asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what decision has been taken regarding future flying-boat bases, following the Pakenham Report.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Tradeston (Mr. Rankin) on 26th May last.

Will the hon. Gentleman say what are his plans, if any, for the Saunders-Roe S.R.45 flying-boat when it comes into operation? Where will these machines operate from?

Discussions have taken place with the R.A.F. and the Admiralty and the present indication is that, pending the availability of a permanent base, these aircraft will operate from Calshot.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether a decision has yet been reached regarding the types of aircraft with which B.O.A.C. is to be equipped.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he will make a statement regarding the provision of aircraft for B.O.A.C. and B.S.A.A.C.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he is now in a position to inform the House as to the Government's plans with regard to the utilisation and development of Tudor aircraft.

With permission, I will make a statement at the end of Questions.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he is satisfied that the public is making full use of the facilities afforded by the Air Transport Advisory Council; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that the Air Transport Advisory Council has so far only received a very small number of complaints. It is the duty of the Council to consider representations from members of the public about the adequacy of the facilities provided by the Corporation or their charges. This duty is laid down by Statute and is designed as the means for ensuring that the reasonable needs of the public are met, subject to financial and other overriding considerations. I welcome this opportunity of drawing attention to the duties of the Council in order to make them widely known.

What more has the Parliamentary Secretary done, besides simply making a statement in this House, to make known to the users of our aviation services that this is a body through which they can make not only complaints, but constructive suggestions?

No special steps have been taken.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary consider doing something to inform passengers travelling in these services of the steps they can take if they are dissatisfied or wish to make any suggestion or complaint, so that they may know to whom to make it?

I think I am right in saying that every passenger on every flight is asked by the Corporation, in a printed postcard or form, to make such complaints or suggestions.

Is not the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the kind of suggestion which they are invited by the Corporations to make is a detailed one on the day-to-day running, which should rightly go to the Corporations, whereas this Question concerns an invitation to make suggestions over a wider field, including policy?

This is a consumers' council and the consumers comprise a very restricted field. We will look at the point which has been raised to see how we can make it more widely known.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the violation of the property of British Legation personnel in Roumania, although the villas concerned had correct rent agreements in the name of the British Legation itself; and what steps is he taking to see that proper compensation is made for the stolen sheets, blankets, fuel, food, etc., and for the return of the villas.

I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for Lewes (Major Beamish) on 14th July.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on 14th July the answer was in the future tense—that compensation would be given—and that from his reply today I understand the villas have not yet been returned; and is he aware of the steps taken by the Turkish Government under the same conditions when the Turkish villas were returned within four days?

I have sent to our Ambassador for further information on the whole matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what date he will announce the composition of the British Delegation to the Assembly of the United Nations meeting in Paris next September.

This matter is at present under consideration and I cannot yet say when I shall be in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what special steps His Majesty's Government will take to ensure publicity, particularly by broadcasting, of the proceedings of the forthcoming Assembly of the United Nations in Paris.

I am anxious that the fullest publicity should be given to the Assembly. As my hon. Friend will realise, His Majesty's Government have no direct responsibility for publicising the proceedings, either by broadcasts or newspaper reports, but I understand that the United Nations Department of Public Information and the B.B.C. will make every effort to ensure a good coverage, and His Majesty's Government will assist in this as far as lies in their power.

Would my right hon. Friend consider suggesting informally to the B.B.C. that during the period of the Parliamentary Recess, which would cover most of the period of the Assembly, that they might use the time now devoted to "The Day in Westminster" for reporting the Assembly?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the last time the Assembly met in Paris no one knew of it at all? All the publicity that was sent out was about the national sweepstake in Paris. Will he see that if there is any broadcasting of the Paris sweepstake that it takes place at a different time from our broadcasting?

I think there is some misapprehension. Speaking from memory, I do not think the Assembly ever met in Paris.

I referred to the Assembly at the Luxembourg Palace in July, 1946.

