asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total number of children in Cyprus in 1938; the total number of children attending the schools of Cyprus; and whether formal education is compulsory in this Colony.

The total child population of school age in Cyprus in 1938 was 75,800; the total number attending school in 1944 was 55,087. The free education given between the ages of 6 and 14 is not compulsory.

While thanking the Minister for his reply, may I ask if he is prepared, in view of the splendid war record of Cyprus and of the promises made during the war years to the Cypriots, to consider the introduction of a compulsory form of education in Cyprus, at least equal to the efforts we are now making for compulsory school education in Germany?

This matter is not quite easy, as I am sure my hon. Friend realises. It is constantly before the Colonial Office and the Cyprus Government.

Can the Minister tell us what special difficulties are preventing compulsory education for the children of Cyprus?

The training of teachers and the erection of schools.

:Would the provision of education involve a charge on British funds or would it be paid for out of local funds?

There is a distribution of funds. The British Government, or shall I say the Government of Cyprus, are partly responsible and the local authorities are partly responsible.

:But mainly the British Government?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is under the Trade Union Law of 1941 that peaceful picketing is prohibited in Cyprus, or whether peaceful picketing has been prohibited in that Colony by any special Order since the passage of the law; and what is the present position.

Under Section 50 of the Cyprus Trade Unions and Trade Disputes Law of 1941, peaceful picketing is lawful. The Section has not been amended since the passage of the law.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has now received a Report from the Government of Palestine in regard to the incidents on 10th October when a British member of the Palestine police force was murdered, Arab and Jewish members of the same force maltreated and a Christian refugee suffocated; and if any arrests have been made in connection with that outrage.

The Athlit Clearance Camp is in no sense a penal settlement but merely a staging post for immigrants, legal as well as illegal, and is largely staffed by nominees of the Jewish Agency for domestic, welfare and other duties. At the time of the attack, one Jewish police corporal and 12 Palestinian constables were on guard duty. It is not, and never has been, heavily guarded, and hitherto there has been no reason to suppose that the Jewish community in Palestine regarded persons inside the Camp as imprisoned. Persistent rumours had, however, been published by the Jewish Press in Palestine to the effect that a number of illegal immigrants in the camp were about to be deported. This story was completely unfounded. The police have been instructed to exercise great care and forbearance in the use of firearms, but this does not extend to prompt return of fire if they are attacked. No order has been issued of would be issued forbidding the police to use their arms in any circumstances. On the occasion of the ambush referred to in my reply on 11th October, the police immediately returned their assailants' fire. No arrests of the persons concerned in the attack have been made.

May I ask the Colonial Secretary whether, in view of the instructions to the police, the order prevailing in Palestine with regard to the surrender of arms prior to the murder of Lord Moyne by the Jews, namely, that the Arabs should give up their arms and the Jews should not, has now been altered to an order that both sides must give up their arms?

That is another question.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the most serious allegations contained in a letter to me from a number of British members of the Palestine Police Force—all ex-Servicemen—to the effect that they have been prevented from using lethal weapons when their own lives were in danger from attacks by murderous mobs of Jews, he will look into the whole matter; and, if I put down a Question in a fortnight's time, will he give an answer, so as to avoid my raising it on the Adjournment, in view of the delicacy of the situation?

The right hon. Gentleman was good enough to send me the letter referred to just an hour or so before I came into the House. I received it at 12 o'clock to-day. The letter contains very serious charges, and I shall certainly take up the matter with the High Commissioner of Palestine and get his comments upon it.

Is it not very undesirable, Mr. Speaker, that a Member, on the basis of a personal letter, should try to arouse serious anti-Jewish prejudice?

I would like to raise a point of Order, and to ask for the protection of the Chair against the charge made by the hon. Gentleman opposite. The letter reached me in a perfectly proper way. I did not say whether or not I made myself responsible for the allegations. It was sent to me by eight members of the Palestine Police Force.

