asked the Postmaster-General whether he will now reconsider his decision with regard to the installation of a public telephone kiosk at Sizewell, Suffolk, in view of the fact that the town is visited by many holiday-makers during the summer months and that, in the event of an emergency, there is no telephone available to summon help.

My right hon. Friend regrets that he cannot add anything to his answer of 13th December on this subject.

asked the Postmaster-General how many applications for telephones in the Mountview and Tudor exchanges remain unsatisfied; how these figures compare with the same period in 1949; and how many of the present subscribers on these two exchanges have had to share a line.

One thousand, six hundred and eighty-seven and 549 at the end of 1950; 1,969 and 1,064 at the end of 1949. Seven hundred and eighty-two subscribers at Mountview and 716 at Tudor have shared service.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that an express letter posted in London at 10 a.m. on a Saturday morning only reached a destination 60 miles from London on the Monday morning; and if he will publish the rules about the delivery of express letters to avoid the expressing of letters when they will arrive at the same time as an ordinary letter.

If the hon. and gallant Member would let my right hon. Friend have full particulars and, if possible, the envelope of the letter to which he refers, he would be glad to have inquiry made into its treatment: the conditions governing the acceptance and treatment of express letters are published at pages 60 to 65 of the current issue of the Post Office Guide.

asked the Prime Minister if he has consulted with the Minister of Education on the suggestion, made by the committee set up by Mr. Speaker to consider the part of Parliament in the Festival of Britain, that schools throughout the country should be asked to organise a festival week for the children, in the course of which projects, lectures and other activities designed to interest the children in the importance of our democratic institutions and Parliament might be organised; and what developments he can report to the House.

I have been asked to reply. I have issued a circular to local education authorities in which I have suggested a large number of ways in which schools might celebrate the Festival of Britain, and have drawn particular attention to the opportunity afforded of giving children a livelier appreciation of the working of Parliament. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of this circular.

asked the Minister of Defence how many men being called up from Class G or Z Reserves will be, respectively, over 40 years of age and over 30 years of age; and how many will have begun their military service before 1940.

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given yesterday and today by my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for War and Air to the hon. Members for Huddersfield, East (Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu), and Wolverhampton, South-West (Mr. Powell).

asked the Minister of Defence whether it has yet been decided to call a Commonwealth Defence Conference.

No.

asked the Minister of Defence if an exercise can be arranged in the near future, either with troops or without, to test our defensive arrangements in the United Kingdom against bombing and airborne landing attack, and to ensure that the rôles of Regulars, Territorials, Civil Defence and Home Guard are fully understood and co-ordinated to guard against such emergencies.

Air defence exercises are held at least annually to test the defences of the United Kingdom against bombing or airborne attacks. In addition, defence arrangements against airborne landings are part of the collective training of the Armed Forces. The co-ordination of the rôles of Regulars and Territorials with Civil Defence was studied in Exercise "Britannia" held in May, 1949, and various similar local exercises have been held since. Plans for the organisation of the Home Guard and its rôle in any future emergency are now being worked out.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will now give an assurance that no Service personnel shall suffer financial loss in pay and allowances by reason of being posted to a war area from their peace station.

In cases where the cost of maintaining a reasonable standard of living is lower in the war area than at the peace station, any local overseas allowance which a Service man has been getting may be reduced or withdrawn. But the lower cost of living ensures that the man is not worse off.

asked the Minister of Food what are the unsubsidised foods which may have to be sold at prices below cost and for which a provision of £2,500,000 possible loss has been made; and how this unsatisfactory position has arisen.

This provision was made in the accounts to cover possible losses in disposing of stocks of certain kinds of canned or frozen fish, dried and fresh fruit and fruit pulps, canned meat and offals, poultry, rabbits and hares. Sales of these particular foods fell off in the early part of 1950 owing to the greater quantity and variety of foods available to the public, and as is the normal practice in business, prices were reduced. It is by no means unusual for traders dealing in a large number of different commodities to make losses at certain times on particular lines; and this provision should be viewed against the fact that in the financial year ended 31st March last year, trading in all varieties of these commodities resulted in an overall profit to my Department of over £5 million.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that his labelling division have recently objected to the words, "Net weight 5 ozs.," being printed on a food carton and have demanded that the letter, "s," be eliminated and the words "5 oz." substituted; and if he will eliminate such work and so enable the number employed in the labelling division to be reduced and expenditure to be saved.

