asked the Postmaster-General to what extent Monitoring or tapping telephone conversations is in practice.

Officers of the Post Office are strictly forbidden to listen in to telephone conversations except in so far as may be necessary for the efficient performance of their duty. Long-distance telephone calls are monitored to ensure that the subscriber is obtaining reasonable quality of speech and that the trunk circuit can immediately be released when he has finished. In addition, a very small percentage of calls, selected at random, is observed to provide a measure of the quality of service but in most cases these calls are only observed to the stage at which effective conversation begins.

Would the right hon. Gentleman guarantee that the conditions which he has mentioned are strictly applied? Is he aware that there is widespread feeling that tapping and Monitoring goes on, which results in many visits by enforcement officers? Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that there is no tapping of calls on a political basis, and will he give strict instructions that there must not be any in the future?

That assurance is contained in my answer.

asked the Postmaster-General the total number of telephone books which were replaced in 1946, and the total number of old books which were collected during the same period.

Approximately 4,000,000 telephone directories were replaced in 1946, including 1,200,000 in London. The number of old directories collected by the Post Office throughout the country is not available, but in London the number was just over 1,000,000. Many old directories were no doubt, also included in local collections of paper salvage.

Is it not a fact that there are widespread collections of books that have not been taken up, and will he make it clear that these may be put in the local salvage collections?

asked the Postmaster-General what was the revenue received in 1946 in respect of telephone services to Government Departments; and which three Ministries had the largest expenditure on this service.

The estimated value of telephone services rendered to Government Departments during the financial year 1946–47 was £16,400,000. The three Ministries having the largest telephone user during this period were the Air Ministry (£6,700,000), the War Office (£3,300,000) and the Admiralty (£1,800,000).

In view of the fact that the telephone service seems to be mechanically almost on its last legs, will the right hon. Gentleman say what steps are being taken to reduce this enormous burden of calls from Government Departments?

I admit that the telephone service is not as good as I should like it to be, owing to six years of war, but it is not as bad as the hon. Gentleman indicates.

asked the Postmaster-General how many temporary postmen and postwomen were dismissed or resigned between July, 1946, and April, 1947; and to what extent they were replaced by ex-Service men recruited on an established basis.

I am afraid that the information asked for is not available centrally and it could not be collected without disproportionate work.

Can the Postmaster-General give a general indication of the position, if he has not the specific figures? Is the recruitment of ex-Service men now being discontinued for establishment?

No. I will see whether I can do anything to give an indication in the matter, and if I can, I will.

Can the Minister give an assurance that these dismissals are gone into very carefully, because I had a case of a dismissal, and, after I had written to the Minister, it was countermanded?

These cases are gone into very carefully, and I think that what the hon. and gallant Member has said indicates that to some extent.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been drawn to the demand that the rate for food parcels between the Dominions and this country should be reduced; and whether he has any statement to make.

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the postage rates on parcels from the other countries of the British Commonwealth are fixed by their respective postal authorities. The possibility of reducing that part of the postage which is credited to the United Kingdom Post Office was recently reviewed. It was, however, established that the amounts in question are insufficient to cover United Kingdom costs for the conveyance, handling and delivery of the parcels in this country, and I should not be justified in making any concession. As regards parcels from Canada, the Canadian Authorities reduced their postage rates on 1st January last. The South African Post Office reduced its rates on gift parcels by 2d. a pound on 15th September.

Has the right hon. Gentleman made any representation or entered into any negotiations with his opposite number in the Commonwealth of Australia?

This matter was recently reviewed, and it was decided to make no change.

Will the Postmaster-General give, as a set-off against these charges, the value of the large number of postal packets that are never delivered at all?

If the hon. Gentleman has any information about that, I should be very glad if he would let me have it. He has made a rather general statement, and if he would like me to do something about it, perhaps he will give me direct evidence, and I will see what I can do.

Can the Postmaster-General assure the House that he is not exercising influence on the Canadian Government to prevent them from reducing charges to this country.

I can give that assurance.

asked the Postmaster-General what proportion of the sum of 5s. 10d. charged for small food parcels between Australia and this country is received by the British Post Office and what proportion by the Australian postal authorities.