Further to that point of Order, I would say that everyone knows that there is a very serious situation in Palestine and much violence has been displayed, but I would ask you, Sir, whether an hon. Member—[Interruption].

The noble Lord has asked me a question on a point of Order and all I can say is, that he is perfectly in Order in sending on the letter to the right hon. Gentleman and asking him a question upon it. The hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher) should try to restrain himself.

Further to that point of Order—

We have now finished with the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has any information as to the whereabouts of the ex-Mufti of Jerusalem; and if the ex-Mufti is to be treated as a traitor or a war criminal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what investigations he is making to ascertain the present whereabouts of the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem; and whether His Majesty's Government still has any intention of bringing him to trial as a war criminal.

The Mufti of Jerusalem is in the hands of the French authorities. As regards the second part of the Question, I have no statement to make at present.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say how he got into the hands of the French authorities and where he came from?

No, Sir; not without notice.

In view of the Colonial Secretary's investigation into the allegation that British troops were instructed to hold their fire against refugees who happened to be Jews, are we to understand that they will be instructed to hold their fire against war criminals who happen to be Moslems?

That is an entirely different question.

In view of the fact that these activities are mostly carried on in Palestine, could not representations be made to the French to give up the ex-Mufti, so that he could be tried as a war criminal?

That is a question which should be put to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can make a statement about the extent to which military weapons are held by unauthorised persons in Palestine; and the steps he is taking to secure their surrender.

I regret to say that there is a large number of unauthorised persons in possession of arms in Palestine. I do not think that it would be in the interests of public security in Palestine to reply to the last part of the Question.

Can my right hon. Friend give us an assurance that he is taking all possible steps to obtain possession of these arms so as to prevent any unnecessary bloodshed in the future, and can he say whether his efforts up to now have met with any reasonable success?

This is a very difficult and delicate question with which the Government of Palestine are faced, but I am sure that they are taking what steps they can to obtain surrender of these arms.

Will my right hon. Friend now say whether a direct request has been made to both sides to lay down and hand over their arms?

I could not give a categorical reply now, but I will look into the matter and let my hon. Friend know.

Could the Minister say how these arms are acquired?

Can my right hon. Friend say whether it is true that some of the arms were acquired at a time when disturbances in Palestine were very great and when the British authorities, who were unable to protect the Jewish community there, granted and themselves provided the Jewish settlements with arms for their own self-protection?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what special consideration his Department is giving to ex-Servicemen in filling appointments under the Colonial Office.

Arrangements were made in the early part of the year for information about appointments in the Colonial Service to be made available to Servicemen in all parts of the world, through Service channels. This material was released simultaneously in all Commands on 1st June. In several classes of appointment—indeed wherever possible—war experience in the Forces is being accepted in lieu of the educational qualifications normally required before the war. Branches of the Colonial Office have been opened in Delhi and Cairo to deal with applications from Servicemen in those areas, and representatives of the Director of Recruitment have visited, or will visit, Southern India, Malaya, East and West Africa, and several other areas to interview candidates.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask him to bear in mind the particular difficulties of young ex-officers, with good records but no special qualifications, in obtaining jobs commensurate with their war-time responsibilities; and may I ask that they should be given special consideration, in view of their particular suitability for certain types of administrative posts under the Colonial Office?

I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that these matters are sympathetically considered.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, while bearing that in mind, he will see that that principle is in no way detrimental to the applications of Africans who are also suitable for these posts?

Is the right hon. Gentleman keeping contact in this matter with the Appointments Department of the Ministry of Labour, which probably has some suitable names, on the lines suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend?

We are in touch with any organisation which can assist in producing the right people.

May I ask the Minister not to pay special attention to ex-officers any more than to the rank and file?

I would like to assure my hon. Friend that, whatever the position or rank of the applicant, all applications receive sympathetic consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in what Colonies and Dependencies is Income Tax still not yet levied.

