asked the Postmaster-General what progress has been made in providing air mail services for the Western Isles during the past year; and what extension of these services and what new services are contemplated for the near future.

An air mail service between Glasgow and Benbecula, serving both Benbecula and South Uist, came into operation on the 10th February, 1947; its benefits will shortly be extended to the island of North Uist. An air mail service between Inverness and Stornoway is due to commence this week. The provision of a service to Islay has been approved and should start in the near future. Schemes for providing air mail services for Tiree and Barra are being examined.

asked the Postmaster-General how many telephone installations have been made in the Outer Hebrides since July, 1945, and whether in the interests of economic development and for the convenience of communities lacking other adequate means of communication it is intended to accord to this area a degree of priority under his curtailed programme for the coming year.

Since July, 1945 272 telephones, including 26 public call offices, have been provided in the Outer. Hebrides. As regards development in this area during the coming year, we shall do our best to meet essential requirements within the limits of our restricted national resources.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of delay in the North of Scotland's electrification programme in the Outer Hebrides, he will consider early steps to improve the lighting in the smaller offices by such methods as the wind-mill lighting used by many people in the Islands.

I am advised that there are technical difficulties in the way of my hon. Friend's proposal, but if he will furnish me with particulars of the offices he has in mind I will look into the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General if in order to demonstrate to the peoples of India that their deep sorrow at the death of Mr. Gandhi is shared by the British people, he will arrange for the issue of a special British postage stamp, or if this is not practicable, to arrange for an overprint on the current postage stamps, drawing attention to Mr. Gandhi's great services to world peace.

No. While I cordially appreciate the sentiment, I regret that it is not practicable to adopt my hon. Friend's proposal.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will authorise the photographing of the imprimatur, Record, sheets of the early one penny line-engraved stamps, in view of the widespread interest shown in these stamps and the great demand for such photographs in this country and especially in America.

I am considering this suggestion and will write to the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the average time for delivery of letters from the civilian population in B.A.O.R. to prisoners of war in this country; and can he undertake to improve the present average time of delivery.

The average interval between posting and delivery is about 11 days and delivery is normally effected on the first weekday following receipt in this country. The question of speedier service is not within my control.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether, arising out of the last statement of accounts of the B.O.A.C., he will state the approximate expenditure in dollars for petrol for the period covered by the last published accounts of B.O.A.C.

380,000 dollars.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what was the total sum received in the financial year 19467–47 from landing fees at State aerodromes, distinguishing the amounts paid by the airline corporations and by the charter companies.

£124,491 of which sum the three Corporations paid £41,390, British charter companies £45,523 and other operators £37.578.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he will make a statement concerning the dismissal of Air Vice-Marshal Bennett.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he will make a statement regarding the dismissal of Air Vice-Marshal Bennett from B.S.A.A.C.

I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave today to the hon. Members for Eccles (Mr. Proctor) and Henley (Sir G. Fox).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on how many occasions has the Berlin Kommandatura discussed proposals to transfer undertakings to public ownership.

The proposals of the Berlin City authorities to transfer undertakings to public ownership were discussed on eight occasions by the Commandants, and on eight occasions by the Deputy Commandants between May, 1947, and January, 1948.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will facilitate the publication of German official documents captured by British-American Forces concerning relations between Hitler Germany and the Governments of Britain, France and the United States immediately before and during the war.

As announced in this House on 22nd January, 1947, there has been a body of expert Anglo-American historians engaged on the preparation for publication of the captured official German documents. In July, 1947, the project became tripartite by the accession of the French Government. It is expected that the first two volumes, which cover the period from the beginning of 1937, or a little earlier, to the outbreak of war in 1939, will appear before the end of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will publish all secret agreements reached between the British Government and the German Government before the war.

I am unaware of the existence of any such secret agreements.

asked the Minister of Defence by what dates it is anticipated the withdrawal of the British element of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan will be commenced and completed, respectively.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave last Thursday to my hon. Friend the Member for Winchester (Mr. G. Jeger).

asked the Minister of Defence what annual amounts were payable or paid during the war, and during the postwar period, respectively, in respect of separation allowances to dependants in Eire of personnel in His Majesty's Armed Forces.

Payments to dependants in Eire are not recorded separately by the Service Departments; I am, however, having inquiries made which may enable me to give a rough estimate of the sums involved. I hope to write to my hon. Friend about this shortly.

asked the Minister of Food whether orders have yet been placed with makers of British agricultural machinery for the tractors required for the groundnuts scheme in East Africa; and whether he can give any particulars in this connection.

