asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how far the attempt of the Malayan Agricultural Department to make Malaya self sufficient in the matter of rice by mechanised cultivation of swampy land has been successful up to date.

Mechanisation of rice cultivation in Malaya is still in the experimental stage, but it seems that most of the unexploited swamplands consist of peat soils in which submerged timber makes mechanical cultivation impracticable. On clay soils, however, experiments have been promising and it is intended to undertake a pilot scheme for the mechanised cultivation of some 180 acres next year. But however successful mechanised cultivation and other measures prove to be, it is not contemplated that Malaya will be able to become self-sufficient in rice.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say at what level he considers self-sufficiency should be set; how many ounces of rice per day?

That is another question. The needs of Malaya are estimated at 900,000 tons and production is now 450,000 tons. My answer indicated that I did not think that we could produce that 900,000 tons.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now ban all future exports of rubber from Malaya other than to Western Union or Atlantic Pact countries until such time as Communist bandit activities cease in that area.

No, Sir.

While realising the difficulty of the question, would not the Minister consider giving priority to the members of Western Union?

That is another question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many non-lepers are engaged in the two leper colonies in Malaya; and what action he is taking to recruit workers who are willing to give service to these sufferers.

Eighty-four non-lepers are employed at the three leper settlements in the Federations of Malaya. As far as possible, leper patients are employed and paid to do work of which they are capable. There is no difficulty in recruiting lay workers.

Will my right hon. Friend tell us the terms of employment for non-lepers? Is he aware that a large number of people in this country are prepared to volunteer for this sort of work?

If my hon. Friend will put down a Question, I will let him know the terms of employment. I am glad to say that in the colonial territories and here there is no shortage of men and women to do this valuable work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many patients are residents at the two leper colonies in Malaya; if the supply of sulphetrone to these establishments is being maintained: and if it is enough to meet the requirements.

There are 2,989 patients in the three leper settlements in the Federation of Malaya. The supply of sulphetrone and other sulphone preparations is well maintained and adequate to meet requirements.

Will my right hon. Friend take steps to see that a periodical supply is sent to each of these Colonies, so that medical officers will have sufficient to meet the requirements of their patients?

Yes, Sir. I have made inquiries, and I am assured that the supply is adequate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what measures are being taken to protect the Sakai of Malaya, who did us great service during the war, from the effects of our bombing of the bandits; and what help is being given to those who are accidentally injured by bombs.

Information is sought from the local authorities regarding the presence of aborigines in their area before bombing attacks are made; at the same time the removal of aborigines from remote to protected areas is proceeding. Compensation would be payable to aborigines as to other civilians accidentally injured.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, according to British officers who were in the jungle in Malaya during the war, the Sakai rendered great service to this country, and are now in danger? Will he do what he can to alleviate the suffering of these people and create, if necessary, a special group of workers to assist them?

I associate myself with the tribute that has been paid. We are taking every possible step to ensure their safety.

Is not the best way to help the Sakai to stop bombing the bandits altogether?

It would be better for the bandits to call off their attack.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has considered the information sent to him by the hon. Member for Orpington about a plot of Crown land at Singapore, opposite Raffles Hotel, between Beach Road and the sea, alleging that the tenant has not paid rates or Income Tax: and if he will make a statement.

I have now received a report from the Government of Singapore. Proceedings under the Income Tax Ordinance are now being taken against the owner of this property. On other points I am writing to the hon. Member.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take active steps to suppress any attempt by people in the Colonies to avoid payment of their just dues, and especially to see that civil servants do their duty?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how far the advice of the Colonial Economic Development Council was sought on the effect on the Colonial Empire of the Havana Charter and the policy on which it is based.

The Colonial Economic and Development Council was not consulted in this matter.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what steps were taken by his predecessor to ascertain the probable effect on the Colonial Empire of this policy of non-discrimination?

That is another question. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put it down.

Is it not a fact that if the Colonial Economic Development Council is to give advice on economic subjects, nothing has happened in the last few years more important to them than the Havana Charter? Surely they ought to have been consulted before the Government's attitude was declared.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us what use it is to talk about developing the economic resources of the Colonial Empire unless we make it plain to the world that we reserve the right to exchange mutual preference with constituent parts of the Empire?

The Question was whether this Council was consulted, and I said that it was not.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the establishment of qualified medical officers in the Colonial Service; to what extent the number of doctors falls short of establishment; and what steps he is taking to recruit suitable qualified doctors to make good the discrepancy.

The establishments number about 1,880: the vacancies which I have been asked to fill are at present about 190. Among the measures which have been or are being taken to make good the deficiency are advertisement in the medical Press; personal visits to medical schools; improvement of salaries where this is thought to be necessary and where it is financially possible; the introduction of special terms for doctors with higher qualifications- and arrangements for enabling doctors to transfer from the National Health Service with preservation of pension rights. Large numbers of colonial people are studying medicine in this country and elsewhere, and these are encouraged to return to serve their own people after qualification.

When the right hon. Gentleman was in Singapore and Malaya was his attention drawn to the severe shortage of medical officers there, and is he giving priority to these much needed appointments?

Yes, indeed. This is a shortage which confronts us in all the colonial territories, and we are doing our very best to catch up with it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether pension rights are guaranteed by His Majesty's Government, and whether the widows' and orphans' fund is similarly guaranteed; and is he aware of the great necessity to do so if he is to get European recruits for the medical service in the Colonies?

Arrangements have been made to enable doctors to transfer from the National Health Service and to preserve their pension rights.

Can my right hon. Friend say what proportion of the medical students who come from the Colonies here go back and serve their own countries and what proportion preferred to remain in this country?

I cannot answer that question without notice.

In view of the importance of this matter, will the right hon. Gentleman consider either issuing a White Paper, so that it will be more generally known, or publishing the reply to this Question which he is sending to my hon. Friend?

I will consider that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received any replies from colonial Governments in response to his dispatch asking them to adopt humane methods of slaughter of animals; and what further action is proposed in the matter.

Replies have been received from a number of Colonies. In the majority of these humane methods of slaughter have already been adopted, but for religious reasons the use of mechanical instruments for stunning is not acceptable to all communities. When I have received all replies I will consider whether there is any further action I can usefully take. It is already clear that colonial Governments are continuously concerned to prevent any form of cruelty to animals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what quantities of rubber were shipped to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the other Communist-governed countries from British Colonies during each of the two most recent years for which figures are available.

Since there are a large number of figures involved I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the present shipments tend to be larger or smaller than in the two years for which he is giving the figures?

I think that it would be better if the hon. Member awaited the detailed information which I am giving him.

That has nothing to do with it. I am asking if the present shipments are more or less than those for the two years for which the right hon. Gentleman is giving figures.

I think I can say that there is no significant or appreciable increase.

Is it not shameful that at a time when British troops are fighting Communists in Malaya, Malayan producers should be selling vast quantities of rubber at considerable profit to the Soviet Union? Would my right hon. Friend attempt to obtain the co-operation of the hon. Member for Bury (Mr. W. Fletcher) in this matter?

Because the particular phrasing of the hon. Gentleman's question may give rise to the impression that the producers are selling this rubber solely for profit, will the Minister make it plain that the question of sales or not to Russia or satellite countries is entirely in the hands of His Majesty's Government, on whom alone the decision rests?

On a point of order. As the hon. Member for Coventry, North (Mr. Edelman), mentioned me in a very deleterious way, cannot I have the opportunity of putting a question, Sir?

I did not hear the hon. Member's name mentioned.

Further to that point of order. The hon. Member for Bury, who is myself, was definitely mentioned in a most deleterious sense. May I therefore put a question?

It never reached me; therefore, I have no knowledge of it.

It will be in HANSARD tomorrow.

I was asked to give information about the amount of rubber. That is a question of policy which, I think, ought to be put on the Order Paper.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it would not be quite fair to say that large numbers of planters in Malaya deeply regret the destination to which the rubber goes, and that the destination of that rubber is in the hands of His Majesty's Government?

Answer.

We are a long way from the original Question.

Dirty dog.

I heard an hon. Member say "Dirty dog." That hon. Member will please withdraw that at once.

I have the honour to withdraw, under your direction Mr. Speaker.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why His Majesty's Government has changed its policy towards the United Nations special committee on non-self-governing territories.

Our representative made it clear at the recent session of this committee that we are still unable to accept the view that the Charter makes us accountable to the United Nations for the administration of the colonial territories—other than trust territories—and he suggested that further sterile discussions turning on this question should be avoided and that the committee should instead concentrate on a constructive interchange of ideas and experience. Other members responded to this suggestion, and our representative was able to make what we believe was a helpful as well as positive contribution to the ensuing discussions.

Is the right hon. Gentleman quite satisfied this change of policy will not mean that a number of foreign countries with no interest in the Colonies at all will be able to pry into their activities and administration?

I do not think it can be described as a change of policy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will issue free of cost to literates in the Colonies a booklet in English setting out the shortcomings and recent record of Communist imperialism.

I could not commit myself to promising general action on these lines. The problems arising from Communist propaganda vary widely from territory to territory and are handled according to the particular circumstances in each territory.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in most of these Colonies the Press is completely on one side, and that there is no Press on the other side to answer back and enable the public to find out the truth by comparing the two? Will he not reconsider the matter in the light of these circumstances?

We are doing our best, but my hon. Friend will appreciate that it is better to handle the matter in the separate territories concerned.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the suggestion of the hon. Member for Swindon (Mr. T. Reid) is a very wise and far-reaching one? Will he not look at it again to see if he cannot do something in the matter?

I have looked at it, and my own view is that to give a general directive is all right, but the emphasis upon propaganda has to vary from time to time according to the local circumstances.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to supply more finance and personnel to carry out the suggestion put forward by the hon. Member for Swindon (Mr. T. Reid).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will ensure that there is a greater uniformity in the information supplied by the different Colonial annual reports.

The order of contents of the annual reports is already uniform, and guidance on the information it is desirable to include in each chapter has been given to colonial Governments, by whom the reports are prepared. Conditions vary so much from territory to territory that some freedom of treatment is unavoidable.

Is the Minister aware that some colonial reports do not give vital statistics, such as the infantile mortality rate or the birth rate, or even the degree of literacy, without which it is impossible to form an accurate picture of the economic and social conditions in the territory concerned?

Yes, Sir. We are examining, for future guidance, how these reports can be produced.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why there is now a long delay in publishing annual reports of individual Colonies.

Annual reports printed in the Colonies have to come by surface mail to the United Kingdom for binding and distribution. Delays in reports printed in the United Kingdom may occur from pressure of work in colonial secretariats and the Colonial Office and from printing difficulties. We do our best to hasten publication.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a further statement about the anti-malarial conference to be held in East Africa; in particular, who is to be invited; what are the terms of reference; and whether a report of the recommendations will be made available to the House.

Yes, Sir. The Conference will be held in Kampala from 27th November to 9th December under the joint auspices of the World Health Organisation and the Commission for Technical Co-operation in Africa south of the Sahara. I understand that over 40 persons are being invited to attend, including members of the Organisation's expert committee on malaria and other experts of international repute, and a number of malariologists nominated by the Belgian Congo, France, Portugal, Southern Rhodesia, the Union of South Africa and British colonial territories in Africa. The Conference has no set terms of reference: it will study malaria control in all its aspects. I will arrange for a copy of the official report, when published, to be placed in the Library of the House. In the meantime, I am sending the hon. Member a full list of the experts who are being invited for the Conference together with a copy of the provisional agenda.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will arrange lectures and courses on the British way of life for colonial students in this country in order to combat Communist propaganda to which these students are consistently subjected.

I have already arranged for the British Council to provide lectures and courses on the British way of life as part of their work for the welfare of colonial students.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the insidious approaches by the Communists in this country are dangerous and should be combated vigorously?

The way to combat them is to show the students a better way.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will direct the Governments of the West African Colonies to issue official statements denying false accounts which appear frequently in some of the local newspapers.

The Governments already use their public relations organisations for this purpose when it is considered necessary, and I do not feel that any direction from me is required.

Is the right hon. Gentleman quite satisfied that most of the incorrect statements made in West African newspapers are corrected by his public relations departments?

I think that the public relations departments in the West African territories are doing a very good job indeed.

Would it not be better to ban these scurrilous organs altogether, which are in no sense newspapers but anti-British propaganda that does a great deal of harm to the Governments of West Africa?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if he takes the trouble to read the Government publications in the last two months, he will find that in almost no instance has any attempt been made to contradict even the most outrageous statements, which are, in fact, Communist propaganda?

That is not so. The public relations officers continuously combat the statements that are made.

In view of the large amount of propaganda also published in our British newspapers, will my right hon. Friend arrange for this to be banned as well?

While the statements may be contradicted by the public relations officers, have the Government any power to insist on these contradictions being published in the papers?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he has taken to counter the widespread distribution in West Africa, at far below the cost of production, of a Soviet news booklet which states that the war in Korea was the result of an attack by South Korean troops on the territory of North Korea.

Fullest information about the Korean war has been made available to Nigeria in many different forms by the official information services, and the true facts have been given wide publicity through those newspapers with the largest circulations—the official newspaper "Nigeria Review" (circulation 40,000), the Hausa and English newspapers published by the Gaskiya Corporation (circulation 26,000) and the "Nigerian Daily Times" (circulation 25,000). In addition, events in Korea have been covered in newsreels and in broadcasts, including re-broadcasts of B.B.C. transmissions by the local re-diffusion stations.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this booklet, if not legally seditious, certainly has a seditious motive, and is he aware that even the "Daily Mirror" has said, "Stop this at once"? Is he not going to do anything about this booklet?