The British receipt is 1s. 7½d, and the Australian the rest.

asked the Postmaster-General how many persons have been engaged by his Department since 1st July for duty in Glasgow; how many of them are performing postmen's duties; how many of them are men under 30 years of age; and whether any dismissed temporary postmen have been re-engaged.

Of the number of persons employed on the postal side at Glasgow on 25th October, 134 (118 full-time and 16 part-time) have been recruited since 1st July, and all are employed on postmen's duties. Forty-eight are men under 30 years of age. None of the discharged temporary postmen, who are all ineligible for established appointments, has been re-engaged.

In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman dismissed the temporary postmen in order to provide men for industry, and that half the temporary postmen are still unemployed after four months, will not he re-engage them?

This is made rather difficult by virtue of the fact that I am compelled to select at least 50 per cent. of the new people from ex-Service men, particularly those who have been Regulars. That is part of my trouble about this business. I do not like dismissing these people, but most of them never had any opportunity of becoming established, and many of these other people are waiting for jobs.

What about the other half?

There are more of these people waiting now than there are jobs to fill.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of this and previous replies on this subject I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the high cost of Air Mail letters is causing discontent among members of His Majesty's Forces abroad; and if he will take steps by way of exception to reduce the cost of such postage when sent by members of His Majesty's Forces from abroad.

I regret that I cannot hold out any hope of any reduction in the postage rates referred to.

Does not the Minister think that it would be wise and just to facilitate contacts between home and abroad in this way, especially having regard to the interruption of home life which such service entails?

There is a cheap method of correspondence between Service men and their parents both ways now—what we call a "light air letter."

asked the Postmaster-General the number of sub-post offices there are in the country; how many are staffed by full-time civil servants; and the average annual turnover for a sub-office in the Greater London area and the rural areas, respectively.

Apart from head post offices, there are 23,790 post offices in the country, of which 1,173 are staffed by full-time civil servants. I regret that information regarding the average turnover at sub-post offices of various types is not readily available and could only be ascertained by the expenditure of an inordinate amount of labour.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that the huts and buildings on the Waltham aerodrome, near Grimsby, are falling into rack and ruin; and if he will hand these buildings over to the local authorities to meet the housing demand.

All the buildings at this airfield, except for some which are temporarily being used for storage, were offered for disposal, including use by the local authority, a year ago. I understand that most of them are being used for housing, and that the local authority is, considering whether it can make use of some of the remainder. About 20 huts that are not fit for other use are to be disposed of by the Ministry of Works.

Is not the Minister aware that the local rural district council have been asking recently for some of these buildings and are waiting for the Department's sanction; and would it not be better to give them permission to handle these huts rather than to let squatters go in and take possession?

I think that the hon. Gentleman must have been misinformed. Any request by the local council should not be addressed to the Air Ministry, but to the Ministry of Health.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many married quarters are at present under construction at R.A.F. Stations; and how many are intended for officers and other ranks, respectively.

About 850 married quarters are now under construction at R.A.F. Stations at home; they are all for airmen. In addition, temporary married quarters are being constructed for 142 officers and 356 airmen.

Would the Minister agree that the housing wants of married officers are just as great as those of married other ranks, and will not he allocate a proportion of these permanent houses to officers until such time as accommodation is built for the officers?

As regards the first part of the supplementary question, I certainly agree that there is a problem with regard to the housing requirements of both officers and airmen, but the problem was very carefully considered, and it was decided at the beginning of the housing programme of the Air Ministry that the first houses built under it should be allocated to air men and not to officers I certainly assure the hon. Gentleman that it is the policy of my Department, so far as circumstances permit, to cater for the needs of both officers and airmen.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, tell the House what is the number of applicants for married quarters on the special list, which, I understand, is kept in his Department, for cases of an exceptionally compassionate kind, and will he say how that number compares with the new construction?

I cannot answer that question without notice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation how many free passages have been granted by B.O.A.C. to members of their staff, or others; on what basis such free passages are allocated; and what is the aggregate cost to the taxpayer.

