asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will now make a statement about the situation in Basutoland following the banning of public meetings and the detention of 50 persons in Maseru.

The High Commissioner has reported that a further seven persons were arrested on charges of intimidation in addition to those mentioned in the statement given to the House on 30th March. Of these, two have been convicted, two were acquitted, and the cases against the remaining three are still under investigation.

Could the hon. Gentleman say whether the ban on the meetings has now been lifted? That is the more serious point.

Yes. I think so. The immediate cause of this situation, of course, was a strike which spread beyond the control of the organisers owing to intimidation by hooligans who took advantage of the situation. I am happy to say that the situation in Maseru remains normal.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what agreement has been reached between the Rhodesian Selection Trust and the Bamangwato tribal authority in Bechuanaland fox the exploitation of mineral resources.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the mineral concession granted by the Bamangwato Tribe to Bamangwato Concessions Ltd., a company in the Rhodesian Selection Trust Group. Details of this concession were given to the House on 2nd March, 1960, in reply to a Question by the right hon. Member fox Wakefield (Mr. Creech Jones).

Has there not been some development since? Can the hon. Gentleman say whether, for example, the Africans who are employed are to be allowed to enter skilled trades and whether trade unions will be permitted under this agreement? Can the hon. Gentleman also indicate how far the profits will pass to the Bamangwato tribe?

The company is carrying out extensive prospecting at present in the selected areas. These operations take time. As regards employment, the occasion has not yet arisen for the employment of much skilled labour, but some Bamangwato have been engaged in semi-skilled work, and the company has established mining schools in two centres.

As regards the benefits to the tribe—and, after all, the agreement was freely entered into between the tribe and the company—the company will pay the tribe at the rate of £3,000 per annum during the period of exclusive exploration rights. This is quite apart from a rental of about £2,000 per annum, and, of course, any mining company formed will pay the tribe a royalty of 15 per cent. of the excess of sales revenue over costs.

What about the trade unions?

I have no information on that matter. If the hon. Gentleman cares to put down a Question I will do my best to answer it.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what steps are being taken to remove the administrative capital of Bechuanaland from Mafeking into Bechuanaland itself.

I cannot yet add anything to the information given by my hon. Friend on 24th April.

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that a move of this nature has been desirable for a very long time, purely for administrative reasons? Will not he give consideration to building a new capital, possibly near Gaberones, because none of the towns in the Protectorate is entirely suitable as a capital? They either have no water or are too far from railway lines.

As my hon. Friend has indicated, that is really one of the problems. A move of this kind is really quite an expensive affair. None the less, as I have already indicated, this is one of the matters being reviewed at present, and I can assure my hon. Friend that his suggestion will be borne in mind.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that that Answer was exactly the same as the Answer I received to approximately the same Question put down a year ago? This is a capital of a territory entirely outside its own territory. This is crazy, and something must be done about it very quickly.

There is no harm in consistency.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations which Commonwealth Governments have protested to him over the proposed restrictions of Commonwealth immigration into the United Kingdom; what were the grounds for their objections; what replies he has sent; and if he will make a statement.

My hon. Friend's Question is based on a misapprehension. The Government have not put forward any proposals of this kind.

Will my right hon. Friend say what reasonable grounds any Commonwealth Government could have, when those proposals are put forward, for objecting to our having restrictions on immigration into this country, since they all exercise the same sort of restraint in their own countries?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put that question down if, or when, the proposals are formulated.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement about the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference to be held in London later this year.

As the House knows, the Seventh Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference will be held in London in September.

The Queen has graciously consented to open the Conference in Westminster Hall on Monday, 25th September. Members of both Houses will be invited to attend this ceremony. Her Majesty has also given permission for the Conference to hold its other sessions in the Royal Gallery.

This Conference will be of great importance; and I am sure that hon. Members will join with the United Kingdom branch of the Association in giving a warm welcome to our fellow Members from overseas and will do all they can to help make this meeting an outstanding success.

