asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation when he now proposes to start an air service to the West Country and Cornwall.

Regular air services to the West Country and Cornwall are not included in British European Airways programme for the current year 1948–49, and I cannot give any indication when they will be started.

May I ask the Minister two questions? First, is he aware that, during the passage of the Civil Aviation Bill, supporters of the Government said that part of the programme would be an immediate service between Plymouth and London; and, secondly, if there is no intention of putting on that service, will the Ministry allow private enterprise to do so?

In reply to the first part of the Question, I am not personally aware of the facts which the hon. Member has mentioned. Regarding the second part, the route from Cornwall to London would be a trunk route which would be outside the present policy of giving associate agreements in regard to feeder services.

Does the Minister realise that Devon is a great agricultural centre, has he heard that it is a very important tourist centre, and does he realise that Devon is at present entirely off the air map? Moreover, in view of the fact that Devon hon. Members are, perhaps, the hardest worked group of hon. Members, will he give instructions to the Fees Office so that Devon hon. Members may be allowed to charter aeroplanes on the blue form?

That would be outside my province.

In view of the exceptionally hard work done by the Cornish hon. Members, and their anxiety to get to Cornwall as soon as possible, can the Minister assure us that, in the meanwhile, attention is being paid to safety precautions so that the line may be instituted as soon as possible?

Did I understand the Minister to say that this is a trunk service and, therefore, did not come under the same arrangements as those which have been announced in the Press? If that is the case, would he consider making a statement on this matter, because there is a great deal of confusion?

That is entirely a different question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation when it is proposed to take over the hotel at Prestwick airport.

It has yet to be decided on what permanent basis this Government-owned hotel will be run. The present arrangement comes to an end on 31st March, 1949.

Is the purpose of taking over this hotel to add to the £10 million loss already sustained by civil aviation?

No, Sir.

Would it not be better for the Ministry to open the Blackburn factory and start building aeroplanes again?

When we were discussing the Civil Aviation Bill did not the hon. Gentleman give a definite assurance that such hotels would be taken over as quickly as possible?

This hotel has been taken over in respect of ownership. As to the running of the hotel, the present arrangement comes to an end on 31st March, 1949, when new arrangements will be made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation on what grounds the decision has been taken to give more advantageous terms for landing fees to Western Airways and Cambrian Air Services on the Weston-Cardiff service, than were charged to B.E.A.C.; and to what extent this principle is to be followed on any other internal air routes.

The revised scale of landing fees introduced on 1st May, 1948, provides for a system of rebates for all aircraft operating scheduled internal air services of stage lengths up to 115 miles.

If, as has been announced, private companies are to run internal routes instead of B.E.A.C., does that mean that there has been a major change in policy? It appears to be contrary to the provisions of the Civil Aviation Act. Could my hon. Friend make a statement to the House, in view of the apparent change in policy?

There is no change in policy except that there is a change in the prices charged. The length and frequency of the routes make the incidence of landing fees different from that applying to long journeys. These new scales of fees are applied to every scheduled operator, whether it is the Corporation or a charter company running under an associate agreement.

Does my hon. Friend appreciate that he has not really answered my question? I am asking about the change in policy arising from the fact that lines previously operated by B.E.A.C. are being handed over to private companies.

On feeder services, which it is not possible for the Corporation to run, the Minister has approved the policy of associate agreements.

When this line was given up by B.E.A.C. ostensibly on the ground that it was not profitable, they must have known that the reduction in fees which was sufficient to turn the loss into a profit was about to come into effect. Why was the line given up at the moment when the charges were being changed and could have enabled the Corporation to make a profit?

The reductions in these charges would not in themselves have made the line profitable for the Corporation.

Is there any truth in the suggestion that a high executive of B.O.A.C. is also a director of one of these companies?

No, Sir. It is not true to say that he is a director of one of these companies. I believe it is true that he has a financial interest in a company, but he is in no way associated with its management.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether arrangements can be made so that the gardens of 36 houses in Neumuenster recently requisitioned from German owners may be made available for the production of vegetables by their German owners.

No houses have been requisitioned in Neumunster since June, 1947, but 36 houses were recently requisitioned in Schleswig. While works services are in progress on these houses, the German owners are cultivating the gardens, and they will be entitled to the produce sown by themselves. In a few weeks' time the houses will be occupied by British families, who will decide whether they intend to cultivate the gardens, or whether to relinquish them wholly or in part for the production of vegetables by their German owners.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the information he has given is quite contrary to that which has reached me, namely, that the owners of these houses complain that they cannot arrive at any arrangement with the Control Commission to continue the use of the gardens, in spite of the fact that it is one of the Control Commission's regulations that they should be allowed to do so? These people could put their gardens to good use in producing vegetables and fruit.

If my hon. Friend will give me the information which has reached him, I will check it with the information which has reached me.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the reasons for the decline in coal production in the British zone of Germany since early March; to what extent lack of food incentives, including meat, have contributed; and what remedial action is contemplated.

The chief factors responsible for the decline in German coal production are seasonal voluntary absenteeism and an increase in technical breakdowns as a result of wear and tear of equipment which it has not been possible to make good. There have also been difficulties in getting supplies of food, and particularly bacon, which the miners have wished to buy with the foreign exchange that is available to them under the incentive schemes, but the position in this respect has recently improved and I believe that the effect of this on output is now comparatively unimportant.

At the instigation of the United Kingdom-United States Coal Control Group, the German Mine Management are putting in hand various technical measures to improve labour efficiency. A special incentive in the form of extra meat and fat, based on individual mine targets, is being offered during June, and the incentive schemes are being revised in order to make them more easily understood by the miners and in order to make the benefits correspond more closely with greater individual effort.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the reason for the refusal of his Department to communicate the where abouts of members of the Control Commission in Germany to their wives and next of kin; what elements of secrecy enter into the duties of these officials; and why such secrecy is under present conditions either necessary or desirable.

No element of secrecy enters into either the duties or the whereabouts of members of the Control Commission for Germany. But it is a basic principle of Government Service, that a department does not disclose to a wife, or to any other inquirer, the whereabouts of an employee if the employee himself has withheld it; and this principle applies equally to members of the Control Commission.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise the inconvenience and hardship which is caused to wives through being unable to know anything of their husbands' whereabouts or doings? Will he reconsider his attitude with a view to ensuring that these officials shall be placed on the same footing as private individuals in this respect?

This is not a decision of the Foreign Office. This rule applies to the whole of the Civil Service, and we do not give the address of a civil servant to his wife or to anyone else. If any document is sent for forwarding, we forward it. We really must leave these private relations between man and wife alone. I have enough troubles as it is.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many retired and ex-R.A.F. officers are now holding the post of Kreis resident officers in the British Control Commission in Germany; and how many retired Army and Naval officers are employed in such positions.

There are 12 retired and ex-Royal Air Force officers and 77 retired and ex-Army and Naval officers holding the post of Kreis Resident Officer in the Control Commission for Germany.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the percentage of Royal Air Force officers who have been found redundant in recent months is considerably higher than the percentage of Army officers, and that there is a feeling among Royal Air Force officers that there is very unfair discrimination? Will the right hon. Gentleman look into this and make certain that there is no such discrimination?

I have looked into the question. I will keep a careful watch on it, but whenever the question of redundancy arises nearly everybody has a grievance. It is a difficult matter, but I will watch it closely.

Shepherd asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the comparison between the permitted level for the manufacture of scientific instruments in Germany, at the present time and in 1936, expressed in terms of volume.

No level has been fixed for the manufacture of scientific instruments as such. They are produced by the fine mechanics and optics group of industries. Therefore, no separate figures on which to base an exact comparison are available. However, sufficient capacity will be retained in the fine mechanics and optics group in the Bizonal Area to produce 138 per cent, by value of the production in 1936. The figures are 248·7 million Reichsmarks for retained capacity and 180 million Reichsmarks for 1936 production.

Is the Foreign Secretary able to state the comparison in terms of volume, since the actual rate of exchange is so misleading?

If the hon. Member will put a Question down I will obtain the actual figures so far as it is possible to do so.

Is this arbitrary yardstick really based on the volume of 1936, or a purely fictitious value in relation to the value of the mark today? It does not make any sense.

We have had to increase the volume of production, because owing to the removal of the works from Eastern Germany as reparations to the Soviet, we have had to provide for increased manufacture in this field in the Western zone. Prior to the war a lot of this work was done in the Eastern area.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now make a statement on the outcome of the Six-Power Conference on Germany.

I would ask the hon. Member to await the statement which I shall make on this subject after Questions today.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the extent of his responsibility for the camp or camps in Germany accommodating political refugees; and whether he will take action to secure an improvement in quality and quantity of the food supplied therein and the general conditions.

Refugees who are eligible for care and maintenance under the regulations of the Preparatory Commission of the International Refugee Organisation are housed in camps, administered by the Control Commission for Germany on behalf of the Organisation, which include all categories of refugees. Conditions in these camps are under constant review.

Will my right hon. Friend say whether he has any kind of responsibility for the Frankfurt Camp, and, in view of the large number of Czech refugees, could he do anything to secure an improvement in their conditions?

