asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that quantities of eggs and meat are going to Spain from Ireland with the name, Irlanda, marked on the eggs and, seeing that the need for these commodities is urgent in this country, if he will make it attractive to the Irish to send their exportable food surplus to help to assuage the need in this country for more eggs and meat.

Under our existing contract for eggs I expect to receive about 95 per cent. of the total exports from the Irish Republic in the 12 months ending next February. Most of our supplies of meat come in the form of live cattle and we get not less than 90 per cent. of the total exports at prices closely comparable to those we pay our own farmers.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that I have seen piles of these Irish eggs in the Spanish shops and that in almost every butcher's shop in Spain there is Irish meat? The Spaniards tell me that this meat is very good meat. Cannot the right hon. and gallant Gentleman do something about the Irish market which is so close to us, because it might better the relations of this country with Ireland if he would take more of their products, and it would help us in this country?

I think the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that the fact that we get 95 per cent. of the exportable surplus of eggs and about 90 per cent. of the exportable surplus of meat from Ireland shows that they are very satisfied with the terms we offer them.

Is not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there is a difference of 5s. per live cwt. between the price paid by his Ministry to the Republican farmers and the price paid to the Northern Ireland farmers, and that, in addition, the farmer of the Irish Republic has to pay transport from Ireland to Birkenhead whereas the Northern Ireland farmer has not? Would it not make a great difference to the supply of meat from Ireland—even this 5 per cent. is worth having—if he considered that matter?

Is it not also the case that the wages paid to agricultural workers in Southern Ireland are only about two-thirds of what they are in Northern Ireland?

That is so, and, of course, the case of Northern Ireland approximates more closely to our position here. But the arrangement to which the hon. Gentleman referred has been in operation for some time, and the fact remains that the percentage of our imports from Ireland is very high and that our imports of carcase meat have increased by considerably more.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that Ireland takes very large quantities of fruit from Spain, and that these have to be paid for in some way, such as the export of meat and eggs?

asked the Minister of Food if he will encourage the making in Britain of characteristic varieties of English cheeses to be sold at an economic price so as to make it worthwhile to the producer and to enrich our larder.

I understand my hon. Friend is referring to soft cheeses. Farmers are free to use milk for soft cheese, and to sell it free of price control. But any special encouragement to the making of soft cheese could only be at the expense of ration cheese, of which we are already very short.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that many people do not realise that these cheeses are no longer controlled, and will he make it known to farmers and grocers, and to those who like these rich cheeses, that they can have them if they are prepared to pay the price?

I hope the answer I have given today will give sufficient publicity for that purpose.

asked the Minister of Food if he is now in a position to make a statement on the black market activity in eggs and on the action proposed by the Government.

As the hon. Member was informed on 2nd July, I am examining the system of egg control, with particular reference to illegal sales. I cannot say more at the moment.

I am well aware of that, but is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman also aware that he himself told the country that more than half the eggs were not going through the egg grading scheme, and that this has been going on for a long time? How soon can he hope to get a satisfactory solution to the matter?

I did not say that half the eggs were not going through the egg packing station, thus suggesting that they were going into the black market. Of the 45 per cent. of eggs not going through the packing stations, between 15 and 20 per cent. are quite legitimately sold freely as eggs produced by the 25 head of hens and under, and therefore the amount unaccounted for is about a quarter. Another point is that the eggs passing through the packing stations have more than doubled in the last four years. But, even so, I am not satisfied that the scheme is entirely satisfactory, and that is why I am looking into the matter.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that it is quite impossible to have an effective control over the distribution of eggs? Why not take off all controls altogether, as well as the control of black hats?

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the figure he gave was 55 per cent., and not 45 per cent., which was not going through the scheme?

indicated dissent.

I am sorry, but I am within the recollection of HANSARD and of Members of the House. It was 45 per cent. that was going through and 55 per cent. which was not.

If I gave that impression, I certainly apologise. The fact is that 55 per cent. goes through the packing stations and 45 per cent. does not.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give details concerning the type of convictions, between 1st October and 31st May last, dealing with large-scale operations in the black market on eggs.

