asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that police action has been taken in Sibu, east of Kuching, against the free expression of opinion by those opposed to the cession of Sarawak; and whether he will take steps to ensure that orderly criticism and democratic rights are preserved for all citizens of this Colony.

The Governor of Sarawak has reported that certain anti-cession posters displayed in Sibu were removed by the police on 14th November. This was done by order of the local police chief on the ground that they would lead to inter-racial animosity and incidents, after reports had been received that strong feeling had been aroused by the display of these posters in the Chinese area. Many posters had also been affixed to Malay houses without permission and against the wishes of the owners, who asked the police to remove them. As regards the second part of the Question, I am as jealous of preserving democratic rights as my hon. Friend and will certainly take steps with the local authorities to prevent infringement if occasion arises.

Can the Minister say whether any of those who affixed the posters have been proceeded against or have been ill-treated in any way?

I am unable to say that, but there had been previous incidents, and the Governor had already taken some action against those who were involved.

Can the Minister assure the House that there is no impediment whatever to free expression of opinion in Sarawak against the proposals for cession?

There is no interference with civil liberty in any regard.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what authority an official circular was issued in Sarawak threatening with instant dismissal any Government servant associating himself with any activity designed to keep open the question of cession.

The circular was issued by the Chief Secretary under the authority of the Governor, who was acting within his constitutional powers.

Is the right hon. Gentleman clear that that answer is consistent with the answer he gave to Question No. 1 this afternoon?

I hope it is consistent.

May I ask it that means that any official of any other British Colony who disapproves of the present Constitution there will have to resign? Is this rule being applied in other Colonies or only in Sarawak?

Oh, no, Sir. His Majesty has a right, I think, to expect loyalty from his servants.

Tell that to the T.U.C.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the resignation, on or about 20th December, 1946, of 21 of the leading officials in the Sarawak Government; and who have replaced them.

On 20th December a circular was issued, by the Governor's direction, requiring any member of the Sarawak Government Service who felt unable to serve that Government with the loyalty it is entitled and obliged to demand of its servants, to notify the authorities accordingly by 31st December. The circular was sent to 2,509 Government servants, including 49 Europeans, 1,371 Malays, 426 Chinese and 456 Dyaks. My latest information is that notice of resignation has been received from 335 officials, of whom all but three were Malays. Of the 332 Malays who have resigned, some 90 per cent. live in one particular area where the influence of the Malay National Union is predominant. They submitted their resignations on printed forms supplied by the Malay National Union, and many of them informed their Departmental Heads privately that they were acting contrary to their real wishes because of pressure brought to bear on them, or their families, and fear of social or religious boycott. Those who have resigned will be granted special retirement terms. As regards the last part of the Question, the majority of the resignations do not take effect for three months. I have, as yet, no information about the arrangements for replacements, but I understand that no functional breakdown of any Government Department is anticipated.

In view of the fact that we have not yet seen the actual Deed of Cession, and that the matter remains open until finally decided by the Privy Council, is it right that these people should be forced to resign before the matter is finally decided? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these 21 people to whom I have referred were heads of Government Departments?

If the hon. Member goes to the Library, he will see the Notice in regard to cession. Parliament has accepted as a fact the cession of Sarawak, and it was in the spirit of Parliamentary action that this line of action was taken by the Government.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what terms of compensation, if any, are offered to these persons?

They are entitled to certain special retirement terms, but I have not the details here.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why he made a statement on 2nd January denying the offer by his Department of a house to Mr. Anthony Brooke.

The statement was made because Mr. Anthony Brooke's message to the Press in Singapore might have given the impression that the Colonial Office, or Colonial Government, had offered him a house and money in return for an undertaking not to interfere in the affairs of Sarawak.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman completely aware that Mr. Brooke made no such suggestion whatever, but said that it was the original Sarawak Government which made that offer? The Minister will agree that they were in the same position as the Governments of Belgium and Holland, who were refugee Governments here at the time the house was required?

