asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) if he will make a statement on the forth-coming General Election in Tanganyika indicating whether it will take place in 1960 or 1961; whether the constitutional changes there, now under consideration by Her Majesty's Government, will be implemented before or after that election; and under what franchise that election will be held;

The Governor has stated, with my agreement, that the next elections will be held in September, 1960, or as soon thereafter as the necessary preparations can be completed. With regard to the timing and nature of constitutional changes, I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Brockway) on 17th November.

In order to create a suitable atmosphere for that election and also for the solution of outstanding problems in the area, will the Minister give an assurance that the franchise will be of such a character that a representative Government will be elected?

The extension of the franchise is one of the main parts of the Ramage Committee's proposals, which I have been discussing with the Governor in this country over the last few days. The statement which will be made before the end of the year will deal with that.

May I ask whether it is proposed to publish the Ramage Committee's Report and, if so, when?

It has not yet been published but I think that after the statement is made to which I have referred, which will be next month, it will be appropriate to publish it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the Devlin Report, what are the plans of Her Majesty's Government for Central Africa.

I would ask the hon. Member to await the statement which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is to make at the end of Questions.

In view of the desirability of creating the right atmosphere for the solution of the outstanding problems in that area, will the Minister at least say that he will now release Dr. Banda and his colleagues?

I dealt with that point in the debate on the reply to the Address. Dr. Banda's position is the same as that of any other detainee. Their cases are reviewed regularly and kept under permanent review. The result of those policies has already been to release two-thirds of those who were detained.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when it is proposed to end the state of emergency in Kenya and to release from detention Mr. Jomo Kenyatta, who has concluded his prison sentence, and Mr. Achieng, ex-Senior Chief Koinange, and others who have been acquitted by the courts.

I would refer the hon. Member to my statement of 10th November.

Does the right hon. Gentleman seriously contemplate that Mr. Kenyatta, who has finished his sentence, shall be detained for the rest of his life, when Nazi criminals are now free and in positions of authority? Is he aware that both Mr. Achieng and ex-Senior Chief Koinange are known to many Members of the House and that we are completely convinced that they never had anything to do with Mau Mau outrages or obscenities?

In respect of Mr. Achieng Oneko and ex-Senior Chief Koinange, I think that the best method is to go through the procedure which I have outlined. This review has already been started by the Special Commissioner, though it has not yet been completed. Mr. Kenyatta and his associates were not affected by the announcement which I made about the end of the emergency, because their restriction, to which no term was set, was as a result of the recommendation of the court.

Is the Minister aware that there are reports in the Press to the effect that Kenyatta is detained because he was proved to be a leader of Mau Mau terrorists? Will the Minister publicly correct those allegations?

Kenyatta's conviction was accompanied by a recommendation by the court that afterwards he should be restrained, and that was accepted by the Government, and it is under the terms of that, not under emergency powers, that it is carried out.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why he is unable to obtain statistics of the total amount of acreage of cultivable land in the Kenya White Highlands which remains unalienated.

Although there were, in the middle of 1959, less than 53 square miles of Crown land in the Highlands available for alienation, the figures at my disposal do not show how much is either too barren, too inaccessible, or too fragmented to be farmed. But the Kenya Government, in accordance with a recent Motion of the Legislative Council, are making a detailed examination of all unalienated Crown land other than forest reserve, both in and out of the Highlands, so as to make available land for development and settlement by landless people of all races.

Does that mean that these figures will be available in due course?

Yes, it does.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress is being made with the technical institute in Nairobi; and to what extent the Government of Kenya are considering the implementation of the suggestions made in the report of the working party on higher education in East Africa.

On the first part of the Question, work has now begun on the new technical institute building with the help of a £65,000 C.D. & W. grant.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that Answer, may I ask him whether he agrees that the success of these important recommendations will depend on the generosity with which the Government make grants from Colonial Development and Welfare funds?

It will in part. There are many other factors as well. I hope soon to be able to announce the amount of financial provision for the Royal Technical College.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that in Kenya the right to trial by jury is confined to Europeans and denied to Africans and Asians; and what steps are proposed to remedy this situation.