Having lived through that, I really think the sweepstake was more interesting.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further attempts he is making to persuade the Soviet Government to permit Russian-born wives to join their British husbands in this country.

I have decided, with regret, that no useful purpose would be served by making further representations on this subject in Moscow at present.

This is a policy of despair and defeat, and surely it is not beyond the wit of His Majesty's Government to devise some suitable pressure which can be applied to the Soviet Government to force them to do this act of justice?

I do not know whether the hon. and gallant Member suggests that I should declare war or something of that kind, but I have used all the pressure I can on this matter.

That is not what we were told in 1945.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many casualties have been sustained by British subjects on either side in the Palestine fighting since our evacuation on 30th June.

As far as has been ascertained by His Majesty's Representatives in the area, no casualties have been sustained by British subjects fighting on either side in Palestine since the date mentioned.

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform the House what arrangements exist for notifying the next-of-kin in cases where casualties may arise?

I presume that, now there is a truce, there will be no casualties.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he has taken to secure the release of the five British subjects who have been kidnapped in Jerusalem by the Irgun Zvai Leumi.

As the House knows, our information is that the five British subjects have now been handed over by the Irgun to Haganah and are believed to be on the territory administered by the Jewish authorities in Palestine. The agent of those authorities in London has been informed of His Majesty's Government's requirement that the five men should be returned to the United Nations Truce Commission, under whose protection they were working when they were kidnapped. Sir Alexander Cadogan will raise the matter in the Security Council at the earliest opportunity.

In view of the anxiety which is felt by the relatives and friends of these five men, will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the matter will be raised very soon in the Security Council and that he will do everything possible to secure their release?

I certainly will. I think this is a very bad start for the proposed new State.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered using the transport planes now carrying food and supplies to Berlin for the purpose of systematically evacuating all Germans whose presence there is not essential in order to ease on a substantial scale the whole supply problem.

Any such large-scale evacuation is not at present contemplated, since many of these people would not wish to go, and movement on this scale would slow down the turn round of aircraft. The movement of Germans normally resident in the Western zones, who are now stranded in Berlin, has already begun.

Arising out of that Question and answer, will the Secretary of State take up with the Government the lessons which have been got from the use of this method of supplies for the purpose of getting food and materials to the Western Highlands of Scotland?

That has nothing to do with this Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what objections have been raised by the Soviet authorities to the supply of the British, American and French sectors of Berlin by air.

No such objections have been raised by the Soviet authorities.

In view of the reports that the Russians have today given a warning that Yak fighters would be saturating a section of the British airline between Hamburg and Berlin, is my right hon. Friend quite clear that we have an unimpeded right of access by air to Berlin? Will he give some warning in advance at the highest diplomatic level?

We have had no such warning, but the Press keeps saying things. The agreement on the air corridor is explicit in the minutes of the Control Council and has not been abrogated.

Has there been no modification in the attitude of the Soviet Union since the hon. Member for King's Norton advertised the fact that he had joined the Forces?

Has any decision been reached as a result of the discussions about Berlin to get another Four-Power Conference to consider the whole question?

That is a different question. This Question deals only with the air corridor.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British sector of Berlin can be adequately supplied with food, coal and other necessaries by air alone.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) on 20th July.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will reconsider his decision to supply brandy as part of the additional ration of sugar, coffee, tobacco, fats, etc., issued to Ruhr miners.

Schnapps is available for purchase by the Ruhr miners under the Miners' Points Scheme. This scheme was inaugurated by the Coal Production Committee in order to discourage absenteeism, and the list of goods obtainable under the Scheme is drawn up by that Committee—an entirely German body—after consultation with German trade union leaders and miners' management representatives.

In view of the fact that British miners are discouraged by the Coal Mines Acts from taking alcohol into the pits, how does the Foreign Secretary find it possible to encourage the consumption of brandy, which in some cases has already led to extensive illegal operations on the black market and has led to drunkenness as well?

I know I am responsible for a good deal in Germany, but I did leave this to the Germans to decide and I do not think it would be wise for me to interfere.

