asked the Secretary of State for Air how many United States aircraft are now operating in the air lift to Berlin from airfields in the British zone of Germany; and what steps are being taken to make increased facilities available.

One hundred United States aircraft are operating in the air lift from two airfields in the British zone. The United States authorities have asked for one of these airfields, Celle, to be extended to take more aircraft; this work is going ahead and should be finished by the middle of next month. Work has also begun on the reconstruction of Luneburg which, when completed, will be available if required for United States aircraft.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what proportion of the total number of airmen believed to be entitled to medals for the late war have so far sent in their claims.

Approximately one quarter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the position resulting from the influx of refugees from the Soviet zone into Western Germany, indicating the steps being taken to deal with the sick, homeless and unemployed; and whether he has made representations to the Soviet authorities with a view to stopping the uncontrolled movement of people who may embarrass the economy for which we are responsible.

The influx of refugees into the British zone continues to impose a severe strain on the German authorities who are responsible for finding suitable accommodation and absorbing the refugees into the German economy. The Military Governors of the Western zones have recently agreed to set up a tripartite working party to study the redistribution of refugees between their three zones.The general arrangements for the reception and welfare of the refugees were outlined in the reply given to my hon. Friend on 13th December. Medical care is available to refugees on the same basis as for the indigenous population, except that priority of admission to hospitals is given to refugees living in the reception camps. The local German authorities in the areas to which refugees are sent from the reception camps are obliged to find accommodation for them, if necessary by requisitioning. Unemployed refugees receive the same consideration as other unemployed Germans in the British zone. No representations have been made to the Soviet authorities about the exodus of refugees from their zone.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered the recent pronouncements by Dr. Otto Strasser, head of the League for German Revival; and whether he will take steps to prevent him re-entering Germany as long as this country remains one of the occupation authorities.

His Majesty's Government are fully aware that Otto Strasser's presence in Germany would be undesirable, and they have taken all the steps in their power to prevent his return.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) if he will describe the counter-measures he has taken to hasten the day when the Russian authorities will again allow the free flow of goods and services to Berlin; and what success has so far attended these efforts;(2) what measures he has taken to prevent the flow of raw materials and manufactured goods from the West to the East zones of Germany as a counter-measure to the Russian blockade of Berlin.

The British, French and United States authorities in Germany have been compelled to take steps to protect the economy of the Western zones and Western sectors of Berlin including the prohibition of all exports from the British, French and United States zones to the Soviet zone of Germany.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps have been taken to prevent the terrorisation of witnesses and the staging of demonstrations hostile to British authority in connection with the pending trial of Max Reimann.

I have no information that witnesses are being intimidated. If any intimidation were attemped appropriate steps would be taken to protect witnesses and to prosecute any persons committing such an offence. Responsibility for maintaining order and preventing disturbances at the trial rests primarily on the German police. There is no reason to believe that they will not carry out their duties adequately, but if necessary the British authorities will take such action as the situation may require.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that a Conference of Working Youth, comprising 400 delegates representing more than 50,000 young people from all zones of Western Germany, proposed to be held in Bochum on 27th and 28th November, 1948, was forbidden by order of Military Government on 20th November, after all preparations had been made; that the Conference is now to be held in the U.S. zone; and what was the reason for this ban.

The meeting was banned for the following reasons:

(a) Permission to hold a meeting was not applied for by any recognised political party.

(b) While the object of the meeting was advertised as a discussion of wide youth questions and youth problems in all spheres, it was found that the trade unions had sharply dissociated themselves from all support. A similar line was taken by the S.P.D. (Social Democrats) and the C.D.U. (Christian Democrats), while the Youth Committee of the Deutscher Gewerkschaften Bund (German trade unions) at Dortmund advised their local officers that the assembly was entirely outside regular trade union activities. In addition, the regional Trade Union Youth Committee for North Rhine Westphalia resolved that trade union youth would not support or take part in the meeting.

It thus became clear that the meeting was not spontaneous but rather a manoeuvre on behalf of a single political party. The meeting was, therefore, regarded by Military Government as political in nature and, since no permission to hold such a meeting had been sought or given, it was automatically banned. It is not known whether the conference is being held in the United States zone or on what basis an application to hold the meeting may have been made there.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what salary and expenses allowance are being paid to Sir Alexander Cadogan, British Representative to the United Nations.

Sir Alexander Cadogan receives a taxable salary of £3,500 a year, an official residence, and an expenses allowance of £11,950 a year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many people were registered as electors for the Sudan elections which took place in November, 1948; what is the proportion of this number to the total population male and female over 21; and how many of the registered electors, male and female respectively, actually voted.

Three hundred and thirty-six thousand, six hundred and ninety-one persons, all of whom were males, were registered as electors in the direct elections and the primary stage of the indirect elections. This total is approximately 8 per cent of the latest available figures for the total of the male and female population over 21. As explained in the House on 14th July last, however, the franchise was restricted to males over 25 years old. I am not able to say how many of the registered electors actually voted, since the primary voting in most constituencies with indirect elections was by acclamation and no record of the number of votes cast is therefore available.

asked the Minister of Defence what has been the expenditure on military activities in Malaya up to 15th January.

Up to 31st December, 1948, the latest date to which information is readily available, the additional expenditure incurred by the three Service Departments on account of military activities in Malay has amounted very roughly to £635,000.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will make arrangements for the exemption of Jewish Service men from military service in the Middle East.

No. I am afraid this suggestion would not be practicable.

asked the Minister of Defence what was the cost of the Cavalcade exhibition in Glasgow; how long it lasted; how many people attended; and the total number of recruits obtained.

The cost to Service Votes of this exhibition was about £2,100; it lasted from 20th to 28th February, 1948; over 131,000 people attended. One hundred and forty-six recruits for the Auxiliary Forces besides a number for the Cadet Forces were obtained as a result of the recruiting drive of which the exhibition formed part.

asked the Minister of Defence what was the cost of maintaining all British Forces, including Service troops, Military Mission and Police Mission, in Greece during 1948.

The cost to British public funds of maintaining the Military Mission in Greece in 1948 was about £370,000. This includes the Naval and Air Force elements. The Police Mission cost about £80,000. It would be contrary to public policy to disclose similar information regarding British troops.

asked the Minister of Defence what progress has been made by his Department since its establishment in co-ordinating the common administrative services of His Majesty's Forces.

As I announced to the House on 1st March last, His Majesty's Government decided, after careful study, that amalgamation of the common administrative services would not, in present circumstances, be in the interests of efficiency or economy. Considerable progress towards greater coordination of the medical, educational and chaplaincy services has, however, been achieved by means of standing coordinating committees. The work of these committees could not be adequately described within the scope of a Parliamentary answer, but if my hon. Friend has any specific suggestions I should be happy to consider them.

asked the Minister of Defence if, following the meeting of the Defence Ministers of the Brussels Treaty Powers, he will make a statement on the details of the Western Union defence schemes and give an estimate of the forces required to put it into effect.

No. It would not be desirable for me to attempt to add to the communiqué issued after the recent meeting of the Defence Ministers in Brussels.

asked the Minister of Food if in the interests of the farming industry he will now establish a grading centre for sheep and other livestock on the Island of Islay.

There are many practical difficulties in the way of establishing a livestock collecting centre in Islay, but I will look at the possibilities again and let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the Minister of Food on what date he agreed to purchase 50,000 tons of potatoes from Ireland as part of the Anglo-Eire Agreement; and why he did so.

I offered to buy these potatoes on 13th February, 1948, as an insurance against a repetition of the serious shortage of the 1947–48 season.

asked the Minister of Food what consultation took place between himself and potato growers in this country before he agreed to purchase 50,000 tons of potatoes from Eire as part of the Anglo-Eire agreement.

No such consultation was necessary as the prices of the home-growers' main crop are guaranteed by the Government.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will now give some explanation of the advanced payments made by the British Government to the Argentine Government for supplies of meat which have not been delivered, and of the circumstances in which the full quantities of meat have not been forthcoming.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will make a statement on the reduction in the weekly ration of carcase meat; and explain what steps he is taking to ensure that the ration is restored in the near future.

The circumstances in which payment was made in advance for the commodities, including meat, purchased from Argentina under the Anglo-Argentine Trade Agreement on 12th February, 1948, were fully explained by my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the statements on the subject which he made to the House on 16th and 23rd February last. We shall not, of course, suffer any financial loss from the fact that some of the meat cannot now arrive by 31st March next. The remainder of the meat which we have paid for will arrive during the following months. But we have suffered and are suffering from the slow rate of arrival of this meat and, as the House knows, very vigorous representations have been made to the Argentine Government on the matter, as we cannot accept as adequate the reasons advanced for the slow rate of shipment of the meat.

asked the Minister of Food if he has yet received a report from the Overseas Food Corporation on their future plans for the Groundnut Scheme in Tanganyika; and if he will make a statement.

I am prepared to make a full statement at the earliest convenient opportunity.

asked the Minister of Food if he will state, in convenient categories, the number and salaries of Europeans and of African artisans and labourers employed in the African Groundnut Scheme at the latest available date on a yearly basis; and whether he will give an assurance that the salaries paid to African artisans are not less than those paid to Africans in other comparable employment.

I have asked the Overseas Food Corporation if they will supply a statement for the hon. Member on the lines requested.As to the second part of the Question, it is the policy of the Corporation to pay to its African employees wages in line with those paid to Africans in other comparable employment.

asked the Minister of Food if he will make a full statement on the present position of the East African Groundnut Scheme.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Food if he has considered a report sent to him concerning the case at Market Harborough in which condemned meat was missing in transit from the Market Harborough abattoir to the glue factory in the same town; how much of the meat was missing; how much was sold to the public; and how much was recovered of the amount missing.

Yes; 133 lb. of meat were missing of which 8 lb. were recovered. As my hon. Friend will have noted, legal proceedings were taken and a conviction obtained. I cannot say how much of the meat was sold to the public. Steps are being taken to prevent a similar occurrence in future.

asked the Minister of Food what quantity of maize is stored in recently-requisitioned premises at Johnshaven, Kincardineshire; and whether he is satisfied that it is bagged and stored in such a way as to ensure its fitness for use.

The answer to the first part of the Question is 1,500 tons, and to the second part, "Yes."

asked the Minister of Food what quantites of imported barley are stored at Dalton aerodrome. Full Sutton aerodrome, Baldersby and Boroughbridge, respectively.

One thousand, one hundred and forty-seven tons of imported barley are in store at Dalton aerodrome, none at Full Sutton aerodrome, 264 tons at Baldersby and 739 tons at Boroughbridge.

asked the Minister of Food how many catering licences were in operation in the urban district of Penmaenmawr as on 1st September. 1948; how many of them were in force for the whole year; how many for seasonal operation only; and what were the same figures as at 31st December, 1948.

On each date there were 94 licences valid for the whole year. On 1st September there were also two seasonal licences in operation, and on 31st December one seasonal licence that had been extended.

asked the Minister of Food in what circumstances was the catering licence, originally granted to Mr. R. Abanson in respect of the Oxford Hall, Penmaenmawr, transferred to Mr. J. Gubay; and was this transfer made with the approval or upon the recommendation of the Penmaenmawr Urban District Food Committee as then constituted.

Mr. Allison's licence could not be transferred to Mr. Gubay because he never opened the business. Mr. Gubay's application for a new licence was refused by the Food Control Committee, but granted, on appeal, by the Divisional Food Officer, on grounds of consumer need.

asked the Minister of Food if he will state the number of signatories to a petition submitted to his Divisional Food Officer in support of an application for a catering licence for the winter quarter, which was submitted in respect of the Oxford Hall, Penmaenmawr, in September last; and how many of those signing the petition were residents of Penmaenmawr.

Four hundred and ninety-six signatures, of which 354 were local residents.

asked the Minister of Food what contracts were entered into for the purchase of yak meat as a result of the recent visit to this country of a trade delegation from Tibet.

None.

asked the Minister of Food why his Department stated on 15th November with regard to the allocation of fat for fish frying made to Mr. J. Johnston, 5, Freetown, Whitfield, Glossop, that he was receiving the correct allowance of fat to which he is entitled, and on 30th December stated that before the 15th November it had been found that owing to a mistake in the Ministry of Food Mr. Johnston's allocation of fat was nearly three times as much as it ought to be; and whether he will take steps to ensure accuracy in letters written in his Department.

Since the mistake was made in 1940 when the datum figure of Mr. Johnston's predecessor was fixed, and we had decided not to penalise the trader because of it, I consider that it was not a very grave error to refer to the higher figure as the correct amount when considering the hon. Member's request that it should be increased.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will permit the sale of a whiter loaf to those willing to pay the full price for it.

No. My more immediate aims are to increase supplies, and then to reduce somewhat the extraction rate of all wheaten flour.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will arrange for soap to be wrapped, in view of the difficulties of handling it by grocers.

From 6th March next certain classes of paper will no longer be controlled under individual licences, and soap makers will be able to place orders for paper with their suppliers.

asked the Minister of Food if he will supply soap and towels and special smocks for the use of employees in dealing with condemned meat at the Harborough abattoir.

It is not clear whose responsibility it is to supply the soap and towels; but I will see that this is determined and that they are supplied.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement regarding the scheme for producing eggs in Gambia; and what is the nationality of the individual who is organising the scheme.

I invite the hon. Member's attention to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale (Mr. Erroll) on 3rd November, and I also invite him to approach the Colonial Development Corporation for the information asked for in the second part of the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement as to the use of antrycide and its effect on meat production in Africa.

Field trials conducted throughout 1948 in Kenya, Uganda and the Sudan showed that a single treatment with the new drug cures the two most important trypanosome diseases in cattle T. congolense and T. vivax. It has also proved effective against the trypanosome diseases which affect camels, horses, dogs and pigs. In addition to its curative properties, antrycide affords protection against the trypanosome diseases; trials are continuing to establish the duration of the period of protection.In the meantime, limited supplies of the drug have been made available to Government Veterinary Departments in Africa. It is already in use in Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria (as well as in the Sudan). I have asked Governors to keep me informed of the use to which these supplies are put and the results obtained.The effectiveness of the drug, particularly its prophylactic properties, will, it is hoped, improve the prospect of increased meat production in areas of Africa hitherto closed to domestic animals or precarious for them. I am at present examining, in consultation with my Advisers and with Colonial Governments, the many veterinary, agricultural, administrative and other aspects of the development of animal husbandry in Africa made possible by the discovery of the drug. Initially it will be used to afford protection on stock-routes and during seasonal migrations, but as supplies become more plentiful it is proposed to use it in combination with other methods of control to expand the present cattle-rearing areas. I am not in a position at this stage to estimate its ultimate effect on meat production in Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if it is now intended to proceed with the cutting out of diseased cocoa trees in West Africa.

The report of the Commission of Scientists on the swollen shoot disease has confirmed that the destruction of diseased trees is imperative in order to gain control of the disease. The measures to be taken are now under urgent consideration by the Governments of the Gold Coast and Nigeria, but the farmers must be brought to recognise and agree to the necessity for such a policy if cutting-out to the extent necessary is to be successful.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that large supplies of bananas and grapefruit are being wasted in Sierra Leone; and what steps he is taking, in conjunction with the Minister of Food, to encourage the import into this country of these and other fruits from that Colony.

I am aware that there is at present considerable wastage of bananas in Sierra Leone. Grapefruit are not grown on a large scale but the supply is liable to exceed present local requirements during the season. As regards the second part of the Question shipping difficulties have hitherto proved an obstacle, but arrangements were recently made at the exportee's suggestion for a trial shipment of bananas to this country as deck cargo. Unfortunately most of the consignment arrived in a worthless or severely damaged condition. I now intend to review the position further, in regard both to bananas and other fruits, with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any decision has yet been reached for the construction of a new airport in Kenya.

His Majesty's Government have informed the Governor of Kenya, in discussions recently held in London, that in their view Eastleigh Airport is sufficient to cater for all requirements that can now be foreseen, provided that existing limitations on the height of buildings in, the vicinity of the airport are maintained.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the Conference on East African Transport recently held in London.

At my invitation the Chairman of the East Africa High Commission, the Acting Governor of Tanganyika and the East African Commissioner for Transport, accompanied by certain transport advisers, came to London at the end of December for discussions with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and myself on general transport problems in East and Central Africa. Representatives of the Overseas Food Corporation, the Colonial Development Corporation, the East African Conference Lines and officials and advisers of the United Kingdom Government Departments concerned took part in the discussions, which lasted from 3rd to 7th of January.The Conference brought under review the particular and immediate problem of the capacity of the port of Dar-es-Salaam and learnt from the East African representatives of the steps which had already been taken and which are projected to enable the port to handle the estimated tonnages of all users in the immediate future. These measures include the provision of additional lighterage, cranage and rolling stock, the extension of the lighterage quay, the more expeditious handling of cargoes on the quay side, an effective system of port management, more storage and, ultimately, two deep water quays, the first of which is expected to be completed by the end of 1951 and the second in 1952.The Conference also considered the more general problem of the longer-term developments of communications in East and Central Africa. As my hon. Friend will be aware from my reply to the hon. Member for Western Dorset (Mr. Digby) on 1st of December last, proposals are in an advanced stage of consideration for a survey of alternative routes to provide a railway link between the Rhodesian and East African railway systems and also the route Broken Hill-Mikindani. The Conference regarded that part of the North-South link which would join the Tanganyika section of the East African Railways with Mombasa as of the greatest importance, particularly as it would provide a spillway through Mombasa and Tanga, should the port of Dar-es-Salaam prove incapable, even with the addition of two deep water quays, of handling the increased volume of traffic likely to emerge from the economic development of Tanganyika. A Technical Committee in East Africa is at present investigating the possibilities of Dar-es-Salaam ever being developed beyond the present contemplated extensions into a major port. Its report will, I hope, be available in March, 1949, and in the light of its recommendations it will be possible to take decisions on the urgency of that part of the North-South link which would join the Tanganyika system to Mombasa.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is prepared to appoint a departmental committee to consider the French system of colonial parliamentary representation, with a view to formulating proposals for an extension of representative government in the British Colonial territories.

This matter has often been considered but no such arrangement has seemed practicable. I do not think a departmental committee is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has drawn the attention of all Colonial Governments to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and what changes such Governments have made, and propose to make, in their existing legislation, particularly legislation concerned with such matters as censorship and deportation, in order to give effect to the principles laid down in the Universal Declaration.

Colonial Governments were consulted throughout the various stages of the preparation of the Declaration. As regards the second part of the Question, I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member on 18th of January by the Prime Minister. Colonial Governments will continue to work towards the ultimate ideals expressed in the Declaration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he is taking in African and other Colonies to ensure an adequate supply of fibre for bags to replace the shortage of jute.

The production of appreciable quantities of bag-making fibre in the Colonies has encountered many difficulties. A number of attempts to grow jute have already been made, but these have not so far produced any conclusive results. Further trial plots of jute and of certain jute substitutes have been laid out and further research is being urgently undertaken. No early large scale production can however be hoped for.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in view of the fact that the survey of Singapore, conducted by his welfare department and published recently, revealed that 15 per cent. of the families investigated lived in passage-ways, under staircases, in backyards and in similar places, 32 per cent. in cubicles, of which 11 per cent. were without windows, and 74 per cent. in over-crowded conditions and that illiteracy was as high in certain categories as 70 per cent., what steps he proposes to take to eliminate these conditions.

A housing plan involving an estimated expenditure of about £3,700,000 over the next three years is under active consideration. The social survey has defined more precisely the problem which faces the Singapore Government and is an earnest of that Government's determination, in spite of the present emergency, to press on with the improvement of social conditions in the Colony. To that end educational, medical and health plans have been approved and are being implemented.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many persons have been detained during 1948 in Malaya and Singapore; how many of these are still under detention; and whether it is intended to charge them.

Five thousand nine hundred and fifty-eight persons were detained in the Federation of Malaya and 325 in Singapore during 1948. Of these 5,097 and 194, respectively, were still in detention on 21st January, 1949. They are detained for limited periods in the public interest under the local Emergency Regulations and may make objection to an Advisory Committee. No charge need be brought.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the rice ration in Malaya has been reduced by two-thirds of a pound per week and that the average consumption of rice is now one-third of what it was before the war; and what steps he is taking to remedy this situation.

No. The ordinary rice ration has not been cut. A temporary bonus issue was made possible during August to October last by a windfall import. I do not agree with the hon. Member's estimate of present average consumption in comparison with pre-war. Moreover, comparison must take account of the availability of flour off the ration. As a result of steps taken Malayan production of milled rice this year should be nearly 100,000 tons above two years ago.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now make a statement concerning the burning of the village of Batang Kali, North Malaya, by British troops on 2nd November and indicate how many houses were burned; how many people were rendered homeless; what aid was rendered to the inhabitants; and why this measure was taken.

I am informed by the High Commissioner that no such incident occurred at Batang Kali on the 2nd November.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent the Communist-inspired system of federating trade unions in Malaya has been replaced by trade unions for each industry or federations of such trade unions as required by a recent ordinance.

Since the coming into force of the Trade Unions (Amendment) Ordinance (No. 9 of 1948) in July, 1948, one federation of trade unions has been re-registered and resolutions have been passed advocating the formation of three further federations of similar trades. The Ordinance does not require one trade union for each industry. There are now 162 trade unions registered in the Federation of Malaya.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what charges the 24 Malayans, shot by the Scots Guards and the police patrol, near Rawang, Selangor, on 12th December were held; and if he will make a statement on the whole matter.

The Chinese in question were detained for interrogation under powers conferred by the Emergency Regulations. An inquiry into this incident was made by the civil authorities and, after careful consideration of the evidence and a personal visit to the place concerned, the Attorney-General was satisfied that, had the Security Forces not opened fire, the suspect Chinese would have made good an attempt at escape which had been obviously prearranged. A full statement was issued in Kuala Lumpur on 3rd January.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that planters in Malaya are convinced that terrorist danger has recently increased rather than decreased and that firmer action is necessary if the situation in Malaya is not to deteriorate; what further steps are to be taken to apply effective action; and when it is proposed to put into effect the recommendations of the planting community with regard to the squatter problem.

A recent deputation from the United Planters' Association of Malaya indicated to the High Commissioner that although some district planters thought that the situation had deteriorated in cerain areas, the majority considered there had been no change as compared with December in the general situation. The Federation Government consider that although the local situation on some estates continues difficult and dangerous and although there have been recently a number of tragic incidents in the campaign against the bandits, there has been an overall improvement in recent weeks. The campaign is being pressed with great energy and strong measures, which have met with general approval, have recently been taken against persons who continue to give assistance to the bandits. The High Commissioner will continue to use his powers to the utmost effect that the situation may demand. Steps have already been taken to deal with the immediate problem created by the squatters and the findings of a Federal Committee appointed to make recommendations on all other aspects of this problem are now under urgent consideration by the Executive Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement concerning Cyprus, in view of his discussions with the Governor.

I have nothing to add to my reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for St. Albans (Mr. Dumpleton) on 24th January.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why he is still refusing Mr. Anthony Brooke entrance into Sarawak and adjoining territories; and when he last consulted the Governor of Sarawak and the Commissioner-General for South-East Asia on this subject.

The matter was fully debated on 18th February last (HANSARD, Col. 1287, 1302). A report received from the Governor early this month makes it quite clear that the reasons then given still hold good.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that three women telephonists in Government employment in Mauritius who married during their service at a time when no marriage bar was in force or contemplated were, some years later, in April, 1947, dismissed, with thanks for their loyal services, because they had married, were reinstated in June, 1948, with full pay because there was no ground for their previous dismissal, and were at the same moment dismissed once again without reason given, with effect from 31st July, 1948; and whether he can ensure that the Government of Mauritius treats its employees with fairness and does not retrospectively enforce a marriage bar.