Yes, Sir. The Kenya Government recently considered the possibility of extending the right to trial by jury to all races, but decided that at present practical considerations make such an extension impossible.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this form of inequality before the law occasions great resentment among the non-European races in Kenya? Will he consider discussing this question with the African and Asian elected members when they come to London in January?

The hon. and learned Member must not assume that I am out of sympathy with this Question. I am not. I fully understand the matter. The practical considerations thrown up are that, taking the 1957 statistics, it could mean an additional 52,000 supreme court trials each year. I certainly agree that this is a matter which is unsatisfactory in its differentiation and ought to be kept under close review.

Is it not a fact that before European juries it has in practice proved almost impossible to get convictions of Europeans in cases where the victims have been Africans? Is not the lesson here that in a multi-racial society trial by jury is an unsuitable method?

I should not like to comment on the way that the hon. and learned Member puts his supplementary question without a much more detailed examination than so far I have been able to make.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether agreement has yet been reached regarding the maintenance of British bases in Cyprus.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement about present negotiations on the extent and facilities afforded for British military bases in Cyprus.

The agreement reached at the London Conference last February regarding the maintenance of British sovereign areas and military rights and facilities are being put into Treaty form by the London Joint Committee.

First, is it the intention of the Government to include Cypriot villages within the scope of our bases? Secondly, is it proposed to include valuable agricultural land? Thirdly, will Cypriots living in the base areas be allowed to retain their Cypriot nationality?

I am sorry not to be able to enlighten the hon. Gentleman very much, but I must stay where I stood a moment ago. I am not yet in a position to make a statement, as the matter is under discussion in the London Joint Committee.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that there has been considerable anxiety due to newspaper speculation? Would he agree that recent history has shown that we must have sovereignty not only over the bases, but over an adequate manoeuvre area, water supply and radar control?

I do not disagree with what my hon. Friend has said. I am glad to be able to tell him that the newspaper comment was singularly ill-informed.

Does not my hon. Friend agree that we have been considerably patient over this? We realise that the negotiations are extremely tricky, but can he give us an assurance that as soon as possible the House will be informed of progress?

Yes. As soon as we can, we will let the House know what is happening.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now able to disclose the details of the development plan for the Seychelles.

"A Plan for Seychelles" has been published in the Colony today. I will put copies in the Library of the House as soon as they are available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now restore to Africans in Nyasaland the freedom of political association.

Africans in Nyasaland are already free to join any lawful political association.

Is not that a very hypocritical Answer? How can the Minister claim that Africans have freedom of political association when hundreds of Africans are detained in Nyasaland on political charges but not brought to trial? Is not the basis of freedom of political association habeas corpus and the right of a man to be able to defend himself? Will not the Minister consider granting that immediately?

My Answer was accurate, both in the letter and in the spirit. There are many associations in Nyasaland, as the hon. Member knows full well—the Malawi Congress Party, the Congress Liberation Party and a great number of others—which are wholly or primarily African. On the wider implications of the hon. Gentleman's statement, no one is more anxious than I am to return as soon as possible to a normal state of affairs in Nyasaland.

Is the Secretary of State aware that even lawful political organisations such as the Malawi Congress Party are forbidden by law to hold any political meetings and are pursued in their normal political activities by the political police of Nyasaland?

This is covered by my Answer. I hope that as soon as the Governor is satisfied that we can do this we shall return to a completely normal state as far as these are concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reply has been sent to the letter of protest sent to the Nyasaland Government by the Nyasaland Trade Union Congress, concerning the dismissal of African civil servants who felt unable to transfer to the federal service; how many such refusals there were; and what steps are being taken to provide those concerned with suitable alternative posts in Nyasaland.

There was no question of dismissal, and the Nyasaland Trades Union Congress has been informed that no one was obliged to resign. Seconded officers had been given a period of five years in which to decide whether to accept transfer to the federal service or to seek employment elsewhere. Five hundred and eighty-eight African officers declined to transfer, and as many of these as possible have been reabsorbed into the Nyasaland Government service.

