asked the Secretary of State for Air the nature and value of the stores held at the Royal Air Force depot at Kintore, Aberdeenshire; and the purpose for which this establishment is maintained.

This depot holds about £60,000 worth of works plant, stores and equipment, including accessories, spares and materials which are required for the maintenance of airfields and domestic accommodation at R.A.F. stations north of the Forth.

Is the Minister quite sure that there is no weevil-infested barley there belonging to the Ministry of Food.

Is the Minister sure that all the stores held are necessary for maintenance, and could not he release those of a nature connected with building, such as baths, electric wire and fixtures, in order to assist our housing programme?

I will certainly look into that point.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will give definite instructions to Royal Air Force training planes that they are not to carry out exercises on routes likely to be traversed at the same time by civil aircraft.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will take steps to ensure that flight plans are submitted by Royal Air Force aircraft including training aircraft when they are likely to approach, or cross, the predetermined lanes of flight of any civil aircraft.

It would be quite impracticable to require Royal Air Force aircraft to avoid civil air routes in this country or even to require that flight plans should be submitted in all cases where they are likely to approach or cross these routes. There are over 1,000 Royal Air Force air movements a day, and there are few parts of the country which are not at times crossed by civil aircraft. However, neither the Air Ministry nor the Ministry of Civil Aviation is altogether satisfied with the present air traffic control and we are trying to improve the arrangements to meet the requirements of both military and civil aircraft.

Is the Minister aware that there is a great deal of public disquiet about the recent accident in which 14 people en route to Glasgow lost their lives, and pending inquiry will he give some instruction to the R.A.F. to avoid this route?

No, Sir. The fact that there was a collision in good visibility proves that at least one crew were not keeping a good look-out, but it does nothing to apportion blame.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the sense of frustration caused by present arrangements, he will consider reducing the age limit for recruitment of reservists into the Royal Observer Corps and exempting ex-members of the corps from any age restriction.

My right hon. Friend is considering reducing the lower age limit, but there are clearly difficulties about enrolling in the Corps men who might have to leave it in wartime. Higher upper age limits are already in force for ex-members of the Corps, so that they can be enrolled to within two years of the retiring age. There is no sign of any frustration.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if, in view of the importance of training in the Royal Air Force, he will recommend that an additional member of the Air Council should be appointed for training.

No, Sir.

In view of the very considerable commitments ahead of the Royal Air Force, both in regard to Reservists and Regulars, is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that training is, sufficiently represented in the higher circles of the Air Ministry?

My right hon. Friend considers that the present arrangement is satisfactory. It was the last wartime Air Member for Training who recommended that his functions should be divided between the Chief of the Air Staff and the Air Member for Technical Services, but my right hon. Friend is always open to argument and persuasion on this point.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what were the reasons for the delay in carrying out the court of inquiry at Royal Air Force Kidlington Headquarters, 42nd Group, which was originally convened on 13th August, 1948, but not completed until mid-November; and at what date his Department gave authority for Pilot Officer R. R. Williams, who was due for release on 11th August, to be retained in the Service during this time.

I regret that the proceedings of this court of inquiry should have been protracted. The delay was due to changes in presidency and the need to make a full investigation into the facts. In a letter dated 16th July, 1948, my Department authorised the release of Pilot Officer Williams on 9th August, 1948, subject to the normal proviso under which release may be delayed where an officer or airman is required to give evidence before a court martial or a court of inquiry. He was retained until he had completed his evidence before the court of inquiry in question and two others with which he was concerned.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what arrangements he is making for a British air service to Israel.

Arrangements have been. made for a British air service between Cyprus and Haifa, and the establishment of other services is under consideration.

Can the Minister say when this service will commence, by which Corporation it will be run and how frequently?

Yes, Sir. 7th March, Cyprus Airways, and twice weekly, on Mondays and Fridays.

Is Cyprus Airways owned by either of the Airways Corporations operating in that field?