No, we have no responsibility for the camp at Frankfurt, but in our zone the answer is, "Yes."

Is it not a fact that in the British zone of Germany there is a large number of refugees from Czechoslovakia in German camps who, according to my information, are receiving about 600 calories a day by way of diet?

I think there is a Question on the Order Paper about that.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will consult the U.S. Government with a view to the Czechoslavak refugees in Germany being admitted to I.R.O. camps in order to spare them the humiliation of having to spend long periods in German camps on very meagre rations and under German supervision.

We are already in touch with the United States Government on the general question of Czech refugees, which was also discussed recently at Geneva with the Secretariat of the Preparatory Commission of the International Refugee Organisation and with representatives of the other occupying Powers. Czech refugees in the British zone of Germany are not under German supervision. They are in camps administered by the zonal authorities on behalf of the International Refugee Organisation and receive the same basic rations as other eligible refugees.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there are now some 10,000 Czechoslovak refugees in the British and the American zones of Germany, and that, according to recent arrivals in this country, they are housed in German staffed camps where, according to today's Press, the conditions of life and the food position are reminiscent of Nazi concentration camps? In view of the great feeling about this, will my right hon. Friend look into the matter?

Let them go back home and work.

I assure my hon. Friend that those statements are quite incorrect so far as the British zone is concerned. I cannot accept responsibility for what happens in any other zone. The facts that I have given in my answer are correct.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that quite a number of these Czechs fled from their country because they were being persecuted either on account of the fact that they served with His Majesty's Forces in the war or because they married British girls, and that some of their wives have come out in front of them, and have great anxiety about the treatment they are having in the American zone?

I really cannot deal with the American zone. I must deal with the zone for which I am responsible. I must tell the House we have been most generous in dealing with this problem.

Would it not be possible in a perfectly friendly way to make representations to the American authorities with regard to these assumptions?

I will take it up with them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that German prisoners of war returning from England to the French zone in Germany are being deprived by the French police of coffee which they were permitted to take home with them; and whether he will make representations to the French Government to have this practice stopped.

The regulations about the quantity of coffee which may be taken out of the United Kingdom by persons going overseas are a matter for His Majesty's Government, the regulations about the quantity which may be taken into the French zone of Germany are the concern of the French occupation authorities. I am inquiring about the regulations in force in the French zone and will inform my hon. Friend in due course.

When considering the result of this inquiry, would my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the coffee referred to in my Question was actually sanctioned by the authorities at this end? Surely it is quite villainous for the French police to take it away when probably all they will do is to put it on the black market?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the kidnapping and illegal detention of Igor Klein, a German employee of the British Control Commission.

I regret I am not yet ready to make a statement.

Is there any connection between the case of Igor Klein and the case of Lieut.-Colonel Tassoev?

Not that I know of.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many persons listed as serious war criminals, for whom extradition has been asked, remain in custody in this country and in the British zone of Germany, respectively.

Four in this country and 100 in the British zone.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations have been made by His Majesty's Government to other countries regarding the recognition or non-recognition of the State of Israel, specifying the countries concerned and the dates in each case when the subject was first broached and the replies thereto.

No representations have been made by His Majesty's Government to other countries. The attitude of His Majesty's Government has been explained to several governments, usually in response to their inquiries.

Is the Foreign Secretary aware that during the last two weeks headlines have appeared in French newspapers to the effect that he has made representations to the French Government regarding the non-recognition of the State of Israel?

I am not responsible for what appears in newspaper headlines. I have given the answer to the Question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state how it is possible to recognise a State that does not exist?

Is the intention of the Government not to recognise the State of Israel?

There is a Question on the Order Paper which raises that point and which I will answer later.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why, in view of his declaration of 11th December, 1947, that His Majesty's Government accepted the decision of the United Nations General Assembly regarding Palestine, he has hitherto withheld recognition from the Jewish State of Israel set up in accordance with that decision.

His Majesty's Government do not consider that the recommendations voted by the General Assembly on 29th November, 1947, can be invoked as imposing a legal obligation to recognise the Jewish State set up on 14th May. The resolution of 29th November instructed the United Nations Commission to carry out a detailed plan culminating in the establishment of a Jewish and an Arab State with Economic Union. Practically no part of this plan was executed. By its later resolution of 14th May, the General Assembly "relieved the Palestine Commission from the further exercise of its responsibilities." In these circumstances His Majesty's Government will judge the Jewish State's case for recognition on its own merits according to the normal criteria of international law.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in replies given last week both he and the Under-Secretary indicated that Jews and Arabs in Palestine were acting in accordance with the decision of the United Nations; and in view of the fact that the provisional Government of Israel is not claiming any frontiers other than those allotted to it by the United Nations, will he look into this matter again and see whether he cannot fall into line with world opinion?

