asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, what salaries it is proposed to pay to the members of the Scottish division of B.E.A.C.

This is essentially a matter of management for decision by the Corporation and my noble Friend has no official responsibility or information on the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation when full Customs facilities will be available at Stanstead airport; and what temporary arrangements now exist.

I am unable to forecast when the volume of traffic using Stanstead aerodrome will justify further consideration of approving it as a public Customs airport. It is at present a privately controlled aerodrome for only two charter firms operating four aircraft.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if B.E.A.C. have yet received delivery of the three Zikorski helicopter machines or when delivery may be expected.

Delivery of the three Sikorsky S.51 helicopters on order for the British European Airways Corporation is not expected for sonic months but should be completed by the end of the year.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if one of the three Zikorski helicopter machines on order for B.E.A.C. will be utilised for experimental flying with this type of machine on Scottish internal air routes to the islands on the west and north coasts of Scotland.

The machines have to be assembled after importation at an aircraft factory in Yeovil and it is necessary that the initial operating experience should he obtained near the factory. The British European Airways Corporation are fully alive to the importance of helicopter development for the west and north of Scotland, but it is only after the initial experience has established the safe operational capabilities of this type of aircraft that plans for operations on specific routes can be made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation how many Constellation aircraft have been ordered from the U.S.A. on behalf of the British air corporations; what they will cost; and when will these aircraft be delivered.

No Lockheed Constellations other than the five already operated by the British Overseas Airways Corporation on the North Atlantic route have been ordered

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to what extent tenant farmers in Western Germany are being replaced by relatives and friends of the landowners in such a way as will prevent the owners being affected by any expropriation measures that are in force or may be under contemplation.

There is no such replacement. Under existing German law it is not possible to replace a tenant unless he is mismanaging his farm.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many courts will be set up for the purpose of completing the trials of 18,900 alleged war criminals in the British zone by the end of 1947.

Up to 100 tribunals of first instance and a zonal appeal tribunal are to be established.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster why screening of prisoners of war at Halstead Exploitation Centre, Tonbridge, Kent, promised since November, 1946, has not yet taken place; what is the reason for the delay; and whether he is aware that some of these prisoners attended the course at Wilton Park.

Prisoners are screened and graded before being sent to Halstead. I am aware that some of them have attended the course at Wilton Park.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that the average basic ration now being distributed in North Rhineland is only 900 calories instead of 1,550; and whether in view of the promises held out of an increase to 1,800 calories in July, 1947, he will now give an assurance that it will be maintained at that level throughout next winter and not reduced to 1,250 calories.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) whether he will make a statement about the food position in the British zone of Germany, indicating by how much it has been found impossible in recent months to maintain the announced ration; the reasons for this; and the anticipated trends of the supply position between now and the next harvest;(2) what imports of foodstuffs he expects to have to arrange between now and the next harvest in order to maintain the announced ration in the British zone of Germany; and whether he is satisfied that such imports can be made available.(3) what proportion of their own food he expects the Germans can supply from their own resources up to the next harvest; and whether he is satisfied that these resources are being fully developed by the co-operation of his officers in providing seeds and other horticultural facilities where these are locally unavailable.

Consistent and equitable distribution of rations in the British zone has always been difficult on account of the narrow margins available, coupled with the irregularity of imports during the past year. As a result of the recent fusion agreement, imports have been increased and maintained at an even flow, and the recent difficulties have not been due to an overall shortage of stocks. Against this the problems of distribution have during the past three months been intensified by the severe winter conditions. This situation was certainly not improved as a result of the transfer to the German authorities of responsibility for collection and distribution as from 1st January.As I indicated on 5th March, average deficiencies throughout the zone amounted to about 80 calories a day in January, and 100 calories in February. In March more serious deficiencies occurred, particularly in the Ruhr where, according to figures supplied by the German authorities, the majority of normal consumers received about 1,200 calories a day, and the official distribution in a few towns fell to 900 calories or even less on occasions. Sufficient supplies of indigenous and imported foods are available to meet the current rations, and with the improvement in weather conditions the worst is probably now over, and every effort will be made to replace recent shortfalls in the bread ration in the next few weeks.The maintenance of the ration until the next harvest depends both on the efficient collection of indigenous supplies and on the importation of sufficient supplies from abroad. Over the whole year German-grown foodstuffs provide about one-half of the 1,550 calorie ration, but the greater part of these are consumed in the first six months of the crop year: the contribution from this source cannot be expected to represent more than one-third at most of the total ration. Everything possible is being done to increase food production in the zone, including the importation of seeds and fertilizers.The importation of foodstuffs for the combined British-American zones is a joint commitment of His Majesty's Government and the United States Government. About two million tons of imported bread grains are required in the period up to the next harvest. About one-half of this has already been allocated for shipment. No promise has been given that the normal consumer ration will be increased to 1,800 calories in July, or any other specified date, although that figure has been accepted as a target by the British and American Governments under the fusion agreement, to the full extent that appropriated and other funds and the world food supply position permit.In the present conditions of world food shortage the future must necessarily be uncertain in Germany as elsewhere. It must be recognised that the cure for the present position rests to a large extent in the hands of the Germans. They must themselves be prepared to accept full responsibility for the administration of the necessary controls, and their farmers must loyally co-operate in ensuring the maximum collection of indigenous supplies. Co-operation and not demonstrations is needed and I am glad to say that the trade unions generally are show- ing that they are imbued with a commendable sense of responsibility in this matter. We are fully conscious of the hardships and difficulties which the German population have to face, but these will not be overcome by futile demonstrations but by the determined co-operation of all concerned—producers, consumers and administrators. Without this the efforts of the occupying Powers are largely stultified.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much German subjects have now to pay for the mass-produced people's motor car in Hamburg in German marks; how much this is in £'s sterling at the normal rate of exchange; and how this compares with the price of £160 sterling payable by British subjects serving in Germany.