British European Airways have a holding of 44 per cent.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, whether the move of the maintenance base from Dorval to Filton has now been completed; whether any British Overseas Airways Corporation aircraft are now maintained at Dorval and what saving per annum in maintenance costs will be achieved by the complete change over.

Yes, Sir; no British Overseas Airways Corporation aircraft are now maintained at Dorval. With regard to the last part of the Question, I am informed that in the first year maintenance costs will, in fact, be somewhat higher as a result of the move to Filton.

Can the hon. Gentleman give a little more information than that? Surely, the hope was that by moving to Filton maintenance costs would be reduced?

No, Sir. The move from Dorval to Filton was to save dollar expenditure and not maintenance costs. The same maintenance costs will still be there, and, in addition, the cost of the move will have to be spread over a period of three years. That cost is about £500,000.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how many staff he has at Dorval and when the next move to the proper place at Heathrow is to take place?

Not without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what amount of goods from the British zone of Germany are being sent to the Russian zone by sea; and why this traffic is still permitted while road traffic has been stopped.

There is no legitimate sea-trade between the British and Soviet zones. This has been stopped since July, 1948. There is, however, some smuggling, which, of course, we try to prevent, and which I do not believe to be considerable.

Is the right hon. Gentleman telling the House that there is no traffic at all going by sea? While everyone knows that the land traffic has been stopped, my Question deals with sea traffic. Is it not universally understood that there was considerable traffic by sea, and is that now being definitely denied?

I have answered that there is no legitimate sea trade between the British and Soviet zones.

Is the illegitimate trade being stopped?

I have not stopped all the illegitimate trade. I cannot close down private enterprise completely.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that the real grievance is not that this traffic goes to the Soviet zone, which nobody has suspected, but that it is going to Russia?

That is not in the Question. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman makes his Question more accurate next time, I will give him the right answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many cigars have been sent by air lift to Berlin since 1st February; and for whom were they destined.

Since 1st February, the following cigars have arrived in Berlin by air lift for distribution on ration to the German population of the Western sectors: by British aircraft, 695,000; by United States aircraft, 5,197,000. No cigars were flown in for British personnel during that period.

Will the Foreign Secretary also tell us how many personnel were sent with the cigars to stop pilfering on the way, and whether it would not be better to confine the air lift to essentials?

When people are in a siege, as Berlin has been all this time, they find that a smoke is a relaxation.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether the people of this country are fortunate enough to be able to import 5 million cigars a year?

No, but we do smoke cigarettes, and the Germans smoke cigars.

Will my right hon. Friend use the enormous influence which he possesses in order to ensure that a proper and adequate supply of cigars is sent to any area in which there is likely to be a by-election in order to ensure the presence of the Leader of the Opposition?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the present strength, all ranks, of the Russian Repatriation Mission now operating in the British zone of Germany; and how many Russian citizens have been voluntarily repatriated by it during the past 12 months.

The strength of the Soviet Repatriation Mission in the British zone of Germany is 21 officers and eight other ranks. In the period from 1st February, 1948, to 31st January, 1949, 103 Soviet citizens were repatriated, together with 692 inhabitants of the former Baltic States, and four Polish Ukrainians.

Could the right hon. Gentleman repeat the number of Soviet citizens repatriated?

One hundred and three Soviet citizens.

In view of the fact that it is clear that this Mission no longer serves any useful purpose, will the right hon. Gentleman invite the Soviet Government to withdraw it?

I have not done that, because there are other Missions in other territories for other purposes, including war graves, and I have not entered into the question of reprisals in one way or another yet.

Will my right hon. Friend say that, if he did come to the conclusion that this Repatriation Mission ought to return, he would endeavour to secure its return by normal diplomatic methods, and not by making war on individuals, as was done in the U.S. zone?

I think diplomatic steps were taken, and that it was when they refused to obey that these other steps were taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why books or literature even of a non-political character including editions of Goethe and music by Bach, Beethoven and Mozart are prohibited in the British zone of Germany if published in Leipzig; and, in view of the need of this class of literature and the fact that literature published in the British zone can be and is delivered in the Russian zone, whether steps will be taken to remove the ban so far as non-political literature and publications are concerned.

Under an order of last January, the Military Government is in fact empowered to authorise the importation of printed matter from the Soviet zone, and any distributor wishing to import a particular publication may apply to the Regional Commissioner for permission.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that permission has been refused in such instances, and could he not make special inquiries to see whether literature of this kind, which is entirely non-political, could not be made available to the British zone?

I understand that the ban does not apply to the cases referred to.

If I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that it does, will he make inquiries?

Yes, I will.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is very often a question of breach of copyright between the Soviet zone and the British zone, and that, as works have sometimes been pirated, permission is refused on that ground?

I would like to have notice of that; I am not aware of it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is satisfied that the provisions of the memorandum of the military governors on the constitution for a West German Government will allow sufficient powers to be allocated to the Federal Government to enable it to participate in European economic planning.

Yes, Sir.

Would my right hon. Friend draw the attention of his American colleagues to the fact that there is a possible divergence of policy between their representatives in Paris and those in Frankfurt and Bonn?

I would like to have notice of that question, and to know what the discrepancy is.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement regarding the work of the British Council in Korea.

Up to the present, the British Council have undertaken no work in Korea. The question of their doing so is under consideration.

In view of the anxiety of the Korean people to resume their cultural connections with this country and the political importance of enabling them to do so, will the right hon. Gentleman do what he can to remedy this matter as soon as possible?

I am trying to do that, but there is a limitation on British Council expenditure, and I must spread it out in the best way I can.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now make representations to the Government of Egypt that they should desist from the practice, particulars of which have been sent to him, of discriminating against British subjects of the Jewish religion by removing their passports or detaining them on overnight stops in Egyptian territory.

As the answer is long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what date the Anglo-Israeli financial talks are expected to begin; and what is the reason for their delay.

No date for such talks has yet been suggested by either Government and there has consequently been no delay. The many economic and financial problems requiring discussion with the Government of Israel are under active study by His Majesty's Government.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the State of Israel is rapidly becoming a hard currency area, and that the only result of all these delays in the Middle East will be a loss to Britain of many millions of pounds in hard currency markets?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that this financial business is not one sided.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he expects to be able to announce a relaxation in the method whereby business men and tourists can quickly obtain entry permits to Malta in London instead of in Malta which at present involves delay.

Business men from the United Kingdom may now enter Malta without entry permits for a visit not exceeding two months if they hold a British passport and produce on arrival a letter from a Chamber of Commerce in the United Kingdom sponsoring their visit. In addition British subjects from the United Kingdom who are bona fide tourists may enter the island without entry permits for a stay not exceeding two months if they hold return tickets or a travel voucher which cannot be converted into cash at Malta and enables the holder to book a return passage.

Is the Minister aware that this will be received with great satisfaction by the Government of Malta in their efforts to develop the economics of the island?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Governor of Malta, in his capacity as Chancellor of Malta University, has yet carried out his threat to expel any member of the University Council who gave information about the proceedings of the Council meeting on 17th August, 1948.

The suggestion that the Governor of Malta either in his capacity as Chancellor of the Royal University or otherwise made any threat against members of the University Council or staff of the University, or behaved in any way improperly, is completely untrue.

Is the Minister aware that this matter was very fully reported in the Malta newspaper, and does he not consider that here is a case for recalling the Governor as being one of the boys who has failed in his job?

I utterly repudiate the insinuation in the supplementary question. The Governor has discharged his work with great competence and devotion, and he has a fine record of work to his credit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why a slip was issued by His Majesty's Stationery Office merely to correct in S.I., 1949, No. 138, the spelling of a word, where no ambiguity could arise; and what was the cost incurred.

It is desirable that Statutory Instruments should be correct. The cost was 33s.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the correction slip does not form part of the instrument, and has no effect whatsoever?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give the names of members of the regional colonial development corporations and regional advisers, so far appointed, with their relevant experience.

This is a matter for the Colonial Development Corporation and I understand that the Corporation have already informed my hon. Friend of the names of those appointments which have so far been publicly announced.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the last announcement on this matter was made in August last year? Since then a large number of appointments have been made, and is there any reason why the names of those gentlemen should not be made public before the annual Report of the Corporation?

It is very probable that they will be included in the annual Report of the Corporation, but the names are published locally.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress is being made regarding the development of hydro-electricity in Nigeria; if the engineer who was appointed at the end of 1947 to undertake hydro-electric surveys, but left Nigeria after three months, has since returned to complete the surveys; and how much of the proposed expenditure of about £1,500,000 on electrical development under the Ten-Year Plan has actually been expended.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply on 2nd March to my hon. Friend the Member for West Wolverhampton (Mr. H. D. Hughes). The officer referred to returned to Nigeria last July to make further investigations. It is estimated that expenditure under the Ten-Year Plan to the end of the current financial year will amount to nearly £300,000.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a fairly widespread feeling that development in Nigeria in this particular regard is just a little too slow, and will he take steps to speed it up?

Yes, we are doing all we can to speed it up, but it is retarded by the limitation on the number of staff available and equipment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent educational advance has taken place during the last three years in the Northern Region of Nigeria; approximately how many boys and girls, respectively, are now receiving primary and secondary education in that region; and what steps have been taken to encourage university education for suitable students.

There has been a steady increase in the number of schools, and of children under instruction, and a determined effort is being made to increase the pace of advance. Today about 54,000 boys and 17,000 girls are receiving primary and secondary education in this Region. Under a new scheme which greatly increases the number of scholarships for higher educational training, the Nigerian Government are giving special consideration to the claims of candidates from the North.

Would my right hon. Friend say whether this denotes a very substantial increase on three years ago? Could he also give some idea of the nature of the assistance now being given towards encouraging university education and whether it applies to women as well as to men?

It applies to women as well as to men, but of course, there are religious difficulties in the Northern Territories. The figures which I am prepared to supply for the information of my hon. Friend show a very considerable increase over the last few years.

Can my right hon. Friend say what proportion of these figures are children who are receiving education in private schools? Is he aware of the very unsatisfactory nature of this education given under private auspices?

I do not know what private schools there are. There are the Koranic schools; figures for the Koranic schools are not included in the figures which I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken to encourage the further expansion of the Co-operative movement in Nigeria; and whether descriptive and explanatory literature in the vernacular has been issued.

The Nigerian Government are doing everything in their power to encourage and assist the development of the Co-operative movement. From 1946 to the end of 1948 the number of societies rose from 580 to 956. Pamphlets in Yoruba have been issued. Rules and by-laws are translated into the vernacular for each society.

Does that really mean that a certain amount of descriptive literature in the vernacular is now in circulation or does it merely mean that permission to circulate it has been granted?

In some of the vernacular, yes, but there is still a great deal of leeway to make up.

Would the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that much more literature in the vernacular is circulated to the Nigerian people?

Yes, certainly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the incidence of new cases of leprosy in Nigeria during each of the last three years.

I am asking the Governor how far this information is available, and will communicate with my hon. Friend when his reply is received.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether all cases of leprosy have to be registered, or whether that is permissive?

I should want notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the Attorney-General of the Seychelles has been accused by the Chief Justice of making a false statement in court; and what steps are being taken to deal with this position.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to certain remarks by the Chief Justice in a case in which the former Acting Attorney General was giving evidence. I am now studying a copy of the judgment in his case, which I have received from the Governor.

In view of the scathing remarks made by the Chief Justice, how did this man come to be nominated to the Executive Legislative Council?

That, of course, is in the discretion of the Governor, but it has nothing to do with the Question on the Order Paper.

In view of the fact that this man, Mr. Collett, has been called a perjurer and a liar, and a few other things of that sort by the Chief Justice, will not the right hon. Gentleman take steps to remove him from his office in view of the fact that he gave me a categorical assurance that this man would not be re-employed in the Colonial service?

