asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the constitution of the Labour Advisory Board of Malaya; how it is elected; how many times it has met; when the last meeting took place; and who is the independent chairman.

The Malayan Labour Advisory Board, as appointed annually from 1947 to 1950, consisted of four Government representatives and four representatives each of employers and workers, appointed by the High Commissioner after consultation with the employers' and workers' organisations. The Commissioner of Labour, one of the Government representatives, was Chairman. There have been 19 meetings since 1947, the last in October, 1950. The composition of the Board is now under review, and it is hoped to announce its reconstitution shortly.

In view of the fact that the last meeting took place in February of this year, does the Secretary of State not think that the Board is ineffective when it meets so infrequently; and would he also consider appointing an independent Chairman other than the Commissioner of Labour, to create greater confidence among the workers in Singapore?

The constitution of the Board is now under consideration by the Government, and I note the suggestion of my hon. Friend.

When it has been considered, will my right hon. Friend also consider giving the trade unions the opportunity of electing direct representatives to the Board?

All that can be considered, and I am sure it will be by the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what part of the programme of the Medical Plan of Singapore was carried out in 1948, 1949 and 1950, and what is scheduled for 1951; and to what extent it is the intention of the Government of Singapore to expand the Kerbau Maternity Hospital and establish clinics in the rural areas.

During 1948 and 1949, 205,000 dollars and 126,000 dollars, respectively, were spent on improving hospital facilities. The formal Medical Plan began in 1950, when 278,000 dollars was spent. Projected expenditure this year is 1,456,000 dollars. The plan provides for doubling the facilities at the Kerbau hospital, and for 16 new permanent maternity and child welfare clinics. Thirty-eight clinics already exist.

Is the Secretary of State aware that the Director of Medical Services has stated that the medical need in Singapore and Malaya is desperate; that there is a great need for nurses and for training schools; that there is a dearth of clinics, particularly in the rural areas; and does he not think that the provision of these would do more to retard the progress of Communism than the use of arms?

I am deeply conscious of the need for extending the social services in Singapore, and both I and the local government will do everything we possibly can to speed up the development of these essential services.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that emergency newspaper regulations have been made in Singapore; that they reduce the freedom of the Press and give powers to the legislature to suspend a newspaper for offences not stated; and if he will delay implementing these regulations until he has had consultation with all interests concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the new restrictions on Press freedom in Singapore.

Emergency (News paper) Regulations were published on 5th July and were approved 10 days later by the Legislative Council, with two dissentients. I am in correspondence with the Governor on certain aspects of this matter, and I would therefore prefer not to make a statement at this stage.

Is the Secretary of State aware that the new regulations give power to suppress not only newspapers but also newsprint; and should he not take action through the courts rather than using arbitrary powers to suppress newspapers and newsprint?

As I have said, I prefer not to make any statement on this matter. I am discussing the matter with the Governor.

Since that means that my right hon. Friend cannot make a statement to this House until October, if he finds on examination that the allegations contained in my hon. Friend's supplementary question are correct, will he take immediate action during the Recess?

I will discuss the matter very fully with the Governor, and will consult with him about what action will be taken. I would ask my hon. Friends to bear in mind that this is in Singapore, in the heart of an area where there is an emergency.

The right hon. Gentleman referred to the emergency as being in progress for some considerable time. Can he tell the House what then has now caused these regulations to be made?

As I have said, I am in correspondence with the Governor on this matter, and I should prefer to leave the matter where it is until our consultations are complete.

In view of the fact that the regulations are due to become operative today, will the Minister hold them up until an inquiry has been held?

I do not think I ought to hold up regulations which have been approved by the Legislative Council. I am consulting with the Governor, but I could not hold them up because this has been decided by the local government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has studied information sent to him about subversive broadcasts in Malaya by Alex Josey, and in view of the unsettled state of that country, if he will take steps to end such broadcasts; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Josey is a member of the staff of Radio Malaya, whose duties have included the making of regular commentaries on the news. These broadcasts have been subject to prior scrutiny, although in practice latitude has been allowed. They have been given weekly for the last two years and are, of course, in no sense subversive.

When will the Government take some effective action against Communism?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that these broadcasts are extremely effective anti-Communist propaganda, and will he consider putting into the Library of the House the booklets in which they have been reprinted, so that hon. Members may judge for themselves how completely untrue and unfair this question is?

indicated assent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what provisions exist for training men who are serving as special constables in Malaya so as to facilitate their ultimate resettlement in civil life.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Southend, East (Mr. McAdden) on 11th July. I will also write to the hon. Member when the report for which I have asked is received.

