asked the Secretary of State; for the Colonies what steps he proposes to take to give the people of Cyprus a voice in the government of their country.

I have nothing to add to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Cardiff (Mr. georģe Thomas) on 10th October last.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that there is considerable dismay in Cyprus because of the lack of a positive and constructive policy in respect of the democratisation of the Colony? Could he say anything further to satisfy the aspirations of the Cypriots?

If my hon. Friend will look at the reply he will see that progress is being made on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Cypriots are denied the right of trial by jury; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this situation.

I am aware that there is no provision of trial by jury in Cyprus. Cases of importance are tried by three judges. I do not know of any general wish in Cyprus for a change in this pro- cedure, but I am making inquiry of the Governor.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that members of the Pan-Cyprian Trade Unions Committee were tried by three judges appointed by the Colonial Office and not by their countrymen? Would he not think it proper to give the right of trial by their own countrymen to these men?

I think the Cypriots should know what they want themselves. We have heard nothing from them or any complaint as to the system of government, but I am making inquiries.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Cypriots know what they want and have been demanding it for a long time — a democratic regime in Cyprus?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has reconsidered the case of the imprisonment of the 18 members of the Pan-Cyprian Trades Union Committee; and whether he has any statement to make thereon.

I regret that I have not yet had time to reconsider this case in the light of my right hon. Friend's recent observations in the House. I will communicate with him on the matter as soon as possible.

Would my right hon. Friend expedite his inquiry into the matter, if at all possible, since these 18 leaders of the trade union and Labour movement in Cyprus are languishing in jail? While I realise that my right hon. Friend is extremely busy, I would nevertheless ask him to bear in mind—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech."]—that there are many people in this country who have sympathy with the trade union movement in Cyprus.

There must be a limit to the length of supplementary questions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when did his labour adviser last visit Northern Rhodesia; and whether, in view of the labour difficulties prevailing in that country, arrangements will be made for him to visit it again in the near future.

Major Orde-Browne last visited Northern Rhodesia in 1938. It is not contemplated that he should visit the territory in the immediate future. The Northern Rhodesia Government at present have the benefit of the advice of a very experienced officer of the Ministry of Labour, temporarily seconded as Industrial Adviser.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his decision in view of the very strong feeling that exists among all sections of opinion in Rhodesia?

I think we have taken steps which are much more satisfactory, and that is to get a well experienced labour adviser appointed, who will be stationed in Northern Rhodesia.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he proposes to issue in the form of a White Paper another statement of policy on West African cocoa.

Yes, Sir. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for St. Pancras (Dr. Jeger) on 6th March, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the announcement of the Governor of Nigeria at the 23rd Session of the Legislative Council that the composition of many trade unions in Nigeria had been upon a faulty basis, he will arrange for assistance to be given to the workers in Nigeria towards the reconstitution of the trade unions upon a proper basis.

Yes, Sir. Two men with wide trade union experience in this country have just been selected for appointment as additional labour officers in Nigeria.

Does the Minister agree that the trade unions want reconstituting? Is he satisfied with a system where in some trade unions in West Africa employers are presidents of unions?

We are hoping for an improvement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the alarm among existing British settlers in Tanganyika and the misgivings of prospective settlers, he will give a guarantee that, as a result of the proposed transfer to the Trusteeship Council, no British citizens or future British immigrants into Tanganyika or their children or grandchildren will be deprived of their rights as British subjects without their consent.

Yes, Sir. The placing of Tanganyika under Trusteeship would not in any way affect, either now or in the future, the status of British subjects resident in the territory, which is preserved by the provisions of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act, 1914.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the removal of uncertainty in this respect will be widely welcomed?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the prohibition of exports to the Gold Coast and Sierra Leone of local woven Nigerian cloth is still being continued notwithstanding the cessation of hostilities; and whether he will consider the early removal of this trade restriction.

This prohibition was introduced to conserve supplies of cotton textiles in Nigeria, the bulk of which are imported. So long as the present acute world shortage continues, I see no prospect of the Government of Nigeria being able to raise it.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say why he prohibits local native cloth and yet allows the export of Ad ire cloth made from imported shirting, thereby helping big business in Nigeria and harming the native producer?

