asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how much is collected from the European community in Uganda in education tax; how many European children there are in Uganda between the ages of six and 14; and what educational facilities are available for them.

Education tax collected from the European community in Uganda during the first eight months of 1951 amounted to £5,369. It is estimated that there are 600 European children in Uganda between the ages of six and 14. There are three Government primary schools for European children, and facilities are provided also in a number of mission stations. In addition, many children attend schools in Kenya, some financial assistance being granted by the Uganda Government.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that up to a few months ago there was a staff of only four teachers to teach in a Government school of 150 pupils in Kampala?

I will follow up that observation of my hon. Friend.

Could the right hon. Gentleman give the House the cost per child of the education of European children, as compared with that of African children?

Certainly not without notice, and I very much doubt whether hard-pressed Governments in the Colonies should be asked for information of that kind.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to inquire into the matter, when I think he will find that the information is already available?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a joint committee of European, Indian and African members of the Kenya Legislative Council, as proposed by his predecessor, has yet been set up to recommend constitutional changes for Kenya; and what progress has been made in the discussions.

The arrangement on which my right hon. Friend's predecessor reached agreement in Kenya was that this body should be set up within a year of the start of the next Kenya Legislative Council in May, 1952. That arrangement still holds, and the second part of the Question, therefore, does not arise.

In view of the fact that some members of the Legislative Council are unaware of any progress in this matter, will the right hon. Gentleman do everything he can to encourage it?

I think that all the plans laid down by the right hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths), our predecessor in this matter, are being carried through.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the number of Meru families resident in the Sanya corridor in Tanganyika who are now faced with enforced eviction; and to how many European settlers and for what form of agricultural development this land is now being leased.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in view of the resistance by 2,500 tribesmen to their removal from the Lanya corridor in the Tanganyika Northern Province and the arrest of 13 of the tribesmen, whether an undertaking can be given that no punitive measures will be taken until the cooperation of the chiefs and tribesmen has been secured.

Under a scheme which was accepted by the native authority and publicly announced two years ago, 350 families are to be moved by free transport, and with compensation for disturbance, to land adjoining the area occupied by the rest of the tribe. This has been specially prepared for them by the Tanganyika Government by the installation of piped water supplies, bore-holes and cattle dips. The families removed will be given free food while establishing themselves. As part of the same scheme the Tanganyika Government have acquired a considerable area of land for the use of the tribe. This land was formerly alienated to Europeans, and some of it has been acquired by compulsory purchase, for the use of the tribe. The area to be vacated will be leased for large-scale cattle-ranching. The numbers likely to be thus employed cannot yet be estimated.

I regret that in spite of the acceptance of the scheme by the native authority some degree of compulsion has been necessary to complete this scheme of land re-allocation which is of unquestionable benefit to the Meru Tribe and to the economic development of the territory. Everything possible has been done to secure the consent of the individual tribesmen concerned. Action cannot be further delayed but certainly no measures will be taken beyond the minimum necessary to secure the objective in view.

As the Minister refers to 350 families when originally the estimate was a minimum of 500 families, will he say whether there are still 150 families left on the original soil, and, if so, whether they are going in for cattle ranching or what?

As I said in my answer, the number of families to be moved is 350.

Does not the Minister realise that these tribesmen, rightly or wrongly, are very much attached to the old tribal lands and that that fact presents a psychological difficulty which requires very great patience indeed; and, further, that the matter will be made even more difficult if punitive action is taken before the utmost consideration is given to this psychological aspect?

I have given a very careful answer in regard to any action taken, but I would say to hon. Members and to those who are rightly concerned with the welfare of this and other tribes that their removal from semi-arid land to better land is in their own interest. The friends of Africans can play a better part by encouraging them to do this than by lending themselves to any suggestion that proper consultation has not taken place.

Would the Minister inform the House who, are the beneficiaries of this newly formed ranch land, and whether it is the case that some of the new lands offered to the tribesmen are tsetse infested?

All those questions were gone into by the native authorities, and they are fully satisfied with the proposals of the late Government, which this Government fully endorse.

Would the Minister please answer my question? Who are the beneficiaries in respect of the land?