I am afraid that I am not aware of the answer to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred. Will he not agree that this will help to recruit the best types of men for this very vital work upon which the lives of fellow countrymen depend, that is, if they can feel that steps are being taken to reinstate them in civil life later?

The answer which I gave previously was that I had set up a committee to study this problem and when I see their report I will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are taken to prevent young men in Malaya from evading their National Service obligations by taking up temporary residence in Singapore.

Since movement between the Federation and Singapore is uncontrolled there are serious practical difficulties in dealing with this matter, but the question is under active consideration by both Governments.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House any idea of the extent of this trouble?

No. I think that the hon. Member has been to Singapore and Malaya, and I am sure that he will appreciate that it is very difficult to give any estimate on that question. It is a very serious problem, and it is being carefully and urgently examined.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many of these people escaped to the Turtle and Mangsee Islands which have been transferred from the British Empire to the Philippine Republic?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can make a statement on the harvest of groundnut, and other crops grown this season by the Overseas Food Corporation in Tanganyika; and if he can now give an indication of the cropping and cattle grazing plans for the coming year.

Harvesting is still in full operation in all three of the Corporation's areas in Tanganyika and only tentative estimates of the eventual yields can now be given. The Corporation hope to harvest 8,500 tons of groundnuts, 9,500 tons of maize and 4,500 tons of sorghum. Plans for the 1951–52 agricultural year have not yet been settled.

After meeting the food requirements of the local population, will there be any substantial quantity of groundnuts and maize available for shipment here; and will the right hon. Gentleman make a further statement about future plans as soon as he has anything definite in view?

With regard to the second part of that supplementary question, Mr. Gillett, the new chairman, has now gone out to East Africa. I saw him before he went, and I have arranged that as soon as everything is settled he will report, and I will make a full statement here. I should prefer not to commit myself about the detailed figures. Perhaps I could send them to the hon. Gentleman after I have made further inquiries.

Will there be something available for this country after local requirements have been met?

There will be, but I should not like to commit myself as to the amount.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement upon the scheme of the Tanganyika Government to establish a grain storage department, including silos with conditioning plants, at selected centres.

As the reply is necessarily lengthy, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the Russian allegations in the Trusteeship Council on 6th July against the British administration in the Cameroons; and what steps he has taken to rebut them.

Yes, Sir. These allegations were effectively rebutted by the United Kingdom representatives in the Council. A copy of the relevant verbatim record has been placed in the Library of the House, and, with permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT an extract from the speech of Brigadier Gibbons, the United Kingdom spokesman.

Can the Minister assure the House that the African people in the Cameroons enjoy the right of habeas corpus as much as any cockney in London?

Yes, Sir. I hope that hon. Members who may have heard these charges made against the administration in this area will read the statement which I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT and look at the copy of the verbatim record which I am placing in the Library.

Will my right hon. Friend agree to investigate the standard of administration in the Cameroon Development Corporation, in view of the fact that over the last three years more than one-third of the European staff have left the Corporation and feel very bitter that opportunities to make their complaints heard have not been given to them?

That supplementary question does not arise on this Question and answer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reports he has received from the Nigerian Government on the results of the new experimental courses in education for citizenship conducted at Man O' War Bay; and whether plans are being considered for the development of this training in the Cameroons or its extension elsewhere in West Africa.

None, Sir. Only two courses have so far been held and it is too early yet to judge the success of this interesting experiment. I am not aware of any plans for the development of this particular form of training in the Cameroons, or for its extension elsewhere in West Africa.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that the results achieved so far at Man O' War Bay are sufficiently encouraging to justify this scheme being continued and developed with a view to extending it to other parts of West Africa?

It is certainly a very interesting experiment, but I should have thought it was too early yet to pass a final judgment upon it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in what way he has decided to take action, with a view to help to stem the prevalence of crime in Jamaica, especially the corruption in the Jamaican-controlled parochial councils, and to deal with the question of the drug, known as ganja, which contributes to political and trade union violence.

These are matters within the competence of the Government of Jamaica. The Governor is concerned at the amount of crime, particularly in Kingston, but he has reported that the police are doing much excellent work both generally and in a successful campaign against those who grow, use and traffic in ganja. Sir Hugh Foot does not accept the sweeping suggestion of corruption in the parochial boards.

Will my right hon. Friend agree that this increase in crime may indicate that the Constitution, which was brought into being in 1944, requires to be looked at again, in view of the fact that it has brought into the Assembly some irresponsible sections of the community, and this is perhaps the cause of this increase in crime?

