asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he is aware that from January, 1949, the British Administration in Eritrea has ceased to allow the import of wheat from Ethiopia; to what extent this prohibition refers purely to wheat consumed in Eritrea itself; and whether he will review this regulation in view of the fact that it is causing serious distress among the farmers of the adjacent Ethiopian province.

No imports of wheat for consumption in Eritrea were required in January and February of this year because adequate stocks were available. Imports started again in March and are continuing. The movement of wheat in transit through Eritrea was not affected.

Can my hon. Friend assure the House that there is now no prohibition on the importation of wheat from Ethiopia into Eritrea?

No, Sir. Imports have started again.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether, having regard to the fact that the United Nations' Political Committee has proposed the sending of another commission of inquiry to Eritrea, and the postponement of the decision on the future of this former colony for a further year, he will give an assurance that His Majesty's Government will uphold in the General Assembly of the United Nations the policy of the reunion of Ethiopia and Eritrea sponsored by Britain at the last Assembly and urge an immediate decision.

His Majesty's Government have not changed their views in regard to the best solution of the problem of the disposal of Eritrea, but they have accepted the resolution of the General Assembly providing for postponement of a decision, and consider that the only attitude which they can properly adopt is one of strict neutrality pending the findings of the Commission of Inquiry and subsequent decision by the General Assembly.

In view of the fact that prior to the Italian aggression and domination Eritrea was politically united with Ethiopia, will His Majesty's Government continue to urge upon the United Nations the desirability of a reunion along similar lines?

I think that is now a matter for the Commission who will, no doubt, take into consideration the factor which my hon. Friend mentions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the United Nations proposes to send a further commission of inquiry to Eritrea, and in the interests of democratic government, he will instruct the British Administration of Eritrea to prepare an electoral roll for the capital of that territory, in order that the opinion of the population of the capital may be adequately expressed on the question of the future disposal of the colony, and any other matter of importance which may arise, with proper safeguards against personation, intimidation and corrupt practice and to preserve the inviolability of the ballot.

No, Sir. The General Assembly of the United Nations has decided to establish the Commission to which my hon. Friend refers and it is for the Commission itself to decide how it should carry out the instructions it has been given by the General Assembly.

If Eritrea is to be consulted on the matter of her own future, is it not desirable that proper facilities be provided for her along the lines indicated, so that she can express her own desires in a democratic manner?

It is the principal task of the Commission to discover the views of the inhabitants. I do not think that action such as that is called for by His Majesty's Government.

Can the hon. Gentleman assure the House that when this Commission appears in Eritrea there will be no diminution in the control by the British of Eritrea during that period?

No, we shall carry on the administration as usual.

Is it not already quite clear what are the wishes of the people of Eritrea?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the British representative at Lake Success on 22nd November, 1949, voted with the South African representative to exclude the Reverend Michael Scott from making representations to United Nations Organisation regarding the treatment of certain native tribes in South-West Africa by the South African Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why he instructed the British representative to vote against permission being given to Rev. Michael Scott, a missionary, to state the grievances of natives of South-West Africa to the United Nations Trusteeship Committee.

His Majesty's Government consider that a hearing in the Committees of the General Assembly of a private person claiming to represent a group of individuals is a thoroughly undesirable precedent, and might lead to requests for a hearing from any group of persons with a complaint against their own Government. The Assembly Committees are not the appropriate bodies for such a task.

Can my hon. Friend enlighten us on this? Since the South African Government have refused to send any reports of German South-West Africa to the United Nations, and since no provision exists for referring these matters to any tribunals, how can the United Nations find out what is happening, unless some hearing is given to non-governmental organisations and non-governmental individuals?

The question is to what extent this is a matter for the Government of South Africa alone, and to what extent it is a matter for the United Nations. It has now been decided that that question is to be put to the International Court.

Will the Under-Secretary make it quite clear that nowadays there is no such place as "German" South-West Africa?

Would it not have been more in accordance with the British traditions of championing the weak if His Majesty's Government had not taken refuge behind a technical point? May I ask for an assurance that in future the policy of the Government will be influenced by justice and not by political expediency?

I should make it clear that I am making no comment whatever on the justice or injustice of the case put forward by the Reverend Michael Scott. I am saying that if we allow the procedure of the United Nations and the Charter of the United Nations to be twisted in this way there is no knowing where it will end.

Whatever the legalistic evasions behind which my hon. Friend has to take refuge may be, may I ask whether he has consulted with the Colonial Secretary, and if he is aware of the grave repercussions throughout the Colonial Empire of our failure to stand up to South Africa on this matter?

I do not accept the implication in that question. My right hon. Friend has, of course, been in constant touch with this problem.

