asked the Postmaster-General what arrangements are contemplated to cover the North-West of England, including such towns as Barrow-in-Furness, Blackpool, Kendal, Lancaster, Morecambe, Preston and Ulverston, with television broadcasting.

The B.B.C. hopes that its television station at Holme Moss, near Huddersfield, will be opened during 1951 and will give a good service in Blackpool, Blackburn and Preston. In Barrow-in-Furness, Kendal, Lancaster, Morecambe and Ulverston, the Corporation considers that a fair service will be given to viewers who are favourably situated for receiving the television wavelength.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the proposed transmitter is on the other side of the Pennines and that it is very doubtful whether these waves will cross that range; and can he tell the House whether the distribution of television and the methods of financing it are subjects for the consideration of the present committee of inquiry?

I think that the last part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary is another question. I realise that there will be some difficulty in places like Kendal, which are very mountainous, and that it may be difficult to get television in some of those places. However, we shall have to judge what can be done in the future after we have had some experience.

Can the Postmaster-General say what practical steps are being taken in the near future because the population is very large in that part of the world? There must be some method of overcoming the difficulty.

I have already said that 10 stations are contemplated to cover about 80 per cent. of the population.

Would it be open to hon. Members of this House or to citizens generally to bring their needs to the notice of the present committee of inquiry?

I would like to have notice of that question.

asked the Postmaster-General whether a satisfactory and regular television service for Tees-side will be provided by the proposed television stations at Holme Moss and Newcastle-on-Tyne.

The B.B.C. expects the proposed station near Newcastle-on-Tyne to provide a satisfactory and regular television service for Tees-side.

Pending the establishment of this station, which is some way ahead, could the Postmaster-General say what results are likely to come from the Holme Moss station on Tees-side?

I do not think anybody could say with any certainty until we have had some actual experience about it.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps are being taken with a view to increasing the range of television from the Alexandra Palace beyond the present range of 35 miles.

The B.B.C. does not consider it practicable to increase the range of its present television transmitter at Alexandra Palace. The existing range is not limited to 35 miles; it varies in different directions.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that letters posted at the General Post Office in Leicester at 6 p.m. showing the 7.30 p.m. postmark at Leicester do not reach Bacup in Lancashire for two days, despite the fact that they arrived by the first post the following morning for a couple of months after a complaint last June to the right hon. Gentleman by the Member of Parliament for the West Leicester Division; and whether he will take' steps to ensure that business is not obstructed through delay in the postal services.

Letters for Bacup posted at the General Post Office in Leicester up to 7.30 p.m. on weekdays should be delivered by first post on the following weekday. Unfortunately, failures have occurred, and I much regret the inconvenience and annoyance occasioned to both the sender and the recipient of the letters which have suffered delay. There has been a further review of the circulation arrangements for correspondence from Leicester to Bacup, and I trust there will be no further cause for complaint.

Whilst thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, in view of the fact that, although my right hon. Friend successfully attended to this particular matter in June, the difficulties recurred in September, may I ask would he be good enough to consider sending these parcels by the line which goes direct from Leicester to Bury instead of passing them through Crewe, where there are such considerable difficulties?

I have said that the matter is being attended to, and I think that is one of the things being considered.

As the matter is being attended to, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the exhortatory circular issued to all employees in post offices has anything to do with it?

asked the Postmaster-General how far new issues of postage stamps are contemplated for 1950.

I have no special issue of stamps in 1950 under consideration at present.

Would it not be a graceful act to commemorate the forthcoming State visit of the French President by the issue of a special stamp as was done by the French Government on the occasion of the last Royal visit to the French capital?

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the possibility of a commemorative issue of stamps on the occasion of the Festival of Britain in 1951?

We have these things in mind.

Regarding future issues, would my right hon. Friend consider arranging for one artist to do the whole series of stamps instead of giving the individual stamps to different artists and thus producing a rather curious assortment of designs?

That might possibly create more trouble still.

On a point of Order. May I ask, Mr. Speaker, why Question No. 4 is in Order when a question which I tried to put down in almost exactly the same terms was refused on the ground that my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter) had given notice that he was raising this matter on the Adjournment?

It is quite in Order; I do not know why it should not be. I cannot examine every Question beforehand. When a question is put to me at short notice, I cannot be expected to give an answer without knowing all the facts.

Further to that point of Order, Mr. Speaker. There are a large number of hon. Members in this House, certainly on this side, whose constituents are very actively concerned and anxious about this matter, and apparently we are not allowed to ask Questions about it because the matter has been raised on the Adjournment.

