asked the Postmaster-General how many officers of his Department have specific responsibility for staff management, being described as staff controllers or having comparable responsibilities; how many of these officers have had specific training in personnel management; and what contact is maintained between his Department and any outside body concerned with the study of this subject.

There are in round numbers upwards of 20,000 officers in the Post Office who have specific responsibility for staff management. Of these some 8,000 received specific training in management and supervision in 1947–48. Contact is maintained with the British Institute of Management and other bodies engaged in the study of management.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) what arrangements have been in operation during 1948 for members of his staff to have training in managerial matters at institutions outside the Post Office, for instance at the Administrative Staff College or comparable centre; and whether he will provide in schedule form information about the number of members of his staff in grades running to a maximum above £450 a year who attended courses on such management subjects during 1948 showing in each case the grade of the officer concerned, the nature of the course, and the duration of course respectively;(2) what arrangements exist in the Post Office for the training in management, including personnel management, of members of his staff in the intermediate grades, such as telephone manager and comparable grades, and the higher administrative grades, such as regional directors, and controllers or directors of sub-departments respectively.

Training for personnel management in the Post Office is based on the Report of the Assheton Committee (Cmd. 6525). Paragraphs 32 and 33 of the report deal in particular with the question on training for personnel management and staff supervision. Note has also been taken of the opinion expressed in the report of the Special Committee on Education for Management—"The Committee wishes it to be clearly understood that there is no implication in this report that young men or women can be trained as managers in industry or commerce by following certain courses of study at technical or commercial colleges. Theoretical study alone cannot make a manager."A specialised branch of the Personnel Department has been set up at Post Office headquarters to develop training in the Post Office, to lay down policy and to oversee its execution. Contact is maintained with the Training Division of the Treasury and the following outside bodies:

asked the Postmaster-General why he has not yet reinstated the greetings telegram; and when this is to be done.

The possibility of restoring the greetings telegram is under constant and close review, but I regret that conditions in the telegraph service have hitherto precluded re-introduction of the service.

asked the Postmaster-General what new postage stamp issues are contemplated for 1949.

Arrangements are in hand for special postage stamps of the 2½d., 3d., 6d. and 1s. denominations, to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Universal Postal Union, to be placed on sale at all post offices on 10th October next. These stamps will be double the size of the normal stamp and will be on sale for about a month or until the stocks are exhausted.

asked the Postmaster-General in what denominations the recent stamps connected with the Olympic Games were issued; how many were sold of each; how many were destroyed; and whether he will give an estimate of the number of these stamps which were bought by philatelists for collections and the value involved, giving separate figures in the case of £1 stamps.

The special Olympic Games stamps comprised four denominations, namely 2½d., 3d., 6d., and 1s. An air letter form on which the 6d. Olympic Games stamp was reproduced was also provided. The total sales were:

• 2½d.—155,350,000.
• 3d.—32,554,000.
• 6d.—24,397,000.
• 1s.—32,187,000.
• Air letter forms—4,060,000.

The total number of Olympic Games stamps remaining unsold for re-pulping, was 1,352,000. I regret that information regarding stamps bought by philatelists is not available. The Post Office has no means of identifying postage stamps bought for philatelic purposes as opposed to those bought for use for prepayment of postage. The Olympic Games issue did not include a £1 stamp.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to establish television stations which will make television available to people in the North-East of Scotland.

None as yet. It is too early to add to the information I gave in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton (Mr. J. Lewis) on the 9th February.

asked the Postmaster-General what are the northernmost limits at which it is intended television programmes will be satisfactorily received when the new television station for South Lancashire is completed.

The northernmost limits at which television programmes will be received from this station cannot be settled until a site has been definitely decided on, but the B.B.C. expects that it will be possible for the programmes to be received satisfactorily in Preston.

asked the Postmaster-General what general conditions he has prescribed as to the employment of aliens in the British Broadcasting Corporation; and in particular at the monitoring station, Caversham.

I give below a statement of the general conditions prescribed for the employment of aliens in the home and foreign service of the British Broadcasting Corporation. The staff at the monitoring station, Caversham, are employed under the foreign service conditions.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will institute a special investigation into the telephone conditions in Sheffield, in order to provide a satisfactory service for the city.

Samples regularly taken by the Post Office show that the quality of service given to existing subscribers in Sheffield is as good as in other large cities. As regards new subscribers, I regret that in some parts of Sheffield, as elsewhere, it is not possible to meet all public demands owing to shortage of plant resulting from the heavy demands for export and to pressure of essential work. I consider that no useful purpose would be served by holding a special investigation.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of telephones that were installed in Wales during 1947 and 1948 and the number installed in Wales during 1937 and 1938, respectively.

Twenty thousand eight hundred telephones were installed in Wales in 1947 and 18,750 in 1948. Corresponding figures for 1937 and 1938 are 12,500 and 11,900.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is now in a position to provide better telephone facilities for farmers, particularly isolated farmers, in the County of Denbigh.

Every effort is being made to provide telephone service for farmers. In spite of the extensive construction work required for farmers' lines, especially those serving isolated farms, 34 Denbighshire farmers have been connected up during the past six months and work on a further 54 farmers' lines is in hand. Of the outstanding applications from farmers in this area, many are held up owing to shortage of underground plant and exchange equipment. I regret that it may be some time before all these shortages can be overcome, as a high proportion of the national production of cables and exchange equipment goes to export.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what steps are taken to prevent unauthorised persons trespassing upon Royal Air Force airfields and endangering the lives of aircrews.

R.A.F. airfields are generally enclosed by natural field boundaries and fencing of various types. Suitable warning notices are exhibited at intervals and some airfields are patrolled with police dogs at night. With an airfield perimeter of up to eight miles it is impossible to prevent trespass and the safety of aircrews must of necessity rest finally with the air traffic control staff responsible for the take off and landing of aircraft. In general trespassing is not a serious problem from the point of view of endangering the lives of aircrews.

asked the Minister of Food what are the amounts, prices and the dates of arrival of contracts made for new potatoes from Cyprus, French North Africa, Malta, Spain, the Canaries and the Balearic Islands; and if they will be free from price control on arrival.

No contracts have been made by my Department and I cannot give information about the arrangements made by traders. There will be no price control on resale in this country.

asked the Minister of Food what is the total capacity of bacon curing factories in the United Kingdom; and how this compares with their present intake.

The potential output of bacon factories in the United Kingdom is between 3.5 and 4.8 million cwt. a year. Present output is at the rate of about 2.3 million cwt. a year.

asked the Minister of Food if he is now in a position to make a statement on the future of the sweet ration.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to my hon. Friend the Member for East Nottingham (Mr. Harrison) on Monday, 21st February.

asked the Minister of Food whether he can give the estimated number of registrations for kosher meat each year from 1941 to 1948.

The estimated number of registrations for kosher meat for each of the years mentioned is approximately the same as the figure given in reply to the hon. Member on 9th February, 1949.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent elections in Japan, on the recent resignation of Mr. Yoshida's Government and on the formation of the new Government; and whether he is satisfied that this new Government will do all in its power to implement the programme of reform laid down by the Allied Control Commission.

In the recent Japanese elections Mr. Yoshida's Conservative Party, the Democratic Liberals, obtained a clear majority. The Communist Party improved its position in the House of Representatives, mainly at the expense of the Centre Parties, and holds 35 seats out of a total of 466. Under the Japanese Constitution, the Prime Minister is elected by the Diet. Mr. Yoshida, the outgoing Premier, was re-elected the following day, and on 16th February formed a Government in which his own party holds all but four ministries.As regards the last part of the Question, the new Government's policy has not yet been announced. Mr. Yoshida stated last October that it was his aim to encourage the development of democracy in Japan. Under the present arrangements for the control of Japan, the responsibility for ensuring that every Japanese Government implements the provisions of Far Eastern Commission policy decisions rests in the hands of the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it has yet been decided to implement paragraphs 186 and 187 of the Holmes Report providing for overseas leave for Asian officers in the East African Civil Service.

Overseas passages for leave purposes are granted to Asian officers by the Governments of Kenya and Uganda. The matter is under consideration with Tanganyika Government. These privileges are granted in Zanzibar to Asians recruited from India but not to locally recruited officers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in the survey of the railway line to link the Tanganyika Central Line with the Kenya-Uganda Railway.

Negotiations are still proceeding to secure the assistance of the Economic Co-operation Administration in carrying out these surveys.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the last occasion on which a Governor of a Crown Colony did not hold the usual ceremonial for swearing in; and why this has been dispensed with in the Leeward Islands.

By constitutional instruments a Governor is required only to have his Commission read out and to take the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath for the due execution of his Office. Any ceremonial attending his swearing in is not prescribed and is entirely a matter for the Governor. I find no record that the requirements of the instruments have ever been dispensed with either in the Leeward Islands or in any other Colony. The ceremonial which had been usual on such occasions in the Leeward Islands was observed when Earl Baldwin was sworn in. No such ceremonial is customary either in the Leeward Islands or elsewhere when anyone is sworn to administer the Government in the absence of the Governor.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on his recent talks with the Governor of the Leeward Islands, Earl Baldwin.

Yes: as soon as possible, and I hope within the next few days.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what further consideration he is giving to the question of compensation to those individuals who suffered severe war damage in Hong Kong.

The statement circulated in reply to a Question on 26th April last year by my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. T. Reid) made it clear that no compensation in respect of general war damage is being paid from Hong Kong Government funds. I am sending a copy of this statement, to which I have nothing to add, to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in how many Colonies is there at present no provision made for a criminal appeal; and what are his proposals for the future.

In all the territories for which I am responsible provision exists for criminal appeals from inferior courts to the Supreme Court or High Court as the case may be. Criminal appeals from the Supreme Court or High Court to a Court of Appeal lie in all such territories except Bahamas, Bermuda, British Honduras, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gibraltar, Malta, Mauritius, and St. Helena. In British Honduras and Fiji provision for appeal facilities is now under consideration. As to the rest, provision for such appeals has not so far been found practicable mainly owing to the small size of the territories and their isolation. I am however looking at the problem again. In all cases however appeal by special leave lies to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether every precaution is being taken to prevent the development of races of trypanosomes immune against antricyde, in view of the fact that immune races have developed in the case of previous drugs.

Yes. My advisers are very conscious of this possibility. The use of antricyde is being controlled initially by Government Veterinary Departments largely for this reason.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the amount spent on research into oilseed cultivation in West Africa, and the Colonial Empire, in 1938 and the latest available year.

Prior to the first Colonial Development Act, such research was financed directly by the local governments and figures for 1938 are therefore not readily available. For the same reason, I cannot give complete figures for total expenditure at the present time from both local and imperial funds. Colonial Development and Welfare schemes including a research grant of over £152,000 were however made in 1946 to extend the work of the Oil Palm Research Station at Benin (Nigeria) over a three-year period. There are no comparable Colonial Development and Welfare schemes in other Colonies but interesting investigations are being carried out by several local governments, and the Colonial Products Research Council is sponsoring several researches into the use of Colonial-produced vegetable oils.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any African representatives were present at the recent conference at Victoria Falls on Central African federation; how the chairman was chosen; and whether he will give an assurance that local African opinion will be as adequately consulted as the European on the proposals of the conference.

So far as I am aware, no Africans were present. This was an unofficial conference and I am not aware how the chairman was chosen. His Majesty's Government have a special responsibility to the African communities and full account would have to be taken of African opinion before any constitutional change affecting African interests could be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the pronouncement made by the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia to the effect that the Central African Council is an inadequate instrument for promoting development; and what is his policy in this matter.

My hon. Friend is presumably referring to a statement made at the recent conference at Victoria Falls. That conference was unofficial and I have not received a full official report of its proceedings. My view is that the Central African Council should continue its work so long as all three Governments concerned are prepared to participate in it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any further announcement to make concerning the temporary employment of geologist and geodetic engineers in the Colonies as part of European Recovery Programme assistance to this country.

His Majesty's Government have just been informed that the Economic Co-operation Administration has formally approved a project for American assistance to geological and topographic surveys in British territories. This project, which I made known to the House on 24th November, consists of the temporary employment of some 25 geologists and 24 to 30 geodetic engineers to assist the Colonial Geological Survey and the Directorate of Colonial Surveys for two to three years. These appointments are, as I explained on 24th November in a Written Answer to a Question by the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight (Sir P. Macdonald), designed to fill gaps created by the break in training during the war years, which cannot be filled in the United Kingdom for the present.The geologists would be engaged chiefly in basic reconnaissance surveys in Colonial areas where their services are most needed. Their work will form a part of the effort to make a basic geological map of the overseas territories of the United Kingdom by 1956. The geodetic engineers will be concentrated in East and Central Africa, some of them in areas where railway development may take place in the future, and where accurate topographic knowledge is therefore essential.The salaries of these men will be found from E.R.P. funds and a sum not to exceed ․1½ millions has been allocated to meet estimated dollar expenditure on the project. The United States authorities have also stated that it will not be necessary in this case for His Majesty's Government to deposit equivalent counterpart sterling for this amount. The sterling expenditure on this project, that is, expenditure on local allowances, travel, kit and other incidentals, will be found from the Colonial Development and Welfare Vote and an equivalent sum transferred as appropriations in aid of that Vote from sterling held in the Special Account. A sum not exceeding £420,000 will be required for these purposes.The United States authorities have agreed that the United States Geological Survey shall assist in the selection and recruitment of the geologists. My Geological Adviser will shortly visit the United States for consultations with the Head of the United States Geological Survey on the recruiting methods to be employed. Arrangements for the recruitment of geodetic engineers are not so far advanced and it is expected that difficulties will be encounted in recruiting suitable men in the United States.The United States authorities have agreed that Canadians may be employed under this project and that their salaries may be found from E.R.P. funds.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has consulted the Government of Israel in connection with his proposal to treat the expenditure for the Jewish detainee camps in Cyprus, since 14th May, 1948, as part of the deficit on account of the Government of Palestine.

No approach has yet been made to the Government of Israel to treat the expenditure for the Jewish detainee camps in Cyprus since 14th May, 1948, as part of the deficit on account of the Government of Palestine. It is expected that financial negotiations on all matters affecting Palestine will begin in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered a scheme, details of which have been sent him, for the expansion of tourist facilities in the island of Cyprus and the creation of a Cyprus Riveria; and what steps he will take to realise this scheme.

I am aware that a proposition, couched in most general terms, has been made to the Government of Cyprus for the construction of a chain of hotels. The sponsor of the project contemplates that it would be financed by a large loan from Government sources and aided by exemption from all major taxation for a prolonged period. The Cyprus Government have given initial encouragement to the sponsor to develop his ideas but no details have yet been put forward such as might warrant more serious consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the approximate number of hand-presses, pioneer oil mills, and other forms of mechanical extraction of palm oil now in operation in Nigeria.

There are two factories, 13 pioneer oil mills and approximately 1,300 hand presses in operation for the production of palm oil in Nigeria.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many local mass education schemes now exist and are operating in Nigeria; how many have lapsed; whether any payments are made for services in connection with these schemes; and what special attention is being given to this type of education particularly in the northern region.

At least 13 such schemes, primarily directed to the spread of literacy, have been started, and, so far as I know, are still in operation. As a general rule services are paid for. The Nigerian Government are giving every encouragement to this work and fully recognise the special needs of the northern region, where several of the schemes are operating. Following an intensive study of the subject last summer at a conference of administrative and technical officers from all territories in Africa, I have asked the Governors of all British African territories to devote the most energetic efforts to the planning and execution of programmes of mass education and community development.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the minimum price per ton paid to the producers of vegetable oils and oilseeds in West Africa in 1932, 1938, 1948 and the current year; and the comparable world market price in each case.

The following is the information required in respect of the major oilseeds and vegetable oils in Nigeria, the Colony in West Africa with the largest production. Before the war these commodities were dealt with on the open market, and the prices sometimes varied from day to day. The minimum prices paid to producers before the war, quoted below, are the lowest monthly average prices naked ex scale. The minimum prices in the post-war period are the prices paid by the West African Produce Control Board which vary much less frequently. Accordingly, the table below shows for groundnuts under 1948 the 1947–48 crop price fixed in the middle of 1947, and under 1949 the 1948–49 crop price fixed in the middle of 1948. For palm kernels and palm oil, it shows under 1948 the prices paid from January up to 12th March, 1948, and under 1949 the prices paid from that date to 28th January, 1949, when

MINIMUM PRICES PAID TO PRODUCERS
(naked ex scale)
—		1932			1938			1948			1949
		£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.
Groundnuts (at railway line buying station)	…	5	12	6	3	0	0	16	0	0	19	4	0
Palm kernels (at port of shipment)	…	6	2	0	4	12	0	16	15	0	21	0	0
Palm oil (softs) (at bulk oil plant)	…	7	0	0	5	2	0	25	2	6	31	12

WORLD MARKET PRICES
—						1932 (c.i.f.)			1938 (c.i.f.)			1948 (c. & f.)			1949 (c. & f.)
						£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.
Groundnuts	…	…	…	…	…	13	0	0	9	17	6	45	0	0	55	0	0
Palm kernels	…	…	…	…	…	10	0	0	8	12	6	35	0	0	50	0	0
Palm oil	…	…	…	…	…	14	2	6	12	17	6	45	0	0	75	0	0

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in what Nigerian languages effective grammar books have been or are likely to be published in the near future.

Primers have been produced in Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo, Efik, and Tiv. It is hoped to extend to the smaller language groups as opportunity provides.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what facilities for educational training in accountancy exist in Nigeria; and what steps he is taking to provide more adequate facilities.

There is a Treasury school at Lagos for training new entrants to the Department and giving advanced instruction to more senior clerks. The Nigerian Government are considering the possibility of expanding it into a Central

asked the Minister of Supply what payment is being made to him for the use of Medresco jigs, tools and manufacturing equipment for the manufacture of similar type hearing aids for private export.

An appropriate payment will be made by the manufacturer for the use of Government-owned tools and equipment on export orders. It would be contrary to established practice to disclose the amounts.

asked the Minister of Supply whether His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions were consulted before the Rolls Royce "Nene" and "Derwent V" jet aero-engines were sold to Soviet Russia.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that net small savings this fiscal year till the end of January represent only 2s. per head compared with just over £3 per head for the corresponding period of the last fiscal year; and what is the explanation.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes." As to the second part, I am keeping this matter under close review in other connections, but the hon. Member cannot expect me to deal with it by way of Question and Answer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider, in reviewing the Purchase Tax, the removal of the 33⅓ per cent. tax on sewing machines which are necessary for household use.

I cannot anticipate my Budget statement.

asked the Minister of Health what materials for house building and repairs are now in short supply in the South Wales area; and what other reasons, at present, explain the failure to proceed with construction and repair of houses.

My right hon. Friend is not aware of any shortages of building materials in South Wales apart from certain sizes of slates needed for roof repairs. House building and repairs are proceeding to the full extent of the craftsmen available.

asked the Minister of Health how many houses, other than those built by the local authorities or for statutory bodies, were authorised to be built in North and South Westmorland rural districts, respectively, in each of the years 1946, 1947 and 1948; and how these figures compare with the number of applications to build.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Housing Returns. Information regarding applications is not available.

asked the Lord President of the Council if any financial provision will be made in Scotland on the lines provided in London for necessary public works in connection with the Festival of Britain, 1951.

The nature of the proposals by the Scottish Committee of the Festival of Britain Council do not involve handling traffic, or providing public facilities in excess of existing capacities. Financial provision for public works to extend such facilities does not accordingly arise. I should like to add that a large proportion of the public works being undertaken in London in connection with the Festival of Britain are of permanent value, and a number of them might have been completed or under way already had it not been for the necessity to divert men and materials to making good the widespread damage sustained by London during the war.

asked the Minister of Education if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a full list of the members of the Welsh Joint Education Committee, indicating the local authorities and other bodies represented in each case.

Following is the information:WELSH JOINT EDUCATION COMMITTEE

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether an opportunity will be taken in one or all of the new towns to lay it out with the most efficient and up-to-date arrangements for district heating, with a view to providing a demonstration for other towns in the country as to what can be achieved in this field.

All the Corporations, established under the Act of 1946 for the purposes of the development of the new towns, have shown an interest in this subject and one of them—where local circumstances seem particularly favourable—is at the moment actively engaged in preparing proposals for my consideration.