The Colonies and Dependencies under civil administration in which Income Tax is not levied are Bahamas, Bermuda, Gibraltar, Malta, St. Helena, and the Turks and Caicos Islands Dependency of Jamaica.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask him if he can say why a proposal for Income Tax in the Seychelles has been abandoned in favour of an export tax?

That I could not say, but if the hon. and gallant Member will put that Question down, I will look into it and give him a reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the post-war policy of his Department in regard to the provision, distribution and exhibition of British films in the Colonies, especially those designed to give information in the British way of life.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is proposed continuing the Colonial Film Unit now that the war has terminated, and if so, what are its functions to be

Yes, Sir. Present arrangements for the supply of films to the Colonies include films made by the Colonial Film Unit of the Ministry of Information, British Council documentary films and a special news reel sent weekly by air to Colonial Territories. These films include a substantial proportion of material illustrating the British way of life. The Colonial Film Unit also produces films on educational and social subjects. It is my intention to maintain and expand these arrangements to ensure a vigorous presentation of the British case in the Colonies. Precise details of administration and finance are under consideration at present in connection with the future of Government publicity as a whole.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that very informative and very satisfactory reply, may I ask if he is aware that there is a growing and very natural demand amongst Colonial peoples to learn more about this great and victorious people in Britain; and will he consult, not alone the British Council, but the British film industry on the means by which this information can be given?

I shall be prepared to meet the hon. and gallant Member and discuss the matter.

:In view of the nature of these films, could not the right hon. Gentleman make arrangements for hon. Members of this House to see them from time to time?

I will certainly consider that.

Could the right hon. Gentleman take similar steps to make more widely known in this country what is happening in the Colonies? There is a great desire in this country for more knowledge of what is taking place in the Colonies, and will he tell the House what steps he is taking in that direction?

We are certainly endeavouring to do that. There is now in course of preparation, what I hope will be a very good film, which I hope will be very well received.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the film industry generally depicts the British way of life as the life of a Tory squire, and will he see that the British way of life is better depicted than that?

Nonsense.

Will the Minister also see that a film is exhibited showing the dead bodies of Indians who were starved to death in Calcutta last year?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, what are his plans for the development of the co-operative movement in the Colonies; and whether he will consider the setting up of a co-operative department in his Department and in each of the Colonies, manned by trained staff.

Co-operative departments and registrars of co-operative societies already exist in several Colonies and I will consider whether these Colonies in which special officers or departments do not exist should be invited to consider their appointment. It is proposed to pay special attention to the important subject of recruitment and training of staff for co-operative work. At the present moment, however, the extreme staff shortage in the Colonies is an obstacle. Up to the present it has not been felt that the establishment of a separate co-operative department in the Colonial Office would materially assist the growth of co-operation in the Colonies. I propose to circulate to Colonial Governments a model draft cooperative ordinance.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that co-operative societies of producers will be encouraged?

Certainly, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are his plans regarding the re-issue of annual reports on the Colonies and the annual Colonial Economic Survey.

I intend that these reports should be resumed at the earliest practicable moment, but in view of present staffing difficulties in the Colonies and in my Department I cannot yet say how soon this is likely to be.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if there are any plans for raising the standard of living in the Colonies by the creation of public development corporations.

It has been suggested to Colonial Governments that they should consider the use of public development corporations in the general task of promoting Colonial economic development. I am going further into the possibilities, but no precise plans have yet been made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action his Department is proposing to take on the three Reports on Higher Education in the Colonies recently published.

I have already commended to the favourable consideration of Colonial Governments and institutions of higher education the Report of the Commission on Higher Education in the Colonies together with the Report of the West Indies Committee of that Commission. I hope that I shall soon be able to announce the establishment of the Inter-University Council recommended by the Commission. Other parts of the Report are under close consideration. The West Indian Governments have been informed that if the Committee's recommendations for the establishment of a West Indian university are acceptable to them, I shall be prepared to give favourable consideration to a grant for this purpose under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act. As regards the Reports of the Commission on Higher Education in West Africa I would refer to the reply I have just given to the hon. Member for Thirsk and Malton (Mr. Turton).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in view of the proposed co-ordination in West Africa, he will make any statement about closer co-operation between the East African Dependencies.