The mass produced people's car, or Volkswagen, is now sold to Germans at a price of RM.5,250. As there is as yet no normal rate of exchange for the German mark, it is not possible to compare this price with the £160 charged to Allied Missions, and British and United States personnel serving in Germany.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps have been taken to implement the decision of November, 1946, to appoint German custodians as a prelude to the nationalisation of certain German industries; and whether there has been any change of policy in this matter and what is the reason for the delay.

I regret that I am not in a position to make a statement at the present time.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that General Alexis Zheltov, deputy Soviet commander, presented a demand to the Austrian Minister of the Interior, Herr Oskar Helmer, that eight Communists, whom he named, should be placed in key police positions, including the post of chief of the State police, chief of the alien division and vice-president of the police directorate; and whether, in view of the fact that the Soviet order constitutes unilateral action, he will ask the British representative on the Control Commission to support the refusal of the Minister of the Interior to comply with this order.

I am aware that General Zheltov has requested the Austrian Minister of the Interior to make certain changes in the Austrian State Police administration. This matter is in the first place one for the Austrian Government. Should it be brought before the Allied Council in Vienna, the British representative will be instructed to take appropriate action.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many persons, and of what nationality and rank, are employed in interviewing civilians detained in the civil internee camps in the British zone in Austria.

Five British Army officers—two majors and three captains—one Dutch, two Polish and three Yugoslav Army officers are employed in interviewing persons accused of War Crimes who are detained in civil internment camps. Five Austrian judges and five Austrian officials are also employed in interviewing internees.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when the 4,000 civil internees, now detained in the British zone of Austria as members of the organisations declared criminal at Nuremberg, can expect to be told the length of their sentences.

The method of bringing these persons to trial is now under consideration. Until this has been defined I regret I am unable to estimate the time that will be taken to announce the final judgments.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will provide facilities for Members of Parliament, and other persons of like standing, to visit the British zone of Austria as well as the British zone of Germany.

I am glad to be able to announce that facilities are now available for Members of both Houses and other persons of like standing to visit Austria for legitimate public purposes. They include travel to and from Austria, the reservation of accommodation in Vienna and Klagenfurt and the provision of motor transport in Austria, although the great shortage of vehicles is a limiting factor. Visitors will be expected to pay their travel costs together with standard charges for their accommodation and transport in Austria. The conditions under which these facilities will be provided and the arrangements are generally similar to those which I announced on 28th December for travel to Germany. Applications should be addressed to the Central Secretariat, Control Office for Germany and Austria, Norfolk House, St. James's Square, S.W.1.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether there are any arrangements for the dispatch of parcels of rationed food to Germany and Austria for distribution among displaced persons of such nationality as may be named by the sender.

There is no special scheme for the despatch of parcels earmarked for displaced persons of any particular nationality. Parcels designated for displaced persons can, however, be sent through "Save Europe Now "for distribution by the British Red Cross among displaced persons whose need is greatest. Food parcels addressed to individual displaced persons in Germany and Austria may be sent under the parcel post service.

asked the Minister of Food why his regulations do not permit birthday cakes made from ingredients saved from family rations to be sent to sons or daughters in the Dominions, when it is permitted to send foodstuffs to ex-enemy countries.

The regulations do permit birthday or other cakes, whether made at home or bought in shops, to be sent to relatives or friends in the Dominions.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the problems facing Scottish bee keepers as a result of the extreme winter weather; and if, in the circumstances and in order to preserve supplies of honey, he will consider granting bee keepers an extra 5 lb. of sugar per hive.

A special issue of 5 lb. of sugar per colony will be made to beekeepers to help them through the present difficult weather if they apply to their local food offices before the end of this month. I should be grateful if they would not apply before Easter, as it will take a day or two for detailed instructions to reach food offices.

asked the Minister of Food whether he has completed his negotiations for the purchase of Canary bananas for shipment this year; what tonnage is involved; and what is the price to be paid either free on board, or cost, insurance and freight.

Yes, Sir. A contract has been made for the purchase of a minimum of 24,000 and a maximum of 30,000 metric tons of bananas from the Canary Islands for shipment this year. It would not be in the public interest to announce the price paid for particular purchases.

asked the Minister of Food for what reason were fresh fruits and vegetables imported from the U.S.A. during the three months ended 28th February, 1947, at a total cost of £2,503,325; of what kinds were they; and what were the quantities and cost of each.

My right hon. Friend's policy towards the importation of fresh fruits and vegetables was defined in the statement he made in the House on 24th October last, when he explained that we wanted practically all the fruits which overseas countries could send us. He is now reconsidering the system of purchase in order to exercise a closer control over such importations.As the detailed information for which my hon. Friend asks contains a long table of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.Following are the figures:

Commodity.	cwts.	£
Apples	275,548	596,960
Oranges (tangerines)	6,665	28,324
Grapes	33,056	351,226
Grapes (hothouse)	—	3
Grapefruit	56	153
Pears	367,527	1,426,618
Pineapples	1,394	6,464
Melons	115	533
Strawberries	2	52
Bananas	1	2
Fruit (unenumerated)	798	8,718
Onions	34,453	32,424
Potatoes (other than new)	8	2
Turnips	2	2
Vegetables (not elsewhere specified).	9	11
Nuts (used as fruit)	—	4
Nuts (unenumerated)	10,819	51,830
	730,453	2,503,326

asked the Minister of Food what proportion of the total quantity of jute potato bags and of jute cloth for the manufacture of such bags imported into the United Kingdom during the year ended 31st December, 1946, was purchased by him for use by the potato division; what was the amount so expended; and what average cost per ton does this represent of potatoes distributed by that division.