Thirty-nine producers, 84 retailers and 63 caterers were convicted of illegal dealing in eggs in varying quantities up to 1,417 dozen.

asked the Minister of Food what precautions are taken by his Department to ensure that the public are supplied with milk of a reasonable quality.

Standards governing the composition of milk and its cleanliness and safety are laid down in Statutory Regulations. These are administered by local authorities. I am also empowered to specify areas in which only milk of special designation may be retailed, and I am doing so as quickly as conditions permit.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware of the spate of protests about the deterioration of milk that have been made recently by county councils and city councils, who, state that cows are now being produced for a higher yield of milk and not for quality? They are asking that the Government should look into the matter with a view to safeguarding the standards of milk.

There is a minimum standard laid down—

It is too low.

No, it is not too low. The minimum standard is, in fact, below the average of the fat content. The average milk content throughout the country, therefore, is above what is laid down by statute. In any case, the local authorities could take action if they wanted to.

In looking at this problem, will my right hon. and gallant Friend bear in mind that the records of the Milk Marketing Board show that there is a steady improvement in the quality of milk as regards butter fat and solids not fat?

Is the Minister aware that recently the city analyst of Birmingham made a statement that the milk standard is deteriorating fast and that there should be a standard below which no milk should be sold?

As far as the city of Birmingham is concerned, under the Milk (Special Designations) Act that is one of the cities which, I hope, will shortly be an area in which only the special designated milk can be sold.

asked the Minister of Food the amount and value of confectioners' fondant imported last year and now being imported; and to what extent this is now being used for the manufacture of non-rationed confectionery.

Imports of fondant were not separately recorded in 1951, but it is estimated that about 102,000 tons, valued at about £8,800,000 c.i.f., were imported from all sources. Imports in the five months January to May, 1952, totalled 20,500 tons, valued at £1,714,000 c.i.f. I cannot say how much is being used by particular food industries.

May we understand that this fondant can be used quite legitimately by confectioners or the manufacturers of confectionery for sale to the public?

Yes, certainly, but it has been very drastically cut since last year.

In view of the fact that fondant costs double the price of sugar, will my right hon. and gallant Friend not agree that it is better to spend that amount of dollars to buy sugar rather than fondant?

I think there is something to be said for that. The real point, of course, is that we have made very drastic cuts, and this means that we are saving a good deal of money.

asked the Minister of Food what savings in fat, sugar and other ingredients will be effected by lowering the standard of ice-cream.

The lowering of the standard will not in itself effect any savings. Supplies of milk powder and fat to the industry have already been substantially reduced, and my object in modifying the standard is to make these scarce ingredients go further.

While the answer makes it quite clear that no saving is to be effected, is it not rather shameful that the Minister should single out a food product that is largely consumed by children for a deliberate debasement of quality?

It will still be very attractive, and I assure the hon. and gallant Member that he will like eating it just the same as before.

It is not a question of that. Will the Minister not have regard to the interests of these children in this matter?

Yes, certainly, but I have to dish out what there is according to what there was, and that is nothing to do with me.

asked the Minister of Food why it has become necessary to reduce the standard of ice-cream; how far it will be reduced; and for how long the lower food value will operate.

Because scarcity of milk powder and fat would have led to shortage of ice-cream, milk solids have been reduced to a minimum of 5 per cent. instead of 7½ per cent., and fat to 4 per cent. instead of 5 per cent. The higher standard will be restored when supplies improve.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman assure parents that ice-cream can still be looked upon as being of a fairly high food value, and will he add to this by stating whether during this period he will continue to have his ice-cream sandwich or cornet?

With regard to its food value, there is no question about any reduction in the standard in that sense. It is a question purely of a lesser percentage of ingredients.

Can the Minister say whether this announced policy of his of "dishing out what there is according to what there was" may be regarded as a general definition of Government policy in other matters too?

Perhaps I can put it more clearly as regards the Department in which I am particularly interested. What I meant to say was that the fact that we have had to reduce the fats and other things is due to the position that we found when we came into office.