No. Trials of British tractors are, however, being carried out in Tanganyika, and I hope that later on it will be possible to meet the greater part of the needs of the scheme from manufacture in the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the fact that the yield of groundnuts from virgin soil in the first two years is higher than subsequent yields, he has formed any estimate of the eventual yield of the East African groundnuts scheme.

An estimated average yield of 750 lb. of shelled groundnuts per acre has been adopted for the purpose of the financial estimates of the scheme. This is a conservative long-term estimate, which takes into account the possibility that high yields during the early years may not be maintained. No field will, however, be continuously under groundnuts for more than two years and the crop rotation and fertiliser policies to be adopted are being designed to maintain, and where possible to increase, the fertility of the soil.

asked the Minister of Food what are the present prices of essential foods, and the prices of those foods during the comparable period following the 1914–18 war.

The following table shows the present prices of stable foods

Food.		Unit.	Price at 18.2.1948.		Price at 1.3.1921.
			s	d.	s.	d.
Bacon	…	1 lb.	2	2½	2	6
Bread	…	4 lb.		10¼	1	1¾
Butter, fresh	…	1 lb.	1	4	2	11
salt	…	1 lb.	1	4	2	11
Cheese	…	1 lb.		10	1	8¾
Eggs, fresh	…	dozen	2	6	3	6
			3	0
Flour	…	7 lb	1	5½	2	2
Margarine, special	…	1 lb.		9	1	0
standard	…	1 lb.		5
Meat—
beef, British ribs	…	1 lb.	1	4	2	1
Thin flank	…	1 lb.		10	1	5¾
Chilled ribs	…	1 lb.	1	1	1	3¾
Thin flank	…	1 lb.		6		9¾
mutton, British legs	…	1 lb.	1	6	2	4
Breast	…	1 lb.		8	1	6¼
Frozen legs	…	1 lb.	1	0	1	3½
Frozen breast	…	1 lb.		4		7
Milk	…	quart		10		10¼
Potatoes	…	7 lb	9½d. to 1s. 1½d.			9½
Sugar (granulated)	…	1 lb.		5		8½
Tea—average	…	1 lb.	3	2	2	8¼

asked the Minister of Food what gross annual sums were payable or paid during the war, and during the postwar period, respectively, in respect of foodstuffs purchased in Eire by his Department, directly or by authorised agents; and what gross annual sums were received or receivable during the said periods, respectively, in respect of the sales of the said foodstuffs to consumers in the United Kingdom.

Payments and receipts by the Ministry of Food in respect of foodstuffs from Eire and estimated retail selling value:

FIGURES IN £ MILLIONS.
Year		(a)	(b)	(c)
		Gross Annual Payments by the Ministry of Food.	Gross Annual Receipts by the Ministry of Food.	Estimated Retail Selling Value.
1939–40	…	0·98	0·91	1·21
1940–41	…	7·21	6·64	8·69
1941–42	…	14·34	12·78	16·76
1942–43	…	6·87	6·48	8·14
1943–44	…	4·39	3·84	4·93
1944–45	…	4·97	4·29	5·56
1945–46	…	5·38	4·61	5·97
1946–47	…	4·58	3·99	5·32

asked the Minister of Food on what basis he has fixed prices for new potatoes this year, in view of the fact that the amount of the crop, owing to conditions or weather, is uncertain.

The new potato prices I recently announced are fixed at a level which, in the Government's view, will offer sufficient encouragement to growers to secure the target acreage and early lifting of the new crop when supplies of the old will be running out.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what organisation exists at present to market Uganda cotton; and whether he will hold free sales in future for all or part of the crop.

The Uganda cotton crop is bought by the Uganda Government which employs an organised Cotton Exporters Group on an agency basis to handle exports. Bulk sales have been, or are being, negotiated with the United Kingdom and India. The balance of the present crop will be sold by auction. I am not at present able to make a statement about future marketing arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the authorised strength of the Agriculture Department European Staff in Nyasaland and Uganda, respectively; what are their present strengths; and what increases are proposed.

The authorised strength of the Agricultural Department in Nyasaland is 52; the present strength is 40. It is proposed to increase the establishment in 1948 to 59 to meet the immediate demands of the Development Programme. In Uganda the authorised strength is 63 and the present strength 38. No increases in establishment are proposed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent the disease in the cocoa plant in West Africa is spreading; and what steps are being taken to counter it.