In the year ended 31st December, 1946, my Department bought approximately one-fifth of the available potato bags at a cost of £360,000 for use by the potato division. No jute cloth was purchased. The cost of bags represents approximately 7s. per ton of the ware and seed potatoes sold last year.

asked the Minister of Food to what extent the decision to issue an open licence for the import of green vegetables until 15th June, contravenes agreements made with the National Farmers' Union.

Discussions with the National Farmers' Union on these matters are normally undertaken by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture. The decision to extend the open general licence for green vegetables because of the present acute shortage was taken after consultation with him and with his full agreement.

asked the Minister of Food the total production and importation in tons of refined sugar in 1938 and 1946; what amounts were consumed, respectively, by the domestic users or rations, by confectioners, bakers and other food manufacturers, and by other users, stating the use to which the sugar was put.

asked the Minister of Food what was the total production and importation in tons of refined sugar, and the total consumption for each year, 1938 to 1946, inclusive.

The following table shows imports, home production and total consumption of sugar in each calendar year 1939 to 1946 inclusive, and the average of the five years 1934–1938. For purposes of comparison with the prewar years, the average of the five years 1934–1938 is more satisfactory than the single year 1938.

IMPORTS, HOME PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION OF SUGAR.
Thousand Tons.
Year	Imports (estimated refined value).	Home Production (as refined).	Consumption (as refined).
1934–1938 average.	2,019	451	2,468
1939	1,988	487	n.a.
1940	1,425	501	1,657
1941	1,537	419	1,550
1942	715	474	1,533
1943	1,327	557	1,540
1944	1,074	391	1,765
1945	992	449	1,761
1946	1,367	469	1,815

A detailed analysis of consumption before the war is not available, but the broad headings were as follow:

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the fact that Australian and Tasmanian apples are now available for shipment to this country, any arrangements have been made to purchase the apples from these sources and in what quantity; and what arrangements will be made to procure the necessary shipping space.

Arrangements have been made for the purchase from Australia and New Zealand of the whole of the available surplus of apples, amounting to a total of some 46,000 tons. At the time when these arrangements were made, there was every prospect that sufficient refrigerated tonnage would be available for shipping the fruit during March, April and May this year. Owing, however, to difficulties in meat shipments which arose in the early part of the year through strikes in Argentina and the Southern Dominions, this tonnage has had to be diverted for the transport of meat which must take priority over fruit. No transport was available for shipments of apples during March and none will be available in April. The position for May is I fear still uncertain, but every effort will be made to get shipping.

asked the Minister of Food what regulations have been issued by his Department specifying that no fat meat shall be included in the 5o per cent. minimum meat content of sausages.

None, Sir.

asked the Minister of Food the total value and volume of imports of bitter oranges for marmalade during 1946; and if he is satisfied that these imports are sufficient to meet all requirements of bodies, such as the Women's Institutes, and also of private persons desirous of making marmalade.

Imports of bitter oranges during 1946 amounted to 9,718 tons, valued at £278,581. Owing to severe frost and drought in the producing countries, supplies of bitter oranges which I have been able to get this season, which extends from December to March, have amounted to less than half the quantity I expected and these have unfortunately been far from sufficient to give a share to all parts of the country.

asked the Minister of Food for what reason beer was imported into the United Kingdom during the three months ended 28th February at a total cost of £951,958; what kind of beer was it; and from what countries was it imported.

The beer in question was imported from Eire and was principally Guinness' stout. The productive capacity of the London brewery making this very popular type of beer is inadequate.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reports he has had from the British representative on the Allied Control Commission in Hungary on the political crisis following on the arrest of the deputy Bela Kovaks; and if the proposal to hold elections in May instead of in 1949 will affect our interpretation of the treaty with Hungary.

My right hon. Friend has received many reports on this subject from the British Political Representative in Hungary. At a meeting of all the Hungarian parties represented in the coalition Government, which was held on 11th March, it was unanimously agreed that the conspiracy should be liquidated as soon as possible and a new government programme was adopted. This programme entails the acceptance of a three-year economic plan based upon the joint economic plan of the Communist and Social Democratic Parties. It also includes a wider control of co-operative organisations, the extension of social insurance and a new educational programme. It was further agreed that the leaders of the Smallholders' Party should expel any of their members who do not support this programme. There is no confirmation of the report that new elections will be held in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the threats of famine in certain parts of Yugoslavia, he will take steps to secure an allocation of some relief from the International Emergency Food Fund to U.N.R.R.A. for this purpose.

The International Emergency Food Council has no funds available for the provision of relief. It would be competent for the Yugoslav Government to approach the International Emergency Food Council, who will consider Yugoslav needs in relation to those of other countries and make recommendations accordingly. Following such recommendations it will be for the Yugoslav Government to arrange with exporting countries for delivery of supplies in accordance with the programme approved by the International Emergency Food Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what amount of food was sent by U.N.O., through U.N.R.R.A. or directly during 1946 to Germany and Yugoslavia, respectively; what supplies of foodstuffs are now being sent to Germany; and whether, in view of the serious shortage of food in Yugoslavia, he will consider requesting the appropriate Governments to transfer shipments from the ex-enemy country, Germany, to our ex-allied country, Yugoslavia.