Since my hon. Friend in his reply to a previous supplementary question takes satisfaction from the fact that this has now been referred to The Hague Court, can he say why our representative did not support this?

We have all along taken the view that it should be referred to the Court. I regret that I must ask for notice of the particular aspects of the resolution which made it necessary for us to abstain. We have always championed the principle of sending it to the Court.

Does my hon. Friend appreciate that the Reverend Michael Scott is accepted as a voice on behalf of those who otherwise would have no voice at all? Is he aware that he has a tremendous influence in South Africa?

As the United Kingdom delegate made it clear on that occasion, it is open to the Reverend Michael Scott to make his views known in many other forums, and he has done so. But we must maintain the procedure and Charter of the United Nations.

Can my hon. Friend say what was wrong with the procedure adopted, inasmuch as the great majority of the nations which took part did not think there was any breach or twisting, and what does he think is the right method for a minority group to have its infringed rights investigated by the United Nations?

There are other ways of raising these matters outside the United Nations. Within the United Nations there is discussion on a convention on human rights where, under certain safeguards, it may be possible to raise these matters. But to raise them in the way that this was raised, I can only repeat, is a very dangerous precedent.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken in connection with the work of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation, to secure great co-ordination between the industries and economic systems of the Marshall Plan countries and to prevent overlapping and high costs of production.

As my hon. Friend will appreciate, the general objectives outlined by him underlie many of the activities of O.E.E.C. As examples of progress achieved, I would quote: first, the steps which have been taken to free intra-European trade from import restrictions on the lines of the proposals first put forward last summer by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and, secondly, the studies which are proceeding as a result of directives laid down by the organisation of the investment proposed by the participating countries in the oil and steel industries.

Would not an understanding on this matter contribute towards lowering costs of production, and thereby help to solve the difficult problems of the dollar deficiency for the whole of the European economy?

Yes, Sir. But the relaxation of import restrictions, to which I have referred, should contribute to lowering unduly high costs of production in Europe.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will discuss the Council of Europe with Commonwealth Ministers in his forthcoming visit to the Colombo conference.

The agenda for the conference has not yet been finally settled, and the hon. Member will appreciate that I am not in a position to give him a definite assurance that this specific question will be discussed.

Will my hon. Friend convey to the Foreign Secretary that this is a unique opportunity to obtain good understanding with the Dominions, in view of the fact that they are constantly told that European co-operation is being limited by imperial commitments? Will he take note of the unanimous resolution that was passed yesterday by the United Kingdom Council?

My right hon. Friend is certainly aware of that point. I am unable to give the assurance because I must know the views of the other Governments first.

In view of the unanimous resolution which was passed by the Council, does not my hon. Friend feel that the sooner the position is clarified the better for the growth of the Council? Can he think of any better way of getting it on the agenda at Colombo?

"I would point out that this has often been discussed in the past with the Commonwealth Ministers.

Is it not possible that the views of some Commonwealth countries may change, as in New Zealand, where the Conservatives have just won a resounding victory.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he will publish a White Paper on the recommendations of the Strasbourg Assembly to the Committee of Ministers, together with subsequent communications between the Committee of Ministers and the President of the Assembly.

A full report on the proceedings of the First Session of the Council of Europe was published as a White Paper on 25th October. This document contained a full text of the recommendations submitted to the Committee of Ministers by the Consultative Assembly. A report on the Second Session of the Committee of Ministers and of the second meeting of the Standing Committee of the Consultative Assembly is in course of preparation and will be laid before the House within the next few days.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the purpose of the recent conference held in Nairobi under the chairmanship of the Governor of Kenya, and attended by the Commander-in-Chief East Indies Station, the General Officer commanding East Africa, the Air Officer commanding, the Governors of Tanganyika and Uganda and the British Resident at Zanzibar.

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind the fourth routine meeting of the East Africa High Commission, held in August last. The purpose of such meetings is to discuss matters arising within the purview of the High Commission.

Does that mean that this extraordinary assembly of high powered officers was there to consider what is to be done in the face of the rising discontent of the native peoples of West Africa, and may we assume, as a matter of course, that a report of the deliberations was sent to the American chiefs of staff?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the programme for road construction in Kenya for the next 10 years.

The Kenya Government is considering recommendations by a special road committee that there should be a £9 million road programme during 1951–1962 and a road authority to lay down policy and priorities. Meanwhile, a considerable road programme is already in hand and this will continue during 1950.

Is there any danger of this programme being slowed down as a result of the personal views of the Governor of the Colony?

No, Sir; the programme is under constant view, but there is no intention to slow it down.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the rates of pay for the miners in the coalmining area of Enugu, Nigeria, and, in particular, the rates of pay of the miners employed at the Obwetti mines and the Iva Valley mine.

As the answer is long, and contains detailed figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will not the figures show what the right hon. Gentleman, in his Socialist days, used to call the imperialist exploitation of the native peoples? Will they not justify the miners striking for a decent living wage?

This was not a strike of miners for a decent living wage. Considering the cost of living and the background of Africa, I think the wages are fair for the work done.

Do the figures include the average hours per shift work and, if not, will my right hon. Friend see that they are included?

If they are not included I will see that they are.

Is it not a fact that the mines in question are Government owned?

Yes, Sir. They are under the ownership of the Nigerian Government.

Can my right hon. Friend say how the wages paid to these miners compare with those paid to similar workers in that part of the Continent?

The wages compare very favourably indeed.

Has a labour office been set up in Nigeria, have trade union advisers been sent out and is the miners' union recognised as the official union in this matter?

The answer to all those points is in the affirmative, and the labour department of the Nigerian Government has given considerable help to the miners in their trade union activities.

Is it not a fact that the absenteeism figures in those mines are less than half the figures in this country?

As the Government have already decided that the wages paid are fair for the work done, and that the other matters which my hon. Friend has asked about are also satisfactory, can my right hon. Friend tell us what there is left for the Commission of Inquiry to inquire into?

I thought it was within the knowledge of my hon. Friend that there had been a very grave and tragic event at Enugu, and that certain labour difficulties had emerged. The inquiry is for the purpose of studying the whole position and reporting to the Government on the events which have taken place and the steps which need to be taken to improve the present state of affairs.

I think my right hon. Friend misunderstood my question. I was not referring to the Commission which he is sending out but the Commission of Inquiry into labour disputes, whose work was already proceeding.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies for how long the trade unions concerned have been officially recognised at the Enugu colliery; how many workers have been dismissed in connection with industrial disputes in 1949; and how long the present claim for a wage increase has been under consideration.

The Colliery Workers' Union at Enugu was registered in 1941, and has been recognised for negotiation purposes except during a period when it was found not to be representative of the workers. The union is represented on the Colliery Whitley Council which was formed in 1948. When the "go-slow" strike began early in November the newly formed Colliery Board, on which Nigerians serve, made every effort to get the men to resume full work; it was only after these efforts had failed that 150 hewers were dismissed. As I have already said, my information is that no wage claim was under negotiation at the time.

Would my right hon. Friend confirm the report that the Nigerian trade union movement are cooperating with the Government to avoid the spreading of disorder arising out of this unfortunate incident, in particular in connection with the recent proposed demonstration in Lagos, which was banned?

Yes, Sir. It is true that there is co-operation between the authorities and the trade union movement in Nigeria.

Are we to take it that the shooting of over 20 miners is an "unfortunate incident"? That is not the language which the Labour Party used at Tonypandy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the specific nature of the industrial dispute at Enugu; at what date the deadlock between the Nigeria Africa Mineworkers Union and the Employers Association was first notified; what action the labour commissioner took when the association refused to go to arbitration; and, apart from the inquiry into the disturbance, whether the industrial dispute will now go to arbitration.

According to my information, no trade dispute was declared, nor was there any refusal on the part of the colliery management to go to arbitration; but it is for the Commission of Inquiry to investigate these matters and establish the facts.

Am I to take it that the reports in some parts of the Press that there was a refusal to arbitrate on the part of the so-called employers' association is quite incorrect?

My information is that it is incorrect.

Could my right hon. Friend say if the trade unions refused to go to arbitration, and could he tell us at the same time what extent of the trouble is due to wage problems, and how much to nationalist aspirations?

I must leave this matter to the Inquiry.

Would my right hon. Friend give the House the composition of the colliery board and, what is the representation of Africans and trade unionists on it?

I would desire notice of that. I can inform the House, however, that a number of Nigerians are serving on the board.

Is the Minister aware that the asking of these questions gives the African natives the impression that they are badly paid, which is a great disservice to the Africans themselves? Is he also aware that, compared with the job the African does, it is the dearest labour in the world, and that it is impossible for the African to advance his standard of living unless he is prepared to do more work for the money he is receiving?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent the recent refusal of the demand for higher wages by the coalminers of Enugu, Nigeria, was determined by considerations of the effect that such an increase would have on the price of coal.

I have already given in reply to the hon. Member for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) the information available. According to my present information the disorders at Enugu were not preceded by any negotiation upon, or refusal of, a demand by the union for higher wages. I suggest that it would be very much better to leave it to the Commission of Inquiry to establish the facts of the matter.

Would it not be better to leave these matters for the inquiry? If the right hon. Gentleman proceeds to give many more facts there will not be anything left for the commission to determine.