I did not know of that, but I will make inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the prospects of importing bananas from West Africa.

The only region in British West Africa at present producing bananas for export on a commercial scale is the British Cameroons. One shipload of 70,000 stems is due at the end of this month but devastation by a recent severe tornado has made the prospects of further immediate consignments very doubtful.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether workmen's compensation laws are in force in all East African Colonies; and if he is satisfied with the operation of these laws.

There is such legislation in Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia. In Kenya, Uganda, and Tanganyika legislation is being prepared. Meanwhile, by agreement with employers, claims are paid on lines laid down in model legislation. A Bill has been prepared in Zanzibar and its scope is under discussion with the Resident. As regards the second part of the Question, I am arranging for my Labour Advisory Committee to make a new study of the matter.

In studying that matter, will my right hon. Friend have regard to the recent Report on this subject?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, if he will prohibit the employment of children under 14 years of age in East Africa and cancel all war-time measures which may have weakened the provisions of the existing law in this respect.

Minimum ages for the employment of children and young persons were laid down in the recommendation on minimum standards of social policy in dependent territories adopted at the International Labour Conference in Philadelphia in 1944, which was published in the Report Cmd. 6547. Reports from all Colonial Governors are due by the end of this month showing what steps are being taken to give full effect to that recommendation including, of course, the removal of 'all wartime modifications of the existing law in this respect.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plan he has for replacing Germans by British ex-Servicemen in Tanganyika, in particular in agriculture, mining and industry.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to Germans employed in these industries before the war, as at present few, if any, are so employed. The Tanganyika Government is giving attention to the possibilities of industrial development, in encouraging mining development and arranging for further mineral surveys. It is also examining possibilities of limited non-native settlement where land is not required for African occupation. The claims of British ex-Servicemen to take part in such developments will be given every consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some 5,000 Germans were employed in supervisory capacities of various sorts at the outbreak of war, and were put away at that time? Will he consider the possibility of employing some of the 10,000 officers and other ex-Servicemen in this country who are unemployed?

Certainly their claims will be considered, but, as I said in my reply, there are very few Germans, if any, engaged in industry in Tanganyika at the present time.

asked the Secrestary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider issuing White Papers on the lines of Kenya Paper, No. 8, of 1945, on land utilisation and settlement policy for other African territories.

The paper referred to was issued by the Kenya Government. The problems of land policy in Africa vary from territory to territory and the hon. Member may be assured that the Governments will publish details of their policy as and when it is considered desirable to do so.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider, at the same time, making a further survey into the question of soil erosion, which is doing much damage in Africa?

That matter is constantly before us.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many ex-Servicemen and others have applied, since August, 1945, for land on which to settle in Kenya, Uganda, Tanganyika and Northern Rhodesia, respectively; and how many of these have been accepted for each territory.

I am asking the Governors of Kenya, Tanganyika and Northern Rhodesia to supply the information which the hon. Members requires. I will communicate it to him as soon as I receive it. No scheme of European settlement is contemplated in Uganda.

In view of the large number of unemployed officers in this country, would the right hon. Gentleman consider publishing from time to time statistics of the numbers for whom his Department has found employment?

That is really not a matter for me, but I will certainly be prepared to give the House the information which is sent by the Governors of the various Colonies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is prepared to consider plans for the running of the Nigerian palm oil industry on a co-operative basis as the only method by which the Nigerian industry can preserve its democratic nature while competing effectively with plantation methods of production elsewhere.

I am anxious to see as full a development as possible of the Co-operative movement in Nigeria. I should welcome an extension of the cooperative practice in the palm oil and palm kernel industry. The Nigerian Government are considering what additional steps they can take to further the efficiency of the industry.

Would my right hon. Friend consider inviting the co-operation of the Co-operative movement in this country in this matter?