For the information of the House, Mr. Brooke refused to disclose, when asked, the origin of the offer. I think it very important that my two predecessors should be protected against a charge of this kind, when it was not within their jurisdiction to intervene at all in such a matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the system of holding land from the Sultans in the Malayan States on payment of a quit rent is to be retained, in view of the changes to be made in the Sultans' powers.

The effect of the proposals which are being discussed and which have been published, would be to restore the position in this matter to approximately that which existed before the creation of the Malayan Union.

Am I to gather then, that public lands will not be vested in the Crown, as they are in most Colonies?

The old position is restored.

Will the Minister state that this quit rent does not in fact go to the Sultans but passes into the public revenues?

Yes, Sir, that is the position.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in view of the fact that the labour ordinance in the Malayan Union and Singapore is now out of date, he will institute a redraft of this ordinance.

The Governors of the Malayan Union and Singapore already have this matter in hand.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will instruct the Singapore Government to assist in the allocation of supplies to the co-operative society recently established in Singapore; and not to encourage the allocation of supplies to monopolistic combines such as the British Association of Straits Merchants.

The British Association of Straits Merchants is not a monopolistic combine. It is a London association of old established merchants trading in Malaya with which a contract was made for the handling and clearance of certain relief supplies, ordered on Government account in the months preceding and immediately following the liberation of Malaya. Particulars of this contract, which will shortly lapse were given by my predecessor to my hon. Friend the Member for Leek (Mr. Harold Davies) in a reply in this House on 31st July last. Under it, the association undertook to deliver a due proportion of these supplies free of commission to importers who were not among its members. The particular co-operative society to which my hon. Friend refers was only recently established but it has already been allocated supplies for distribution.

In view of the fact that experience in Britain has shown that co-operative societies are one of the biggest monopolies, why should there be discrimination?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the strong black market operating in Singapore, he will urge the adoption of a rationing system through the rice ration card for the distribution of textiles and other goods.

The Governor informs me that so far from there being a strong black market in Singapore, price control is becoming increasingly effective and prices, particularly of textiles, have fallen steadily and substantially. The possibility of widening the rationing system to include other commodities was closely examined more than once last year when the shortages were most acute, but the conclusion was reached that in an area in which the different sections of the population have such different requirements and tastes, this would be unpopular and impracticable. Alternative methods, which have proved increasingly effective, were accordingly adopted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will arrange that selected trades unionists from the Malayan Union and Singapore shall come to England in order that they may gain by training, observation and contact with the British trades union movement; and if he will invite a delegation of trades unionists and M.Ps. to go to Malaya to study labour and economic conditions there.

I am naturally concerned that there should be a healthy trade union movement in the Malayan territories, and various steps have already been taken to this end. In the consideration of whatever further measures may be necessary I shall certainly bear in mind the suggestions which my hon. Friend has put forward.

When they reach the end of England, can they also come to Scotland?

Will the right hon. Gentleman make sure that when they arrive they are given the opportunity of observing that some of the unions in this country are unable to control their members?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many cases of tuberculosis were reported in British Malaya in 1946; how many people were certified to have died from this disease during the same period; and what steps are being taken to deal with this menace.

The information is not yet available, but I have asked the Governors of the Malayan Union and Singapore for a report, and will communicate with my hon. Friend when it arrives.

In view of the urgency of this matter, will my night hon. Friend also point out to the Governors that the terrible housing conditions in Malaya have had something to do with this question?

Yes, Sir. Development schemes are, of course, under way, and that aspect of the matter is receiving attention.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many public meetings were held by the electoral committee appointed by the governor of Singapore in April last to deal with the procedure for election of unofficial members of the Singapore Legislative Council; and what steps he will take to ensure that before effect is given to any of its recommendations all sections of opinion in the colony and, in particular, the political parties and trade unions will be consulted.

On 24th of April, 1946, the Committee to which my hon. Friend refers announced that they wished to consult public opinion to the fullest extent possible, and that they would welcome any views or suggestions which any persons or bodies of persons in the Colony might have to make. Representations were to be submitted in writing before 31st May. Full publicity was given to this announcement in the local Press, and ample opportunity was thus given to all sections of opinion including political parties and trade unions, to express their views. The Committee's meetings were not public, but a representative of the Malayan Democratic Union attended one of the meetings and discussed with the Committee the memorandum which the Union had submitted.