No food is supplied by the United Nations. During 1946 Yugoslavia received from U.N.R.R.A. 565,206 gross tons of foodstuffs. With the exception of rations supplied to displaced persons in U.N.R.R.A. camps no foodstuffs have been sent by U.N.R.R.A. to Germany. The supply of food to the British and United States zones of Germany is designed to maintain a calory level of 1,553 per day for the normal consumer. His Majesty's Government cannot agree to lower this level by diversion of the supplies which it is their responsibility to provide. Nor, since the total food supply throughout Germany as a whole is insufficient to maintain the necessary ration, can they consider requesting the Governments of the other occupying Powers to divert food.

asked the Secretary of-State for Foreign Affairs why publication of the agreements with Transjordan, dated 19th July, 1941, was de layed until March, 1947; and whether any other agreements with, or relating to Transjordan have not yet been disclosed.

Three agreements with Transjordan were signed on the 19th July, 1941, and were published in the Transjordan Official Gazette three days later. One of these agreements was published in London in December, 1941. So far as I have been able to ascertain, there are no undisclosed agreements with, or relating to Transjordan.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs who were the official representatives at the signing of the Anglo-French Treaty at Dunkirk; and how many other persons were present at the public expense.

The British signatories to the Treaty of Dunkirk were my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and His Majesty's Ambassador at Paris. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence also attended the ceremony. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, who was on his way to Moscow, was accompanied by his personal staff and by the officials of the Foreign Office directly concerned with the negotiation of the Treaty and with the arrangements for its signature. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence was accompanied by his Parliamentary Private Secretary. The only other British subjects to go to the ceremony from this country, apart from journalists, were the wives of the two Cabinet Ministers I have mentioned, but their inclusion in the party involved no additional public expense. His Majesty's Ambassador was accompanied by his wife and several members of his staff, who travelled, along with the French delegation, in a special train provided by the French Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what amounts in sterling the British authorities in Bulgaria have sold or transferred to persons in Bulgaria in exchange for Bulgarian currency during the six months ended 8th March, 1947; and at what rate such sales or transfers were made.

None, Sir. The second part of the Question accordingly does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) from what sources the British authorities in Bulgaria obtained the leva 25,605,280 of Bulgarian currency which they presented to the Bulgarian National Bank on 8th March, 1947; and how much had they previously drawn from that bank in Bulgarian currency;(2) during what period the British authorities in Bulgaria have been supplying British subjects there with Bulgarian currency at the rate of 3,000 leva to the £, or three times the official rate; from what source this currency was obtained; what is the total amount so supplied in the six months ended 8th March, 1947; and whether the Bulgarian Government was informed of these activities.

Considerable sums of leva have been received in cash by the office of the British Political Representative in respect of consular fees and such services as air passages, showing of British films and the sale of British newspapers. In the last 12 months leva 12,776,431 have been drawn from the National Bank of Bulgaria.The office of the British Political Representative has supplied non-official British subjects visiting or passing through Bulgaria with local currency since 15th September, 1945. The total so supplied since 15th September, 1946, amounts to leva 261,000. In addition to the sources already mentioned the Mission has been financed by transfers authorised by the National Bank of Bulgaria of British balances and dividends. As regards the rate at which currency was supplied, I should point out that no official rate exists in the sense of one agreed between His Majesty's Government and the Bulgarian Government. The rate of 3,000 leva to the corresponds in our view more closely to the true value of the leva than the rate at present quoted by the National Bank of Bulgaria, and is not inflationary. While the Bulgarian Government has never been officially informed of the rate used by the office of the British Political Representative, that Government were certainly aware of it since consular fees were based on this rate.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make representations to General Franco's Government on behalf of a number of Spanish citizens under 18 years of age, particulars of whom have been sent him, who have been condemned to death by a special military tribunal.

His Majesty's Charge d'Affaires in Madrid has already been instructed to investigate this report and, if he is satisfied that the circumstances warrant it, to take whatever action may be possible on behalf of the persons concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what percentage of the children of school-going age in the Seychelles attend school; how many teachers are employed in Government primary schools; with what qualifications and salaries; and whether he is aware that secondary school fees have recently been increased.

It is estimated that 51 per cent. of children between the ages of six and 15 were attending school in Seychelles at the end of last year. Eight teachers are employed under Government on primary education. One is a Froebel trained woman education officer on the salary scale £354 rising to £500; four are locally certificated teachers on the initial salary of £51 in the scale for certificated teachers; and the remainder, who are uncertificated, are paid at the rate of £39 a year. There has been a small increase in school fees at the boys' secondary school to cover the cost of various items such as stationery and games, which were previously charged as extras.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give details of the proposed new Constitution for the Seychelles and how local discussions of the proposals are to be carried out.

I regret that I am not yet in a position to give full details of the proposed changes in the Seychelles Constitution but hope that it may shortly be possible for the Governor to place a detailed summary of them before the Legislative Council. As regards the second part of the Question, no decision will be taken on any of the proposals until I have received the recommendations of the Governor who intends to seek the views of the public generally on such proposals before making his final recommendations to me.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why there is serious congestion in the Law Courts in the Seychelles; what steps are being taken to appoint additional magistrates; and why no juvenile courts have yet been established.

I am informed by the Governor that the law courts in Seychelles are not abnormally congested at the present time. It is recognised, however, that the position is not satisfactory and steps to expedite the despatch of business are being considered. I am also informed that there would not be sufficient work for a full-time magistrate in place of the present two part-time justices of the peace. As regards the last part of the Question, a juvenile court has been established.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Governments of Nigeria and the Gold Coast have yet appointed the Cocoa Marketing Boards in those countries; and whether it is now possible to assess the total funds which will be available to the new boards.

