asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action is proposed to increase the output of groundnuts in the Nile districts of Uganda.

The production of groundnuts in the Acholi and West Nile districts and in the Eastern Province of Uganda cannot be significantly increased with present agricultural methods except at the expense of established crops such as cotton. The Uganda Government is considering the establishment of pilot food production schemes in the Acholi and West Nile districts; mechanical methods would be employed and groundnuts would be one of the major crops.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that drunkenness is on the increase in Uganda; and if he will make a statement on this subject, particularly in regard to cases among school-children.

The Governor has been asked for information on this subject, and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as a reply is received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Government dispensaries operate in the rural areas of Uganda; and what steps are being taken to establish rural medical facilities, so that minor indispositions may be given skilled attention before they can develop into serious cases.

One hundred and thirty-one, in addition to 140 aid posts. The Uganda Government intend progressively to increase and improve these rural medical facilities and provision has been made for this in the Protectorate Development Plan.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what amount of rice is likely to be available for export from Sierra Leone in 1948.

All the rice produce in Sierra Leone in 1948 will be consumed locally.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Research Station at Genoi, in the Gambia, for the mechanised cultivation of rice is still in existence; what progress has been made in its experimental work; and what reports are available.

Yes. Some 30 acres have been empoldered, varietal and tractor ploughing trials have been carried out and experiments are being conducted on water control, salinity and cultivation practices. I will send my hon. Friend an extract from the 1947 annual report of the Gambia Department of Agriculture giving the latest information about the station's work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the large number of unemployed ex-Service men in the West Indies, consideration is being given to the re-establishment of the British West India Regiment.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many armed Arab forces have crossed the frontier into Palestine since 29th November, 1947; from which countries they have come; what are the approximate numbers in each force; under whose orders are they acting; and what action has been taken by the Palestine Government to protect the territory of Palestine against such aggression.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the approximate number of armed Arabs who have entered Palestine in the last three months and the countries from which they came.

Since 29th November, 1947, it is estimated that armed Arab bands totalling over 5,000 men have crossed the frontiers of Palestine. A number of these have since returned to the countries from which they came, after being repulsed by our Security Forces. The countries from which they have come are Syria, Lebanon and Transjordan, although in the latter case it is thought that the forces in question merely passed through Transjordan from Syria. The bands which remain in Palestine have dispersed into the hills and villages and it is impossible to give a reliable estimate of the numbers in each group, or to say with certainty under whose orders they operate, although the forces in the Jerusalem area are known to be under the command of Abdul Khader Husseini and general direction of the force in Northern Palestine is believed to be exercised from Syria by Fawzi Kawukji. The Security Forces in Palestine take all possible steps to prevent such incursions, but owing to the nature of the frontier it is not always possible to ensure continuous control over all possible points of entry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies by what route armed Arabs entered Palestine from Transjordan on 24th January; and what guard is being kept on all the bridges across the Jordan against such intruders.

I am not aware of any party of armed Arabs having entered Palestine from Transjordan on the 24th January. The bridges at Damiyeh and Sheikh Hussein have been obstructed by the Palestine Government to prevent their use and all main routes across the Jordan are being watched by the security forces.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the local regulations regarding entry of foreign nationals into the Falkland Islands Dependencies; how many such entries for permanent establishment have been made since 1st January, 1947; and of what nationalities.

Entry of foreign nationals into the Falkland Islands Dependencies is governed by the Falkland Islands Immigration (Restriction) Ordinance, 1936, as amended, which was applied to the Dependencies by notification of the Governor dated 27th July, 1945. I am arranging for copies of the Ordinance and of the Notification to be placed in the Library of the House.As regards the second and third parts of the Question, as the House is aware, a number of unauthorised landings by Argentine and Chilean nationals have taken place during the period in question, the Argentines at Gamma Island, Deception Island, and Admiralty Bay, and the Chileans at Greenwich Island and a point in Grahamland. As the House is also aware, these landings have been the subject of protests, both locally and through diplomatic channels, and for that reason the presence of these foreign parties has not as yet been taken up under the Immigration Ordinance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he is proposing that the unanimous report of the Kenya Asian Civil Service Advisory Board, with regard to the employment of Asiatic members of the Civil Service in that Colony, shall be implemented in view of the fact that the Kenya Government has already given effect to similar reports on the employment of European civil servants.