Do I understand that all hon. and right hon. Members will be entitled to attend the Conference? Are they to be selected, and, if selected, who is to select them, and on what basis?

The United Kingdom branch will be on the same footing as other branches, that is to say, there will be a delegation from the United Kingdom to the Conference. The delegation will be chosen by the usual procedure by the United Kingdom branch.

That is precisely what I was getting at. For a Conference of this sort, hon. Members are at the mercy either of the executive of the C.P.A. or of some other body which is to select the delegates. I am not speaking for myself, but is it possible to make an application so that one who has views about the Commonwealth and its development may attend?

I suggest that the right hon. Gentleman should address his inquiries to the United Kingdom branch. As for the executive, we had a meeting yesterday—I do not know whether the right hon. Gentleman was present—when we elected the new executive, so the right hon. Gentleman has had his opportunity through normal democratic processes to choose the executive which will be responsible.

May I officially from this Box say that on this side of the House we warmly welcome the statement which the Secretary of State has made? We are sure that it will be welcomed, not only throughout the country but throughout the Commonwealth, where people will be particularly pleased that the Head of the Commonwealth is to open the proceedings.

asked the Minister of Education what is the number of schools the curricula of which include nursing.

Precise information is not available but a large number of secondary schools provide preparatory courses for pupils who intend to enter the nursing profession.

Will my right hon. Friend consider issuing a circular to all local education authorities pointing out the advantages of including nursing in their curricula so that, in two or three years, the obvious shortage of nurses which now exists will be alleviated?

In the short time available, I have tried to ascertain whether these courses either in schools or in technical colleges meet the demand. The best of my information to date is that they do, but, in view of my hon. Friend's Question, I will keep the matter under review.

asked the Minister of Education what steps he is taking to meet the restrictive demand created by the narrowing fields of specialisation in industry and science without sacrificing or endangering the provision of broadly based education.

I do not control what is taught in the schools, nor the university and other requirements which influence school curricula, but a good deal of thought is being given to ways of striking a better balance between specialised and non-specialised studies, and Her Majesty's Inspectors are playing their part in this.

I thank my right hon. Friend for that very helpful reply. Is there not a real danger that the pressure of specialisation in the universities, colleges and schools may well tend to defeat its own object of producing the people we want to keep this country in the forefront of scientific and technological advance?

Yes, there is too much pressure. The only way to relieve it is to have more university places, which we are now providing.

asked the Minister of Education what steps he is taking to encourage education authorities to ensure that home-grown timber is used for the training of young people in woodworking.

Local education authorities are free to decide what timber to use to meet their special requirements. I am, however, grateful to my hon. Friend for drawing attention to this matter and I hope that, where suitable, local education authorities will use home timber.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, although we still have relatively the smallest forest area in the whole of Europe, more home-grown timber is coming along and it is important that people should be taught how to use and work with it?

I agree.

asked the Minister of Education which training college projects, planned to be completed by September, 1961, are likely now to be delayed; and for what reasons.

The first phase of the training college expansion programme was planned for completion in September, 1962, and I am advised that 12,000 new places should be ready on time.

May I encourage the Minister to expand the programme a little more in the future?

We have another 12,000 places planned to come in after September, 1962. It will be a great strain to get them in, but I hope for the best.

asked the Minister of Education how many men and women students, respectively, seeking places in training colleges have not yet been accepted; and how many vacancies still exist.

Recruitment for next session is not yet completed. By the beginning of April, about 2,000 men and 3,500 women applicants with at least the minimum academic qualifications had not so far been accepted, and there were still vacancies for about 650 men and 900 women.

Does not this mean that there is still more need for training college places every year? Cannot the Minister take emergency steps to increase the number of places?

It is very gratifying that so many candidates are coming forward, but it is essential also to raise the quality of the profession, and this can be done only if there is some measure of selection.

How is the central clearing house working to deal with this vexed problem?