The Governments of Nigeria and the Gold Coast have not yet appointed the Cocoa Marketing Boards in their respective territories. I cannot give the total funds available to date but those available to the end of the 1945–46 crop were:

• For Gold Coast, £5,664,840.
• For Nigeria,£2,873,023.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies at what time and on what date one Dankwa was hanged at Accra; at what time each of the other two men were hanged; and at what time and in what circumstances further executions were postponed.

Dankwa was hanged at 2 p.m. Gold Coast time on 24th March and the other two men at 3.30 p.m. the same day. Written notice of intention to appeal was received by the director of prisons at 3.40 p.m. and in consequence of this the Governor gave orders to postpone the other two executions. I propose to make a further statement regarding this case shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the practice in the Gold Coast to suspend the execution of sentences when it is known that application is intended to be made to the Privy Council for leave to appeal.

It has been the normal practice in the Gold Coast for the Governor to postpone the execution of a sentence of death if he receives formal notice of an intention to petition the Privy Council for special leave to appeal. This is one of the points, however, with which the statement I propose to make shortly will deal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies at what time and on what date he was made aware that application was intended to be made to the Privy Council for leave to appeal against refusal of writs of habeas corpus on one Dankwa, a native of the Gold Coast; at what time and an what date the applications for such writs were made; and whether verbal intimation was at once given of intention to appeal to the Privy Council.

A letter from the convicted men's lawyer in London was delivered to my legal adviser at 2 p.m. (1 p.m. Gold Coast time) on 24th March, giving him notice that unless the Gold Coast court discharged the men on their application for writs of habeas corpus application would be made to the Privy Council for leave to appeal. The London lawyer had, I understand, already cabled instructions to the Gold Coast lawyer, and he was informed by my legal adviser later in the afternoon that I would not be communicating with the Governor. The applications for habeas corpus were rejected by the Gold Coast court at 1 p.m. (Gold Coast time) on the same day. I understand that counsel for the condemned men stated in court, on rejection of the habeas corpus application, that they would appeal to the Privy Council, but no notice was given to the Governor, nor was application made to him for postponement of the executions until after the third sentence had been carried out.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many persons directly or indirectly employed by his Department refused to return to the Gold Coast to give evidence to the Commission of Inquiry which reported on charges of corruption and inefficiency in the Supplies and Customs Department in that Colony; if any of these persons are still in receipt of salaries or pensions from his Department; and if any pressure was brought to bear on them by his Department.

One officer employed by the Gold Coast Government declined to return to the Gold Coast to give evidence to this commission of inquiry. This officer is at present in receipt neither of a salary nor of a pension from the Gold Coast Government. It was pointed out to him by my Department that the commission considered it most necessary to hear his evidence and a return air passage was offered to him from Gold Coast Government funds.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the average rent paid by African workers in Mombasa for a family of four; to what extent this is financially disproportionate to wages; and what steps are being taken to provide houses at low rentals.

The average rent paid by the lowest paid African workers in Mombasa for a family of four is approximately 10s. a month amounting to 25 per cent. of the minimum wage. The relation of rent to wages is being carefully watched and the housing allowance has now been fixed at 8 sh 25 cents in accordance with an interim award by a local tribunal. Schemes for providing houses at low rentals are being put into effect by the Mombasa Municipality, the Kenya and Uganda Railways and private enterprise, and from 1944 to December, 1946, additional housing was provided for 4,683 Africans. Further schemes to accommodate 8,540 persons have been approved in principle and are being put in hand.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies which of the Phillips Report recommendations on labour unrest in Mombasa, 1945, have been accepted and operated by the Government of Kenya; on what dates; and which recommendations have been accepted in principle but not applied.

The Phillips Report comprises interim recommendations dated 5th June, 1945, and second interior recommendations and a final report dated 25th June, 1945. The first interim recommendation was for an increase of 5s. per month gross wage, exclusive of housing, for Kenya and Uganda Railways and Harbours employees. This was adopted by the railways and by Government with retrospective effect from 1st April, 1945, and was also accepted by all the major employers of Mombasa Island. The second interim recommendation was for permanent machinery for assessment and constant review of cost of living of African workers. This was accepted in principle, but attempts to establish effective machinery proved impossible owing to the lack of reliable data and the difficulty of securing properly qualified staff to provide it. Information is, however, now being collected by an expert who has recently arrived in Mombasa.The recommendations in the main report, which may be grouped under five heads, include:1.—(a) A Social Survey; this has been accepted in principle but not carried out owing to lack of qualified investigators and the fact that it is awaiting the result of a pilot survey of the conditions of railway workers, which is at present being conducted by a Research Team working under the aegis of the Colonial Social Science Research Council and is to be used as a basis for guidance in ensuing surveys;

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what communication has been received from the Turkish minority in Cyprus dealing with union with Greece; whether it has been sent by representative organisations; and on what grounds union is opposed.

Communications have been received from organisations representing different sections of opinion in the Turkish community in Cyprus. They expressed concern at any prospect of union with Greece, on the ground, I understand, of apprehension regarding the treatment of minorities in that event, and welcomed the statement of a forward policy of welfare and development which I made in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. Collins) on 23rd October last.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the cost of living in Cyprus compared with 1939; whether wages of Government servants and others have increased to the same extent; and what measures are taken by the Government of Cyprus to control rents.

The cost-of-living index dates from August, 1939, and in March, 1947, the index figure was 278. The wage rates of daily labour in 1939 averaged 15 piastres. The present minimum paid by Government for unskilled labour is 51 piastres, and for non-Government labour the minimum rate is rather higher. (9 piastres equal 1 shilling.) The salaries of permanent and pensionable Government servants have recently been revised and the salaries of temporary employees of Government are now under review. Both classes receive war bonus payments, and the following table shows the rates of war bonus payable in March, 1947:

(i) Salaries below £180 per annum—. £104.