Is it not a fact that there is a bigger output from the Ruhr mines than from the British?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress is being made in the dismantling programme for German industry; and what reply has been given to the suggestion made to him on behalf of the Ruhr and North-Rhine-Westphalia industrialists that certain of the steel mills should be retained for use under the Marshall Plan.

Of an estimated one and a half million tons of capital equipment scheduled for dismantling in the British zone, 356,500 tons had been dismantled on 30th June, 1948. Regarding the second part of the Question, I have received no such suggestion.

When my right hon. Friend does receive the suggestion, and my authority is a leading article in "The Times" this morning which says that it was put forward by the Ruhr industrialists, will he adopt the principle that there should be no reconstruction of Germany which takes priority over reconstruction in countries devastated by Germany?

Our policy is quite clear, we have agreed to assist in the rehabilitation of Germany, but it must not be in advance of the countries which were invaded.

Now that quadripartite control of Germany has virtually ceased, does not my right hon. Friend think there is a real case for reconsideration of quadripartite control in the light of altered circumstances?

I have had to make statements on this before in the House. It is not Russia alone which is affected in this dismantling; it is the Western Powers—France and other countries which were invaded—and I am not prepared to wipe out obligations to those countries because of the dispute with the fourth country.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that I was not suggesting that Russia alone was affected, but that the economic needs of the Western countries should also be considered?

That is quite right, but, supposing there is plant in Germany taken out of France. France is also in the Western Union and it would, therefore, be our duty to see that France is satisfied, as well as Germany.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider issuing a White Paper on Anglo-Soviet relations in Germany during the last three years.

I have informed the House very fully on the subject from time to time. I do not think that the present moment is an appropriate one for issuing a White Paper on this subject.

While I apologise for raising this matter at a time when the Foreign Secretary is so busy, may I ask him whether he is aware of the Press suggestion of such a White Paper for the education of the public, whose memory tends to be short?

I have had it in mind for some time but things are delicate and I have to consider which contributes most. I think that it would not be quite the appropriate moment to begin digging up everything at this moment, when other things are happening, or, we hope, are happening.

Without pressing the Foreign Secretary at all at this moment, in view of the excellent summary in today's "Daily Herald," which I am sure will have a good effect, will my right hon. Friend bear this in mind so that if at a later stage he thinks it useful we shall be in a position to give full publicity to the facts?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the anti-British demonstrations in Amman.

There were two minor demonstrations before the announcement that the Arab League had agreed to a new cease fire. There was some shooting and windows were broken, but there do not appear to have been any casualties of serious damage.

Would it not be more in keeping with the prestige and dignity of Transjordan as an independent State if the British taxpayer were relieved of all future responsibility in this matter?

That is another question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that there seems something wanting in our handling of this situation when we appear to have fallen foul of Tel-Aviv, Amman and New York?

Yes, the way of peace-makers is very hard.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will ascertain from the Transjordan Government the terms of pension and disability awards to be made by them for British subjects engaged in their service who are injured in the Palestine operations.

No information has reached me that any British subjects engaged in the service of the Transjordan Government have been injured in the Palestine operations. The Question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he is taking to save dollars now expended on newsprint for newspapers in the Colonies by imposing restrictions equivalent to those in force in this country.

Some Colonies buy their newsprint from this country and these supplies are controlled. In the other Colonies which import newsprint direct from hard currency sources, the imports are restricted through import licensing. The colonial authorities are fully aware of the need to economise in dollar expenditure. The newspapers have generally been reduced in size, although not necessarily to the same extent as in this country.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in Jamaica, for example, daily newspapers give an issue of 14 pages compared with four in this country? Since in both cases we have to draw upon dollar resources should there not be equality of sacrifice throughout the British Empire compared with this country?

I am dealing with that matter. The papers referred to have already been reduced and I think that there is room for further reduction.

Would it not be better, instead of reducing the newsprint, to see that the paper is used for the manufacture of books to meet the need there is in all the Colonies?