I think it is working well. Places have already been offered to 4,350 men and 11,000 women.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will now give the starting date for the new school to replace the King Edward VI Grammar School at Totnes.

The authority has not included this project, which covers also the replacement of the girls' grammar school, in the proposals for 1963–65. I understand, however, that it will put it in its next submission, and I will then consider it on its merits.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that the citizens of Totnes will be very dissatisfied with that reply, because another generation of children at this grammar school will be condemned to receive their education in very difficult circumstances in totally inadequate accommodation?

I agree that the school has poor buildings, but it is for the authority to decide its priorities.

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Minister of Education what consideration is being given to revising the present allocation of money for school meals between labour costs and the purchase of food.

The unit cost per meal is fixed annually for each authority for food and overheads separately. The amount allowed is so assessed as to ensure adequate standards at a reasonable cost, in the light of current prices and wages rates.

Will the Minister look at the matter again? Is he not aware that the organisers of school meals find their task made more difficult because, if the cost of food is kept completely separate from other costs, they are inhibited from purchasing pre-prepared foods because to do so would make the cost of the food too high although the relative cost of labour would be reduced? This is causing a great deal of dissatisfaction in the schools meals service.

That is a very interesting suggestion, and I will look into it.

asked the Minister of Education what is the total cost of providing holidays on floating warships to those boys who fail to win academic awards; whether this is a yearly or more frequent happening; and how much it will cost over the next five years.

I understand that my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to a course on the training ship "Foudroyant" to which local education authorities are sending about 70 boys who have been recommended for the course by the School Sailing Association. The cost to the local education authority for each boy is about £7. The Answer to the second and third parts of the Question will depend on the authorities' opinion of the value of the experiment.

asked the Minister of Education how many education authorities are providing maintenance allowances for school children over the age of 15 years below those recommended by the Weaver Working Party.

I am asking local education authorities for this information and will write to the hon. Member as soon as I can.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will make a statement on the Report on Secondary School Examinations other than the General Certificate of Education.

I have been awaiting the considered advice of the Secondary School Examinations Council on this subject. This has only just reached me, and I have not yet had time to consider it.

I am sure that the House is very glad to know that the S.S.E.C. has reached conclusions. Will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that the Report will be published as soon as possible and that he will formulate his own views of it equally expeditiously?

Yes. I will have the Report published as soon as possible. This raises a major issue in education policy and it may take us a little time to consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is intended to continue to station British troops in the British Cameroons now that the plebiscite is over and the territory is to be divided between Nigeria and the Cameroon Republic.

As I stated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Wavertree (Mr. Tilney) on 7th February, the British troops now in the Southern Cameroons will be withdrawn when United Kingdom trusteeship over the territory comes to an end.

When will that be?

The date fixed for it by the United Nations is 1st October, 1961.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that many of the West Indian colonies from which emigrants are allowed free entry into Great Britain impose restrictions on immigration into their territory from Great Britain and other British West Indian colonies; and whether any changes with regard to these restrictions are contemplated in the near future.

I am aware that the West Indian territories impose restrictions on immigration. Freedom of movement between the various islands will be considered at the Inter-Governmental Conference of the Federal and Territorial Governments in Port of Spain which began on 2nd May.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the fact that there is restriction on movement between the islands, preventing people in one island from taking jobs in another, is one of the factors which causes many Jamaicans to come to this country? Is he aware that it removes the moral basis of demands which are made that freedom to come to this country should be retained in the future?

There are restrictions, which vary from island to island and, in the Federation, impede the free flow of people who wish to travel, but clearly this is a matter which they themselves should consider, and they are meeting at the moment in the Inter-Governmental Conference

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) what discussions he has had with the East African High Commission Association of Professional, Technical and Executive Officers; if he is satisfied that the future of overseas civil servants serving in the East Africa High Commission is secure; and whether, on any fundamental change in conditions of service, members of Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service will be given the option to retire on compensation;

I had discussions on the future position of East Africa High Commission staff with representatives of the staff associations in February. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the text of an agreed communiqué issued to the Press after the discussions.