Do I understand from the Minister that at the expiration of these five years any civil servants who have not accepted transfer will be dismissed? Can he tell us on what grounds such a decision will be taken when there is, apparently, no charge against these civil servants in connection with the services for which they accepted employment? Is this an example of British protection?

I think that the situation arises from the Order in Council of 1953. Because a number of the Departments were transferred with rather specialised posts, the suggestion was made that the officers holding those posts should be transferred with them, and after an initial period of two years' secondment they were given the five-year option to which I have referred. That period is now up.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Africans have left Nyasaland during the past year to seek work in other territories; how many have found employment outside Nyasaland; and what is the present scale of wages now offered for unskilled work in the townships and countryside, respectively, of Nyasaland.

Sixty-six thousand nine hundred, of whom 59,000 are known to have obtained employment. The minimum wages for unskilled adult labour, for an eight-hour day, are from 2s 1d. to 2s. 6d. in townships and 1s. 5d. in other areas.

Does not the Minister consider that the low rates of wages are one of the main causes for so many of these Africans leaving the Territory, and cannot something be done to improve the conditions in Nyasaland?

The rates are certainly low, although those I have given are minimum rates. But Nyasaland is primarily an agricultural country and for many years there has been the problem of a considerable surplus of manpower. Indeed, I think that this is one of the fundamental facts that confront us all in our examination of what should happen in Central Africa.

Is there not a strong case for voluntary transfer of population from the over-populated area of Nyasaland to the under-populated area of Northern Rhodesia?

I suppose there might be, if it could be achieved voluntarily, but this position has maintained for a number of years. People have gone to the territories south of Nyasaland to obtain work, and have returned to Nyasaland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies which were the Africans whose opinions were taken into account by the Governor of Nyasaland before recommending the names of the African members of the Monckton Commission.

Apart from the opportunities of sounding African opinion which come naturally to the Governor in the course of public business, he has had discussions on general constitutional matters with representatives of African opinion in Nyasaland. He, naturally, took into account the general views expressed in those discussions before making to me his specific recommendations for membership of the Monckton Commission.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer quite frankly and straightforwardly the question whether, in recommending the people to go on the Commission who are supposed to represent the African point of view, the Governor did or did not have talks and consultations with the Malawi Congress Party and other political organisations, to which the right hon. Gentleman himself has referred in the House today as examples showing the existence of African democracy?

Certainly, on this point the Governor did see Mr. Orton Chirwa, the leader of the Malawi Party and, as I say, other leaders of African opinion in Nyasaland.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether any one of these political parties representative of Africans in Nyasaland was given an opportunity to nominate people for the Commission?

No, Sir, there was no question of nomination from that point of view. The names, of course, were to be announced. I think that they are to be announced today by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. But, of course, recommendations are put forward by the Governors of these Territories to me and to the Government in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies by how much the annual total of excise revenue on locally brewed beer in British Guiana has been increased during this financial year, following the increased excise duty levied last year.

The British Guiana Government expect a fall in yield of nearly 4 per cent.

I thank my hon. Friend for that satisfactory reply. He did not give the figure, so it is a loss. Whereas I gladly admit that I am a shareholder of this pioneer company, may I ask the Under-Secretary to bear in mind that it is all very well for Colonial Governments to arrange for a tax-free period for these pioneer companies, but there are other methods of raising tax, such as increasing the excise? I do not consider this to be particularly fair. Will he bear some of these points in mind in regard to future pioneer companies in the Caribbean and elsewhere?

I will certainly bear my hon. Friend's point in mind. He will appreciate that the incidence of the tax has been such that the manufacturer has not felt it necessary to pass it on to the consumer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement about the forthcoming plesbiscite in the Southern Cameroons; and what questions are to be answered by the population of that country.

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Brockway) on 2nd November, to which I have at present nothing to add.

Now that the people in the Northern Cameroons have voted by a large majority to remain on their own, will my right hon. Friend consider, although their decision is detrimental to sensible Government and is a surprise to many, that the people in the Southern Cameroons might like to answer a similar question?