Will not my right hon. Friend hold an inquiry into the conditions of the workers in Nigeria so that we could render some assistance? Is he aware that if he wishes to win the confidence of the workers in Nigeria he should consult the T.U.C. and ask them to send out a commission of inquiry themselves?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the terms of reference and composition of the Commission of Inquiry into the Enugu dispute.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether representatives of organised labour have been appointed to the Commission of Inquiry into the shooting of miners at Enugu; and if he can announce the composition of the Commission.

I informed the House of the composition and terms of reference of the Commission on Monday last.

Does that mean that no additional person can be appointed to this Inquiry?

The Inquiry has been set up, and will start work shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether consideration has been given to payment of compensation to the wounded and to the relatives of those killed in the Enugu incident; and on what terms.

The matter is one for the Nigerian Government, and one to which I am sure they will give careful consideration. I am asking the Governor to keep me informed.

Are the terms of reference of the Commission of Inquiry wide enough to include consideration of recommendations on this point?

This is a matter for the Nigerian Legislative Council itself.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a further statement about the riots in Nigeria.

There is, at present, not much to add to the information I gave the House on Monday. No further disorders have been reported from anywhere in Nigeria. Trade union leaders in Lagos decided a few days ago to cancel a public meeting there in order to avoid the possibility of disturbance. According to latest information from Enugu the "go-slow" at the colliery still continues, and the safety position in the mines is causing anxiety. Discussions are continuing between the authorities and the miners. I am glad to say that the Commission will start its work in Nigeria before the ensuing week-end.

Is this not a very peculiar riot when nobody was injured by those who were alleged to be rioting?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the further disturbances at Port Harcourt and elsewhere in Nigeria; whether the police attempted to disperse the rioters by other means, such as the use of tear gas, before opening fire; to what extent these outbreaks were related to the disturbance at Enugu in which 18 miners were killed; and whether the commission of inquiry will be required to investigate the economic causes as well as the immediate circumstances of these incidents.

As I explained in my statement on Monday last on the further disturbances at Aba, Port Har-court and Onitsha, the police endeavoured to disperse the crowds by baton charges and the use of tear smoke, before using firearms. The relationship of these disturbances to the events at Enugu is a matter for the Commission of Inquiry, whose terms of reference are wide enough to enable them to inquire into the causes as well as the circumstances of the disorders. I have no doubt they will do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether all Nigerian police carry firearms; if the possibility of their not normally carrying arms has been considered; and why tear-gas or non-lethal weapons have not been available instead of fire-arms in cases of industrial disturbance.

The Nigerian police do not normally carry firearms. They are trained in the use of tear-smoke, and supplies are maintained in Nigeria.

Why did the police at Enugu use firearms if they do not normally carry them?

This is a matter which can be left to the Commission of Inquiry which has been set up to go into the details of the dispute.

Medlicott: Can the right hon. Gentleman say how these things happen when there is a Socialist Government in this country, since we have been led, by years of propaganda, to believe that they could only happen under Tory misrule?

In addition to the use of tear gas, has my right hon. Friend given any consideration to the use of the fire brigade, if there is a fire brigade?

I can answer that in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps were taken by the Governor to consult representative Chinese, other than those who are members of the Legislative Council, before formulating his recommendations for constitutional reform in Hong Kong.

The draft legislation to implement the "Young Plan" for constitutional reform was published for general information and to enable public opinion in Hong Kong to formulate itself. The Governor's present recommendations have been framed after consideration, inter alia, of views expressed to him by associations and bodies representative of Chinese interests in the Colony, as well as those Chinese who are members of the Legislative Council.

Could my right hon. Friend say why it has taken so incredibly long to reach a decision on this question of constitutional reform, seeing that it is four years since the end of the war with the Japanese and six months since the proposals were made to him?

I have already explained that soon after the liberation of Hong Kong this problem received our urgent attention but it was not possible, for a variety of reasons, to make very much progress with the proposals of the Governor and those which were sent back from London.

Will the right hon. Friend suggest to his right hon. Friends advising the Crown here, to consult representative Englishmen, other than those who are members of the Cabinet, before assenting to the Parliament Bill?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) if he will inquire into the lack of medical supplies and hospital accommodation at Lethem, British Guiana, as a result of which 50 Indians died in a recent outbreak of measles;

I have at present, no information on these subjects, but I have asked the Governor for a report and will communicate with the hon. Member when I receive it.

In communicating with the Governor, will my right hon. Friend make special inquiries whether there has been any smuggling of spirits across the nearby Brazilian border, to which some troubles are attributed?

In view of the serious allegations contained in these Questions would my right hon. Friend communicate his answer to the whole House, and not merely to one hon. Member?