asked the Postmaster-General whether he will take steps to enable parents of children in whose name an amount greater than £100 is deposited in the Post Office Savings Bank to withdraw that money, in the event of the death of the child, without the necessity for the production of a grant of letters of administration.

No, Sir. I could not recommend a change in the general law to provide for the comparatively few cases which occur in the Post Office. The Savings Department will, however, continue to give all the necessary help in such cases.

In view of the changed value of money and the expense and time involved in obtaining a grant of letters of administration, will not the right hon. Gentleman amend the sum of £100 to £500, which is the maximum yearly deposit with the Post Office Savings Bank?

A similar matter to this was raised only a few weeks ago when the Chancellor of the Exchequer undertook to examine the whole question of money belonging to minors. This question had better go to him.

Can we be told when a decision will be reached on the question of the withdrawal of money belonging to minors?

That question had better be put to the Chancellor, because he is dealing with the matter.

asked the Post master-General why Mrs. Dickin, 9, Dover Road, Portsmouth, was overpaid £14 on a telegraph money order, in a case particulars of which have been sent to him.

The overpayment was caused by an error in telegraphic transmission of the amount of the money order between the issuing and paying offices.

I am quite aware of the error, but does the Minister really believe that a lady who spent £14 which she received in error should be called upon to pay it back? She would never have spent it had it not been for the error of the Post Office.

I have very great sympathy with the recipient, and the hon. and gallant Gentleman can be assured that my Department will not treat her harshly.

asked the Post master-General whether he will consider raising the limit of compensation paid by his Department for the loss of parcels, in view of the fact that postal charges have increased since these compensation rates were fixed.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the compensation payable for loss of an inland unregistered parcel. I am examining the question and as soon as my examination, which may take a little time, is complete I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Post master-General why the Nottingham telephone manager has censured M. T. A. Norman, a member of his staff, for writing a letter to the local Press on the subject of the refusal of recognition to the Engineering Officers (Telecommunications) Association; and why repeated letters since 9th February, 1951, from Mr. W. J. Brown to the Post Office on this subject have failed to produce any reply other than a series of bare acknowledgments.

The application, in all good faith, of the rule in question to this case was, in my opinion, wrong and I have cancelled the decision. As to the second part of the Question, under agreement with the Post Office Whitley Council representations from unrecognised associations are not admissible.

Is it not the policy of the right hon. Gentleman's Department to reply to letters from members of the public raising matters of public importance, whether they are recognised by the right hon. Gentleman or not?

Mr. W. J. Brown, who wrote this letter, was himself a party to the practice whereby such letters should not be recognised.

Does that answer mean that a British citizen is not entitled to a reply from a public Department of State?

In this case a British citizen raised the question of the rights of an officer of my Department. The officer concerned had the right of a personal appeal to me about the position. Instead of doing that, he communicated with a private citizen to take up what is purely a Departmental and union question.

In view of the attitude disclosed by the right hon. Gentleman in his dealings with the public, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Postmaster-General what was the date when the Postmaster-General's Report was last laid before Parliament.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider presenting an annual report to both Houses of Parliament, as was his past custom.

The Postmaster-General's Annual Report was laid before Parliament in 1916. Much of the statistical information formerly given in the Report is now incorporated in the Post Office Commercial Accounts and a start was made last year with the publication of a Year Book, describing the work of the Post Office in 1950.

Will my right hon. Friend give consideration to the suggestion that the report of the Postmaster-General should be combined with the commercial accounts, and the report and accounts laid before both Houses of Parliament in an intelligible form?

I should have thought that any hon. Member who had read the Year Book would have regarded that as a very popular account of what the Post Office are doing. As for the commercial accounts, they are in the form decided by Parliament.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I am not discussing the popular review which is offered to the public at a very high price, thus making it quite unpopular? I am referring to the annual report of the Postmaster-General, which used to be laid before the House.

asked the Postmaster-General when the plans are to be announced for nation-wide broadcasting coverage by the very high frequency method.

