asked the Postmaster-General how many applications for installation of a telephone were outstanding in Kingston-upon-Thames at the latest convenient date.

At the beginning of this year 400 applications for telephone service were outstanding in the borough of Kingston-upon-Thames.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will give consideration to increasing the number of men employed and the equipment available for the installation of telephone services in the York telephone area, in order to reduce the large number of applications for a telephone service and the heavy arrears of urgent work, including service to farms, at present outstanding.

Constant attention is given to the possibility of strengthening the engineering force and increasing equipment supplies in individual Telephone Areas to meet special local needs. In view, however, of the restricted supplies of telephone plant available for home use and of the heavy pressure of work throughout the country, I regret that it is not possible at present to make any substantial change in the York Area.

Is the Minister aware that from the replies which have been received from the York area and the Postmaster-General through myself, a large number of farmers in the York area and particularly in the East Riding of Yorkshire seem to have no hope of having the telephone at all in the near future, and that this is restricting their activities and is placing a severe penalty upon them?

I should like to be able to give these farmers telephones. It is a fact that we have had a tremendous number of applications from farmers in the York area, but when I was up there a month ago we seemed to be well up to our target.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the waiting list for the East Riding at the moment is greater or less than it was 12 months ago?

In some places it is tending to grow.

Is it not a fact that the right hon. Gentleman is hampered by capital cuts; and is he going to kick up a big row this time with his right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in order to get a bigger allocation for his Department?

The Postmaster-General referred to being up to his target. Can he give some indication of what his target is in terms of the time required to catch up with these applications?

Not without notice.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that the Wordsworth telephone exchange is unable to accommodate further subscribers, he will provide a relief exchange in Harrow.

Additional equipment is being installed in the Wordsworth exchange and should be available for service about the end of the year. A relief manual exchange, named Underhill, already exists in Harrow.

But is the Postmaster-General aware that the relief manual exchange deals chiefly with the Western half of Harrow and that the Eastern half has had no relief as yet?

Yes, I am aware of that, but the fact is that the telephone exchange is full now and it will take some time to extend it.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider the possibility of introducing a helicopter service this summer for the delivery of mails from Kirkwall to the islands in Orkney.

A service as suggested has already been considered, but since helicopter mail services are still in the experimental stage I regret that the hon. Member's suggestion cannot be adopted.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that a helicopter service was run by the Navy and was a complete success throughout the war, and would it not be better to carry out the experimental work in areas where the greatest good is likely to flow to the largest number of people?

We think we are doing that but, of course, we have to make the helicopter reasonably safe, and we must have great regularity before we can adopt it for helicopter mails.

How soon is it expected to have a helicopter service in operation?

I cannot say.

Can the right hon. Gentleman indicate if the experiments so far carried out are a success, or are there many troubles developing?

In the main, I think they are a success.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will increase the gratuity of £100 payable to an airman who completes 12 years' service with the Colours and four on the Reserve, to take account of the fall in the value of money and the rise in pay which have taken place since the sum of £100 was fixed.

I regret I am not able to accept the hon. Member's suggestion.

Is it not a fact that this sum of money, granted before the last war to compensate a man who, when he went out of the Service, had not served long enough to get a pension, is now worth half of what it was?

I am not prepared to accept the latter part of that question.

What would be the cost involved if the right hon. and learned Gentleman accepted the suggestion of my hon. Friend?

That would depend upon the amount of the increase.

Is the Minister aware that the primary object of this gratuity is to help a man to establish himself in civil life, to buy furniture, household goods, etc. What possible use is £100 to him for this purpose?

I am not prepared to suggest that £100 is a sacrosanct sum but, none the less, it was the figure considered desirable for all three Services in 1945 and cannot be altered unilaterally.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what was the cost involved and the money spent in the development of the airfield at Changi on the Straits of Johore.

The original intention was to develop Changi as a joint R.A.F. and civil airport but owing to site difficulties it has recently been decided to abandon this plan and to limit the development of the airport primarily to R.A.F. needs. This has involved a revision of the main contract, and negotiations with the contractor are continuing. I cannot, therefore, say anything about the expenditure already incurred at this stage or the total cost of the revised scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what co-ordination of flight plans he is maintaining between the Royal Air Force and civil aircraft.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what regulations exist instructing Royal Air Force training aircraft to avoid regular routes of civilian aircraft; and to what extent the Royal Air Force co-operates with civil aviation ground control.

asked the Secretary of State for Air, in view of the recent accident at Coventry, what steps are being taken to keep military planes from exercising on civil aviation services routes.

As the answer is somewhat long, I will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Could my right hon. and learned Friend say whether the statement he proposes to issue will indicate whether, if any interchange of communication is made between the two Air Forces, that information is immediate?

The reason why my reply is so long that I prefer, with permission, to circulate it, is because I have set out fairly fully the details of the organisation which has been set up to cover these matters between the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Royal Air Force. I would not be able to say that the reply indicates that the information is passed immediately, but I assume that there is a sufficient degree of efficiency to justify the acceptance of the statement.

In view of the fact that this Question and Question No. 19 refer to a specific accident, will the Minister assure us that there will be a full public court of inquiry into the loss of these aeroplanes, as was the case with the loss of the Dutch liner at Prestwick?

The question of a court of public inquiry is a matter for the Ministry of Civil Aviation, but an inquiry is taking place and, in addition, there is the Service court of inquiry which is being held under King's Regulations.

I would like to ask the Minister why the second part of my Question No. 19, which asks

"what steps are being taken to keep military planes from exercising on civil aviation services routes,"

cannot be answered without circulating the reply?

I am quite prepared to give that part of the reply. In view of the fact that training aircraft may be required to fly long distances over land, and that the area of this country is limited in extent, it is not always practicable to route training aircraft away from civil aviation routes.

Is the Minister aware that at the present time not long distance distance flights, but ordinary exercises, mean that planes are coming up through the cloud ceiling not 50 yards from the ordinary civil plane flying down to London from Renfrew, and that could obviously be stopped under the long distance flights he mentions.

I am not prepared to accept, without further evidence, that that is the case.

I have seen it.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what are his intentions regarding the proposed aircraft practice bombing ranges at Calshot or Warren Flats.

The proposal to use a site at either Calshot or Warren Flats as an aircraft bombing range was the subject of a public inquiry on 23rd and 24th February. No decision will be taken in the matter until the report of the inquiry has been received.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman, when he considers this matter, bear in mind the presence of large oil installations near Calshot, the narrowness of the shipping channel leading up to the Solent, and the resentment of people while recognising the necessity for bombing training.

I am quite sure that that fact will be taken into consideration by the tribunal, but I would remind the hon. and gallant Member that if we are to have bombing training we must have bombing sites, and to every site put forward there is always an objection. That does not make the task of the Air Ministry any easier.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many university entrants for the Royal Air Force have been granted permanent commissions since 1st January, 1946.

The number of candidates granted permanent commissions under the university entry scheme since 1st January, 1946, is 25. In addition many university graduates who served during the war on emergency commissions or, later, on extended service or short service commissions, have been granted permanent commissions, but it is not possible to ascertain the number without a comprehensive examination of the records of individual officers.

While recognising that the figures given are extremely low—25 since January, 1946—and the fact that the Cadet College at Cranwell is only two-thirds full, although free of charge, may I ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman what he proposes to do to increase recruiting both from the schools and from the universities?

We are doing what we can to encourage recruiting, as the hon. and gallant Member knows, but it is quite impossible to compel people to come into these schools if they do not want to do so.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation when he expects to have the reports of the Helmore and Wilcock Committee published.

I have nothing to add to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Beswick) on 15th December last, except that discussions with other Government Departments concerned are nearing finality and that the two reports will be published as soon as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation to what extent he makes known the movements of civil aircraft on scheduled flights to other interested Ministries and private flyers.

Movements of civil aircraft on scheduled flights are notified to the appropriate Joint Air Traffic Control Centre. Full information about these movements is available to private flyers or pilots of private or other aircraft at either the Joint Air Traffic Control Centre or from the briefing unit at an aerodrome.

Is my hon. Friend aware that his right hon. and learned Friend has just said that this interchange of information is not immediate, and that even a lapse of time of 15 minutes or less creates a dangerous position for both types of aircraft?

The OFFICIAL REPORT will determine whether my right hon. and learned Friend said that. Without that Report I would decline to accept that he did say that. I understood the answer to be that without definite information, he was not prepared to answer.

Will my hon. Friend take steps to ensure that the exchange of information with regard to civil and military aircraft from day to day is immediate?

That is not within my power. These are joint civil and military air traffic control centres, and one assumes that air force discipline is such that a commander at one station supplies his centre with the information immediately.

It really is not good enough in a matter of this kind to assume that everything is all right; can we be assured that the two Ministries concerned are in active contact to make certain that these precautions are being taken?

Most certainly, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he is aware that the 12 passengers, including two foreign diplomats, who landed at Bovingdon on 6th February at 11.30 owing to fog at London Airport, had to wait 3¼ hours for a passport officer and transport, during which time they were not allowed to visit the village nor given lunch, and were guarded by a policeman except while he went for his own lunch, when they were left alone; and whether better arrangements will be made in future.

Yes, Sir; I regret the exceptional inconveniences suffered by the passengers on this occasion which were due to a variety of causes. I have taken steps to ensure that there shall be no repetition.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that one of the diplomats, who was extremely hungry and annoyed, rang up the Ministry of Civil Aviation—it was a Sunday morning—but was told there was nobody on duty who could grapple with the matters; and should not there be a duty officer, as in other Departments, with full authority to deal with, such a situation?

There is a duty officer.

Is it not very serious that these people were left alone while the policeman went for lunch? They might have escaped.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether, in view of the further information supplied by the hon. Member for Dumfries, he will now make a further statement in regard to Clairways, Limited.

I regret that when I spoke in the House on 26th January, I used the term "official receiver" in relation to C.L. Air Surveys, Limited. I understand that the true position is that the debenture holder of the company has put in a receiver and manager.

While I accept the expression of regret of the hon. Gentleman—which, I think, might have gone a little further—is he aware that it is not really in accord with the traditions of this House to make a scurrilous attack at the very last minute of an Adjournment Debate, when it cannot be replied to, and will he give a full apology for that attack?

I do not think it is a scurrilous attack to use the term "official receivers"—which, I agree, relates to a compulsory winding up—when I should have used the term "receiver and manager." But if the debenture holder has put in a receiver and manager I do not think anything I said can do much more harm.

The hon. Gentleman still has left the impression that the company is being wound up, which is very far from the case. It is a going concern. [An HON. MEMBER: "Where is it going?"] Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it is a going concern and is being run successfully?

If it is so successful, why is the debenture holder so doubtful that he puts in a receiver and manager?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what steps have been taken to reserve fifth freedom rights for the use of Gander Aerodrome during the time that consideration has been given to the transfer of this aerodrome to Canadian control.

Discussions with the Canadian Government about this and other matters arising from the transfer of Gander to Canadian control, are now in progress at Ottawa.

Is it intended that in due time a report will be made of the discussions, or will merely an indication be given that freedom rights have been preserved for this country?

Yes, Sir. The report will be made because, as well as our own, there are the freedom rights associated with bilateral agreements.

On a point of Order. In view of the fact that some of the statements mentioned in this Question have been attributed to me, may I say that I have never been a Colonel; that I have not been even a private soldiers; and that I have lectured in America, but I have never received a penny piece from His Majesty's Government for doing so?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply has been received to His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaire's letter concerning the arrest of the 15 Bulgarian Protestant pastors; and if he is now satisfied that the detention does not constitute a breach of Article 2 of the Peace Treaty with Bulgaria.

I have nothing to add to the replies given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State on 28th February to the hon. Member for Londonderry (Sir R. Ross).

Since it has become evident that the Bulgarian Government have no intention whatsoever of replying to the representations of His Majesty's Government, can the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that the matter will not be allowed to rest there?

I am continually protesting against this kind of conduct, but I cannot, do any more than I have done.

Do not the latest Press reports bear out the suggestion that these unfortunate men have been subjected to physical ill-treatment?

I do not know how the operation is performed. I have heard it said that they do not try anybody who is not guilty.

May I ask the Foreign Secretary whether, in view of the concern of the hon. Member opposite for the heretics, he would suggest transferring these Protestant clergymen to Spain?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government has a consul in Formosa or a representative accredited to the Supreme Commander, Allied Forces, Tokyo; and what arrangements for the occupation and government of Formosa are in force pending the conclusion of a peace treaty with Japan.

His Majesty's Consulate in Formosa is situated at Tamsui and is in charge of a regular member of His Majesty's Foreign Service. With regard to the second part of the Question, the hon. Member will be aware that one of the primary functions of the United Kingdom Liaison Mission in Tokyo is to maintain the closest possible liaison with the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers. In the Cairo Declaration the Heads of the Governments of the United States, the United Kingdom and China declared that Formosa would be restored to China. In view of this declaration the Chinese Government have assumed the administration of Formosa pending the conclusion of a Treaty of Peace with Japan.