This man has no official position in the Seychelles Government, and I cannot pass judgment on the statement of the Chief Justice until I have studied a copy of the judgment.

Is it not a fact that in nominations of this kind to the Executive Council, the authority of the Secretary of State for the Colonies is always sought?

This particular case is not a matter within my discretion; it is a matter for the Governor.

With the right hon. Gentleman's authority not sought?

No.

Is it not a fact that a copy of this judgment reached the Colonial Office at least three weeks ago—I have had a copy that length of time—and can the right hon. Gentleman say how much longer he is going to take before he gives some sort of adjudication on the matter?

It may be that the hon. Member did see the judgment three weeks ago, but it was only brought to me during last week.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent he is carrying out aeronautical survey work in British Guiana at the present time.

The Director of Colonial Surveys has gone to British Guiana to discuss arrangements for carrying out this work.

As there is a unit there now engaged on survey work, can the right hon. Gentleman say why they should not be made use of instead of applying to another nation or to other people to carry out this survey?

I think this is in proper order. My own director has actually gone there because the work is not so simple—it is rather complicated—and we want all the technical advice that we can possibly get in respect of these big development plans now under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the proposal to set up a State tomato canning factory in Jamaica.

There is no proposal to set up a State tomato canning factory in Jamaica.

In view of the fact that this has been reported both in the local and the Jamaican Press, would it not be advisable in the circumstances if some denial were made?

I have just made a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered the resolution, a copy of which has been sent to him, agreed to unanimously by the Central Committee of Primary Producers of Jamaica asking for the incorporation of bulk purchase as a permanent feature of empire economic policy; what is his policy in this respect; and whether he has consulted his right hon. Friend the Minister of Food in relation to it.

Yes, Sir. I have considered this resolution. My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer made a statement to the House on the policy of His Majesty's Government on 17th September last. That statement remains the policy of the Government.

Since there has been a consistent effort on the part of the Conservative Press of this country to suppress the demand being made by the people of Jamaica and the West Indies in this respect, will my right hon. Friend undertake to circulate this resolution among Members of the Front Opposition Bench so they may be educated in the elementary facts about the British Empire?

Arising out of the original reply, has the Secretary of State given a reply saying he will go in for a 10-year contract for sugar, as the Jamaican growers want?

As the hon. Member is aware, the contract is until 1952. The future of the contract is a matter which is receiving attention both from the Ministry of Food and myself.

Will the Secretary of State for the Colonies commend to the attention of hon. Members opposite the admirable letter on this subject which appeared in "The Times" today under the signature of the hon. Member for East Aberdeen (Mr. Boothby)?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action has recently been taken to replace Jamaica Welfare, Limited, by a direct government agency; and whether he is prepared to make a statement.

Legislation providing for the establishment of the Jamaica Social Welfare Commission on 1st April, 1949, is now in its final stages. This development is based on proposals made by Jamaica Welfare, Limited, for the creation of a statutory body to take over the work of the Company. A sum of £15,000 is being included in the 1949–50 draft Estimates to continue the present work while the Commission are drawing up plans and estimates: on their receipt the Jamaica Government will consider to what extent assistance should be sought from Colonial Development and Welfare funds. Funds have been provisionally allocated in the Jamaica 10-year development plan.

While recognising the excellent work done by the organisation known as Jamaica Welfare, Limited, may I ask my right hon. Friend if he will ensure that any successor body shall proceed on similar lines?

This scheme is based on the representations of Jamaica Welfare, Limited.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is now in a position to make a complete statement of his recent discussions with the Governor of the Leeward Islands.