I fully understand and sympathise with the Staff Side's natural desire for an early statement but, since the shape of the future relationship which may be possible between an independent Tanganyika and the interterritorial organisation is to be discussed in London in June, I am unable at present to make a final announcement on the future of the staff in relation to employment in Tanganyika.

Has my right hon. Friend's attention been called to the deplorable and untrue statement of the publicity secretary of the Tanganyika African National Union that the British are enemies of the Africans? Is he aware of the damage to morale which that untrue statement may cause? Because of the vital importance of keeping the High Commission in being, will he consider consulting the representatives of the staff pari passu with the June consultations?

I think it right to consult them, and I think that it would be right after the June consultations have taken place. I entirely agree that a most untrue statement was made, but the statement on which I prefer to rely is the categorical assurance given by Mr. Nyerere, the Prime Minister of Tanganyika, and I will print this as part of the White Paper. It is an assurance about matters which were raised by the East Africa High Commission staff.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he proposes to allow South African citizens to vote in the Northern Rhodesia elections after South Africa becomes a Republic.

South African citizenship as such is not a qualification for the vote in Northern Rhodesia.

I see no reason to alter the position that anyone, of whatever origin, who fulfils the nationality and other qualifications prescribed within Northern Rhodesia is eligible to register and vote.

Is the Minister aware that this matter is very important, bearing on the talks due to take place in Lusaka? Is he aware that it would be most unfortunate if open advocates of apartheid from a foreign country were allowed to participate as electors, and presumably as candidates, in this election?

I think that that is an absurd approach to the problem. It is wrong to think that in South Africa everybody, whatever the colour of his face, for example, approves of the racial policies of the Government. We must judge this by the situation in Northern Rhodesia. It may well be that somebody has dual citizenship and is entitled to vote there. If so, he should be fully entitled to vote in the Northern Rhodesia elections.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that it would be less anomalous for South Africans to vote in Northern Rhodesia than for Portuguese to vote in Nyasaland elections?

My hon. Friend knows very well that that is a very different question. The question of the Portuguese voting in Nyasaland arose because of the impossibility of distinguishing between those who were Portuguese-born and those who were born in Nyasaland.

If we are considering imposing these restrictions on the franchise, should we not bear in mind that we are more likely to have a stable Government in these African territories when more people living there are entitled to share in selecting their governors?

I am not sure that I see much relevance in that supplementary question. The qualification in Northern Rhodesia is that a person must be a citizen of the United Kingdom or Colonies or of the Federation or a British-protected person by virtue of his connection with the Territory—and in my opinion the essential words are

"by virtue of his connection with the Territory."

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is very difficult for a peasant hoeing his beans in Northern Rhodesia to understand why he cannot have a vote when his brother living across the border in Tanganyika has a vote?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies under what regulation persons holding meetings in Northern Rhodesia are ordered to take out insurance policies in case of disturbance; and whether it is his intention to continue to compel them so to do.

There are no provisions in Northern Rhodesian law whereby persons holding meetings can be required to take out insurance policies; and there is no record of anyone having been ordered to do so.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that many people in Northern Rhodesia who thought that there were such provisions will be delighted to hear him say so?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies for how long it is intended that Mr. Kenneth Kaunda is to be refused permission to enter Northern Province, Barotseland, and parts of Eastern Province.

Mr. Kaunda has not been refused permission to enter the Northern and Eastern Provinces, and in fact visited the Northern Province recently. On one occasion last year, certain native authorities required him, under powers vested in them by the Native Authority Ordinance, to leave their particular areas of the Northern Province. The entry of persons into Barotseland is a matter for the Litunga.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what stage has now been reached in the constitutional discussions in Lusaka.

The Governor has had discussions with each of the political groups represented at the London Conference on the outline plan in the White Paper and the detailed suggestions which he circulated. He expects to hold further consultations with all groups before making his recommendations.