The extent to which swollen shoot disease is spreading will not be exactly known until the intensive survey of cocoa areas now in progress has been completed. It is estimated that about to per cent. of the area under cocoa in the Gold Coast is now affected. In Nigeria the incidence is much less severe, probably about 1 per cent.The only effective means of control known at present is to cut out the diseased trees and this the West African Governments are doing. The whole resources of the Agricultural Department of the Gold Coast which has been substantially strengthened for the purpose are being concentrated on the campaign. So far over 2½ million trees have been cut out there; to replace them extensive replanting is planned, and a compensation scheme is being introduced. Meanwhile the West African Cocoa Research Institute is undertaking close study of the disease and of other possible methods of control.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the schools of the Education Missionary Society in Eastern Nigeria have yet been reopened; and what steps are being taken to utilise the facilities they offered or to provide a suitable alternative.

As far as I am aware these schools are still closed, but I am asking the Nigerian Government for a report and will communicate with my hon. Friend when it is received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the Nigerian import duty on motor cars is at the small flat rate of £6 15s. per car regardless of size, horse power or value.

The Nigerian import duty on motor cars is purely a revenue duty. The basic rate of duty, £5 per car, was introduced in 1939 and was at the rate then considered appropriate and adequate for the revenue requirements of Nigeria. This and a number of other duties have since been increased by a 25 per cent. surtax, in order to increase the revenue yield.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) what was the total value of indents for locomotive spare parts received from Nigerian Railways since 1945; and what is the total value of such indents that have been fulfilled;(2) what indents for vital spare parts for locomotives and rolling stock for moving groundnuts from the Kano area are still unfulfilled; and whether indents for similar spare parts from other Colonies have been fulfilled.

The total value of indents for locomotive spare parts received from the Nigerian Railways since 1945 including new boilers, is £516,300 (and for rolling stock spare parts £164,480). Of these indents to the value of £207,900 (and £17,661 respectively) have been fulfilled. It is impossible to indentify particular spare parts as being required for moving groundnuts from the Kano area, but no doubt it is true of most of these indents that their fulfilment is necessary to complete that task. There are also similar unfulfilled indents for other Colonial Railways. All these indents have been treated as urgent and every effort is being made to speed up deliveries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the allegations respecting the death of Tita Fo Kum in Bamenda gaol; what was the cause of his death; and whether an inquiry is being or has been held.

No. I have asked the Nigerian Government for a report, and I will communicate with my hon. Friend when I receive it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the present position of the Uganda deportees; and when it is proposed to allow these men to return.

Five persons are still under detention at Moroto in Uganda while two are on conditional release, being permitted to go anywhere in Uganda except the Buganda and Western Provinces and the Busoga District of the Eastern Province. The position will be reviewed by the Governor at the end of March.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what restrictions on the cultivation of coffee by Africans still exist in Kenya and what are the reasons for them; for what reasons African farmers receive a lower price for maize than Europeans; and what steps are being taken to determine the price according to the quality of the crop.

By virtue of the Coffee Industry Ordinance neither Africans nor Europeans may grow coffee unless they are in possession of a government licence. The areas where coffee may be grown by Africans are scheduled by periodic Government Notices under the Crop Production and Livestock Ordinance. The reason for this legislation is the need to ensure proper cultivation and processing methods of the high grade type of coffee grown in Kenya and to prevent the spread of coffee plant diseases.As regards maize the same price is paid by the Maize Controller for maize grown by Africans as for maize grown by Europeans, but part of the full price is paid into an African Agricultural Betterment Fund which will be used, after consultation with representative African growers, on works to conserve land and soil fertility in native areas. A further reduction of about three shillings per bag is made to cover collection, transport, bagging and storage charges, these services being undertaken on behalf of the African farmers by the Maize Controller, whereas the European growers perform them themselves. Certain African growers, who accept the same conditions of delivery and grade as the European grower and who comply with certain good husbandry regulations, receive the full price. As regards the second part of the Question all maize bought in Kenya from whatever source is graded and payment made accordingly, varying from 20 shillings to 18 shillings per 200 lb.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to bring to the notice of the population of Kenya the substantial contribution to the prosperity of the Colony represented by the Customs duty paid by the British Forces stationed there.

My right hon. Friend is not aware that the Kenya Government are taking any such action.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies which of the African Colonies have appointed mass education officers; and whether he will make a statement on the progress of their work.

Mass education officers have been appointed in the Gold Coast, Nigeria and Nyasaland and appointments in Northern Rhodesia and Tanganyika Territory are expected to be made shortly. Officers concerned with social welfare or public relations work have assumed special responsibility for mass education in the Gambia, Kenya and Uganda. Mass education projects which are in train in the various African territories are diverse in nature and notes on them appear regularly in "Oversea Education," a quarterly journal published by His Majesty's Stationery Office for the Colonial Office. Progress already made is recorded in issues since July, 1946, copies of which are being made available in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the incidence of disease in the cocoa plant in West Africa, plans are being made to cultivate the cocoa tree in other parts of Africa or elsewhere, in order to safeguard this valuable foodstuff.

An expert is at present investigating the possibilities of establishing cocoa industries in Colonial territories in the Far East, and plantings of specially grown material are being undertaken in the British West Indies. Cocoa soil surveys are being undertaken in Nigeria and the Gold Coast to determine the best areas for new plantings. I should not like hon. Members to think that the great cocoa industries of Nigeria and the Gold Coast are doomed. On the contrary, I am hopeful that we shall defeat the menace of plant disease and that in the course of time production will exceed all past levels.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he now considers the trade union law in the Colonies as satisfactory; in which Colonies unregistered trade unions are not allowed to function and what is the reason for this prohibition.

In the great majority of Colonial territories the trade union legislation is satisfactory. In general, steps have been taken to remove from Colonial trade union legislation all such provisions as were analogous to those of the United Kingdom Trade Disputes and Trade Unions Act, 1927, now repealed. In certain instances, however, my right hon. Friend has satisfied himself that local circumstances are so exceptional as to justify the temporary retention of certain of these provisions, but the necessity for this measure will be constantly reviewed.The legislation of the Bahamas, Bermuda, Brunei, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Federation of Malaya does not at present satisfy the requirements of the Colonial Development and Welfare Act, 1940, as regards grants towards the cost of works schemes. The necessary legislation in Brunei and Hong Kong is about to be enacted. In the case of Singapore and the Federation of Malaya amendment of the existing legislation is under consideration. Bermuda does not propose to apply for assistance under the Act, while the participation of the Bahamas is limited to schemes not involving works services.As regards the second part of the Question, compulsory registration of trade unions is a principle adhered to in all Colonial trade union legislation without exception. It is regarded as essential to the proper growth and development of sound trade unionism in Colonial territories.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how often the Colonial Economic and Development Council has met since its formation; and when was the last meeting.

The Council has held twenty-two meetings. Its last meeting was on 25th August. As part of certain changes on the economic side of the Colonial Office re-organisation of the advisory bodies connected with it has now become desirable. I hope that my right hon. Friend will be able to make an announcement on the subject very soon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is yet able to indicate what is the estimated annual saving achieved up to date as a result of the restrictions on Colonial imports; and whether he can give the estimated savings for Kenya, Tanganyika, Uganda and Malaya, respectively.

I regret that it is not possible to provide such an estimate, which could only be based on guesses as to what imports would have been made in the absence of the restrictions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he is taking to see that Hong Kong newspapers, both in Chinese and English, are sold outside the Colony; and what is the quickest way he can have them delivered.

There is no difficulty in distributing Hong Kong newspapers, English and Chinese, outside the Colony, except that Chinese newspapers are carried by rail and not by air to Canton, and so are not available there until the early afternoon of the day of issue. I understand that the stated purpose of the recent embargo against their carriage by air is to avoid competition with Canton newspapers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the estimated total value of British Government property in Palestine; and what sum has so far been realised by disposal.

British Government property in Palestine is, with certain minor exceptions, either surplus military stores and equipment or Services fixed assets. With regard to the first part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Minister of Defence to the hon. Member for North Blackpool (Mr. Law) on 17th December last. With regard to the second part of the Question, approximately 2½ million pounds was realised by the sale of surplus stores and equipment up to 31st December. Disposal of fixed assets has not yet taken place on a large scale; information regarding the proceeds is not immediately available, and further questions on this subject should be addressed to the Secretary of State for War.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why 27 Jews were arrested at Metulla on 4th February immediately after an Arab attack from Syria and their arms confiscated, thus depriving them of a proper means of defence in an exposed and dangerous area.

The party of Jews to which my hon. Friend refers was encountered by the security forces on the road from Rosh Pinna to Metulla several hours after the Arab attack in the north had been repelled by military units. The 27 Jews were arrested for illegal possession of arms, contrary to the Defence (Emergency) Regulations, and were released on bail after their arms and ammunition had been confiscated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now able to make a statement on the terms to be offered to the Palestine Police on disbandment.

No. I hope that it will be possible for these terms to be announced by the end of this month.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that during the gale on 1st February, a mine was washed ashore and exploded at Bigbury Bay, causing extensive damage to property; and whether he accepts responsibility and will pay compensation to owners and occupiers.

I am aware of this incident, but I do not accept responsibility for damage caused. Any persons whose property has been damaged by the explosion should notify the regional officer of the War Damage Commission without delay.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty by what quantity or percentage the allocation of steel for shipbuilding during 1948 is greater or less than the allocation, and the amount of steel used, for shipbuilding during 1946 and 1947, respectively.

No allocations of steel have yet been made for the second half of 1948 but if the allocations for shipbuilding and ship repairing remain at the same level as for the first half of 1948, the total allocations for the year will be 5.5 per cent. less than the total allocations for 1946, 7 per cent. more than the total allocations for 1947, 17 per cent. less than the total deliveries of steel in 1946 and 14.6 per cent. less than the total deliveries of steel in 1947.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the present position with regard to the warships lent to Russia during the war.

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Londonderry (Sir R. Ross) on 26th November last, and to that made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in answer to the right hon. Member for Woodford (Mr. Churchill) during the Debate on Foreign Affairs on 23rd January.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when the Prize Bill will be introduced; and what is the total amount due to officers and men of the Royal Navy.

I have nothing to add to the reply made to the hon. Member on 28th January last.

asked the Minister of Supply what arrangements are being made to dispose of surplus Government property in Palestine, and if he is satisfied that the interests of the British taxpayer are being safeguarded so far as is possible

A Ministry of Supply Disposals Mission, with headquarters in Cairo and a branch office in Jerusalem, has been disposing of surplus stores and equipment in the Middle East for nearly three years. Both the Ministry of Supply and the War Office, who are responsible for the disposal of Service fixed assets, have made special arrangements to deal with the greatly increased amount of property now to be disposed of in Palestine and my right hon. Friend is satisfied that everything possible is being done to safeguard the interests of the British taxpayer.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that R. & A. Main has failed to secure authorisation for materials to enable them to complete the factory AB/24 & 39 Pengam, Monmouthshire, and the Grenfell Silicosis factory at Aberbargoed, Monmouthshire, and as these factories are badly needed in these areas will he take steps to enable the work to be completed.

This firm is responsible only for the supply of cooking equipment for these and similar factories in South Wales. Sufficient materials will be authorised to enable them to provide the equipment by the time it is needed.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that R. and A. Main, Gothic Works, Edmonton, have not yet received full authorisation for the materials required to supply kitchen equipment for the New Silicosis and other factories in South Wales; that though instructed to supply equipment for forty-four sites in South Wales, the firm has so far been able to do so in the case of eight, only; that the further allocation made represents only 17 per cent. of requirements for 1948; and whether he will now allocate sufficient material to complete these factories.

I would refer my right hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to him today to another Question on this subject.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the notifications of disease to the Registrar-General, cases of post-vaccinal encephalitis are included; and in what classification of disease do they appear.

Cases of post-vaccinal encephalitis are not required to be notified to the Registrar-General.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases originally notified as diphtheria in 1945 and 1946 were subsequently rediagnosed; and whether these included any fatal cases.

In 1945 6,650 cases and in 1946 6,297 cases originally notified as diphtheria were subsequently diagnosed as suffering from some other disease; it is not known whether any of these cases proved fatal.

asked the Minister of Health what were the ages of the cases of diphtheria recorded in 1946 and of the fatal cases; and how many had been immunised in each age class of the cases and deaths in 1946.

The answer to the first part of the Question is as follows:

ENGLAND AND WALES
Diphtheria 1946.
—	Notifications*	Deaths.
Aged 0-	161	23
1-	848	85
3-	1,362	84
5-	3,460	126
10-	2,122	43
15-	2,157	41
25 and over	1,787	70
Age unknown	70	—
Total	11,967	472
* Figures are final (i.e., after correction for re-diagnosis)

Information in the form referred to in the second part of the Question is not available. But figures obtained from local authorities about immunisation show that of 7,719 of the children under 15 notified as suffering from diphtheria in 1946, 2,723 had been immunised, and that of 325 of those who died from diphtheria 15 only had been immunised.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware of the low quality of coal at present coming into London; and whether he can give an assurance that some supplies of better quality will be made available at an early date.

Following recent investigations by the National Coal Board supplies of certain types of coal coming into London were found to be below standard and were withdrawn from the house coal market. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer to the statement made by the Chairman of the National Coal Board on 22nd December, of which I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power to what extent the U.S.A. are still exporting coal to European countries and what effect this has on our export trade in coal.

Allocations of American coal to European countries for the first quarter of 1948 amounted to 9 million tons. Allocations for the second quarter will shortly be recommended by the Coal Committee of the Economic Committee for Europe, on which this country is represented by an officer of my Department. These allocations take into account anticipated imports from the United Kingdom and other supplying countries.