asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he is aware of the recent engine failures which have occurred on the stratocruiser aircraft operated by British Overseas Airways Corporation, necessitating the return of these aircraft to base from scheduled trips; what reports he has received as to the airworthiness of these machines; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, Sir. As with other new types of aircraft, teething troubles have been experienced with the stratocruiser and B.O.A.C. pilots are specially careful not to run risks. The Corporation have satisfied my noble Friend that in their experience, these troubles are not such as to cause concern about the airworthiness of the aircraft.

That does not answer my Question As these aircraft have turned back on numerous Gentleman quite satisfied that this enhances the reputation of British aviation with American equipment? What is he doing, with the manufacturers, to get some compensation for the large sum of money spent?

The occasions on which these aircraft have turned back are not so numerous as the holt. and gallant Gentleman seems to think—

How many?

The fact is that these aircraft are considered by the Corporation to be essential if the Corporation is to be competitive on that route.

So that the House may know how numerous are these returns, how many, in fact. are they?

I do not know whether the hon. Member means returns from the tarmac or returns after the aircraft has taken off, but I think that from all causes the occasions are something like 13 out of a total of 427.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation on how many occasions officers of his Department have exercised their right of entry into private premises in order to extinguish lights.

Section 53 of the Air Navigation Order authorises the serving of a notice on the owner or occupier of a place, requiring him to extinguish or screen a light, which, by reason of its glare, or because it might be mistaken for a light provided for air navigation purposes, is liable to endanger aircraft. If the requirements of the notice are not met within a specified time, a person, authorised in writing by the Minister, may be empowered to enter the premises and to take such steps as may be necessary to secure compliance.

No officers of my Department are at present authorised, nor have ever been authorised, under this provision. The answer to the Question is, therefore, "None, Sir." I may add that a provision of this kind has been in existence since 1922.

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for that answer, may I ask him if he will kindly set a good example to his colleagues by giving up this right of entry?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what steps he is taking to ensure an adequate supply of air crews for British air lines, in view of the high cost of such training and the limited numbers available from Royal Air Force Transport Command.

As proposed in Recommendations 7 to 10 of the Wilcock Report (a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member) a standing committee representative of the Service Departments, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the civil operators has been set up to arrange for the pre-selection of pilots for civil aviation employment and for training while still in the Services. The standing committee is also charged with the task of keeping under review the number of personnel likely to be required and is now engaged on such a review. It appears probable that for some time to come the needs of civil aviation will be met from Service sources. No special measures are thought necessary for ensuring an adequate supply to civil aviation of aircrew other than pilots.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that there is at present no air training scheme which is equivalent to the Merchant Navy scheme, that is to say, training ships and apprenticeships. Does he also realise that in Holland the K.L.M. run civilian schools especially for airline pilots, and that their requirements are only 70 per year as opposed to our 200 to 300?

If such a scheme is held to be necessary this standing committee would recommend that such schools should be set up. After careful considera- tion, it has not been thought that there is any necessity for such a scheme at present.

Surely we should not depend entirely on the Royal Air Force for our supply of pilots for civil aviation. That would be like depending on the Royal Navy for our supply of seamen for the Merchant Navy.

All these matters are considered by people who understand the position. At present, they are satisfied that the numbers available are sufficient to fulfil our needs.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what is his Department's policy in regard to the future of Prestwick Airport, with special reference to the operation of internal and external airlines and the manufacture and reconstruction of aircraft.

My noble Friend's policy is to keep Prestwick Airport as an international airport capable of handling transatlantic services. It is expected that some use of the Airport will be made by companies operating internal services. It is also proposed to allow Scottish Aviation Limited to continue in occupation of the aircraft factory premises subject to agreement on rentals and conditions of tenure.

As that answer is not at all satisfactory, I should like to ask the hon. Gentleman one direct question: is it the considered policy of His Majesty's Government to prevent Scotland operating her own internal as well as external lines, and also building her own aircraft?

The considered policy is set out in the answer I have already given.

I must ask for your guidance and help, Mr. Speaker. In view of what is generally recognised in Scotland as the callous attitude of the Government towards the interests of Scotland, I ask that I should be allowed to move the Adjournment of the House to Debate this question.

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman wants to do that, he must bring a notice to the Table and then I will consider it. This is not the time for me to say whether or not I shall accept it.

Then I may take it that I should have your good-will, Sir, if I brought such a notice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation why his Department has decided to appoint a person to hear, in private, the objections to his proposed compulsory purchase order for Prestwick Airport; and why this matter should not be investigated by a public inquiry.