I am consulting the Governor about these cases and will communicate with my hon. and learned Friend as soon as I have received his reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many rifles and revolvers, respectively, are at present furnished to or held by British civil servants and other Europeans in the Gold Coast Colony; what proportion of these are supplied officially; to what extent supplies have been recently increased; and what is the reason for this arming.

I have asked the Governor for information and will communicate with the hon. Member after I have received it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any action is to be taken on the four recommendations on mining policy in the Report of the Joint Provincial Council of the Gold Coast, approved at its meeting of 2nd December, 1948, in view of the fact that these proposals are in accordance with the principles set forth in his Department's memorandum of 1947.

1 am consulting the Governor of the Gold Coast, and I will communicate with my hon. Friend when I receive his reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what communication he has received from the Committee on Youth Organisation in the Gold Coast with reference to the banning of a youth conference, proposed to be held in Kumasi in December; and whether he has any statement to make.

I have received a telegram of protest. It is not the Conference which was banned, but a series of public meetings advertised to take. place in Kumasi in connection with it over the Christmas holiday season. The Gold Coast authorities had reason to fear that disorders might take place if the meetings were held at that particular period. They also had in mind the fact that the Committee on Constitutional Reform was shortly to commence its sittings. They therefore decided that it was inexpedient in the interests of public safety that the meetings should be held at that particular time and place.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action has been taken as a result of the resolution of 12th January, 1948, passed by the Legislative Council of St. Christopher Nevis, demanding the introduction of adult suffrage, a fully elective Legislative Council and the abolition of property qualifications for membership of that body.

I am in communication with the Governor, and I hope to be able to make an announcement when I receive his reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has considered the speech delivered by His Excellency the Governor of the Colony of the Leeward Islands to the General Legislative Council on 8th December last; whether he approves of it; and what action he proposes to take.

It is customary for a Colonial Governor to comment on the affairs of the Colony, as he sees them, in opening the budget session of the Legislature, and the terms of such an address do not require the approval of the Secretary of State.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will explain the reasons for the slow removal of the Royal Observatory from Greenwich to Hurstmonceux; and what steps he is taking to improve the organisation of the transfer, its speed, and the quality of the labour employed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware of the serious threat to the scientific prestige of this nation through the delay in the starting of full scientific work in the reconstituted Royal Observatory at Hurstmonceux; and whether he will make a statement of the date at which that observatory will be in full work.

The transfer of the Royal Observatory from Greenwich to Hurstmonceux is a big undertaking which must be carried out in well-defined and carefully thought-out stages acceptable to the Astronomer Royal. Moreover, the considerable new building work which is necessary at Hurstmonceux to house the Observatory and its establishments so that they may function properly has unfortunately had to be started at a time when the financial and building resources of the country are especially limited. There will be no avoidable delays, but I cannot, in these circumstances, give a forecast now of the date by which the transfer will be completed. I am informed that the labour employed is of good quality and that we are unlikely to improve on it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether any decision has yet been reached upon the proposal to institute group messing for all chief and petty officers in His Majesty's ships.

It has been decided not to adopt this proposal at present.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when the Admiralty Committee to investigate the conditions of service in the Naval Ordnance Inspection Branch was set up; whether it has now reported; and if he will make a statement.

This Committee was set up in December, 1946. It has now reported and its recommendations are under consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether staff suggestions made under A.F.O. 3802/48 for the elimination of underemployment and reduction of staff may be adopted locally without higher authority; and what quick procedure is used to deal with redundant staff.

The Admiralty Fleet Order referred to authorises heads of departments to adopt at once any worthwhile suggestions which do not involve issues of general policy. The arrangements for disposing of redundant staff vary from grade to grade and are based on agreements with the National and Departmental Staff sides.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why the National Whitley Council message of February, 1948, on the need for manpower economies was not published in Admiralty Fleet Orders until November, 1948.

At the time of the issue of the National Whitley Council message the Admiralty was undertaking a review of the arrangements for the making of suggestions by members of the staff, and it was thought desirable to deal with the two matters together. The need for manpower economies has been constantly brought to the notice of all authorities concerned.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what proportion of the total number of sailors believed to be entitled to medals for the late war have so far sent in their claim.

Applications for campaign stars and medals which will be combined with applications for prize money have not yet been invited.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he has any information to account for the delay in the return of the battleship "Royal Sovereign" to Rosyth.

By an agreement of June, 1948, between United States, United Kingdom and Soviet representatives on the Four Power Naval Commission in Rome, the arrival of the "Royal Sovereign" in the United Kingdom and the arrival of the "Giulio Cesare" at her port of destination are to be simultaneous. Arrangements were made for the "Royal Sovereign" to sail from Murmansk on 15th January, but I understand that these were not put into effect because the sailing of the "Giulio Cesare" was delayed. I hope that new dates of departure to achieve simultaneous arrival will shortly be agreed.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the negotiations with the Post Office Engineering Union regarding the claim for increased wages have yet been concluded; and if he will make a statement.