Could the Colonial Secretary say what is the expenditure of dollars involved in the purchase of newsprint for the Colonies?

There is another Question on this subject on the Order Paper and I believe that information is supplied.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it would be a good thing to bring British newspapers up to the same size as those in Jamaica?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a full statement concerning the economic organisation of his Department, showing not only the boards and staffs concerned but also the purpose of each and the work so far done by them.

As the answer is necessarily long and detailed, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say whether in this statement it is made clear that, in so far as the economic aspect ties up with the defence aspect, both the Dominions and the Defence Committee are frequently consulted by the various boards concerned?

I am afraid that my statement does not convey information in regard to the strategic needs or defence requirements of the territories, but I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that, in regard to our development plans, that aspect of the problem is always kept in mind.

Following is the answer :

The Economic Division of the Colonial Office is in the charge of one of the two Deputy Under-Secretaries of State. Under him there are three Assistant Under-Secretaries of State who cover respectively the following three broad fields of economic activity:

(1) Commercial relations; the international aspects of Colonial primary products, in particular rubber, tin and sugar; communications; and measures for saving dollar expenditure in Colonial territories.

(2) Production and marketing questions, relations with the Colonial Development Corporation; and Research.

(3) Finance and the administration of the Colonial Development and Welfare Act; Economic Intelligence and Planning; and Supplies. The Division consists of seven Departments, namely.

(1) Commercial Relations and Supplies Department, dealing with all aspects of commercial relations and international trade negotiations as far as they affect the Colonies, and with measures necessary for procurement of essential supplies for the Colonial territories.

(2) Communications Department, dealing with communications generally, but more particularly civil aviation and telecommunications.

(3) Economic Intelligence and Planning Department is responsible for maintaining touch with United Kingdom economic planning organisations, and for keeping in view the implications in Colonial territories of general United Kingdom economic policy. The Department has also

(4) Finance Department, which advises on the management of Colonial finances and currency questions, and is concerned with the administration of the Colonial Development and Welfare Act.

(5) and (6) Two Production and Marketing Departments dealing with all aspects of the production and marketing of the produce of Colonial territories, industrial development and relations with the Colonial Development Corporation. One Department deals primarily with agricultural and forestry products, the other with minerals.

(7) The Research Department which deals with all research matters, lies somewhat apart from the rest since not all its work is economic.

The Division is also assisted in many of its spheres of work by the Secretary of State's Advisers. Those whose work brings them into particularly close contact with the Economic Division are the Advisers on Agriculture, Animal Health, Co-operation, Labour, Education, Fisheries, Forestry, Geological Surveys and Inland Transport.

The Division is assisted by the Colonial Economic and Development Council which advises the Secretary of State and the Office on the framing and subsequent review of plans for economic and social development in the Colonial Empire, and on questions of general economic and financial policy; also by the Colonial Advisory Council for Agriculture, Animal Health and Forestry, the Colonial Advisory Fisheries Committee, the Advisory Committee on Co-operation, the Colonial Research Council, the Committee for Colonial Agricultural, Animal Health and Forestry Research and various Committees and Sub-Committees of these bodies.

It is not possible within the scope of a Question and answer to describe the work so far done by the Division, but I would invite the hon. Member's attention to the Report on the Colonial Empire for 1947–48 (Cmd. 7433), and in particular to chapter IV thereof.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement giving the average weekly or monthly wage of native labour in the tin and rubber industries of Malaya; and the average weekly or monthly salaries of the British employees in these industries.

In April the standard wage of unskilled male workers in the rubber industry varied between 73 and 94 shillings a month. Tappers could in addition earn a bonus of up to 42 shillings a month. In December, 1947, male workers in the tin industry earned from 79 to 315 shillings a month according to the type of work performed. In both industries there were also substantial emoluments in kind. I am asking the Acting High Commissioner for up-to-date figures and for information about salaries paid to British employees and will write to the hon. Member later.