Do I understand that no public meetings were held?

Yes, Sir. These were not public meetings. A committee sitting in private received the recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been, or are being, taken to implement the pledge that all sections of opinion will be consulted before any final decisions are taken in relation to the constitution of the Singapore Municipal Council, to citizenship of the Malayan Union, and to the constitution of the Malayan Union; what organisations have in fact been consulted; and whether he will undertake that no final decisions shall be reached on these matters until Parliament has the opportunity to consider them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a further statement on the progress of the negotiations in relation to the constitutional issue in British Malaya.

The few outstanding points to which I referred in the statement which I circulated with the OFFICIAL REPORT on nth of December were quickly settled, and the proposals for the revision of the Constitution of the Malayan Union were published in Malaya on 24th December. The Governor then appointed a Committee, consisting mainly of influential representatives of the non-Malay communities, which has invited, on the widest possible basis, the views of communities, interests and individuals throughout the Peninsula. The report of this Committee will be submitted to the Governor, for consideration in the Advisory Council. His Majesty's Government will then again consider the matter, and at that stage, as I promised on nth of December, the House will be given the opportunity of commenting on the proposals as a whole. Meanwhile, copies of the proposals as published in Malaya have been placed in the Library of the House and I am circulating with the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement setting out their main features.

Can the right hon. Gentleman more clearly particularise the opportunity which will be given to this House to express its views? Does he mean that there will be a full day's Debate, or what will happen?

I am not in a position to say that, but it will be my desire that the House should have the fullest opportunity of discussing these proposals.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies why coconut oil produced in Malaya is subject to export control.

Control over exports of coconut oil produced in Malaya is required in order to implement recommendations for the allocation of shipments made by the International Emergency Food Council, on which this country is represented.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is satisfied that the military authorities in Palestine have, during the last 12 months, had all the powers they required in order to protect the lives of British subjects from terrorist activities.

Yes, Sir. Responsibility for the preservation of law and order in Palestine rests with the High Commissioner' as head of the Civil Government. In this he has the support of the military authorities on whom he can call for any assistance required. Close and effective cooperation has at all time been maintained between the civil and military authorities with a view to ensuring that everything possible is done to safeguard life and property in Palestine.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many British subjects were murdered in Palestine in 1946; and how many of the culprits have been convicted.

During 1946 the total number of British subjects murdered in Palestine was 73. Of these, 15 were members of the Palestine Police, 45 members of His Majesty's Forces and 13 were civilians. No culprits have been convicted.

Does the right hon. Gentleman really say that no culprits have been convicted?

Yes, Sir.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it would not have been possible to convict culprits if more cooperation had been received from the' Jewish community in Palestine?

Yes, Sir, that is the position. We have had difficulty in collecting exact information in regard to these most tragic incidents.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many British subjects have been killed, wounded, or subjected to physical assault, by Jewish terrorists in Palestine since 1st August, 1945.

I am asking the High Commissioner for Palestine for the exact figures required, and I shall communicate with the hon. Member as soon as I am in a position to do so.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also ask the High Commissioner for details of the convictions secured in respect of assaults and woundings, so that the House may know whether a better standard has been achieved in regard to them than in regard to the murders, for which no convictions have yet been secured?

I will see that the House is given as much information as possible about the wounding incidents.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will arrange for those Members of this House, who wish to do so, to visit the British officials, police and troops in Palestine.

I am not sure what sort of arrangements the hon. and gallant Member has in mind; but I doubt whether officially sponsored visits would really be helpful at the present time. Moreover, I should be reluctant to add to the security commitments already carried by the Palestine Police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the total casualty rate in Palestine during 1946, indicating killed and wounded separately, and to which forces they were attached, or in the case of civilians, indicating how many were Jews and how many Arabs and whether armed or unarmed.