Will this change necessitate any further precautions to safeguard the health of the consumers of ice-cream?

That aspect remains unaffected.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Food what dollar purchases for the import of American hog casings have been licensed for 1952; how this amount compares with 1951; and to what extent he consulted the Association of Casing Importers in this matter.

As the answer is long and contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the Minister say briefly whether the authorised dollar purchases for 1952 exceed those for 1951?

For the whole of 1951, the U.S.A. figure was £1,300,000, as against £1,600,000 for 1952, but this latter figure is not broken down and includes other countries.

As that answer reveals that more dollars are to be spent in 1952 than in 1951, will the Minister say to what extent he was guided by the Association of Casings Importers, on the council of which the American meat interests have a predominating voice?

We have consulted them all through. The reason why we go to the United States of America and Canada for these commodities is that the alternative supplies, through Europe, are nearly always of lower quality and, although they come from the same source, cost more money. Therefore, we thought that we had better go direct to the market from which they came and thereby pay less for them.

asked the Minister of Food by how much the price charged by his Department for raw pig gut exceeds the price charged for hog casings imported from the United States of America.

These prices are not directly comparable, but the present price charged for raw pig gut of 1s. per set is in line with the ruling market price for hog casings.

Is it not a fact that the Minister is requiring or imposing a higher price for the British product, which makes it more difficult for British casings and casings imported from the sterling area to be used instead of American dollar imports?

The hon. and gallant Member is a little out of date. It was at the request of the Association, who suggested that the price was high, that it was reduced to its present level of 1s. from 12th July. That is in very close accord with the cost of the finished product.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the price of fish is still high in the shops although more than 200,000 stones have been sent for processing into cattle food and manure in the past week because trawler owners say demand has fallen; and what action is proposed by the Government to curb distributive costs resulting in cod averaging 1s. 6d. to 2s. per 1b. at inland shops on 9th July, compared with 4d. per lb. at the quayside and haddock 1s. 10d. per lb. as against 6½d.

Heavy landings of second quality fish and slack demand during hot weather have led to extensive use of cod for processing. But the prices quoted by the hon. Member are not representative.

Would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman give me an answer to the part of the Question which asks what action the Government are proposing to take about distributive costs? Furthermore, is he aware that the Transport and General Workers' Union have suggested that there should be a minimum price fixed on the quayside, a maximum price in shops, and that the difference between the two prices should provide the middleman's overheads? Will he look into that suggestion if the union send it to him?

I shall look into any suggestion, because nobody would suggest that the scheme of distribution is a perfect one. However, there were special difficulties in the period to which the hon. Lady has referred. There was particularly hot weather, as she knows. If she will look at the figures, which I should gladly show her, she will see that in the similar period last year we also had this difficult position. It is very difficult to dissociate that from the exceptionally hot weather we had recently.

Why is my right hon. and gallant Friend following the practice of the previous Administration and allowing foreign trawlers to bring large quantities of fish here in hot weather so that much of the fish brought in by our own men is used only for meal? When will the White Fish Authority get down to the job and tackle it as it ought to do?

I think that my hon. and gallant Friend will find, if he looks into the matter, that there has been very little difference between this year and last year.

Is the Minister aware that the high price of fish is due very largely to the high cost of transport, and will he consult with the White Fish Authority, which is considering a flat rate for transport, with a view to expediting the implementation of a flat rate?

I think the hon. and learned Gentleman realises that that question was remitted to the Railway Executive for close examination, and that it is still under examination at the moment.

asked the Minister of Food what arrangements are being made to reserve in cold store some of the extra heavy supplies of home-killed beef, lamb and pork that will be marketed this autumn.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on this subject to the hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. F. Willey) on Monday, 14th July.

Could my right hon. and gallant Friend be a little more informative and tell us the extent of these tests which are being made and whether, in fact, beef and lamb will be included as well as pork?