Is it not the case that there is a great disparity between the wages paid to native labour and the salaries that are paid to European employees in the tin and rubber industries?

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that more than half the rubber production in Malaya belongs to native producers?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what claims have been made by the native workers in the tin and rubber industries of Malaya for increased wages or changed working conditions; and if these workers have a right to hold public meetings, organise demonstrations, or take strike action to secure their demands.

I am obtaining from the Acting High Commissioner the information requested in the first part of the Question and will write to the hon. Member later. The answer to the second part is "Yes, subject to observance of the law."

Can the Minister tell us whether the law protects these workers if they organise public demonstrations? Is it absolutely legal for them to organize public demonstrations, and will the law see that they are protected when they do so?

The right of assembly is enjoyed unless it is used for criminal intent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many of the motor cars supplied to British Advisers in Malaya are British and how many are American.

Of the 11 motor cars supplied to British Advisers and Resident Commissioners in Malaya, five were manufactured in the United Kingdom, four in Canada and two in the United States of America.

Would it not have been possible to have supplied British cars to all these people?

I think there are some difficulties.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many British and American cars, respectively, were imported into Singapore and Malaya in 1947.

Three thousand eight hundred and four passenger cars were imported into Singapore and Malaya in 1947 from the United Kingdom, 865 from Canada and 960 from the United States of America.

Surely, it would have been possible for these to have been supplied from Britain instead of America and thus to have saved a large amount of dollars?

There is some control in regard to cars coming in and, of course, some regard has to be had to the type of car required, the price of the cars and the urgency of delivery.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that the dollars earned by the export of British cars to America are being largely off-set by the enormous imports of American cars into the Dominions and Colonies, particularly the Colonies?

That is another question, but obviously it is a problem which is constantly in our mind in dealing with these import problems in our Colonial Empire.

Would the Colonial Secretary explain what he means when he says that "there is some control"?

Yes, that import licences are issued in regard to the importation of cars.

If the policy of "Buy British" is being abandoned in the air surely we can keep it on the road? Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind that people here cannot buy American cars, and it is right that they should not be able to do so? It is in the national interest that we should not waste dollars, and should there not be reconsideration of the matter in an attempt to stop this sort of thing?

This matter is under constant consideration. It must be kept in mind that Malaya is one of the largest providers, if not the largest provider, of dollars to ourselves.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the value of goods purchased with American dollars imported into Malaya and Singapore in 1947.

I cannot give exact figures on this subject, as the trade returns for 1947, which are available, show imports by countries of origin and do not specify the currencies in which they were purchased. The Governments of the Malayan Union and Singapore could no doubt supply precise figures after some research, but I do not suppose that the hon. Member would wish me to trouble them about a matter like this at the present juncture.

If the Minister cannot provide precise figures can he provide general figures to give some idea of the expenditure of dollars for this market?

I will see if that can be done.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies from what source the bandits in Malaya have obtained their arms.

Arms were dropped from aircraft for the use of the resistance movement during the Japanese occupation, and many others were abandoned by the Japanese when they surrendered. In view of the nature of the country, it is thought that a residue of these have remained unaccounted for despite the exertions of the authorities.

Is the right hon. Gentleman able now to give an assurance that no further arms are reaching the bandits in Malaya?

We are taking every safeguard to prevent the importation of arms either by sea or by land frontiers.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if at any time in the past two years he called for a report showing whether arms have been returned, and whether any effort was made to collect them.

Yes, Sir. A great deal of effort has been made to collect them, and reports have been furnished to me as to the result.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the situation in Malaya.

I hope to make a statement very shortly.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say, first of all, when the new High Commissioner is likely to be appointed? Does he realise the seriousness of the situation in Malaya and that, unless things improve, it may be impossible to keep the rubber planters on some of the estates?