I am glad to say that these negotiations have resulted in agreement. The agreed settlement provides for increases ranging from 5s. to 8s. for adult men, with corresponding increases for the women and juvenile grades.

asked the Postmaster-General which nationalised undertakings or Government corporations of a commercial character are permitted to use official paid franking for their correspondence.

None.

asked the Postmaster-General what progress has been made by the Organisation and Methods team which set to work 13 months ago in the Post Office Savings Bank; what are the major points which they have so far examined; what changes there have been in their terms of reference; on how many matters have they yet reached a sufficiently advanced stage to put proposals to the staff side of the Savings Department Whitley Council; and how long it is now estimated it will take to complete the task assigned to them.

The Organisation and Methods Working Party have practically completed the first stage of their investigation, consisting of the examination of the present organisation and procedure. During the course of the examination they have made a number of experiments in sorting methods on which the Staff Side of the Savings Department Whitley Committee have been consulted. The thorough study of the system is a necessary preliminary to the second stage in the Working Party's assignment, namely, to consider the future organisation as a matter of long term policy with particular reference to further mechanisation. I cannot say when the Working Party are likely to finish; but it will be some months before they can reach any definite Conclusions. There have been no changes in their terms of reference.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the queuing and time wasted by the public in applying for Government forms across Post Office counters; and if he will arrange for more of such forms to be freely available to the public without application in racks or other receptacles.

The arrangements for the distribution of forms at Post Office counters are constantly under review in order, subject to accommodation difficulties. to arrive at the best balance, in the public interest, between loss of time in making application at the counter and the advantage secured from expert guidance in making a correct selection from the many forms on hand. In some cases the question of security arises. I shall be happy to consider any detailed suggestions the hon. Member may have to make.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is satisfied that everything possible is being done to ensure the careful treatment of parcels in transit; if he is aware that the use of strong light plastic containers would ensure greater safety than the present use of bags; and if he will bring to the attention of the public the desirability of plastic containers being adopted in the future.

I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that all practicable steps are taken to ensure the careful handling of parcels in transit. The use of plastic containers, instead of bags, would make serious additional demands on accommodation at post offices, during transit on the railways, or in motor vehicles, and would add considerably to the cost of parcel post traffic. The number of complaints of damage to parcels is very small in relation to the number handled, and I am satisfied that the introduction of plastic containers instead of mail bags would not be justified. As regards the final part of the Question, the onus in this matter rests with the senders: the Post Office would have no objection to the use of suitable plastics for packing if the poster so desired.

asked the Postmaster-General on which stage of the journey between Kendal and London was the bag containing registered parcels, about which he has already corresponded, last checked as being complete and first checked as having been tampered with.

The sealed bag concerned was intact when it was checked and despatched from Kendal Post Office at 6.25 p.m. on the 18th of August, 1948. A cut was observed in the base of the bag when it was checked on receipt at the London Parcel Section at 8.45 a.m. on the 19th of August.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction of the listeners in the area of Hastings, particularly, and some parts of East Sussex, generally, with the bad reception from the B.B.C. transmitters; what is the reason for this bad reception; what steps are being taken to rectify it; and by what date.

These places are on the fringes of the areas normally covered by the B.B.C. Home and Light programme transmitters, and after sunset reception is subject to some fading and interference. In fringe areas better results are obtained if good sets equipped with automatic volume control and good outdoor aerials are used.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that many of the farms in North Lincolnshire have been without telephone service since the snow-storms of December; and if he will allocate more materials and labour to the Lincolnshire area at once.

The December storms interrupted about 20,000 subscribers' lines in a wide belt across central England and Wales, including 3,500 in North Lincolnshire. Throughout this area, men not employed on essential work have been diverted to repairs, additional men have been loaned from neighbouring telephone areas, and local military units are assisting as far as practicable. The work is still proceeding at full pace and is not held up anywhere by lack of materials. In North Lincolnshire, service has now been restored to all but 39 lines.

asked the Postmaster-General if he proposes to make any reduction in telephone charges to subscribers in Derbyshire, whose installations have been rendered inoperative as a result of recent unfavourable weather.

The rental for telephone service leaves no margin for any general rebate in respect of interruptions due to storms or other causes beyond the control of the Post Office. Telephone managers, however, have authority to meet claims for rebate in cases where for any reason the interruption is exceptionally prolonged.

asked the Postmaster-General how many post office employees have been killed and injured to date since VE-Day through accidents connected with telephone poles; how many poles have been classified as dangerous during this period; how many have been renewed; and at what periods are telephone poles tested.