I have asked the High Commissioner for Palestine for the information required and I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as I am in a position to do so.

In view of the importance of this House ascertaining the facts as a basis for debate, would the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to see that the answer is printed in HANSARD and made public?

I will certainly see that that is done.

Can the right hon. Gentleman also say how many capital sentences have been passed in connection with these outrages and how many have been carried into effect?

I would like notice of that question

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the persons who flogged British soldiers in Palestine have been arrested; what punishment they received; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement concerning the flogging by Jewish terrorists of a British major and three non-commissioned officers.

At half past seven on 29th December a British Army major was kidnapped from the hotel at Nathanya by a party of armed Jews, flogged with 18 strokes of the whip, and returned to the hotel. The same evening two British staff sergeants were abducted by a party of armed Jews at Tel Aviv and taken by car to the Zoological Gardens. Each was flogged with 18 strokes of the whip. Later that evening, five armed Jews entered a cafe; abducted the most senior officer present, a British staff sergeant, and flogged him with 18 strokes of a rope's end. He suffered severe bruises and abrasions and was admitted to hospital.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether His Majesty's Government will take the most drastic steps to maintain law and order in Palestine, or admit their failure by clearing out? Further, will they ask the advice of the Russian Government as to what steps they would take in similar circumstances?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any of the suspects detained were people who had been detained before but had been released by His Majesty's Government only a month or two before this incident?

I am sorry, I am not in possession of that information but I will try to obtain it.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman two supplementary questions? First, when he says the Irgun Zvai Leumi accept responsibility, what does he mean? Does he mean that they boast of this achievement, or does he mean that the persons managing that organisation have come forward and wish to be tried? Secondly, with apologies for repeating a suggestion I have made more than once before, would it not be wise to refer to these people always—and fairer from anyone's point of view—as Zionists and not as Jews?

In a statement which was issued by the means open to these people, they did accept responsibility—

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by "accept responsibility"?

They accepted responsibility in the sense that they assumed themselves liable for the action which they themselves organised. On the second point, I think a distinction must be drawn between normal Zionist organisations and terrorist groups.

Have the soldiers concerned been given any compensation for having been the object of these terrible outrages?

Answer.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman to repeat his question?

I was asking if the soldiers concerned, the officer and staff sergeants who were flogged, have received any compensation for their obviously great sufferings as the innocent subjects of these disgusting outrages?

I would ask the hon. Member to put that question on the Paper.

May I ask my right hon. Friend if these deplorable floggings by the terrorists were not the direct outcome of a Hogging imposed by the authorities—[HON. MEMBERS:."Oh."]—and would it not be preferable that we should set an example by abandoning this humiliating form of punishment?

Oh.

Arising out of the right hon. Gentleman's original reply, does he not think the fact most deplorable that immediately after the flogging outrages on these British troops a flogging sentence on a young Jew named Aaron Cohen was remitted after the general officer commanding had confirmed it?

That is a matter within the discretion of the general officer commanding—[HON. MEMBERS: "Not at all."]—and it can be remitted subsequently by the High Commissioner.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if any commendation has been conveyed to the troops for their very commendable forbearance and restraint in the face of this widespread provocation?

Yes, Sir, we have repeatedly expressed our acknowledgements to those who have been suffering this admirable restraint.

May I give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment in view of the disgraceful answer I have received today?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the Executive Committee for Home Affairs in Ceylon, by whom appointed, and with what terms of reference.

This Committee consists, at the present time, of seven members of the State Council, one of whom is Chairman and, in consequence, Minister for Home Affairs. They are elected by the State Council, and corporately exercise general control over the Departments of Government concerned with the subjects or functions allocated to the Committee under the existing Constitution.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many British and Sinhalese officials, respectively, are holding administrative posts in Ceylon, in each of the nine provinces.

The reply involves a number of figures and, with the hon. Member's permission, I will arrange to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Governor of Ceylon, on 3rd December last, refused to pardon Dr. S. A. Wickremasingh, a man of good character and a delegate to the World Federation of Trade Unions, who had served a term of imprisonment for a political offence, although this pardon was desired by the State Council and by many representative bodies in Ceylon; and whether he will take, or instruct the Governor of Ceylon to take, steps to deal with a situation which is calculated to deprive Ceylon of valuable public servants.