I appreciate the point made in the latter part of the supplementary question; I am very alive to it. In regard to the first part, I am not at this moment in a position to make an announcement, but I hope that an announcement will not be long delayed.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen a copy of the cable received in this country yesterday from the Incorporated Society of Planters in Malaya? It is of a very despairing character, saying that the situation was being completely under-rated in this country and was extremely serious; and that unless far more was done than was presently contemplated the situation would develop to a most disastrous degree. Has he seen that cable, and what is he going to do about it?

I have seen the cable, and I am fully alive to the seriousness of the position. We are taking every possible step to assist local governments in the enormous tasks which they have to discharge, and I do not think that anyone can suggest that we have not been forthcoming at this end to assist those administrations in every possible way.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he is taking to recruit members for the Malayan Police Force; and with what results.

In the Federation, the regular police force is being increased by 3,000 constables, who are being recruited locally, and 88 officers, some of whom are being obtained by local appointment and promotion, and others from this country. Recruitment of both officers and men is proceeding. In addition, a full-time paid Special Constabulary is being raised up to a strength of 12,000, of whom over 5,000 have already been enrolled. To help in training the Special Constabulary, 35 officers and 270 noncommissioned officers are being recruited in this country. It is hoped to obtain the greater part of these men from among, former members of the Palestine Police.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that, with the forces he has and those going to Malaya, there will be sufficient police to deal with the present critical situation?

We are acting as the result of most careful consideration by the Malayan Administration, and in consultation with Colonel Gregg, who has been there and has a considerable experience, as the hon. and gallant Member knows, in this kind of work. They are acting in consultation and trying to meet all the requirements which have been put to them.

Will the Minister say how many men have actually been recruited or to what extent the figures which he has announced are just paper figures, in view of the fact that this trouble has been going on for some months?

At least 5,000 special constabulary have already been recruited, and we are aiming at 12,000. In the other services, recruits are coming in fast.

Will the Minister say whether the police are under one or two authorities in the Federation and in Singapore?

Yes. At the moment, the Singapore control is apart from the Malayan control, but part of the work of the last few months has been to build up a very close liaison.

Will the Minister put them under one control?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that it is the practice of some commercial firms in Northern Rhodesia to refuse to serve African customers over the counter and instead to serve them through a hatch while they stand outside; and what action is being taken by the Northern Rhodesian Government in response to complaints about this custom by the African Provincial Councils.

The Governor is aware of the practice referred to and a meeting between representatives of the African Representative Council and of the Associated Chambers of Commerce was held in March, 1948, to discuss this practice and complaints of a similar nature. The Governor is hopeful of some improvement in the position as a result of this discussion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the 32 post-offices in Northern Rhodesia which provide a common entrance for Europeans and Africans are chiefly small outstation offices; and what action is being taken by the Northern Rhodesian Government to establish common entrances in post-offices on the railway line and in the main towns.

The reply to the first part is, "Yes, Sir." With regard to the second part, the possibility of effecting structural alterations in order to provide common entrances in all other Post Offices has been under examination by the local Government since April last, and the Governor is expecting an early report from the Postmaster-General. A new Post Office at Chingola was altered recently during construction to provide common entrance facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in how many Government administrative offices in Northern Rhodesia Africans habitually use a side-entrance and Europeans the main entrance; and whether he is satisfied that there are no local regulations compelling the use of separate entrances.

I understand that persons having business with African clerks normally use the entrance provided to the clerks' office, which is frequently a side-entrance, and those having business with the administrative officer normally use the main entrance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how stock-fish is distributed in Nigeria; and what firms receive allocations.

Import of stock-fish into Nigeria is virtually uncontrolled and there is no system of allocation. Distribution is in the hands of the importers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies who controls the import of salt into West Africa; and what steps he is taking to make this commodity more freely available to small firms engaged in buying produce as Government agents.