The Report was published after the East African Salaries Commission had started work and in view of the fundamental nature of the Advisory Board's recommendations the Government referred the matter to the Commission. In the light of their reply the Government decided that it would be in the best interests of all concerned to await the more comprehensive recommendations of the Salaries Commission. Interim relief has been given to members of the Asian Civil Service.

asked the Minister of Defence (1) what proportion of the 940,000 troops estimated to be under arms in March, 1948, are expected to be serving overseas;(2) what proportion of the 716,000 troops estimated to be under arms in March, 1949, are expected to be serving overseas.

In each case about 30 per cent. of the total forces will be serving overseas.

asked the Minister of Food what instructions have been issued forbidding food executive officers to communicate with Members of Parliament.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on this matter to a somewhat similar Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton on 8th May, 1946, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will make a statement on the proposed new terms of establishment in His Majesty's Royal Dockyards.

Following a recent agreement reached on the Joint Coordinating Committee for Government Industrial Establishments, the number of established posts available for Admiralty industrial workers has been increased from something under 10,000 to 30,000. In addition the practice of making deductions from pay on establishment has now ceased. The detailed application of the agreement, including in particular its application to dockyard workers, has still to be discussed on the Admiralty Industrial Council, and I cannot therefore say more than this today.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what the actual number of officers and men in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines was on 1st March; and how many were serving in shore establishments.

Actual figures for the 1st March are not yet available. The estimated total of officers and men in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines on that date was 143,500 of whom 84,700 were estimated to be serving in shore establishments.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the rating of engine room artificer (metal worker) introduced in connection with the Naval Air Arm during the war years still exists; the number of such ratings still serving; and whether they perform any duties in the engine and boiler rooms of His Majesty's ships of a nature comparable with those of the ordinary engine room artificer.

The rating of engine room artificer (metal worker) still exists, and thirty ratings are at present serving, but the branch is obsolescent and no further entries are being made. These ratings are employed solely on duties connected with aircraft maintenance and do not perform any duties in the engine rooms or boiler rooms of His Majesty's ships.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the engine room watchkeeping certificate allowance of 1s. per day, formerly paid to engine room artificers holding such certificate, is continued in respect of the unit certificate under the post-war code of pay.

Yes; but the rules for obtaining the certificate have recently been changed a little and one effect of this is that the certificate cannot be obtained and the allowance paid until the artificer is rated 3rd Class.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what alterations have been made since the war to the five battleships recently announced to be scrapped; at what cost; and on what duties were each of them employed during this period.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, how long a refit H.M.S. "Valiant" had after the war, at what date this was completed, whether the engines were removed and the technical equipment brought up to date, and what was the total overall cost of the refit.