I am informed that the British Overseas Airways Corporation do not give free passages to members of the staff unless they are travelling on duty or on transfer. If, under the terms of the contract, wives and families of contract staff of the Corporation posted permanently to an overseas station are entitled to free transport, they are only carried by air if capacity permits without detriment to the commercial load. A small number of free passages is granted for publicity reasons where the Corporation consider that commercial benefit would result. Precise numbers of free passages granted to persons in the categories mentioned are not available but there is no appreciable loss of revenue producing traffic.

Why has no accurate account of free passages been kept? Does the Parliamentary Secretary realise that under a system of nationalisation it is inevitable that nepotism and corruption creep in, to the consequent loss of the taxpayer? Will he take steps to crush this tendency on every possible occasion?

A record of free passages on every journey is kept, but in the time available to answer this Question it was not possible to get the information, as the record is not kept on a day-to-day basis and tabulated.

It ought to be.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he will state the reasons for the suspension of the Cardiff—Bristol—Weston air services.

These services have been discontinued because the heavy loss to the Corporation was no longer considered justifiable in view of the general economic situation.

Is the Minister aware that great consternation has been caused by the cancellation of these services which were carrying more than 1,000 passengers a week, and that it will be more difficult during the winter, with no boat service? Is he further aware that the loss was in large measure due to the fact that 91 per cent. of the cost was for landing charges, which was the figure given to the Select Committee on Estimates, and if that charge were not made, would this service be run at a loss?

In the first instance, if there was this great enthusiasm for the service, the density of use by the population would have been greater. In fact, the use was small in relation to the capacity available. So far as the charges are concerned, the statement to the Estimates Committee was, I am afraid, an inaccurate statement. The correct figure would have been 71 per cent. The statement made to the Estimates Committee was not made by the Ministry.

While congratulating the hon. Gentleman himself on escaping from recent suspensions, may I ask him to publish the total figure of the loss. Will the hon. Gentleman say whether a private charter company would be allowed to run this service as a schedule service in order to prove what the demand would be under efficient private management.

In reply to the first part of the supplementary question, there is an appropriate opportunity given to the House when the accounts of the Corporation are presented and are under discussion. As to the second part of the question, to permit a scheduled service would be at variance with the Civil Aviation Act.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say whether it was or was not, at one time, possible for this service to be run profitably by a private company, and if that was so, would it not be possible for the Corporation to show a sufficient demand for the service?

Before the war this service was run by a private company, but I have no information in regard to its cost or whether there was a profit or a loss. In fact, the general increase in the cost of aircraft operations has materially increased the charges.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation how many modifications were suggested by B.O.A.C. in the course of the construction of the Tudor aircraft for use on the North Atlantic route.

It is not possible to state precisely the number of alterations to the Tudor I aircraft made at the request of the British Overseas Airways Corporation during the early stages. In February, 1946, the British Overseas Airways Corporation suggested 343 modifications, 123 to be embodied in the aircraft before delivery and 210 to be incorporated at the earliest convenient time or after delivery of the aircraft. The remaining 10 modifications were not insisted on for the Tudor I but were required for the Tudor II.

Would I be putting it a little high if I suggested that that seems rather a lot?

The number of modifications, without explanation or description, does not give a true picture of the facts. The number was asked for in the Question and has been given, but on its own it does not give a true picture of the situation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what is the reason for the decision by B.O.A.C. not to use the Tudor aircraft constructed for use on the North Atlantic route, notwithstanding its very successful flight to South America.

The Tudor I aircraft which was constructed for the North Atlantic has not flown to South America. On the basis of tests carried out, the British Overseas Airways Corporation concluded that the Tudor I aircraft would be unsatisfactory for the North Atlantic route for the following reasons:—(1) the aircraft has insufficient range to operate an Atlantic service of a regularity comparable with other companies; (2) the aircraft was uneconomical and very substantial losses would result from its use; (3) the Tudor, which was a stop-gap aircraft planned for use in 1946 and is not yet available, could not now be expected to compete commercially with aircraft of other operators designed specifically for this service.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this aircraft was ordered for the North Atlantic route and was specified to have a still air range of 4,000 miles? Is he further aware that the aircraft which flew on the South Atlantic route was technically identical, and that it was only in small internal construction that it differed from the Tudor I?

It is the Tudor IV which flew the South Atlantic. The Tudor IV is based on the Tudor I, but the construction is different in regard to the length of the fuselage, etc. In actual fact, an aircraft does not always come up to its specification in performance. Whether it is right or not is a matter for decision somewhere else, but the statement of the Corporation is that, in fact, the performance of the aircraft does not come up to specification.

Would the Minister tell the House how the Ministry know that the performance does not come up to specification if the aircraft has never been tried on the particular route?

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the Tudor I can be modified at the cost of approximately £5,000 to become the Tudor IV, and can operate at a profit? Will he look into all these matters and have all the details ready for the Debate on the Estimates?

These details have been looked into and, in addition, the House will be aware that, in conjunction with the Ministry of Supply, a committee of inquiry known as the Courtney Committee has been set up. I think it would be far better if the discussion were left until that committee reports.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation why the Tudor aircraft, ordered by B.O.A.C., constructed by Messrs. A. V. Roe, Limited, at Chadderton, specifically for use on the North Atlantic route, was tried out only on a journey to Nairobi.

Tudor I aircraft G-AGRD was delivered to the British Overseas Airways Corporation Development Flight in November, 1946, for performance trials. The North Atlantic weather is unsuitable for test flying in the winter. It was, therefore, considered advisable to obtain adequate performance data under reliable weather conditions at the earliest moment. For this reason it was agreed by my noble Friend, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply and the British Overseas Airways Corporation that the aircraft should be flown to Cairo. The Ministry of Supply having asked for the co-operation of the British Overseas Airways Corporation in a programme of take-off tests and in tropical conditions, it was agreed in November, 1946, that the programme of tests already contemplated should be extended to include Nairobi. The test flight to Nairobi assumed additional importance in view of the discussions as to the possibility of using the Tudor I on the South African route.

Is it not the case that the aircraft which flew to Nairobi was equipped with rubber self-sealing tanks which were entirely unsuitable for use under tropical conditions, and does that not explain the excessive consumption of petrol? Will the Minister please see that this inquiry takes evidence from the workmen who were engaged on the aircraft?

So far as the latter part of the supplementary question is concerned, the terms of the inquiry were deliberately made wide to enable all aspects of the problem to be considered by the committee and a report made thereon. As to evidence before the committee, anyone who has evidence should make it available to the committee. I am certain that the committee will give opportunities for that evidence to be received.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether his attention has been called to the fact that the British Gliding Association has notified the International Aeronautical Federation that it will be unable to stage the international gliding championships in Britain next year as a result of petrol restrictions and other economic difficulties; and whether, in view of the importance of assisting the gliding movement, he will intervene in this matter with a view to modifying this decision.

The British Gliding Association and the Royal Aero Club have decided that the International Gliding Competition could not be satisfactorily conducted in this country next year owing to the economic crisis and the consequent restrictions. The answer to the second part of the Question is No, Sir. But I hope it will be possible to hold International competitions here before very long.

Is the Minister aware that these petrol restrictions will stop gliding altogether? When will it be possible to resume gliding?

It is true that they will make gliding much more difficult, but there have been discussions, and discussions are now going on, between the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Fuel and Power to see whether it is possible to make available some petrol for actual gliding operations, particularly for retrieving the glider after it has flown.

Does it mean that gliding has to be put into cold storage until the Ministry can raise the wind?

Although petrol may be available to tow the gliders into the air, how can the people who want to glide get to the aerodrome without the petrol?

Walk.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, when an air service will be started to serve the West of England and Cornwall.

I have nothing further to add to the reply I gave the hon. Member on 6th August last, when I said that a service between London and Cornwall is not planned for the current year 1947–48, and the airports to be used when the service is introduced have not yet been decided.

As the Government appear to be incapable of producing this service, will the Minister consider introducing the necessary legislation to amend the Civil Aviation Act so that private enterprise can produce it?

That does not arise from this Question.

Before the final arrangements are made, will the Minister see that special consideration is given to the needs and difficulties of the service to the Isles of Scilly?

Yes, Sir, and the hon. and learned Gentleman will know that there has been correspondence between us on the subject A meeting has been arranged between all who are interested and I hope that meeting will be to the mutual satisfaction of all concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how much longer it is intended to retain in use in Germany the normal questionnaire, Fragebogen, where, among the 131 questions to be answered, Germans are expected to say how they voted in the elections of November, 1932, and March, 1933.

Instructions were issued on 30th June that Germans need no longer answer the two questions to which the hon. Member refers, and these questions have been deleted from new printings of the questionnaire. I cannot say how much longer the present form of questionnaire will be retained as under a Military Government Ordinance dated 1st October the Land Governments are now free to choose their own procedure for carrying out the principles of de-Nazification.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any other questions were deleted or whether those who want a driving licence still have to answer 129 questions instead of 131?

I do not know what they have to answer for a driving licence I myself did not make out the form.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that it ever was likely that those two questions would be answered truthfully, bearing in mind that very few people can be found in this country who admit that they voted for hon. Members opposite in 1945?

I should hardly have thought it was necessary for the Universities to return a Member who shows that type of intelligence.

Have any similar instructions been issued about similar questions which, until recently, were being asked in Austria?

I would like to have notice of that; I will then look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what regulations govern the manufacture of toy soldiers, or other small figures, in the British zone of Germany; and whether such regulations apply equally in all four zones.

There are no regulations in the British zone, or in Germany as a whole, directly governing the manufacture of toy soldiers or other small figures.

—To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why in spite of the decision to end multilateral reparations on 27th September Messrs. Heidenfeich & Harbeck of Hamburg were informed on 9th October that eleven machines in addition to the eight already seized on 23rd September would be removed shortly from their factory.

As I had an answer to a similar Question on Monday, I shall be content with a written reply.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if it was with his approval that an official announcement was issued from the Foreign Office on Friday, 26th September, to the effect that Britain would not concern herself with handing over authority to any racial group in Palestine and that a period of anarchy might follow; and what is the policy of His Majesty's Government in carrying out its evacuation of Palestine.

My hon. Friend's Question no doubt refers to an agency message published on 26th September which attributed these opinions to "usually well-informed quarters." No statement or communiqué on this subject has been issued by the Foreign Office. The policy of His Majesty's Government as regards British withdrawal from Palestine is set out in the two speeches made to the Assembly of the United Nations in New York by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies on 26th September and 16th October respectively.

While thanking the right: hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I ask him if he is aware that the "Manchester Guardian" on Saturday, 28th September, issued a statement as coming from the Foreign Office, and this had such wide publicity that it would hardly come under the heading of "a usually well-informed source"?

I have great respect for the "Manchester Guardian" and its editor, but I am not really responsible for it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether adequate precautions are being taken to ensure that arms and ammunition supplied to Arab countries by His Majesty's Government shall not be used for aggression against Palestine or sent into Palestine for illegal purposes by Arabs.

Military equipment furnished by His Majesty's Government to Arab countries has been supplied to meet bona fide defence and internal security requirements. The strictest precautions are taken to prevent any smuggling of arms into Palestine.

Can greater precautions be taken against the stealing of rifles and Sten guns? I understand that on the Arab side £50 is paid for a rifle and £200 for a Sten gun.

In view of the fact that at present we have military missions in all the major Arab countries and that there is a constant flow of supplies to them, and in view also of the fact that on 14th May last the Minister of Defence informed me that we have recently supplied 40 military aircraft, 298 carriers, and 38 scout cars to one of those countries, is it not time that a review was made of that flow of military supplies?

Now that we are under treaty obligations to the Arab countries and they are partners with us in defence, we have no intention of breaking those agreements.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the House is to rely on newspaper reports of the speeches made by the Colonial Secretary to the United Nations for its knowledge of His Majesty's Government's policy or whether any statement is ever going to be made to the House?

That does not arise on this Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the British troops will evacuate Greece.

The position continues to be that our troops will be withdrawn as soon as practicable. The House will be informed when His Majesty's Government are in a position to announce a date.

Did not the Foreign Secretary inform us early last year that when the elections took place and an acceptable Government was formed, our troops would be brought home? Is it not time we were getting something done about it?