I am aware of the important and complex issues involved in the future of the East African Governors' Conference and the other organisations which have been associated with it during the war. I am not, however, at the present moment in a position to make a statement about future policy on this question.

As the right hon. Gentleman has mentioned the Governors' Conference, will he bear in mind that this has for 15 years: been regarded as a futile body, by officials, non-officials, most of the Governors and certainly by one Secretary of State?

That is one of the matters which I am at present discussing with the Governor of Kenya, who is now in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the position in respect of granting licences for mine prospecting in Tanganyika and Uganda; and whether small prospectors have equal opportunities with the larger companies.

There is no discrimination in the granting of initial prospecting rights in Tanganyika and Uganda, which are valid for one year. Thereafter the holder may be granted an exclusive prospecting licence, but he must first satisfy the Government that he has sufficient capital to ensure the proper prospecting of the area in question and the payment of any compensation which may be due to the owners and occupiers of the land for the disturbance of surface rights and damage to crops, etc.

:Would the Colonial Secretary give close attention to the appeal inherent in this Question on behalf of private enterprise?

:Can the Colonial Secretary give any idea of the number of small prospectors who have had licences granted to them?

No, Sir. If my hon. Friend will put the Question down, I will see whether I can give him the information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, with a view to improving transport facilities and reducing the cost of transport, he will ask Colonial Governments in Africa to consider the admission of motor-cars and bicycles free of import duty.

The hon. Member will remember that he raised this matter in a supplementary question on the 21st June, 1944, and the matter was then taken up with the Governors of the Colonies concerned. As a result, assurances have been received from the African Colonies that this matter will be borne in mind on the next opportunity of reviewing general taxation. The Gold Coast already admits all motor cars and bicycles, and Sierra Leone admits British motor cars and bicycles, free of duty.

Will the Colonial Secretary pursue the encouragement to the Colonial Governors, as it is in the interests both of the Colonies and of our own export trade?

It is not, of course, a matter entirely in the hands of the Colonial Secretary; the Colonies themselves must be consulted in taking a decision.

But is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that certain firms and industrialists from Birmingham who have settled recently in South Africa are agitating for increased tariffs to keep out British goods?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is satisfied that there is sufficient provision in African Colonies, where the system of indirect rule prevails, for the adequate representation of educated Africans on native councils.

It has long been and still is the policy of African Governments to encourage native administrations to include increasing numbers of educated men on their councils and staffs. Progress has been made in both West and East Africa, but the process must go much further if native administrations are to take their proper share in promoting the social, economic and political development of the African territories. The Governments concerned can be assured of my full support in their efforts to secure increasing participation by educated Africans in the system of indirect rule.

Will the Minister see that the products of the small local schools are given an equal chance and are not frowned upon when they want to join these native councils?

We are doing what we can in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the infant mortality in Malta, and if he can make any statement on the milk supply in that island.

As the reply is rather long and contains a number of detailed figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the Official Report.

Can the Minister say whether the reply contains the plans of his Department to improve that situation?

I would ask my hon. Friend to wait and see the reply and then, if he is not satisfied, I can have a word with him.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the promise made in 1943 to restore responsible government to Malta, he will consider the appointment of a Royal Commission to visit that island in the near future to report as quickly as possible on the financial, economic and war damage position, with a view to an early restoration of self-government.

No, Sir. A very full and comprehensive inquiry into the financial, economic and war damage position in Malta has recently been made on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies. It is the intention of His Majesty's Government shortly to appoint a commissioner to visit Malta and to discuss the formulation of detailed proposals regarding the new constitution and any other matters bearing on the grant of responsible government, and the findings of the inquiry will, of course, be available to him. In these circumstances, it is the opinion of His Majesty's Government that the appointment of a Royal Commission is not only unneccessary, but might further delay the restoration of responsible self-government in Malta.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the appointment of a Royal Commission would be received with much greater pleasure in Malta than the appointment of a single commissioner, who would be regarded merely as an expert?