I much regret that nine Post Office employees have been killed and 1,658 injured since VE-Day through accidents of all kinds connected with telephone poles. Four deaths and 53 injuries were caused by collapse of poles on which the men were working. Before the war all pole routes were regularly inspected every two years, but these inspections were suspended during the war. Since VE-Day about a million and a half poles out of a total of some four million have been specially inspected and tested. Of these, some 50,000 were found to be dangerous and about 23,000 have already been renewed. When these special tests are completed, all poles will be regularly tested every two years. All Post Office engineers are instructed how to test a pole for soundness before climbing it, and methods of preventing accidents are under constant examination by a joint headquarters committee of management and staff.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will now revert to the practice of sending to telephone subscribers their accounts for three months instead of for six, in view of the difficulty in checking details over such a long period.

I regret that owing to the continued need for economy in manpower, there is still no early prospect of resuming quarterly telephone accounts.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will either abolish or modify the present charges on local authorities in rural areas for the installation and maintenance of telephone kiosks.

A new scheme for providing telephone kiosks in rural areas is under consideration and I hope to be able to make an announcement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations to what extent the representatives of the Governments of the British Commonwealth are consulted in connection with the plans and development of the British colonial territories.

It is not the usual practice of the United Kingdom Government to consult other Commonwealth Governments in connection with detailed plans for the development of the Colonies. It is only in regard to matters of general policy affecting the Colonies as a whole that consultation with other Commonwealth Governments is normally practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the number and rank of the British soldiers forming the British Military Mission in Greece; and what is the annual cost of maintaining this Force.

It is not the practice to disclose the number of British troops in any particular area. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given today by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence to the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher).

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what kinds of mechanical alternatives there are, apart from conveyors, to the employment of horses and ponies in mines; and what proportion of the output was respectively handled by these mechanical alternatives each year since 1946.

Apart from conveyors, the alternatives to horses in suitable conditions are diesel locomotives, electric battery locomotives, and rope haulage systems. As regards the last part of the Question, I regret that figures are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give figures for the burghs of Kilmarnock, Galston, Newmilns and Darvel and for the county of Ayr, to show the number of houses under construction, the estimated number to be completed in 1949, and the estimated number to be started in 1949, respectively.

The total number of permanent houses under construction in these areas is:

Kilmarnock Burgh	…	…	339*
Galston Burgh	…	…	60
Newmilns Burgh	…	…	95
Darvel Burgh	…	…	56
Ayr County	…	…	1,467†
* Including one by private enterprise.
† Including 51 by private enterprise.

While I hope that the majority of these houses will be completed in 1949, it is not possible to make any precise estimate. The number of new houses which it may be possible to start during 1949 will depend on the rate of progress with those already under ocnstruction.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he has any statement to make about associate agreements for scheduled air services in 1949.

On 21st July last, my noble Friend announced that he had invited Lord Douglas of Kirtleside to investigate those Sections of the Civil Aviation Act which enable the Corporations to appoint associates and agents. One of the main purposes was to review the arrangements under which charter companies were permitted, during the summer of 1948, to operate scheduled services as associates of the Corporations. My noble Friend has given careful consideration to Lord Douglas's recommendations, and I am now able to make a statement about the general policy to be adopted for the future in relation to these associate services.There are two main issues; firstly, the policy to be followed in the granting of associate agreements, and, secondly, the administrative arrangements for dealing with applications for such agreements. As regards the policy to be followed, Lord Douglas sees no need, at present, to amend the Sections of the Act which were the subject of his investigations. He has also suggested that, until British European Airways Corporation is in a position to provide all the scheduled air services in this country for which there is a justifiable demand, charter companies should, under certain conditions, continue to be allowed to operate certain classes of scheduled services as associates of the Corporation. My noble Friend has decided to adopt this course because, although the British European Airways Corporation is steadily expanding its services, it would place an unjustifiable burden on it and on the taxpayer, if the Corporation took over all these routes at the present time; and meanwhile my noble Friend would not wish to deny the public the benefit of such facilities as the charter companies are prepared to offer in this field. I may mention that in 1948, when the same general approach was adopted, the passenger-mileage operated on scheduled services by the charter companies represented only about 3 per cent. of that operated on internal services by the British European Airways Corporation. The other two Corporations are barely affected.The administrative arrangements can and should be placed on a new footing. Lord Douglas has recommended, and my noble Friend agrees, that applications should be considered in the first instance by a body outside the Ministry, and that the Air Transport Advisory Council might conveniently undertake this task. This proposal is acceptable to the British European Airways Corporation, and I am pleased to say that the Air Transport Advisory Council have agreed to undertake this work. The Council will, of course, act in an advisory capacity only, since the ultimate responsibility for approving associate agreements rests, under Section 14 (4) of the Civil Aviation Act, with my noble Friend as Minister.In order that the recommendations of the Council shall be in accord with the policy of the Ministry, my noble Friend is issuing a Directive to the Council giving guidance in general terms about how they should treat applications for associate agreements. I append to this answer the terms of this Directive.The Air Transport Advisory Council will shortly be announcing the precise procedure to be followed by charter companies in making applications for associate agreements and, in the meantime, it is desirable that no further applications for such agreements should be made direct to the British European Airways Corporation or to the Ministry.