asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what ships of the Royal Navy have been transferred to Burma during the past 12 months; what ships it is proposed to transfer to Burma in the future; and in each case what are the financial arrangements involved.

During the past twelve months the vessels shown in the Appendix to Article 5 of the Burma Defence Agreement, Command Paper 7240, have been transferred free of charge to the Government of Burma. No further transfers are contemplated at present.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of engine room artificers who took the examination for warrant engineer during each of the years 1946 and 1947; how many passed this examination in each year; and how many have actually been promoted to warrant rank.

51 engine room artificers took the examination for warrant engineer in 1946, 18 of them passed and have since been promoted. In 1947, 65 took the examination, 13 passed and 12 have since been promoted.

asked the Postmaster-General what period of time is considered to be reasonable during which callers should be connected with subscribers on the Clissold exchange; and whether there is any data to show how often such connection is achieved.

In the preface to the London telephone directory we ask callers from automatic exchanges to certain manual exchanges, including Clissold, to wait at least 30 seconds for their calls to be connected. Our records show that a very high percentage of these calls are connected within this period.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what decisions were reached in the recent Six-Power Conference in reference to currency reform in Western Germany; and whether he will make a statement.

As my hon. Friend will be aware, an agreed currency reform plan for the Western Zones of Germany has now been put into effect. I shall be referring to this in my statement later this afternoon.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will consider the position of the 1,072 persons still held in the British Zone of Germany as war criminals; and, in consulation with the French and U.S. Governments, decide on what course of action should now be taken since, in many cases, these individuals have not been formally charged and many are awaiting trial but at an unknown date.

The number of persons under arrest because of war crimes in the British Zone of Germany has fallen to 667. Of these 407 have been formally charged and the majority of this 667 will be brought to trial within the next two months. The cases of those awaiting extradition will be heard in the near future, although of course those whose extradition is approved will be tried in other countries at a later date. In these circumstances there is no need for consultations with the French and United States Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the buildings of the torpedo factory at Eckenforde are now being demolished in view of their urgent need for peace-time purposes; and whether he will now confirm that instructions have been given countermanding the demolition order.

No order has been given for the demolition of the surface buildings of the torpedo experimental and testing station at Eckenforde. An Anglo-German working party has been considering to what use certain of these buildings might be put. Their report is still being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give an assurance that the Government will not involve this country in any risk of war as a result of Anglo-U.S. differences with the Soviet Union over Germany and will refer any dispute with the U.S.S.R., the continuance of which is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security, to the Security Council of the United Nations under Article 35 of the Charter.

I would ask my hon. Friend to await the statement on this subject which I shall make during the Debate this afternoon.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, since the Anglo-U.S. right to occupy part of Berlin is derived from the surrender agreement including the Soviet Union, he will no longer attempt to continue that occupation now that the policy has been adopted of establishing a West German State in disagreement with the U.S.S.R.

No. Our right to occupy Berlin does not rest upon the Surrender Agreement. It derives from an agreement which also regulated the division of Germany as a whole into zones. This agreement was originally signed in the European Advisory Commission on 12th September, 1944, and after amendments caused in part by French accession, was signed in its final form in the European Advisory Commission on 26th July, 1945.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that failure to remove two disused blast furnaces scheduled as reparations and sited near the Holmag Works at Kiel is hindering the provision of peacetime industry and prolonging unemployment among the local workers; and whether he will take action to change this state of affairs.

There are no blast furnaces at or near the Holmag Works at Kiel. There are, however, two cupola furnaces of very small value in the iron foundry at Holmag, scheduled for reparations but not yet dismantled. Their retention is not hindering the provision of peacetime industry nor prolonging unemployment among local workers. Their retention and their substitution for reparations by other furnaces has, in fact, been asked for by the local German authorities and this request is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the difficulties standing in the way of the resumption of delivery of reparations from Western Germany in the proportions allotted under the Potsdam agreement.

I would ask the hon. Member to await the statement on this subject which I shall make in the Debate this afternoon.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has replied to the Polish Note of 18th June, protesting against the Six-Power recommendations on Germany; and whether he will publish the reply.

A full reply to the Polish note is now being carefully considered and will be delivered shortly to the Polish Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action is being taken by the British Information Service in the U.S.A. to meet the statements in a widely circulated book, "Technological Stagnation in Great Britain," which are calculated to depreciate British industrial prestige.