My inquiries do not show that my Department have taken such action, but if the hon. Member has information to the contrary and cares to let me have details I will look into it.

asked the Minister of Food if he is now in a position to make a further statement on the meat ration.

No.

asked the Minister of Food what quantities of edible oil, including liver oil, were imported in 1950 from the sea lion and sea elephant processing plant financed by the Colonial Development Corporation of the Falkland Islands: and what quantities he expects to receive in 1951–52, respectively.

No oil from this plant has yet been offered to us, and I cannot therefore say what quantities we may buy this year or next; but we should, of course, buy any oil suitable for our needs providing it is offered to us at a reasonable price.

asked the Minister of Food if his attention has been drawn to the shortage of dried fruits for sale in the shops in the last few months; and what steps he will take to remedy this.

An allocation of currants and sultanas was made on 26th February, and supplies should now be reaching the shops.

asked the Minister of Food what quantity of home-grown potatoes still remain on the farms; and when he proposes to move these stocks.

About 1,880,000 tons of ware potatoes remained on farms in Great Britain on 1st March. I am responsible only for the movement of such stocks as are offered to me as surplus under the guarantee to farmers. These are being cleared steadily, and there should be no difficulty.

asked the Minister of Food what was the tonnage imports of brisling in the 1949–50 season; and from which countries it was imported.

Following is the information; 3,048 tons, comprising, 1,210 tons from Denmark; 43 tons from Eire; 559 tons from Holland; 531 tons from Norway; 705 tons from Sweden.

asked the Minister of Food, in view of the fact that 1,170 tons of canned brisling were imported from Denmark during 1950, all of which has been made available to distributors, if he will state to what extent distributors took advantage of this availability; and how many tons were sold or distributed to the public, and what happened to the balance.

To give this information would disclose the stock held, which would not be in the public interest.

asked the Minister of Food what quantities of salted shark hides and quick frozen crawfish tails have been imported by him from the Atlantic Fisheries project financed by the Colonial Development Corporation; and what are the estimated imports from this source for 1951.

The answer to both parts of the question is: None.

asked the Minister of Food how the unsold balance of 162 million tins of canned fish was disposed of; and why 9,004,000 tins of brisling were returned to Norway, whence they originally came; and what was the loss on the unsold balance, including shipping and insurance.

The figure of 162 million tins mentioned by the hon. Member represents my Department's total purchases from European countries in 1949 and 1950; and the "unsold balance" of this total represents my Department's stocks. Stocks of brisling are being cleared as quickly as possible so as to allow the resumption of private trade, and this was the reason for the resale to Norway. Until stocks are cleared I cannot say what the financial result will be.

asked the Minister of Food what arrangements he proposes to make to control the price of tinned meats.

Most of the canned meats on sale in this country are already subject to price control. I am at present considering the whole question of canned meat prices.

asked the Minister of Food whether consultation took place with the National Farmers' Union before the recent decision was taken to remove all restrictions on the sale of cream and to arrange for the importation of cream from abroad.

The National Farmers' Union expressed their views on this question last year, and these were taken into account when we decided to make cream freely available.

asked the Minister of Food by what authority his regional officer at Reading controverted summarily the medical certificate for additional eggs and fat, signed on behalf of Mr. F. C. Holmes, 13. Aldus Road, Fareham.

Regional food officers have no authority to grant extra rations except under the direction of the Minister of Food. On medical matters the Ministry of Food is advised by a Special Diets Advisory Committee of the Medical Research Council. Their advice on this case, upon which my decision was based, was that extra rationed food was not necessary for any of the conditions mentioned in the medical certificate.

asked the Minister of Food if he can make any statement on the proposed increased prices of chocolate and chocolate confectionery; and if he is satisfied that increases are essential and that supplies are not being kept back pending the proposed increase.

The maximum prices of chocolate and chocolate confectionery will be increased on or after 25th March as stocks at the new prices reach the shops. In general the increase will be 4d. a lb. but certain lines will be raised by 2d. and others by 6d. a lb. I am satisfied that these increases are necessary because of the rise in the world price of cocoa beans. I have no evidence that supplies are being kept back, but if my hon. Friend has any particular difficulty in mind I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will give an assurance that he is watching the prices of boiling fowls, with a view to imposing price control if he thinks this is necessary.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Food what kinds of meat and what quantities were exported during the year ended 31st December, 1950.

All kinds of meat and meat products are not separately recorded in Official Trade Returns. Excluding supplies to the Channel Islands, 350 tons of meat, other than bacon, ham, poultry and game but including 200 tons of horse-meat, were exported or re-exported in the year ended 31st December, 1950. In addition, by supplementing the figures given in the Official Trade Returns from my Department's records it is estimated that about 1,540 tons of meat products (containing varying proportions of meat) and canned meats were exported or re-exported during the same period.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the fact that the policy of humane slaughter of animals for food has been accepted in this country, he will seek, in the new agreements which are now being considered with the Argentine and elsewhere, to make it a condition that all meat imported as food into this country shall have been killed by this process.

I have every sympathy with the motive behind my hon. Friend's suggestion; but I am afraid that I should not be justified in attempting to interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign States in this way.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that jam, purporting to be strawberry, is being sold in the shops, which, in fact is largely composed of other ingredients; and what steps are being taken to see that the standards of manufacture are being maintained.

Enforcement of the standards laid down for jam is a matter for local Food and Drugs Authorities; and I am not aware of any product being sold as strawberry jam which is not made from strawberries or does not contain the required percentage. If, however, the hon. and gallant Member will let me have particulars of the case he has in mind, I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Minister of Food to what extent Scotland is an exporter of home-produced and an importer of canned meat.

During the year 1950 Scotland sent to England about 9,600 tons of lamb carcases and 11,400 tons of beef in addition to 98,351 live cattle and 191,414 live sheep so as to maintain an even ration throughout Great Britain. A proportion of the carcase meat came from fatstock imported into Scotland from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. whilst some of the live cattle sent to England for slaughter also came from Northern Ireland. In the same period some 6.000 tons of imported canned corned meat were issued in Scotland. It is not possible to say how much imported and English-produced canned meat, other than canned corned meat, was supplied in Scotland as the distribution of these commodities is entirely in the hands of private traders.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give an assurance that the price paid by His Majesty's Government to New Zealand for the shipment of meat recently diverted here from the United States of America was not less than the price New Zealand was due to receive from the United States' purchasers.

As indicated in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Ripon (Colonel Stoddart-Scott) on 21st February, we shall pay for this meat according to the price schedules in our long-term contract with New Zealand. I cannot say at what price New Zealand would have sold the meat on the American market.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what progress is being made in the manufacture of the Ambassador type aircraft; and when it will be delivered to British European Airways Corporation.

I have been asked to reply. The first Ambassador production aircraft has flown; deliveries should begin during the summer.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what terminals it is proposed to use for this summer's helicopter service between London and Birmingham.

The London terminals will be London and Northolt Airports. I understand that, initially, the Birmingham terminal will be Elmdon Airport. Later B.E.A. hope to use a rotor station nearer to the city. The site of this station is still under discussion with the local Authorities.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation how much Customs Duty was paid during the last accounting year on refuelling overseas for international journeys by British airline corporations.

I am informed that the total amount was £233,000 in the year ended March, 1950, all of which was paid by British Overseas Airways Corporation.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government that the compensation payable to owner-occupiers of dwelling houses which are to be requisitioned for the proposed extension of London Airport will be assessed in accordance with the provisions of Section 52 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947.

Compensation will be assessed in accordance with the statutes in force at the time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the composition of the mission to Argentina; and what are its terms of reference.

The British Economic Mission to Argentina which left on 27th February is headed by my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury and includes representatives of the Treasury and Ministry of Food. A representative of the Bank of England is also attached as adviser to my hon. Friend. The object of the Mission is to reach agreement with the Argentine Government on outstanding problems relating to meat supplies and prices, financial matters, and Anglo-Argentine trade.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made at the Deputy Ministers Conference in Paris towards arriving at an agreed agenda for the proposed Four-Power Conference.

Negotiations in Paris are still proceeding and I do not wish to make any comment at the present stage.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the threat to British oil rights in Persia.

I would first refer to the statement made by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary in answer to a Question on 21st February, 1950. It is, of course, both the right and the duty of His Majesty's Government to take all possible measures to protect the legitimate interests of a British commercial undertaking overseas.No representation has been received from the Persian Government regarding the nationalisation of the Company's installations in Persia. The present position on the Persian side, I understand, is that the Oil Commission of the Persian Parliament has unanimously passed a resolution to the effect that the proposal that oil should be nationalised throughout the country has received its "attention and acceptance"; since, however, time was too short "for study of the application of this principle," the Commission has asked the Persian Parliament to grant it an extension of time of two months. The Commission's resolution is now before the Persian Parliament.On, the Company's side, I understand that they for their part are willing to discuss an agreement on what can perhaps best be described as the basis of an equal sharing of profits in Persia, and had so informed the Persian Government before the recent unfortunate developments in Tehran.As my hon. Friend also made clear on 21st February, 1950, the Company's present Agreement with the Persian Gov- ernment is valid until 1993; and I would add that His Majesty's Government are advised that under the terms of that Agreement the Company's operations cannot legally be terminated by a unilateral act of the Persian Government.His Majesty's Government cannot be indifferent to the affairs of this major British interest. His Majesty's Ambassador at Tehran has accordingly been instructed to present forthwith to the Persian Government a Note on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the subjects which the Japanese Government now discuss direct with the British representative in Tokyo.

Under regulations issued by General MacArthur on 13th February, foreign Diplomatic Missions in Japan are permitted direct contact and correspondence with the Japanese Government under the following 11 headings:

1. Exit and re-entry permits for foreign nationals not members of the Occupation.

2. Logistic facilities provided for Foreign Missions by the Japanese Government.

3. Japanese nationals abroad.

4. Subject to stringent safeguards, arrests and trials of foreign nationals in Japan, financial and property matters (except war claims), rations, registrations, deportations and "other routine personal status problems."

5. Copyright, trade mark and patent matters involving solely the transmission of correspondence and publications relating to procedural and administrative matters connected with copyright and industrial property registration, laws and regulations excluding correspondence on specific copyrights or copyright material, trade marks or patent matters, or transactions relating thereto.

6. Routine correspondence of an administrative (including financial) nature regarding transport and communication facilities already authorised between Japan and foreign countries (this does not include overseas clearances for Japanese shipping).

7. Routine correspondence of an administrative (including financial) nature between the Japanese Government and international organisations of which Japan is a member, or to which she is affiliated, where such correspondence is necessary.

8. Details concerning the establishment of Japanese representation abroad after such agreement regarding such establishment has been approved by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers.

9. Details connected with Japanese representation at, and participation in, international conferences after the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers has permitted Japanese attendance.

10. Routine correspondence concerning the application and execution of bilateral treaties or agreements whose conclusion has been approved by the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers.

11. Requests for official publications normally exchanged between Governments, and arrangements for the exchange of scientific, educational and cultural publications, prepared by semi-official and educational institutions.

The Acting United Kingdom Political Representative at Tokyo reports that these regulations come into effect on 15th March, 1951.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs under what statutory authority the sentences imposed on war criminals in the British zone in Germany are being reviewed; what principles are being applied; when did the reviews commence; how many and which cases have been reviewed up to now; and with what results.

Powers of clemency in respect of sentences passed by British courts on war criminals imprisoned in the British Zone are vested by Royal Warrant in my right hon. Friend. Whilst these powers have hitherto been delegated to the United Kingdom High Commissioner, this procedure is at present being reconsidered, and my right hon. Friend hopes to make an announcement shortly.With regard to the other points in the question, the exercise of clemency is a continuous function, but there was a first general review of all sentences in 1949. The purpose of this review, which included Austria as well as Germany, was to ensure uniformity of sentences for similar crimes, and out of 564 sentences reviewed, recommendations for reduction of sentences were made in 107 cases.Since that date a considerable number of war criminals have been released on expiry of sentence, and over the last eight months 27 have been released in the British zone on clemency grounds. About 230 remain and these will be the subject of a further general review this year. This review is expected to last several months, and no recommendations on individual cases have yet been made.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the cost of the British occupation of Germany chargeable against the German economy for each of the financial years since V.E.-Day.

The expenses incurred in German currency for the maintenance of the Forces of Occupation, including the British Element of the Control Commission for Germany, in the British zone of Germany and British Sector of Berlin, are as follows:

Year			Millions of Marks (a)
1945–46	…	…	614
1946–47	…	…	1,937
1947–48	…	…	2,313
1948–49 (a)	…	…	1,887
1949–50 (b)	…	…	1,374
1950–51 (c)	…	…	1,441
Notes
(a) In 1948 the Deutschemark replaced the Reichsmark.(b) Figures for 1949–50 are subject to minor final adjustments.
(c) Figures for 1950–51 are still an estimate only.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent naturalisation of Chinese has proceeded in Malaya since 1945.

I take it that my hon. Friend's question refers to the acquisition by Chinese in the Federation of Malaya of Federal citizenship, and I would refer him to my right hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend, the Member for Aston (Mr. Wyatt) on 28th February.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the ambush which took place on 9th February, 1951, in the Kuantan district of Pahang, in which one European police lieutenant was killed, another wounded and further wounds were inflicted on a European planter and two police constables.

The ambush occurred in the Jabor Valley Estate, when a party consisting of two police officers, two planters and 10 police constables were on their way to investigate the burning of an estate lorry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what were the reasons for the arrest of the president and secretary of the Teachers' Union in Singapore; what charges were brought against them; and with what result.

The persons to whom my hon. Friend refers were detained on account of their association with a subversive organisation known as the Anti-British League, a body affiliated to the Malayan Communist Party. The evidence against these persons and against others detained in the same connection is still under examination, and individual charges will, wherever possible, be preferred.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are taken to scrutinise those people in Malaya who are sent to camps, with a view to ensuring that only guilty persons are sent there.

Normally persons who are suspected of giving assistance to the terrorists are detained under individual Orders made by the Chief Secretary. The procedure by which these people can appeal is described in the reply given to the hon. Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) on 14th December, 1950. Exceptionally, if the inhabitants of a village or district have persistently failed to co-operate with Government in restoring law and order, a collective detention Order is made. All persons detained under collective Orders are screened after arrival in the detention camp and those who can safely be released are then resettled.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the Report of Mr. Harold Ingrams on general administrative matters in Gibraltar will be published.

It is not intended to publish this report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the wages of labourers on the Seychelles coconut plantations; and whether any increases are proposed, in view of the present price for copra of £83 15s. per ton.

The statutory minimum wages are 22 rupees, 50 cents for a week of 40 hours; most labourers can, and many do, earn two or three times that amount. Since the recent increase in the price of copra, wages on Government estates have been increased by 10 per cent. and the effect of this increase on rates on private estates is being carefully watched.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the Seychelles Penal Code Bill, Clause 25, proposes to make corporal punishment permissible in view of official statements that corporal punishment for all crimes excepting prison offences, is to be abolished in British colonial areas.

Owing to printing limitations this Bill was published before it had been considered in detail by the Seychelles Government. I am glad to report that there is no intention to change the present law and practice which prohibits corporal punishment and that the Seychelles Government will introduce the necessary amendments in Committee. My right hon. Friend's policy in this matter remains as indicated in his reply to my hon. Friend on 22nd November.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what were the numbers of people entering Northern Rhodesia in the years 1948, 1949 and 1950; and how many of these came from the Union of South Africa.

The figures are as follow:

——	Total Number of Immigrants	South African Nationals
1948	5,516	2,392
1949	6,533	3,146
1950 (1st January 30th September)	5,692	3,252

The figures for the last quarter of 1950 are not yet available. It is estimated that 50 per cent. of immigration into Northern Rhodesia from the Union of South Africa is offset by re-emigration and that 25 per cent. of immigration from the United Kingdom is similarly offset.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the Northern Rhodesian Government intends to take a census of the African population and what are the reasons for a census not having been carried out earlier.

District commissioners in Northern Rhodesia have carried out an annual population count for many years. It was decided recently not to hold a simple census on normal lines but to undertake a detailed demographic survey based on a sample of villages. This inquiry, which was carried out in the latter part of 1950, will give numbers and rates of births and deaths as well as population estimates. The analysis of the results of the inquiry is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the imprisonment of Mr. Guy Rozemont, the President of the Trades Union Congress and a member of the Legislative Council in Mauritius.

On 21st February, 1951, Mr. Rozemont was sentenced by the Supreme Court of Mauritius to six weeks' simple imprisonment for contempt of court for having, at a public meeting, made references to three district magistrates calculated to lower the authority of the courts presided over by them and to bring them into disrepute.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what measures were taken to improve the efficiency of the fire service in Castries after the disastrous fire of 1948.

Additional fire fighting equipment was obtained, and a full-time fire brigade was created. In addition, a new water supply system is being laid and a modern fire station is being built.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement with regard to the burning down of a part of the town of Castries on the night of 5th March, 1951.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has any information in respect of the outbreak of fire in the Windward Islands; to what extent damage has been done; and what relief or assistance is being extended to the victims.

I regret to report that fire broke out about 9 p.m. on 5th March in the Chausée area. Unfortunately, breaks occurred in the water mains and pumping machinery at the same time and it was not possible to bring the fire under control with sea-water until midnight. About 141 buildings, mainly private houses occupied by about 200 families. were destroyed. No new buildings were involved. I am glad to say that there was no loss of life. Arrangements have been made by Government to provide the homeless with temporary accommodation, food and clothing. I am sure that the House will wish my right hon. Friend to express their sympathy with those who have lost their homes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the permanent damage to the economy of the Colony of Grenada which will result from diminished confidence of investors and others as a result of the recent outbreaks of violence; and whether he will review the provision made for maintaining law and order throughout the West Indies, with a view to ensuring that there is no repetition of such outbreaks either in Grenada or elsewhere.

As my right hon. Friend said in his statement on 28th February, these acts of violence have done great harm to the island and its inhabitants. As to the second part of the Question, on 6th March my right hon. Friend gave an undertaking to the right hon. Member for Warwick and Leamington (Mr. Eden) to look into the question of the preservation of law and order in Grenada. My right hon. Friend will consider whether the examination should be extended to any other of the West Indian territories.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can. make any further statement on the situation in Grenada.

Yes. I am glad to report an improvement in the situation. The state of emergency is ended and the persons detained have been released. The Secretary of State's Labour Adviser has had discussions with the parties concerned on the labour issues and I am informed that a proposal to create statutory wages councils has been favourably received both by the employers and by labour. The workers in the sugar industry have returned to work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the progress achieved regarding West Indian Federation; what are the factors delaying its advance; and what progress has been made towards functional as distinct from political federation.

The Report of the Standing Closer Association Committee, which recommended federation, has been accepted by the Legislatures of Trinidad; the four Colonies of the Windward Islands; and the Presidencies of Antigua, St. Kitts and, with one reservation, Montserrat in the Leeward Islands. The Report has still to be discussed by the other Legislatures.Every opportunity is taken to secure regional action. For example, regional conferences are held from time to time to discuss particular problems; a proposal has been made for a Regional Economic Committee to act as a consultative and advisory body to the participating Governments in matters of common economic significance. The unification of the Public Services and the establishment of a Customs Union, which have been the subject of separate Reports, are now being considered by the Legislatures.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many public relations officers are employed by the Colonial Development Corporation in the Caribbean.

I would invite my hon. Friend to refer his inquiry to the Corporation, who are responsible for their internal organisation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the Report of the Co-operative Mission, which went at his request to Sierra Leone, is, unlike the Nigerian Report, unobtainable at the Office of the Crown Agents for the Colonies.

I understand that the Sierra Leone Government, which printed and published the Report, have not placed it on sale with the Crown Agents; but in accordance with the usual practice the Crown Agents will order copies from Sierra Leone if so requested.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the progress of the Overseas Development Corporation's rice farm in the Gambia.