I think it is essential that my hon. Friend, before quoting what I said last week, should carefully read HANSARD and should quote me correctly.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what body of persons is at present recognised by His Majesty's Government as the de jure Government of Palestine.

No body of persons is at present so recognised.

In that case will the Foreign Secretary say what is the real state of our relations with Arabs and Jews in Palestine at the moment, and under what conditions he is prepared to recognise the de facto Arab and Jewish Governments existing in Palestine?

That is a new question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the attack by the Transjordan Legion on Jersusalem, intended by the U.N.O. resolution to be an independent State, he will review His Majesty's Government's obligations arising from the Anglo-Trans-jordan Treaty of Alliance, 15th March, 1948, in accordance with the terms of Article 4 of that Treaty.

I am not aware of any United Nations resolution purporting to set up an independent State for Jerusalem. It was intended that a special provisional regime for Jerusalem should be set up, but this came to nothing. The Arab Legion did not start the fighting at Jerusalem. Events at Jerusalem do not, therefore, oblige His Majesty's Government to review their obligations to the Transjordan Government. The Security Council cease-fire resolution has, however, created a new situation and In deference to that resolution, His Majesty's Government have suspended until the end of the ceasefire, the deliveries of arms which, under the treaty, they should make to the Transjordan Government.

Does the Minister, therefore, say that he does not recognise as any abuse of the United Nations decision the Transjordan attack on Jerusalem?

I certainly say they did not start the battle. The attack was made on the Holy Places of the Arabs and, after all, I hope this House will have the same regard for the Holy Places of other religions as they have for our own.

Would it not be rather more helpful to try to help the truce instead of trying to stir up trouble?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the Greek Parliament has passed a law granting extra-territorial rights to all members of the United States Aid Mission and their families and to United States firms operating in Greece; and whether, in accordance with customary international diplomatic practice, similar privileges have been granted to British citizens and firms.

Yes, Sir. Immunity from the jurisdiction of the Greek Courts and exemption from taxes and duties were granted by a Law of 26th April to the American Mission for Aid to Greece, to its non-Greek personnel and to their families. This Law is a direct consequence of Article 5 of the Agreement between the United States and Greek Governments signed on 20th June, 1947. The same Law grants exemption from taxation and from Customs and Entry formalities to American and other approved foreign contracting firms and their personnel who are undertaking important reconstruction projects in Greece with American funds. This provision applies to all other non-Greek firms executing contracts on behalf of the United States Government. No British firms are at present working under these conditions.

Would the Foreign Secretary say whether any steps are being taken to gain such privileges for British representatives in Greece, as British representatives are there, executing responsibility on behalf of this Government and on behalf of the Greek people; and is this not an indication that Greece is already a colony of the United States?

No, I do not think it is any more a colony than Roumania is a colony of the Soviet Union.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reports he has received from the British Military Mission in Greece, representatives of which recently visited the island of Makronisi, regarding conditions on that island.

An officer of the British Military Mission accompanied the Greek Minister of War and other persons on a visit to Makronisi on 26th May, and has reported favourably. He has stated that the camps are not surrounded by wire; that there is no overcrowding; that cookhouses are clean and food good. Though there is no water on the island, ample supplies are brought daily from the mainland. Men detained on the island receive newspapers and produce their own; their families are allowed to visit them; the men looked well fed and healthy, and had no complaints.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether this officer inquired into the welfare of prominent war-time resistance leaders detained on this island, such as General Sarafis and Captain Venetsanopoulos, and whether he inquired into the recent incident in which a number of military internees were mown down in their tents by machine gun fire?

These matters do not arise out of the Question. I would ask that these details should be put on the Order Paper, when I can deal with them.

May I ask whether the Foreign Secretary is aware that the account he has just been given is the same as that given both by the "Daily Herald" correspondent and "The Times" correspondent, who earned the Military Cross and bar for work with the resistance movement in Greece?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in view of the amount subscribed to the Lord Mayor's Fund now being over £500,000 whether the £100,000 promised conditionally by His Majesty's Government has now been donated; whether both these amounts have now been received by the International Children's Emergency Fund along with all other international contributions; and to what extent His Majesty's Government have control of the British contribution.

