asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many members of the crews of the two merchant ships which were seized by the Chinese Nationalists while running the blockade were respectively imprisoned, killed or injured; and what steps have been taken to compensate their dependants.

His Majesty's Consul at Tamsui has reported that as far as he is aware, neither the British masters, nor the officers, nor any of the members of the Chinese crews of these two merchant ships have been imprisoned, killed or injured. No question of compensation, therefore, arises.

Can the Minister say what, if anything, is being done to secure the release of these men?

We are trying to get detailed information of their situation, but my hon. and learned Friend will appreciate that in the present condition of our relations out there this is not very easy.

In view of the use in the question of the word "blockade," will the hon. Gentleman make it quite clear that His Majesty's Government do not regard these interferences with British shipping as constituting a lawful blockade under international law?

I think that I can say that, although if the hon. Gentleman wants a carefully worded legal answer he should put that question on the Order Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the scope and purpose of the procedural and preliminary discussions now in progress between His Majesty's Charge d'Affaires in Peking and the Chinese Communist authorities; and what progress has been made with them.

On 6th January, 1950, His Majesty's Government addressed a formal Note to the Central People's Government recognising them as the de jure Government of China. In a reply dated 9th January, the Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs signified the willingness of his Government to establish diplomatic relations witch His Majesty's Government on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and mutual respect for territory and sovereignty. The Chinese Government, having subsequently expressed a desire for discussion of preliminary and procedural matters relating to the establishment of diplomatic relations, His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires was instructed to proceed to Peking for this purpose. Thereafter, certain questions, namely, on the subject of Chinese representation in the United Nations and Chinese State property, were raised orally by the Central People's Government and an oral reply was communicated to them. The next step now rests with the Central People's Government.

Can the Minister say why discussions should be necessary at all, let alone discussions lasting for three or four months? Surely the establishment of normal diplomatic relations is quite a simple straightforward matter, to be settled without prolonged discussions?

We had hoped that that would be the case, but it takes two to make a bargain. We are trying to establish these relations as soon as we can.

Will the Minister give an undertaking that in the course of this bargaining no concessions will be made involving any departure from usually accepted procedure?

I do not think that any question of concessions arises in this case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the powers of censorship on books, manuscripts and documents imported into Kenya possessed by the Governor of Kenya; and under what act or instrument these powers are possessed, and how far they have been recently exercised.

Under Section 53 of the Kenya Penal Code, the Governor in Council has absolute discretion to prohibit the importation of any publication where he considers it would be contrary to the public interest. So far as I am aware the most recent exercise of these powers by the Governor in Council was in February last, in the case of a book "Africa—Britain's Third Empire."

Will my right hon. Friend consider whether these arbitrary powers should continue to exist, and whether the exercise of them is designed to increase or decrease the circulation of these books in the colonies? What, in fact, do they do?

That is another question, a question of major policy. Perhaps my hon. Friend will put it on the Order Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Italian citizens have been imported into Kenya for road building and for work on the military base at Mackinnon Road.

We are asking the Acting Governor for the latest figures. When they are received my right hon. Friend will write to the hon. Member.

When considering this question, will the Minister bear in mind the possibility of using Maltese for this purpose, as there is considerable unemployment in Malta? It would be far better for Maltese to be brought into a British colony than for Italians to be introduced.

I will certainly give consideration to that matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the dissatisfaction which has arisen in Gibraltar regarding the imposition of new taxation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the opposition to the proposed profits tax in Gibraltar.

It became clear last year that Gibraltar's revenues needed strengthening, and in July the Gibraltar Government published proposals for a modest tax assessed on trading profits to be paid by local trades and businesses. These proposals met with some criticism in the Colony, where, hitherto, direct taxation has been limited to an estate duty. The local Chamber of Commerce put forward proposals for an alternative form of trades tax but their proposals were, in the view of the Gibraltar Government, both inflexible and unfair, in that they would have placed the greater proportionate burden on the smaller concerns. It was, therefore, decided to go forward with the original scheme. The Gibraltar Government has shown great patience in this matter, and I am fully satisfied that the decision to go forward is right.

Is it true that a delegation from Gibraltar is coming to this country to see the right hon. Gentleman about this matter?

Not to my knowledge.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say whether people from the Chamber of Commerce have already been here, and whether he will consider postponing this taxation until the Legislative Council is set up?

These proposals were put forward six months ago, and I am satisfied that they cannot be postponed until the Legislative Council is set up.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the implementation of the new Constitution in Gibraltar.

The constitutional instruments were made in February of this year and can be brought into force at any time. The election ordinance will shortly be published in draft for local consideration, and elections will probably be held in the autumn.

Would the Minister see that this election is speeded up, in view of the uneasiness that may be caused as a result of delay?

I appreciate the urgency of the matter. I have already indicated that the election will be held in the autumn. I do not think it could be held earlier.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give details of the murder by Malayan terrorists of Colonel A. H. Girdler, an administrative officer, of Leeds.

Colonel Girdler died on 5th April as a result of wounds he sustained when a police convoy in which he was travelling was attacked by bandits in the Kluang District, Johore. I am sure the House will wish to be associated with me in an expression of very deep sympathy to his widow and family.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what extra safeguards, if any, have been introduced for Service personnel and for civilian personnel since this brutal murder?

I made a fairly full statement on this matter in the House quite recently.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when a request was received from the police and security forces in Malaya for armoured jeeps for themselves or for estate managers; and if any jeeps have been supplied.

No request for armoured jeeps has been received from the Malayan Government.

Is not it a fact that requests for armoured vehicles similar to armoured jeeps have been received, and that the order was not fulfilled until after several months?

I think that a Question about armoured vehicles was put to and answered by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War last week, or the week before.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plans there are for the continuation and expansion of the voluntary effort shown in the anti-bandit month in Malaya.

The Federal Government intends that opportunities for voluntary service shall continue; 25,000 volunteers will be needed for a variety of duties including squatter re-settlement and propaganda work, and service as uniformed auxiliary police, village guards and coast watchers. State and settlement organisers of the anti-bandit month are being retained.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he will not get a satisfactory voluntary effort in Malaya until he has made it much clearer than it is now that we intend to restore law and order and stay in complete control of the country for a very long time?

The Prime Minister quite recently re-affirmed our policy to that effect.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that it is much more important to canalise and capitalise the increased voluntary effort of the Chinese community, which was so well forthcoming in the recent anti-bandit month, than to go into all kinds of martial law exploits as indicated by the Opposition?

I have already indicated that we attach the utmost importance to this voluntary effort.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies for what offence two police are serving sentences of imprisonment in Malaya; what were the sentences; and, in view of the strictures passed by the judge in pronouncing sentence, what action he proposes to take to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the conviction of two European members of the Malayan Police Force for the offence of "voluntarily causing hurt" to a detainee for the purpose of extracting a confession. The sentences were rigorous imprisonment for 2 years and 18 months respectively, and no further action is, I consider, necessary, to show that conduct of this kind will not be tolerated.

Is the Minister aware that these ex-policemen were charged with torturing Chinese prisoners and that at the trial the judge said they were guilty of almost indescribable indecencies and studied cruelty? And will he see that these men are not put back into the Police Force?

These men have been sentenced, and I think that the trial and sentence are in themselves the answer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what were the costs of police operations in Malaya during 1948 and 1949; and what was the expenditure in these years on the Malayan C.I.D.

The total expenditure on police in the Federation of Malaya for 1948 and 1949 was approximately £4.9 million and £9.4 million respectively. This includes expenditure on buildings and such items as wireless equipment and also on the C.I.D., for which no separate accounts are kept.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the expenditure on C.I.D., which may, in the end, save a great many lives by getting good intelligence, is really adequate, and that money and proper personnel are not being spared on this important subject?

I realise the importance of this work. We are anxious that it should not be impeded in any way by financial considerations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will take steps to increase the number of elected representatives on the Federal Legislative Council of Malaya.

There are at present no elected representatives on the Federal Legislative Council. It is hoped to make a start with elections to municipal councils next year, and thereafter to the Councils of those States and Settlements which are ready for them. Legislation for Federal elections will, in accordance with the terms of the Federation Agreement, be introduced as soon as circumstances permit.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the best way to create confidence in Malaya is not to preach democracy to the people there, but to practice it by allowing them to elect their own legislative committees?

I have stated that we are already taking steps to introduce a system of elected representatives locally. No doubt it may be possible to do this later on a federal scale as well.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether there have been consultations with the liaison committee in Malaya on this matter, and whether that committee has endorsed proposals for a coming election?

I should like notice of that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many persons are held in detention for activities in connection with hostility and lawlessness in both the Malayan Federation and in Singapore on 1st April, 1950.

Figures for 1st April. 1950, are not available but on 15th March 10,093 persons were held in detention in the Federation of Malaya and, on the 31st March, 127 in Singapore.

Does that number show an increase or a decrease over the number 12 months ago?

I canot say without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many members of the police force in the Federation of Malaya and in Singapore are qualified Chinese speakers; and how this figure compares with those with similar qualifications in 1939.

One hundred and fifty-five in the ranks of inspector and above and 742 in the rank and file. In 1939, there were 63 in the former categories, but we have no information of the number in other ranks.

Will the hon. Gentleman make certain that he maintains the maximum number of police officers who speak Chinese, as they are most efficient instruments in obtaining proper intelligence for the use and protection of our forces?

We attach great importance to that matter.

Will the hon. Gentleman tell us how many are ex-members of the Palestine Police Force?

That is quite another question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction in the Gold Coast territories regarding the risks of inflation arising from the increase in Government salaries and allowances; and if he will make a statement as to the steps being taken in regard to this matter.

The recent increases in temporary allowances payable to civil servants in the Gold Coast were recommended by a Select Committee of African members of the Legislative Council and approved by the Governor, and I am not aware of any widespread dissatisfaction about them in the Gold Coast.

But has not the Secretary of State read the Press on this subject? Is he aware that the risk of inflation in the Gold Coast is even greater than it is in this country? If it is right to refuse increases in Government salaries here. can it be wrong there?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that in the recent municipal elections in Accra candidate observers were allowed inside the polling booths and voters were asked for whom they wished to vote in the presence of other voters; and whether the Government of the Gold Coast will now take steps to ensure the secrecy of voting in all future elections.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is satisfied that the arrangements for municipal elections in the Gold Coast ensure secrecy.

Agents nominated by candidates were allowed inside polling booths by special pass for the purpose of challenging impersonators. In accordance with the procedure laid down by law, voters were asked by the recording officer for whom they wished to vote, but only one person voted at a time and every effort was made to ensure that other voters did not hear for whom the vote was cast.

It is clear that these arrangements did not ensure secrecy, which is a matter to which I naturally attach the utmost importance. The Governor of the Gold Coast has, however, informed me that the procedure for municipal elections is now being re-examined with a view to introducing the secret ballot and a Select Committee of the Gold Coast Legislative Council is examining the organisation required for elections under the new Constitution.

Can my right hon. Friend assure the House that these changes will be made effective before the central elections take place in the Gold Coast?

We hope so. I shall press the matter forward as urgently as possible.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that according to accounts of eye-witnesses, published in the Press, these elections bore a striking resemblance to the elections at Eatanswill in the bad old Whig days described in "Pickwick Papers"?

That is why the action I have indicated is being taken.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many cases of impersonation occurred in the municipal elections at Accra; and how many prosecutions have resulted.

Twenty-two cases of impersonation were reported to the police, who have taken up 15 of them. Of these 15 cases nine resulted in convictions, five are pending and one is under investigation.

Can my right hon. Friend say anything about the penalties which are imposed for impersonation, and if he thinks that they are sufficient?

The penalties for impersonation are a fine not exceeding £50, or a term of imprisonment up to six months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many lunatics were committed to prison last year in the Gold Coast; and what accommodation in mental hospitals was available for them.

The Government of the Gold Coast has been asked to supply details. and my right hon. Friend will communicate with the hon. Member when they are received.

When the Minister receives the details, will he examine the deplorable position under which a number of suspected lunatics have been put into pr-on because there are not sufficient places available in the mental hospitals of the Colony?

I shall go into the whole question.

At the same time, could my right hon. Friend secure figures for all the West African colonies?

That is a much bigger question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the wide disparity in the circumstances in which corporal punishment can or cannot be inflicted in various British colonies, if he will inquire why this disparity exists and seek the general abolition of this form of punishment in all colonial areas; what, in general, are the views of native authorities on this matter; and. pending abolition, whether power to inflict corporal punishment will be reserved only for higher courts.

I am having a full examination made into the whole question of the infliction of corporal punishment throughout the Colonial Empire, and a statement will be made when this examination is completed.

Do I understand from the reply that my right hon. Friend is himself disquieted at the reports he has received about the frequency of flogging?

I think that an examination of the whole problem is desirable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will arrange for a periodical economic and financial survey of the West African, the Caribbean and other colonial areas; and also the official registration and record of European, United States and Indian capital invested in colonial enterprises.

A new edition of the Economic Survey of the Colonial Empire is in preparation, though I fear it will still be some time before it is ready for publication. I will consider the suggestion in the second part of the Question.

Can the Minister say when this report is likely to be out, in view of its importance?

I realise its importance but I am sorry that I cannot give a date now.

Will the Minister bear in mind that local customs and traditions vary very considerably, and that punishment should not necessarily be the same all over the Colonial Empire?

The hon. Member's supplementary question relates to Question 2l, which we have already passed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many persons there were awaiting extradition from the Colonies on 1st January, 1949, 1st January, 1950, and 1st April, 1950.

I have not the information for which the hon. Member asks, since applications for extraditions are usually made direct by a foreign Government to the Colonial Government concerned. Should the hon. Member have any particular colony or group of colonies in mind I will make inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement upon the progress of research into the control of swollen shoot virus of cocoa.

Research is being carried out continuously at the West African Cacao Research Institute at Tafo, in the Gold Coast, into the nature of this disease, but the cutting out of all infected trees still remains the only means of controlling it.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen reports in the Press that control of the disease by means of parasitic fungi is having some success, and, as this is of great importance, can he not make a statement about the prospects in this direction?

No, Sir. Not without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Hindu and Islamic religious customs are recognised by the Government of Jamaica; and what facilities exist to enable the cremation of the dead to be observed in Jamaica.

The Government of Jamaica have discussed the question of the recognition of marriages between East Indians with representatives of the Hindu and Muslim communities in the Colony, and amending legislation is now being drafted. As regards the second part of the Question, it has been decided to introduce legislation providing for the establishment of cremation under suitable conditions.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that up to now obstruction has been put in the way of these communities in dealing with the dead in the way they traditionally desire to do?

I think the fact that amending legislation is being prepared indicates that these desires have been taken into account.

Pending that, can the Minister take some action to see that this obstruction is removed forthwith?

I will consider that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to provide alternative employment for the workers rendered redundant in the tobacco industry of Jamaica owing to the reduction in imports into the United Kingdom.

This is a matter that falls within the competence of the Jamaica Government, who informed my right hon. Friend that it is not possible to say to what extent workers who have left the cigar industry have been able to obtain employment in other industries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the Report of the Nigerian Livestock Commission will be published.

We have not yet had an opportunity of reading the Report. If my hon. Friend will put down a Question a little later, my right hon. Friend will be able to give him a definite reply.

Is it not a fact that the Report has been in the hands of the Secretary of State for something like eight months?

No, Sir. That is not a fact, because my right hon. Friend has not been in office for eight months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now received the Report of the Governor of Nigeria on the future of the Cameroons and the findings of the Trusteeship Council.

No, Sir.

Can my right hon. Friend say when the Report is expected?

No, Sir. The Governor has had it for only a short time. It would not be reasonable to press him to give an immediate reply, but I hope that it will not be very long before we get one.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on recent events in Nigeria which led to the suppression of the Zikist Movement.

The Governor of Nigeria, in Council, has declared the so-called Zikist Movement an unlawful society under Section 62 of the Criminal Code. In announcing this decision, the Governor stated that conclusive evidence had been obtained that the Movement, which has a small membership of a few hundred people, is an organisation which seeks to pursue seditious aims by lawlessness and violence. He added that the purposes and methods of the Movement are dangerous to the good government of Nigeria. This action has been taken by the Governor with the unanimous advice of his Executive Council, including African members. The matter is one for the Governor in Council to decide, but I agree that where there is evidence of incitement to disorder and violence such action is justified.

Has my right hon. Friend information to show that Dr. Azikiwe has nothing to do with this movement, that the Zikist Movement itself is a breakaway from the National Council for Nigeria and the Cameroons, and has nothing to do with the former body?

Dr. Azikiwe has announced publicly that he is not the founder of this Movement and does not support it.

asked the Minister of Defence what arrangements he is making with British Railways for members of the Sea Cadets, the Army Cadet Corps, and the Air Training Corps to be released to attend their annual camps; and whether such cadets will receive any pay.

The British Transport Commission is at present considering the matter.

In view of the importance of the matter, which ought to be decided as soon as possible this year, can the Prime Minister say when we shall hear the result of the deliberations?

I am sorry, but I could not catch what the hon. Member said.

In view of the importance of encouraging the recruitment of these young cadets, may we know when the British Transport Commission is likely to make a decision?

I cannot give a date, but it is under active consideration. The application is now before them.

asked the Minister of Defence if, in view of the increased cost of petrol, if he will now raise the mileage allowance of Service personnel using private cars on duty.

The matter is under consideration. My right hon. Friend hopes that a decision will not be long delayed.

Would the Prime Minister say why these people are not treated like commercial travellers, who will gain by the extra cost of petrol? They will certainly lose.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will inform Service personnel what pension they have earned immediately prior to retirement and see that their pension or a portion of it is paid within a month of their terminal leave.

My right hon. Friend is afraid that it is not practicable at present, owing to shortages of staff and for other reasons, to introduce generally arrangements for notifying rates of retired pay and pensions before retirement. But there is no undue delay, and cases in which payments are not made within a month of terminal leave are, I am advised, unusual, except where payment is on a quarterly basis

As quite a number of cases have come to my notice of people who did not get paid within two months, and as it is a considerable inconvenience to poorly-paid other ranks, could he speed up the payment of these pensions?

If the hon. and gallant Member has specific cases perhaps he will put them before the Service Minister concerned.

asked the Minister of Food what were the details of the offer recently made by the Eireann Government to supply cream to this country; why he refused it; and if he will permit private individuals and firms to import Irish cream.

This offer was in general terms, and no details were discussed. On the second and third parts of the Question, I should like to refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Wembley, North (Wing-Commander Bullus) on 24th April,

In amplification of that reply, can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the basis of the refusal to permit this importation on private account, in view of the fact that these other luxury products are now freely imported?

There arc two considerations. First of all, we would like the Irish to offer us their excess milk in the form of butter rather than cream, and we would take all their butter. The second consideration is that we want to get our own cream industry going again. As a result of the talks last week I think we can get a large part of it—or, if not a large part, some part of it—in operation in a few weeks' time. I would rather do that and consider the Irish question later.

Does that answer mean that the right hon. Gentleman anticipates being able to announce trading in cream by British producers?

Yes, in some parts of the country in the course of the next few weeks.

What British housewives did the Minister canvass to find out whether they would resent the importation of cream?

asked the Minister of Food for what estimated quantities of perishable goods, including meat, his Department possesses deep-freeze facilities.

My Department does not possess any such facilities.

Does the Minister agree that it would be a great help to this country to have extensive deep-freezing facilities in connection with our policy of the bulk purchase of meat? Will he pay attention to this urgent matter?

A lot of things would be of great help to this country if we could get them. This is one we are looking at, but there is no immediate prospect of getting it.