The import of salt into the West African Colonies is subject to control by the import licensing authorities there, but the Nigerian authorities have issued open general licences for import from the United Kingdom. In the Gold Coast there is an open general licence for importation of salt from easy currency countries. Importers are, therefore, free to buy and import as much salt as they wish. In these circumstances, I do not see what more I can do to meet the wish expressed by my hon. Friend in the second part of his Question.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that applicants attempting to buy salt in this country to import into Nigeria are told that the export of salt to Nigeria is being confined to pre-war channels? If this is a bluff will he expose it; if it is a monopoly, will he break it?

If my hon. Friend has information on this matter I shall be very glad to have it. I know of certain difficulties which we are trying to remove.

Will my right hon. Friend agree to the larger importation of salt to British West African Colonies?

The West African Colonies are free to import as much salt as they wish.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to consult local opinion on the disposal of the funds of the Uganda Cotton and Hard Coffee Fund; and what steps are being taken to close the fund.

As the reply is long and contains a table of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer :

Proposals for the closure and disposal of these funds were placed before the Uganda Legislative Council in April but were withdrawn by consent to give interested parties an opportunity of making representations.

I understand that the proposals were agreed to by the Council on 30th June, but I have not yet received a full report from the Governor. The Council resolved that the funds be closed as at 30th September, 1948, and disposed of as follow:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is now in a position to give an exact schedule of the proposed delivery dates for the locomotives and wagons on order for use on the railway between Mombasa and Nairobi.

I am informed that the manufacturers of the 18 locomotives now on order hope to start delivery from their works by the end of January next, and to complete the order at the rate of four locomotives monthly. The wagons have only recently been ordered, and I am not yet able to give an exact schedule of delivery dates for them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why no permanent chief has been appointed to be Paramount Chief of the Yengema area in Sierra Leone; and when it is proposed to make an appointment.

I have asked the acting Governor for a report and will communicate with my hon. Friend when it is received.

In view of the importance of this appointment since the last Paramount Chief died more than five years ago, will the Secretary of State do everything in his power to expedite the appointment of a permanent official in view of the importance of the relations between the people of the district and the diamond company?

Yes, Sir, the local Government is fully aware of all the obligations of this, and I think it is in fact acting with some wisdom.

Could not the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster usefully add this to his various functions?

Would my right hon Friend see that no permanent appointment is made until a candidate with suitable qualifications can be found?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what approaches have been made by the Nigerian Government to the Nigerian National Union of Teachers to enlist their voluntary assistance in the mass education movement in Nigeria; and with what response.

I have asked the Governor for information on this matter, and will communicate with my hon. Friend later.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a number of voluntary workers doing an excellent job were somewhat discouraged when they found that payment was being made in other parts of the territory for the same kind of work, and, as a large number of voluntary workers are needed, will he ask the Nigerian Government to look into it?

I will bring the point which my hon. Friend has raised to the notice of the Nigerian Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he proposes to make any recommendations arising from the Report of the Commission on East African civil services.

The Report of the East African Salaries Commission was recently considered at a Conference in London attended by representatives of the Colonial Governments concerned and of the Colonial Office. With certain modifications, the Report was generally endorsed by the Conference. The modifications have been embodied in Sessional Papers, which, together with the Report, are being laid by the East African Governments and the East African High Commission before the Legislative Councils and the East African Central Assembly for their approval.

Could my right hon. Friend say how long it will be before these recommendations are implemented?

The Report will be taken at the next meeting of these assemblies, and I think that the recommendations will be put into operation quickly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when it is proposed to introduce into the East African civil services the principle of equal pay for equal work plus repatriation allowances for British persons serving overseas.

The East African Salaries Commission took the view that for professional and similar posts the expatriation pay system, which has been adopted in West Africa, was not practicable as yet in the different circumstances obtaining in East Africa. They also reached the conclusion that the time was not ripe for the introduction of common scales of salaries for Europeans, Asians and Africans. The reasons for these recommendations are set out in full in Chapter 3 of the Commission's Report. As I said in reply to my hon. Friend's Question No. 60, the Commission's recommendations are being considered by the Legislatures concerned.

Does my right hon. Friend agree with the Report of the Commission, and is it not true that he has stated his sympathy with the principle?