It would facilitate a settlement in Greece if those who are assisting to promote civil war would stop it.

Can the Foreign Secretary state when Russian troops will be withdrawn from Poland and other European countries?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state, respectively, how many applications by British business men, journalists and tourists for permission to enter Bulgaria and Roumania between 1st January and 31st August this year were granted, refused and unanswered in time by the Control Commissions in those countries; and what interval elapsed after the endorsement by the Foreign Office of such applications by Labour and Opposition Members of the House of Commons before they were granted.

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

Is the Secretary of State aware that certain hon. Members of his party were granted entry permits within a very few days of applying at a time when applications by certain hon. Members on this side of the House remained unanswered for a number of weeks, and will any protest be made against this invidious discrimination?

The answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT will deal with the hon. Member's first point. I have not considered making a protest. It does not seem to have much effect.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether in view of the agreement reached during the war for the abolition of the Comintern he has received any official notification from the Government of the U.S.S.R. with relation to the formation of the Cominform.

No, Sir. The announced dissolution of the Comintern was the act of those who comprised it. With reference to the latter part of the Question, obviously we have had no notification.

Is the Foreign Secretary aware that the Deputy Prime Minister of the Soviet Union signed the official Cominform manifesto describing the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary as traitors; and whether it is not clear that this is the reconstitution of the Comintern in an aggravated form with advance headquarters in Belgrade and rear headouarters in Moscow?

I should be very surprised if they ever describe me as anything else.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total amount held by his Department as a result of difference in price between the purchase price of cocoa in West Africa and its sale based on New York open cocoa market at 1st September, 1947; and what steps have been taken to distribute this sum to the producers.

With the permission of the hon. Member, as the reply is long and contains a number of figures, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Might I ask the Minister—and in so doing take the opportunity of congratulating him—whether the enormous profit that has been made out of this highly nutritional foodstuff, greatly desired in starving Europe, is not a source of great embarrassment to the Government when they complain about the high cost of food in the dollar and other areas?

Answer.

The answer is "yes" anyway.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is satisfied that the Government of Kenya target of 52 teachers training centres, with an output of 1,300 teachers by 1957 is adequate, in view of the great need for educational development amongst Africans in Kenya; and what plans exist to supplement this number with less highly-qualified emergency teachers.

The whole question of African education in Kenya, including the training of teachers, is now under review locally. No details are yet available, but I will communicate with my hon. Friend when I receive them.

Would my hon. Friend not agree that the supplementation suggested in the last part of the Question would be helpful in two ways: firstly, to fight the time-lag which puts Kenya natives behind the natives in most other African Colonies, since this inadequate provision goes up to 1957; secondly, the new type of teacher would be more likely to avoid the academic approach?

I would prefer to leave this matter until we get a report from the local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give details of the position of the Advisory Council on African Education in Kenya, showing how many of the members are officials, how many Africans, and how many missionaries; and whether he is satisfied that there are sufficient Africans on the Council and that they are consulted on all questions, particularly those concerning school curricula.

The present composition of the Advisory Council on African Education is seven officials, five Africans, seven missionaries and six members representing other interests. African representation is considered sufficient for the time being. This Council is consulted on questions of policy affecting African education including school curricula.

Does not this reply show some considerable variation from the reply given just before the Recess to a similar Question?

Could my hon. Friend say whether, when the education for Kenya Africans becomes more nationalised and less under missionaries, it will be possible to alternate the number of missionaries with the Africans as they exist today on the Advisory Council?

I will forward the suggestion of my hon. Friend to the Government, and get the Government's view upon it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the number of African trades union leaders in Kenya who have been arrested within the last 12 months; for what offences they have been arrested; how many trades union officers from the United Kingdom are now working in Kenya; and what recommendations they have made to improve the situation.

No leaders of registered trades unions have been arrested in Kenya within the last 12 months: one person, the president of an unrecognised association known as the African Workers Federation, has been deported within the Territory for conduct dangerous to peace and good order. One trades union officer from the United Kingdom is working in Kenya. He has made a recommendation regarding trade union law which is now being actively considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now satisfied with the staffing of the Jamaica Mental Hospital; and what steps have been taken by the Government of Jamaica to ensure that this institution is properly conducted.

I could not say that the staffing of the Jamaica Mental Hospital is yet wholly satisfactory, but a number of steps have been taken to improve it, including post-graduate training in England of two medical officers for the hospital and the recruitment and training of additional nursing staff. The Governor has appointed a Special Committee of Investigation and its report is expected shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what decisions about home rule for Jamaica he announced to Mr. Bustamente and Mr. Manley during his recent visit to the West Indies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the recent decisions regarding the promise of self-government to Jamaica in 1949.

During the visit of my right hon. Friend the opportunity naturally occurred for prominent unofficial persons to indicate, in informal conversation, their views on the subject of constitutional development. No decisions were taken or announced.

Will the Minister take steps to repudiate any premature reports which may have leaked out?

We are not responsible for any reports that have leaked out, nor, so far as I am aware, is the Jamaican Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if satisfactory health and unemployment insurance schemes have yet been introduced in Trinidad.

No, Sir, but the Governor has recently assured me that he is doing his best to hasten the drawing up of suitable schemes on these two important and complex matters.

Will my hon. Friend keep before him the fact that the Unemployment Insurance Committee was set up in 1943 and many people are hoping that action will soon be forthcoming?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress is being made in the construction of a civil airfield in Hong Kong capable of taking the largest types of modern aircraft; and whether he has been in consultation with the Minister of Civil Aviation on this subject.

I regret that I am not yet in a position to make any statement on this matter as it has not yet been possible, having regard to current economic conditions, to make the necessary financial provision for this capital expenditure. The answer to the second part of the Question is "Yes."

Does the Minister's answer mean that this scheme has been put into cold storage indefinitely because, if that is so, it will arouse great disappointment and will be the ruin of one of the great Empire routes?

The difficulty is that it entails a very large capital expenditure which, up to now, the local government has not felt itself able to bear and which would fall on the British taxpayer. Therefore, we have not been in a position as yet to arrange the necessary financial provision.

Would the Minister remember that Hong Kong is now one of the most important, and also one of the most prosperous, Colonies in the British Commonwealth, and that it certainly has the most dangerous airfield?

I am well aware of that, and I am personally interested in this matter. I am doing all I can to arrive at a satisfactory solution.

Will the hon. Gentleman look into this matter again, because Hong Kong is a Colony which earns a lot of dollars, and even if the capital expenditure is great, it would be a valuable investment? Will he reconsider the matter?

I am doing what I can.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will cause an investigation to be made into the conditions existing at Outram Road Civil Prison during the one-and-half years imprisonment, for holding a prohibited demonstration of Mr. Lin Ah Liang, one of the Resistance leaders in Malaya against the Japanese; and whether this prisoner was subjected to mental torture or any other form of maltreatment from the prison authorities.

The Governor of Singapore has already appointed a Commission of Inquiry into conditions in Outram Road Gaol. I am asking him for a report on the imprisonment of Mr. Lim Ah Liang, and will write to the hon. Member when I have received it.

Is the Minister aware that very serious complaints are being made about the treatment of this man and the procedure against fraudulent misrepresentation?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can provide statistics as to the exports of tin from Malaya and Nigeria for each of the past six months together with figures showing the amount of dollars and other foreign currency earned by such exports; and whether any estimate can be made as to the probable increase in such shipments over the next 12 months provided that there is no undue delay in the supply from this country of machinery for the re-equipment of the tin mines in those colonies.

As the reply to this Question contains many figures, I will, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Minister of Labour has during the last year acted as general secretary of the National Society of Operative Printers and Assistants; and why he has permitted a member of His Majesty's Government to retain that post in view of the obligation upon Ministers to resign directorships.

As regards the first part of the Question, the hon. Member is misinformed. The second part does not, therefore, arise.

Is the Prime Minister aware of the fact that that misinformation is shared by the general secretary of the Union concerned, and that the executive committee, in July of this year, reported that the Minister of Labour had so acted, and thanked him for his assistance?

