asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the delegation from Nyasaland to the Festival of Britain contains no African representative; that this was also the case with the delegation to the Africa Conference of 1948, and to "Colonial Month" in 1949; and whether he will take steps to ensure that such representation is included in this delegation.

My right hon. Friend is in communication with the Governor of Nyasaland with a view to the inclusion of an African member in the Nyasaland delegation, and will inform the hon. Member of the result in due course. The hon. Member is, however, misinformed regarding the Africa Conference of 1948 and "Colonial Month" of 1949. Two Africans were included in the Nyasaland delegation for the former, and no delegations were invited or sent for the latter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the need for more adequate and direct representation of Africans on the Nyasaland Legislative Council; and whether he will consider increasing the African representation to six members, and establishing a common roll so that qualified Africans may be able to vote direct as an alternative to participating in selection through the Protectorate Council.

When two African Unofficial Members were appointed to the Nyasaland Legislative Council in 1949 it was agreed that the introduction of a new constitution would be further considered after experience of the working of the enlarged Council. My right hon. Friend hopes to discuss this matter with the Governor who is at present in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made with the new road between Kijura in the Toro District of Uganda and Ndaiga; and whether it is proposed to complete this road.

The existing road from Kijura has been extended for about 4 miles and a preliminary track cut for about 11 miles. It was recently decided to suspend work on this road owing to the railway extensions to the west of Kampala and to the increased cost in descending the escarpment north-east of Kitoma. The future of the road is at present under consideration by the Uganda Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the status and purpose of the National Scholarship Board in Nigeria under whose auspices eight students were recently awarded scholarships to attend the Communist-run University of Leipzig.

The so-called National Scholarship Board of Nigeria is a self-appointed body set up to choose candidates for scholarships provided by the Communist authorities in Eastern Germany.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will grant facilities for a weekly quota of letters to be sent free of postage by men on active service in Korea.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will consider the provision of free postal facilities for all troops in combat areas.

There is no restriction on the number of light-weight Forces letters which can be sent to the United Kingdom by air free of postage by Service men in Korea. In view of the cost of the concession I do not think that its extension to other theatres would be justified.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, with a view to achieving a quick and cheap method of correspondence between the United Kingdom and His Majesty's Forces in Korea, he will consider re-introducing the air-graph system inaugurated during the war.

No. War experience clearly showed that the airgraph has not sufficient popular appeal in competition with the light-weight Forces letter.

asked the Minister of Food if, in view of the fact that there is a free market for imported potatoes, he will take off all restrictions on the sale of all classes and grades of potatoes, home-grown as well as imported.

No.

asked the Minister of Food how many tons of last season's main crop potatoes, which carry his Department's guarantee of price, remain unsold.

I do not know what quantities have been sold by private traders since the last census on 1st June, but it is estimated that farm stocks were about 300,000 at that date, and that stocks held by merchants were 49,000.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give the details of his last available monthly census of potatoes received by salesmen and the amount left on hand; and if he will give, separately, stocks of old and of new potatoes.

The monthly returns made by potato merchants for May show they received from growers about 322,000 tons of old potatoes and 700 tons of home-grown new potatoes. On 31st May they held 49,000 tons of old and 1,000 tons of home-grown new potatoes.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the shortage of canned milk available for ships at Cardiff docks and that hardship has been caused to ships' crews which have had to put to sea without canned milk; and what remedial action he proposes to take in this matter.

My information is that supplies and orders for ships' stores at Cardiff have been met in full. There were some complaints that seamen buying their own supplies from retail grocers were having difficulty in getting canned milk. A special issue was, therefore, made to traders in Cardiff on 28th May and there have been no further complaints. If the hon. Member knows of any particular case of difficulty and will give me details, I will have the matter investigated immediately.

asked the Postmaster-General what priority is given to agriculture in the provision of telephonic communication.

Within the limits of our available resources, farmers are given priority in common with public utilities, Government Departments, health and life saving services, and firms engaged on production and distribution for export or for saving imports. Where extensive new line construction is required, the Post Office seeks the view of the Ministry of Agriculture before deciding to provide a telephone.

asked the Postmaster-General how many applications for telephones are outstanding in the county of Dorset; and what is the average delay before connection.

Two thousand four hundred and thirty-two at 31st March, 1951. Service is provided in a few weeks in priority cases where plant is available; no estimate can be made of the average time for completion where new plant has to be provided.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the number of applicants awaiting telephone service in the areas served by the Aintree and Argosy exchanges of Liverpool; how many have been waiting since 1947 or earlier; and what special steps he is proposing to take to meet the situation.

Six hundred and sixty-six, of whom 86 applied before 1st January, 1948. The exchange plant was extended in 1950; new cables have recently been laid, and additional cables are planned.

asked the Postmaster-General when he anticipates that the committee set up by him in February, 1951, to investigate the claims for recognition of the National Guild of Motor Engineers and other bodies within the Post Office will report; and whether he can expedite its deliberations.

On the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 30th May to my hon. Friend the Member for Durham (Mr. Grey). As regards the second part, I am confident that the Committee is fully alive to the desirability of reporting as early as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General how many members of the committee set up by him to investigate official recognition of certain trade union organisations within the Post Office have resigned; and how many meetings the committee has held since its inception in February, 1951.

On the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 25th April to my hon. Friend the Member for Waltham-stow, East (Mr. H. Wallace). As regards the second part, I understand that three meetings have been held.

asked the Postmaster-General how many extra sorters approximately have been engaged in order to cope with the situation arising from the change over of stamps.

None.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the public lack of knowledge about the new postal rates on inland printed papers, he will consider giving more publicity to this change.

Press notices were issued on 18th May and on 1st and 7th June. Broadcast announcements were made on 31st May and 14th June. A public notice is exhibited at post offices; large users of the post, headquarters offices of Chambers of Commerce, the Federation of British Industries, and the British Bankers' Association, were notified individually before the change took effect. Much independent Press publicity has recently been given to the change and the position is now generally well understood.

asked the Postmaster-General why he has not reintroduced inter-leaf advertisements in books of stamps.

The matter is under review. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General what was the total value of stamps, books of stamps, stamp cards, envelopes, etc., which were destroyed as a result of the new issue of stamps.

Full details are not yet available. I will write to the hon. and gallant Member as soon as I have the information.

asked the Postmaster-General when he will be able to announce the steps to be taken by the British Broadcasting Corporation to improve broadcasting reception in Cornwall.

The B.B.C. intends to modify the station at Start Point (South West Devon), which serves most of Cornwall, to reduce the night fading which has been experienced.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why Class G reservists on completion of training have to take home all their clothing equipment except their underwear.

Class G reservists on completion of training retain certain items of uniform and equipment so that if they are called up in an emergency they could go without delay direct to their stations in the control and reporting system.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the names of the air transport operators who have been invited by his Department to tender for the air trooping contracts to Malta and Gibraltar over a two-year period commencing 1st July.

Following is the list of operators:

• British Overseas Airways Corporation.
• British European Airways Corporation.
• Hunting Air Travel Limited.
• Airwork Limited.
• Scottish Aviation Limited.
• Lancashire Aircraft Corporation Limited
• Skyways Limited.
• Silver City Airways Limited.
• Flight Refuelling Limited.
• Eagle Aviation Limited.
• Transworld Charter Limited.
• Crewsair Limited.
• Aquila Airways.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why his Department have invited British European Airways Corporation to tender for air trooping contracts to Malta and Gibraltar, extending over a two-year period commencing 1st July; and whether it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to accept tenders for charter operations from the corporations at times when scheduled services are cut through lack of aircraft or crews.

t is the practice of my Department to invite tenders from the air corporations and from other air transport operators for air trooping purposes, and this practice was followed in connection with the air trooping tenders for Malta and Gibraltar. The circumstances referred to in the latter part of the Question would be taken into account before a contract is awarded.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if the design for the permanent buildings at London Airport have been completed and approved; and when the building is to commence.

The permanent buildings at London Airport will consist of a terminal block in the central area, hangars in two maintenance areas for the British Airways Corporations and other operators, and ancillary buildings in the Bath Road area. The designs of the control building, the operations building, and one passenger handling building in the terminal block have been approved and working drawings are nearing completion. It is hoped to start construction work at the beginning of next year.The designs of the hangars for British Overseas Airways Corporation and British European Airways Corporation have been approved and construction has begun. The design of the buildings in the Bath Road area has also been approved and construction will start very shortly.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation when the Brabazon aircraft will be granted a full certificate of airworthiness.

I am unable to forecast when the full certificate will be granted as the aircraft is still in the development stage.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what progress is being made with the plans for the erection of new terminal buildings at Renfrew Airport.

A site has been selected and the architect is at present engaged in preparing a preliminary design.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation how many commercial pilots' licences are today in force; and of what categories.

There are 1,874 holders of commercial licences of the following categories: 472 commercial pilots; 215 senior commercial pilots; 1,187 airline transport pilots.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he expects to be able to make a further statement on the negotiations which are being conducted with the Egyptian Government regarding the future status of the Sudan.

I regret that I am unable to say when I shall he in a position to make a further statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the strike of the police in the Sudan; what are the objections to the police forming a Sudan police federation; why it is necessary for the constitution of such a federation to be submitted to the Assembly; and if he is aware that no approval is required for membership of a police federation in Sierra Leone.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the police strike in Khartoum.

Following is the statement:

Members of the police in Khartoum and Omdurman refused to perform their duty between 5th and 10th June. Some members of the police at Atbara and Port Sudan demonstrated and later confined themselves to barracks in sympathy. The Sudan Government enrolled special constables, who maintained order, assisted by troops of the Sudan Defence Force. There was no general deterioration of public security. A police officer and a special constable had, however, on one occasion to fire on looters one of whom was killed and another wounded.

Police in all four towns have now returned to work. A proportion in each centre have either been dismissed or discharged at their own request. Approximate figures of men not re-engaged are: Khartoum and Omdurman, 250; Atbara, 35; Port Sudan, 64; out of total strengths of 1,068, 173 and 488 respectively.

The Acting Governor-General has appointed a commission under the chairmanship of a judge to ascertain the cause of the unrest. The Sudan Government have raised no objection to the formation of a police association. The members of the police force have always been aware of this.

The Sudan Government have, however, insisted that the rules and constitution of any such association must be subject to their approval. This is in accordance with practice both in the United Kingdom and in the Colonies where the constitutions of police federations are laid down by statue or by regulations under ordinances as appropriate. It is clearly necessary that any association or federation within the force that is responsible for preserving internal security within a country, the members of which have taken an oath of loyalty, should be subject to the approval of the Government of that country.

The case of Sierra Leone is no exception to this rule. As regards membership of federations which have been approved, this is open to all members of the police forces concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now make a statement on the information he has concerning the deportations in Hungary; and the action he is taking under the Human Rights Clauses of the Peace Treaty.

Large numbers of persons, mostly from the former middle-classes and aristocracy, but including small tradesmen and so-called "Social Democratic" technicians, have been expelled at very short notice from their homes in Budapest to camps or other totally inadequate accommodation in the country. His Majesty's Government have already expressed their disgust in another place at this inhuman treatment of people, many of whom are old and sick, and whose only crime appears to be that they are obnoxious to the Hungarian Government.As to the second part of the Question, His Majesty's Government are collating all the available evidence of breaches by the Hungarian Government of the Human Rights Clauses of the Peace Treaty. In accordance with the Resolution on this question adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations last November, this evidence will be submitted to the United Nations Secretary-General.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what protests are being made by His Majesty's Government against the refusal of the Chinese Government to give full facilities to the International Red Cross to visit and report on British prisoners of war.

:I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 11th June to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Streatham (Mr. Sandys).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now make it clear that His Majesty's Government intend to hold personally answerable for their acts any individuals who may be found guilty of ill treatment, neglect or treatment contrary to international law of British military prisoners of war held by the Chinese or North Korean authorities.

The Unified Command are fully aware of their responsibilities in this connection and will report on any cases of ill-treatment which are brought to their notice. These reports will then be a matter for discussion with other Governments concerned, and His Majesty's Government will take their full share of responsibility in deciding on the measure to be taken.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken by His Majesty's Government to ascertain, through the good offices of other Powers, the names and particulars of British prisoners of war in the hands of the Chinese and North Korean authorities, and the circumstances in which they are held.

As stated by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on 12th February, an official approach was made to the Soviet Union on 5th February. No reply has yet been received. Discussions, not involving His Majesty's Government, have also taken place in Peking. I understand that negotiations between the International Red Cross Committee and the Chinese Red Cross Society, referred to in the replies given to the hon. Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) on 8th and 29th May, are still in progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is now in a position to make a statement as to whether the House will be allowed to discuss the proposals for the Japanese peace treaty; and, if so, how soon that debate is likely to take place.

I would welcome a debate on the proposals for the Japanese peace treaty. Such a debate would obviously be of greater value after the publication of the terms of the draft treaty, which I hope will take place in the near future, when Commonwealth and other Governments closely concerned have been consulted. On publication of the draft treaty I would suggest that the question of a debate should be raised with my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is now in a position to make a statement on the claim of the British Far Eastern prisoners of war for compensation from the Japanese.

No, but as stated on Monday in a written answer to the hon. and gallant Member for Lewes (Major Beamish), it is hoped that this particular question can be dealt with fully in the course of a debate on the whole Japanese peace treaty when the draft treaty is published in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give an assurance that the security officer in his Department has the right of direct access to him at all times and on how many occasions this right has been exercised this year.

The Permanent Under-Secretary is responsible to me for security as for all other questions in the Foreign Office. The head of the Security Department is, like all other heads of Foreign Office Departments, able to see me, should it be necessary, when the subject he deals with is under discussion.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will issue instructions to coal dealers to mark the price of graded coal so that customers will be able to make selection.

I do not consider any further instructions are necessary. The present arrangements are that schedules of grades and maximum retail prices are available for inspection in the offices of local fuel overseers and coal merchants. Moreover, the person in charge of a vehicle on which coal is being carried to retail consumers must produce on request a copy of the current schedule of prices or of the part of the schedule relating to the coal being carried. In the case of deliveries of more than 2 cwts., the merchant must supply to the consumer a delivery note specifying the price and the description of the coal as stated in the schedule.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what progress has recently been achieved in research on blending with a view to conserving coking coals.

Work on the blending of coking coals forms an adequate proportion of the total research now in hand in the fuel and power field. It is not a subject in which spectacular advances can be expected, but I am satisfied that steady progress is being made.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will give a list of the Statutory Instruments under which, on 1st January, 1945, commodities were rationed or their price controlled by his Department, indicating the date on which the main controls have since been removed in whole or in part, and the titles of the revoking instruments.

As the list is very long, I am sending it to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what changes he proposes to make in his arrangements for keeping housing progress in Scotland under review.

:I have appointed a Housing Progress Panel, whose task will be "to keep under review, in relation to the building programme generally, all matters affecting the Scottish house building programme with a view to ensuring the best possible progress, having regard to the resources available, and to report from time to time."I have appointed Mr. William Leonard as chairman of the Panel. The other members are: John Baird, Esq.; W. Gordon Bennett, Esq., M.P.; Charles C. Brownlie, Esq.; James Carmichael, Esq., M.P.; Alexander Carrick, Esq.; Edward Daly, Esq.; The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, K.T., C.M.G., T.D.; Robert S. Gray, Esq.; Joseph Grimond, Esq., M.P.; John Love, Esq.; Allan Maclean, Esq., J.P.; Alexander Macpherson-Raft, Esq., M.B.E.; William Maltman, Esq.; Charles Minihan, Esq., O.B.E.; Rodney C. Palk, Esq.; James R. Rutherford, Esq., C.B.E., J.P.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now considered the recommendations of the Cunliffe Committee on the British Standards Institution; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

Yes. The Government has decided to accept the recommendations of the Cunliffe Report on the organisation, procedure, constitution and public relations activities of the British Standards Institution. It recognises that a continuing financial contribution from the Exchequer based upon the amount of industrial subscriptions is desirable.In view of the uncertainty of the future, the Government is unable to accept commitment in respect of the whole five-year term proposed in the Report. It is, however, prepared to be committed for three years (including the present financial year) on the basis that the matter will be considered further at the end of that term. This proposal has been discussed with the Institution who have accepted it.We have also agreed with them that, in view of the shorter term, it would be appropriate that the maximum Government contribution should be at a level which, while giving the Institution a target which it will take considerable efforts to reach, is lower than that provided for in the Report.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the receipts from the Customs duties on heavy wines, both Empire and foreign, for the financial years 1947–48, 1948–49, 1949–50 and 1950–51.

The net receipts of duty during the financial years 1947–48, 1948–49, 1949–50 and 1950–51 in respect of wine exceeding 25 degrees proof spirit duty paid at full rates and wine exceeding 27 degrees proof spirit duty paid at preferential rates were as follow:—

asked the Minister of National Insurance if she will make arrangements whereby a person over pensionable age who is drawing a 10s. a week pension payable under the Contributory Pensions Acts and is continuing in full-time employment can draw the full amount of any sickness or unemployment benefit without losing the 10s. a week pension.

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind people who attained pensionable age before 5th July, 1948, and are still drawing a 10s. contributory old age pension. Such people neither contribute towards nor are they eligible for either unemployment or sickness benefit. If the hon. Member has a special case in mind perhaps he will write to me giving particulars.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for permission to enter this country for permanent residence were received from non-British nationals in the years 1945–50; how many were refused; and under what headings the grounds for refusal can be grouped.

No record is kept of the numbers of applications and refusals for permission to enter this country and I do not think that the labour involved in keeping such a record would be justified.

asked the Secretary for the Home Department what are the rules governing the admission of aliens for permanent residence to the United Kingdom; what general policy determines these rules; and under what statutory authority they are exercised.

Authority for the control of the admission of foreigners is given by the Aliens Order, 1920, as amended by subsequent orders made under the Aliens Restriction Acts, 1914 and 1919. Subject to compliance with the conditions laid down in Article 1 (3) of the Order, there are no formal rules governing the admission of foreigners who may wish to reside here and applications are dealt with on their merits in the light of the general principles which I have announced to the House from time to time. I am sending my right hon. Friend copies of the announcements which I have made about the admission of distressed relatives of persons already living here and certain displaced persons who have been in the care of the International Refugee Organisation.In addition, it is the practice, subject to individual scrutiny, to allow to remain here, without any limitation of time, husbands of women of British birth and parentage, persons who have been admitted for employment approved by the Ministry of Labour and have continued in approved employment for a number of years, and persons initially admitted for temporary business purposes if their continued stay would be in the national interest.