Would my right hon. Friend agree that the result of the Southern Rhodesia referendum and the future of the Federation itself may largely depend on the speedy and satisfactory conclusion of these talks? Can he give an assurance that his constitutional proposals are being and can be interpreted with flexibility?

On the last point, we certainly made our position quite clear—that we have published the White Paper and we are prepared to consider schemes within the framework of the White Paper. I do not think that the date of the Southern Rhodesia referendum has been announced and, therefore, it is not possible to be precise in relation to the Northern Rhodesia talks, but I should have thought it very likely that the result of the talks will be made public well before the referendum.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will invite the General Workers' Union of Gambia to be represented at the forthcoming Constitutional Conference.

The Conference has been summoned by the Governor. Invitations have been extended only to political parties, the Chiefs, and three individuals on a personal basis. The General Workers' Union has not been invited but Mr. Jallow, its Secretary-General, has received one of the personal invitations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what provision he intends to make for leaseholder farmers in Tanganyika who desire to leave their farms after Tanganyika becomes independent.

I have no evidence to suggest that any special provision is necessary. Since the introduction of responsible government in September 1960, Ministers of the Tanganyika Government have given assurances—for example of their intention to maintain the sanctity of all titles to land granted under the law—which I understand have been warmly welcomed by leasehold farmers of all races in the territory.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that these farmers were invited to Tanganyika by Her Majesty's Government and that their leases were extended from 33 to 60 years by Her Majesty's Government? For that reason, is there not a responsibility to ensure that if they do not want to stay there they are given some compensation when they leave?

I was not sure from the Question whether it was directed to those of British, Greek, Asian or African origin, all of whom have titles to land in Tanganyika. The essential point is that as soon as Tanganyika achieved responsible Government—and this has been repeated on a number of occasions since—the Minister responsible, Chief Fundikira, gave in most categorical terms an assurance that all titles to land would be respected. If I may say so, I should very much like to see that assurance given by Ministers in other territories.

Will not my right hon. Friend underwrite that guarantee?

No. I think that it would be utterly wrong to assume that a guarantee given by a responsible Minister of a territory which is now at the stage of full internal self-government will not be carried out.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many persons have been convicted in Kenya during the last six months on charges of oath-taking or administering oaths.

Seven persons have been convicted of administering unlawful oaths in the past six months. Two further cases are pending before the court. Eleven persons have been convicted for taking oaths.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that quite recently, on 29th January, magistrates in the court declared that the Mau Mau society was again active? If that is so, should not more steps be taken to bring these oath-takers to justice?

The cases which I have mentioned, in which the sentences have varied from nine months to seven years, are evidence that firm steps are being taken. As I am sure my right hon. Friend remembers well, when there were signs of a recrudescence of oath-taking some time ago the Governor, with, of course my full support, moved at once and very firmly against it

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the increasing concern felt by overseas service officers and other Government servants in Kenya about the method being adopted to implement the Flemming Report on Salaries; and what reply he has given to the letters on this subject sent to him by the Kenya Senior Civil Servants Association.

I am aware of this concern. I have not yet received any letters on the subject sent to me by the Kenya Senior Civil Servants Association but I understand that one is on the way to me and I will of course be ready to look into any representations which may be made to me.

Would my right hon. Friend give special consideration to a change being made in the educational allowance in the implementation of the Flemming Report? Is he aware that the educational allowance, above all others, would play a part in the decision that dozens of civil servants will take whether to stay in Kenya or come back home?

I will gladly look into it. I hope that hon. Members who have received these letters will realise that the report on the O.S.A. scheme and the Flemming Report have to be read together and that both are a recognition of Her Majesty's Government's determination to do everything they can for all those who serve in these territories.

If there is a difference between these officers and the Colonial Office, not only in this organisation but in others, who settles the dispute? Does the right hon. Gentleman reserve the right to have the last word?