As I have replied to a previous supplementary question, we arc in constant touch with the Co-operative movement in connection with this matter.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is in the interests both of Nigeria and of this country that palm kernels should be shipped here, where there is a demand both for the meal and for the oil extracted therefrom?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in view of the report by his labour advise I that he found the best African housing conditions in British tropical Africa to be in the principal town of the highlands of Kenya, he will advise the governors of adjoining British territories that their experts in native housing should visit Nairobi and Nakuru and consult with the municipalities there.

In response to my request, I have received photographs and blue-prints of housing in the Kenya Highlands. The Kenya Government are also preparing a brochure and I have asked for copies to distribute to the Colonies likely to be interested. I will, however, bring the hon. Member's suggestion to the notice of the Governors to whom he refers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Africans are now serving in administrative posts in West African colonies.

If my hon. Friend is referring to the higher posts of administrative officer in the political administration, the answer is 12. If he is referring to superior posts in other Departments involving some degree of administrative responsibility, the number is, of course, very much greater. In Nigeria alone the number is 97.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether this is an increase on last year's figures, and could he say the percentage of these posts filled by the Africans compared with the total number of posts?

It is an increase, but I cannot give the percentage without notice.

Will the Minister find out?

I will.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to reorganise labour departments in East African colonies as recommended in the Orde Browne Report; and whether British trade union advisers are to be sent to Kenya and Tanganyika.

The Departments are already being reorganised and expanded on the lines recommended in the report and the European staff provided for in the 1946 Estimates will be nearly double that provided for in 1945. Men with wide British trade union experience are now being selected for appointment as labour officers in Kenya and Tanganyika.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say how many are being sent and when they are likely to be sent?

Two are to be appointed to Kenya and one to Tanganyika. We are hoping they will soon be appointed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plans exist for the reorganisation of the lower grades of the Uganda Civil Service.

The Governor has arranged for a review of salaries and conditions of the local Civil Service and will submit his proposals as soon as the report, which is nearing completion, is ready.

In view of the disquieting attitude that prevails in this service, could the whole matter be expedited so as to give satisfaction or, at least, encouragement?

We are expecting the report and we will see whether we can expedite it

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the number and location of labour exchanges for Africans that have been set up in each of the African colonies; and whether he has any plans for their further extension in the near future.

Permanent labour exchanges for Africans have been set up in Nigeria, Gold Coast, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Tanganyika Territory. Experimental exchanges were started in the principal towns of Northern Rhodesia some time ago. These facilities will be extended in the light of experience.

Can the Minister state in the OFFICIAL REPORT what are the exact number?

I will send that information to my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in accordance with the spirit of paragraph 65 of the White Paper on Mass Education in African Society, he will arrange for more official and financial encouragement to be given by education departments in African Colonies to a rapid extension of the African boy scout and girl guide movement by organising regional training centres under a whole-time European instructor for intensive training of African scout leaders drawn from rural as well as urban centres, and for the closest possible cooperation in this matter with the scout movement leaders in this country.

Youth organisations, including the boy scout and girl guide movements, among other social welfare activities, have recently been commended to Colonial Governments in a Colonial Office memorandum. The hon. Member will, however, appreciate that it is for Colonial Governments themselves to consider the forms of youth organisation most suitable to individual territories and the method of financing them, whether wholly from local funds, or from other sources.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the immense overall food needs of the world, he will give an assurance that the fullest possible investigations are in hand, of will be initiated, for the long-term development of soyabean culture in potentially suitable soil; and whether these possibilities will be explored in relation to the nutritive deficiencies of diet in the smaller colonial depensdencies.

Yes, Sir. Every effort is being made to increase the production of foodstuffs in colonial territories, and special attention is being given to those foods, including soya beans, which are nutritionally most desirable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is intended to carry out a general survey to inquire: into the possible extension of the fishing industry, and of the ancillary industries of drying, canning and the extraction of special products such as liver oils and glue; and if he will give an assurance that the possibilities in this connection associated with the smaller island dependencies will be considered seriatim.

Yes, Sir. Surveys of the fisheries of all the West Indian Colonies and also of St. Helena have already been completed by experts, and the local fishing industries, including the preservation of fish and the use of byproducts, are now being developed in accordance with their recommendations. The fisheries of ail the maritime colonies and the East African lakes will be investigated as soon as the necessary staff is available; preparatory work is already going on in East and West Africa, Hong Kong and Mauritius.