I hope the beneficiaries are those people who will bring prosperity to the whole territory. [HON. MEMBERS: "Will they be Europeans?"] Yes, no doubt they will be Europeans. This project was gone into very carefully by the late Government with the native authorities, and I would strongly deprecate the introduction of any racial consideration in the matter. The future of this territory, like so many others, lies in a partnership between various peoples, and hon. Gentlemen who rightly set great store by the interests of Africans would help them by encouraging the development of this new partnership.

Will the Minister make it clear that the land being compulsorily acquired from the Europeans on which to settle these Africans is very much better land?

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent coal has been found in Tanganyika; and what prospects there are for its development on any significant scale.

A deposit of over 200 million tons of coal has been found in one coalfield in Southern Tanganyika. Of this, 65 million tons are so far thought to be extractable. Investigation of another deposit is proceeding. Development prospects cannot be stated without further technical information but, apart from this, transport to the coast must be provided. This is being studied.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make clear to his hon. Friends that this project was undertaken by a public authority, the Colonial Development Corporation?

A public authority in which both sides of the House co-operated.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it clear that this arose out of the work of the Colonial Development Corporation, whose work in other areas has often been rather severely criticised?

Certainly, I have already said so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) if he will state the tonnages of sisal exported from East Africa in 1939 and in 1951, to date;

(2) what was the average price received in 1939 by sisal growers in East Africa for their exported crop and the average price they have so far received in 1951;

(3) what were the daily rates of pay received by African labourers in East African sisal plantations in 1939 and in 1951, to date.

Exports of sisal from the three East African territories combined amounted to 119,000 tons in 1939 and to 84,500 tons during the first six months of 1951. Figures for subsequent months are being obtained from East Africa.

I will obtain for the hon. Member the information regarding prices received by the growers and wages received by the sisal estate labourers and will write to him as soon as it becomes available.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, on his visit to East Africa, discuss with the Governors of the territories what steps are necessary to be taken, first, to control the fast-rising prices of sisal and, second, to ensure that the African labourers working on sisal plantations get a more proportionate share of the growing prosperity of the industry?

I will certainly look into the two points made by the hon. Member, and on behalf of His Majesty's Government I will also thank the employers and workers concerned, who last year by their exports of sisal obtained for us £16 million sterling in value.

Will my right hon. Friend also bear in mind the high proportion of dollars earned by this industry?

Will my right hon. Friend at the same time show the effect of the sisal export tax on the reward the sisal growers are getting? Will he also show the comparative figures of wages paid to African labourers on sisal plantations and those paid by the Overseas Food Corporation?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the postponement of the introduction of a Bill abrogating the use of corporal punishment until the next session of the Tanganyika Legislature, contrary to the intention of the despatch dealing with the subject, he will instruct the Administration immediately to proceed with the Measure.

No, Sir. The opportune moment for introducing this Bill to restrict the number of offences for which corporal punishment may be awarded must be left to the decision of the Tanganyika authorities.

Nevertheless, is it not true that this is contrary to the despatch to which this Question refers? In those circumstances, cannot the right hon. Gentleman at least communicate with the Legislature pointing out how desirable it is that in this and in other areas such a Bill is brought into operation soon?

The hon. Member is quite misinformed on the contents of the despatch, which included the admonition that it might well be imprudent to abolish corporal punishment at a stroke of the pen.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Indian students are attending Makerere College; and what are the fees paid by such students.

Full information on both points is not immediately available in the Colonial Office. I am making inquiry and will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that Makerere was intended to be an inter-racial college, that it is alleged that Indian students are being charged fees of £500 per year each, and that as a result there are now only three Indian students in attendance at the college? What steps will the right hon. Gentleman take to stop this racial discrimination, in view of his declaration in reply to Question 27 that he opposed it?

We certainly hope that this will in time become an interracial college, but its main purpose is to cater for Africans. We are making inquiries into one or two of the points which the hon. Gentleman has in mind, and I will write to him shortly. If he puts a Question down again as soon as the House re-assembles I hope to have a more considered answer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give the figures, quantity and value of vegetable oils and fats produced from Colonial Territories in the past 12 months.

The latest figures available are for the year ending 30th June, 1951.

Exports in this period were: oilseeds and copra 922,000 tons, vegetable oils 298,000 tons, total value £80 million.

I will arrange for more detailed figures to be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether the groundnuts scheme made any contribution to this total?

A very modest one, compared with that of private enterprise.

Does not the vast amount of material produced in the Colonial Territories, as indicated by the right hon. Gentleman, justify the colonial policy of the late Government?

I do not quite see the application of what the right hon. Gentleman says. The promotion and production of raw materials is obviously a highly desirable objective, in which we are all engaged. The best way to do it may well evoke a certain amount of difference of opinion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the review of legislative and administrative racial discrimination in the Colonies undertaken by his predecessor has been completed; and whether it will be published.

Copies of the survey of differential treatment by race in the laws of British tropical African territories were placed in the Library in August. A similar survey in regard to the non-African territories will be made available to the House later, when consultations with the Governors are completed.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, in view of the very great importance of this report, whether he will consider publishing it in the form of a White Paper or in another way?

I think the hon. Gentleman and others interested had better first look at the documents in the Library. They already amount to some 50 or 60 pages, and it is open to further consideration whether the documents in the Library, at this stage, with the Reports already presented, are not adequate for the purposes which we all have in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the review undertaken by his predecessor of the powers and practice of deportation in the Colonies has yet been completed; and whether it will be published.

I am unable to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on this subject on 28th November.

I heard that reply. Can the right hon. Gentleman clarify a little the character of his reply? Does he propose to publish a report after these consultations, or just to make a decision?

The only statement of Government policy so far made on this matter was made in this House by the right hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) on behalf of our predecessors on 8th March, when he undertook to make a statement in the House. We are quite prepared to do that, but if hon. Members want some other form of presentation we are quite open to consideration on the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies which Colonial Governments have increased the pensions of retired public servants of all grades during the last six months.

The Northern Rhodesia, Tanganyika, Kenya and Trinidad Governments have introduced general increases during the last six months. The details of the schemes vary.

Can the Minister say whether these increases have been given to all grades or only to a certain number of civil servants? In view of the fact that the pensions of civil servants who retired before the war have now a purchasing power of only about one-third to one-half of what they had when first given, will the Minister encourage all Colonies to increase the pensions of their retired civil servants?

I will send the hon. Gentleman details of the various schemes. They vary very considerably and any answer applying to all four would be an inaccurate one. I realise the difficulties of colonial pensioners, and the best protection His Majesty's Government can give to colonial pensioners and others is to combat the growing inflation in our economy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to increase meat supplies from the Falkland Islands.

The Colonial Development Corporation is constructing a refrigeration plant in the Colony, and I hope this will encourage, farmers to look to the meat market instead of concentrating upon wool. But it would be unwise to expect early results or results on a big scale.

When my right hon. Friend says that it is unwise to expect early results, is he aware that this project was due for completion last March, that it is still not completed, and looks as if it is going to cost twice the amount of the original estimate?

This project, like a number of others, has run into many difficulties, and we are now giving urgent consideration to the problems involved.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what Civil Defence measures are being taken in the Island of Cyprus.

A general Civil Defence plan is being prepared by the Cyprus Government and detailed schemes for the six districts have been completed. Emergency medical stores and fire-fighting equipment have been ordered, and a fire officer is being recruited in the United Kingdom. The Director-General of Civil Defence Training (Sir John Hodsoll) visited Cyprus early this year and advised the Cyprus Government on Civil Defence matters, and his recommendations are being followed.

Can the Minister tell us if this island has now become a bombing base—and, if so, it is going to be very dangerous for the local inhabitants in the event of war—and whether he is satisfied that sufficient precautions have been taken to protect the civil population?

As the hon. Gentleman knows, recent events have shown that this island plays an important part in the security of the free world, and we are taking proper steps to see that the duty of His Majesty's Government towards the people of Cyprus in regard to defence is properly fulfilled.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the annual amount expended by the Government of Nigeria on the publication of the paper "Nigerian Citizen."

The Northern Region of Nigeria recently voted a single grant of £6,000 from regional funds to the Gaskiya Corporation to cover an expected loss on the publication of the "Nigerian Citizen" during the current financial year.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what proportion, if any, of that grant is make by the Colonial Office under these powers in Section 3?

I can tell the hon. Gentleman what sums the corporation has so far received. It received £163,000 from the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund, £10,000 from the Nigerian Government and a Colonial Development and Welfare loan of £35,000. This further money is in addition to the grants already made.

Does not the Minister agree that as this paper is supported by public funds great care should be taken to see that its editorial policy is in conformity with the policy of the Nigerian Government?

That is quite another matter. The motto of another paper run by the same corporation is that "Truth costs more than a penny." When considering losses, I think we ought to bear that fact in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he proposes to take to sustain the timber trade from West Africa, in view of the substantial increase in shipping charges in recent months.

I have no information indicating that the West African timber trade is likely to require assistance as a result of the recent increases in shipping charges.

Will the right hon. Gentleman agree to consider a case, if it is put to him, to show there is a danger of this?

I am certainly prepared to consider any correspondence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in view of the fact that the perpetrators of the atrocities in Malaya are usually dressed in Communist uniforms, he will arrange for them not to be described in official reports merely as bandits.

Many murders and other atrocities are, in fact, committed by persons not dressed in uniform. Although the Communist terrorists are sometimes referred to simply as "bandits," this does not indicate any failure by the Government or the people of Malaya to recognise the Malayan Communist Party as the directing force behind the present campaign of violence. Personally I prefer the description "terrorist."

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made by the Rural Industrial Development Corporation in Malaya; and what is the total of the loans made by it to assist in relieving the poverty of the Malayan peasants and fishermen and in assisting marketing and credit co-operatives.

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the first progress report, dealing with the period up to the end of June. I shall send a further report when it becomes available.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Ceylon co-operative producing, marketing and consumer schemes have been working with great satisfaction? Is he aware that this is the best way of protecting the peasants and fishermen from exploitation, and will he stress the importance of this form of assistance to the Rural Industrial Development Corporation?

If real value is to come from this highly valuable development it must be because we build carefully and patiently. We shall be very glad indeed to profit from the admirable example of Ceylon.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make copies of the report available in the Library?

I will certainly see that copies are put in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress is being made in the appointment of a chief factory inspector in Singapore; how long it is since the post was first advertised; how many applications have been received; and what are the qualifications required and the salary offered.

The salary is £1,463 to £1,582 a year plus cost of living allowance and the qualifications are those of an experienced factory inspector in this country. The vacancy was notified in June. A candidate who was interviewed later withdrew but a few more have now come forward.

Is the reason for the delay in the appointment the high standard of qualifications required or the low salary offered?

In bearing in mind questions of salary we have to consider the effect on a large number of other people doing equally important jobs in Singapore and elsewhere. With regard to qualifications, I think we certainly need very high qualifications for a highly important task of this kind, but we are still hopeful of filling the vacancy.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say what are the qualifications required?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the Malayan-Chinese Association was not consulted before any decision was taken to abandon the Mawai settlement in Johore; why the families were only given three days notice to decide where to go; and if the Government will compensate the families for any loss they have sustained.

The villagers were given the option of being re-settled in a wired village or moved elsewhere. They were addressed by the president of the local Malayan-Chinese Association and chose the latter alternative. The offer to re-settle them at Mawai still stands. They themselves wished to leave as soon as possible but no time limit was set. Those who have gone to other re-settlement areas will be paid a disturbance allowance.

Is it not a fact that this settlement was attacked by Communists because it was not given protection, and that many of these villagers lost their lives, and that it is vital that all these settlements where squatters are being regrouped should be given adequate protection from Communist terrorists?

I think it is a highly desirable objective but in this matter where we, as did the previous Government, have to carry out re-settlement on a large scale in a short time the desirable is not possible of achievement. In this case four young men were murdered and 21 abducted, and the alternatives offered to the villagers were as I have explained.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what inquiries have been made into the methods used by police officers in interrogating suspects in Malaya; and with what result.