In a matter like that it would be normal for an association, as often happens in the case of East Africa, to make special representations to me. Clearly I in my turn, and this is common form if it is a financial matter, must carry the Treasury with me before any alteration in the scheme can be made. Such an alteration, if agreed with the Treasury and myself, could then be made to a scheme.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that in the eyes of many of these civil servants the Colonial Secretary and the Treasury may be in league against them and it is no comfort to them to know that the right hon. Gentleman has to carry the Treasury with them? Is he aware that I have received a dozen memorials from different organisations throughout East Africa complaining about the implementation of the Flemming Report? I do not know whether the right hon. Gentleman has received them yet. Will he consider whether some arbitration machinery should be set up to consider the disputes that seem to be arising between him and these organisations?

That any Minister in any Government has to carry the Treasury with him, as the hon. Member knows very well, is one of the facts of life of government, and nothing more than that should be read into it. The amount of money which we have to put on the backs of British taxpayers for these schemes show that we have the warmest sympathy of the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Treasury in this matter. I am ready to consult closely on these matters either with the Kenya Association or with other associations of the Civil Service in Colonial Territories.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a further statement about the formation of a Government in Kenya and the allocation of ministerial posts between elected and nominated members of the Legislative Council.

I will, with permission, circulate the list of the new Ministers so far appointed in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will my right hon. Friend convey to the Governor of Kenya, Sir Patrick Renison, our appreciation of his efforts to form a responsible Government from all races? Will he also tell him of our determination here to give full support to the Government in maintaining law and order and in carrying out urgently needed development in land settlement and education so that confidence in the future of Kenya may be maintained?

I very much agree with all the points my hon. Friend has made and particularly with his tribute to Sir Patrick Renison in what has been a difficult task over the past few weeks.

While no one wishes to make the task of the new Governor more difficult, may I ask whether we ought not to be careful in the House about appearing to side with a Government against a political party in a territory, especially when the Government concerned is a minority party?

On the contrary, I do not regard this in any way as a minority Government. It is unquestionably the strongest cohesive bloc there is in the Legislative Council in Kenya and there is no question of this or any side of the House siding with any particular party. But the other African party to which the hon. Member refers was invited first, by virtue of its size, and rightly so, to form a Government but when it declined, for whatever reason, the Governor was unquestionably right to form a Government of all races based on the alternative.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now announce the Government's plans for providing further financial support to the Government of Kenya.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the present annual scale of financial aid from all Government sources to Kenya; what approximate increases are under discussion; and if he will give an assurance that such increases will be maintained at a sufficient level to ensure a sound and progressive economy in Kenya.

Provision is already made in United Kingdom Votes for aid of about £7½ million to Kenya in the current financial year. In addition, further assistance on budgetary account and for development will be necessary, and I am engaged in negotiations with a Kenya Government delegation whose representations I will naturally consider as sympathetically as I can.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, now that the new Government has been formed, the most important thing is to reverse the trend of the withdrawal of overseas money from Kenya? Is he aware that anything that can be done by him in this matter will be thoroughly welcomed? Can he give a further assurance that, in discussing further financial support, particular attention will be paid to finance for providing further technical education?

The Kenya Government delegation, to which I referred and with which I am now consulting, has arrived with a number of proposals, including some for education. I cannot commit myself, in answer to a supplementary question, to particular sums of money, but my hon. Friend will understand that I mean what I say when I state that I will consider and meet the delegation's representations as sympathetically as I can.

In view of the inevitable loss of confidence and the drain on Kenya's economy in the election period, and the fact that a broadly based non-racial Government has been formed—which we welcome—is my right hon. Friend aware that he will have a great deal of support in this House if he treats all reasonable demands for economic and financial aid in the most generous way possible?

I have given an undertaking in my main Answer, and I repeat it now. Anything that I can do to help, I will do.

The right hon. Gentleman mentioned a figure of £ 7½ million. Though welcome, that is only about one-third of the amount given to the Cunard Steamship Company, Ltd. Will he reconsider this?