That cannot be so. Because a matter has been raised on the Adjournment, that is no reason for stopping a Question. If notice has been given to raise the matter on the Adjournment, then a Question cannot be asked. I would stop supplementaries on that ground. Why this Question got on the Order Paper, presumably before the matter was raised on the Adjournment, I do not know.

May I point out, Mr. Speaker, that a most difficult position is now arising, in that a written answer will be given, and further questions will be precluded because the Question will have been answered? It will not now be possible to put down further Questions.

I should have been very much obliged if I had been given notice of this. This Question has been on the Order Paper for some time, and this is the first time I have heard about it. I really cannot answer these questions at short notice. I do my best if I have notice.

asked the Postmaster-General how many telephones for which a rental is paid are not in actual use; how many telephone subscribers there are who, for calls made, pay less than £1, £3, £5 per annum, respectively; and whether any better use of existing installations can be made.

I regret that the information asked for is not readily available. Experience, however, shows that the payment made for calls from a particular telephone is not a reliable measure of the usefulness of the telephone. Many lines are heavily used for incoming calls.

While appreciating the point which my right hon. Friend makes about incoming calls, may I ask whether some of these installations could be called in, after due notice, of course, and used by the half million applicants who have been waiting a long time? Is it not a fact that some of these telephones are completely forgotten?

If we attempt to do that I can see a lot of difficulties arising.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of telephones supplied in the Wycombe area since the end of the war for domestic, business and agricultural purposes; the number of applications still on the waiting list; and the present supply position.

Two thousand eight hundred and thirty-five new telephones have been installed. Details for the whole period since the end of the war are not available, but during the last two years about 69 per cent. have been for business purposes, including 9 per cent. for farmers. One thousand three hundred and thirty-five applications are on the waiting list; in recent months supply has just about kept pace with the rate of new applications.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for the service that has been given in the last two years, may I ask whether he is aware that quite a number of people are still waiting, and will he do something to expedite the matter?

Yes, I am quite aware of that and we are doing all we can in the circumstances.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the delay in obtaining a reply when dialling O and TEL; and what measures he proposes to take with a view to remedying this grievance.

I regret that it has not been possible recently to avoid delay on these services. This has been largely due to continued shortage of operators, coupled with rapid turnover in the depleted staff and heavy sick leave. I can assure the hon. Member that no effort is being spared to overcome present difficulties and to ensure satisfactory service.

Is the Minister aware that the public are very long suffering and patient? Will he really do all he possibly can to expedite this service?

Yes, Sir.

Does the Minister appreciate the wear and tear on both shoe leather and temper which the unfortunate public suffer as a result of these delays, and will he not do something, as my hon. Friend has asked, to safeguard both?

asked the Secretary of State for Air, in view of the fact that No. 77, Hallam Street, W.1, is now no longer used by his Department, if he will take steps to have this property derequisitioned in consideration of the urgent need for housing accommodation in St. Marylebone.

These premises are being used by my Department. They house the main London Centre for recruiting and training the Volunteer Reserve.

Is the Minister aware that there is considerable indignation in my constituency at the fact that these premises appear to be empty, in view of the very grave shortages in St. Marylebone? My constituents feel that these premises ought to be made available for housing and certainly ought not to be left empty.

They were unoccupied for a short time while they were being redecorated and refurnished. There will very soon be an opening ceremony to which the hon. Gentleman will be invited.

May I call attention to the fact that in that constituency there are a great number of enormous houses either empty or only partly used, which the Tory council has sedulously refrained from requisitioning?

asked the Secretary of State for Air why his Department are seeking possession orders for Air Ministry houses at Curborough Road, Lichfield; for what purposes they propose to use them; and what steps are being taken to provide alternative accommodation for the displaced tenants.

The houses are required for Air Ministry employees in the Lichfield area. The present tenants left the service of the Air Ministry between two and four years ago. It is not my Department's responsibility to provide accommodation for these former employees but the fullest consideration is given to each case before a possession order is sought.

Will the Minister say whether he now proposes to use these houses, when he obtains possession of them, for further housing of Air Ministry employees? Secondly, can he say why his Department take proceedings against people who have been in residence for four years, and threaten to evict them in preference to people who have only recently taken up occupation?