A Supplementary vote will shortly be laid before the House requesting that the contribution of £100,000 promised conditionally by His Majesty's Government when the amount subscribed by the Lord Mayor's Fund reached £500,000 should be transferred to the credit of the International Children's Emergency Fund. It is proposed to place this amount, together with 50 per cent, of the total subscribed to the Lord Mayor's Fund, in a special account of inconvertible sterling in the name of the International Children's Emergency Fund. His Majesty's Government will retain control over the expenditure of these funds.

May I ask whether His Majesty's Government are likely to make any further contribution either now or after further monies have been raised through private sources or otherwise? Would the Foreign Secretary say whether there is likely to be information regarding the actual spending of this money?

I would like to have notice of these questions. With regard to the additional grant, I very much doubt whether the Chancellor would be willing to contribute further.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the visit of Lieut.-Colonel Tasoev to this country.

Yes, Sir. As was announced on 6th May last and published in the Press on the following day, Colonel J. D. Tasoev, Head of the Soviet Reparations Mission in Bremen, voluntarily left his country's service and came to the United Kingdom. After his arrival here, however, Colonel Tasoev changed his mind and expressed the desire to return to the Soviet authorities. Colonel Tasoev was accordingly flown to Berlin on 20th May to enable him to do this, and the Soviet authorities were so informed. Colonel Tasoev reported to the Soviet authorities during the afternoon of 20th May.

In view of the great propaganda made by the Soviet Union about this alleged British atrocity, will my right hon. Friend enable an impartial investigation to take place into the matter, with foreign correspondents given full access to the witnesses, including Mrs. Wiggins, so that the truth about this matter may be ascertained?

I get a lot of these cases of people wanting to escape to England. It is not a bad country to which to escape. I have to deal with these cases every day. They constantly crop up, and I cannot have a prolonged inquiry into every case. I am quite satisfied it is incorrect.

Is it not the case that the right hon. Gentleman as Foreign Secretary has no right whatever to speak for M.I·5, and that he knows as much about the activities of M.I·5 as I do, and that is "damn all"?

In view of the party to which the hon. Member belongs, I should not claim half the knowledge he has of M.I·5.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information about what happened to Colonel Tasoev after he got back?

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the fact that there have been reports, established by members of the British trade union that represents journalists, which allege peculiar incidents at the flat where Colonel Tasoev stayed, and that those allegations are bound to stick unless he is prepared to give instructions that Mrs. Wiggins and everybody concerned in the matter should be made available to foreign correspondents?

Has the Foreign Secretary's attention been drawn to the fact that one of the allegations made was that this Colonel Tasoev was beaten up in a London police station? Has he investigated that charge? If so, has he anything to say about the result?

I am quite satisfied that there was no beating up or anything of the kind. It must, be remembered that when a gentleman has had an aberration of this character, and his conscience has told him to go back, there must be a good story when he goes back. [ Laughter. ]

Who paid for Colonel Tasoev's passage back to Berlin? Berlin?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that if we really mean to fight against Communism we must get the facts established independently, and that the laughter of this House of Commons is utterly irrelevant?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now make a further statement regarding the provision of an adequate scheme of rehabilitation for ex-Service men in Belize; what is the date on which an application was made for a loan in order to finance land settlement on a communal basis; what is the sum involved and when it is expected to be able to implement this scheme; and how many ex-Service men have actually obtained employment in Government service since 4th February, 1948.

With my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

While appreciating that I shall receive more information shortly, may I ask the Secretary of State to take into account that reports have come from the Colony which indicate that since I raised this matter in February no steps appear to have been taken to remedy the serious situation? Will he see that some vigorous steps are taken so as to reassure unemployed British ex-Service men in British Honduras that something is to be done on their behalf?

I think that it my hon. Friend will read my reply he will see what steps have been taken since the matter was raised in February of this year.

Following is the answer:

I assume that the second part of the Question refers to the scheme for the development of the land known as Topco in the Toledo District of British Honduras. Land settlement, partly on a communal basis, is one of the elements in this scheme, upon which the Governor has been relying to absorb unemployed ex-Service men. An application was received on 26th January, 1948, in which it was sought to finance the scheme partly by a free grant from Colonial Development and Welfare funds and partly by an interest-free loan, amounting in all to some £80,000.

In addition, the Governor is considering proposals for the purchase of land upon which to settle a number of ex-Service men. Decisions upon these proposals must await consideration of the comprehensive recommendations of the recent Settlement Commission, whose report is about to be presented. Since 4th February, 1948, 25 ex-Service men have obtained regular, and 24 casual, employment in Government service; and a further 30 will be employed this year on forest regeneration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what sum has been allocated to the West Indian Colonies from the local loans and development funds; what grants have been made to them indirectly on the purchase by Britain of their products such as sugar; what subsidies have been made to them during and since the war respectively at the expense of the British taxpayer to reduce their cost of living; and what arrangements have been made for the future to bring to an end this policy of subsidisation by Britain.

Since the answers to the first, second and third parts of the Question are rather long, I will with my hon. Friend's permission circulate them in the

OFFICIAL REPORT.

The answer to the last part of the Question is that, with the possible exception of the Turks and Caicos Islands, no assistance towards the cost of price stabilisation is being given in 1948 or is at present contemplated for the future.

Following are the answers:

The following allocations have been made to the West Indian Colonies under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act, 1945, to cover expenditure over the period 1946–56.

Grants made indirectly to the West Indian Colonies during and since the war on the purchase of their products.

Jamaica : Between 1940 and 1946 £3,499,357 was spent on the purchase of bananas for the United Kingdom, which could not be shipped.

Trinidad : Between 1944 and 1947 £190,450 was paid in subsidies for replanting of sugar in order to increase the sugar production.

British Guiana : Between 1943 and 1947 £561,602 was paid as compensation to sugar growers who were obliged to limit production owing to inability to export or store the full crop.

Subsidies paid to West Indian Colonies to reduce their cost of living during the war:

Subsidies paid to West Indian Colonies to reduce their cost of living since the war:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what Colonies received subsidies during the war from the British taxpayer to reduce their cost of living; what Colonies have received such subsidies since the end of the war; and how much in each case up to date.

As the answer is long and contains a number of figures I propose, with my hon. Friend's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the cost to the British taxpayer in paying these subsidies is not outweighed by the gain to the British taxpayer through paying less than world prices for Colonial products, including West Indian sugar?

That is always true, but if the hon. Gentleman will put the question down I will give him a full answer.

Is it not clear that it is not the policy of the British Government to try to meet the cost of food subsidies in the Colonies, except in very extreme cases?

That is the general line, but we have given considerable assistance in the past.

Is not that answer another proof that Great Britain, vis-à-vis her Empire, usually gives much more than she receives.

Following is the answer:

The following Colonial territories received subsidies during the war from the British taxpayer to reduce their cost of living, to the extent shown:

In Malta a policy of selling certain essential commodities imported through the COSUP organisation at subsidised prices was adopted.

The following territories have received subsidies to the extent shown since the war to reduce their cost of living:

In addition the following territories which have paid out subsidies to reduce their cost of living have received at different times general grants-in-aid from His Majesty's Government. It is not possible to indicate the extent to which these general grants-in-aid can be regarded as having been used as subsidies:

Dominica.

Montserrat.

St. Lucia.

Gilbert and Ellice Islands.

Solomon Islands.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if in future editions of the Reports on Colonies he will adopt the suggestions made to him by the hon. Member for Swindon that the reports contain comparisons between the present and the past illustrated by facts and figures to show Colonies' decline or progress and between Colonies and Britain or other developed countries so that the reader can appraise the conditions in Colonies relative to conditions in the West.

Some comparison between the present and the recent past is already made in Colonial Annual Reports, but I do not consider these reports to be the proper vehicle for statistics in detail. Figures in greater detail will be given in the first full post-war edition of the Board of Trade's Statistical Abstract of the British Commonwealth, which it is hoped to publish at the end of this year, and in a new edition of the Economic Survey of the Colonial Empire, which is being prepared for publication in 1949. I do not consider it feasible to produce figures making reliable comparison between Colonies and Britain, or other developed countries, because of the difficulty of finding a satisfactory basis of comparison between tropical countries with a mainly subsistence economy and highly industrialised European countries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many men recruited to the Colonial Service since the war have resigned.

I assume that the hon. and gallant Member refers to the administrative and professional officers recruited in this country by the Colonial Office for permanent service under the Colonial Governments. Some four thousand such officers have been recruited since the war. Practically all of these are now in service. As might be expected, a small number have resigned or withdrawn for various reasons, mostly of a personal nature. I could not give an accurate figure without considerable research, but I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that the numbers are insignificant.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement concerning the use of forced labour in Sarawak.

There is at present no legislation in Sarawak dealing with the use of forced labour. Forced labour of the kind prohibited by the International Forced Labour Convention does not exist though porterage for administrative officers while on tour in their districts has long been an established custom. This service is strictly limited to the type permitted under the International Forced Labour Convention and the safeguards mentioned therein are observed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman quite satisfied with the cases that were brought to his notice in previous Questions some months back, and that they were not wrongly dealt with?