No. I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member on 7th March.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the total number of cotton gins in Uganda; how many are operating during the present cotton season; how many are owned by Europeans, Asiatics and Africans, respectively.

There are 194 ginneries, of which 22 are owned by Europeans, 171 by Asians, and one by Africans. 155 ginneries are being operated during the 1950–1951 cotton season, including 13 of those owned by Europeans, 141 by Asians and one by Africans. The Protectorate Government has leased one of the Asian-owned ginneries this season and sub-let it to the African Co-operative Union, which is also operating the African-owned ginnery.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the serious deterioration of the soil in the Machakos area of Kenya; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with this problem.

Yes. The Kenya Government is fully aware of the serious situation in Machakos, which has been immensely aggravated by an unprecedented two years' drought. A series of relief and re-settlement areas have been and are being developed, stretching from Kibwezi to Makueni. No less than 132 small dams and 14 large dams have been built in Machakos Reserve during the last three years and much work has been done to rehabilitate over-populated areas. Steps are being taken at present to strengthen staff in the area with a view to obtaining increased co-operation from the local African population without which little real progress can be achieved.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the number of deportations of British subjects which have taken place in the Colonies and Protectorates since 1945.

The information is not available here, but my right hon. Friend is consulting governors, and will get into touch with my hon. Friend as soon as their replies have been received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the lack of good maps of the Colonial Territories; and whether he will sponsor the publication of an atlas of the Colonial Empire.

My right hon. Friend is well aware that good maps are lacking in many Colonial Territories. To remedy this defect the Central Directorate of Colonial Surveys was set up in 1946 and is turning out work as fast as available resources permit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he proposes to take to cut down the time-lag between the advertisement of teaching posts in the Colonies and the appointment of the teacher.

Every care is taken to avoid delays, but if my hon. Friend has a particular case in mind and will send me details I will certainly investigate it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent the efficiency of the administration of North Borneo has been affected by the large number of clerks resigning owing to the rubber boom; and whether he will increase the cost of living allowances to meet the rapidly increasing prices.

There have been some 30 resignations from the General Clerical Service but all the vacancies so caused have been filled and the loss of efficiency has therefore been slight. Increases in cost of living allowances were approved in December last with effect from 1st August, 1950.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the Chinese Social Club of Jesselton, North Borneo, has been closed down.

It is assumed that reference is intended to the Overseas Chinese Youth Association and a subsidiary of the Jesselton Chung Hwa Old Students Association. Applications made by these associations for registration under the Societies Ordinance were refused by the Registrar on security grounds on the 27th May, 1950. No appeal was made against this decision and the associations have since wound up their affairs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that for some years there has been a demand for a public inquiry into the Georgetown Hospital, British Guiana: that conditions are bad and the medical and nursing staff discontented; and what action he proposes to take.

A request for an inquiry into the Georgetown hospital was addressed to the Government of British Guiana by certain doctors on the staff in August last year. I have recently received a report from the Governor on the matter which I am now considering.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what steps are being taken to increase the pay of Royal Corps of Naval Constructors probationers under training.

The rates of pay of probationers of the Royal Corps of Naval Constructors have been under close consideration, and I hope that new conditions may be announced before very long.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that the interruption in the practice of their trade is causing a large number of young men who have served their apprenticeship to mechanical and electrical engineering not to return to their trade after they have completed their period of National Service; and, in order to prevent their skill being lost to the nation, if he will endeavour to have them absorbed, as far as possible, as artificers in the Royal Navy, so that they can maintain contact with their trade.

I am not aware of the circumstances mentioned by my hon. Friend. All ex-apprentices who can pass the necessary trade test are employed in the artificer branches of the Royal Navy during their National Service.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many Fleet Air Arm pilots are at present on the active list; and what percentage of those who possessed short service commissions have been granted permanent commissions.

It would be contrary to policy to give the figure asked for in the first part of the Question. The answer to the second part is 49 per cent.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider allowing service in the Armed Forces to count in assessing establishment of civilians in the Service Departments and thus avoid the position where ex-Service men are dismissed as redundant before those who have not seen active service.

The arrangements under which unestablished staff are established, and discharged on redundancy, already take account in various ways, of service in the Armed Forces during the last war. They vary, however, in detail for different classes, under agreements reached with the appropriate staff representatives. If the hon. Member will let me know which particular staff he has in mind, I will let him have further particulars of the principles on which the relative agreement is based.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when His Majesty's Government intend to make the announcement, which they undertook to make, concerning the raising of salaries paid to High Court and other judges.

As my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor stated in another place on 14th February, 1951, His Majesty's Government are examining the question of the present salaries of county court judges; but I am not in a position to make any statement at present.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will identify the powers enabling, other than those specified, to which reference is made in Statutory Instrument, 1951, No. 273; and why these are not identified in the instrument.

The only specific statutory powers under which this Order is made are those conferred by Section 10 of the Wages Councils Act, 1945, and referred to in the Order. The reference to other powers, as already explained in the answer to a similar Question on Friday, 9th March, is a formula which is customarily used to comprehend any ancillary powers. It is by way of a legal precautionary device.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will identify the powers enabling, other than those specified, to which reference is made in Statutory Instrument, 1951, No. 282; and why these are not identified in the instrument.

The only specific statutory powers under which this Order was made are those referred to in its opening words. The reference to other powers is a formula which is usually and properly employed in Statutory Instruments to comprehend such ancillary powers as are or might be brought into play when a specific power is exercised.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will identify the powers enabling, other than those specified to which reference is made in Statutory Instrument, 1951, No. 246; and why these are not identified in the instrument.

The only specific statutory powers under which this Order is made are those conferred by Section 17 of the Land Drainage Act, 1930, and referred to in the opening words after the recitals in the Order. The reference to other powers is a formula which is usually and properly employed in Statutory Instruments to comprehend such ancillary powers as are or might be brought into play when a specific power is exercised. These ancillary powers are provisions of the general statute law (for instance, in the Interpretation Act and the Statutory Instruments Act) or overriding provisions relating to the procedure for making certain classes of Orders under the Land Drainage Act (such as are contained in the Second Schedule).

asked the Secretary of State for War what training areas large enough for the tactical handling of an armoured unit exist and are available at present in Scotland and England, respectively.

In Scotland there is one training area suitable for tactical handling of armour, though it is primarily a range. In England there are three such areas.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make arrangements with the Railway Executive for similar conditions as regards refreshment to be available to British Service men travelling by train on duty in this country as they accord to United States Service personnel on similar duty.

So far as I am aware, the arrangements made for supplying United States personnel with refreshments during duty journeys by train do not differ from those made to British soldiers, except when special trains are run in connection with disembarkation.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the total amount of free or concessionary coal taken up by miners during the calendar year 1950; what proportion this represented of the total domestic coal consumption of the country; and what was the average amount taken, per miner, in England, Scotland and Wales, respectively.

The total amount of free or concessionary coal taken up by miners during the calendar year 1950 was approximately 5 million tons. The proportion which this represented of the total domestic consumption of the country was about 13 per cent. Up-to-date information is not available to show the average amount taken, per miner in receipt of this coal, in England, Scotland and Wales respectively. For Great Britain as a whole it was about 10 tons.

asked the Minister of Health how many eggs are used each week at the W.H.O. Laboratory, Mill Hill, in testing influenza and other viruses and vaccines; how many have been used during the last 12 months; and what is done with the eggs after they have been used.

I understand that this laboratory is at present using about 120 eggs a week and has used 5,229 in the past 12 months. After use the residue is placed in strong disinfectant and treated as refuse.

asked the Minister of Health what is done with the carcases of the sheep after they have been used for the manufacture of vaccine lymph.

The producers of the lymph are responsible for getting rid of the carcases, which are unsuitable for disposal to the meat trade.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he can say how many civilian hourly-rated aircraft mechanics are employed at 27 Maintenance Unit, Royal Air Force, Shawbury; how many of these are registered dilutees; and how many were formerly so registered who are now classified as craftsmen.

The number of metal working craftsmen employed on the repair and modification of aircraft at No. 27 Maintenance Unit, Shawbury, is 207 of whom 81 are registered dilutees. The number of craftsmen recognised as fully skilled who were formerly registered as dilutees is 16.