When these tenants got these houses they signed a written undertaking that they would leave them when they left Air Ministry employment. We have been most considerate over these years, and we now feel that some consideration is due to our own employees who are still with us and who; need these quarters.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why large notice boards, inscribed "Air Ministry, Road Closed under Defence Regulation (1939) No. 16," have recently been erected on roads in the vicinity of Market Stainton, Lincolnshire, as all bombs have been removed from the verges of these roads for 10 months; how local farmers and farmworkers in the area are to carry out their work if the regulation is enforced; and how many prosecutions there have been in the last six months.

These notice boards have been put up to safeguard the legal position of the Air Ministry until it is possible formally to revoke the closure orders made under the Defence Regulation. The orders will not be enforced except in the case of one road where it is necessary for the safety of the public. There have been no prosecutions for infringement in the last six months.

Is it not nonsense that a legal technicality of this kind should be allowed to involve public expense in putting up these new notice boards? Not only that, but people who do not realise that they will not be prosecuted are deflected a considerable distance out of their way. Should not this nonsense be cleared up at once?

The orders will be revoked as soon as my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport agrees that the roads are fit for use. Meanwhile, it is most important that the legal rights and liabilities attaching to these roads should be made quite clear.

Why is there this long delay in releasing these highways which have been stopped up, when there are no bombs in the neighbourhood of the road?

The roads have to be repaired before they are handed back to general public use.

As these roads are perfectly safe, could not the Air Ministry take out an ordinary insurance policy to protect themselves, and allow the public to use the roads?

I assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that what we have done is in the best interests of his constituents and my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what pay and allowances are paid to flying instructors at the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve schools.

Flying instructors are employed and paid by the civil companies which operate the reserve schools under contract with the Air Ministry.

How can the Under-Secretary try to get out of it like that when the salaries are determined by his Ministry? Is he aware that the salary paid is £100 a year below that paid before the war and £150 a year below that paid by the Ministry of Civil Aviation? Will he look into this matter, because there is considerable hardship?

I am not aware of the first point which the hon. and gallant Gentleman made. As to the other points, I will certainly look into them.

Harvey asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation how many airline pilots who were employed by either of the Corporations have been taken on to the staff of his Department during the past two years.

Two, Sir.

Will the hon. Member consult his noble Friend and see whether he cannot do something more for these men who are employed by the Corporations so that a fair ratio get executive jobs in the Ministry instead of the jobs going to people outside?

Yes, Sir; most certainly. My noble Friend has already had discussions with B.A.L.P.A.—the pilots' trade union—and with G.A.P.A.N.—[HON. MEMBERS: "What is that?"] It is the Guild of Air Pilots and Navigators. It must be remembered that the salary and pension of pilots take consideration of the fact that their life as pilots is a comparatively short one.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he is aware that Aberdeen Flying Schools, Limited, were obliged to cease instruction on 2nd September, 1939; and why they have not been allowed to resume in view of the fact that it is four-and-a-half years since the end of hostilities.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to his Question on 16th November. That reply applies equally to the activities of Aberdeen Flying Schools, Limited.

Arising out of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply and his previous answer, may I ask him whether he is aware that when this school was requisitioned both the buildings and trading rights were taken over? So far, only the buildings have been derequisitioned and not the rights.

On the de-requisitioning of the property the rights of those owning both the flying school and the club were freed for them to operate if they so desired.

Does that mean that the companies may resume as they were on 2nd December, 1939, when they were requisitioned?

I should require notice before I answered that question in full detail but, so far as my Ministry is concerned, the buildings were de-requisitioned and the opportunity given to the owner immediately to recommence the activities of a flying club, for social activities and of a flying school for instruction and flying.

Arising out of that answer, I beg to give notice that I intend to raise the matter on the Adjournment on Monday night.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what repairs in respect of dilapidations have been carried out on the hangars belonging to Aberdeen Flying Schools, Limited, at Dyce Airport.

I am informed that such repairs have been carried out by the Aberdeen Flying Schools, Limited, after the property was de-requisitioned in August, 1946. I suggest, therefore, that the hon. Member should seek the information from them.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that these buildings were occupied by the Ministry for some eight years, and they could surely have been repaired when they were handed back in August, 1946. Will not the Minister now see that some settlement is arrived at with the owners?

The requisitioning was by the Air Ministry and the buildings were in the use of the Air Ministry during the war. They were handed back to the operator at his request in order that he could more quickly resume his activities but, unfortunately, he has not done so. In conclusion, I should like to say that it takes two to make an agreement.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what steps he is prepared to take to reduce the cost of flying tuition particularly in the case of those clubs which use nationalised airfields.

My noble Friend has no power to intervene in the matter of charges made by private organisations for flying tuition.

Could my hon. Friend ask his noble Friend to consider the cases of these people who desire to learn to fly? Could he not bring his influence to bear in order to reduce the charges which today are extortionate?

The charges are the responsibility of those who carry out the flying instruction and not of my Ministry.

Is not one of the reasons for heavy charges the high Petrol Duty? Is it not within the function of the Government to alter that?

Yes, Sir; it is within the functions of the Government and, perhaps, a Question could be put to my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury:

As the hon. Gentleman says that his noble Friend has no power to intervene in this matter, will he also suggest to his right hon. Friend the noble Lord that he has no right to intervene in the findings of independent tribunals?

(by Private Notice) asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he will make a statement on the Report by Mr. T. P. McDonald, K.C., on the Prestwick air disaster last October and the Minister of Civil Aviation's observations on this Report and the subsequent comments of the President of the Court.

Yes, Sir. I am grateful to the hon. Member for providing this opportunity. I have no general comment to make on the Report by Mr. T. P. McDonald, K.C., beyond the statement already published by my noble Friend, but he is particularly concerned with Mr. McDonald's charge in the published correspondence that my noble Friend seeks to attach the blame for the disaster to the dead pilot. My noble Friend pointed out, in a telegram which Mr. McDonald received before publishing the correspondence, that he could in no way accept this allegation, and my noble Friend wishes to express his regret that this telegram was not included in the published correspondence. My noble Friend is well aware that the circumstances of the accident render it impossible to arrive at a definite conclusion as to the cause, and that such matters as turbulence and engine trouble, referred to in paragraphs 153 and 154 of the Report, cannot be ruled out. My noble Friend is satisfied, from a full consideration of the evidence, that no member of the staff of the Air Traffic Control or Meteorological Services bears any responsibility for the accident. He is anxious that none of them should go through life with such a shadow resting upon them.

May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary what is the point of having an impartial judicial inquiry at all if, simultaneously with the publication of the Report, Ministers issue their own comments based, at best, on facts not before the court, and, at worst, on no facts at all?

This is not a court of law but a court of inquiry. After a court of inquiry has submitted its report to the Minister, surely the Minister is permitted to dissociate himself, in the protection of his staff, from one of the findings of the report?

May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether any information was available to the Minister which was not available to the court of inquiry which he himself set up, and if there was such information, can he tell us what it was?

No, Sir. It was on the evidence which was before the inquiry—it is a matter of opinion on that evidence.

Are we to understand that the Minister sets up a court of inquiry, before which evidence is made available, that it makes its report and the Minister, on the same evidence, takes a contrary view? [HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"] Then, why have the farce of an inquiry at all?

I should have thought that it is common procedure for an inquiry to be held and for the Minister setting up such an inquiry to accept or reject the findings.

In the course of his comments on the Report, the Minister of Civil Aviation made the remark that he was publishing the statement, to which my hon. Friend has made reference, "in order to protect the civil servants concerned." Will my hon. Friend make it clear that the desire to protect civil servants does not take precedence over ensuring the safety of those who travel in aircraft?

Yes, Sir—absolutely. All the findings of this inquiry, and any other inquiry, are given due weight and consideration and implemented according to whether they are appropriate or not.

On a point of Order. Can. you, Mr. Speaker, for the guidance of Members in general in putting Private Notice Questions, say what was the definition of urgency which governed the acceptance of this Question?

Certainly not. The hon. Member must not challenge my decision. As a matter or fact, I considered that there was a considerable amount of urgency, and that is why I allowed the Question.

I am very sorry if I seemed to be challenging your Ruling, Mr. Speaker, but I was merely asking the question for information.

Reasons why I do or do not accept Questions are not in Order.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary tell the House why the Minister of Civil Aviation, when he dissented from the Report, said he did not propose to give his reasons? Is it not very undesirable that the Minister should dissent without giving specific reasons?

No, Sir. He has given his decisions after considering the facts—he says so.

There have, I think, been circumstances in which Ministers have disagreed with the reports of committees they have set up, but have there been any cases where, a report having been submitted, the Minister has not come down to the House, having studied the report, and given his reasons and explanations? [HON.MEMBERS: "Answer."] May I ask the Prime Minister if he can recall any such precedent, because I can recall none?