(ii) Salaries from £180 to £300 per annum—09 3s.

(iii) Salaries above £300 and up to £600 a year for unmarried officers and £1,000 a year for married officers—£59 8s. 5 piastres.

A rent restriction law was passed in October, 1942, which froze rents at the level obtaining in March, 1941. An amendment in 1946 allowed unconditional increases of up to 15 per cent. for residences and schools and 25 per cent. for other premises. Rent assessment boards, of which the district judge is president, have power to assess equitable rent at any level on application by either landlord or tenant. Landlords and tenants may themselves enter into voluntary agreements for adjustments of rents.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies by what methods it is proposed to consult the people of Cyprus in framing a new Constitution for the island.

As indicated in my statement in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. Collins) on 23rd October last, it is proposed to call together a Consultative Assembly, drawn from representative elements in the island. Detailed arrangements will be considered by the new Governor, who has now assumed office.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will consider appointing a West Indian to serve on the commission to investigate possibilities of settlement in British Guiana and British Honduras.

This commission is primarily a fact finding body, and it is not intended that its members should be regarded as representing particular geographical or other interests. The personnel will however include men intimately acquainted with the problems of the West Indies and I have added Mr. C. W. W. Greenidge who has wide experience in these Colonies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on recent changes made in the Constitution of Fiji.

Yes, Sir. The power of the Governor to disallow any vote or resolution of the Legislative Council has been removed; the franchise has been extended to civil servants; the qualifications required for the registration of Indian voters have been brought into line with those required for European voters, and opportunity has been taken to make special provision for the registration for purposes of voting of the illegitimate person.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will draw the attention of the Government of Bermuda to the repeal of the Trades Disputes Act, 1927, in this country, and, as Clause 27 of the Bermuda Trade Union and Trades Disputes Act, 1946, contains provisions analogous to those of the British Trades Disputes Act recently repealed, if he will consider instructing the Governor to introduce legislation modifying that Clause and Clause 26 of the Bermuda Trade Union and Trades Disputes Act, 1946.

As stated in my reply to my hon. Friend on 5th February, I have received representations from Bermuda regarding this legislation, in a petition addressed to me by the Bermuda Workers' Association. All Colonial Governments have already been asked to amend their legislation regarding trade unions and trade disputes, so as to conform with the repeal in this country of the Trades Disputes and Trade Unions Act, 1927, and the attention of the Governor of Bermuda has now again been drawn to this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the. Colonies what steps have been taken to amend or repeal the Banishment Ordinance in Malaya.

No steps have been taken to amend or repeal the existing legislation on this subject in the Malayan Union or Singapore.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement about constitutional developments in Malaya.

The Consultative Committee appointed by the Governor of the Malayan Union last December to seek the views of all interested communities and individuals on the Federation proposals has presented its report, which will be published in Kuala Lumpur very shortly. I will arrange for copies to be placed in the Library of the House as soon as available. After discussing the report with his Advisory Council the Governor will send me his own recommendations and I hope to be able to inform Parliament later about the proposals as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been drawn to the refusal of certain Palestinian newspapers to print photographs and particulars of wanted terrorists; which papers have so refused; what reasons have been given for the refusal; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the people of Palestine are acquainted with the appearance and particulars of the wanted men.

I understand that it is not altogether correct that any Palestinian newspapers have refused to publish photographs and particulars of wanted Jewish terrorists. The matter was discussed informally with representatives of the Jewish Press by the Palestine authorities, who decided not to make any formal request for such publication. As regards the last part of the Question, pamphlets and posters containing photographs and particulars of the wanted men have been prepared and are being widely distributed by the police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) what constructive replies have been sent to the repeated requests from the Palestine Government for the early consideration and decision on the important question of up-grading of salaries of officials in the first division Civil Service in that country;(2) what are the Government doing regarding the up-grading of salaries of officials in the first division Civil Service in Palestine, bearing in mind that the matter has been under discussion since 1942 and that the Service is less favourably situated with regard to remuneration than in the Colonies.

In 1942 increases in salaries involving a total cost of £16,000 were authorised, in 1944 the expatriation allowance payable to officers drawing salary up to £1,000 a year was increased, and in 1945 further salary increases involving an additional £23,000 for the first division were approved. An inquiry into the salaries structure of the first division of the Palestine Civil Service was made by Mr. T. Fitzgerald in December last, and his report is now under consideration by the Government of Palestine. The difficulties under which the Palestine administration is obliged to work are well known, but it is hoped that it will shortly be possible to announce revised rates of remuneration for the first division, which will of course take into account the necessity for integrating the remuneration of overseas officers with the general standards of remuneration of such officers in the Colonies.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether boys enlisting at 15 years of age are committed to a long period of service in the R.N. without option of discharge.

Boys who volunteer for the Navy are required to enter into an engagement to serve until they reach the age of 30. They have no claim to discharge before completion of this engagement.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if any decision has yet been arrived at on the question of the future of Rosyth naval base.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for West Edinburgh (Lieut.-Commander Hutchison) on 10th November last, to which I am at present unable to add.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what modifications, additional to those caused by the Pensions Increase Act, it is intended to make in the scheme for reassessment of pensioners who served during the war.