On 16th January, I informed the Governor by telegram that I was becoming concerned over the situation in the Leeward Islands, and that I thought it might be necessary for him to come to London for personal discussion. On 17th January I asked him to come over as soon as possible, and he left Antigua on 31st January, arriving in London on 12th February. I had for some time been anxious lest the sugar cropping season, due to start last month, should be attended by further strikes such as took place in 1948 and inflicted very serious losses on all concerned in the industry and on the general economy of Antigua and St. Christopher-Nevis, the two Presidencies immediately concerned. Arbitration in St. Kitts, agreed by both parties after last year's strike, upon certain outstanding points had not been completed in January last, and I was disturbed by the absence of adequate reports upon the industrial situation and upon various other important aspects of the administration. These included the presentation of the Colony's ten-year development plan, which has been awaited for some time, and the problem of constitutional reform.

These matters have been fully discussed with the Governor during his visit, and I have indicated to him my views upon the policy to be pursued and the measures to be taken to promote public confidence in the administration. Lord Baldwin is shortly returning to resume his duties as Governor. The ten-year plan has now been forwarded by the Acting Governor, and is under examination in the Colonial Office. The findings of the arbitrator in the matters referred to him after the St. Kitts strike last year have been promulgated in the Presidency. My views on the question of the constitution have been communicated to the Acting Governor by despatch and will shortly be published. Lord Baldwin has expressed to me his unqualified regret at the nature of statements attributed to him in certain organs of the Press after his arrival in this country.

Does the right hon. Gentleman approve of a Colonial Governor who is still serving making such statements as, "You see what happens if I do not go back?" "The scandalous rush with which I was recalled" scarcely fits in with what the right hon. Gentleman has just said and with the fact that Lord Baldwin was forced to live in Guadeloupe; and as the honour of the Colonial Service is involved, will the right hon. Gentleman say whether he would have tolerated that from a Governor who was not appointed for political reasons?

First of all, there is no clear evidence that these statements were made by Lord Baldwin; indeed, Lord Baldwin has repudiated those statements which have appeared in the Press in regard to his administration.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the fact that progressive people throughout the world will be pleased to know that my noble Friend is returning to the Leeward Islands, and will he give an assurance that there are no strings attached to his return?

I really do not understand what that question means.

In view of the answer which the right hon. Gentleman has just given, why did he have to make such a mystery about this when it was raised in the House three weeks ago? Has not his handling of the situation only given rise to the most unfortunate impression that in fact he wanted to get rid of Lord Baldwin and that he has not dared to do so?

I think I have made no mystery whatsoever in regard to Lord Baldwin's coming to this country. I asked Lord Baldwin if he would come to this country in order to discuss the problems of administration of his territory, which is a perfectly normal procedure in regard to Colonial Governorships, as the right hon. Gentleman is fully aware.

But the right hon. Gentleman will recollect that on that occasion I asked him whether Lord Baldwin would be returning and it was on that question that he made such a mystery.

I made no mystery whatsoever. I said that there were a number of problems which were perplexing me in regard to the administration of the territory, that I had formed no judgment in regard to those problems and would make no statement in regard to the future of the Governorship of the Leeward Islands until I had had the opportunity of the fullest examination of all the problems involved.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what special assistance is contemplated for Nyasaland in view of the serious drought which the country has suffered.

The Protectorate's immediate requirements for grain have been met and the Governor has informed me that no further action in regard to the importation of maize is required for the present. Some Colonial Governments have offered temporary assistance with staff, but I understand that at present this is unnecessary.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware of the great need for irrigation in this Protectorate, and would it not be as well to spare for that purpose some of the money at present being squandered in Tanganyika?

That is a different question, but the problem of irrigation is one important item in the development programme for the next 10 years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the recently published official estimate of the African population of Kenya, and of the big increases of population in Uganda and Tanganyika, he will recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission on the population of East Africa.

The provisional results of the recent population census of East Africa cannot be properly compared with previous figures which were based mainly on estimation. Detailed analysis of the present figures supplemented by further information on fertility for certain areas is at present proceeding and I am now awaiting the results of these investigations. In present circumstances, therefore, I do not consider the appointment of a Royal Commission would be appropriate.

May I take it that the right hon. Gentleman does appreciate the gravity of the demographic problem in East Africa? Can he also tell me whether the post of demographic adviser, made vacant by the death of Dr. Kuczynski, has been filled?

In reply to the last supplementary question, we have not been able to find a suitable specialist to take Dr. Kuczynski's place. In regard to the first supplementary, we are alive to the gravity of this problem. There is considerable obscurity and we are trying to get further information before we decide what further action can be taken.

asked the Minister of Food what arrangements he has concluded for the importation of French meat into Britain.

Canned and open pack cooked meats are already being imported into this country from France by private traders under licence, but our health regulations prevent imports of carcase meat at present. We shall soon be having talks with the French Authorities to try to solve this difficulty.

While welcoming the importation of canned meat from France, may I ask my right hon. Friend if he will bear in mind that it is much more economical to import the carcase meat which the French wish to provide under their Four-Year Plan? Will he also resist any tendentious propaganda by special interests to prevent French meat being sent to this country?

Certainly; we are very anxious to arrange what would be a valuable interchange of goods in this respect.

Before he gives any licence for the importation of carcase meat from the Continent, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the importance of making quite sure that he has considered the risk of foot-and-mouth disease being imported into this country from the Continent, where it is so prevalent?

That, of course, is a consideration which we have in mind.

Can the Minister say whether any arrangements are being made to import fresh pork from France, as I understood there were to be some arrangements?

No, Sir. No arrangements have been come to other than those I have referred to here.

asked the Minister of Food what is the subsidy per pound on each kind of English, Scottish and Welsh cheese sold on the ration at 10d.

With permission, I will circulate a table of figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The subsidies range from 2s. 5¾d. to 2s. 0¼d. per lb.

As those figures show that between 70 and 80 per cent. of the total cost of this cheese is being paid by the taxpayer, will the Minister say if there is any real reason why those who prefer British cheese to unripe imported cheddar, commonly called "mousetrap," should not pay for it instead of paying the ridiculous price of 10d.

The hon. Member is suggesting that British cheese should be taken out of the ration——

No.

That would be the effect.

No, the purchaser should pay the full cost of the cheese although buying on the ration.

I do not think that is practicable.

asked the Minister of Food what action he proposes to take to prevent former butchers whose licences to trade have been withdrawn following conviction for black-marketing offences from entering into businesses associated with the slaughter of horses and the wholesale and retail sale of horsemeat.

I am advised that my present powers may not be fully effective for such purposes, I am considering, however, the licensing of slaughterhouses where horseflesh is produced for human consumption on the same lines as knackers' yards are already licensed.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that one of the most prominent figures, if not the most prominent figure, in the horsemeat business in Manchester and in a wide area around, is a man who was sent to gaol for four years during the war for black-market offences; that he is developing his business through nominees who are purchasing shops; and that he is closely associated with a well-known black-marketeer whom, unfortunately, we were not able to convict during the war?

Otherwise he is all right?

asked the Minister of Food if he has considered the circumstances of a prosecution by his Department at Middleton, Lancashire, on 31st January when a greengrocer was fined for price offences; and what action has been subsequently taken to make it clear to all retailers that his Department will take action to protect any trader from being blacklisted by wholesalers as a consequence of giving evidence as to offences committed in the wholesale markets.

Yes, Sir. I have considered this case, and I will make use of all the powers entrusted to me to protect retailers who are blacklisted, or threatened with blacklisting, as a result of giving evidence of offences committed in the wholesale markets.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in the North, in Lancashire and the Midlands, in Wolverhampton and areas surrounding my own constituency, we have a long list of cases in which retailers have been prosecuted, and in which, obviously, there have been impositions of conditions of sale and price offences by retailers, and in which they will not give evidence because of a genuine fear among retailers that the consequences of giving such evidence are that they are blacklisted, and that although they will get fine words from the Minister of Food they will not get adequate protection?