It is obvious that this step must be taken before the full implementation of proposals similar to those adopted in West Africa, but, for the moment, the matter is before the Legislative Council, and I must await their decision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the resolutions passed by the Sarawak Dayak Association and the Malay National Union of Sarawak on 1st July, 1948, have been considered by him; and what reply he has sent.

I would invite the hon. Member's attention to the reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Cambridge University (Mr. Pickthorn) on 15th July.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what recommendations were made by the committee of inquiry into the operation of chain stores in Jamaica which reported in April, 1947; which of these recommendations have been implemented; and what action is being taken by the Government of Jamaica to deal with this problem.

The report of the committee set up in Jamaica to consider this question has received, I understand, the preliminary consideration of the Executive Council. I am informed that it is expected that a final decision in the matter will be reached in the near future.

Has my right hon. Friend received any direct representations from the Jamaica Dry Goods Retailers Association on the subject, and is he aware that protests were made in the House of Representatives at the undue length of the deliberations of the Executive Council in this matter?

I am not aware of that fact, but this problem is one essentially for the Jamaican Government. They have a very real degree of local responsibility with which the home Government have very little concern.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Trinidad section of the Caribbean Labour Congress has expressed support for the constitutional proposals made in the minority report; what other bodies have expressed to him their support for either the minority or majority reports: and when a decision will be taken.

A conference recently held in Trinidad under the auspices of the Caribbean Labour Congress, supported the proposals in the minority report. The Legislative Council have adopted the majority report with certain amendments. Before publication of the reports I received resolutions from the Port of Spain city council, two borough councils and five of the seven county councils in favour of responsible government on the lines recommended in the minority report. The East Indian National Council of Trinidad have passed a resolution expressing grave concern at the implications in both the majority and minority reports. Resolutions, the purport of which I do not yet know, are on their way to me from other bodies including the Chamber of Commerce, the Petroleum Association, and the Trade Union Council. A decision must wait until I have considered all these representations.

Are the amendments referred to by my right hon. Friend in any way designed to bridge the gulf between the two reports.

I must wait to see them.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will make a detailed statement on the Polish officers and men in each of the three Services, stating how many have volunteered for service with the Armed Forces; how many are awaiting repatriation; how many are members of the Resettlement Corps; how many are awaiting discharge because they have chosen neither to be repatriated nor to join the Resettlement Corps; and how many others there are who do not fall into any of these categories.

I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT figures showing the position at 30th June.

Will my right hon. Friend take note of the large numbers who have for months and months been awaiting either repatriation or discharge and will he ask the Service Department to speed up the administration in this case.

It does not wholly lie with the Service Department.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether it is correct, as indicated by recent answers, that if these Poles are

asked the Minister of Defence on what levels of cost of living and Income Tax, respectively, was the 1945 pay code based.

The 1945 pay code was not related to any specific level of cost of living. Income Tax at 1946 rates was taken into account where necessary.

Would not the Minister agree that there has been a considerable increase in the cost of living since these pay codes were brought into force?

There have been variations in the cost of living, but in the case of the Services, part of that is, shall I say, cushioned by the fact that there are emoluments in kind. In relation to the cost of living. I should not think that hon. and gallant Members opposite, with experience of the Services, would want

discharged but have not gone into the Resettlement Corps, they are placed in jobs through the ordinary machinery of the Ministry of Labour; and if so, what is the advantage in the whole elaborate apparatus of the Resettlement Corps and what is the advantage to those Poles who did agree to join it?

I think that question should be put to the Minister of Labour.

Following are the figures :

the basis of pay always to be related to the cost of living only; we are taking a long-term view of the pay code.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recollect that a previous Secretary of State for War told the House that it was assumed, when the pay code was made out, that Income Tax would go down to 7s. 6d., and that it was on that ground that he justified the taxation of allowances?

I say that the code was based on the basis of Income Tax in 1946, although it was issued in 1945, because of the announcement made in the second Budget of 1945.