The following are the details of alterations since the war to the five battleships announced to be scrapped. Owing to very heavy damage while in the East Indies, H.M.S. "Valiant" was taken in hand at Devonport from 14th February, 1945, to 20th April, 1946, for refit, damage repairs, and alterations and additions, to prepare her for service in the Pacific. The main engines were not removed. Improvements were made to living and working conditions and these included additional ventilation, air conditioning, W.C. and bathroom facilities, evaporating plant, refrigerating plant and water coolers, and mess space. Improvements were also made to the cinema. The radar was modernised and minor improvements were made to W/T, and the action information centre. Improved air defence and damage control positions were fitted and internal communications were brought up to date. Improvements were made to the existing H/A and L/A fire control, and one 8-barrel porn-porn and four saluting guns were fitted. Existing workshops were improved, an additional workshop was fitted, and improvements were also made to control arrangements for electric generating plant. The cost of the alterations was £100,000 before V/J Day and £120,000 afterwards. In addition, H.M.S. "Valiant" had to undergo extensive repairs. The date of handing this ship over to the shipbreakers has not yet been decided.H.M.S. "Nelson" was in hand from 21st November, 1945, to the 22nd December, 1945, for docking and repair, during which 31 Oerlikon guns and splinter screens were removed. She was again in hand from 10th April, 1946, to 1st June, 1946, in order to fit lecture rooms and additional davits and stowage for boats prior to her service in the Training Squadron. The total cost of those two periods was £7,000.No alterations have been made to His Majesty's ships "Queen Elizabeth," "Renown" and "Rodney."Since the war the ships have been employed as follows:H.M.S. "Valiant" on completion of her refit was attached to the Stokers' Establishment at Devonport from 21st June, 1946.H.M.S. "Nelson" was part of the East Indies Fleet until October, 1945. She arrived in the United Kingdom in November, 1945, and became Flag Ship of the Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet, until 10th April, 1946, when she became Flag Ship of Flag Officer Training Battleships until October, 1947, when she began to reduce to reserve.H.M.S. "Queen Elizabeth" arrived in the United Kingdom from the Eastern Fleet in August, 1945. Until she reduced to reserve at Portsmouth on 12th February, 1946, she was administered by the Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet.H.M.S. "Renown" arrived in the United Kingdom from the East Indies Fleet in April, 1945. She was used as accommodation ship at Plymouth from 1st September, 1945.H.M.S. "Rodney" was the Flag Ship of Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet, until 23rd November, 1945, and then a unit of the Home Fleet until she was ordered to reduce to reserve in April, 1946.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether his Department accepts responsibility for informing passenger steamer services plying between the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth of the existence of any suspected mines likely to endanger shipping on this route which come to the notice of the Portsmouth Command.

Yes.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will make a statement showing the naval assistance given by His Majesty's Government to the Chinese, Chunking, Government, indicating the number of ships loaned; what training is provided by British officers; what equipment is provided; how many Chinese sailors are involved; and what is the cost to the British Government.

His Majesty's Government have lent the Chinese Government the corvette "Petunia" and eight harbour defence launches, and will shortly lend them the cruiser "Aurora" and the destroyer "Mendip." Two submarines yet to be selected will be lent at a later date. The equipment normally required for the efficient operation of the ships has been, or will be, provided with them. Approximately 1,000 Chinese officers and ratings have so far been trained by R.N. instructors in the United Kingdom to form crews for these ships; further training will be provided in the United Kingdom as the Chinese select officers and ratings for the submarines. In addition to the crews of these ships, seven Chinese officers are undergoing long-term training courses.Apart from the capital depreciation of the ships on loan, this assistance is without cost to His Majesty's Government, except in the case of "Petunia." The training of the "Petunia's" crew was at His Majesty's Government expense under the wartime mutual aid agreement with China. The ship herself became a total loss shortly after she entered Chinese service.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty to what extent marching at the double with gas masks on is practised at Kingston Naval Detention Barracks.

Gas training is at present carried out at the Royal Naval Detention Quarters, Kingston, once a week and includes, with an interval of marching, 15 minutes doubling round the parade ground wearing gas masks. The frequency of these drills is, however, under consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will cause to be issued amended instructions to post offices in respect of food and clothing parcels for Europe; and in order to avoid confusion and contradictory local decisions whether he will make it clear that the regulation that only one parcel can be sent by one person to one person applies to one particular recipient and does not preclude parcels being sent by the same person in this country to different recipients.

Yes.

asked the Postmaster-General why Miss Bristow, a village nurse, living at 19, Broadfield, West Hoathly, has still no telephone though the Nursing Association first asked for one in November last, and have since sent frequent reminders for a promise that one should be installed before Christmas to be implemented.

Although preliminary advice was received in November of Miss Bristow's intention to change her address, exact information as to the new house was not available until 11th December. It was then found that there were no spare wires in the underground cable serving the locality. Fortunately it has been possible to release a pair of wires by rearranging other cables nearby, and I am glad to say that the telephone was installed on 25th February.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps are being taken, other than consideration of legislation, to protect radio and television reception from interference by motor vehicle ignition.

The Post Office has co-operated with the motor car, electrical and radio industries in preparing the specification for a cheap device which can be easily and quickly fitted to motor car ignition systems. This will, without affecting to any extent the efficiency of the engine, appreciably reduce interference with wireless sound and television reception. I am having all Post Office motor vehicles and mechanical aids in the service area of the London Television Station fitted with interference suppressors, and many other large users of motor vehicles in the area are making similar arrangements. Every effort is made by the Post Office to encourage users of all types of electrical equipment which may cause radio interference to adopt all practicable measures for reducing such interference.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is now in a position to erect a telephone kiosk at Stalbridge Weston, Stalbridge, Dorset.

I regret that I am not in a position to say when a kiosk is likely to be provided at Stalbridge Weston. The demand for rural kiosks far exceeds the supply of equipment and manpower and we have to devote our limited resources to the cases of greatest need. These cases have to be selected from among the numerous villages throughout the country and I am examining the possibility of adopting some suitable basis of differentiation in place of the present criterion of a token payment by the local authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is now able to make a statement about the disaster caused by an aeroplane crashing into a trolley bus at Burnt Oak on 9th February, in view of the disclosure made at the inquest on the pilot, Wing-Commander T. O. Rolfe, on 26th February by Flight-Lieutenant E. Wallance in his evidence on the cause of the disaster.

I am not yet in a position to make a statement, but I will do so as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will approach the Irish Government to permit a demonstration to take place involving a flight by a Meteor aircraft from a London airport to the Aer Lingus airport at Colinstown, to demonstrate to the Eire Government that they can look in the future to Britain to supply fast aircraft.

I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air that arrangements have already been made for a demonstration of Meteor aircraft to take place in Eire about the end of this month.

asked the Minister of Supply why tin from Malaya is being sold to the U.S.A. at a price only 1½ times dearer than in the pre-war years, particularly when all costs are double, and rice is from five to Do times dearer than in 1938.

The present price of Straits tin at Singapore is over two and a half times the average price in 1938 and slightly more than twice the average price in 1937. The price of Straits tin is fixed by the Ministry of Supply at what is considered to be a fair and reasonable level in the light of all existing circumstances.

asked the Minister of Supply what are the non-ferrous metals in which his Department trades.

The non-ferrous metals in which the Ministry of Supply trades are copper, zinc, lead and tin and the light metal, aluminium.

asked the Minister of Supply what are the abrasives and refractives in which his Department trades; and what are the allied commodities included in that head in the estimates.

The particular head in the Estimates to which the right hon. Member refers relates to the trading operations of the Ministry of Supply in all forms of chrome ore, in calcined and dead-burnt magnesite produced in Government factories and in any stocks left over from the war of silicon carbide and artificial aluminous abrasives, wolfram, vanadium and molybdenum raw materials, and quartz crystals.

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what basis of calculation it was decided to issue 67 clothing coupons to each prisoner of war engaged on agricultural labour; how many coupons it is estimated will be involved; and whether he will revoke this arrangement and substitute such minimum number of coupons as may be required in individual cases.

Enemy prisoners of war employed as such on agricultural work do not receive clothing coupons. Enemy prisoners of war selected for and willing to accept civilian status for agricultural work may receive a grant of 21 coupons towards the initial purchase of civilian clothes, and also the ordinary civilian basic ration at the rate of 12 coupons per quarter; they also qualify, in common with other agricultural workers, for the annual issue of the "Industrial Ten" coupons.

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what approximate date claims under the Business Chattels Scheme will be settled; and whether there will be an allowance for the increase in the replacement value as was made in the Private Chattels Scheme.

I can at present add nothing to the replies given to the hon. Members for the Isle of Thanet (Mr. Carson) and the City of London (Mr. Assheton) on 28th October and 13th November last, respectively, of which I am sending the hon. and gallant Member copies.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why Royal Fleet Reservists' retainers are subject to Income Tax, whereas training bounties for the R.A.F.V.R. are tax free.

Training bounties to members of the R.A.F.V.R. and other Reserve and Auxiliary Forces were exempted from tax by Section 27 of the Finance Act, 1947, but as the Chancellor of the Exchequer explained in the House—OFFICIAL REPORT, 9th July, 1947; Vol. 439, c. 2368—this exemption does not apply to retainers, such as those of the Regular Reserves which are paid primarily for liability for service in an emergency and are not of the same nature as the training bounties.