I am aware of the Governor's decision in this matter. As regards the second part of the Question, the prerogative of pardon is vested in the Governor, and I am satisfied that before he decided, as is within his discretion, that it should not be exercised in favour of the person in question, the Governor fully considered the case on its merits. As I stated in reply to the hon. and learned Member on 6th November, I can hardly intervene in such matters.

May I ask two questions? First, does the Minister think it will conduce to what he desires in the way of a healthy trade union movement in Ceylon if the representative of the World Federation of Trade Unions in that Colony is refused a pardon which, in India, would be granted as a matter of course? Secondly, if this rule were strictly en- forced in this country, how many of his colleagues would have to leave this House?

On the first point, I want to make* the House understand that this is a matter within the discretion of the Governor, and it is not for me to intervene.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the exercise of the Royal Prerogative in the Colonial territories is subject to the overriding responsibility of the right hon. Gentleman himself, who is responsible to this House for the exercise of that Prerogative?

I imagine that there is a certain procedure which should be followed, and that in this case it has not been followed.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman arrange for the dismissal of the Governor?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many ex-Servicemen in Ceylon are unemployed; and what schemes have been formulated by the Government of Ceylon for the employment, resettlement and rehabilitation of Ceylonese members of His Majesty's Forces.

About 9,500 ex-Servicemen are at present registered as unemployed in Ceylon. In 1945 the Government of Ceylon published a comprehensive guide to postwar employment for ex-Servicemen. A copy of this publication is being placed in the Library.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is yet in a position to make a further announcement concerning the payment of prize money

I regret that I am unable to add anything at present to the replies I gave to the hon. Member for South-East St. Pancras (Dr. Jeger) on 5th June, 1946, and to the hon. and gallant Member for North Portsmouth (Major Bruce) on 30th October, 1946.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (1) why the Director of Navy Accounts has given notice to owners of requisitioned premises that, in future, rental compensation will not be paid unless they apply at the end of each period for which payment is due, giving full particulars upon a prescribed form; and whether he will give an assurance that money due unconditionally from his Department will be paid without the imposition of any condition;

The re-introduction of the notice referred to requiring periodic application for the payment of compensation rental, was made in order to minimise the possibility, at a time when properties are being released from requisition with great rapidity, that compensation rental might continue to be paid after it had in fact ceased to be payable. As regards the possibility of delay in payment, I think the hon. Member has perhaps been misled by the list of departmental authorities printed on the form to which he refers. This includes those to whom payments are referred for notation and scrutiny after they have actually been made. It has, however, now been decided to continue for the present, with appropriate safeguards, to make these payments without application, as actually done since 1942, and this will, I think, give the hon. Member the assurance for which he asks.

While I welcome the answer of the Civil Lord, may I ask whether owners will be informed that there is no need for them to fill up the forms already sent to them?

Yes, Sir, we shall take all possible steps to make that known to them.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (1) how many of the 57 officers promoted to the rank of captain and commander, respectively, as announced in the half-yearly list of 1st January, commenced their service careers in the ranks;

Six captains in the Executive Branch have recently been promoted to rear-admiral, 18 commanders to captain, and 35 lieutenant-commanders to commander. One of the captains promoted to rear-admiral, and four of the officers promoted to commander, began their naval careers on the lower deck.

In view of the small number promoted in this way, will my hon. Friend bear in mind that in the more ancient Merchant Navy, since the days of Canute, the most excellent practice of promoting men serving before the mast has been followed? Will he consider introducing this desirable practice to a greater extent?

I think my hon. Friend will be interested to know that my right hon. Friend the First Lord is giving his personal consideration to the question of promotions from the lower deck.

Have not British naval officers had for many hundreds of years throughout the world the unrivalled reputation of being the best in the world?

Yes, Sir. But that does not mean that we should not secure equally good ones from the lower deck.