There are two modifications to the original scheme. The first is that, in order to enable payments to be speeded up, the date by which the pensioner's final choice must become effective may be deferred to 1st April, 1949. In the meanwhile, payments, with arrears, will be authorised on whatever basis is to the pensioner's immediate advantage, without requiring him, at this stage to consider and decide on the long term advantages in his case of each of the two alternatives.The second is that the re-employed pensioner or rating with equivalent length of service who chooses to remain an old code pensioner may now receive an increase of his old code pension for his additional service in the same way as those who elect re-assessment to the new code. These increases on old code pensions will be at flat rates as follows:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that men serving in the Army, R.A.F. and R.M. and women who serve in these Forces, are permitted to wear civilian clothes when off duty and to walk out of their camps so clad; and when he intends to grant similar privileges to R.N. personnel, many of whom are based ashore.

Hitherto shortage of lockers in Naval Shore Establishments has made it impossible to revert to the prewar practice, under which chief petty officers, petty officers, and non-commissioned officers of the Royal Marines of the rank of sergeant and above might wear plain clothes when proceeding on leave from or returning, to shore establishments. Every effort is, however, being made to provide the necessary facilities despite the difficulties arising from shortage of accommodation. The Admiralty hopes to restore this privilege as soon as circumstances permit.As regards lower ratings who in prewar days were subject to many restrictions in the wearing of plain clothes, it is the Admiralty's intention, as I said in my speech introducing the Navy Estimates, to grant them the privilege of wearing plain clothes when off duty with more freedom than in prewar days. An Admiralty Fleet Order permitting plain clothes to be worn by ratings outside barracks is shortly being issued.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why the war service gratuity has been refused the Royal Marine Police Special Reserve who served throughout the recent war as auxiliary police; and whether he will reconsider the matter.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the noble Lord the Member for South Dorset (Viscount Hinchingbrooke) on 10th October, 1945, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if his attention has been drawn to the communication headed D.N.A. 4A, received this month by women employed at the Harrow section of his Department, in which the recipients are informed that they are unable to carry out their work with due efficiency and will be among the first to be discharged when a state of redundancy has been reached; and whether, as the efficiency of these women will be impaired by such information, he will have the notices withdrawn in the case of employees it is intended to retain.

The communication in question was made in accordance with the agreed report of the National Whitley Council Committee on the release and discharge of redundant temporary staff. This provides that temporary clerks who have been found unable to carry out the duties of their grade with due efficiency should be discharged first. In reply to the last part of the Question, it is not intended to retain any employees at Harrow who have received notices.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether orders have been, or will be, issued directing His Majesty's ships to escort back to the ports of embarkation any ships carrying illegal immigrants for Palestine.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the hon. Member for Hornsey (Mr. Gammans) on 30th October last.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General, if the B.B.C. receive or pay fees for gramophone records used for broadcasting; and what information is available as to the amount received, or paid, during the last 12 months.

The B.B.C. pays fees to the gramophone companies for the use of gramophone records for broadcasting. It does not receive any fees on account of such broadcasts. I have no information as regards the amount of the fees paid.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will proceed with the establishment of a series of radio links for the television services so that the population within the 50-mile radius of Birmingham may have the benefits of this service, which are now being denied them, due partly to the fact that the co-axial link is being used for telecommunication purposes.

The establishment of a television radio link between London and Birmingham has been under active consideration for some time and is being pressed on as rapidly as possible. The coaxial cable laid before the war between London and Birmingham was taken over for telephone purposes because it was not found to give transmission of a sufficiently high quality for television of the present standard of definition.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is now prepared to hold an inquiry into the organisation and administration of the B.B.C.

An inquiry is not contemplated at present. The Government's intention as stated in the White Paper on Broadcasting policy is to consider appointing an independent committee, well in advance of the expiry of the present Charter, to advise on broadcasting policy.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will arrange for the B.B.C. to provide a television receiver to be installed in the Palace of Westminster if facilities are made available.

If the House so desires, and provided accommodation can be made available, arrangements will be made for a television receiver to be installed within the precincts.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General why a parcel was accepted at the head post office, Grimsby, containing a 5-lb. cake made of ingredients saved from family rations, addressed to a daughter in Canada for her 21st birthday, and after II days' delay returned to the sender; and if he will see that Post Office officials are made aware of food regulations and so save the public from unnecessary disappointments.

I regret that this parcel was wrongly accepted by the Grimsby Head Post Office without the normal food office stamp, which led to its subsequent return by the Customs authorities. I can assure the hon. Member that Post Offices generally are well aware of the regulation about food parcels.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will state the amount of sales of annuities by the G.P.O. in 1944, 1945 and 1946.

Life annuities sold by the Post Office in 1944, 1945 and 1946 amounted to £43,228, £47,735 and £34,203 respectively, the sums paid by the purchasers being £533,502, £597,981 and £420,825.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the capital value of the G.P.O. what method of depreciation on plant and buildings is employed; and what is the value placed on goodwill.

The gross capital liability of the Post Office in respect of its assets on 31st March, 1946, was £351,000,000. Provision for accrued depreciation amounted to £127,000,000 leaving a net capital liability of £224,000,000. Depreciation is assessed by the straight-line method for plant and by the annuity method for buildings. Goodwill does not figure in the Post Office accounts.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many applications for telephones in the county borough of Bolton have been outstanding for more than one, two and three years, respectively.

The number of applications for telephone service on the four exchanges serving the county borough of Bolton which have been outstanding for more than one year is 108. Of these, 27 have been outstanding for more than two years, and 14 for more than three years.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will now install a public telephone kiosk in the village of Tothill, near Alford, Lincolnshire, seeing the nearest public telephone is two miles distant and this request was first made in December, 1943.

A public telephone kiosk will be provided if the local authority will contribute £4 a year for five years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what supplies of tobacco are expected during the next 12 months from Southern Rhodesia, Greece, Turkey and India; and whether these quantities represent an increase on previous importations.