The questions which will be put at the plebiscite to the people of the Southern Cameroons have already been fixed and announced. The question of what we should do now in view of the situation created by the vote in the Northern Cameroons is being urgently considered in London in my office and also in the United Nations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies which international airlines, other than Malayan Airways, are at present using the airport at Labuan, North Borneo, as a scheduled stop; and what is the number of flights per month by each airline.

Cathay Pacific Airways.

Does my hon. Friend appreciate that these figures indicate that fewer and fewer airlines are using this strategic airfield? Further, is he aware that this is due to the total inadequacy over a considerable number of years of arrangements for bringing the airfield up to modern standards? Will he look into the matter?

I am glad to be able to tell my hon. Friend that much is being done on the development of the airport, both by the R.A.F. and on the civilian side.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the strength of the marine branch of the North Borneo Police Force, and the number of vessels concerned.

The strength of the marine branch is seventy-two officers and mm. The branch operates eight seagoing launches and two other launches.

Does my hon. Friend feel that this force is adequate in view of the fact that on 24th October there was a further incident in which Philippine pirates, armed with modern ships and weapons of war, raided the Kampong of Trusan? This sort of thing is causing considerable apprehension up and down the coast. Will my hon. Friend consider the provision of an R.A.F. detachment at Sandakan to facilitate this matter with the police?

I agree with my hon. Friend that the present force is not quite adequate, but expenditure has recently been approved for two fast pursuit craft to be added to the present fleet. I will certainly examine the suggestion my hon. Friend made in his supplementary question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the gross tonnage of ships using the free port of Labuan during 1958, and the total cargo involved.

The Answer is that 1,376,157 gross tons of shipping and 197,713 tons of cargo were handled at Labuan during 1958.

Is my hon. Friend aware that, since the introduction of free port status for Labuan in 1956, its percentage of North Borneo trade has risen far more slowly than that for the rest of North Borneo? Will he consult his right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade as to means of encouraging British manufacturers to use this very strategically situated port?

I will certainly consult my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he proposes to hold talks about a new constitution for Malta.

I am proposing to visit Malta in a fortnight's time, but I have at present no statement to make on constitutional talks.

While being delighted that my right hon. Friend is to study the problem on the spot, may I ask him to bear in mind that Colonial Office administration, however good, is never popular and that, unless there is some form of elected legislative assembly in Malta, no expression can be given to public opinion?

It has been stated on a number of occasions that we hope that the present Constitution is interim. I hope that after my talks in Malta with leaders of the political parties and others it will be possible to make a move forward.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what inquiries have been made into the need for university education in Malta; and what steps are being taken to bring about a general reorganisation of education in the island.

A Commission headed by Sir Hector Hetherington reported on the functions and finances of the Royal University of Malta in July, 1957. In pursuance of its recommendations a Statutory University Commission has been established. In accordance with this Commission's recommendation the Government of Malta's annual grant to the university has been doubled and converted into a triennial grant for development and reorganisation.

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that all the facilities afforded to the people of Malta for education at elementary, secondary and university level, are satisfactory? If he is, it is contrary to the opinion of the Maltese people.

I would never say that we were satisfied with the position, but I think that the sums of money made available for improvements in the sphere of education should give a considerable return at all the levels to which the hon. Gentleman refers and at one to which he did not refer, namely, technical education, which will amount to about half the sum allocated for educational purposes.

It is not enough.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total value of United Kingdom aid to Malta in 1957–58; and what it is estimated to be in the current financial year.

The figures are £5·9 million and approximately £5 million.

First, am I right in assuming that this takes no account of the £29 million development programme? Secondly, during his forthcoming visit will my right hon. Friend pay special attention to the economic problems confronting the islands as well as the constitutional problems?

The answer to both parts of my hon. Friend's supplementary question is "Yes, Sir."

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the new development plan for the Maltese Islands, indicating what new investment is envisaged and what new employment this will create.