Answer.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the last thing people in Prestwick want is that this should be made a party matter? Is he aware that this accident took place in October, that five months passed before the commission reported, and that another five months passed before the Report was laid before the House? Will he do something to accelerate the reports of these commissions? Will he also assure us that every step is now being taken at Prestwick to carry out the recommendations and ensure that Prestwick is made safer?

Yes, Sir. All the recommendations of the Report, and others arising subsequent to the inquiry, have been fully investigated and are being implemented where appropriate. On the legal side of the inquiry, surely there would have been interference by the Minister if, in fact, he had interfered with its progress. He appointed the inquiry, and the lawyer took a very long time to consider the Report. The inquiry was held in February, and it was not until July that the gentleman in charge of the inquiry presented his Report. There had to be discussions with the Dutch Government, which took a certain amount of time due to the questions of translation and so on which arose. Everything possible was done with the utmost speed after receipt of the Report by the Minister.

How can the Government expect distinguished and erudite civilians to preside over such inquiries in the future, if the Minister responsible immediately disregards the findings?

May I make it clear that there is no disregarding of the findings? All that has happened is that because civil servants are concerned—it is not the usual custom for them to defend themselves—the responsible Minister has stated that in his opinion no blame attaches to them.

Is it not the case that civil servants had a right to defend themselves at the inquiry? Are we to take it, in view of the fact that we have already discussed another important inquiry, that it is the intention or desire of the Minister who appoints these inquiries that they should report according to his views and desires, or is the inquiry to be completely independent of the Minister, or the Governor, as the case may be?

I think I have made it perfectly clear that the inquiry was independent. There was no interference in any shape or form. All that has happened is that, when the President of the Court presented his Report to the Minister, the Minister, in considering the Report, dissented from the implications of one of the findings.

As the Parliamentary Secretary has said that the Minister and the tribunal relied on the same evidence, can he state the grounds on which the Minister, who did not hear the witnesses, considered himself in a better position to weigh up the evidence than the tribunal, which did hear the evidence.

Surely the Minister is entitled to an opinion.

Would my hon. Friend agree that if any precedent as to repudiation of, or disagreement with, the findings of any committee or commission were necessary, such a precedent could be found in the repeated refusals of successive Coalition and Conservative Governments to act on the findings of committees and commissions of inquiry into the nationalisation of the mining industry?

Is it not desirable that all inquiries into civil air accidents should be completely divorced from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, bearing in mind that the Ministry's own staff might well be involved and implicated, thus laying the Minister open to serious difficulties with a foreign Power, which might make a claim when he has dissented from the opinion of an inquiry?

That is what has happened in this case. The court of inquiry which was set up by the Minister was entirely outside the Ministry. On the findings the Minister has made some observations.

Will not my hon. Friend satisfy the House by undertaking to make another statement, setting out the reasons why the Minister dissents from the findings of the court of inquiry?

I am prepared to put that point to my noble Friend; no doubt he will take it fully into consideration.

Is not a matter of considerable urgency involved here? The Report of the impartial inquiry discloses a state of considerable inefficiency, which the Minister denies exists. In those circumstances, surely it is essential, in the interests of public safety, that the Parliamentary Secretary should come to the House again and disclose in full detail—not by question and answer—in a Debate the grounds for that decision and the action which it is proposed to take.

I regret that such an irresponsible observation should have been made by the hon. Member, who has not even read the report. If he will do so he will see that no such allegations of inefficiency are made against anybody.

In view of the grave nature of this matter, I beg to give notice that I shall raise it on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what advice he has given to the B.B.C. regarding the foreign countries to which broadcasts should be made; and whether he will discontinue the recently-inaugurated broadcasts to Israel in favour of broadcasts to the Baltic States.

In accordance with the terms of the B.B.C.'s Licence and Agreement, my right hon. Friend has prescribed to the Corporation the countries to which overseas broadcasts are directed and the languages in which these broadcasts are made. The answer to the second part of the Question is, "No. Sir."

Is it really more important to spend the taxpayers' money on broadcasting to Israel, a country of less than one million inhabitants, which is wide open to the Western world, than to broadcast to the three Baltic States, which are still recognised sub judice by His Majesty's Government and which are shut off completely from truth and Western civilisation?

I do not think these broadcasts are so easily interchangeable. I think the broadcasts to Israel have justified themselves and are being successful. Broadcasting to the Baltic countries raises a number of difficult technical questions, since the broadcast cannot be fitted on the relevant network easily.

Is my hon. Friend advising the B.B.C. to cut down the amount of time devoted to certain Western countries—for example, France—and to increase the amount of time devoted to Eastern Europe and Israel?

For the reasons I have given it is not easy to switch a broadcast from one country to another—for technical reasons—but I will certainly look into it.

While we understand the difficulties of switching—and may I say we welcome these broadcasts and think they do good?—could the Minister let us have in the Library or in some other way a list of the countries to which these broadcasts are now made and the times, which are employed?

If the information is not already available in the Library, I will certainly see that it is made available.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that Miss Krene Pavlides, a British subject, who was sentenced to death by a military court in Athens on 5th March, 1949, for the alleged distribution of leaflets, and whose sentence has since been commuted to life imprisonment, is now to be transported to a prison on one of the Aegean Islands; and if he will now, in view of Miss Pavlides citizenship, her youth, and the nature of the alleged offence, press the Greek Government energetically to repatriate her to her home in Cyprus.

I have no information to suggest that there is any intention of moving Miss Pavlides to an Aegean island. His Majesty's Government would, however, welcome a decision by the Greek authorities to deport her to her home in Cyprus, and representations in this sense have already been made to the Greek Government.

While thanking my hon. Friend for his statement, which I am quite sure will bring hope to this girl's family, may I ask will he not take into consideration the long time this girl has spent in prison since he first promised to intervene and will he make most energetic representations that she should be deported home at the earliest possible opportunity?

I think my answer shows that we are taking suitable action already.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now institute an inquiry into the origin of the accusations made against British Administration officials in Italian Somaliland.

No, Sir.

Will the Minister kindly explain to me how it is that, while his right hon. Friend says he would like to make an inquiry into how my friends managed to start these reports going, when he receives an invitation to make an inquiry into how my friends started the reports the answer is, "No, Sir." What does it mean?

That the investigation is not worth making.

Last week the hon. Gentleman's right hon. Friend said he would like an opportunity to make such an inquiry. Now I give him the opportunity of instituting an inquiry. What is he afraid of?

Your friends.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply he has returned to the proposal of the Chancellor of the West German Federal Republic that French, American and other foreign private investors should be permitted to make investments in the Ruhr iron and steel industry.

No formal proposal for the investment of foreign capital in the Ruhr iron and steel industry has been put to His Majesty's Government. The Federal Chancellor, Dr. Adenauer, has, however, publicly declared his Government's readiness to consider, amongst other proposals, the participation of foreign capital in the Ruhr as a means of satisfying Allied security requirements. Dr. Adenauer has been advised that the Allied Governments are not prepared to pursue this proposal further.

While thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask whether he is conscious of the danger to democracy and peace of the re-establishment of privately owned steel cartels in Germany, even if they should go under the blessed name of re-integration?

Yes, Sir. We want to encourage new investment in Germany, including foreign investment, but it must, of course, be on a fair and democratic basis.

Is the influence of the Foreign Secretary with the Western German Government increased or diminished by the fact that Mr. Morgan Phillips is negotiating with the German Opposition?

Could my hon. Friend say whether there is any machinery available whereby the trade unions and the workers can be adequately consulted in connection with such a development as that he has envisaged?

I am not sure how our powers would stand under the Occupation Statute, but I think that would be a matter for the new German Government.

Is not nationalisation a more democratic form of industrialisation?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps have been taken to break up the German steel trust, Vereinigte Stahlwerke, in accordance with the decartellisation ordinance.

It is scheduled for liquidation under Law 75. The steel producing units, with the exception of two plants, have been severed from the parent concern. German trustees have been appointed to plan the reorganisation of the steel and colliery holdings of the concern. The subsidiaries, other than coal and steel, will be the subject of separate liquidation.

Can my hon. Friend say, then, how it was possible for the West German Chancellor to make a proposal for the extension of the share capital of Vereinigte Stahlwerke, and to invite foreign participation in the capital of that concern?

I can only say that it is the firm intention of the High Commission to proceed with the liquidation of this concern.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give particulars of the convention which made it necessary for the United Kingdom to vote for the election of Czechoslovakia to the Security Council

The convention is in the nature of a working arrangement which has developed from the practice of the General Assembly of the United Nations. Under this arrangement one of the six non-permanent seats on the Security Council has always gone to the British Commonwealth, one to Western Europe, two to Latin America, one to the Middle East and one to Eastern Europe. It has also come to be generally accepted that the candidate supported by these groups of nations should receive general support.