B.B.C. proposals for a frequency modulated very high frequency broadcasting system are being examined. These far reaching proposals must be carefully considered and it is much too early for me to make any announcement about them.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that Sir Noel Ashbridge, the Chie Technical Director of the B.B.C., said that there was no reason why this system should not be introduced and also pointed out that it was urgently needed in view of the serious deterioration on the medium wave because of almost gross overcrowding? Will he go into the matter as speedily as he can?

I am going into the matter as speedily as I can, but what is involved here is a question of capital investment and that is a question which is not easily settled.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that the question of frequency modulation is basic to the whole future of British broadcasting and that he should at least be spending money in experiments? We are dragging behind the rest of the world in this matter.

The experiments have been completed and there is a report based on them. There is the Television Advisory Committee which has to be consulted, and I shall await their report about the type of modulation which should be employed, whether either the frequency modulation or the amplitude modulation only should be adopted or whether there should be a mixture of both. This is a very important technical question.

When will the right hon. Gentleman be able to make a statement?

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will make a statement on the Forces and equipment of the Royal Air Force being used in the Korean campaign.

Two squadrons of Sunderland flying boats have been carrying out reconnaissance work since the beginning of the campaign, and Hastings and Dakota aircraft belonging to Transport Command and the Far East Air Force have been engaged in evacuating casualties of the United Nations Forces.

Will the Secretary of State say what his public relations officers have been up to in recent months? The public know nothing whatever of what the Royal Air Force has been doing. Surely it is up to the Minister to see that the public are informed.

I do not think that is quite in accordance with the facts, because the Minister of Defence on at least two occasions has made a statement in the House giving details of the work done by the Royal Air Force in Korea, and there is no reason why the Press should not publish those statements.

Could the Minister give an assurance that no British bombers are taking part in the mass destruction of Korean cities. Will he assure us that British bombers are not responsible for turning so many Korean cities into smouldering cemeteries?

Will the Minister bear in mind that when the Fighting Services are engaged on activities which are not particularly sensational, it is all the more important that public relations officers should bring these often hazardous operations to the attention of the public?

In fairness to my public relations officers I must say that we cannot compel the Press to publish information which perhaps they do not consider interesting to their readers.

Could not my right hon. and learned Friend tell my hon. Friend the Member for Ayrshire, South (Mr. Emrys Hughes) that there is no truth in what he said about the destruction of Korean cities by our bombers?

If my hon. Friend the Member for Ayrshire, South (Mr. Emrys Hughes) will read my reply, he will see whether there are any British bombers in Korea.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what information he has as to the country of manufacture of the jet engines of enemy jet planes shot down by British planes in Korea.

I am advised that no enemy jet aircraft shot down in Korea have landed on territory occupied by United Nations Forces and, consequently, no information has been obtained as to the country of manufacture of their jet engines.

May I thank the Minister for his statement, which refutes the allegation made in the United States House of Representatives that every jet propelled aeroplane shot down in Korea had a British jet engine in it?

asked the Secretary of State for Air what arrangements are being made to bring into service a single engine jet trainer dual aircraft.

To meet our additional requirements under the expansion programme a number of single-engined Vampire trainer dual aircraft are being ordered and it is hoped that they will come into service next year.

While that is satisfactory up to a point, does the right hon. and learned Gentleman realise that, according to the daily papers and as we are informed, casualties in jet fighter squadrons are taking place daily, and that there is real need to press on with this equipment? Will he try to accelerate production?

I cannot possibly accept the inference in that question. There is no connection between the number of casualties in operational jet aircraft and the fact that we have not got this single-engined trainer aircraft. All our jet pilots have been trained, as the hon. and gallant Gentleman well knows, in the Meteor VII, but in view of the expansion programme we require a larger number of trainer aircraft and that is why we are going on to the Vampire.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why Mr. Cyril Edwards, employed by Number 8 Main tenance Unit, Royal Air Force, Little Rissington, was on 23rd April, 1951, demoted from the position of charge-hand to which he had been promoted in November, 1950, as a result of a com petitive examination; and what were the relative places of Mr. Edwards and the person who replaced him as charge-hand in the competitive examination referred to.

A man who is registered as a dilutee under the 1939 agreement is not eligible for advancement to charge-hand if a fully skilled craftsman who is qualified for promotion is available. Such a craftsman was available at this unit last November. In these circumstances Mr. Edwards, who is a dilutee, although recommended by the Promotion Board, should not have been advanced to charge-hand at that date and when the facts came to light there was, unfortunately, no alternative but to downgrade him.

Would the right hon. and learned Gentleman answer the second part of my Question, and also say, in more general terms, whether he thinks that the time has come when these matters should be governed by merit and capacity?

As regards the first part of the Question, if the hon. Gentleman will look at my answer, he will see that I did reply to it. I stated that Mr. Edwards was recommended by the Promotion Board. As regards the second part, as to whether promotion should be by merit, there are differences of opinion in industry as to what constitutes merit when one is dealing with skilled labour. All I can say in reply to that suggestion is that I am bound by the terms of the Relaxation of Customs Agreement which was signed with the Amalgamated Engineering Union in 1939.

Does the same regulation apply to the Prime Minister when he is promoting back benchers?

Is it not a fact that any breach of agreement by my right hon. and learned Friend's Department would have repercussions not only on other Departments but on industry generally where this Agreement applies? Is it not a fact that the Amalgamated Engineering Union gave up customs of a century to sign this agreement? There must be no defaulting on it at this stage.

Yes, Sir, the facts as stated by my hon. Friend are quite correct. As I said in an Adjournment debate a few nights ago, I have certainly no intention of abrogating this Agreement.

If as I understood correctly, the right hon. and learned Gentleman said that this Mr. Edwards was actually promoted to charge-hand. Can he say what action is being taken against the official who made this mistake? Mr. Edwards has been penalised, having been promoted and then afterwards being told that it was wrong. Who gets the blame for that?

It is quite true that there was a mistake in the unit, but I do not think it calls for any drastic action against anybody. We all make mistakes.

As the Government seem intent on re-negotiating quite a lot of agreements these days, would they not consider re-negotiating this one?

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will take steps to remedy the anomalous position whereby an officer of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve who has undergone periodic reserve training and has now been recalled for 18 months' duty as a flying instructor, is required to serve in a rank junior to that of another officer, not a member of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who has done no periodic reserve training since his release, both officers having held the same rank on demobilisation; and if he will make a statement.

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

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation how many Bristol type 175 aircraft are on order for British Overseas Airways Corporation.

I am informed by British Overseas Airways Corporation that the contract between the Corporation and the Bristol Aeroplane Company provides for the production of 25 Bristol 175 aircraft, but that the right is reserved to the Corporation to reduce the number to be produced on their account to a total of not less than 15 if such reduction is later thought desirable.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say when the aircraft are likely to be delivered, and can he assure the House that the re-armament programme of the Bristol Aeroplane Company will not interfere with the rate of delivery?

I can assure the hon. and gallant Member on the second point, but I would prefer him to put down a Question on the first point.

What aircraft will the Bristol 175 replace?

It is replacing several.

Is the Minister in touch with the Secretary of State for Air on the desirability of using aircraft of this type for military transport purposes?

That is another question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he is aware of the fact that blocks of ice are still falling on property in the London area; and whether the preventive measures which he undertook to take have yet been completed.

The requirement affecting new designs of British aircraft was introduced on 1st January and this should ensure that water discharged into the atmosphere cannot leave the aircraft in the form of ice. Where it is established that an aircraft type in current service is prone to the formation of ice from this source, modification action will be called for and has already been taken in respect of one such type. Airframe icing is believed to have caused some reported cases of ice falling. It is expected that the use of improved anti-icing systems in new types of transport aircraft will progressively obviate this source of ice falls.

Surely that action is not sufficiently urgent in view of the dangers to which people are subjected by this discharge of ice. Is it not the duty of the hon. Gentleman to see that all aircraft from which there is possible danger are modified in the way he has suggested?

Yes, but the hon. Gentleman ought not to exaggerate. A number of the cases reported as ice falls have, in fact, been dummy bombs, signal rockets, candle grease and, in one case, a domestic refrigerator being emptied from a top floor flat. As for the rest, we are taking such action as is open to us.

To compensate the public for damage done by this menace, have the Government now completed negotiations for compulsory third party insurance?

No, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he is aware that at the Manchester inquest on two men killed when their aircraft crashed near Ringway Airport on 27th March the jury recommended that a definite figure for the weight of the cargo, quite apart from the amount of petrol carried, should be officially established and that in bad weather a decision to fly should never be left to the pilot alone; and whether he proposes to take steps to ensure that one or both of these recommendations are made compulsory.

My noble Friend is aware of the jury's recommendations, and, although he proposes to await the recommendations of the Chief Inspector of Accidents before finally deciding, he sees no reason at present for altering the existing practices in these matters.

Will my hon. Friend examine the evidence in this case, because it is quite clear from the conclusions arrived at by the jury and also from the coroner's remarks, that something ought to be done in the direction recommended by the jury?

The evidence has of course, been most carefully considered. If my hon. Friend would like to discuss this matter with me afterwards—it is a technical matter—I should be very happy for him to do so.

In view of certain Press reports, will the Parliamentary Secretary make it quite clear that this aircraft was not overloaded at the time of the accident?

That is so; it was not overloaded.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he will make a statement on the recent disaster at the London Airport.

I presume that the hon. Member refers to the fire which caused extensive damage on 27th April to a temporary hangar occupied by British Overseas Airways Corporation. It is not yet known whether the hangar can be repaired. No aircraft were damaged and it is hoped that no scheduled services will have to be reduced; but B.O.A.C. suffered considerable loss of valuable tools, equipment and spare parts. I am not yet in a position to make a statement on the cause of the fire, into which a full investigation is being made.

Can the hon. Gentleman say, so far as his researches have gone, whether the fire appears to have been due to accidental causes or whether sabotage is suspected?

I would rather wait until the investigation is completed.

What was the total value of the equipment destroyed by the fire? Was it insured?

I understand that the equipment was insured, but I am not able to give the total value.

Is my hon. Friend aware that most meritorious work was done by people working at the airport in saving aircraft from the hangar, which deserves our warmest commendation?

That is so, and I should like to add my word to that of my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further information he has received from the United Nations organisation regarding the return of 28,000 Greek children abducted by the Communists during the civil war.

I have received no recent report from the United Nations. The return of the children from Yugoslavia is proceeding and a Swedish Red Cross Commission is working with the Yugoslav Red Cross. There is still no favourable news from countries within the Soviet orbit.

Can the right hon. Gentleman not be more specific when he says "proceeding"? Is it a serious return flow or just a trickle? Has his attention been directed to the recent words of the Queen of Greece who, when opening a conference in Athens, said that it would soon be too late and that for three years these children had been systematically murdered in body and soul?

Yes, Sir, I have seen that. The flow is not great, but I am convinced that the Yugoslav Government are doing their best. Naturally, after this period of time, there are difficulties, but the hon. Member may be assured that we will continue to do all we can.

Cannot the Foreign Office make another and stronger representation, if only to remind British public opinion of this scandalous business?

I will consider that.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the conference of information officials of North Atlantic Treaty Governments, which met in London on 14th April.

The decision to hold this conference was taken by the North Atlantic Council Deputies on 8th March. The conference, which was of officials from the Governments of the North Atlantic Powers, took place on 12th, 13th and 14th April. It reached agreement on a number of technical and practical problems concerning the exchange of factual information regarding the objectives of the North Atlantic Treaty and the activities of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation between the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Information Service and individual Governments with a view to its wider dissemination by all possible means in the member countries.

Is it intended that, as a result of this conference, a political warfare department of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation will be set up to replace the reduced information services of the B.B.C. and other organisations?

No, Sir. It is not intended that an organisation such as that described by my hon. Friend should be set up by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise the importance of educating public opinion in satellite countries and European countries about what goes on behind the Iron Curtain, which can only be done by some organisation analogous to P.W.E.?

I fully appreciate that, but I am not sure that this will be the appropriate organisation to father it. I think it is best that in such activities each country should conduct its own operations, although, of course, there can be consultation between them.

May I take it that the right hon. Gentleman's answer does not preclude the setting up of such a department but rather encourages it?

I was not discouraging the idea, but I did not think that this was quite the channel for it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he now proposes in order to give further consideration to the United Kingdom's attitude to the Schuman Plan Treaty; and whether he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the reply given on 24th April to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Brigg (Mr. E. L. Mallalieu).

That reply, however, left a gap. Would the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Treaty, when ratified, will be made available to Members of the House, whether he proposes that there should be a debate on this important subject, and whether the Commonwealth is in any way concerned in this matter and is being consulted?

It is not our Treaty. I should think it quite likely that the Powers concerned may well publish it, but I do not think it is for us to do so. The Government are studying the plan, and at some time we shall no doubt be willing to make our position plain upon it; but it will take a little time to study its terms and to make up our minds as to what our position should be.

Does the plan include control of scrap from Western Europe? If so, will that not seriously affect our steel production during the coming year?

That is a brave effort, but it is not too relevant to this particular point.

Oh.

In view of the importance of this Treaty and recognising that it is not the responsibility of the Government to publish such a Treaty, could not my right hon. Friend secure several copies to be placed in the Library for the information of Members who are interested?

I shall consider that, but I should have thought that in the first instance it was for the other Powers to consider publication. I do not know that we ought to jump in front of them, but if it is published I will certainly bear in mind the point raised by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now able to make a report on the progress of negotiations with the Egyptian Government for the revision of the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty.

No, Sir. I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on this subject on 11th April, in answer to a question asked by the right hon. Member for Woodford (Mr. Churchill).

In view of reports appearing in American papers and in our own Press, will the right hon. Gentleman confirm that we will not accept any unilateral denunciation of this Treaty until a new treaty is agreed between the two Powers? Does he not think that it is time we had a clear statement of British policy with regard to the Middle East?

Some discussions are proceeding and, as I explained during the interchange which I had with the Leader of the Opposition, I think it is undesirable that we should interrupt these negotiations at this stage in the manner suggested by the hon. Member.

Has a reply been received to my right hon. Friend's recent proposal to the Egyptian Government to settle outstanding disputes between us and Egypt?

I think not, but it should be here at any moment now.

Would the right hon. Gentleman add to his supplementary answer what he also said to my right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition, that the House would have an opportunity of discussing this matter before any final solutions are reached?

I adhere, of course, to the statement I made at the time to which the right hon. Member refers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been drawn to the shortage of modern equipment for the police in Malaya; and what he is doing to improve the situation.

If the hon. and gallant Member is referring to armoured vehicles, I would refer him to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Hornsey (Mr. Gammans) on 18th April. I am not aware that equipment being supplied for the police against indents by the Malayan authorities is not of suitable modern types. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman has any particular equipment in mind perhaps he will send me details.

Does the Minister appreciate that Malayan police are fighting in the same way as troops and that my information is that their equipment is both inadequate and out of date? I will send him the information.

I am very conscious of the important part that the police play in Malaya, but my information is not the same as that of the hon. and gallant Member. If he has information perhaps he will send it on to me.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what he is doing to remedy the shortage of khaki drill uniforms for the police in Malaya.