Would the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the needs of some of the smaller Pacific islands?

Yes, Sir.

Would my right hon. Friend also impress on the Minister of Food the necessity of doing something of the same sort at home?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in what Colonies newspapers are required to provide a bond or some guarantee to ensure that persons who successfully institute proceedings for libel against them are in the position to recover damages awarded by the court.

With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate a detailed statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the statement:

Territories in which legislation provides for the execution by the publisher of a newspaper of a bond conditioned that he shall pay any damages or costs awarded in a libel action:

Bahamas, British Guiana, British Honduras, Cyprus, Gambia, Hong Kong, Leeward Islands, Nigeria, North Borneo, Palestine, Seychelles, Tanganyika Territory, Trinidad, Uganda, and Windward Islands (St. Lucia, St. Vincent).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the erection of prefabricated houses is being considered in colonies where the housing shortage is acute.

Yes, Sir. I have already supplied information on recent methods of prefabricated housing to a number of Colonial Governments which have been considering the possibilities of employing such methods.

Could the Minister say whether precasting in concrete on the site has been considered for the erection of these houses?

I did not quite catch the question.

Have the Ministry considered precasting on the site in the Colonies?

They are giving consideration to every aspect of this question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether experiments have been made in any colony with two-wheeled tractors with which ploughing might be carried out, either on a communal basis, or by native contractors working for a group of farmers; and if not, whether the possibility will be examined.

Tractors, of which some are two wheeled, are being used for ploughing in a number of Colonial territories. Their employment in native agriculture is being encouraged where practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) if he has any further statement to make with regard to the negotiations with the Rajah of Sarawak;

(2) if he will give an assurance that no final decision will be taken on the future of Sarawak before this House has been given an opportunity to discuss it.

Arrangements are being made for the Rajah to leave this country for Sarawak by air on 5th April. On arrival His Highness will take over the administration of that territory from the military authorities. In agreement with the Rajah, I am also arranging for my hon. Friend the Member for South Croydon (Mr. Rees-Williams) and the hon. Member for Hornsey (Mr. Gammans) to visit Sarawak for the purpose of confirming by independent inquiry that the Rajah's proposal for the cession of the territory to His Majesty is broadly acceptable to the native communities.

The House will appreciate that in the circumstances this inquiry must necessarily be of an informal nature. If the Members are satisfied as to the acceptability of the proposal, there would seem to be no reason for delaying the submission to the Sarawak Councils of the legislation authorising cession. Facilities for a Debate are not a matter for me but should be referred through the usual channels.

Surely the right hon. Gentleman will not allow a matter of such importance as this to be finally decided without a report by the two Members who go there not only being sent back to this House, but brought back, for further discussion?

The question of a discussion is not for me to decide. That matter can very easily be raised through the usual channels.

In view of the fact that the Under-Secretary gave an unconditional pledge that before the future of Malaya was decided the House would have an opportunity of discussing it, would not the right hon. Gentleman do the same about Sarawak?

No, Sir. Under-Secretaries can take greater risks than Ministers can.

While not objecting to the Members being sent, may I ask whether there is not some responsible representative of the Government there who could make a report?

My two hon. Friends are being sent out at the desire of the House.

Would the right hon. Gentleman recommend to the Prime Minister that if Under-Secretaries are to take greater risks they should also receive greater salaries?

Would the right hon. Gentleman provide air transport to Sarawak for the Tuan Muda and the Rajah Muda, if he is so requested?

There is a Question on the Order Paper dealing with that matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has considered the request from the Tuan Muda and the Rajah Muda of Sarawak to visit Sarawak in connection with the negotiations which are about to take place; and whether the necessary travelling facilities will be provided for them.

I have not so far had an actual request, but the Tuan Muda referred to the question of his visiting Sarawak in recent correspondence with me. I intimated to him that I consider this to be a matter for the Rajah to decide, since any visit would take place when the Rajah will have resumed his administration in Sarawak.