I disagree. We want to get on with the job there, and not wait for a Royal Commission, which sometimes takes a very long time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many aircraft the British West Indian Airways operate; and what are the possibilities of extending this service to other West Indian islands.

British West Indian Airways at present operate five aircraft. The company is now operating air services to Trinidad, Barbados, British Guiana, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Jamaica. Their services to Antigua and St. Vincent have been temporarily discontinued owing to difficulties in regard to the airfield there. The extension of the company's service is under consideration and it is hoped to arrange this as soon as the necessary facilities are available, and the necessary arrangements can be made.

Is it not a fact that these planes are very unsatisfactory; and will the right hon. Gentleman take steps at the earliest possible moment to see that other machines are available?

We have had no complaints of that matter.

Did the Minister say that he has had no complaints about the Hudsons which are now being operated by that company?

I know of no complaints; I shall certainly make inquiries.

But the chairman of this company has been over here for weeks trying to see the right hon. Gentleman on this matter.

He has made no application to me; otherwise I would have seen him.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will report on the reactions of the West Indian Legislatures to the proposals for West Indian federation.

I have so far only received reports of the Debates in the Legislatures of three of the Colonies concerned on this subject. In the Bahamas the Legislature was of the unanimous opinion that the Colony should not, at present, participate in any proposed federation. The Legislative Council of British Honduras have passed a resolution stating that they would view with favour the consideration of any measure for the political federation of British Honduras with the British West Indies Colonies, subject to certain conditions. The Trinidad Legislative Council have passed a resolution in favour of the aim of federation and have recommended that the Council should appoint a Committee to consider the immediate steps to be taken to stimulate the movement of West Indian affairs in the direction of federation.

In order to prevent this being put off, would the Minister consider making a time limit by which Legislatures should definitely give their opinions on this vitally important matter for the whole of the West Indies?

It is difficult to make a time limit; it must be left to the Legislative Councils on the spot.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has any report to make on the recent hurricane in British Honduras; what is the extent of the damage; and what has been done to assist those who have suffered in this connection.

I regret to state that there have been two recent hurricanes in British Honduras. The first struck Belize on 31st August. It caused five deaths, and serious damage to agricultural crops. A further severe hurricane struck the southern part of the Colony on 4th October. It destroyed some 80 per cent. of the town of Punta Gorda and caused extensive damage to agricultural crops and to property, though I am glad to say that only one death was caused. A sum of money has been made available for the immediate relief of farmers in the Belize district and an appeal has been made to the public for subscriptions to a relief fund. No estimate is yet available of the sum which will be required for the relief of distress in the southern part of the Colony damaged in the second hurricane, but measures have been taken for immediate relief and for temporary housing and the position is well in hand. I am in communication with the Governor as to whether any further assistance is required.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the large numbers of homeless children and orphans in Poland, and the desire on the part of many citizens of Great Britain to offer them temporary hospitality; if he has any estimate of the numbers of such children; what action is being taken by the United Nations to care for them; and what facilities are available for their passage to this country.

I have no information of the number of homeless children and orphans in Poland, nor have I at the moment the means of obtaining it. The problem of Poland is one for U.N.R.R.A., to which His Majesty's Government contributes, and the Polish Provisional Government.

In view of the great numbers of these wretched children, can the Minister indicate whether the British representatives on U.N.R.R.A. are taking appropriate measures?

U.N.R.R.A. is endeavouring to do its job, but I would remind the hon. Gentleman that the position of distressed children and grown-ups in Europe is one of the greatest tragedies of the ages.

Could the Minister say, irrespective of political considerations, whether he is satisfied that U.N.R.R.A. or any other body is dealing at all adequately with this problem of children in Europe, especially in Poland and East of Berlin?