I think the best way to combat it is by the way we are doing it.

Is it not a fact that there seems to be a difference of opinion within the Opposition about the expenditure of money for propaganda? In Question No. 8 there is opposition to the expenditure of money for this purpose, and now, in Question No. 41, the Opposition want to expend more on propaganda in the Colonies.

As the matter is far too serious to be dismissed in the rather foolish way of the last supplementary question, is it not a fact that a permanent booklet is more likely to have a greater effect on the population than the daily issue of a newspaper, and should not some steps be taken to counter that booklet in similar form or prohibit the booklet itself?

I have indicated the steps we are taking to combat this booklet and all other forms of propaganda. I am satisfied that the methods we are pursuing are the best.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many tons of groundnuts from the 1949 and 1950 crops are awaiting transport at railheads in Nigeria.

On 5th October, 1950, none of the 1948–49 crop remained at railheads and the stocks of the 1949–50 crop awaiting transport amounted to less than 1,000 tons.

Is not the reason for the improvement in the transport situation due to the fact that the crop last year and this year is little more than half the average?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to increase production of rice in British Honduras, particularly in the Toledo district.

The local marketing board, as part of its operations, is encouraging increased rice production, and I am awaiting the Governor's views on the possibility of introducing a definite scheme for that purpose.

Will the Minister bear in mind that the operations to which he refers are on a very small scale, that the district is a rich one and that the Colony is only supporting itself for about four months in the year in rice? Will he give the matter urgent consideration?

I appreciate what the hon. Gentleman says, and as soon as I have the Governor's views about the matter very urgent steps will be taken.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plans exist for connecting the Toledo district of British Honduras with the remainder of the Colony by road.

A proposal is under consideration, in connection with the Colony's long-term development plan, to build a road linking the Toledo district with the rest of the Colony.

Can the Minister give a provisional date for beginning this work, as he will be aware that this district can only be reached by sea at the present time?

No, I could not. If the hon. Member will put a Question down I will do my best to find out when it is likely to begin.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to a memorandum submitted by the Northern Province Labour Utilisation Board to the Governor of Tanganyika on 8th August, 1950; and whether any reply has been sent to it.

I have not received a copy of the memorandum, but I am informed that the Tanganyika Government sent a reply to it on 5th October.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how far it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to encourage European settlement in Tanganyika territory.

The policy of His Majesty's Government remains as announced by the then Governor in a statement made in Legislative Council on 7th March, 1946. I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy of the announcement.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a feeling in Tanganyika that the Government's policy is to keep the natives to the reserves and not allow them to come out and work, and that the settlers have great misgivings whether the Government are, in fact, helping them and intend to do so?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will study this announcement he will see that it makes the position very clear.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will give some indication to Service personnel, who have had their demobilisation date postponed, when they may expect to be released.

I regret that I am not yet able to make any statement.

Is the Minister not aware that it was because of patriotism that these men extended their service, and that they are now greatly concerned as to when they will be let out of the Army and Navy? Is it because of lack of foresight that they are now held in the Army, and that we would have had a sufficiently large Army had it not been for what happened in the past?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman should be well aware that it is entirely due to the international situation.

asked the Minister of Defence if the Service Press and propaganda departments will in future give fuller and more graphic accounts of the work of the British Army and the Royal Air Force in Malaya.

Every opportunity is being taken by the Service Departments to inform the public in this country and abroad of the sustained and arduous tasks being carried out by our troops in Malaya. We are co-operating with the Press correspondents in Malaya and provide them with all the necessary facilities to obtain full information on the progress of operations. If the hon. and gallant Member has any suggestions to make on improving these arrangements I should be glad to have them considered.

Does the Minister not realise that I put down this Question because many pictures and newsreels are to be seen showing the Americans fighting gallantly in Korea and very little of the British Forces who are fighting a long and gallant battle in Malaya?

I am giving this very careful attention and only quite recently decided to take further steps. We quite appreciate the need for the utmost publicity in these matters.

Would the right hon. Gentleman give consideration to publishing the names of the regiments concerned and the squadrons? Is it not a fact that there has been undue secrecy in these matters? The names of the regiments are well known in this country and by the bandits. Why the continued secrecy on this score?

I should like to give that matter rather more careful consideration and take advice on it, but my mind is open to any practical suggestions.