In view of the fact that we all know that the Rajah of Sarawak is keen on annexation and that his heir and large numbers of people in Sarawak are far from keen, am I to understand that the Colonial Office is not going to give an opportunity for the Rajah's heir and his family to discuss this matter with the people in Sarawak who are on his side?

I am sure the House will appreciate that Sarawak is not British territory. The Rajah is the supreme ruler and it is a matter for him. It is not a question of transport. It is a question whether any person should visit Sarawak, and it is entirely one for the Rajah to decide.

In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman and the Government are considering whether to accept the Rajah's offer to sell Sarawak for £1,000,000, surely they are entitled to insist on the Rajah giving any facilities they think right, in order that they may determine what is the feeling of the people of Sarawak. If the right hon. Gentleman thinks that, in order to add to the knowledge of this House as to what the people of Sarawak think, the Rajah Muda or the Tuan Muda should go, surely he is entitled, is he not, to ask the Rajah to give these facilities?

I would like to state emphatically that the Rajah is not selling Sarawak for £1,000,000. What the Rajah is asking is that £1,000,000 of £2,750,000 of the Sarawak State funds) which really are his funds, should be set aside as a trust fund, and only the income from the £1,000,000 will be used. After the beneficiaries who will receive the income from the £1,000,000 have died, the £1,000,000 will revert to Sarawak, so really there is no sale of Sarawak for £1,000,000. With regard to the visit, really I must leave that matter for the Rajah to decide. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why? '] Because he is the ruler of the territory, whether we like it or not. [An HON. MEMBER: "Have not the people some rights? "1 As a matter of fact, the House has agreed and indeed, the Rajah, upon representation from myself, has agreed, that two Members, one from the Government side and one from the Opposition, shall go out to Sarawak to see whether people on the spot desire or do not desire that cession shall take place.

Might I ask my right hon. Friend if he will raise any objection to the Rajah Muda going to Sarawak in case the Rajah is willing to let him go?

Answer.

I did not quite catch the question.

Will my right hon. Friend state that he has no objection to the Rajah Muda going out to Sarawak, in case the Rajah allows him to go?

I certainly have no personal objection and, indeed, I do not intend interfering in this matter.

Will the Minister inform the House whether there is any functionary or personage called the Rajah Muda at present, as the title is entirely derived from the Rajah, and the last person holding the office was demoted from that office in September by an Act of State by the Rajah?

That is so, Sir.

As the members of the Malayan Union, which I believe have considerable standing and numbers in Sarawak, have already said they want the Raja Muda to go out there, will that also be considered?

The standing and numbers of the Malayan Union arc not such as the hon. Member suggested. The total membership of the Malayan Union, as far as my information goes, is fewer than 2,500.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to revive the co-operative movement in Mauritius, in view of the bad state into which the movement has fallen; and, in particular, from what source will officers with a working knowledge of cooperative societies be recruited to reorganise it.

In February, 1945, Mr. W. K. H. Campbell, a former Joint Registrar of Co-operative Credit Societies, Ceylon, visited Mauritius to investigate the co-operative movement there. A comprehensive Co-operative Societies' Ordinance was enacted in Mauritius in October last. I am giving attention to the training and appointment of co-operative officers and am asking the Governor to report generally on other action taken on Mr. Campbell's recommendations and to deal specially with the matter mentioned in the second part of the Question.

Has my right hon. Friend any means of consulting with the Cooperative movement in this country in the matter of the advice he might give in Mauritius or elsewhere in matters of this sort?

Consultations have already taken place with the Cooperative movement on that matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in view of the slaughter of wild fauna now taking place in Southern Rhodesia, he will consider calling an international conference under the Protocol of 8th November, 1933, to the Convention for the Protection of Fauna and Flora, to examine the working of the convention and to see if improvements might be made to it.

I have been asked to reply. The question of the destruction of wild fauna in Southern Rhodesia is entirely a matter for the Southern Rhodesia Government. The hon. and gallant Member's suggestion for calling a further international conference will be kept in mind, but I am not in a position to make any statement on the subject at present.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that great suffering is caused to countless numbers of wild animals by this debateable method of trying to eliminate sleeping sickness?