I am aware of this difficulty, and I hope that the answer I have just given will have some effect in the matter.

asked the Minister of Food why he is charging paint manufacturers in this country £180 a ton for linseed oil while competing firms in Germany are able to buy at £100 a ton.

Our selling price for linseed oil, which has been reduced to £170 per ton from 6th March, is based on the cost of imported materials. I have no information about linseed oil prices in Germany.

Can the right hon. Gentleman hold out any early hope that our own manufacturers will be allowed to buy at the world price?

The prices at which we are buying linseed oil are tending to fall, and, of course, we shall pass on the benefit of that fall to our own manufacturers.

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform the House of the amount purchased and the price paid in his recent purchases of linseed oil? In view of the fact that a further break in price is confidently anticipated, will he give the House an undertaking that he will enter into no long-term contracts, even with a break clause?

I could not give such an undertaking, but I can assure the House that I am well aware of the consideration the hon. Member has in mind, and that we shall be most careful about future commitments in regard to this commodity.

asked the Minister of Food whether the liners "Queen Mary" and "Queen Elizabeth" are provisioned with fresh eggs produced in the United Kingdom; and whether the supply is rationed on the same basis as to home consumers.

No, Sir, the "Queen Mary" and the "Queen Elizabeth" are provisioned with eggs in the United States. The only United Kingdom eggs they receive are those provided for the crew whilst the ships are in port.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make further inquiries with regard to this matter? I have a reputable journal in my hand, the "Year Book of the National Poultry Club," which definitely states that poultry packers in Hampshire have been instructed to send all their eggs to Southampton docks for provisioning these ships.

I can only say that the reputable journal in question is in error.

If the Minister says that dollars are permitted for the purchase of eggs in New York, will he make those dollars available for the buying of feedingstuffs so that we can feed poultry here?

That is another matter. Whether these ships ought to be provisioned in the United Kingdom is another question, but, in fact, they are not.

asked the Minister of Food if he has considered how far the restrictions on the keeping and slaughtering of pigs can be removed so as to lessen the work of form filling by producers and form checking by local food offices.

Yes, Sir, but the registration of pigs for domestic consumption has proved essential to prevent abuses. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a similar question by the hon. and gallant Member for Petersfield (Sir G. Jeffreys) on 8th November, 1948.

Will the Minister look at this again and take the advice of the National Farmers Union and the Small Pig Keepers Council to see if it really is not possible to free more of this labour for productive work for producing more pork and bacon?

I have some of the forms in front of me here, and I cannot see that to fill them in is a very terrible ordeal.

Three forms for every pig.

Is the Minister aware that the self-suppliers' figures have been further increased by his Department's refusal to re-license a number of slaughterers who were killing self-suppliers' pigs, with the result that the pigs have had to travel much too far to reach the nearest licensed slaughter house? Will he look into that matter as well?

If the hon. Member will give me a particular instance I will certainly look into it.

asked the Minister of Food what progress has been made with the negotiations with the British West Indies Sugar Association for the purchase of the exportable surplus of sugar from the British West Indies for a guaranteed period of 10 years at prices agreed periodically.

We have already undertaken to purchase the whole exportable surplus of sugar both from the West Indies and from all other parts of the Commonwealth up to the end of 1952. The proposal that this commitment should be extended for a further period of years beyond 1952 is being studied by the Departments concerned.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that any uncertainty in regard to a crop which takes as long to produce as sugar is bound to hold up production, or at any rate, affect production in the West Indies?

I have some sympathy with that thought, but I think the hon. Member should restrain his unbounded enthusiasm for bulk purchases and longterm contracts because of the consideration advanced by an hon. Friend of his just now that in this period we must have some caution in the matter of the length of time for which we enter these arrangements.

Can my right hon. Friend inform the House whether this Question by the hon. Member indicates a total change of policy by hon. Members opposite on the question of bulk purchases?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we were giving this kind of contract to the Colonial territories at the time when I was at the Colonial Office, a long time before it was thought that the right hon. Gentleman would hold the office, and a long time before the last General Election?