British gas works and electricity stations, com pares in ash content, Volatile and calorific value with that supplied from British collieries.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Spelthorne (Mr. Beresford Craddock) on 12th February. Only a very small quantity of American coal has, so far, been supplied to gas works; that supplied to electricity stations compares well with British coal in ash content, volatile and calorific value.