That is a matter into which the Southern Rhodesian Government are going.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the Government of Trinidad has abolished the Excess Profits Tax, although the Budget shows a substantial deficit.

There was strong feeling in Trinidad against the continuance of this tax in local conditions. While it is true that the Budget shows a small deficit, I am confident that the Legislature is fully alive to this and will give its attention to alternative sources of revenue.

On whose part was there this strong feeling on this matter—the employers or the ordinary people in the island?

It was generally felt and represented to us through the Legislature that this tax should cease.

May we hope, and can the Colonial Secretary give, us any hope, that the home Government will shortly follow this praiseworthy example?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Medical Superintendent of the Leprosy Settlement has estimated that Trinidad should be free from leprosy in 15 to 20 years provided that continuous and efficient survey of the disease is undertaken; and if he is satisfied that the Government of Trinidad have adequate plans to achieve this result.

I have not seen the statement referred to. I will ask the Governor for a report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that there is dissatisfaction in Jamaica over the small number of passages to this country available to the general public and also over the handling of the priority for such passages as are available; and what steps are being taken to remedy this.

Jamaica, like other Colonial territories, is suffering from the general shortage of passenger shipping, and I am advised that there is no prospect of substantial relief until the present demands on shipping space for demobilisation can be eased. I have received no complaints about the working of the priority system in Jamaica, but I will make inquiries from the Governor in the matter.

If I send the right hon. Gentleman a copy of information on this subject, which I have already sent to the Ministry of War Transport, will he-consider it?

Certainly, Sir.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take this matter up with the Minister of War Transport, as it is only by getting citizens of Jamaica to this country that we can increase our exports to Jamaica?

The Minister of War Transport and I are in constant touch on this matter. I fully appreciate the seriousness of it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what British properties in Yugoslavia have been taken over by the State; and what compensation has been paid for them.

No British properties in Yugoslavia have been nationalised. Indeed, the Yugoslav Government have announced their intention of returning foreign properties to their owners, and an Anglo-Yugoslav Mixed Commission is shortly to be set up in Belgrade for the purpose of settling this question in so far as British properties are concerned. The question of compensation has not, therefore, arisen.

Are there any difficulties over transfer of currency?

That does not arise in the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will consider offering the Government of Siam credits or such other commercial advantages as will induce them to make available for export the largest possible amount of cereals, especially rice, with a view to relieving, by these means, the shortages in India and Burma.

His Majesty's Government are fully aware of the importance of encouraging the maximum export of rice from Siam. We have been advised that the most effective means of obtaining increased exports is the early delivery to Siam of certain classes of consumer goods. Siam is in a position to pay for such goods, and His Majesty's Government have taken steps, in cooperation with the Dominion Governments and the Government of India, to ensure their early delivery to Siam.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any organisation will be set up to keep in touch with, and watch over, the interests of those Poles who may return to Poland on the advice of His Majesty's Government.

I have made plain in my statement on this subject in the House on 20th March the determination of His Majesty's Government to deal justly by these men and to continue, when they go back, to use our influence in favour of the strict fulfilment of the Yalta and Potsdam decisions relating to Poland. I also explained in my statement that His Majesty's Government had received information from the Polish Provisional Government about the conditions under which members of the Polish Armed Forces under British Command will return to Poland. In these circumstances, I do not think that the establishment of a special organisation is called for.

Does the Foreign Secretary realise that many people in this country would feel a peculiar and uneasy responsibility for these men for many years to come?

May I ask the Foreign Secretary if, under the very Words of the Potsdam Agreement, we are entitled to expect that all Poles returning are given exactly the same personal and property rights as all other Poles?

Yes, but I cannot anticipate another Government's defalcation in advance. If I have been given these assurances, I must give them all opportunity to carry them out.

While I agree with what the right hon. Gentleman has said, may I ask if he does not understand that there is some uneasiness in this country that the Foreign Secretary and the Government in this country have underwritten the future prospects of these men?