If we take into account both that sum and what is planned, we find that it is a very large percentage indeed of the ordinary Kenya budget.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what factors cause him to oppose any restriction of emigration from Colonial Territories into the United Kingdom, in view of the grave disquiet of the general public at Her Majesty's Government's refusal to take action in this matter.

As has been made clear, Her Majesty's Government, while watching the situation with care and concern, have not reached firm conclusions on a matter which raises an important question of principle and involves our relations with other countries in the Commonwealth.

Whilst recognising the grave and difficult problems which face the Government in making this decision, may I impress upon my right hon. Friend how deep is the anxiety felt by people in this country at this growing problem? Will my right hon. Friend urge his Cabinet colleagues to do something quickly please?

I share that anxiety. The statement which I made, which was of course agreed by all the Ministers and Departments concerned, indicates no change whatever in Her Majesty's Government's view on this matter. I would feel that on this almost all the House should unite on two things—first, that the figures for 1960 and the first quarter of 1961 are frankly very disturbing indeed, but secondly that it would be extremely distasteful if we had to come to the point of imposing legislation which would run counter to the very long-established tradition of Britain being the centre for the Commonwealth countries.

Would my right hon. Friend agree that it would be easy to take action now in advance but that if conditions changed in this country, with an increase in unemployment, and if immigration increased as it has done in the last few months, the problem would become much more difficult to deal with?

In one sense what my hon. Friend says is perfectly true. In another sense it works in exactly the opposite way, because the figures of immigration are immensely sensitive to the employment situation in this country, as the small recession which we had two years ago showed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the recent Small Heath by-election the Conservative candidate talked about nothing else but this racial matter and he had a catastrophic defeat?

I do not know what happened in the by-play at the Small Heath by-election but I believe that almost everybody would agree that it would be very sad if we had to depart from our traditional position in this matter. Everybody ought to be concerned at the figures of immigration as the statistics have shown them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reply he has received from the Governor of Malta to his letter concerning the former Chairman of the Malta Tourist Board and the expenditure of the monies allocated for the Tourist Board.

The amount allocated for capital expenditure on tourist development over the five years ending in 1963–64 is £545,000. Expenditure in the first two years was £183,245. Recurrent expenditure borne on the Malta Budget was £168,681 in the same period. No action by Her Majesty's Government appears to arise from the reports referred to.

My right hon friend has said nothing about the former Chairman of the Tourist Board, although I asked him about that matter. Why was it that the members of the Board felt that the scandal of his departure was such that they wished to resign en masse, while the Governor asked them not to?

All expenditure was approved by the Board. It seems clear that there was no misuse of public funds. These reports are, in the first instance, for consideration by the Governor of Malta.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is very strong feeling in Malta about the use of these funds, and a general wish that there should be an independent inquiry into the activities of the Board? Will he look at this again?

I was not aware of any strong feeling in Malta to that effect, but I have noted what the hon. Member has said and will bring it to the Governor's attention.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the rather unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise this matter on the adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what representations he has had from the National Farmers' Union about the increased cost to the industry of the imposition of the 2d. a gallon tax on fuel oil;

My right hon. Friend has discussed this question with representatives of the National Fanners' Union, and has received written representations from the President of the Union and from the Chairman of its Central Horticultural Committee. He is now considering these representations and others which he has received from the Tomato and Cucumber Marketing Board, the British Flower Industry Association and a number of local growers' associations and individual growers.

I thought that there were two separate Questions here. However, I will ask two supplementary questions together. First, in considering representations from the N.F.U. as such, will my hon. Friend bear in mind that, unlike any other industry in this country, any increase in cost cannot be passed on to the consumer? [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh".] Whatever Members opposite may say, that is so. Secondly, does not my hon. Friend think that this increase in fuel costs for the glasshouse industry will vitiate any improvements it got as a result of the tariff last year?

My right hon. Friend will bear all these factors in mind. The tariff on tomatoes must have had some effect, but it is wrong to over-simplify the effect of tariffs on prices in this country without going into all the factors involved.