The plan, of which a copy is in the Library, envisages new capital investment from public funds of £32¼ million over the five years 1959–64. Of this, £12 million is to complete existing projects and about £4 million is being held in reserve. Planned public investment in new schemes is therefore of the order of £16¼ million. The assistance offered under the plan by way of loans, grants and other inducements to industrial development should attract additional investment from private funds. The plan aims at full employment. Provided the full allocation for industrial development is taken up and matched by private investment, this aim should be secured.

What figure of jobs needed does the right hon. Gentleman have in mind? Is he quite sure that in the plan there is not some risk of counting the same figure twice? Is he allowing for subsidiary jobs over and above the figure of 9,000 which, I think, has been mentioned?

In reply to the first point, the hon. Member will find that that is dealt with in the plan itself under the subject of employment. In reply to the second point, I know that this criticism is made by a distinguished economist in this country who has great knowledge of Malta and that, I expect, is to what the hon. Member refers. This project was, however, carried out with the help of Dr. Adler, of the International Bank, and it would be surprising, therefore, if such errors existed in it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies his policy with regard to the introduction into other Colonial Territories of the type of quasi-emergency procedure which is being introduced by the Kenya Government.

Other Colonial Governments may well wish to consider whether legislation of the type which is being introduced by the Kenya Government would produce a suitable framework for dealing with local security problems. I shall be prepared to examine, in consultation with the Governments concerned, any proposals for similar legislation that may be made.

Whilst I accept the Colonial Secretary's motive in what he said about the sledgehammer of the Emergency Powers Order, may I ask whether he appreciates that this new procedure may well make it easier for Colonial Governors to detain persons without trial? Therefore, will he at least give an assurance that this new procedure will be debated in this House before he contemplates any extension of it?

The last part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is not, of course, a matter for me, but, on his main point, if I remember rightly, The Times leader that commented on this came to the correct conclusion when it said that though this might be a useful precedent it was not one to be slavishly followed. That is how I look on it. I think that one must look at the needs of each Territory specially to see if the Kenya precedent has any application to it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many people are now rusticated for political offences; and what principles are applied by Her Majesty's Government in deciding how long their rustication shall continue.

Restriction orders are imposed by Colonial Governments on grounds of public security, and remain in force, subject to regular review, so long as a threat to public security continues. I am asking the Governments concerned for a return of the number of orders currently in force and will then communicate with the hon. Member.

Does the Colonial Secretary himself make inquiry from time to time as to whether the number is increasing or decreasing? Is he keeping an eye on this matter to see that the number affected decreases rather than increases in future?

Yes, I do keep an eye on it in these territories that are most under the microscope, as it were, at the present time, but I can answer the Question in full only by asking all the Governments where these sort of ordinances exist.

Is it not very embarrassing to our representatives at the United Nations when they are discussing problems in other countries to be faced with the charge that we ourselves are responsible for locking up so many people for political offences without trial?

This matter is related to rustication and restriction.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why he is subsidising the Corona Library series of books from Colonial Development and Welfare funds.

A scheme has been in operation since 1950. There was then, and there still is today, a serious lack of literary works containing comprehensive and authoritative information about individual British dependent territories.

As the hon. Gentleman knows, I agree entirely with the purpose of this series—I think that it is an excellent one—but is not it the case that Colonial Development and Welfare funds were meant to be devoted to raising the standard of living of the dependent territories, and were not meant to be used to subsidise publications for circulation in this country? Will the hon. Gentleman consider either of two alternatives? Is it possible to put this series on a commercial basis or, alternatively, subsidise it from another and more appropriate Vote of this House?

I will certainly consult at any rate one of my right hon. Friends who knows something about publishing with regard to the hon. Gentleman's suggestion that we should put it on a commercial basis, although I am surprised at his making that suggestion since it might identify him too much with the right hon. Member for Battersea, North (Mr. Jay)—

Who?

The hon. Gentleman's right hon. Friend the Member for Battersea, North, whose advocacy of private enterprise against nationalisation is known to the whole House.

Will the Minister look at this matter again? I am sure that everybody who knows the series welcomes it and welcomes the spending of Government money upon it, but would not it be much better to take the money out of the Colonial Office Vote instead of out of Colonial Development and Welfare funds which are deliberately earmarked for raising living standards in the underdeveloped territories?