Special arrangements have been made to accelerate the delivery of khaki drill from this country for police uniforms in Malaya. Regular monthly shipments started last month.

Does not the Minister consider it rather a disgrace that policemen should be told not to walk out in their uniform as there will not be any replacement of what they have if they wear it out? Is that not a shocking way in which to treat police?

It would be, but I do not know from where the hon. and gallant Gentleman gets his information.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that last week his colleague, the Minister of Defence, or the Secretary of State for War—I forget which—told us that a considerable amount of khaki drill had been sold as no longer required?

My immediate concern is about supplies to Malaya.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what consultations have taken place with France, Holland, Belgium and Portugal during the past five years with regard to developing co-operation for the provision of adequate information and propaganda about the responsibilities and policies of colonial Powers; and whether, in view of the need for further action in this field, he will consider the desirability of initiating a conference on this subject in the near future.

Contacts have been established between officials of our colonial information services and those of France and Belgium and there is useful liaison and a regular exchange of material between public relations departments in various territories. The provision of information about its policies is essentially a matter for individual action by each country concerned. I doubt whether a conference on this subject would be useful. In other fields, such as economic, social and technical matters generally, there is great scope for co-operation between the colonial Powers in furthering the interests of the peoples for whom they are responsible. Machinery exists for close collaboration in such matters, for example, the Caribbean Commission, the South Pacific Commission, The Commission for Technical Co-operation in Africa, South of the Sahara, and the Scientific Council for Africa, South of the Sahara.

Have we any relations with the Portuguese authorities and might not friction sometimes arise between us and them on small matters?

There is contact in the discussions on the Commissions to which I have referred in my answer.

Would it not have been of more value if a Question in these terms had come from the right hon. Gentleman's side five years ago, before the dissolution of the Dutch Empire in the East?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken to improve facilities for technical education in Barbados in view of the recommendations of the Select Committee on Vocational and Technical Training which commenced its work in 1946.

The Report of the Select Committee was received late in 1949 and, as its principal recommendation for the establishment of a training centre involved a capital expenditure of 334,000 dollars and a recurrent expenditure of 24,500 dollars per annum, consideration of this project was deferred by the Barbados Government pending the completion of a fiscal survey of the Island which is not yet ready.

Meantime, the Governor reports that 109 apprentices are being trained under the local Apprenticeship Bursaries Act; 330 men are receiving part-time training in motor engineering, electricity, building and architecture at evening institutes; and 1,755 women are receiving part-time instruction in domestic subjects at housecraft centres or in various rural centres.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give an assurance that no British subject and no British-protected person native to the territory of Sierra Leone will be deprived of the right to participate in the election of members of the Legislative Council in the forthcoming elections on the grounds that he is living outside the area in which he was born.

It would not be appropriate for me to give such an assurance. Under the Sierra Leone (Legislative Council) Order in Council, 1951, provision for elections is made by law, or in the case of transitional provisions, by proclamation.

Is the Secretary of State aware that there is some disquiet and a degree of feeling that some who are morally entitled to vote will not be able to do so?

The order has not been published yet. If my hon. Friend will give me the evidence which has prompted his Question, I will see that it is conveyed to the Governor.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies by what method representatives of the districts of the Protectorate of Sierra Leone will be chosen to sit in the Legislative Council.

Under Section 7 of the Sierra Leone (Legislative Council) Order in Council, 1951, each of the 12 district councils in the Protectorate will elect from among its members one person to be a member of the Legislative Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what alterations have been made in the methods of election of the district councils in the Protectorate of Sierra Leone since 1947.

Under the Sierra District Councils Ordinance of 1950 the district councils, which had previously been composed of two representatives from each chiefdom in the district, were enlarged to include three additional members for each council, who may either be appointed by the chiefdom representatives in the council or elected for a particular area. Provision was also made for the appointment by the tribal authority of additional chiefdom representatives for the larger chiefdoms.

Is the number of those who should be elected laid down?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put that question down.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action he proposes to take following the criticisms of the former management revealed in the Annual Report of the Colonial Development Corporation.

Matters of management are the responsibility of the Corporation who are, as the Report indicates, overhauling their organisation with a view to the elimination of the shortcomings of which admission is made.

If the right hon. Gentleman accepts responsibility for the veracity of this Report, which I presume he does, does he not consider that some of the facts revealed in it reflect very seriously on the mismanagement of public funds by the former Chairman? Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to take any action?

I have referred the hon. Member to the Report itself, which contains proposals for the re-organisation of the Corporation. This is a subject which cannot be discussed by question and answer. Presumably we shall at some time have an opportunity of discussing it in the House.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that the responsibility was not only that of the Chairman but of the directors, and does he propose making any changes in the Board, for whose appointment he is responsible?

That is another question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if a decision has yet been reached about the future of the Colonial Development Corporation's poultry project in the Gambia.

No, Sir, but the Corporation expect to be able to inform me of their proposals in the near future.

As nearly three months have passed since the right hon. Gentleman told us that this scheme would have to be radically overhauled, can he at least give the House an assurance that the trading loss, which was £123,000 last year, is not running on today?

That is another question. The hon. Member asked whether I had yet received the report from the Board and I said I had not, but I expect to receive the Corporation's proposals in the near future.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Question asks whether a decision has been reached, not whether he has received a report? The House wants to know whether a decision has been reached?

I said "No, Sir." That is the answer I gave.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now prepared to make a statement with regard to the issue of a campaign medal to those who have served or are serving with British Forces in Korea.

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave on 5th March to the hon. and learned Member for Richmond, Surrey (Sir G. Harvie-Watt). There is a proposal afoot for the issue of a United Nations medal for the Korean campaign and my right hon. Friend is informed that tenders for the manufacture of the ribbon have been already invited in this and other countries. In the circumstances, gallantly though our Forces have borne themselves in the operations, it would appear to be unwise to consider recommending at the present time the institution of a British award in addition.

As the Minister said that tenders have been invited for the manufacture of this ribbon, can he say what colours the ribbon will be?

I have no information about the colour.

Has consideration been given to the question of permitting troops in Korea to wear a shoulder flash displaying the word "Korea "?

That has been under consideration, but I think we must await the issue of this proposed medal before coming to a decision.

As the matter has gone thus far, can the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether this medal will be struck and manufactured in this country; and whether all those who have participated in the Korean campaign, including those who have been withdrawn, will qualify for the issue?

As I have said, tenders have been invited for the production of the ribbon, and presumably the medal, in this and other countries.

Including China?

The hon. Member ought not to be so foolish. We should never dream of asking China to tender for the production of a United Nations medal. That is the sort of foolish observation we expect from the hon. Member. I have now forgotten the second part of the hon. and gallant Gentleman's supplementary question.

It was whether all those who have served in Korea from the inception of the campaign, including those who have since been relieved, will qualify?

I imagine that no one who has been in the operations in the Korean campaign will be excluded.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that the design and colour of the ribbon will not be referred to the United Nations for a decision?

I should imagine that the United Nations ought to be consulted in a matter of this sort.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what losses of property from the Festival of Britain South Bank Exhibition and Pleasure Gardens have been reported to him; and what action has been taken.

I have been asked to reply. Losses at both places are reported to the police in the normal way. In the case of the South Bank Exhibition, these losses are trivial. In the case of the Pleasure Gardens, more serious allegations have been made but, so far, have not been substantiated. The position is, however, still under review.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been directed to a report which appeared in the "Empire News" last Sunday, which contained the remarkable statement that considerable losses have been accepted, so that the Exhibition would be completed in time? Would the right hon. Gentleman say if that is so or not?

I am a great friend of the newspapers. I find that one of their most attractive features is that all sorts of exciting statements appear in them, but I would not like to get into an argument with them as to whether they are true or not.