There have been many rather wild accusations of ill-treatment and it is clearly in the Communist interest to propagate such stories. Any specific allegations have been carefully investigated, and in the few cases where cause has been shown, stern action has been taken.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Secretary of State, during his present visit to Malaya, to investigate this subject with particular reference to the removal of detainees from detention camps for interrogation at C.I.D. headquarters, about which there have been a number of disquieting and not in the least wild reports in such responsible newspapers as "The Times"? Will he also consider some aspects of the subject about which I had a good deal of correspondence with his predecessor?

With regard to the correspondence with the previous Secretary of State I hope that a reply will be sent soon. As regards the general question, I think more time and trouble should be devoted to considering the problems of the police officers themselves, and our thanks ought to be given to and our thoughts ought to be with them in their appallingly difficult task. Much of the time spent in checking ill-founded allegations could have been better employed in helping to bring this terrible war to an end.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the lives of British settlers may well depend on the successful and effective interrogation of suspects?

I appreciate the position in Malaya, which I saw for myself, but will the right hon. Gentleman make it clear that if complaints are made against the force which may damage our cause he considers it essential to inquire into them?

I was at pains to say that at the start of my answer. Any specific allegations have been most carefully investigated, and in the few cases where cause has been shown, stern action has been taken.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps were taken to emphasise to the citizens of Malacca the importance of the recently held municipal elections in that town.

I am consulting the Acting High Commissioner and will write to the hon. Member when I have his reply.

Is this not an unsatisfactory way of submerging this incident where all the candidates were unopposed owing to the fact that insufficient publicity was given to the elections and insufficient importance was attached to their significance as being the first of a series of elections ever to be held on the mainland of Malaya?

The hon. Gentleman had better await the communication which we shall get from the Acting High Commissioner.

In the meantime will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that all people who are qualified to be on the register are placed there?

We had better wait until we hear from the Commissioner.

asked the Prime Minister whether the statement of the Secretary of State for the Colonies in Singapore on 29th November that political progress was not an integral part of the struggle against militant Communism in Malaya represents His Majesty's Government's policy.

I expect that my right hon. Friend desired to make it clear that without more rapid progress in operations against the Communists, progress in other ways is bound to be slower and more difficult.

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that he has cast aside his previous objections to the independence of countries in South-East Asia, and that he now understands that it will be impossible to gain the sympathy and support of the people who live in Malaya in the fight against Communism unless they are convinced that his Administration is going to press forward with their self-government as quickly as did the previous Labour Administration?

I have no declaration to make on these subjects this afternoon.

In order to avoid any misunderstanding which might have serious political repercussions, and have an effect upon the emergency, will the right hon. Gentleman re-affirm that the policy of His Majesty's Government now is the policy announced by my right hon. Friend in 1946 or 1947 that it is our intention to help the people in Malaya to self-government within the Commonwealth as soon as possible?

That certainly seems a very inoffensive way of stating general truths and purposes which are now accepted widely in this country.

I want to press this matter. It is of very great importance. That policy was stated by my right hon. Friend. It was repeated on behalf of His Majesty's Government by myself both here and in Malaya. May I ask the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government now stand by that policy?

I do not propose myself to be drawn into a detailed dis- cussion on the matter at Question time. I am myself awaiting the return of the Secretary of State from his mission, and then we shall have an opportunity of considering all that he has to say, and everything may be discussed in this House. I was not aware of any decisive change that had been contemplated at all in this respect, though I should by no means bind myself always to follow out strictly and faithfully all the actions and policies proposed by the party opposite.

Do I gather from the Prime Minister's statement that it is his intention and the intention of the Government to reconsider the policy already announced and re-affirmed several times? Do I gather that that has been reconsidered now?

The right hon. Gentleman is endeavouring, I think, to procure some answer or some treatment of his Question here at Question time which would make mischief and cause trouble. I have not the slightest intention of being drawn into any pronouncement at present.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that so far from there being any intention of making mischief, it is essential that the position of the Government should be made quite clear in view of the critical position of the fight against Communism in Malaya and the need for uniting all communities behind the Government, and that no statement casting doubt on the general line of policy, which, I thought, has been accepted in this House, should issue from this House? What my right hon. Friend was asking was that we may be quite clear that our purpose in defending Malaya against Communism is to help them on the road to self-government.

The last two phrases seem to me to be entirely harmless and even helpful.

rose—

Miss Burton.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I wish to give notice that I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment.