asked the Postmaster-General the total number of skilled employees who have left the Post Office Engineering Department during the past 12 months; and the number of such employees who have left his Department in the London area during the same period.

Wastage through voluntary resignation among skilled employees of the Post Office engineering department throughout the whole country during the year 1948, was 1,668, representing 3·6 per cent. of the total number of such employees. In the London area only the figure was 628, or 4 per cent.

asked the Postmaster General what is the earliest date on which Mr. G. E. C. Judge, 24, Raven Road, Sheffield, will get a telephone installed.

There is an acute shortage of plant in the Sharrow exchange area where Mr. Judge lives, and in view of the heavy pressure of essential work in Sheffield I regret that I cannot at present forecast when it will be possible to provide him with telephone service.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any compensation has yet been received from the Chinese Government for the burning of the British Consulate in Canton; and whether, in view of the present inadequate accommodation, he will take immediate steps to see that our Consul is housed in a manner suitable for an important representative of the Crown.

I regret to say that compensation has not yet been received. With regard to the second part of the Question, I am glad to say that the Consul-General's residence and two other houses in the compound which were damaged have now been completely restored.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what facilities exist for members of the Control Commission in Germany to return hospitality that they receive from Germans.

The entertainment of Germans by members of the Control Commission is encouraged within the limits set by the supply of British rations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now increase facilities for British business men travelling in Germany to entertain their German suppliers or customers to meals.

Business men visiting Germany are at present forbidden to eat in German restaurants. The ban will shortly be lifted.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent His Majesty's Government are still financing Germany's food and raw material imports.

I presume my hon Friend has in mind supplies for Germany purchased by this country under the terms of the revised Bizonal Fusion Agreement.By an exchange of notes dated 31st December, 1948, which His Majesty's Government will shortly lay before the House, His Majesty's Government and the United States Government have agreed that the period of operation of this Agreement shall be extended for three months until 31st March, 1949, and that during this period the contribution of food and other essential supplies and services shall be continued at the existing rate of £17½ million a year. A sum of about £1½ million also remains to be spent under undertakings in the Fusion Agreement for 1948.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will arrange for ex-prisoners of war remaining in this country to transfer their credit money to nominees in Western Germany and ensure that information about it is made available to those affected.

If my hon. Friend is referring to credits earned by ex-prisoners of war while they were here as prisoners of war the answer is that action has already been taken.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the discontent and financial hardships suffered by Service personnel and their families who are under the control of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes serving the Occupation Forces in Germany; and whether he will consult with the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with a view to giving British children the same right to free education as they would have in Britain and cancelling the charge of £23 6s. 8d. per child per term compulsorily asked of parents without previous warning that such payment would be demanded.

There are no Service personnel in Germany under the control of N.A.A.F.I., but there are some N.A.A.F.I. civilian staff and their families. It is not considered that the school fees in respect of the children of N.A.A.F.I. employees in Germany should be borne by Army Funds.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, where in the interests of economy it is necessary to close down consulates, he will consider the appointment of honorary consuls, as is done in the case of British nationals in the United Kingdom by other nations.

Due consideration will be given to the appointment of honorary consular officers in such cases, provided suitable candidates are available.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what payment is to be made by the United States Government on behalf of the American radio receiving station in Cyprus; to whom will such sum be paid; whether the Colonial Government was consulted on the matter; and why this facility has been granted.

I understand that the United States Government have purchased the licence to operate wireless receiving sets from the Cyprus Post Office. Apart from this, they have, of course, acquired the site, partly by purchase and partly on lease from private owners. The Colonial Government was consulted about the establishment of this receiving station in Cyprus, which, as the hon. Member was informed in answer to his Question of 17th December, 1948, was transferred from Cairo in order that it might operate with greater technical efficiency.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many applications were made during 1948 to the Commissioners in Cyprus for permission to hold processions in the towns of Limassol and Famagusta, respectively; how many of these applications were granted; and in the cases of those not granted what were the reasons.

During 1948, 18 applications to hold processions were made at Limassol and eight at Famagusta. Fifteen of the Limassol applications and six of the Famagusta applications were granted. Permits were withheld in the five other cases because it was considered that a procession was likely to lead to disorders and breaches of the peace, but on each occasion a permit to hold a public meeting was granted.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what report he has received from the United Nations Mediator concerning the R.A.F. Mosquito which is missing from a flight over Palestine on 20th November, 1948.

I would refer the hon. Member to the oral reply given today to the hon. and gallant Member for Macclesfield (Air-Commodore Harvey).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to make any statement about the completion of arrangements in Malaya for the payment of war damage claims and for the compensation of those who have suffered loss or injury during the recent disturbances.

Draft proposals for a war damage compensation scheme have been laid before the Legislative Councils of the two Governments and are now being considered by Select Committees. As to the recent disturbances, a scheme of compensation for death and injury was published in Malaya on 13th January. This scheme is not concerned with compensation for loss of property.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that there is disquiet in Malaya owing to the efforts made by Japan to obtain rice from the international pool; and whether he will give an assurance that there will be no reduction in the present Malayan rice ration.

I understand that the International Emergency Food Council has allocated to Japan 50,000 tons of rice from Siam for the first half of 1949. This rice is, however, of a kind not acceptable in Malaya; and I am unaware of any disquiet in Malaya on account of the allocation. While I am unable to give a guarantee that the present rice ration in Malaya will not be reduced for unforeseeable causes during 1949, there is no question of this allocation to Japan from Siam reducing the supplies to Malaya.

asked the Minister of Defence whether the review of the allowances made to serving officers for uniform and kit is yet complete; and when an announcement may be expected.

The following statement details the new rates for the great majority of officers, and includes a note of those few main categories for which new rates have not yet been decided.

asked the Minister of Food what further measures he considers necessary to ensure that all meat products are manufactured under hygienic conditions.

We are in close touch with local authorities on this matter. If it were decided that any new powers were necessary, we should not hesitate to ask the House for them.

asked the Minister of Food when allocating 25½ tons of sweets to be sold without coupons at a price allowing for a profit of approximately £1,000, what firms, other than the one in Wakefield which got the contract. he asked to tender for these sweets.

The sweets were offered to three manufacturers for processing, and refused. They were then sold, for disposal to hospitals, institutions and industrial canteens only, to a firm known to have many customers of this type. Tenders were not invited because the delay might have caused further losses through deterioration. The maximum gross profit was less than £600 before overheads, cost of collection and delivery and losses through deterioration had been met.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give an assurance that it is not proposed to reduce the recently-increased sweet ration below its present level.

As the House will recall we propose to de-ration the cheaper sweet altogether. After that the size of the ration for the remaining more expensive sweets—essentially chocolates—will naturally be less than the present 1 lb. a month. But the total amount of sweets—rationed and unrationed—available to the public will not be reduced from its present level—it will on the contrary be further increased.

asked the Minister of Food what steps he is taking to prosecute traders in the Wolverhampton Open Market who are selling rabbits above the controlled price.

Enforcement inspectors frequently visit the market; and we are always willing to investigate specific complaints of overcharging.

asked the Minister of Food how many potatoes he has contracted to buy from Eire and at what average price; and when he expects to take delivery.

Fifty thousand tons, for delivery between November, 1948, and May, 1949, at prices of £10 13s. 6d. per ton f.o.b. Eire port up to 31st January, 1949, and £11 8s. 6d. per ton thereafter.

asked the Minister of Food the profit or loss made by his Department in their purchases and sales of potatoes of the 1948 crop.

This will not be possible until after the season is over.

asked the Minister of Food how many tons of potatoes he has purchased from British farmers which are now to be processed into powder to make cattle food; and how much per ton he expects to lose after allowing for the extra cost of transport, processing and dyeing the powder purple.

We expect that about 275,000 tons of potatoes which cannot be sold direct for livestock will be dried for animal feedingstuffs. They will not be dyed. The loss, including transport and processing costs, will be about £9 a ton. But the gain to the nation of obtaining this home-produced addition to our animal feedingstuffs will be very valuable.

asked the Minister of Food what recent reductions there have been in the staff employed in the Potato and Carrot Control Department; how many are still employed; at what cost annually in salaries and other expenses; how much office space is occupied; and what function do they now perform.

Since I replied to the hon. Member's similar Question on 20th September there have been reductions of eight in the number employed and about £2,500 in salaries and wages. One area office has closed, leaving a total office space of about 110,000 sq. ft. The Potato and Carrot Division buy, sell and supervise marketing in order to guarantee growers' prices, while ensuring a fair distribution to the public at controlled prices.

asked the Minister of Food how many costing accountants he employed during the last six months to investigate potato and vegetable merchants' accounts; and what was the cost to the taxpayer.

Up to 31st December, 1948, one Ministry of Food costings officer, part-time, and three firms of nominated professional accountants, at a total cost of about £520.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will now announce the result of his review of the present basis for the allocation of dried fruits and points goods; and whether, as an interim measure, he will issue additional vouchers to traders whose registrations have appreciably increased.

We shall soon be discussing with the trade some possible modifications to the unit voucher scheme, and until we have done so I am afraid I cannot make any announcement.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is now able to make a statement regarding the control of poultry and rabbits.

Yes. As a result of our experience with poultry this Christmas when supply and demand appear to have just about balanced at the controlled price we have decided to de-control the price and distribution of poultry as soon as the seasonal increase of supplies takes place. That will be about the end of June. I will announce the precise date later. Supplies are not yet sufficient to justify the de-control of rabbits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken to implement the agreement of five years ago that the service of aided school teachers in Mauritius should be made pensionable.

Draft legislation, based on the Colonial Model Pensions Ordinance for Government servants, is now under consideration by the Executive Council of Mauritius.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) what percentage of the profits accumulated from the sale of cocoa is being set aside in order to establish the fund for the stabilisation of prices;(2) what percentage of the profits made on cocoa is allocated for the well-being of the native grower and of the whole native population of British West Africa, respectively;(3) what percentage of the profits made on cocoa is handed back to the native grower.

Prices paid to cocoa growers in the Gold Coast and Nigeria are fixed annually by the local cocoa marketing boards on which the producers are represented. Cocoa is sold by the boards during the year at world market prices. The amounts which, after purchasing cocoa and paying their expenses, the boards can add to their reserves therefore fluctuate.These reserves are held primarily for price stabilisation. Their allocation for this and other purposes is a matter for decision by the boards who are empowered by local legislation, subject to the approval of the Governor in Council, to use their funds for any purpose likely to benefit the cocoa producers. This might cover such services as research, disease eradication, the amelioration of indebtedness, the encouragement of cooperation and the provision of other amenities and facilities.The only allocations made so far are £9 million for swollen shoot rehabilitation and £1 million for cocoa research. In addition, in the crop season 1946–47. £890,000 was allocated to the University College at Achimota.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action is being taken to check the political affiliations of Europeans of non-British origin who are being recruited for work in the Colonial Empire, in particular for East and Central Africa.

A check is in force in respect of all aliens entering the territories in question. The hon. Member will not expect me to describe the arrangements in detail.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he is taking to set up development corporations for British Guiana and British Honduras including representatives of these Colonies and of others which will benefit from the implementation of the Evans Report.

It is unlikely that development corporations will be established in these two colonies for the present, since most of the investigatory work required in connection with the implementation of the Evans Commission recommendations will be undertaken by the Governments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what air services exist within British Guiana and between British Guiana and the British West Indies; and by whom they are operated.

