asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the marketing legislation in force in Tanganyika and Uganda has adversely affected both the Africans and Indians; whether the Government of Kenya will appoint a committee to in quire into the effects of legislation in Tanganyika and Uganda before introducing the same in Kenya; and whether an opportunity will be allowed to the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce to present their case in the proper quarter before the Government proposals are passed into law?

I cannot accept the suggestion in the first part of the question. I am in fact convinced that, in the circumstances of Uganda and Tanganyika, the legislation in force there is in the best interests of the territories and the producers in them. In Kenya there is already in existence a Native Marketing Advisory Council which has, no doubt, every aspect of the matter under its consideration. Included among the members of this Council is the chairman of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce who will therefore have every opportunity of putting their views before Government through the appropriate channel. I may add that when in Kenya I had the opportunity of discussing the whole question of native marketing with the Indian members of the Legislative Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the Governor of Gibraltar has given special facilities to monarchist refugees from Spain to establish businesses in the colony; and, whether, in view of the dissatisfaction of the old-established business community there, this policy will be discontinued?

I have no information upon this subject, but will make inquiries of the Governor.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that there is considerable dissatisfaction among the people of Gibraltar at the method of appointing the executive council of the colony, none of the members being elected by popular vote; and if he will take steps to give to Gibraltar a democratically-elected legislative body?

It is not the practice for executive councils in the colonies to be recruited by the method of popular election. An executive council is a purely advisory and not a legislative body; and is not intended to "represent" any particular interest in a Colony. The main consideration in the selection of members must be their fitness to give good advice. I am not aware that the existing constitutional arrangements in Gibraltar are causing any widespread dissatisfaction; and, as at present advised, I see no ground for altering them.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the relative strength of the navies of Japan, the United States of America, France and this country, respectively?

The relative strengths of the fleets in question remain substantially the same as shown in the Return of Fleets (Command No. 4514), which was presented to the House on 16th February last.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can now make any statement as to the nature of the scheme which will enable a greater quantity of cheap milk to be supplied to school children?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statements I made yesterday in the course of the Debate on the Second Reading of the Milk Bill, to which I am not at present in a position to add.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that some local authorities discourage recipients of public assistance from continuing payment of industrial insurance premiums; and will he take steps to see that this practice is stopped, especially in view of the hardship caused to poor people in meeting the expenses of funerals when there is no death benefit income from insurance sources?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, but if the hon. Member has any particular cases in mind and will send me particulars, I will consider them.