As I understand that this convention was made several years ago under very different conditions, would the Government consider terminating or amending it?

There was no specific time limit to the convention when it was made. It is a working arrangement which has grown up. In answer to the last part of the supplementary question, I think there are some advantages in this working arrangement by which a member of the Commonwealth has always been a non-permanent member of the Security Council. It has advantages. It prevents bitterness and deadlocks sometimes in these elections.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the attitude of the Foreign Secretary in this matter was obviously fair and just and would be opposed only by those whose minds were clouded with hate and suspicion?

My right hon. Friend will be glad of such a tribute from such a source.

I do not think he will.

Is the Under-Secretary of State aware that the action of the British Government in this regard exercised a most depressing effect upon the people of Czechoslovakia, and that what the British Government did was inevitably taken as endorsing the Soviet ridden régime in Czechoslovakia?

There was no new departure whatever in this action of ours. The Czechoslovak people have certainly misunderstood our attitude if that is the deduction they have drawn.

Is it not the case that the ganging up against Czechoslovakia at the United Nations was similar to the unscrupulous ganging up at Strasbourg against the Patronage Secretary?

Does the Under-Secretary of State recall that at the time of the coup d'état in Czechoslovakia the National Council of Labour said that anybody who attempted to condone that crime showed himself entirely false to all ideas of democracy?"

If the hon. and learned Gentleman thinks we are condoning the Czechoslovak régime by the action we have taken he is wilfully misunderstanding our position.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the benefits he expects British Honduras to experience as a result of His Majesty's Government's policy not to devalue the British Honduras dollar.

The British Honduras dollar has been linked by law with the U.S. dollar since 1894. Largely because so much of the Colony's imports (at present about 70 per cent.) come from American account countries, no change was made in this position last September.

Is not the Under-Secretary of State aware that unemployment in British Honduras is on the increase, and that development such as is envisaged in the Evans Report will not have a chance of success unless some provision is made for this arrangement?

I understand that on the whole this decision has received a welcome in British Honduras.

As the facts that the Under-Secretary of State and I have appear to differ very widely, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter again as soon as possible on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the average wage of a workman, over the age of

As there are a number of figures in the reply, I will with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will my hon. Friend emphasise to the Administration in Hong Kong that because of the wide disparity between increases in wage rates and increases in the cost of living they should not put down demands for wage increases as Communist propaganda, and that the best way to meet Communist propaganda is to provide decent living conditions for the people?

As my hon. Friend will see when he reads my answer, in fact wage rates have risen by a higher percentage than the cost of living, so his suggestion to me does not arise.

Is my hon. Friend aware that wage rates and general working conditions in Hong Kong are better than they are in almost any other part of the Far East?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken by the Government of Hong Kong to control rents and to prevent the charging of key money.

Rents in Hong Kong are controlled by legislation which applies, with certain minor exceptions, to all premises built before 1945. The ordinance makes it an offence to demand any consideration whatsoever for the grant, renewal or continuance of a tenancy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how the selection boards choose detenus in Malaya and Singapore for re-education at the Academy of Peace and Tranquillity; whether the detenus so chosen are allowed to refuse to attend; and what is the course of study provided at this academy.

In order that we may understand the reply to this Question can we know what is meant by "detenus "? I cannot find it in any dictionary.

Illiterate.

I am not using the word, and so, perhaps, the hon. and gallant Gentleman will be satisfied with my reply.

Detainees are selected after personal interview by a committee, which includes unofficials, on the recommendation of the police, the superintendents of detention camps, and Committees of Review. Only those willing to attend are selected. The programme includes vocational training, instruction in manual crafts and agriculture, primary education in the detainees' own tongue, and in Malay or English. Lectures will be given by distinguished visitors. Detainees will manage their own camp organisations.

Somehow the Under-Secretary of State has not given the House the information required, namely, what particular subjects are taught to these persons in the faculty of peace and tranquillity? If he knows the answer to that it will be very useful for all kinds of countries in the world to have that answer. Can the hon. Gentleman say, at the same time, if those persons are being taught to accept imperialist domination as a form of peace and tranquillity?

No information of the Russian State is given, so the last part of the supplementary question does not arise. As to the other part, I have already given the House, I think, the programme which it is intended should fit these people into a happy, peaceful and prosperous life in the community.

For what sort of wages?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what provisions there are in the scales of non-European Malayan teachers' salaries for extra payments for special qualifications.