If the Chinese Government have taken over Formosa temporarily, what position is our Government going to take up if by any chance the Red Government of China should get control of Formosa, since the Americans have stated that Formosa is in their line of defence?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what information he has concerning the appeal of Cardinal Mindszenty and the conditions under which he is existing; and what further steps he has taken to obtain satisfaction from the Hungarian Government for any breach in the treaty of peace due to the Cardinal's trial.

The Budapest People's Court has allowed the Cardinal's appeal to go forward to the National Council of People's Courts which acts as a Court of Appeal. I have no information on the conditions under which the Cardinal is existing. As regards the last part of this Question, I have been hampered, in establishing the facts about the trial, by the exclusion from the court of a British Legation representative.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the time is fast approaching when, if we cannot enforce Clauses which we put in peace treaties, we should bring them to the United Nations and find out what possible solution can be made; and if, on the other hand, we can in any way enforce them, such as by not taking part in trade agreements or by having no trade with those countries, does he not think the time is about to arrive for His Majesty's Government to take this course?

The whole matter is constantly under consideration. We have not come to any conclusions about what we can do more than we are doing at present.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman fear that His Majesty's Government may be made to look ridiculous by a repeated series of fruitless and rejected protests?

Does not the right hon. Gentleman further realise that this wretched Cardinal has now been for quite a long time in prison, and is this to go on indefinitely? The same position exists as regards the Archbishop in Yugoslavia. [An HON. MEMBER: "What does the hon. Member suggest?"] Is not this a reason why we should hasten conclusions?

Does the hon. Member suggest we should declare war? I am not going to do that.

Could the right hon. Gentleman try to ascertain under what conditions the Cardinal is at present existing and make a statement to the House?

I am trying to ascertain that information.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the payment of interest of 5 per cent. per annum and amortisation of the capital, which was assured to shareholders of the Buenos Aires Transport Corporation by Argentine law in 1936, have not been carried out; what estimate he has of the accrued sums due to British interests; and whether he will bear these matters in mind during the negotiations for compensation.

The answer to the first part of this Question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, no estimate has, as far as His Majesty's Government is aware, been put forward by the four British companies concerned of the total accrued sums due to them in respect of capital and arrears of interest. As regards the last part of the Question, the hon. Member will be aware from the statement made in this House by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State on 14th February that His Majesty's Ambassador in Buenos Aires has instructions to pursue this matter with the Argentine authorities at every suitable opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that ex-Staff Sergeant R. Bennett of the Grenadier Guards has been awarded the Greek Military Cross; whether he has served in the Greek Army with the authority of the British Government; whether such authority has been given to other British ex-soldiers; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that a Greek Corps Commander made an unauthorised award of the Greek Military Cross to Staff Sergeant R. Bennett. The Greek authorities are, however, fully aware that members of the British Armed Forces are not permitted to accept foreign decorations in peace-time. As Sergeant Bennett has never served in the Greek Army, the second part of the Question does not arise; and the answer to the third part is "No, Sir."

Is the Foreign Secretary aware that, according to the statement made to the Greek Press, quoted in this country, Sergeant Bennett was awarded this distinction because of his gallantry in action and, irrespective of the gallantry—I am discussing the action part—is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is evidence of the fact that British troops are taking part alongside the Greek Army?

British troops are not taking part alongside the Greek Army.

Then what is Sergeant Bennett doing?

The hon. Member has asked me a Question. He must be courteous enough to allow me to answer, in this country at any rate. The British troops are not taking action alongside the Greek Army. I have no evidence that Sergeant Bennett took any action with the Greek Army. He was serving with the British Military Mission and helping to train them, but he did nothing in connection with operations. In my answer I have given the facts, not what is in the newspapers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many meetings of the Nigerian Central Development Board and regional development boards were held in 1948; what is the Nigerian representation on each of these bodies; and if he is satisfied that they provide an adequate means of consultation with local opinion in implementing the 10-Year Plan.

I have no detailed information. I am aware that the regional boards held a number of meetings during 1948, but I have no record of a Central Board meeting. The Finance Committee of the Legislative Council, consisting of all the unofficial members, has, however, taken a close interest in the progress of the development programme. There are four Nigerians on the Central Board, but I cannot give the African representation on the regional boards without inquiry. There are, as well, provincial development committees, with African representation, which have done useful work. The Governor is not satisfied that the boards, as at present constituted, provide a suitable and adequate means for consultation with local opinion. He has the whole matter under consideration now.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the proposed Nigerian Electricity Corporation has yet been established; and what progress has been made with the electrical and hydro-electrical development provided for in the 10-Year Plan.

Draft legislation for setting up the Nigerian Electricity Corporation, to manage and develop Government-owned electricity undertakings throughout Nigeria, has been prepared. Progress in the electric and hydro-electrical development projects under the 10-Year Plan has not been as fast as was hoped because of shortages of technical staff and delays in the delivery of materials and equipment. But schemes now being carried out include the extension of the Port Harcourt power station, a hydro-electric station in the Cameroons and another to supply Onitsha. The laying of the 11,000 volt underground cable from Lagos to Iju Waterworks Pumping Station has also been completed. Work to a total cost of £187,000 was carried out in 1947–48.

Can my right hon. Friend say if the difficulties concerning technical staff and equipment are now being overcome?

They are slightly easier and I hope we can get better deliveries in regard to materials.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the transport of groundnuts on the Nigerian Railway has fallen short of the estimated carriage by over 33 per cent.; whether the supply of wagons is insufficient to carry the uninfested groundnuts; and why infested stocks are being handled in preference to lightly infested or unaffected stocks.

No, Sir. In the six months ending 31st January last railings exceeded estimates by 5 per cent. Shortage of wagons is still a limiting factor on railings, but more wagons are steadily being shipped to Nigeria. Infested stocks, whether heavily or lightly infested, are being fumigated and hurried out of the country to prevent the trouble from spreading, but this total amount represents less than the amount which can be moved in a fortnight, and uninfected stocks are being handled as well.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Nigeria they say they have been unable to get the necessary material for doing the fumigation? Will he take steps to send it out by air, so that they can deal with stocks which are in pyramid?

Yes, my information is that full supplies of methyl-bromide have already been flown out to Kano.

What happens to this infested stock when moved out of the country? Is it then used, or destroyed?

I should require notice of a question of that kind.

The right hon. Gentleman has told us that it was necessary to get infested stock out of the country quickly and I am asking for what purpose that has to be done. Is it to be used for some purpose, or is it destroyed?

It is not destroyed. It can be used, but the special purpose for which it can be used I am unable to say without notice.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say with what disease the groundnuts are infested?

I think it is trogoderma.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to make a further statement in regard to the damage that has been done to groundnuts stocks at Kano and other depots in West Africa by the beetle, trogoderma, and what steps the West African Produce Control Board proposes to take to indemnify the merchants who have acted as agents.

Infestation in varying degrees had, by 15th February, been found in 12,384 tons of groundnuts at Kano and in 1,574 tons in transit at Baro. Action is being taken to isolate and fumigate infested stocks and the actual loss can, therefore, not be determined. Except in cases of negligence, buying agents of the West African Produce Control Board are not responsible for deterioration; the second part of the Question, therefore, does not arise.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the figure he has just given is short by 5,000 tons of what is infested? Is any action being taken to improve the position at Kano? What is the purpose of transferring these nuts to England, as they cannot be used when they reach here?

As I understand the position, it is not that they cannot be used. They can be used for certain purposes. The figures I have just given the House are 12,384 tons, up to 15th February, but I have not the subsequent figure quoted by the hon. Member.

Would it not be a good thing, when these beetles reach this country, if they were given potatoes to eat?

Can my right hon. Friend say approximately what percentage of stocks in Kano are infected?

I have not got it. The total crop is something in the neighbourhood of 300,000 tons. The number of tons infested is 12,000, and perhaps hon. Members can work it out for themselves.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the serious loss of productive land by soil erosion in British Africa, he will set up a committee to ascertain the exact facts and to report on long term measures which must be taken.

No, Sir. We are far past the committee stage. The facts are well known and the measures which should be taken are well known. The difficulty lies in impressing the facts on the local populations and persuading them to take the measures. The local Governments are doing their best, but it will inevitably be a slow process. A conference will be held in Africa this year on land utilisation when soil erosion will again be one of the factors considered.

While one part of the remedy lies in improved methods by the African cultivator, a good deal of the remedy must be found through Government action in planning and so on, and is my right hon. Friend satisfied that adequate steps are being taken in that direction?

Oh, yes, I can give an absolute assurance on that matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the indignation felt in East Africa at the report of the visiting mission of the Trusteeship Council to Tanganyika and, in particular, at the recommendation that European settlement should be curtailed; and whether he will give an assurance that this is not the policy of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the serious repercussions on the economic development of East Africa of the statements appearing in the official report of the United Nations Organisation Visiting Mission to Tanganyika, issued in the United States of America on 8th November last and only now available in this country; and if he will define the attitude of the Government in this matter.

The Visiting Mission's report on Tanganyika has not yet been considered by the Trusteeship Council itself. His Majesty's Government will be communicating to the Council their comments on the report at an early date. Meanwhile, I wish to state that the position as regards non-African settlement is as stated by the Governor in the Legislative Council on 7th March, 1946. His Majesty's Government are prepared to agree to schemes for non-African settlement in Tanganyika, on the understanding that the land in question is not required, or likely to be required, for African occupation, and that the schemes are economically sound. I recognise the value of non-African enterprise and that it must be viewed as an integral part of the development of the Territory as a whole. Some 100 farms had been taken up by settlers to the end of 1948 in accordance with this policy.

The report in question has, I understand, caused some apprehension in Kenya. I would again call attention to my statement in the House of Commons on 7th March, 1946, which sets out the policy of His Majesty's Government. I am sending copies of the two statements to both hon. Members.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask if he agrees that there need be no conflict between European communities and the Africans, but that advancement of the Africans will rather depend on European supervision for some time to come.

As I have said, development in Tanganyika does depend on the co-operation of Europeans and Africans and there is no desire and no intention of departing from the policy already declared to the House in respect of the development of Tanganyika.

Is there much help to be gained from the visit of a body whose advice, quite rightly, the Government are going to reject? Are we likely to get useful results from short visits to territories of this kind by people, many of whom have had no previous knowledge of problems of this kind?

These visits are undertaken at the instance of the Trusteeship Council and it is for the administering authority to consider the recommendations made and then advise the Trusteeship Council as to the wisdom of accepting them. In this case I believe that a number of recommendations are not in accordance with our own policy and are recommendations we must oppose.

Why it is that these recommendations were published in New York in November and were not available in this country for three months; and why were the recommendations subsequently not immediately denied or repudiated by His Majesty's Government, because the proposals, which were irresponsible, have done a great deal of harm, especially to the credit of Tanganyika?

The report was that of the Visiting Committee of the Trusteeship Council, and obviously it had to be presented in New York. We are trying to obtain copies for the general information of the public here, but I am afraid that so far we have only been able to get hold of a limited number of copies. With regard to the procedure, it was not appropriate for us to comment on the report until it had been properly studied in consultation with the local Government. We shall be making a statement to the Trusteeship Council when the report is brought before it for consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now say what schemes for health and unemployment have been devised by the Government of Trinidad.

The final report of the Committee appointed to investigate the possibility of introducing Health and Unemployment Insurance schemes is about to be presented to the local Government. I regret that in the meantime details are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why over £50,000 has been spent on a stock farm at St. Kitts which produced no results and is a failure.

According to my information this stock farm, far from being a failure, will prove successful although its full contribution to the Island will not be made for another year or two, when the dairy herd which had to be built up should have reached full production. It was always expected that this scheme, which was designed to help in remedying the deficiency of local milk supplies and in diversifying the agriculture of St. Kitts, would incur a loss for some years.

May I ask my right hon. Friend if he is aware that the statement was made by Sir Alan Burns, an ex-Colonial Governor and our representative at U.N.O. on the Trusteeship Council?

I can only say that he is mis-informed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when it is intended to publish the Galleti Report on Industrial Development in the British Territories of the Caribbean.

Copies of the draft report are at present being studied by the Governments of the West Indian Colonies concerned. On receipt of their comments I shall consult the British co-Chairman of the Caribbean Commission on the question of publication.

Since the report was completed in June, 1948, is not it important that the information should be made available while it is current, and could not a report at least be put in the Library for Members to see?

The report was a confidential statement which was ordered by the Caribbean Commission. It is through our own co-Chairman. It is not a public document. As soon as the Governors are prepared to release it, it can be put in the Library of the House.

Can my right hon. Friend say how long he expects it will be before the report will be available?

I am in consultation with the Governors concerned.

asked the Lord President of the Council what office or Department are responsible for the planning, design of the buildings and general layout of the 1951 Festival of Britain site; by what date are the buildings, etc., to be ready; and whether it is intended to exhibit at an early date a model so that hon. Members may have some idea of the scope and particulars of the project.

The Central Office of Information is now responsible, under the general guidance of the Council of the Festival of Britain, for the planning and design of the buildings and for the general layout of the Festival Exhibition to be held on the South Bank of the Thames—to which I assume the hon. Member refers. This responsibility (and the C.O.I. Exhibition staff involved) will be transferred on 1st April to the Festival of Britain Office, which is then to receive a separate Vote. The buildings will be completed in successive stages with a view to opening the Exhibition in May, 1951. I hope to display drawings and models of the layout of the site for hon. Members in due course.

Is there any truth in the story that part of the Exhibition is to be a dome one-third higher than St. Paul's and made of aluminium?

I would not accept the description, but I have heard of an idea floating about of a dome in aluminium, and we have under consideration the question of where we shall get the aluminium.

Will the Royal Fine Art Commission be kept in constant consultation from the start?

I cannot say, but this is a project for 1951, and we had better watch the timetable.

On what ground is the Central Office of Information now held to be a competent planning authority?

The noble Lord is ill-informed, if I may say so. It is not so much a question of planning as that the Central Office of Information is an expert exhibition authority. It is very competent in that field, and it is primarily in that respect that its services are being utilised. I presume that the noble Lord would not like us to set up another Department. That would hardly be economical.

What proportion of this Festival is to be allotted to Scotland?

Scotland has a special committee and is being quite active in preparation for the appropriate activities north of the Border. My hon. Friend may be assured that Scotland will not be forgotten by me, and I should not be given a chance to forget Scotland even if I wished to do so.

asked the Minister of Defence what steps he proposes to take to bring the remuneration of senior officers of the Fighting Services more into line with the proposals in Command Paper No. 7635.

The Government intend in the light of developments generally to re-examine the position of the highest appointments in the Armed Forces, but I must make it clear that the circumstances are not necessarily the same.

asked the Minister of Food (1) what was the number of animals slaughtered by the Jewish method in 1948; and the total weight of meat made available by such process;

(2) how many kosher meat registrations there were in 1948; and what was the total weight of meat allowed to them for the whole year.

About 80,000 cattle, 40,000 calves and 70,000 sheep are slaughtered annually in Great Britain by this method, producing about 20,000 tons of meat. The estimated number of registrations for kosher meat is 260,000, and the weight of meat issued to Kosher butchers in 1948 was about 5,500 tons. This is less than one half of 1 per cent. of the national meat supply. In general our arrangements mean that Jewish consumers gain a little on quality and on the other hand lose a little in quantity as compared to other consumers of meat.

asked the Minister of Food what steps he is taking to stimulate the consumption of tuberculintested milk.

It is rather a question of stimulating the production and effective distribution of this milk as we have difficulty in meeting the existing demand, but every effort is made by the Ministry to provide supplies of T.T. milk for those consumers who ask for it.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that we are producing about 19 per cent. of T.T. milk whereas we are consuming only about 9 per cent.? Will he not agree that there is a great need to stimulate consumption?

The question is mainly one of difficulty in transporting and distributing this milk separately from other milk. That is the problem to which we are addressing ourselves.

Would not my right hon. Friend consider making a statement to assure the public that T.T. milk is not only safer, but is of better quality than ordinary milk?

I should like to have an opportunity of doing so, and I will do so here and now.

asked the Minister of Food what is the estimated amount of the Java sugar crop for the present season which he expects to procures; and how this compares with last year.

In 1948 we bought about 10,000 tons of Java sugar. We hope to get rather more this year.

Why not take sugar off the ration altogether? I have said it before and I will say it again.

asked the Minister of Food what quantities of lettuces were imported from abroad during the last six months; whether he is aware that English lettuce growers have been unable to market their product owing to these imports; and what steps he is taking to assist them.

In the last six months 1,996 tons of lettuces have been imported as against 23,800 tons of lettuce produced at home. Moreover in August, September and October, during the home production season, home production was 22,500 tons as against imports of one ton. In November, December and January, when home production was low, namely, 1,300 tons, imports have been 1,995 tons. These imports of lettuce have in my opinion been too small, not too large, since they have not succeeded in reducing the price to the consumer below about 10d. each, which is a very stiff price for the average housewife. Both home produced and imported lettuce of good quality is selling steadily at these prices, which I hope will now begin to fall. I cannot consider any restrictions on the further imports of lettuce at this time.

Is the Minister aware that in December, growers were being offered a price of only 4d. per dozen head for lettuce, and will he say whether, before he initiated his import policy, he had full consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture?

Yes. These consultations, of course, go on all the time.

Does not the situation which has been revealed by the supplementary question of the hon. Member for Thirsk and Malton (Mr. Turton), show the necessity for the Government to take the question of wholesale distribution into consideration?

That is another question but a most important one.

asked the Minister of Food the proportion of the population who at present obtain at least one principal meal of the day in restaurants or canteens; and whether he will do anything to help those members of the public who do not enjoy this advantage.

Estimates derived from our Family Food Survey seem to indicate that some 30 per cent. of urban workers now take at least one meal per working day in canteens or restaurants. We give the compensating advantage of a cheese ration of some eight times the normal to those classes of rural workers who have little access to canteens, etc.

Can the Minister say what proportion of these people other than Members of the House of Commons have their meals subsidised?

No, I cannot give the proportion, but some canteens subsidise their meals.

Is the Minister aware that there are many people in the rural areas who have no access to canteens but who, nevertheless, cannot get the cheese ration? Will he look into that question?

We have often looked into it.

Is the Minister aware of the considerable hardship inflicted on old-age pensioners both in urban and rural areas by the present system?

Arising out of that supplementary question, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that one way of complying with the request contained in the second part of the Question on the Paper is to encourage local authorities to exercise their right of organising mobile canteens to serve meals to old people living alone?

I think that that is a valuable suggestion.

asked the Minister of Food what questions, of a political nature, are put to candidates for promotion appearing before the promotions boards in his Department.

None, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that at a recent board in Manchester the following question was put to the candidate, "What view do you take of Mr. Strachey?" Would not he agree that this question is of a highly political nature, and contentious, and will he take steps to ensure that in future candidates are not subjected to ideological catechisms?

I should have thought that that was a personal rather than a political question, but if the hon. Member will give particulars I will certainly look into it.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what answer would have been returned to that question by the Minister of Food?

Are these candidates called upon to express an opinion on the merits or demerits of bulk purchase?

No, Sir. I should deprecate any political questions being put to these candidates, and if any instances where that has been done are brought to my attention I will certainly examine them.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the widespread indignation caused by this practice, he will take steps to prevent the dyeing and varnishing of kippers.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the dissatisfaction of large sections of the community in having to accept dyed kippers in lieu of those properly cured; if he will make it compulsory for dyed kippers to be so labelled when exposed for sale; and if he will take steps to discourage the dyeing of kippers with the ultimate aim of banning their sale.

Some people do not like dyed kippers, some people do. The dye is entirely harmless, and I can see no reason for interfering with the consumer's choice in this matter.

Is the Minister aware that have received letters from all over the country deploring the fact that dyed kippers are put on fishmongers' slabs in the same place as properly cured kippers with no means of differentiating between them; and will he answer the second part of the Question whether he will consider having the kippers labelled?

We could consider that, but if consumers have a preference for undyed kippers they should express it by patronising those shops which supply undyed kippers.

Is the Minister aware that there is no consumer's choice in this matter? Housewives have to take the kippers which are available, and they are dyed kippers.

With great respect, I do not agree with my hon. Friend in that matter. The supply of, and demand for, kippers is not out of equilibrium at the moment. It is quite possible to choose between the different supplies of kippers.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that a kipper should only be sold as a kipper if it is smoked? If it is dyed it is not a kipper. Will he consult with the legal representatives in his Department and see whether he should not initiate proceedings against people who sell as kippers herrings which are in fact dyed and not smoked?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. Even dyed kippers are smoked, they have to be. I should certainly take proceedings if kippers were sold which had not been smoked. They are smoked, but to a lesser degree, and then dyed. Some people prefer that process, and some people prefer the other.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer that part of the Question of my hon. Friend relating to varnishing which he has not yet answered? I do not know whether his answer is that that process is also harmless.

We know of no instances of the varnishing of kippers. If it is done, and instances are brought to my attention, I will certainly look into the matter.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that much of this alleged indignation about dyed and varnished kippers would be removed if the advice was given to consumers to remove the cellophane wrapping first?

I think that some people must have mistaken kippers enclosed in cellophane wrapping for varnished kippers.