British Guiana Airways (a company controlled by the Colonial Government) operates weekly services within British Guiana from Georgetown to Potaro, and from Georgetown to Kamakusa; fortnightly services from Georgetown to Good Hope in the Northern Savannah, and from Georgetown via Wichabai to Lumid Pau; and a monthly service from Georgetown to Apoteri.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will expedite action on the recommendations of the Settlement Commission with regard, particularly, to the expansion of sugar, banana, cocoa and citrus growing in British Honduras, in view of the fact that those crops have already been grown successfully in the Colony.

I can assure my hon. Friend that these recommendations are receiving our urgent study and action is being taken on them where practicable without delay. It must not be overlooked, however, that major developments of this sort require much careful preparation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now make a statement on the constitutional changes proposed for Trinidad and Tobago.

After full and careful consideration of the majority and minority reports of the Constitutional Reform Committee and the representations that have been made to me since the reports were issued, I have authorised the Governor to make public today the details of a new constitution which should enable the people of Trinidad and Tobago to assume a much greater part in the control of their affairs. The proposals are embodied in a despatch to the Governor which is being laid before the Legislative Council today. Copies of the despatch and reports will now be available in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the nature of the claim submitted by him to the Egyptian Government arising from the attack by Egyptian aircraft on the R.A.F. aerodrome at Ramat David on 22nd May, 1948; and what has been the response of the Egyptian Government.

The preparation of this claim has been completed and His Majesty's Ambassador at Cairo is being instructed to present to the Egyptian Government a claim for compensation in respect of the pensions which His Majesty's Government are paying to the dependants of those killed and to those disabled in the incident and in respect of the destruction of, and damage to, Royal Air Force equipment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what changes are contemplated in the pay and conditions of the naval recruiting service; since when this matter has been under consideration; and when a decision may be expected.

Proposals for changes in the pay and conditions of the naval recruiting service are under consideration, but I am not at present in a position to make a statement.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what large-scale naval movements have taken place recently in the Eastern Mediterranean.

There have been no naval movements in the Mediterranean which could properly be described as "large scale movements."

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is now in a position to announce that the privilege of other ranks leaving and entering barracks in civilian clothing will be extended to the Navy as is the case in the Army and the R.A.F.

My noble Friend has carefully considered this matter. He has now decided that the privilege of wearing plain clothes on entering and leaving barracks cannot be extended to ratings below petty officer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the recent deportation to Germany of a number of Ukrainian ex-prisoners of war; and how many were so deported.

By the end of 1948 all but 530 of the 8,000 prisoners of war of Ukrainian origin, who were brought to the United Kingdom in 1947, had been placed in employment and had assumed civilian status as European Volunteer Workers. Two hundred and thirty of the 530 were sick or engaged in hospital duties and 300 had been found unsuitable for or unwilling to take civil employment of the type open to European Volunteer Workers. In pursuance of our international obligations, it was necessary to release all prisoners of war from military custody on 31st December, 1948. Arrangements were made for the sick to pass into the care of the civil health authorities, and it was felt that the 300 who for various reasons had been found unacceptable as European Volunteer Workers should be sent to Germany for discharge. In reaching this conclusion account was taken of the fact that the United Kingdom had already made a substantial contribution towards the resettlement of the Ukrainians by the absorption of some 7,500 into civil employment.The necessary arrangements with the authorities in Germany for the return of the 300 men could not be completed before the House rose in December, and in the event it was decided to send only 80 men to Germany as prisoners of war for discharge. These included 46 men who wished to return, 33 who because of their records as prisoners of war could not be accepted as European Volunteer Workers, and one who refused all offers of employment. A final decision about the remainder has been deferred in order to see how far they can be placed in employment without detriment to the interests of British subjects.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the circular or pamphlet setting out those portions of the Representation of the People Act, 1948, which relate particularly to parish councils, in accordance with the undertaking given to the hon. Member for Taunton on the 22nd July, 1948.

Within a month.