British Information Services are thoroughly alive to the importance of giving a true picture of the efficiency of British industry. A series of papers has been put out describing the actual progress made in post-war modernisation and re-equipment, and these are constantly kept up to date.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the numbers of children in Europe requiring aid from the U.N.A.C.; and what further proposals he is putting forward for collecting the necessary funds required to meet these needs.

No, I have no accurate information on this point. Statistics of children in need are furnished by countries desiring help to the Programme Committee of the International Children's Emergency Fund which, in common with National Relief Societies in Europe, will receive and administer the proceeds of the United Nations Appeal for Children. I have already dealt with His Majesty's Government's attitude towards a further appeal in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Luton (Mr. Warbey).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what privileges and immunities are granted to the personnel of the British Military Mission and the British Police Mission in Greece; and if he is satisfied that such privileges are equal to those given to the personnel of the American Mission for Aid.

Custom and usage rather than specific agreements govern the privileges and immunities granted by the Greek authorities to the personnel of the British Military and Police Missions in Greece. I hope shortly to regularise the position as a result of discussions with the Greek Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many British troops of all kinds are still in Greece; whether he is satisfied, in view of the U.S. aid to Greece, that the presence of these troops is still necessary; and if he will take steps to bring them back immediately.

It is not the policy of His Majesty's Government to give information regarding the numbers of troops in any given area. The answer to the second part of the Question is "Yes"; and to the last part "No."

asked the Minister of Food what quantity of maize he has undertaken to purchase for delivery to Eire; and whether he will give an assurance that this undertaking will not reduce the quantity purchased for home consumption.

We have at present no undertaking to purchase maize for delivery to Eire; the second part of the Question therefore does not arise.

asked the Minister of Food how many enforcement officers are now employed by his Department compared with a year ago.

750 enforcement inspectors were employed in the Ministry of Food on 1st June this year, compared with 758 on 1st June, 1947.

asked the Minister of Food if, in view of the fact that the number of calves sold to his Department increased from 833,164 in 1940 to 1,329,442 in 1947, he will order the restriction of the number of calves sold for slaughter.

Since the announcement of the calf rearing subsidy was made in August, 1947, there has been a decrease in the numbers of calves sold for slaughter. In view of this and of the fact that many of these calves are unsuitable for rearing, I do not consider it necessary to impose a restriction on the purchase of calves for slaughter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to augment our Police Forces in Malaya.

The following are some of the principal measures. In the Federation of Malaya a force of Special Constabulary is being rapidly organised and enrolment is going ahead, The Government of the Federation has decided to increase the Police Force by the recruitment and training of local personnel. Some civil officers are being diverted from ordinary duties to assist in the administrative work of the Police Force, and for organising and directing the Special Constabulary. The formation of a Frontier Force or Gendarmerie for the Northern Frontier is being considered. Steps are being taken to recruit 20 additional police officers, and the further expansion of the police is being studied. Considerable progress has been made in getting additional equipment for the Police Forces from local service resources and from other departments of the Government.In Singapore recruiting of 300 extra men for the regular Police Force is going forward and a Volunteer Constabulary is being successfully enrolled. Twenty-five officers are being recruited from former members of the Palestine Police. Both Governments are seeking the advice of Mr. W. N. Gray, lately Inspector-General of Police, Palestine, as to whether recruitment of former members of the Palestine Police Force would be advantageous.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what powers have been conferred on the Governments of Singapore or Malaya to banish from those Colonies British subjects resident there; and whether he will advise the Governors that such powers should not be exercised.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now considered the banishment of all persons found guilty of banditry in Malaya, whether British subjects or not; and if he will announce his decision.

The law in force in the Malay States permits the banishment of any person in a State from Federation territory. The law in force in the British Settlements of Penang and Malacca, which are now part of the Federation, permits the banishment of only those persons who are not natural-born British subjects. Since the two Settlements were joined constitutionally with the states the practice throughout the Federation has been to take action against aliens only. Experience has shown that there are certain persons of British nationality who are abusing the hospitality of the country, and have been concerned in fomenting or perpetrating violence. It has been decided therefore that, as a matter of policy, proceedings under the Banishment Law in force in the States may be taken against British subjects who do not belong to Malaya. That will mean, in general, that persons who are not citizens of the Federation will be liable to deportation and legislation will be introduced, in the case of the Settlements, to permit the same policy to be followed there. In the case of Singapore, the law does not permit the deportation of British subjects and it is not at present proposed to make any change.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that a number of Australians have recently been appointed as tax officials in Malaya; and whether this is in accordance with his policy, in view of the Australian policy of discrimination against Malayans and other non-European British subjects.