Is it not a fact that promotions of officers up to the rank of captain is a matter of selection, and not a question of whether they come from the lower deck?

Certainly, it is a matter of selection.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Petty-Officer Jack Mantle, who was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment at a court-martial held at Chatham on 22nd November, 1946; and if he will state under which section of the Naval Discipline Act this man was charged and the exact wording of the charge made against him.

Yes, Sir. The charge brought against Assistant Cook (S) Jack Mantle at Chatham, on 22nd November last, was under Section 19 of the Naval Discipline Act, and was worded as follows:

"For that he, Jack Mantle, Assistant Cook (S), Official Number Chatham MX. 56498, belonging to His Majesty's Ship 'Pembroke,' then being a person subject to the Naval Discipline Act, did on the 20th day of February, 1939, desert from the said ship."

Will my hon. Friend say why this man was kept in solitary confinement for eight weeks awaiting trial, and why the defending officer did not take steps to verify the man's story that he served for five years in the Army during the time he was absent from the Navy?

With regard to the second part of that question, the fact remains that when the case was reviewed by the Admiralty, these facts were taken fully into consideration, and as a result of their being taken into consideration, the sentence was reduced.

How long was this man absent after deserting before he surrendered or was apprehended?

That is an important point. He was absent from early in 1939 to March, 1941, when other men were, in fact, serving.

He was in the Army.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the cooperation for training of officers in the R.A.F. taking place between Great Britain and the U.S.A. is also to be extended to the training of naval officers of both countries.

No arrangements have been concluded for cooperation in training between officers of the United States Navy and the Royal Navy.

Is it the intention of the Admiralty to emulate the example set by the R.A.F.?

I cannot possibly give advance information on that point.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether his regulations allow men serving sentences in R.N. detention barracks to be made to wear gas masks while doubling.

The regulations for the Royal Naval detention quarters neither prescribe nor forbid instructions in gas training. It is an ordinary feature of gas training throughout the Navy to require officers and men to take violent exercise, including doubling, while wearing gas masks, both to familiarise themselves with these conditions and to test the masks. I understand that similar drills are carried out in Naval detention quarters. If, however, the hon. and gallant Member has any reason to believe that this practice is being abused in Royal Naval detention quarters, I shall be glad to investigate the matter.

Can me Parliamentary Secretary saw whether a man's state of health is taken into account before this is done?

Most certainly.

Would the Minister be prepared to extend this to divers' seaboots as well as gas masks?

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is aware that food parcels sent from Australia, addressed to homes in this country, have been delivered to Czechoslovakia, Belgium and Holland: and how this has happened.

I have no evidence that parcels posted in Australia to persons in this country have been diverted from their proper addressees; but if the hon. and gallant Member will supply me with details I will gladly have inquiry made.

Is the Assistant Postmaster-General aware that this matter was widely reported in all the national Press just before Christmas? Perhaps he will make further inquiries to see if it is a fact?

There was a similar rumour last year, but when we made inquiries we were told there was no truth in the allegation.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will now arrange for a daily distribution of mails to Yell and Unst.

The possibility of affording a daily delivery of mails in the islands of Yell and Unst is being examined, and I will write to the hon. and gallant Member as soon as the necessary inquiries have been completed.

asked the Minister of Food (1) from which countries, including countries within the British Commonwealth of Nations, butter is obtained at the present time at prices below the price of Danish butter; and if he will supply figures in this connection;

I am discussing the purchase of dairy products with an official Danish delegation in London. The prices we are paying for butter from other sources of supply are in every case below the Danish price. The figures, per cwt. f.o.b., are: New Zealand, 175s.; Australia, 173s. 6d.; Kenya. 171s; Denmark, 220s.

Is the Minister aware that if he continues this policy of paying low prices generally for foodstuffs in Denmark they will be compelled to purchase finished goods from other countries rather than from here, and is he aware that the Danes are steadily losing respect for this nation?

I have just read out the prices, which show a very wide margin of increase in the Danish prices over those which we are paying elsewhere.