I am concerned, of course, with forced labour anywhere. I have been in discussion with the Governor, and I hope that new regulations will be made, if we cannot abolish it altogether.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that forced labour is legal in this country?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress is being made in removing stocks of groundnuts from Nigeria; whether the new railway engines on order have arrived; how the crop awaiting shipment is protected from the weather; and at what cost.

Up to 27th May, some 83,000 tons of British groundnuts were railed to port from Northern Nigeria since the beginning of the year. Unrailed stocks at that date amounted to 276,000 tons. I understand that 20 of the 63 new locomotives on order arrived in Lagos on 31st May. Groundnuts at port are stored in railway sheds during the short time they await shipment. In Northern Nigeria, some 120,000 tons of groundnuts are stored by merchants in covered accommodation. The remaining stocks in that area, which at the peak of the season amounted to 180,000 tons, are stored in pyramid stacks covered by tarpaulins. Apart from interest on money outstanding, the cost of storage in merchants' permanent stores is 1d. per ton per week after 30th June. Storage in stocks, including handling and provision of tarpaulins, is estimated to cost £75,000 for the 1947–48 season.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what proportion he expects to lose of the groundnuts which are at present stored in one way of another?

We are increasing the means of transport. We have had a very great problem here. Transport, as the House knows, is the fundamental difficulty. There will be, of course, a fairly considerable quantity carried over into the next season. With the arrival of the new locomotives this year and the next, we ought to be able to move the remainder.

Can my right hon. Friend assure us that, with the arrival of these engines, this year's crop will not be stored in this way but adequately disposed of?

It cannot be rapidly disposed of, and for some time to come this is the only means of storage available to us.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any idea of the average length of time that nuts can be kept in these stores, and whether there is any report made as to deterioration or otherwise?

I think that I can say quite safely that prolonged storage of these nuts does not result in any serious deterioration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, when the Mass Education Officer, appointed at the request of the Gold Coast Government, began work; and what staff and money have been put at his disposal to enable him to develop education.

The Mass Education Officer, now known as the "Social Development Officer," took up duty on January 12th, 1948. With a view to making recommendations about the character and scope of mass education plans, he first undertook an extensive tour of the country. His work was interrupted by the recent disturbances, but his recommendations are being studied and it is hoped that staff will soon be allocated and funds made available to carry out specific projects.

Can the Colonial Secretary say how long he expects this officer will stay kicking his heels?

I am not aware that he is "kicking his heels." We are all very alive to the vital importance of this phase of educational work.

Can the Minister give an assurance that this officer has adequate supplies of literature to enable him to discharge his duties properly?

Missionary and other, religious organisations have made a study of this problem of literature for Africans, and some of that literature will be available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if there is a nutrition unit working in any part of East Africa.

No, Sir. There is at present no project in any East African territory comparable with the Nutrition Field Working Party operating in the Gambia. The scheme in the Gambia is regarded as a prototype, and it is planned that the experience to be gained from it should be applied as soon as possible to other territories.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say what is a nutrition unit? Is it a mobile canteen, or what?

A nutrition unit consists of a grup of specialised workers including workers in agriculture, education, public health and so on, all of whom are working on the social problems involved in getting the native peoples to adopt nutrition plans.

May I take it from my right hon. Friend's reply that as soon as possible a nutrition unit will be started in one or other of the staff colleges?

Yes, but already a very considerable amount of nutrition work has been done. There has been a great deal of research work, with the setting up of experimental stations, and so on, in East African territories.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say what is the calorific intake of one of these nutrition units? Could one be placed in the Library?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Mass Education Officers are now employed in Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia.

In Nyasaland one Mass Education Officer and one Mass Education Assistant are employed, together with two African assistants. In Northern Rhodesia mass education is being undertaken as part of the work of the Education and Information Department and by Missions, but no officials carry the title of "Mass Education Officer."

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent priority is given to West Africa in the supply of locomotives from this country; and the number on order and the number delivered to that area since the end of the war.

The attention of the makers has been specially drawn to the importance of completing locomotives on order for West African Railways as quickly as possible. The number now on order is 78, and the number delivered to West Africa since the end of the war is 58.

Could my right hon. Friend say whether there are sufficient locomotives in West Africa at the present time to get the available food surpluses to the coast?

Certainly not.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say when that order for locomotives was given?

I have not the date here, but orders have been placed at different times over a period.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the approximate tonnage which the Tanganyika Central Line can clear weekly from Dar es Salaam; and to what capacity it is proposed to raise this by the end of 1948.

In normal circumstances, 2,200 tons dead weight can be cleared a week. This figure will rise to 2,700 tons by end of 1948 and to 3,000 by about April, 1949.