The general policy is to aim at staffing the Civil Service in the Colonies by local people to the greatest possible extent. Where, as in the case mentioned by my hon. Friend, local candidates with the necessary qualifications and experience cannot yet he recruited, the policy is to secure suitable officers from outside with the best available qualifications.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether consideration will be given in Malaya to the necessity of ensuring that Indians who do not return to India can settle on the land; and whether a land settlement scheme is likely to be organised in Malaya.

I am consulting the High Commissioner by telegraph on these points and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as I have received his reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the value, in sterling, of the sales of rubber from Malaya to the U.S.A. in 1947.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 14th June to the hon. Member for Forfar (Major Ramsay).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of former members of the Palestine Police now unemployed.

I regret that this information is not available. The men were advised to register with local offices of the Ministry of Labour and National Service and it is also open to them to get in touch with the Palestine Police office at 27, Victoria Street, which has since January last been trying to help in finding employment, but the numbers actually on the books of these offices are not necessarily a guide to the actual numbers who have not yet obtained future employment. I can however say that a large number have already obtained employment and many others have definite employment in prospect.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will indicate the progress now made in the evacuation of our forces from Palestine.

It was always our intention to complete the evacuation from Palestine in the shortest practicable time. The last British Forces will be withdrawn from Haifa today.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many men in the East African Educational Services have been transferred to Sierra Leone and other West African Colonies; whether any have been transferred from West to East Africa; and, in view of dissimilar conditions and outlook between East and West Africa, whether these transferences have proved satisfactory.

Since the beginning of 1945 six education officers have been transferred from East and Central Africa to West Africa (including two to Sierra Leone) and four in the reverse direction. There is nothing to indicate that these arrangements have not proved satisfactory and indeed I regard the principle of interchange in the Colonial Service as a necessary and valuable one. In fact one of the officers has since been promoted in his new territory and another has moved on to a more responsible post outside Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now make a statement on the riot at Burutu, Nigeria, of 21st June, 1947.

The Governor of Nigeria has appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court to undertake an inquiry into the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now publish the report dealing with the factors affecting the efficiency of African labour employed on the Kenya-Uganda railways.

It is my intention that this report should be published as, soon as the final draft is completed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the principle of standard salary and expatriation allowance has been introduced for officials of the Government service in the Falkland Islands.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the total establishment of Government officials in the Falkland Islands; how many of these have been locally recruited; and whether any Falkland Islander now occupies the post of head of a Department.

I have asked the Governor for the figures and am awaiting his reply. I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as I have received the latest information from the Governor.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what extra revenue Cyprus derives from the recent increase in tobacco duty in that territory.

From the beginning of February, when the increase was introduced, to the end of May extra revenue from tobacco duties amounted to about £136,000. The additional tax may therefore be expected, if the current rate of yield is continued, to produce during 1948 an increased revenue of about £374,000 on total budget of about £4 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now received a full report on the inquiry recently held in Aden concerning the riots there; and if he will make a statement thereon.

Sir Harry Trusted, K.C., who conducted a Commission of Inquiry into the disturbances that occurred at Aden in December, 1947, has submitted a report which is now under consideration. My right hon. Friend hopes shortly to be in a position to make a statement regarding it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in which Colonies there are broadcasting stations not under the direct control of either the Governor or a Government Information Department; whether these stations are commercially run; whether any of them are run by foreign citizens; and who issues licences to private bodies wishing to operate such broadcasting stations.