The information I have is that the right hon. Gentleman was given leave of absence by the Society of Operative Printers when he was appointed a Minister, and the work of the Society has been undertaken since by Mr. Plunkett.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look at a copy of the journal for July of this year, if I send it to him?

Certainly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in how many cases banishments have been carried out under the Banishment Ordinance in Malaya; in how many cases has the order been used against aliens; what types of offences are punished by banishment; and whether he is satisfied that the Government of Malaya is using its powers under this ordinance sufficiently to break the crime wave in Malaya.

Forty-nine banishment orders were approved in the Malayan Union during the first nine months of this year and 102 between January and the present date in Singapore. All individuals concerned were aliens. Banishment is not a punishment but an administrative act authorised by law under certain circumstances for the public good. I am satisfied that this power is being used to the end mentioned in the last part of the Question.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the responsible Press in Singapore in September published figures showing that only one-fifth of the police recommendations for banishment were being implemented by the Governor, and that the situation was being described as subversion of the Government over large areas, shooting at the police and civilians, and wholesale extortion? Is he satisfied that the recommendations of the police are being carried out satisfactorily?

The responsibility under these banishment orders is that of the Governor, and I see no cause to interfere with the Governor in the exercise of that responsibility.

If banishment is not to be regarded as a punishment, can we look upon it as a reward?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has invited the Prime Ministers of the Dominions to a conference on the measures necessary for an increase in trade within the Empire and for the conservation of the dollar resources of the Empire; and, if so, what replies he has received.

As the hon. Member is, no doubt, aware, a conference was recently held in London with representatives of other Commonwealth Governments, over which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer presided. At this conference, the financial and economic problems now facing the Governments of the Commonwealth were fully discussed, and particular attention was given to the conservation of dollar resources. It was agreed that there should be close and continuing consultation on these matters, in view of these facts, I hope the hon. Member may agree that I is unnecessary to act as he suggests.

Arising out of that reply, does the Prime Minister deny the report in the Press of 15th October to the effect that the Prime Ministers of the Dominions had been invited to such a conference during their visit on the occasion of the Royal Wedding and that some of them refused the invitation?

There is no information about a conference on economic problems and exchange, and I am really not responsible for newspaper reports.

asked the Minister of Defence if the Commonwealth Governments were consulted before the decision to make the proposed Service cuts in manpower was taken; and what steps are being taken to ensure adequate defence of the Commonwealth and Empire in the light of our present and future economic position.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to what I said on this point in the course of the Debate on 27th October.

Would the right hon. Gentleman then have the House understand that the Dominions were not given any opportunity of putting forward their points of view regarding Commonwealth defence in the light of defence cuts, and does he not think that is highly important from the point of view of Commonwealth defence being treated as a whole?

We are certainly doing our best to have Commonwealth defence treated as a whole, but it would not have been the right thing to consult the Commonwealth countries directly on proposals for the purpose of dealing with our internal economy.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to tell the House that the matter of Imperial defence is purely a matter of internal economy?

I do not say anything of the sort.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman now agree that it is quite inadequate to have four liaison officers in the Dominions as the only link from a Commonwealth defence point of view?

No, I think in the present situation what is being done is adequate, but we shall at all times seek to make the liaison between the Commonwealth Governments more close.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will consider reviewing the whole matter of conscription in the light of difficulties that have been visualised since the passing of the National Service Act, 1947, with a view to basing the Regular forces entirely on voluntary enlistment

No, Sir.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that the difficulties which are visualised will simply mean that the Regular Army will neithet be trained nor be capable of training conscripts, and does he not think it would be better to have one division properly trained than to have seven or eight quite inadequately trained?

I said "No" to the hon. and gallant Member's Question because at present it is quite impossible for us to foresee being able to obtain sufficient recruits for some of the Services without the compulsion of the Act we have passed. The difficulties to which the hon. and gallant Member referred today, and in the Debate last Monday night are being considered.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that when the Debate took place on conscription, the Prime Minister said that the policy of voluntary enlistment had not failed? Has he any reason to believe that it would fail any more now than it did then?

My right hon. Friend may have said that in a particular reference, but I can assure hon. Members that I could not foresee at the present time getting all the men required for the Services without the operation of the Act