I do not think that I can accept the view that the people on the boards are irresponsible.

Will my right hon. Friend consider putting some ganja in the Library of the House so that hon. Members may decide for themselves whether this drug has the effects attributed to it?

I will see what I can do during the Recess.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what answer he is sending to the resolution sent him by the rice growers of British Guiana asking for his assistance in getting more favourable prices.

The price of rice supplied by British Guiana to other West Indian territories is governed by a contract. It has been agreed that the price to be paid during the period 1952–54 should be referred to arbitration under the terms of that contract.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is great concern in British Guiana at the possibility of the present prices being renewed over a further period of years, and in view of the need for more encouragement to bring the social services to something like a decent level, will he do what he can to help in this matter?

As I have already stated, they have agreed now to refer this question to arbitration.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will request his advisory committee to consider forthwith and advise him in an interim report as to the terms of a specific draft regulation to require suppressors to be fitted to motor cars for the reduction of interference on television sets in order that this may not be subject to further delay.

The Committee considering ignition systems has now submitted a report. When I have fully considered the advice given to me in the report, I will make a statement about the action I propose to take with regard to regulations. I have arranged for copies of the report to be placed in the Library and for a brief Summary of its main recommendations to be given to the Press.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have been badgering him about this for years and that I shall continue to do so? Will he give us some indication when he expects to arrive at some decision on this comparatively simple matter?

The hon. Gentleman is too retrospective. The main problems I have to face in making a statement is whether or not to have sup- pressors on new cars only, whether to limit those suppressors to the parts of the country where we have television, to arrange for the production of testing equipment, to test them afterwards, and all those sorts of things which are involved. I think we must have some time to look into it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the reasons which he has given are reasons which seem to indicate that a decision could be comparatively quickly arrived at?

That will depend upon the technical committee.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the grave dissatisfaction that is felt on the North-East Coast at the decision to defer the television low-power transmitter at Pontop Pike, which was to serve that part of the country; and whether he will reconsider his decision.

With permission, I will answer this Question and Question No. 55 together.

On a point of order. I am not satisfied that these Questions should be answered together and would like them answered separately.

I accept the hon. Lady's request. I recognise that the decision has caused disappointment and I regret its necessity, but the postponement of work on this and other low-powered television stations was decided only after a careful review of the requirements of the defence programme. I would add that the Select Committee on Estimates endorsed this decision in the light of the evidence before them. The B.B.C.'s station at Kirk o'Shotts and the radio link were well advanced when it was decided to postpone the low-powered stations.

In view of the fact that the North-East Coast is not satisfied with that kind of answer, will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to receive a deputation after the Recess to discuss this very important matter?

I have already received a very substantial deputation from North-East Coast Members and have let them have a considered reply on the matter.

Whilst regretting the necessity of this decision about the low-power station programme due to the claims of the defence programme, can my right hon. Friend give us two assurances—that when the programme can be resumed, priority will be given in this matter to the North-East Coast area; and that the southern parts of the area will receive satisfactory television reception from the new station at Holme Moss?

With regard to the first part of the supplementary question, I think I can give the assurance that the area will get priority in the low power programme, when it is operated. With regard to the second part of the question, there will be a lot of fringe reception in the southern part of this area.

In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman has not received a deputation from the local authorities and that there has been no disclosure of what passed at the deputation between Socialist Members and himself, will the right hon. Gentleman consider receiving a deputation from the local authorities?

I have no objection to receiving a deputation on behalf of the local authorities, but I understand that considerable publicity has been given to the reply which I gave to the North-East Coast Members.

But I am a North-East Coast Member.

asked the Postmaster-General why it has been decided to continue with the scheme to provide television for Scotland by way of the relay station at Pontop Pike and eliminate an addition to Pontop Pike which would serve the North-East Coast; and if he will ensure equal treatment for both regions.

My answer to this Question is the same as the one I gave to Question No. 44.

Why does the right hon. Gentleman refer to a deputation of North-East Coast hon. Members received by him when I am a North-East hon. Member and had no notice of the deputation? Will he kindly let me know what was the subject of discussion, what his speech was and what really was the case put forward on behalf of myself as well as of other hon. Members, so that I may send the information on to the local authorities concerned?

I should be glad to let the hon. Lady have a copy, but I should have thought that she would have read all about this in her own newspapers.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I was not present at the deputation because I was not invited? Is he also aware that what would be in the newspapers would be an inspired Press report and not the secret information which he gave to my political opponents?

The hon. Lady should not be so suspicious.

In view of the hon. Lady's earlier allegations that the deputation consisted wholly of Socialist hon. Members, will my right hon. Friend define what he meant when he spoke about a substantial delegation?

Is it not a fact that there are not sufficient Conservative hon. Members for the North-East to make a deputation?

This is rather important as a matter of principle. When the Minister tells the House that he received a substantial delegation of hon. Members from the North-East Coast, are we to understand that he meant that it was a party delegation or are we to take it that it was an all-party delegation?

I was not attempting to mislead the House. I was asked to receive a deputation. If the hon. Lady had asked me to receive one, I should have had very great pleasure in doing so.

Would it not have been more straightforward if the right hon. Gentleman had said "party delegation"?

It is not for me to arrange delegations.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps are being taken to provide this country with television in colour.

The B.B.C. informs me that it is carrying out long-term investigations into fundamental problems of colour television; much research work will have to be done before a system suitable for public service is evolved. The Post Office is keeping in touch with technical developments, at home and abroad, so that it will be in a position to provide appropriate facilities for transmitting colour television signals from point to point.

Is not the United States on the verge of having colour television? Why should we not have it here? Is it because we are saddled with a State monopoly and the Americans are not?

The hon. Gentleman should know that there is very great controversy in America about the sort of colour television that they have.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the Holme Moss Television Station will relay only the Alexandra Palace programmes or whether it will be provided with an outside television recording unit and television studios in Yorkshire and Lancashire, so that the North of England can make its contribution to the national television programme.

The B.B.C. intends that the North of England shall contribute outside broadcasts and newsreel items to television programmes. The Corporation does not propose to provide television studios outside London at present.

How can that be done when there is no co-axial cable up there?

There is a coaxial cable up there.

In the North-West?

Yes, Sir.

Where does it go to?

If the hon. Gentleman had listened to an earlier question he would have known that it is already there.

Why cannot Lancashire and Yorkshire have television studios? Is it not most important that the rest of England should be able to hear and see what we in Yorkshire and Lancashire are saying and doing so that they can do the same tomorrow?

I should have thought that it was more important that some persons should first get a programme before others get two programmes.

Why does the right hon. Gentleman refer to the North of England and leave out Northumberland and Durham which are not covered at all by his answer to the Question?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will make a statement concerning the progress made in the erection of the television station a Wenvoe; what shortage of materials or labour has been encountered; and whether it is anticipated that shortages will adversely affect existing plans.

The B.B.C. informs me that progress with the television station at Wenvoe is so far proceeding according to schedule; no shortages of consequence either of material or labour have been encountered as yet, but I cannot forecast the future.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say for what date the completion of this station is planned, unless unfortunate shortages intervene in the meantime?

I think we gave a rough date of mid-1952. I do not think it will be any later on present performance, but one cannot tell the future position of labour and materials.

asked the Postmaster-General when it is intended to provide the new central post office for the city of Stoke-on-Trent; and the site upon which it is to be built.

It is proposed to provide for certain rebuilding in Stoke in next year's Estimates.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the new central post office we were promised before the war? In view of the fact that it has now been decided to put this in the Estimates, will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence to see that the building is constructed as soon as possible?

There are five lots of building going on in Stoke for the Post Office. It seems to me that Stoke is getting its fair share.

asked the Postmaster-General when it is intended to improve the postal facilities in the Meir, Blurton, Fenton and Longton areas, respectively, in the city of Stoke-on-Trent.

If my hon. Friend will specify what postal facilities he has in mind, I will look into the matter.

Delivery of letters, etc.

I have looked into that, and I find that Stoke gets the standard national deliveries and collections.

asked the Postmaster-General why a copy of the Bucharest organ of the Information Bureau of the Communist and Workers Parties, dated 15th June, 1951, was received in London in a damaged parcel from New Zealand incorrectly addressed, and forwarded by his Mount Pleasant branch on 5th July, reference X10258; and what action he has taken.

Newspapers found to be undeliverable in the post have been used to a limited extent as protective material when damaged parcels have been re-packed. The use of the journal referred to in this case for this purpose was entirely fortuitous. Since, however, it is not practicable to discriminate in the selection of newspapers used for packing purposes, and the amount of ordinary packing material which would be required is small, I have arranged for the present practice to cease.

Does the Minister's answer really mean that he went into the matter and found out exactly who put this paper into this parcel?

No, Sir, we were unable to discover which sorter did this.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the net operating profit arising from registration fees on the parcel and letter service.

The inland letter and parcel registration service is operating at a loss.