There are broadcasting stations not under the direct control of either the Governor or the Government Information Department in Barbados, Bermuda, British Guiana, Cyprus, Fiji, Kenya, Malta, Singapore and Trinidad. Most of these stations are commercially run. Foreign citizens are, of course, involved in Trinidad where the American authorities operate a broadcasting service for their Forces stationed there according to the Bases Agreement of 27th March, 1941. The circumstances of the Near East Arab Broadcasting Station were dealt with in the replies to Questions on this subject given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on 16th June and by myself on 23rd June. The issuing authority in a Colony for the operation of a broadcasting service by a private body is the Colonial Government concerned through the Postmaster-General or other appropriate official.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reports have so far been presented by the Arab Settlement Board in Kenya on the conditions of Arab agricultural settlement in the Coast Province; and what action has been taken to train new farmers and set aside new areas for settlement in accordance with the policy stated in Sessional Paper No. 8 of 1945.

One report has been compiled, but it has become evident that no progress will be possible with the settlement of Arabs in the coastal belt, apart from a few included in the settlement scheme in progress at Mackinnon Road, until there has been a detailed survey. A preliminary experimental air survey of the area has been made by the R.A.F., but progress is handicapped by shortage of ground survey staff. A scheme for a new agricultural training centre is under discussion in which Arabs among others will be trained.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of a categorical promise given on behalf of the Government of Kenya, that all the detainees of Gilgil Camp would be allowed to leave Kenya by 15th June, 1948; and why this promise has been broken.

Arrangements made for these men to leave Kenya within one month of the end of the Mandate, in accordance with an undertaking which the Government of Kenya had been authorised by His Majesty's Government to give, were suspended in view of the negotiations for a cease fire in Palestine. Count Bernadotte was asked to give his views on their repatriation and has now replied that he does not consider the cease fire terms affect the question as these men are not immigrants but are normal residents in Palestine. Arrangements for their return to Palestine as rapidly as possible will therefore now be made.

asked the Minister of Works what is the allocation of cement for export and home use respectively in the current period; what is the latest stock figure; what proportion of cement exported goes to hard currency areas; and if he is satisfied that adequate supplies are reserved for the home building programme, including roads on new housing estates.

There is no fixed allocation of cement, either for export or home use, but the industry plans its programme in consultation with my Department having regard to the essential requirements of the home and overseas markets. Exports are now running at about one-sixth of total production. The stock on 21st June, 1948, was 204,000 tons. Seven-eighths of the total exports go either to hard currency markets or to British customers overseas who would otherwise be compelled to buy for hard currency. The amounts at present being delivered to the home market should be adequate to meet essential requirements for the building programme, but cement should not be used for roads on new housing estates if alternative materials are available.

asked the Minister of Education what are the names of those serving on the United Kingdom Committee for U.N.E.S.C.O. and its subcommittee; and, in addition, what are the seven national co-operating bodies and who serve on each body.

My right hon. Friend is sending the hon. Member the information asked for, as a lengthy statement is required.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware of the position of senior teaching staffs in the West Riding, as in an example submitted to him, who are penalised by action taken by the local authorities in the assignment of remuneration in cases of special responsibility; and if he will rectify this position.

The selection of teachers in primary and secondary schools for posts of special responsibility is a matter for the local education authority. This is made clear in the new Burnham Report, and no action on my part seems to be required in the present case.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that few houses have been built or are being built by the U.D. Council of Kirkburton to alleviate the overcrowding and insanitary housing at Kirkheaton and Lepton; to what extent this is due to the high-priced tenders submitted for his consideration and not approved; and what action he proposes taking to expedite the erection of houses in this area.

There has been difficulty in obtaining satisfactory tenders in the whole of the Kirkburton Urban District. A tender for 14 houses at Kirkheaton was approved in August, 1946, and I expect the submission of a tender for six houses at Lepton within the next few days. I understand that the council are considering the erection of some non-traditional houses as a means of overcoming their difficulty.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish the names of the Central Price Regulation Committee in Scotland; how many warnings the Committee has issued; how many prosecutions have been made; and how many convictions obtained.

There is no Central Price Regulation Committee in Scotland. There are four Local Price Regulation

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the printing of the stamp cards and doctors' registration cards for the new scheme was put out for tender; whether the lowest tenders were accepted; and if he will give the names of the firms whose tenders were accepted and the quantities they were authorised to produce.

Tenders were invited from all firms on Stationery Office lists considered suitable for this work. Allocation was at the lowest price overall having regard to delivery requirements and the available capacity of the firms tendering. The details are: