asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what information he has as to the respective strengths of the eight groups of Chilean and Argentinian personnel at present in illegal occupation of British territory in the Falkland Island Dependencies.

As the reply is necessarily rather long, I shall, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the Minister say approximately how many aliens are at present in occupation of British territory in these Dependencies?

All the details are in the reply which will appear in the OFFICIAL REPORT. If the hon. Member studies that reply and asks Questions afterwards, I shall be very glad to deal with them.

Although the answer may be long, is it not likely that the figures, in their respective groups, may be rather small; and as there are adequate provisions for preventing such landings and occupations, could the Minister say why nothing has been done about it before?

That is another Question. I have been asked for information, and I shall give it in full detail in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

May I ask why these illegal occupations have taken place only since the Socialist Party came into power? Why do they not exercise the power they have to—

The Question asks for information and not for power to be exercised.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the present composition of the Legislative Council of the Falkland Islands; on what occasions the Governor has a casting vote; and how often he has used this in order to carry official measures.

At present, the Council is composed of the Governor and six official members. The six unofficial members resigned on 24th April. The Governor has no original vote, but has a casting vote if the voting is equal. Since the present Constitution came into force on 1st January, 1949, he has used his casting vote to carry official measures on three occasions.

Could the Minister say, first of all, why the unofficial members have resigned, and, secondly, in view of the fact that there are no mixed communities in the Falkland Islands, why they should not be given some considerable measure of responsibility in domestic affairs?

I gather from an informal talk the Governor had with them that they have indicated that the reason for the resignations was that they desire an unofficial majority. This matter is under consideration by the Governor and myself.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind, having regard to the remoteness of the Falkland Islands and the frustration which is likely to follow from that remoteness in the minds of the inhabitants, the necessity for associating the inhabitants progressively with the Government of their territory?

I think my hon. Friend knows our record in colonial matters in the last few years.

Since two of these unofficial members are nominated and four are elected, and since they have all acted together, must there not be something in these mass resignations, and will the right hon. Gentleman look again into the circumstances that caused them?

I am considering, with the Governor, the cause of the resignations and the proposals which have been made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the purpose of the visit to Sarawak of Mr. Shearman, of the Workers' Educational Association; and to what extent the cost of his visit was met from public funds.

Mr. Shearman visited Sarawak from Singapore to lecture and give advice on educational problems. He went there at the request, supported by the Sarawak administration, of the British Council's representative, and the cost was met from funds remitted to the Council by the Colonial Office.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what staff are maintained by the British Council in Sarawak; and what are their activities.

A director, a part-time librarian, four clerical staff (one part-time) and three domestic staff. Since the first director was appointed early in 1950, he has established centres at Kuching and Sibu, and has begun to organise cultural activities of the usual kind for which the Council is responsible. One scholar, one bursar and two visiting students have been sent to the United Kingdom.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman do something to co-ordinate the apparent overlapping of these various agencies in these rather remote territories, where the local government information services are doing a good job at the moment, so that we can have better support rather than duplication?

I agree with the hon. Member that co-ordination in these various activities is indeed very essential, but I have no information that that co-ordination is lacking in these territories. I am prepared, however, to make further inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Chinese liable to call-up have left Malaya since the system of conscription came into force; and how many of these received prior permission to do so and were given re-entry permits.

The information requested in the first part of the Question is not available, but several thousand Chinese in these age groups liable to call-up applied for "certificates of admission" during the first quarter of this year. Until last year, "certificates of admission," which cannot be refused by law, were the only authority required by aliens resident in Malaya to re-enter the country, but visas are now required in addition. No permission is required to leave Malaya, but no re-entry visas have been or will be granted to persons leaving to avoid call-up.

Is it not a little difficult to judge in advance whether somebody is leaving Malaya with the object of avoiding the call-up? Will the right hon. Gentleman consider, in conjunction with the High Commissioner and the Governor of Singapore, the possibility of instituting some such system as this, in view of the length of time which very often elapses before re-entry permission can be obtained?

I do not think it will be too difficult to judge what is the reason for leaving Malaya. There is, so far as I imagine, no difficulty about a person who wants to leave giving the reasons why he is leaving. If he gives no reason, then I think it is a fair assumption that he is leaving to avoid the call-up.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the composition and terms of reference of the Retirement Benefit Commission recently set up in Singapore; if the trade unions were invited to nominate for this body; and whether it will cover both Government and non-Government workers.

I have not yet received full details of this body but will write to my hon. Friend when I am in a position to do so.

Will my right hon. Friend consider consulting the Legislative Council of Singapore with a view to having a trade union representative on this Commission?

I will consider that matter when I have received the full details for which I have asked.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether suitable arms and armoured vehicles will be provided free of charge to estates in Malaya situated within the area of hostilities in order that they may play their full part in the war against Communism in that country.

No requests have been made to the Federation Government for armoured vehicles to be supplied free of charge to estates. Orders placed by rubber and tin companies for such vehicles are sponsored by my Department, and I understand that these orders have so far been fulfilled without delay. Purchase of vehicles with fixed armaments cannot be permitted for security reasons.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the latter part of his answer refers also to arms, as opposed to armoured vehicles, and, further, whether, though these people have not asked for these supplies, as they are part and parcel of our efforts in Malaya they should be supplied automatically if necessary?

No request has been made, and I think they are content for this to be part of their contribution to the effort.

Will the Minister check up on the information he has just given to the House, for when the Parliamentary delegation was in Malaya the situation was quite contrary to what he said? Many of the estates were having difficulty in getting armour plating to fit the vehicles and were extremely short of other equipment. Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that unless something is done the position of the planters who have been producing rubber for three years will deteriorate very rapidly?

I visited Malaya myself about the same time as the hon. and gallant Gentleman, and I am fully seized of the problem. The information I have given to the House is that provided for me now, but I will check up on it again.

Does not the Minister agree that it is not so much a squabble as to who pays that is disturbing people on the spot, but the availability of the material, which is much more important than who eventually foots the bill.

I would remind the hon. Gentleman that in recent months the Federal authorities concerned have found it essential to recruit the people who live and work on the estates, and that is in many ways the most important part of their problem.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to give effect to the proposals of the Closer Association Committee, promulgated in 1948, for the formation of a Federation of the British West Indies.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Minister of State gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Accrington (Mr. H. Hynd) on this subject on 14th March. The position is unchanged.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a great deal of disappointment in the West Indies over the delay in forming this federation and could he give some assurance that it is the definite intention of the Government to support the proposal for a federation and to hasten its formation?

We have commended the report to the consideration of all the Governments and peoples in the West Indies, and we have been waiting until they have had time to debate it. I am sorry to say that it has not yet been debated in British Guiana, Barbados, British Honduras or Jamaica, but we hope that they will take an early opportunity of discussing it.

Is it not a fact that the rate and type of development in the various West Indian Colonies is so varied that it is thought in some quarters that federation is not going to help as much as some people imagine?

There are, I know, varying views about the proposals in the West Indies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what have been the results of the investigation into the leaf scald disease in British Guiana made by Dr. E. V. Abbott, the plant pathologist from the United States Department of Agriculture, who recently visited the Colony under the auspices of the Economic Co-operation Administration, and what steps it is now proposed to take to eradicate this disease.

Dr. Abbott has completed his investigations. He and Mr. Wiehe, a plant pathologist from Nyasaland, who has been seconded to British Guiana to supervise work on this disease, have jointly prepared a programme of control and research. Certain immediate control measures are being instituted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the number of tourists visiting the Bahamas during each of the winter seasons of 1948–49, 1949–50 and 1950–51; how many of these came from the United States of America and Canada; and what was the dollar value of this tourist trade in each year.

The number of tourists was 18,800 in 1948–49, 20,800 in 1949–50, and 37,500 in 1950–51. I regret that I am not able to give separate figures for tourists from the United States and Canada. It is estimated that the dollar value of this trade was 6 million dollars in 1948, 7 million dollars in 1949, 9 million dollars in 1950, and that it will be 10 million dollars in 1951.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the increasing number of West Indians who are coming to this country to seek employment; how far he proposes to encourage this migration; and what steps he is taking to provide welfare services for them on arrival and to put them in touch with prospective employers.

I am aware that West Indians are coming here to seek work. It would hardly be in their own best interests to encourage this immigration since most of these men lack the special skills which would ensure their employment here.

I am satisfied that there is no need for special welfare services for migrants from the West Indies. The question of providing employment is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service, but officials of his Department and mine are constantly in touch on this.

As I gather from the right hon. Gentleman that he is not in favour of this immigration does he propose to do anything in the West Indies to discourage it?

I am not in favour of encouraging it because I do not want them to come here and find they cannot get a job and then feel frustrated.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the tendency of these men to concentrate in the East End of London and of the dangerous social problems that arise from that? Is he in touch with the appropriate Departments on that matter?

Yes, Sir.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this happens not only in the East End of London but in other parts and provides problems for numbers of social workers in these towns? Could something be done at the other end in connection with this problem?

This is not a new problem. There is a great deal of experience of it in ports like Cardiff and a very great deal of valuable social work is being done.

Are the Government doing anything to assist these West Indians or to advise them in any way as to how best they can return to the West Indies?

Yes, we are.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that some employers in this country are advertising in West Indian newspapers that employment will be available for these people?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will bring any such instances to my notice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what has been the result of his inquiries regarding the possibility of industries being established or extended in the British West Indies to help in the re-armament programme.

Whilst His Majesty's Government are anxious to help the development of industry in the West Indies, the conclusion of the examination made is that, because of shortages of machine tools and raw materials, the possibilities of production specifically to meet the needs of re-armament are slight. Any practicable proposal that may be put forward would, however, receive sympathetic consideration by the authorities concerned.

Does that mean that the Government are prepared to place re-armament orders in West Germany but not in our own Colonies? Is not this in the long run the best way to relieve the unemployment problem in the West Indies, instead of allowing people to come to this country where there is little hope of their finding a job?

I do not know why Germany was dragged into that question. I said that if any practicable proposal is put forward we will consider it.

Does it not follow from the right hon. Gentleman's answer that there is no strategic or security reason why secondary industries of this kind should not be encouraged in the West Indies?

The reason that at the moment we do not think it can be done is because of shortage of tools and raw materials, but if practicable proposals come from the West Indies we will consider them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the results of seismographic surveys completed in the Island of Barbados; and when drilling operations for oil will begin.

I regret that the information requested is not available.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that these islands are of the same geological formation as Venezuela and Trinidad, that an American called Phillips has surveyed these islands on behalf of a company and that many people think there is much oil there? Would he make the best effort to develop drilling in these islands?

Yes, but I would point out that information which is available to that company is not available to me.

In view of the fact that a very reputable British firm has been carrying out a survey in this island for a long time past, will the right hon. Gentleman make sure that when permits are given to carry on that firm will receive first consideration before a foreign firm?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Governor of Barbados has yet initiated lgislation as requested by the House of Assembly for the purchase of a plantation known as Drax Hall for the breaking up into one acre plots; and how many other plantations of absentee proprietors there are which could be used for families in need.

I have no information about this matter. I am consulting the Governor and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as I have received his reply.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are 700 needy families in the parish of St. George, and will he assure us that he will do his best to see that these land hungry peasants get a stake in their own country?

I have an interest in this matter and will certainly bear in mind the point made by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how much maize meal is imported from Canada by Antigua; how much is grown locally, and what mills are available for grinding maize; and whether they are used to their full extent.

About 1,300 tons of corn meal were imported by Antigua from dollar sources in 1950. There are no figures of local production, which is small. As far as I am aware, there are no private mills. The Government own a drier and mill which is not fully used. Its future is being considered.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the late Governor, Earl Baldwin, had much difficulty in moving the local department of agriculture, and that there is machinery available for grinding maize? Would he get title local department of agriculture to move a little more quickly?

The future of the drier and mill in Antigua is now under consideration, as I indicated in my reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he proposes to take in response to the recent proposal of United Nations economic experts to set up a United Nations Organisation Finance Corporation to lend money for the development of underdeveloped territories.

The Report entitled "Measures for the Economic Development of Under-developed Countries" prepared by a group of experts appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, which I assume my hon. Friend has in mind, is to be debated at the 13th session of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, which meets on 30th July. While I welcome this study of the development of the underdeveloped countries of the world by the Council, it will finally be for the General Assembly of the United Nations to decide what action to take on this Report, in the light of the recommendations of the Council.

Are the Government in favour of taking up these reports and getting them acted upon in the United Nations?

The attitude we shall adopt is now under consideration, but my hon. Friend knows my views about this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the grant of financial aid by the Economic Co-operation Administration for the development of British Colonial Territories; and what are the terms and conditions on which advances are made.

British Colonial Territories are eligible for E.C.A. aid for general economic development, for the development of strategic materials and for technical assistance.

Aid for general development has until recently been limited to free grants to pay for essential equipment available only in the United States. The E.C.A. however, announced on 5th June the grant of financial assistance, amounting to 50 per cent. of the total cost, to eight projects in Colonial Territories. No conditions were attached to this assistance, other than that the projects will be completed.

E.C.A. assistance for the development of strategic materials is granted on a loan basis. A condition of the loan is normally that it shall be repayable in raw materials.

As regards technical assistance, in view of the very great shortage of technical experts, this is confined to recruitment for short term investigations, and surveys.

Could the Minister say whether any conditions regarding the employment of certain people are attached, and, secondly, in regard to the materials side, what are the conditions of interest on the loan?

In answer to the first part of the question, no conditions were attached to this assistance other than that the projects will be completed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to which Colonies, Protectorates and/or Trusteeship Territories the £2,750,000 grant from the Economic Co-operation Administration's special reserve fund for overseas development will be allotted; and whether he will publish a detailed statement showing the specific purposes for which these grants from Marshall Aid funds will be made in each territory.

E.C.A. has approved grants on the basis of a 50 per cent. contribution to the total cost of development projects in Sierra Leone, the Gold Coast, Nigeria, Tanganyika, Northern Rhodesia, North Borneo and British Guiana.

With the hon. Member's permission I will circulate the detailed statement for which he asks in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the Minister say whether these grants are specially designed to supplement the British investment programme, or whether they are to be regarded as two wholly separate operations?

No, Sir, they are not regarded as separate operations. The grants are designed to supplement the investment programme.

Can the Minister tell the House the principles on which these grants are made, and how it is decided which of the territories shall benefit.

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put down that question, when I shall be glad to answer it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what facilities are being provided for the delegates to come to London for a conference on Ex-Service men's problems as arising in Colonial Territories, including British Honduras, and as proposed by the British Empire Service League.

The Conference is being arranged by the British Empire Service League and invitations to attend have been sent by the League to its branches in Colonial Territories. No request has been received for the grant of special facilities to the delegates beyond those which are provided by the League.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether, in fact, some assistance has been offered to those who wish to come as delegates, from Honduras in particular, and, as I have followed this matter during the last two or three years, can he say what steps are being taken to help these ex-Service men to solve these problems and to get their families resettled?

This is a conference which has been convened by the British Empire Service League, who are making all the arrangements.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the resettlement of ex-Service men in Jamaica is still not very satisfactory, and can he say whether there are any Jamaican delegates at this conference and whether he will take the opportunity of discussing the problem with them?

I shall be very glad to make arrangements to have the matter discussed with them either by myself or by one of my colleagues.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he proposes to introduce elections for the Kampala Municipal Council in Uganda; and what other towns in Uganda are large enough for municipal government.

Kampala was constituted a municipality as recently as 1st January, 1949, and it is considered that the introduction of elections at present would be premature. No other townships in Uganda are yet ready for municipal government, but at its present rate of growth Jinja might become ready for it within a measurable period.

Would my right hon. Friend agree that the system of nomination for the new municipality, which I am glad to hear has been created, is not a good one? Will he say whether he proposes to continue the system of nomination, or will he as quickly as possible institute a system of election?

I can assure my hon. Friend that I regard the system of nomination as appropriate for the period of transition from the one to the other.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why no African or Asian has been appointed to the Uganda Electricity Board.

There is an Asian on the Uganda Electricity Board. Members are appointed for their personal qualifications for the work of the Board, and not to represent racial or other interests.

Am I to understand from the reply of my right hon. Friend that no African or Asian member has been appointed to the Uganda Electricity Board?

No, Sir. I said that there is an Asian on the Uganda Electricity Board, but at the moment not an African.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he proposes to have an African member appointed to the Executive Council of Uganda.

At present, an official member of the Executive Council has a special responsibility for representing African interests, but the desirability of appointing an African to the Council is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the adoption of the single transferable vote for Zanzibar elections, whether this or some form of proportional representation is being considered for the Kenya elections of 1952.

No decision has been taken to adopt this form of vote for any elections that may be held in Zanzibar. No changes are contemplated in Kenya, except possibly in the case of the Asian community. Arrangements are being considered locally to ensure that the Muslim section secures a minimum of two seats. I cannot anticipate the result of these discussions.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the principle of the single transferable vote or proportional representation has not been considered at all in Zanzibar, and can he say whether it is being considered now?

The matter has been discussed and discussions on it are proceeding now.

If in fact this particular form of election is being considered in Zanzibar, will it also be considered in Kenya as well?

No decision has yet been reached in other places, but in both those places it is being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the imposition of leg-irons and solitary confinement on two Europeans who escaped from Mombasa jail is a customary form of punishment; how many Europeans and non-Europeans, respectively, have been in leg-irons, manacles or have endured similar forms of punishment in Kenya prisons during the past 12 months; and if he will consider advising the Kenya Government to discontinue this practice.

Leg-irons and similar restraints are used not as a punishment but to prevent a violent prisoner hurting himself or to restrain a prisoner suspected of contemplating escape. Solitary confinement may be awarded as a punishment for certain classes of prison offences. I am asking the Governor for the information requested in the second part of of the Question and will write to my hon. Friend when I have his reply. As regards the last part, I am considering the matter in consultation with my advisers.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask whether he agrees that it is most undesirable that a practice which has fallen into disuse in this country should still be used in some of our colonial areas?

I think I indicated in reply to a previous Question that I am giving attention to the whole problem.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give the composition, powers and duties of district education boards in Kenya; and to whom they are responsible.

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

Can my right hon. Friend say whether those committees are responsible to the local education authorities.

Perhaps my hon. Friend will study the full answer I am giving, after which, if he likes, he can put down another Question.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether there are any Africans on these education boards?

If my hon. Friend will study the very full details I am giving, he will find that his question is answered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what further education is proposed for African children in Kenya who fail to pass the examination for the intermediate schools after a four-year primary course; and whether he is aware that about three-quarters of the African children are concerned.

Every effort is made to continue the education of these children on informal lines through community development, provision of literature and other activities. I am aware of the magnitude of the problem in Kenya and elsewhere and would assure my hon. Friend that it continues to receive my closest attention.

As I gather from my right hon. Friend's reply that he himself is not satisfied with the position, is he aware there are no technical schools or other similar opportunities for these children, 75 per cent. of whom are left high and dry at the age of about 11 years? Does he consider that satisfactory?

I have come back from Kenya and Uganda conscious of the fact that perhaps the first priority is rapid expansion of technical education at every possible level.

Is the Minister aware of the view of many education authorities in Kenya that it is a mistake in present circumstances to provide too high an education, the result of which is that these young people drift into the towns and very often remain unemployed?

That is not the problem. The problem is that technical education has been neglected even more than other forms of education.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many of the posts of education officer and assistant African education officers in Kenya are to be filled by experienced African teachers who have returned to Kenya after taking education courses in this country.

None of the posts of education officer are reserved to Europeans, though one has been created specifically to be held by an African. It is impossible to say how many African teachers with the qualifications mentioned will come forward to fill these posts. The posts of assistant education officer are reserved for Africans, and as a result of the Beecher Report three such new posts have been created.

While the posts have been created, will my right hon. Friend take special steps to try and give ample opportunity to the experienced African teachers who have returned from courses in the United Kingdom to secure those posts?

These posts will be for Africans.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many ratings who have completed their time for pension are still retained for naval duty; and whether they can be replaced by men on the Reserve who have not yet completed this 12 years' service.

About 1,000. Royal Fleet reservists with less than 12 years' active service could not replace these ratings.

In view of the fact that it causes great hardship to the individuals concerned, would the Parliamentary Secretary say which categories of ratings it has been found necessary to retain and why they cannot be replaced?

Generally speaking all categories are being retained. Commodores of barracks have standing instructions to release any senior ratings in any categories in which there may prove to be an overbearing from time to time.

Is my hon. Friend aware that statements have appeared in the Press in the last few days that some of the men retained are to be retained for a longer period than the special call-up period of 18 months, and that these statements are being made despite the specific assurance he gave the other day on the subject? Will he take steps to try and remove the sense of grievance and hardship which these rumours have caused?

I saw it in one London newspaper, and I regret it. There is absolutely no truth in the suggestion that there is to be any extension of service beyond 18 months.

How many men in the Royal Fleet Reserve will be available for call-up to replace these men?

The total number in the Royal Fleet Reserve which I published at the end of the year was about 20,000 to 24,000.

Is it not a fact that only 6,000 of them have been called up?

Yes, that is true.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what proportion of the submarines used in the recent naval exercise have been fitted with snorts.

Seventy per cent.

Will the hon. Gentleman try and work towards 100 per cent. as early as possible? Does the hon. Gentleman appreciate that any exercises which are held today with submarines which are not fitted with under-water breathing devices are somewhat unrealistic?

The hon. Member will appreciate that four nations are involved in these exercises.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what was the amount involved in the con tract recently placed with Messrs. Vickers-Armstrongs, Crayford; and why it was necessary to arrange payment on the instalment system.

Several contracts have been placed with this firm in the last few months, some of which provide for payment by instalments. This is a normal practice. It is not the custom to disclose the sum involved in any particular contract.

Are the Socialist Government so near bankruptcy that for the first time in history they have to pay for contracts on the instalment system?

I do wish the hon. Gentleman would listen.

I did.

This is a normal practice.

No, it is not.