I think if my hon. Friend will look at the answer I have referred to he will see that it refers to experimental freezing which, of course, is a very important preliminary. As he will know, this country is not equipped for freezing on the scale of foreign importing countries. The extent of this experiment will be to see how far we can do the same thing here, and it will be undertaken in one of the slaughterhouses under my control.

How long will it be before it can be ascertained what are the results of this particular experiment?

It will not be six years. However, this is the first time, I think, that this experiment has been conducted, and there is a lot of information to be gained. All I can say is that we shall do everything we can to obtain it as quickly as possible.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that in the six years immediately after the Coalition Government left office there was no need for freezing of meat at all?

I wonder, then, why we still have rationing in these days?

asked the Minister of Food the total imports of canned brisling and canned sild from Denmark, Norway, Holland, Eire and Sweden, by his Department since 15th October, 1949; how much of these purchases has been disposed of; the amount of unsold stock at the latest available date; the total loss or profit to his Department on these imports from 15th October, 1949, to date; and what would be the total profit or loss if existing stocks were valued at today's prices.

As the reply is rather long and contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the Minister say whether it was a loss or profit?

Some showed a loss and some showed a profit.

asked the Minister of Food if he will keep the supplies of coarse grains and other feedingstuffs under constant review so that the rationing scheme may be discarded at the earliest possible moment.

Yes, Sir.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend, when he is keeping a watch on this problem, recognise that at the present time surplus feedingstuffs coupons are passing freely between the farmers and the merchants at a low premium, and that there is very strong evidence that the feedingstuffs rationing scheme should be wound up immediately after the harvest?

I am not so sure about that, but it is the Government's policy that as soon as possible the rationing scheme should end. However, we must realise that a great deal depends first of all on the subsidy being removed —it is very substantial—and also on supplies being adequate; but as soon as those conditions are fulfilled we shall be very glad indeed to get rid of it.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman explain why, when the present Government came into power, available supplies of coarse grains and other feedingstuffs, which, we were assured, were plentiful and obtainable, suddenly disappeared?

Simply because stocks under the late Government became so low.

asked the Minister of Food what estimate he has made, based on the increase in pig breeding stock, of the supply of pig meat next winter; and, in view of the fact that the bacon factories are already working to capacity, if he will encourage the marketing of pigs at lighter weights for the pork trade from October onwards.

We estimate that 509,000 tons of pig meat will be produced in the period from July, 1952, to June, 1953. My right hon. Friend and I consider that it would at present be uneconomical of feedingstuffs to encourage the production of very light weight pigs, but the new price schedule, which it has been agreed with the Farmers' Unions to introduce with effect from 11th August, should encourage the production of pigs between 7 and 9 score, which is a useful weight for pork as well as bacon.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that there are surplus supplies of fish meal at the factories; and what action he is taking.

Two factories producing herring meal recently reported an accumulation of stocks, but these have now been sold through the trade. If any factory is unable to sell its surplus stock, the Ministry is willing to purchase it.

What does my right hon. and gallant Friend propose to do after the Ministry has purchased it? Does he propose to increase the allocation of coupons, or make it possible for other people, who cannot get the coupons at the moment, to obtain it?

For geographical reasons these two factories—they are the ones, I believe, that my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind—find it really difficult to dispose of the meal, and what we do in purchasing it is to make it available for the pool, so that any district where supplies are short can purchase it from the pool.

Is it not a fact that those two factories produce most of the meal available?

I could not say without notice, but I do know that when this surplus became available we did not have to take any action to get the trade to take it up. It took it up very quickly. If it does not, we are always ready to do so, and will at any time do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the success of the system of official labour and trade union advisers to the Governments of African British Colonies, if he will extend this system to other Colonies in the British Empire and if he will make a statement of his future plans in this matter.

In all but the smallest non-African territories there are already labour departments staffed with officers of suitable training and experience able to advise Governments on labour and trade union matters. The provision of such advice to Governments through the officers of these labour departments is a permanent feature of the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

May I take it from that that the Secretary of State agrees with the suggestion in the Question that this has been a great success, and will he consider extending it in order to pave the way for constitutional advances in the various Colonies?

I think the hon. and learned Member will see from my answer that I think that on the whole this is going quite well.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to name the Colonies from which detachments came to participate in the ceremonies at the funeral of His late Majesty.

The following Colonial military forces were represented: Royal West African Frontier Force, King's African Rifles, Northern Rhodesia Regiment, Royal Malta Artillery. A composite detachment of colonial police also took part in the procession.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the officially sponsored newsreel of the funeral omitted African troops in the procession; and when the film of a ceremony is sent to a Colony again will he try to arrange that the film should include all the troops who took part?

Yes, Sir. I am doing my best to persuade the newsreel companies to include in their official films pictures of the colonial troops, and I am quite prepared to take special measures with regard to the Coronation rather outside that undertaking.

Are the headhunters of Borneo who have just rendered such distinguished service in Malaya going to be invited to the Coronation?

That is another question. There are a number of people who will not be invited.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the exhaustion within a short time of the Colonial Development Fund is causing difficulties in planning scientific research and agricultural improvement schemes in the Colonies; and whether he will consider further action to overcome this difficulty.

Although the greater part of the £140 million provided under the Colonial Development and Welfare Acts is already committed, only £58 million has so far been spent. I realise that difficulties will arise in planning future developments as the uncommitted funds are used up and the expiry date of the Acts approaches, and I shall in good time be considering in consultation with my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what action I can usefully take in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the circumstances in which a Fijian cadet, Julian Tonganivalu, was recently sent back to Fiji before completing his course at Sandhurst.

I am glad of this opportunity to state the facts and, with my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate a detailed account in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I should, however, like to emphasise that accounts which have appeared in the Press of this Fijian cadet having been "doped" and wrongfully detained in an Aldershot hospital are entirely without foundation. Far from showing animosity or resentment at his treatment here, he has gone out of his way, both before and since his return to Fiji, to express his gratitude to all concerned.

Following is the statement:

Julian Tonganivalu, now aged 20, the third son of a Fijian chief, arrived in this country in June, 1951, to enter Sandhurst. He was first attached to the Light Infantry Brigade Training Centre at Bordon and after two months at the Mons Officer Cadet School joined Sandhurst as an officer cadet in September, 1951.

He broadcast to Fiji on the B.B.C. Overseas Service in November, 1951, and among other things said that he was enjoying his time at Sandhurst immensely. In December, shortly after the arrangements for sending a Fiji Battalion to Malaya became known, he showed great keenness to serve there, but was persuaded that his duty lay in remaining at Sandhurst and getting his commission.

On returning from a month's leave in March, 1952, he appeared unbalanced, and on the 10th March was admitted to Sandhurst hospital suffering from nervous exhaustion. On the following day, the Southern Command specialist in psychiatry saw him and arranged his admission to the Royal Victoria Hospital at Netley. Treatment at Netley continued until June, when he appeared quite normal. The medical advice was that he should return to Fiji as soon as possible to complete his recovery, and arrangements were accordingly made for him to fly back in the company of an administrative officer also making the journey.

Contrary to statements made in the Press, at no time was compulsion employed as regards his movements. So far as can be discovered he made no application for leave at either the Bordon Training Centre or the Mons Officer Cadet School, nor did he apply to return to Fiji during his period at Sandhurst, although he is known to have told his company commander that his father had died suddenly on the day he landed in this country. While at Netley he was perfectly aware of the medical treatment he was receiving, and is known to have joked about it.

In the opinion of the Sandhurst authorities Tonganivalu was, before his breakdown, an outstanding cadet, keen both on his work and on sport (he boxed for the Royal Military Academy) and a devout Christian. He considered it a great honour to be at Sandhurst and took every opportunity to widen his interests and generally fit himself to be a Regular officer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what response has been obtained to the proposals to Colonial Governments in the Caribbean area for the establishment of a force of two regular infantry battalions to be liable for service in the area; and if he will make a full statement on the matter.