With the political situation in Europe as it is I do not think it is possible to devise any organisation which is capable of grappling with it.

Could the Minister say whether he will provide facilities for individual children to be brought over to this country?

That is tremendously difficult. If you start opening the door to one particular individual, there are so many millions in the same position that I think it would be a formidable task to grapple with it by that means.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if, in view of the widespread anxiety as to the conditions in Poland generally and the treatment of Polish subjects on both sides of the Curzon Line, he will publish the latest official reports he has received and make a full statement on the subject at an early date.

I am watching the development of the situation in Poland very closely. I do not, however, at present see any justification for departing from the normal practice of not publishing the confidential reports which I receive regularly from His Majesty's Ambassador at Warsaw. Moreover, I cannot meantime promise an early statement on the subject.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if Allied or neutral journalists are at present allowed to go to Poland?

That does not arise out of this Question.

Will the Minister take into account the mass arrests, reported in the papers, of thousands of Poles, during the last few days?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is yet in a position to state whether facilities can be made to enable Austrian refugees, who wish to do so, to return to their own country to assist in its revival and reconstruction.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Moseley (Mr. Woods) on 22nd October.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether in the case of builders and engineers who can help to resurrect their country, he will provide special facilities?

:There are many other difficulties. It is not quite so simple as that. If there are builders and engineers available, I promise to employ them here, in the meantime, to help us, if they want to render help in reconstruction.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give the House any information in regard to the progress of rehabilitation in Austria.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps are being taken by the Allied Powers concerned for the rebuilding of Austria's economic position.

The rebuilding of Austrian economy must start with the provision of the basic essentials, food, fuel and transport. Unfortunately food, fuel and transport shortages form a vicious circle which frankly it will be difficult to break. Our authorities in Austria and those of our Allies, assisted by Doctor Renner's Government, whose authority now extends to the whole of Austria, are making the most strenuous efforts to remedy shortages. But the difficulties which confront them, particularly as regards food, remain formidable and reach far beyond the confines of Austria. In other fields good progress is being made towards rehabilitation, with the re-establishment of sound legal and educational systems, the organisation of hospital services and the formation of a cadre of a new Civil Service and of a reliable police force.

In order to make a reality of the Moscow Declaration on the future of Austrian independence, and to make that independence economic as well as political, will the hon. Gentleman urge the Russian Government to stop creating con- ditions of inflation in Austria, and to stop stripping the country bare of plant and machinery, and so contribute themselves to the recovery of Austrian economy?

The question of possible inflation in Austria and the other question raised by the hon. Member should be put on the Order Paper, addressed to the Foreign Secretary.

I cannot accept that. I put my Question to the Foreign Secretary and it was transferred, without my agreement, to the hon. Gentleman who has just replied.

The terms of the Question by the hon. and gallant Member which appeared on the Order Paper did not raise the questions that have been raised in the supplementary question. Those are matters that are being discussed on the higher level, and therefore, should appropriately be put to the Foreign Secretary.

That really means nothing. I put my Question to the Foreign Secretary, and the Foreign Office transferred it without my agreement to the hon. Gentleman who has just replied. It is therefore no use for him to "pass the buck" back and say that I should put down the Question to the Foreign Secretary. I want to know, in view of this specific undertaking which has been referred to, and which was given by the late Prime Minister after the Moscow Conference, whether the Government think that the present system of zoning in Austria is likely to lead to the late Prime Minister's undertaking being implemented?

The hon. and gallant Member has now raised the whole issue. The question of the zoning arrangements and the question of the quadripartite machinery are, obviously, not matters of internal administration within our zone, and therefore matters which, if the hon. and gallant Member desires to challenge the policy, should be submitted to the Foreign Secretary.

If the Chancellor of the Duchy cannot give an answer, is the Foreign Secretary in a position to answer my Question now? Otherwise, I will put a question down.