I beg to ask leave to present a petition from the women of Wiltshire. This Petition contains 1,485 signatures and is indicative of the feeling aroused there by the policy for fuel, meat and housing and its administration. The Petitioners pray that this policy be changed forthwith and concludes:

"Your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray."

To lie upon the Table.

I beg to ask leave to present a petition in identical terms with that presented by my hon. Friend the Member for Salisbury (Mr. J. Morrison). It is signed by 694 women resident in the neighbourhood of Plymouth in the county of Devon and also concludes:

"Your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray."

To lie upon the Table.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply has been received from the Chinese Government to the protests addressed to them by His Majesty's Government concerning the treatment of His Majesty's Consuls at Tihwa and Nanking.

No reply has been received to the protest about the treatment of His Majesty's Consul at Nanking. As regards the treatment of His Majesty's Consul-General at Tihwa, no communication has been received from the Chinese Government other than that mentioned in the reply given to the hon. Member on 12th March.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that at this time when British Consular officers are being physically ill treated and publicly humiliated by the Chinese Government, this is the moment to plead with that Government to be allowed to establish full diplomatic relations?

I did not know that we were in the position of pleading. It is well known that we are willing to establish full diplomatic relations, but there have been difficulties at the other end. I should like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the British Consular Service in China, which has been working very bravely in most difficult conditions. I am sure the House will join with me in this expression.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how long negotiations have now been in progress between His Majesty's Government and the Chinese Government for the establishment of full diplomatic relations; and what progress has been made.

The position remains as stated in the answer given to the hon. Member on 7th February. Full diplomatic relations have not yet been established.

Is it still the policy of His Majesty's Government to endeavour to secure the admission of the Chinese Communist Government to the Security Council and also to secure the transfer to them of Formosa?

We still take the view that the Chinese People's Government should be admitted to the United Nations but, as the hon. Member will have observed, we have taken the view that in existing conditions there is not much point in voting on it at the present time. Therefore, the Trusteeship Council, yesterday I think, postponed the issue.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affiairs how many persons have been issued with passports for China since 1st April, 1951.

No record is kept of the number of persons travelling to different countries, or of the countries for which individual passports are made available. I am therefore unable to say how many persons have obtained passports for China during any specified period.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, during the period referred to, at least four prominent members of the British Communist Party have visited the Communist leaders in China? [HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"] Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it is a shameful thing that, when British lives are being lost in Korea, these men should be allowed to confer with their opposite numbers there?

I think that is running the argument a bit far. We have never laid it down that members of the Communist Party cannot go anywhere. In fact, I am in favour of quite a lot of them going somewhere. As a matter of fact, the Chinese authorities could have admitted them without passports. I understand that the number of the party is probably less than 10, so there is no danger of an extension of the social revolution breaking out.

As these people who go off are heartily in sympathy with the Chinese Government and with the Russian Government as well, does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that we should let them stay there?

I am glad to note that the hon. and gallant Member disagrees with his hon. Friend who put the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in his talks with Mr. John Foster Dulles on the question of a Japanese treaty, he will review the question of the Congo Basin Treaties.

Yes, Sir.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask whether he will be prepared to receive deputations from trades and industries that are very concerned about the effect of these treaties and agreements?

I am not sure who would be the appropriate Minister, but if they will put their views in writing I shall be very glad to consider them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in his discussions with Mr. John Foster Dulles of the United States of America on the Japanese peace treaty, he will include the question of compensation to British ex-prisoners of war of the Japanese.

The subjects under discussion with Mr. Dulles include all aspects of the proposed peace treaty with Japan.

I should like the right hon. Gentleman to be a bit more categoric and say whether these subjects include the subject of prisoners of war?

I do not think that I can be more categorical at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will include in the peace treaty with Japan a clause providing for payment by the Japanese of substantial sums, both for the purpose of compensation to their former prisoners of war for the barbarities to which they were subjected, and also in order to make it clear to them that international law cannot be defied with impunity.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give an assurance that when drawing up the Japanese peace treaty he will keep separate the claims of the Far Eastern prisoners of war for compensation from the Japanese for brutalities inflicted on them in violation of the terms of The Hague and Geneva Conventions and the claims of British civilians for loss of property.