It is impossible to forecast how much tobacco is likely to be obtained from these sources during the next 12 months. The quantities depend in large part on local conditions which are outside our control.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action is being taken to reduce the importation of tobacco from the dollar area and to increase supplies from other countries.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made during the Debate on the. Adjournment on 27th March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of sites cleared by his Department for factory development and amenity purposes on the banks of the Tyne and elsewhere in the North-East development area, pursuant to the powers conferred on his Department under Section 5 (1) of the Distribution of Industries Act.

I have given a detailed reply to my hon. Friend in a letter which I sent him yesterday.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the reason for the cancellation of licences for the manufacture of containers for the products of Alumase, Limited, Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire; whether he is aware that Rigid Containers, Limited, Des-borough, Northamptonshire, have material available for such manufacture, but that, as a result of the cancellation, Alumase, Limited, have had one export order cancelled, another threatened and will have to close down and dismiss 130 employees unless they can obtain containers; and what steps he proposes to take to provide containers for Alumase, Limited, and so obviate loss of production, export trade and employment.

No licence has been issued against the application submitted by this firm for the delivery of cases for packing their products. The amount applied for, however, is such that Rigid Containers, Ltd., might properly supply the containers from material made available to them under a bulk licence, which is designed to enable them to meet small orders.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what conditions must be satisfied before an amateur stamp collector may be granted an open general licence for barter transactions of postage stamps.

The open general import licence covering the import of postage stamps of philatelic interest allows any person to import such stamps freely from countries in the sterling area, but where the proposed import is from a country outside the sterling area certain conditions must be satisfied. These conditions are that imported stamps are either a genuine gift or part of a barter transaction. In the case of a barter transaction, application must be made to the British Philatelic Association, Limited, acting for the Board of Trade, and the Association will require to be satisfied, before an export licence can be granted, that the imported stamps have already arrived in this country and that they are of an equivalent value of the stamps which it is proposed to export.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what special help he is prepared to give towards the establishment of light industries in Hereford and Herefordshire, which are needed.

Measures have already been taken to introduce light industries, including the allocation of factory space for civilian production, at the Royal Ordnance Factory at Hereford and at an ex-aircraft factory at Ledbury. In addition, another factory established at Hereford in the war years is continuing in production. The conversion of further space at the Royal Ordnance Factory is under consideration, together with a number of small developments in other parts of the county.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether instructions will be given for the immediate compassionate home posting of 14458071 Private R. Molone, 2nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, S.E.A.C., whose home address is 7 Hawthorn Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne, regarding whose mother a doctor's certificate was forwarded by the hon. Member for Newcastle, Central, on 28th March, 1947.

As my hon. Friend is aware, Private Malone was flown home from South-East Asia on 28th January to see his mother and remained in this country on leave from 2nd February till 11th March. Although the circumstances have again been reported to his overseas command I regret that no special recommendation can be made for his return, which must remain within the discretion of his command.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will circulate a statement showing the composition of the Army Education Advisory Board and its terms of reference.

The following have consented to serve:

• Sir Philip R. Morris, Vice-Chancellor, University of Bristol.
• W. P. Alexander, Esq., Secretary, Association of Education Committees.
• H. Clay, Esq., President, Workers Educational Association.
• Dr. H. Lowery, Principal, South-West Essex Technical College and School of Art.
• Mrs. J. L. Stocks, Principal, Westfield College, University of London.
• W. E. Williams, Esq., Director, Carnegie Bureau of Current Affairs.
• Professor J. N. Wright, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, University of St. Andrews. Arthur Bryant, Esq.
• Lord Beveridge.
• Mrs. Hubback, Principal of Morley College. The hon. Member for the Combined English Universities (Mr. K. Lindsay).
• Lord Lindsay, Master of Balliol.
• Lord Pakenham, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, War Office, will take the Chair.

The terms of reference of the Board will he:

asked the Minister of Education the approximate total cost of the approved building programmes of local education authorities for the year 1946–47; and to what extent this programme was completed.

In the year 1946–47 there were no formal educational building programmes. The amount of work completed by local education authorities in the ten months ending 31st January, 1947, was approximately £1,00,000. A substantially greater amount was approved in the last two quarters of the financial year in preparation for the 1947–48 programme.

asked the Minister of Education what is the estimated cost of the building programmes of local education authorities for the year 1947–48; and to what approximate extent the allocation of building materials and labour to his Department will enable such work to be completed.

The information is not available in the precise form asked for by my hon. Friend. In Circular 134, dated 19th December, 1946, it was stated that taking into account the programmes of major projects submitted by authorities my predecessor had decided to plan, subject to the labour and materials position from time to time, on the basis of a programme for 1947 of building work to be done in the calendar year to the value of £24 million excluding agency work done by the Ministry of Works but including work done under civil licence. It will not be practicable to give a reliable estimate of the amount of work which is likely to be completed during the calendar year until the effects of the recent fuel cuts and bad weather can be accurately judged.

asked the Minister of Agriculture in how many cases farmers have been prosecuted under the Waste of Agricultural Foodstuffs Order, 1942, on account of failing to harvest potato crops which they have planted and on account of which they have obtained subsidy.

Two, Sir. In one further case, where a conviction was obtained, no acreage payment was made.

asked the Minister of Works why, in view of the need for the maximum production of bricks, only 21 brickworks out of 31 are working at at present time.

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to North Staffordshire. Six of the ten brickworks there which are not producing bricks are manufacturing other needed products, mainly roofing tiles; two others are being prepared for resumption of production, and the remaining two are derelict.