The hon. and gallant Member is under a misapprehension. The hearing will not be in private.

I should like to thank the hon. Gentleman for that one concession to Scottish aviation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he will provide grass landing strips at all suitable civilian aerodromes under his control to save wear on runways, and so cheapen landing fees for those aircraft able and willing to use them.

At aerodromes controlled by my Department, aircraft able to land off the runways are allowed to do so when the surface is suitable and conditions are appropriate. A lower landing fee would not be justified in such cases.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in France, where this practice is common, landing fees for light aircraft are one-quarter and one-fifth of what they are in this country?

Landing fees in this country are already considerably under the economic rate, and it would be difficult to justify a further subsidy.

Is the Minister aware that with petrol up by 9d. a gallon there will not be any civil aircraft to land anywhere?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what has been the result of his discussions regarding the restoration of weather broadcasts from air meteorological stations.

I presume the hon. Member refers to the airmet service which, until 15th March, was transmitted on 1210 metres. Alternative means of continuing this service are being investigated, but it may take some little time to reach a satisfactory solution of this problem which is rendered difficult by the heavy demands for wavelengths from more essential services.

Is the Minister aware that there is a continuing danger to life so long as it is impossible to transmit this service?

No, I would not admit that. The information which was originally broadcast to civil air pilots is now available to those pilots through other services. I agree, however, that it would be appreciated by many people if we could restart them, and an effort will be made to do so.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider this matter again most carefully? Can he give an undertaking that a wavelength will be used which can be received on ordinary receiving sets, because this information is of great use both to agriculturists and fishermen who cannot rely on the B.B.C. and who want the special airmet broadcasts to continue?

The hon. and gallant Member will realise that it is not within the responsibility of the Ministry of Civil Aviation to allocate wavelengths. International interests are involved. As far as we are concerned, we should very much like to secure an appropriate wavelength.

Can the hon. Gentleman say why arrangements were not made, before the reshuffle of wavelengths, for this service to be broadcast on another wavelength?

Simply because it was impossible to select a wavelength to which other countries would agree.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the wide prevalence of trypanosomiasis in West Africa, what reports he has received of the treatment of this disease by the use of antrycide.

My right hon. Friend's Tsetse Fly and Trypanosomiasis Committee has recently been considering reports from many parts of Africa, including West Africa, concerning experiments in the use of antrycide in cases of animal trypanosomiasis. These reports tend to confirm the curative merits of the drug, but, owing to the danger of toxicity and drug resistance, my right hon. Friend's expert advisers are agreed that further experimental work is required into its prophylactic qualities. This work will be pursued.

May I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on cutting his way so successfully through that verbal jungle?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what percentage and acreage of West Africa's cocoa plantations have been affected by the swollen shoot disease; and what fraction of this area has been properly treated up to date by cutting out the diseased trees.

Until the survey is complete it is not possible to give exact figures. In the Gold Coast it is estimated at present that about 250,000 acres, or about 20 per cent. of the estimated total acreage under cocoa, have been affected by the disease. About one-eighth of this area has been treated up to date by cutting out. According to present information, about 95 per cent. of the infected cocoa is in the Eastern Provinces, which now produce approximately a quarter of the Gold Coast crop. Outside the Eastern Provinces there is relatively little disease, and it is being brought rapidly under control. In Nigeria, it is estimated that a maximum of 50,000 acres, or approximately 8 per cent. of the total area under cocoa. is affected by swollen shoot. About 5 per cent. of this area has so far been cut out.

Have steps been taken to grow cocoa in other colonies, to make up for the loss of East African cocoa?

I should like notice of that question.

Is it the case in the Gold Coast, as it was last year, that new trees are becoming infected four times as fast as infected trees are being cut out?

The whole policy is under acute review and it is a matter for the local people themselves. Every step is being taken to protect the trees.

Can we take it that the former objection to the cutting down and treatment of these trees has now been removed?

One of the major problems is training facilities, which we have increased. Methods and practices are being adopted to speed these up as fast as possible.

Can the Minister tell us whether research work now in progress into the causes of these virus diseases is within measurable distance of producing results?

I am afraid that cutting out is the main process at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent West African cocoa boards and development corporations determine the countries to which products are exported; and how much and what proportion of West African cocoa is exported direct to America and other countries than our own.

The Gold Coast and Nigeria Cocoa Marketing Boards and the Sierra Leone Produce Marketing Board direct the selling policy of their respective selling organisations in London.

The second annual report of the Gold Coast Board shows cocoa sales made during the 1948–49 season by destinations; the distribution of other West African cocoa followed a similar pattern.

Do these boards and corporations direct the export of products where they can best serve the native inhabitants of the countries?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the scheme to develop a salt industry in the Turks and Caicos Islands was cancelled what expense was involved in the cancellation; and what alternative employment is being provided for the inhabitants.

The Governor of Jamaica recommended some time ago that the salt industry in the Turks and Caicos Islands should be brought under public control, and this recommendation was approved in principle by my right hon. Friend's predecessor. Negotiations on the sub- ject have been proceeding for some time, but it has not yet been possible to settle how this recommendation might best be implemented. The proposal has not, however, been abandoned, and the second part of the Question does not, therefore, arise. The industry at present enjoys better sales and prices than it has done for some time, and there is therefore no need for special measures to find alternative employment.

Will The Minister try to speed up these negotiations, which seem to be dawdling under public control?

indicated assent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many people are employed in the cigar industry of Jamaica; and what proportion is at present unemployed.

Detailed figures are not available. Employment in the larger cigar factories appears to have declined from about 3,000 in 1947 to about 1,800 in 1949. It is roughly estimated that for every worker employed in the cigar factory the whole year round there are three workers employed in the field for six months in the year.

Is the Minister aware that this decrease in employment in the cigar industry is due to the very heavy rate of duty levied by this country on imported Empire cigars? Will he make representations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to have it reduced?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the problems of the leadership and land ownership of the Maroons of Accompong, about which his Department wrote to the hon. Member for Maldon on 15th December, 1948, have now been settled; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is asking the Governor for a report on the present position, and will communicate with my hon. Friend when it has been received.

Does that mean that my right hon. Friend has not received any further report since the letter—quite a long time ago—referred to in my Question? Will my hon. Friend bear in mind the interesting and gallant early history of these people and do his best to protect them in the reasonable enjoyment of their traditional independence?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the present position in Hong Kong with regard to workmen's compensation; when the ordinance in connection with it will be promulgated; and what consultations on the subject have taken place with the local trade unions.

A draft Workmen's Compensation Bill is at present being examined by the Labour Advisory Board and it is hoped that the Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council before the end of this year. The vice-chairman and past chairman respectively of the two largest local trade unions are members of the Labour Advisory Board.

Will my hon. Friend make quite certain that this Bill is introduced speedily because this matter was first discussed before the war? Britain will not be regarded as a very good rival to Chinese Communism if it takes over 10 years to get through a simple Bill on workmen's compensation?

We are trying to speed this up, but we have to try to understand the local difficulties and immaturity of trade unionism.

Will the hon. Gentleman make certain that the penetration of Communism into the unions does not assume dangerous proportions?

Pending the passage of this Bill, can the Minister say what is being done for injured persons? Are they without rights?

I should like to see that on the Paper. I would add that they are being protected at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the composition of the Labour Advisory Board in Hong Kong; and how often it has met since 1947.

The Hong Kong Labour Advisory Board was reconstituted in January this year and is now composed of the Commissioner of Labour (ex officio chairman), two European employers' representatives, two Chinese employers' representatives, four Chinese workers' representatives, with a Services' representative as observer, and a Government Labour Officer as secretary. There have been 12 full sittings of the Board since 1947.

Is it not rather strange that workers' representatives should be so heavily outnumbered on the Board? Will my hon. Friend make representations to the Governor to ensure that the Board is equally composed of workers' representatives and employers?

We will take note of that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he expects to pay his visit to Malaya; how long he expects to remain there; and whether he will take this opportunity to visit Hong Kong.

My right hon. Friend is now hoping a visit may be possible about Whitsuntide. What length of time he will have is not yet certain; but he will certainly consider including Hong Kong in his tour if possible.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that he remains in Malaya sufficiently long to visit all parts of the country?

Will the Minister advise his right hon. Friend to visit some of the 6,000 people reported to be in gaol in Malaya, to find out their point of view?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement about the circumstances under which Mr. McNamee has been arrested in Malaya and refused permission to return to his rubber estate.

I have asked the High Commissioner for a report on this matter and I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as I have received it.

Can the hon. Gentleman say for what purpose and under what charge he has been arrested?

I would rather wait until we see the report from the Governor.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when he expects to commence negotiations with the Institution of Professional Civil Servants about the assimilation of the senior staffs under the chief surveyor of lands to the salary scales determined in 1946 but not yet applied in the Admiralty.

The post-war salary scales for the Chief Surveyor of Lands and his deputies were not determined in 1946, though it has been agreed that when settled they shall have retrospective effect to 1st January of that year. Official discussions concerning them have admittedly been protracted and are still continuing; but I hope they will be concluded shortly.

Has this salary scale been applied in any other Department?

I cannot say without notice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will specify the land in Portsmouth required for dockyard and other Admiralty extensions in the foreseeable future, as the firm planning and rebuilding in these areas cannot proceed until a decision is given.

The revised areas of land required by the Admiralty at Portsmouth for extension of the Royal Dockyard were communicated to the town clerk, Portsmouth, by letter dated 12th April, 1950. The exact delineation of the boundaries of these areas will have to be settled with the Portsmouth Corporation, and it has been suggested to the town clerk that the matter should be discussed between the Admiralty civil engineers and the Portsmouth Corporation civil engineers. If the hon. and gallant Member so desires, I shall be happy to write to him when the boundary details have been settled.

asked the Postmaster-General why his Department refused to transfer the line, Portishead 2158, standing in the name of Mr. Rowland J. Niblett, on Mr. Niblett's change of residence: why he was not notified of this refusal until three weeks after moving; why the line was transferred to another name without any notification; and whether he will take steps to have an instrument installed in Mr. Niblett's new residence.

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

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I put this Question down to draw attention to the general delay throughout the whole telephone department in dealing with correspondence, which is responsible for this kind of annoyance? In case the Postmaster-General should plead shortage of his equipment, is he aware that a senior executive in the industry recently said that if his Department would place orders there would be no shortage?

The constituent about whom the hon. Gentleman wrote to me has on two occasions been offered a shared service. He has now been offered a shared service on a third occasion and we have been waiting for a week for his reply.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of unfulfilled applications for the installation of telephones in the borough of Stretford and also in the urban district of Urmston; and if he will give in each instance the date of the application which has been longest outstanding.

The totals are 724 in Stretford, and 993 in Urmston. The applications longest outstanding in these areas are dated 12th and 24th May, 1944.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that these residential areas serve the highly concentrated industrial area of Trafford Park, and that telephone facilities are essential to many business men resident there? As the head of a great State monopoly cannot he give better service?

Five hundred telephones were installed there last year, and I hope the rate will be increased.

Will the Minister also remember the neighbouring borough of Sale?

asked the Postmaster-General how many telephone kiosks there are in Dorset; and how many are lit at night.

There are 431 kiosks in Dorset; 323 of these are lit at night, and a further 57 are being provided with lighting.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will arrange that persons in receipt of old age pensions shall be able to purchase wireless licences at a reduced price or that £1 licences shall be valid for two years when purchased by old age pensioners.

After careful and sympathetic consideration the Government are unable to give preferential treatment in this matter to old age pensioners.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that the payment of £1 out of the old age pension all at once is a great amount for these people? If he cannot accept the suggestion made in the Question, would he consider the possibility of arranging for these people to be able to obtain a quarterly licence costing five shillings?

An arrangement now exists whereby old age pensioners can make their payment for the licence in small sums.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will have stamp machines fitted beside all letter boxes in villages that have electricity but have no post office.

In view of the difficulties of maintenance and replenishment it is necessary to consider cases individually, but I shall be ready to examine any particular instance which the hon. Member may have in mind.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the large number of valuable hours that are wasted by' the agricultural community in waiting to purchase stamps; and does he not agree that people in the countryside are entitled to the same amenities as those enjoyed in the cities?

In rural areas postmen carry stamps with them, which may be purchased on their rounds. We cannot put stamp machines in places where the demand is so small that the stamps stick together before they are called for.

I said "in villages that have electricity."

asked me Minister of Defence if he will make a statement on the progress he has achieved in conjunction with the nationalised industries in arranging for the granting of leave to volunteer members of the Territorial Army, showing the differences industry by industry, where they exist.

I am circulating a detailed statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Does the Minister not think that it would be better for all concerned if there could be greater uniformity in the arrangements now existing with regard to the granting of leave for camps?

We are rapidly approaching uniformity.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say whether the information which he is circulating includes information about what priority with regard to camp is given to volunteers to the Territorial Army, as opposed to National Service men?

I am not sure that that was the Question asked, but I am giving as much information as I can.

asked the Minister of Defence what priority has been given to the Malayan theatre of operations for the provision of military stores and personnel.

There has been no failure to meet the requirements of both the Service and civil authorities in Malaya. We shall continue to do everything in our power to give them any help for which they may ask.

Does that also apply to wireless, radar and other equipment and to the equipping of police and military cars?