I do not think there is any misapprehension at all. I think there are other honest men in the world as well as ourselves.

Is the Foreign Secretary satisfied that this Provisional Government will carry out the conditions which the right hon. Gentleman put before them when these men return to Poland, because they are rather concerned about it and say they are not authorised by the Warsaw Government?

I am never satisfied before my breakfast, but I am afterwards.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give an assurance that it is the intention of the Government to withdraw the British Forces from Greece immediately after the coming election, whatever the result of that election may be.

I am most anxious to get British troops out of Greece, and they will be withdrawn as soon after the elections as conditions allow. But there are certain conditions that must be fulfilled. The House may, however, be assured that they will be withdrawn at the earliest possible date.

Will the Minister bear in mind that there is a good deal of feeling that British troops should not again be involved in civil strife in Greece, should such strife follow the election?

I can only hope that all the parties in Greece will exercise the ballot and not the bullet.

Is the Minister aware of the case in which, when one devil came out of a man, seven other devils went into him, and has he applied his mind to the possibility of that kind of thing?

I never understood that that happened to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what proposals have been made by the Greek Government to revise the electoral registers; which of these proposals have been refused ratification by the Regent; and whether His Majesty's Government have been consulted in the matter.

The Greek Government drafted a law last January which, provided for an extension of the period for registration, for a complete revision of the electoral lists so far compiled, and for a further period after this scrutiny for the hearing of complaints and objections. The Regent declined to ratify this law on the ground that it would have made inevitable a postponement of the elections beyond 31st March. His Majesty's Government were not consulted in the matter.

All my information suggests that no major revision of the electoral lists is required. The lists were open for registration until 10th February, and there has been ample time and opportunity for checking the lists and investigating complaints. The Allied Mission of Observers are now carrying out a final scrutiny of the lists and any irregularities which they discover are being brought to the attention of the Greek authorities.

Do I understand that the Regent refused ratification on his own, without any advice from the British Government?

Certainly, Sir.

Is it not the case that in most countries in Europe there is no electoral list, and that only one form of candidate is allowed?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has yet received a report from the Legal Commission sent to Greece, and in particular, if it shows how many Greek prisoners have been released under the law for the de-congestion of the prisons, of 10th December, 1945; and how many still remain incarcerated out of the 16,826 in gaol on 23rd August, 1945.

The report of the Legal Mission is now being communicated to the Greek Government, and I will arrange for its publication as soon as they have had time to consider it. The Report gives the text of the law for the decongestion of prisons which was passed on 21st December, 1945, but it does not give the figures of releases since it was completed before the law took effect. The latest available figures show that 3,501 persons had been released under the provisions of the law up to 14th March. The Report does not state how many of the men in prison on 23rd August, 1945, are still detained, and I have no information on this point.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of naval officers employed in His Majesty's dockyards on civilian work and supervising dockyard workmen; the annual cost of these officers; the number of employees employed in all dockyards in clerical and non-productive work; the number of clerical and supervisory grades in 1936; and the number of clergy employed in His Majesty's dockyards and their cost per year.

As the reply contains a number of figures, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the Reply:

There are 71 naval officers employed on supervisory duties and the cost is approximately £72,000 a year. According to the latest information, 2,879 employees were engaged on clerical and 4,091 on nonproductive work in the dockyards. The number of clerical grades employed in 1936 was 1,208, the corresponding figure-for supervisory grades being 746. The number of clergy who include the dockyard staff in their ministration is six and the estimated cost of this service is £4,240 per year. All the figures quoted in this answer are in respect of the home dockyards only.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that it is impossible for civilians employed in the engineering departments to rise above the rank of senior foreman, all higher ranks being held by naval officers; and will he take steps to democratise this branch, so that apprentices to engineering in the dockyards have the same opportunities as those in the shipbuilding and electrical branches.

It is not, in fact, impossible for civilians employed in the engineering departments of the dockyard to rise above the rank of senior foreman. Certain higher posts are already available to them at the Admiralty, namely, those of examiner of dockyard work and engineer assistant, and the possibility of providing further avenues of promotion is receiving consideration in connection with postwar organisation plans.