Does the Minister consider that this is adequate to handle not only the Government groundnuts scheme, but also all the other valuable crops held up at the moment?

Obviously, I am not happy about the port arrangements in East Africa, but we are doing all that we can to increase the facilities, and we shall continue to do so.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that this congestion shows the desirability of the Colonial Development Corporation going ahead of the Colonial Food Corporation in order that transport shall be available?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered the statement issued by the Central Committee of the Progressive Party of Cyprus Working People on the constitutional proposals recently announced for the Island by His Majesty's Government, a copy of which has been sent to him by the hon. Member for Finsbury; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes, Sir. The statement sought to justify the action of the seven members of the Cyprus Consultative Assembly who voted against giving a trial to the constitutional proposals of His Majesty's Government. I am in consultation with the Governor on the steps to be taken after the Assembly's vote and am not in a position to make a statement at present.

As it is obvious that the people of Cyprus are unanimous in wanting self-government, is not the Minister apprehensive that they will come to feel that they are treated by us as inferior to the people of Malta, who have been given a great measure of self-government; and is not the real explanation of what has been done that the Minister desires to hold Cyprus as a Colony; and does he not know well that if they get self-government they will opt to join Greece and will not want to remain in the Empire?

A very substantial contribution to self-government is included in the constitution, but it would be quite untrue to say that the views as expressed by the seven Members concerned represent anything like the unanimous views of the Cypriots.

Do not the great mass of the people living in Cyprus realise that by belonging to the British Empire they get a square deal?

In the light of that suggestion, can the Minister explain how, under the system of representation established by us, every single person elected by the Cypriots does in fact reject the Constitution?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why it was not possible, when formulating the recent constitutional proposals, to accede to the request, common to all sections of the community, to grant self-government to Cyprus.

My information does not confirm that all sections of the community supported this request. As indicated in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bexley (Mr. Bramall) on 27th May, His Majesty's Government proposed a line of advance in Cyprus which they considered appropriate to the conditions and experience of the Island.

I have in mind that in the, previous answer to which the Minister has just referred the word "dyarchic" was used. Can the Minister explain whether "dyarchic" means looking in both directions at the same time?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the inadequacy of the airport at Hong Kong; and what improvements are in contemplation.

Yes, Sir. I am urgently considering, in consultation with the other Department's concerned and the Government of Hong Kong, proposals for the construction of a new airport in Hong Kong.

Are not delays experienced in this matter very difficult to justify, and is the Minister aware that this announcement, although belated, is welcome?

Yes, Sir. This matter, of course, is one of very considerable complexity. It has created a great deal of difficulty for us, and I am now discussing with the Colonial Government and the Treasury the financial implications involved.

While it is admitted that the financial implications are no doubt important, the right hon. Gentleman has perhaps read the recent article in "The Times" on this issue. Many of us feel that there was great force in it, and we hope that he will not allow financial considerations to be the final voice in this matter.

No, I think that the House may take it for granted that for all practical purposes the financial matter is now settled.

In view of the fact that some time ago the right hon. Gentleman announced that an amount of money was to be granted, and that this has already been dealt with, has nothing been done since then?

Yes, there has been a considerable amount of internal discussion and also discussions with the Hong Kong Government, and the matter is now practically settled.

Is the Minister aware that discussions have been going on for the last two years, that no modern aircraft can land there, and that valuable dollars have been lost.

I am fully aware of the inadequacy of the present arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies at whose request a Bill is being introduced into the Legislative Council of the Seychelles to provide for the appointment of notaries and in particular for the appointment of an Official Notary; and what are the reasons for its introduction.

The hon. Member no doubt has in mind an Ordinance to make provision for the appointment of a Registrar-General. This Ordinance was a Government measure, and its object is to concentrate in the hands of one properly qualified officer a number of duties hitherto performed by various persons. The Ordinance was passed unanimously by the Legislative Council on 27th April, 1948. It is now being examined by my advisers with a view to the signification of His Majesty's pleasure.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Indians in British Guiana are given the option of permanent settlement in the Colony instead of repatriation; and whether if they choose the former they will be permitted to draw from the Repatriation Fund an amount equivalent to the cost of their repatriation or land in lieu of this.

Indians in British Guiana can choose either to settle permanently in the Colony or to take advantage of facilities for free repatriation offered by the Government. They are not entitled to any grant of money or land if they prefer the alternative of settlement.

Will my right hon. Friend reconsider this matter, because as we are not repatriating them, a certain amount of money is thereby saved, and should not that be used for securing land in lieu thereof?

The money was not saved. It was an offer made at the time they were introduced into the territory; but if they do not go back it is not spent.