As the hon. and gallant Member for Norwood (Brigadier Smyth) was informed on 30th May, I am not yet in a position to give any further information with regard to the Japanese peace treaty.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, apart altogether from the question of compensation for brutalities inflicted, if public retribution is not exacted from the Japanese for their deliberate and calculated breaches of The Hague and Geneva Conventions and for their affronts to this country, they will be thought in the East to have got away with it and we shall lose even more face than we have lost already and they will gain face over it?

Of course, it must be remembered that the Japanese have undergone the experience of five years' occupation. I shall not forget the considerations which the hon. and gallant Gentleman has put to me but, on the other hand, I am inclined to think that a perpetuation of hatreds is not too good for the peace of the world.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that Questions Nos. 16 and 19 are very different? In Question No. 19 I am asking the Foreign Secretary if he will separate the two claims. One of them, which was accepted by the House on 10th May, relates to the violation of certain principles of war. The other claim is for restitution to British civilians in respect of property which they lost in the Far East. That is a claim which demands individual attention. I was suggesting to the right hon. Gentleman that the two claims are quite different and asking him to keep them separate. Will he please do so?

In his reply just now the right hon. Gentleman made use of the words that since these occurrences the Japanese had "undergone" five years' occupation. Could he explain what he meant by that? He does not really mean that is a set-off against the cruelties, but it is a phrase which might well be misunderstood if he does not hastily put it right.

I was answering the hon. and gallant Gentleman who put the Question as to whether anything had been done to bring home to the Japanese the considerations to which he drew attention. I do not say that that is a full discharge of bringing them home to them, but at any rate it was a consideration. That was all I meant.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he expects to be in a position to inform the House with regard to the Japanese peace treaty.

I will consider doing so in the near future.

Will the House have an opportunity of discussing the treaty proposals before they are drafted in final form?

I will take that into account and see what I can do.

In view of the information given by the Foreign Secretary in 1947 regarding claims for property seized by the Japanese in Malaya and elsewhere, will no settlement be arrived at before those concerned have an opportunity of making representations?

Those concerned are perfectly free to make any representations at any moment they wish. It is quite possible they have done so.

Can my right hon. Friend say what representations in these negotiations now proceeding His Majesty's Government are making to the other Powers concerned to make sure that China, who after all fought the Japanese longer than any other Power, has some share in those negotiations?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if, when he is in a position to tell the House more about this matter, he will bear in mind the decision of the House on 10th May? He usually expresses a desire to abide by the wishes of the House, so will he do it in this case?

The debate took place and must be taken into account as well as the Motion, but the hon. and gallant Gentleman may be quite sure that I shall keep in mind the decision the House reached.

Would my right hon. Friend give me the courtesy of a reply to my question, which surely was a reasonable question to ask?

If I may say so, I think it opens up implications that I am not disposed to pursue at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of increasing distress arising from the continuous influx of refugees into Western Germany and the difficulty of the Western German Government adequately dealing with the situation, whether His Majesty's Government or the United Nations have considered or will consider afresh conferring with the West German Government with a view to assisting that Government in this problem.

His Majesty's Government have considerable sympathy with the German Federal Government in their difficulties, and are participating in the discussions covering this subject recently initiated by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

Can the Secretary of State say to what extent the Government are prepared to take some active interest in and to render some active service to the solution of this very grave problem, because precisely these conditions, which are being added to by thousands of refugees daily, form the material from which very sinister political parties can arise in the future?

This is a serious problem, as I found when I was in Germany; I quite accept that. On the other hand, we really cannot take the whole burden on the shoulders of His Majesty's Government.

I am not suggesting that.

Will my right hon. Friend sympathetically consider any initiative coming from the Commonwealth or some organ of the United Nations, such as the I.R.O., the purpose of which is to arrange for the re-settlement of these people in the less densely populated areas of the world?

We should regard such suggestions sympathetically.

Will not the sending of additional divisions to Germany make the problem even worse, and is it not likely to create bad feeling between us and the Germans? Would it not be better to have some constructive plan now?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many of the illegal Reichsfront Army of Major General Remer are members of the British trained German Service Organisation.

I cannot provide the hon. Member with any figures on this subject. I can assure him, however, that if any members of the German Service Organisation should be found to be members of the illegal Reichsfront Army they will be instantly dismissed. I may add that a security watch is normally kept for manifestations of political extremism in any direction among members of this body and that, in view of recent evidence of renewed extremism of the right in Lower Saxony. I am asking my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War to ensure that measures of precaution are intensified.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, during the recent negotiations for the revision of the Occupation Statute of Western Germany, any assurance was obtained from the Federal Chancellor of a guarantee of the Kiel Convention securing the rights of the Danish population of South Slesvig.

No assurance of this nature was obtained or requested during the negotiations for the revision of the Occupation Statute. The Federal Chancellor, however, gave a spontaneous assurance some six months ago, in a memorandum to the Allied High Commission, that the Federal Government endorsed the policy embodied in the Kiel Declaration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether the terms of the revision of the Occupation Statute of Western Germany will be submitted to Parliament for its approval before it is Anally ratified;

(2) whether the Instrument of Revision of the Charter of the Allied High Commission for Germany will be submitted to the approval of Parliament before being finally ratified.

Neither of these Instruments is subject to ratification. Both entered into force on 7th March, 1951.

As the right hon. Gentleman has combined my two Questions, I should like to ask for information on two separate points. First, with regard to the revision of the Occupation Statute, has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to the serious clause which states that federal legislation and legislation of the Lander will no longer be submitted to the British High Commission as a preliminary and, therefore, that the unfortunate Danish people of South Slesvig are extremely apprehensive that some law may be passed by the Diet of Slesvig-Holstein, as a result affecting their rights?

With regard to the second point, which is the revision of the Charter of the Allied High Commission, has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been drawn to the clause allowing for direct diplomatic relations with Germany? I should like to know whether that permits the Soviet Government also to have direct diplomatic relations with Germany?

If the hon. Gentleman wants a reply, he had better put all that down.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when premium gold sales will be permitted in and from colonial territories.

The question of sales of gold at premium prices is at present under discussion in the International Monetary Fund. In the meantime, any such sales in or from colonial territories would be undesirable since they could conflict with the Fund's gold policy, to which His Majesty's Government have subscribed.

Can the Minister take steps to speed up those discussions so that we can get the advantage of selling gold, or at least some of it, at higher prices?

I will inquire how discussions are proceeding.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any fund is available to assist colonial students in the United Kingdom who, from illness or other causes, find themselves in financial difficulties.

Yes, Sir. A fund is provided by Colonial Governments from which grants can be made to help colonial students with the expenses of convalescence or special medical comforts not provided for under the National Health Scheme, and also by way of ex gratia payment in special emergencies.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many students have availed themselves of this fund, and whether those at present resident in this country are informed of its existence should they need to avail themselves of it?

I think they are kept informed. There are liaison officers between my office and the students, and it is their duty—I am sure it is carried out—to keep them informed of funds of this kind. I could not, without notice, give the number of students who have been helped. Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question down.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what further schemes, in addition to the 50 schemes now being operated, are being examined for early development by the Colonial Development Corporation; and what projects in connection with the Colombo Scheme are the Corporation being asked to consider.

The Corporation has sixteen schemes under investigation at the present time, but it is not the policy of the Corporation to publish details of their schemes while they are under investigation.

The Corporation is already participating in several projects in South-East Asian territories which, although not formally a part of the Colombo Plan, will contribute to the economic expansion which the Colombo Plan is designed to promote, and it has a number of similar schemes under investigation.

In view of the Colonial Secretary's own statement in the recent debate that the present ought to be a time of consolidation for the Corporation, is it wise that they should be either required or encouraged now to undertake any new schemes?

These schemes are under investigation. No decision has been made about them yet.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Chinese have registered as residents in the Colony of Hong Kong since 1949; what is the total estimated population of the Colony today; and how does this compare with 1948.

Approximately 1,366,500 persons of Chinese race have registered to date under the Hong Kong Registration of Persons Ordinance, 1949; the total estimated population of the Colony today is about 2,030,000; in 1948 it was about 1,800,000.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, in view of this enormous increase of population in the Colony, what proportion of foodstuffs which the people must have must come from United Kingdom sources or by arrangement through the Colonial Office?

A good deal of food comes from the mainland of China. I could not give particulars about the United Kingdom unless I had previous notice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many factories and other assembly establishments have been set up in the Colony of Hong Kong to give employment to the greatly increased population since 1949; and what quantity of raw materials must be imported to supply these undertakings apart from the entrepôt trade with China from that Colony.

Five hundred and twenty-two new factories and workshops were registered in the Colony between 1st January, 1949, and 21st March of this year, giving employment to a further 30,000 workers, but there has also been a steady increase in the number of factories and workshops not officially registered, and also in the trades and services which cater for the general needs of the population.

With reference to the second part of the Question, I cannot give figures relating specifically to these new undertakings, but statistics are available showing the total monthly requirements of important materials for all the Colony's industries and, with permission I will circulate these figures with the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the work which has been done by the Governor of Hong Kong and his officers to give employment to this vast increase in the population has been extremely successful, but that if there is any diminution in employment it may cause industrial difficulties? Will he see that the raw material needed for those factories is forthcoming?

We are very conscious of the need for seeking to provide as large a measure of employment as possible, and of the dangers of increasing unemployment.

What steps is my right hon. Friend taking to control this terrific increase of population in Hong Kong, and also what steps is he taking to stop the large increase in economic activity which is beyond the capacity of that particularly small island?

I think I have answered Questions already in the House about the arrangements that are made to control the movement of population in Hong Kong.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken to draw the attention of rubber estates in Malaya to the fact that arms and armoured vehicles are available in this country for purchase by them.

The Rubber Growers Association in this country, and through them the United Planting Association in Malaya, are fully aware of the means of purchasing arms and armoured vehicles.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is at least one rubber estate in Malaya, with a head office in London, which is completely unaware that these arms and vehicles could be bought for their protection?

It is well known to the Association to which most of the estates belong. If there is an estate that does not know, I hope that this Question and answer will give them the information they require.

In view of the fact that these estates and personnel are serving in this war, is it not undesirable that these people should have to pay for arms and vehicles with which they are taking part in what is, after all, our war?

That is another question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent the number of bandit outrages in Malaya has increased or decreased during the past three months as compared with the previous quarter; how the figures of casualties compare; and if he will make a statement on the situation generally.

There has been no significant change in the number of incidents during the last three months compared with the previous three months. Fatal casualties of civilians and the security forces have decreased very slightly, but bandit casualties, including killed, captured and surrendered, have increased by 37 per cent. The general situation remains much as described in my reply to the hon. Member for Gillingham (Mr. Burden) on 2nd May.

Does the Minister, generally speaking, regard the situation as being better than it was, say, six months ago?

The most encouraging sign of the last few months has been the fact that information is now coming to the security officers much more freely and much more often. That is the most encouraging sign, because it gives hope for the future.

The Secretary of State has said that there has been a 37 per cent. increase in casualties among the bandits. What does this percentage mean in actual numbers?

I could not give the number without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the quantity purchased, and the price paid per pound, for the rubber which was taken over by the Government in respect to contracts made in Singapore and Malaya with China before the destinational controls were imposed.

The only quantity so far purchased is a cargo of 740 tons originally consigned to China in the s.s. "Nor Bay" which was refused clearance. This cargo was taken over at a cost of 5s. per pound landed at Singapore subject to a fractional adjustment now under consideration.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether this is the inflated price which is offered by the purchasers in China, and whether the vendors of the rubber in Malaya were aware that it may be used against the United Nations in Korea?

I think that this price was about right at that time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what notice was given, and what methods adopted, to notify the residents in the Ampang suburb of Kuala Lumpur that a curfew was being imposed; and whether steps were taken to ensure that all the inhabitants had been made aware that such a restriction had been imposed before prosecutions were initiated.

The Curfew Order to which my hon. Friend is referring was proclaimed throughout the area, on the day before it was due to become effective, by police patrols with the assistance of loudspeaker vans. A night curfew had been in force since 4th December, 1950.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I have a letter from a man living in the area, who informs me that the police notified the people of the area only by going along the main road with an amplifier and that people living off the main road knew nothing at all about it for some days afterwards? Will my right hon. Friend take steps to ensure that in future everyone concerned is aware of the curfew?

It is desirable that everyone should be made aware of the curfew, and this is, of course, essential for its success. My information is that that was done in this particular case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now publish the Report on the Singapore riots which took place in December last.

The Report has now been presented to the Governor, who is fully aware of the need for its early publication.

Does that mean that the Report will be published immediately after the Governor has examined it and not first submitted to the right hon. Gentleman for consideration?

No, the Commission was set up by the Governor and the Report will be presented to him. It is for him to publish it, and he is fully aware of the necessity to publish it as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the present position in respect of the cutting- out of diseased cocoa trees in the Gold Coast and Nigeria; and what proposals have been made regarding the reconstruction of the Cocoa Marketing Board.

The Gold Coast Government, after consideration of the report of the Committee appointed to inquire into the organisation and methods for the control of swollen shoot disease by compulsory cutting out, has decided that compulsory cutting out should cease and that the farmers' consent and co-operation should be sought in the Government's efforts to control the swollen shoot disease. The policy which is being followed in Nigeria is as described in the statement circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT of 11th April.