Is my hon. Friend aware that he has been misinformed in this information, and that it is quite impossible for a dockyard apprentice to become an engineering officer at the docks? Will he look into the matter further?

I cannot admit that I have been misinformed. In any case, I have said that the matter is receiving consideration in connection with postwar organisation.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the gratuity of £79 7s. 6d. due to Leading Stoker Robinson, on his demobilisation on 17th December last will be paid, as it- is urgently required, and full particulars of which have been sent him.

A Post Office Savings Bank Book credited with the amount due was despatched to Mr. Robinson Windsor on 19th March, 1946.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when it is proposed to pay war gratuities to ratings who were granted indefinite release for industrial purposes.

Payment of war gratuities to ratings who were granted indefinite release is now being made.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will now make arrangements for a full inquiry into circumstances of the sinking of H.M.S. "Glorious," which resulted in the loss of 1,000 lives.

No, Sir. A board of inquiry was held at the time to investigate the loss of H.M.S. "Glorious," and it would be neither practical nor profitable to convene a fresh board so long after the event.

If the Admiralty will not publish the facts, may I ask whether or not it is true that half the proper escort for this vessel was taken away, and that the instructions were so given that neither the Officer Commanding the Home Fleet nor the Officer Commanding Coastal Command was aware of the movement of the ship, in consequence of which it was "knocking about" in the Arctic Ocean with an insufficient escort?

Before my hon. Friend answers that question, will he tell us why the escort was taken away and who ordered it to be taken away?

In answer to the first question, I did not say I was unwilling to give the information. I said I was unwilling for the board of inquiry to be reconvened. I am willing, if the hon. Member presses for it, to give directions for a report on this incident to be compiled, based upon information obtained at the time, together with any other information which may have become available since.

Will my hon. Friend say why the ship was not under proper escort, and where it was?

That will all come out in the information which I have promised.

Is it not correct that naval boards of inquiry are confidential?

Yes, Sir, but it is quite possible for a report based on the facts, such as I have described, to be compiled and published.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the hon. Member for the Sutton Coldfield division wrote on 25th February to the Ministry of Agriculture about the release of a knackerman; that his letter was passed to the Ministry of Food, thence to the Ministry of Supply and thence to the Board of Trade; that no Department has yet accepted any responsibility in this matter; and whether, to prevent further delay, he will direct the War Office to release this knackerman.

Yes, Sir. I regret that there has been some delay in replying to the hon. Member. The House will be aware that there has-recently been a considerable transfer of responsibilities between Departments, and it is perhaps understandable that there should have been some doubt about a borderline case of this kind. The hon. Member will by now have had a letter from my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade. In reply to the last part of the Question, the release of men ahead of their turn must depend on Service requirements. But I have asked my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War to look into the case and see whether compassionate release would be justified.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will now decontrol soap.

There is, I am sorry to say, no prospect of my being able to bring the soap rationing scheme to an end at an early date.

Would my right hon. Friend consider whether, in the meantime, he will provide extra supplies for the poor harassed housewife in her spring cleaning problems?

It is quite impossible for me to give anything out of the very short supplies in the country today.

asked the Minister of Food how many licensed vendors of imported fruit there are in the borough of Westminster; what proportion of them are hawkers; and what is the allocation of citrus fruits to these hawkers.

There are 207 licensed retailers of imported fruit in the borough of Westminster, and of these, 46 are hawkers. The hawkers' share of the citrus fruits distributed in that borough is one-eighth.

May I ask the Minister how it is that, if there is a very small allocation to the hawkers, there are a dozen within a square mile of Covent Garden and Leicester Square who are able to fill their barrows and replenish them again and again when they get empty?

All I can say is that, of oranges, the hawkers have received 21,440 lbs., of lemons, 4,020 lbs., grapefruit, 4,690 lbs—a total of 30,150 lbs.

May I ask the Minister whether the description of the ancient city of Westminster, both in the Question and in the answer, as a borough is part of the new attack on the traditions of Westminster?