The barracks in Jamaica were seriously damaged by last year's hurricane, and it was therefore necessary to reconsider the financial aspects of these proposals. I am now putting revised proposals to the Governments concerning these two battalions.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in the days of the West Indies Regiment recruits volunteered with great enthusiasm to join a very fine force with proud traditions; and will he particularly bear in mind the possibility of reviving this force?

My hon. and gallant Friend might be interested to know that it has been decided to give a two battalion force the title of the West Indies Regiment which was disbanded.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the present position in respect of West Indian Federation.

The Legislatures, apart from Barbados, which has still to debate the subject, British Guiana, British Honduras and the Virgin Islands, have accepted federation in principle. I have suggested that the next step should be a conference in London; a copy of my despatch setting out detailed plans for this conference was placed in the Library on 27th February. The preliminary work suggested in paragraph 4 of that despatch has not yet been completed, and I do not think that the conference can usefully be held until this has been done.

Supposing one of the areas of the Caribbean to which the right hon. Gentleman refers still refuses to join in, what will happen? Will they go on with the proposal?

That is a hypothetical question. I am very keen to hold the conference to see what general measure of agreement can be reached.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he intends to make a statement on the Government's plan for the further development of industry and agriculture in the West Indies; and what additional shipping facilities are contemplated.

I made statements about Jamaica and British Honduras in reply to Questions by the hon. Member for Wandsworth, Central (Mr. Adams) and the hon. Member for Gravesend (Sir R. Acland) on 26th March and 7th May, respectively. Information about the other territories will be found in my Annual Report to Parliament (Command 8553), in the Report on British Dependencies in the Caribbean and North Atlantic (Command 8575), and in the Annual Report for 1951 of the Comptroller for Development and Welfare in the West Indies, a copy of which is in the Library. I cannot yet add anything to the reply about shipping facilities which I gave to the right hon. Member on 25th June.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not agree that the shipping facilities are very inadequate and that the provision for transport at sea is being left largely to other countries and shipping concerns, and will he give this matter his urgent attention?

I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that I am very anxious on this subject. A firm of British shipowners will be making a survey of the West Indies at the end of this month, and the local governments have been asked to provide them with every facility.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the Governor of Trinidad's advisers in regard to the recent report of the Commission of Inquiry into the finance of the City Council of Port of Spain, Trinidad, include Ministers, the conduct of some of whom has been adversely commented on in the Report.

I understand that the Report has not yet been before the Executive Council. The Acting Governor has so far consulted his official advisers only.

Is the Minister aware that there is acute public interest in the Port of Spain in this matter and that many people in Port of Spain believe that publication of the Report is being withheld because Ministers are implicated in the affair?

I have not said that I am aware that it is going to be withheld. Certain legal matters between the Acting Governor and the official advisers have to be cleared up before I can make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the teachers in the aided schools in the Federation of Malaya requested, nine months ago, to be treated on an equality with Government teachers in respect of pensions, housing, medical and other facilities; that they are now threatening to strike to enforce their demands if their grievances are not dealt with; that such delays in dealing with legitimate claims have a tendency to drive people out of the profession; and what action he is taking to equate their conditions of service with Government teachers.

Yes, Sir. These teachers are employed by the missions and it is not possible to equate their terms of service in all respects with those of Government servants. Certain important improvements have, however, been agreed and the Teachers' Union is shortly to have a further interview with the Deputy High Commissioner. I am not aware of any threat to strike nor are resignations expected.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a great number of the disputes in Malaya arise over delays in dealing with claims submitted by the employees, when sometimes it is 12 and 18 months before an application is dealt with; and is he further aware that, now that the price of rubber is coming down and the employers want a wage reduction, they can call a conference in a week, and that they have not got to meet the men to discuss the question of a reduction of wages?

The hon. Gentleman will find that the administration and the delay in dealing with replies have been greatly improved during the last few months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps his Department is taking to encourage European recruitment to the Malayan police.

Vacancies are advertised in the usual way. This has been found satisfactory and the outstanding vacancies have now been reduced to small numbers.

Can my right hon. Friend make it clear that the recruitment of Malayan personnel is also being encouraged in this way; and can he say for how long he hopes to be able to retain the services of Colonel Young?

I cannot give an answer to either of those questions, but my hon. Friend might be interested to know that there are 23 police lieutenant vacancies for which there are 90 applicants.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that if he wants more recruits for the police force in Malaya his best course would be to increase the salaries and improve the conditions of service?

The figures I have given seem to show that the conditions of service are such as to attract the right type of people.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the War Damage Commission, Malaya, is paying, in some cases, only one-third of the sum claimed for the loss of chattels through enemy action 11 years after the loss was sustained; and if he will take steps to ensure that war damage claims are settled expeditiously and in full in that country.

The Malayan War Damage Scheme was not designed to give full compensation, and the law establishing the War Damage Fund limited payments for chattel losses to $50,000,000 (Malayan) against claims of $200,000,000.

Payments are made by a succession of dividends as claims are assessed and funds become available annually. The War Damage Commission has been operating only for two years and I am satisfied that its work is proceeding as rapidly as possible in all the circumstances.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied with the amounts now being paid, sometimes in full settlement, which represent only one-third of the claims made in 1940, and, in view of the vast increase in the cost of replacement, will he look at this matter to see if something cannot be done to make the payments more equitable?

I have this matter always in mind and will do my best to accelerate the settlement of the claims.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make regulations whereby it will be an offence to exclude any inhabitant of Malaya from any social institution on grounds of race or colour.

I do not believe that regulations would be appropriate. The High Commissioner and his Deputy have left no doubt that they deplore any colour bar, and I think that they have the support of a large majority in Malaya in that attitude.

While appreciating that the making of regulations is not the way to deal with this problem, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the recent action of the Lake Club at Kuala Lumpur in excluding the ruling Prince of Selangor has been deeply resented by the people of Malaya and has done great harm to this country?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the record of Malaya in this respect is considerably better than that of East and Central Africa, and will he draw the attention of these Governments to the feelings expressed in this House on the Malaya question?

I am not prepared to accept that statement in that form.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the recent action of the High Commissioner on the Lake Club, to which the hon. and gallant Member for Merton and Morden (Captain Ryder) has referred, has the general support of Members of this House, even of those who have been critical of some of the High Commissioner's other policies?

Yes, I think so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the new law applying conscription in Malaya includes a provision for the exemption of conscientious objectors on the same basis as the Military Service Acts of the United Kingdom.

No, Sir.

In view of the fact that the recognition of conscience has been supported on all sides in this House, will the right hon. Gentleman make sure that this law does include exemptions on these grounds in Malaya?

I personally think that there are special considerations at the moment in Malaya which would lead us into very grave administrative difficulties if we attempted to introduce these exemptions at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what percentage of the land owned by white settlers in the Kenya highlands which is suitable for pasturage or crops is not used by the owners for agricultural purposes.

None, Sir. All the land suitable for cultivation which is not under crops is used for grazing.

Will the right hon. Gentleman at the same time give us the figures of the acreage owned by each settler and the acreage owned by each African family in Kenya?

That seems to be rather statistical. I can give the global figure, but not the details without notice.

Would the right hon. Gentleman circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the very detailed figures which he has given to me in this matter before the subject is debated tomorrow?

I will certainly circulate any figures I can which I think might be of help. I am not quite sure how much detail that covers, but perhaps the hon. Gentleman will have a word with me about it outside.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the cost of education per head at Makerere College includes any building and research expenditure; and if he will detail how the figure of £530 is reached.

This figure is reached by dividing the estimated recurrent expenditure for the period 1951–55 by the estimated total number of students over the period. It includes some research expenditure but not the capital cost of building.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not agree that it is a very high charge indeed, especially when our aim is to found an inter-racial college? Will he look into the matter in order to see whether it is not possible to reduce this charge?

I think the hon. Gentleman might be somewhat reassured if I said that this charge is at the outset of the scheme, and expressed in the short-term, because the overhead expenses are now divided amongst too few students, and that I should expect to see the total charge per head further reduced.