For some categories of teachers there is provision within the salary scales for extra payments according to qualifications. Most teachers, however, enter different salary scales according to their qualifications.

Can the Under-Secretary tell us the relative salaries of European and Malayan teachers?

That is a different question altogether.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now make a statement concerning the financial irregularities and thefts revealed in the report of the principal auditor of the accounts of Cyprus during 1948.

My right hon. Friend has now received the Auditor's Report and the Governor's comments, and he is satisfied that, wherever necessary, police investigations have been instituted, or disciplinary action taken, and measures put in hand for tightening up the application of regulations.

Is it possible for the House to have the report of that inquiry circulated, or placed in the Library? Will the hon. Gentleman reconcile, now or at some other time, the figure he gave when I last asked a question about this—that the total losses were only in the region of £800—with the official report figure of £18,739?

The report has already been published in Cyprus and I am quite sure it could easily be made available in the Library, if so desired. The amount of difference was £800 out of a total of £12 million, and the £800 largely consisted of two thefts, so I think the figure I gave was quite correct.

The official report definitely refers to £18,739. Would the hon. Gentleman not look into the matter again, to see if, perhaps, someone is "pulling a fast one"?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the roads in Kenya will be brought up to the standard of the roads in Uganda.

Comparisons are difficult to make but in Kenya there are greater distances in relation to population, less favourable soil conditions, heavier traffic, and greater expense involved in building and maintaining roads. Larger sums have, however, been allotted to road development in the Kenya development plan.

In view of the urgent need in Kenya for improved roads will the Under-Secretary of State urge the Governor to press on rapidly with better road construction?

There is, as the hon. Gentleman knows, I think, a road authority committee appointed by the Governor to go into this whole question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what alternative accommodation and subsistence provision have been offered by the Kenya Government to the people rendered homeless by official action in burning three huts in the Ndeiya Reserve.

My right hon. Friend has asked the Governor for information and will write to my hon. Friend when it is received.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind, together with the Government of Kenya, the practice which obtains in some other Colonies of providing suitable alternative accommodation before having the order for destruction carried out?

We have not heard of any destruction at all. This was the first information that came to us on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Africans have been arrested as the result of the passing by the Kenya Legislature of the measure to control the voluntarily unemployed; and what action has been taken by the courts in these cases.

The Bill was passed by the Legislative Council on 19th August. I am not aware of any action taken under the Ordinance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the regulations governing the meetings of Africans in Kenya to discuss their own racial problems; and why special difficulties have occurred in the Fort Hall and Nyeri Districts recently leading to a prohibition of such meetings.

Public assemblies in Kenya are regulated under Section 30 of the Police Ordinance of 1948, which is of general application. My right hon. Friend is not aware that any special difficulties have occurred recently, but he is asking the Governor for information and will write to my hon. Friend when he receives it.

In view of the urgent necessity of setting up suitable local administrations in which the African population are required to participate, would not my hon. Friend agree that the absolute banning of African peoples from discussing local affairs is regrettable?

Well, it does not take place. The regulations in Kenya are on the same lines as in this country, and the African member, Mr. Mathu, whom my hon. Friend knows, expressed appreciation when this Ordinance went through.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) if he is aware that a candidate for election to the Legislative Council of British Guiana must have an annual income of £250 or possess property value £208 in order to be eligible for nomination; and what steps he proposes to take to abolish these qualifications;

(2) if he is aware that a voter in the election of the Legislative Council of British Guiana must be literate and possess three acres of land or property of £31 5s. in value, or pay £10 rent, or Income Tax of £4 3s. 4d., or have an income of £25 per year; and what steps he proposes to take to make the franchise more democratic.

As the Governor has announced, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has agreed to appoint a special Commission to visit British Guiana next year to make recommendations on the franchise, the composition of the Legislative Council, and related matters.

Does the hon. Gentleman think it would be better if the electors were illiterate?

I am afraid the point of that question escapes me.

Could the Under-Secretary say whether there is any information in the possession of the Colonial Office to show that those people who own property vote more intelligently than those people who do not?

Look at the other side: that should show.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the percentage of illiteracy amongst the East Indians in British Guiana; and what steps are being taken to deal with it.

The latest estimates put the figure at over 40 per cent. The Colony's ten-year development plan provides for the extension of primary education. An experimental literacy campaign was carried out in 1948, and is being continued this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proportion of employees on sugar estates in British Guiana are still housed in barrack lines; and what steps are being taker to rehouse them.