asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action is being taken in the light of the expected surplus of potatoes.

It is too early to say what the precise size of the surplus will be, but the indications are that it will be large. With my approval and that of my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Scotland, the Potato Marketing Board undertook a buying progamme during September and October and this has helped to steady prices so far this season. I have discussed with the Board the need to take further action and it is today announcing, with Government approval, a further buying programme which will run from 1st December to mid-January and also changes in the size of potatoes that may be marketed. The Board, with assistance from my Department, is also exploring all possible outlets for those potatoes in excess of our requirements for human consumption.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what further approaches have been made to the Mauritius and Seychelles Governments about the use of islands in the Indian Ocean for British and American defence facilities.

With the agreement of the Governments of Mauritius and Seychelles new arrangements for the administration of certain islands in the Indian Ocean were introduced by Order in Council made on 8th November. The islands are the Chagos Archipelago, some 1,200 miles north-east of Mauritius, and Aldabra, Farquhar and Desroches in the Western Indian Ocean. Their populations are approximately 1,000, 100, 172 and 112 respectively. The Chagos Archipelago was formerly administered by the Government of Mauritius and the other three islands by that of Seychelles. The islands will be called the British Indian Ocean Territory and will be administered by a Commissioner. It is intended that the islands will be available for the construction of defence facilities by the British and United States Governments, but no firm plans have yet been made by either Government. Appropriate compensation will be paid.

asked the Postmaster-General when 4d. postage stamps are to be issued in the regional series.

New 4d. postage stamps for Wales and Monmouthshire, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man will be issued early in the New Year. I shall announce the details later.