I thought the right hon. Gentleman said the overheads were not charged against the fee?

The hon. Gentleman is under a misapprehension. The cost of building—that type of overhead—is not charged. The salaries, for instance, of the senior faculties are the ones to which I am referring.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what instructions have been given to the British delegate on the Trusteeship Council in regard to the appeal of the Meru tribe against their transference to other land.

No special instructions were issued to the United Kingdom representative in this matter. As with all petitions, he stated the facts and explained the reasons for the Government's action.

Is it not a fact that these Africans were evicted from their land pending consideration of their appeal by the Trusteeship Council, and that a United Nations' mission to Tanganyika, while recognising the advantage of the transference of land, advised against eviction because of African opposition?

No, Sir, I do not think that is an accurate description of events. That is not the question the hon. Gentleman asked me, but if the hon. Gentleman wishes further information I shall be very happy to give it.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any knowledge of any protest from Roumania about these forced deportations contrary to human rights?

I hardly think that is a matter within the purview of the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in formulating plans for a new airfield at Hong Kong; and what extensions are proposed for the existing airport at Kai Tak.

No plans have as yet been approved for the construction of a new civil airfield at Hong Kong. The Government of Hong Kong have decided to employ a British firm of consulting engineers to draw up a detailed scheme for the development of the existing civil airport at Kai Tak on the lines recommended in the Ministry of Civil Aviation Survey Party's Report. A decision as to what extensions are practicable at Kai Tak must await the receipt and consideration of this scheme.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this matter of a new airport has been under consideration for nearly six years and the previous Administration promised that Hong Kong would have a new airport, but nothing was done about it; and will he insure that the Comet is enabled to land at Hong Kong on a safe and proper airport at an early date?

The question of a new airport at Kai Tak raises wide questions as to whether aircraft coming in would not in fact have to go over other territories, and the Report is designed to see whether the present airport can be adapted for the use of the Comet.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give the content of the sedition published in the Ta Kung Pao of Hong Kong for the publication of which the proprietor and editor were fined on 5th May, 1952.

This newspaper published a misleading and exaggerated account of the disturbance which occurred in Hong Kong on 1st March last. It uttered threats and published inflammatory matter calculated to provoke further disorder and to endanger the peace and security of the Colony.

Will the Minister give us an example of the sentences or phrases which form the basis of the charge which was laid?

The actual matter?

Yes.

I will not quote to the hon. Member in Chinese, but the substance of the article is understood to have included three points: (1) the riot was provoked by the police in order to arrest patriotic Chinese; (2) it was systematic massacre by the police and the army—in fact no troops were used and no one was killed; and (3) that the Chinese were avenging themselves on the murderous British authorities.

May we take it that the phrase that "the riot was provoked by the police" will now form the basis of a sedition charge?

I am saying no such thing. I have given three instances, at the hon. Gentleman's request, of the nature of the article published. The case was tried in the court and the newspaper was found to be guilty of both subversive and seditious propaganda.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the prefabricated houses recently ordered from the Netherlands by the Gold Coast Government are to be allotted only to members of one political party; and if he will request the Gold Coast Government to arrange a more equitable method of distribution.

No, Sir. The allegation I believe to be unfounded. The Gold Coast Government have not yet decided on the method of allocating the trial shipment of prefabricated houses ordered from the Netherlands, but I am assured that the allocation will be equitable.

I am glad to hear that. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a report to this effect was published in a daily newspaper in Accra, and will he take steps to have his contradiction made known in the Gold Coast?

The allocation of these houses has not yet been made. I will watch the matter carefully upon the assurance I have received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what use is now being made by the West African Fisheries and Gold Store of the two steam trawlers which arrived off Nigeria in April, 1951.

The trawlers are now fishing off the coast of Nigeria.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this is a case of too much money chasing too few fish? Is he confident that they are now catching something edible?

I think the economics of this venture will be altered now that the trawlers are based on Lagos and not on Port Harcourt.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies for details of the proposed changes in local government in the Western Provinces of Nigeria.

Yes, Sir, but as the answer is long I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.