Does my hon. Friend agree that it is a somewhat puzzling and paradoxical situation that growers, who were expressly exhorted by the Government to convert from solid fuel to oil heating, should now be penalised for so doing?

I could not support what my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Hertfordshire, East (Sir D. Walker-Smith) has said about that, because there has not been express exhortation to convert any heating system to oil. What we have done is to encourage the improvement of heating equipment generally.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many members of his staff are employed in studying the development of agricultural policy in the Common Market countries.

None of my right hon. Friend's staff is engaged solely on this, but officers whose duties include overseas trade are expected as a matter of course to keep abreast of developments in all countries with whom we have trade relations.

Has my hon. Friend's attention been drawn to an article in today's Farming Express, which says that Britain is to join the Common Market and that the Conservative Chief Whip has given Tory Members for agricultural constituencies a confidential briefing on this subject? [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] As my hon. Friends and I—representing agricultural constituencies—have not received such a briefing, will my hon. Friend assure us that his own staff is looking into this matter very carefully and is trying to formulate proposals to bring British agriculture to the stage where it might be possible to join the Common Market?

The Farming Express is not the mouthpiece of Government policy. I can assure my hon. Friend that in the Agriculture Department there is an adequate staff, and two External Relations Divisions keep in touch with all such developments as my hon. Friend has in mind.

If the Farming Express is not, can the hon. Gentleman tell us what is the mouthpiece of Government policy on the Common Market? We have had the most contradictory leakages. For instance, there were the wonderful words of the Prime Minister that we should not rush into this matter.

That is not a question which should be addressed to me.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will arrange for bulls of the three leading British beef breeds, Hereford, Angus, and Lincoln Red, to be tested in the same way and under the same conditions as the French Charollais bulls.

Details of the Charollais trial have still to be settled and we are arranging to consult the interested organisations about this. We would hope, however, to arrange for certain farmers participating in the trial to rear a number of British beef/dairy crosses alongside the Charollais/dairy crosses.

Will the hon. Gentleman make it clear that, when Charollais are to be tested, it is meaningless unless the leading British beef breed bulls are tested under similar conditions?

I thought that my reply implied that it is intended to carry out certain trials, although I would not necessarily say that one beef breed was better than any other.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that the amount now charged for post mortem on poultry will not deter small poultry keepers from using this service; and if he will make a statement.

Since the fees for post-mortem examination of poultry at the Ministry's Laboratories were increased, the number of specimens submitted has fallen, but I cannot say how much of this fall is attributable to small poultry keepers. These fees were originally fixed in 1925 and had become almost nominal. Even at these new rates, the service will not yet be self-supporting but, as already announced, it is my right hon. Friend's intention to introduce full economic fees on 1st December, 1961.

While thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him to take into account the fact that many eggs are produced by backyard poultry-keepers? Will not the charge for post-mortem examinations mean danger of a disease not being diagnosed because the owner may bury the evidence?

I am aware of the dangers from disease, but it is in the interests of any poultry-keeper who suspects that one of his birds has died of disease to have a post-mortem examination carried out. There are many ways open to him. The veterinary profession in private practice is available. This does not seem to be a service which the State is justified in running at well below cost.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent rabbit clearance societies have been able to operate the scheme for providing subsidised cartridges for shooting wood pigeons; and if he is aware that in some districts there has been no organised shooting this spring and the wood pigeons have been left to multiply with consequent damage to tillage crops and clover leys.

One hundred and sixty-three societies are making use of these arrangements. In some counties organised shooting has not been on the same scale as in previous years, but as societies extend their areas I hope the gaps will be filled. In some areas, of course, shoots, other than those organised by rabbit clearance societies, have taken place for many years and continue to do so.

Will my hon. Friend look at the way in which the scheme is working, as it is not giving satisfaction in most districts, and will he see whether he can get an improvement before next year?

Yes.