The sum involved in this case was about £13,000. It was a deliberate contribution towards equipping the officers who go out to raise living standards to do their job properly. It has always been accepted that the officers themselves can be a legitimate charge on Colonial Development and Welfare funds, and, therefore, what is, I think, an essential part of their training can be treated in the same way.

Does the series include the Devlin Report? If not, can arrangements be made to include it?

The answer to both those supplementary questions is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent the proposed Northern Rhodesian holiday centre on the shores of Lake Kariba at Siavonga will be planned on the basis of racial partnership and open to citizens of all races without discrimination.

It is planned to develop Siavonga as a township, not merely a holiday centre, and there will be no discrimination on racial grounds in the allocation of sites.

Whilst thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that welcome reply, may I ask if he has seen the report in The Times today headed

"Lack of Progress on Colour Bar. North Rhodesia call for Inquiry."

As I understand the position, the Legislative Council in Northern Rhodesia has already resolved to establish a committee to consider this question if reasonable progress in this field has not been achieved voluntarily by the end of this year.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the projects at Siavonga is a large luxury hotel? Will he ensure that, in granting the licence for this hotel, the Northern Rhodesian Government insist on access to it without any discrimination that is based on colour?

The inquiry to which I have just referred is directed exactly to that point of the admission of Africans to places of refreshment and entertainment in this holiday centre.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a progress report on the conditions of the 29,000 Tonga tribesmen recently moved from the Kariba site and resettled by the Northern Rhodesian Government; how many of these Africans have died during or since this transfer; and what were the reasons for their deaths.

The resettlement of the Africans mentioned by the hon. Member was completed by June of this year.

Is the Colonial Secretary satisfied that the rather more encouraging reports we have lately had that the situation has been dealt with in a new spirit of co-operation amongst the transferred tribesmen are adequately substantiated, and will he do everything possible to encourage that spirit?

Yes, I certainly shall. It is a very good spirit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the resettlement scheme in the Abercorn area of Northern Rhodesia is to be restricted to Europeans only; and how much the Northern Rhodesian Government intend to spend on this project.

Since the only current agricultural settlement scheme in the Abercorn area is for Africans only, I assume that the hon. Member has in mind a proposal at present under consideration for the development of Crown land in the Northern Province. Like other settlement schemes for Crown land, it will be open to all applicants who meet the required qualifications of experience and capital. As regards the second part of the Question, it is estimated that about £25,000 would be adequate for the purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what consultations took place with leaders of African opinion in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanganyika, in connection with the selection of representatives of these Territories to attend the recent Commonwealth Education Conference.

There were no special consultations. The Governments of Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika selected their Ministers responsible for education or their directors of education. They were considered to be the persons best able to discuss professional and administrative matters at the Commonwealth Education Conference

The hon. Gentleman says that there were no special consultations. Were there any consultations at all?

The hon. Gentleman will remember that the Ministers responsible for education and the directors of education are in constant and daily touch both with Africans qualified to advise on education purposes and with the ordinary advisory bodies representative of Africans which are interested in education. So they were in constant touch with the problem in their own countries.

Does that answer mean, in fact, that the answer to my original question is "No"?

As I say, there were no special consultations, but I should not like to give the impression that there were no individual consultations. There may well have been.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is satisfied with the degree of political freedom in Uganda; and if he will make a statement.

It is very difficult to calculate the degree of political freedom existing in any society—[Laughter.]—such as whether one should have standing orders—but I am in general satisfied that in Uganda now there exists a full degree of political freedom consistent with the need to maintain law and order.

Does the Minister realise that that Answer will sound absolutely ludicrous to people on the spot? Although it may be perfectly appropriate for his Administration in Uganda to ban the Uganda underground movement, is he aware that the Uganda Freedom Movement, along with several other similar movements, is banned and the leaders are at present rusticated? When the right hon. Gentleman goes to Uganda, will he consider making a statement about the future of the Uganda Protectorate in order to allay all the anxieties which are felt and allow people to have the political freedom to which they are entitled?