With regard to the second part of the Question, I am arranging to place in the Library of the House a copy of the amending Gold Coast legislation under which the Cocoa Marketing Board is to be reconstructed.

Is the recommendation or conclusion of the Gold Coast Government for the cutting out of the disease permanent, or is it only a temporary expedient? There is obscurity about this.

No, Sir. The conclusion is that the compulsory cutting out should cease and that efforts should be made to do this by co-operation with the farmers.

Is the policy of abandoning the compulsory cutting out supported by the Minister's technical advisers?

The decision was the result of a report by a committee. The report was unanimous and the Gold Coast Government acted upon it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent food and cloth prices have risen in West Africa during each of the past three years; to what extent wages have also risen; and what proposals have been considered to deal with the problem.

Up-to-date information on these points is being obtained from West Africa, and I will write to my hon. Friend when inquiries are complete.

Meanwhile, can my right hon. Friend say whether there is parity between the rise in prices and the rise in wages? Is it not rather the case that there is a considerable disparity, leading to a good deal of discontent?

I am seeking this information for my hon. Friend, and I think he had better wait until I receive it from West Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to whom he proposes to sell, and at what prices, the processed shark and tunny fish now being caught in West African waters by the ship "African Queen"; when these foods will be made available; and in what quantities.

These are all matters for the Colonial Development Corporation, to whom I suggest that the hon. Member should address his inquiries.

Does the Minister know whether the Colonial Development Corporation had conversations with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Food to see whether the British public were prepared to buy and to eat processed shark?

I am sure that if the hon. Member puts that question to the Corporation he will get a reply.

I have done so, but did not get a reply.

The hon. Member should try again.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what conditions of service are being offered to former personnel of the Overseas Food Corporation who are taken into the Colonial Service; and to what extent length of previous service in East Africa is taken into account.

Staff secured from the Overseas Food Corporation would be engaged on the terms applicable to other overseas officers, which take into account experience relevant to the duties of the posts for which they are selected. Some education staff have been taken on by the Tanganyika Government for the remainder of their tours of duty at existing salaries.

Can knowledge of a local language, for instance, also be taken into account?

I am sure that it would be by the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the total service in Sarawak for which Mr. MacBryan was paid a pension of £1,400 a year; what were the claims for which the annuity of £900 a year was in settlement; and what is the highest pension hitherto paid to any member of the Sarawak Government.

According to my information, Mr. MacBryan served the Rajah and his government between 1920 and 1946 for various periods amounting to about 12 years; the annuity of £900 is in settlement of a claim by Mr. MacBryan under an agreement executed by the Rajah before the cession to pay him £1,400 a year for life out of Government funds; the highest pension hitherto paid to a Sarawak official is £1,186 4s. 4d.

What is behind this extraordinary business? Is not Mr. MacBryan, for his 12 years' service, getting at least three times as much pension as an ordinary member of the Sarawak Service? Was not the obligation to pay this pension by the Rajah taken into account when a financial settlement was made by Rajah Brooke?

The pension now being paid to Mr. MacBryan was settled with him after negotiation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will explain the refusal of the Kenya Government to grant Mr. F. Hewitt, 53, Victoria Road, Padiham, a pension of £374 a year, based upon the salary of £660, which he actually earned as a senior health inspector; and if he will take steps to have this decision reversed.

Up to 1948, Mr. Hewitt's pensionable emoluments were £660 plus £81 house allowance. His pension has, in fact, been awarded on the basis of increased pensionable emoluments of £840 in consequence of the post-war revision of salaries. I am aware that he considers that his salary should have been converted to a higher figure, but neither I nor the Government of Kenya have been able to accept his contention.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Mr. Hewitt served the Kenya Government for 23 years, ending up as a senior health inspector, and that the result of the Kenya Government's decision after his many years' service has been to reduce his pension by a mere £20 or so a year, and could the Minister see his way to rewarding this man fully for his many years' service in Kenya?

I have gone into this matter very fully. I am satisfied that this man has been awarded the right pension. The matter has a long history—far too long to be dealt with adequately by question and answer. If the hon. Member would care to write to me, I will let him have very much fuller information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what relation the controlled price paid to African coffee growers of Uganda bears to the world price of coffee sold at Nairobi by non-African coffee growers in Uganda.

As the reply is unavoidably long and contains figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.