I will, of course, study the situation in Uganda very closely when I am there next month. I do not think that the question whether one should make any statement or not arises out of this Question. As the hon. Gentleman knows very well, there are several similar movements—indeed, they are copies of each other—which have been restricted, and they were proscribed for the reason I gave, because it was thought that their development was inconsistent with the need to maintain law and order.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what further progress has been made in respect of constitutional difficulties in Uganda; and if he will make a statement.

The Constitutional Committee to which my right hon. Friend referred in his reply to the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Brockway) on 20th November, 1958, has not yet completed its examination of the matters remitted to it. Preparatory talks have meanwhile been opened on the revision of the Buganda constitution.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) to what extent Dr. Banda is allowed to receive letters and newspapers; and what degree of censorship is exercised in both cases;

There are no detainees in Northern Rhodesia. Nyasaland detainees, including Dr. Banda, are, under prison regulations, entitled to send and receive one letter each week, but the prison authorities have discretion to increase this entitlement. All detainees' mail is examined as a security precaution.

On Question No. 29, is the Colonial Secretary aware that newspapers sent to Dr. Banda are at present being censored, and is not this intolerable? On Question No. 31, is he aware that the Federal Administration has just published a Bill under the terms of which it will be made a criminal offence for anyone to act upon correspondence sent from prisons in Nyasaland or, indeed, Northern Rhodesia? Does not this prevent Members of Parliament acting on information which may be sent to them?

On the first point, if such censorship of the newspapers which Dr. Banda has—I will very gladly look into this—has occurred, I assume that it is for the reason I gave in my Answer. The second point, I agree, is an immensely difficult one. Of course, no legislation passed could affect the rights of hon. Members to raise a matter in this House, but matters which might entrench ultimately on Parliamentary Privilege, of course, are not for me to define.

Can the Minister give an assurance that the Emergency Regulations will be withdrawn before the Monckton Commission goes out, since the point raised in the first of these Questions is surely evidence of precisely the kind of problem which is likely to arise if leading Africans are retained in detention without trial while the inquiry is taking place?

I could not give an assurance in those terms. The Emergency Regulations will be removed as soon as possible, but I cannot give an exact date.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether Dr. Banda is able to receive his own solicitor without the presence of Government representatives?

I should like to inquire into that question and let the right hon. Gentleman know the answer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been drawn to the statement made by the Premier of the Northern Region of Nigeria regarding the conduct of British officers during the recent plebiscite in the Northern Cameroons; and what action he proposes to take to maintain confidence in the impartiality of British officers in the course of their duties there.

Yes, Sir. The United Nations Plebiscite Commissioner, whose duty it was to supervise the plebiscite arrangements, stated that the plebiscite was organised and conducted by the administering authorities with efficiency, impartiality and in accordance with the laws and regulations promulgated for this purpose. I have no doubt that publicity will be given to the Plebiscite Commissioner's statement.

Is not it a fact that the Northern Cameroons consists of two isolated strips of territory separated by 40 miles of Nigerian territory proper and administered up to now as parts of three separate provinces of Nigeria? In view of that, will not it be a matter of extreme difficulty and embarrassment for Her Majesty's Government to continue administration of this territory after Nigeria has achieved its independence next year?

As far as I know, my hon. Friend's geography is correct. Certainly it will be an enormously difficult problem, in the period between October, 1960, and whenever a final decision is reached about the Northern Cameroons, to improvise administrative machinery in that area, and that is why I hope that the gap will be as short as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plans are being considered by the Federated Territories of the Aden Protectorate for agricultural expansion and the extension of educational and medical services; what further financial and other assistance to that end has been offered by Her Majesty's Government; what other protectorate areas are now in process of considering joining the Federation; and which have positively refused further to consider the matter.

The Federation's first task must be to establish the basic services and consolidate what already exists on a federal basis. Meanwhile, development plans are being prepared for the whole of the Protectorate, but I am not yet in a position to give details. About £1½million of Colonial Development and Welfare funds is available for the Protectorate for the current period. I am not aware what States are at present considering joining the Federation; nor do I know of any which has decided not to consider the matter.

Does the hon. Gentleman appreciate that whatever may be the value of political federation in this area will be largely lost unless there is corresponding economic development, which is urgently needed? May we have an assurance that funds will be available to enable this desirable economic, agricultural and educational development to take place?

I would not disagree with the hon. Member. It is our intention to help as much as we can in the spheres which he mentioned—agriculture, education, medical services and others.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many of those classified as refugees in Hong Kong are now employed; how many of their children are receiving education; what further progress has been achieved in rehousing them; at what rate refugees are still entering Hong Kong; how many refugees have settled in the rural area of the new territories; and what plans exist or are being considered for the dispersal of the refugee population to areas outside the Colony.

It is neither possible to distinguish refugees from other people in Hong Kong, nor to give a reliable estimate of new arrivals. The hon. Gentleman may, however, like to know that complete unemployment as distinct from under-employment is believed to be slight; approximately 85 per cent. of the Colony's children of school age receive some form of education; nearly 300,000 squatters have been rehoused; there are at present no figures available for refugee settlement in the new territories; there are no plans for dispersal outside the Colony.

Does not the hon. Gentleman appreciate that constantly we are informed of the number of refugees in Hong Kong? How can he say that it is not possible to discriminate between one type of inhabitant and another? Is it not possible to contemplate agricultural settlement of some of these refugees in the rural areas of the new territories? Surely there is a vast area there which could be used in this way. As it is, Hong Kong is becoming overcrowded with industrial development.

In answer to the second part of the hon. Member's supplementary question, many of the refugees have settled in the so-called new territories. Although I have not the exact figures, the figures of the number of refugees are very far from accurate.

Is it not a little unfortunate that the Governor of Hong Kong should have to come to this country and seek what amounts to private charity from the World Refugee Fund in order to meet this problem? Should not the Government themselves give more generous direct help towards meeting this refugee problem on the borders of Communist China?

The Government of the United Kingdom have done a certain amount and the Government of Hong Kong has done a good deal. I hope that nothing which the hon. Member has said will do anything to discourage voluntary charity also helping.

asked the Minister of Works what excavations took place last summer at Windmill Hill, near Avebury, with what result; and what further similar work it is proposed to undertake in future in this area.

During the summer of 1959, an investigation of the Long Barrow at Windmill Hill was carried out on behalf of my Department. This site proved to contain no burials, but produced pottery similar to that from Windmill Hill Camp. A report will be published in due course.

In view of the very great archaeological importance of the Avebury Stone Circle and the fact that the Ministry of Works has now virtually for the time being finished its operations at Stonehenge, will the Minister look again at the possibility of an expanded programme of work at Avebury?

Our programme follows the advice of the 1958 Report of the Ancient Monument Board for England, which recommended that work should be started again on the lines which we have adopted for next year. This is probably the best method.

asked the Minister of Works if he has now completed his consultations with the Ministry of Transport regarding proposals to widen road B.6318; and what steps will be taken to safeguard the Roman Wall.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and I are still considering what are the best means of improving conditions for traffic along this route.

Does the Minister agree that this has taken an awfully long time? When does he expect to be in a position to make a final statement? This is a matter which interests great numbers of people. Should not the Minister make a statement about it soon?

I will as soon as I can, but a number of alternative proposals have to be considered.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will put the British Transport Commission directly under the Minister of Transport, so that British Railways may be directly responsible to the House of Commons for their efficiency.

This would, of course, be a very drastic change, which would require new legislation. As regards the relationship between British Railways and this House, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave on 12th November to my hon. Friend the Member for Ayr (Sir T. Moore).

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a good deal of dissatisfaction in the country, and also among people working on British Railways and customers of British Railways, about the present arrangement of answerability for this public service? Will my right hon. Friend undertake to look at the matter again and also, in looking at it, to review the experience of war time, when we had a Minister of War Transport, who, I understand, was prepared to answer Questions in this House about some of the operations of our transport system?

Yes, Sir. Of course I shall be glad to study this, I say only that it is a very large issue and rather difficult to deal with by way of Question and Answer. It is the whole problem set by nationalisation.