asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the penalty in the case of unauthorised persons for carrying firearms in Malaya.

In the Federation of Malaya the penalty on conviction for unlawful possession of a firearm is death.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why Mr. John Eber, who has been detained in Changi Prison, Singapore, since 8th January, 1951, under Regulation 20 (1) of the Emergency Regulations at present in force in the Colony of Singapore, has not received a statement of the reasons for his internment and has not been brought up for trial before any judicial tribunal.

Mr. John Eber has received a statement of the reasons for his detention. I regret that it has not been possible to bring him to trial, but I am satisfied that the action taken has been in the public interest.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies with regard to the Employees' Provident Fund which came into operation in the Federation of Malaya on 1st July, the contributions paid and the benefits to be received; and what sections of workers were excluded.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 23rd July; Vol. 504, c. 515] supplied the following further information:

The Fund, which was set up under the Federation of Malaya Employees' Provident Fund Ordinance (a copy of which has been placed in the Library) is administered by a Board consisting of six Government representatives, six employers' and six employees' representatives, all appointed by the High Commissioner. Employees' rates of contributions, which are laid down in the Ordinance, vary from a minimum of $1.50, when the monthly wage is between 10 and 30 dollars, to a maximum of 20 dollars when the monthly wage is between 380 and 400 dollars. The employer pays an equal amount.

Contributions with accrued interest can be withdrawn in a lump sum: if the employee (a) dies, (b) reaches the age of 55, (c) is on medical evidence incapable of working and likely to remain so, (d) is about to leave the Federation with no intention of returning, (e) has ceased to be an employee for a period of at least two years and is not likely to be again an employee. The sum withdrawn is limited to the employee's own contributions (plus interest) if he has paid fewer than 60 contributions and comes under (d) or (e) above.

The Board has power under the scheme to exempt from its operations employees covered by approved funds, these being schemes (including pensions schemes for employees of the Federation or State Governments) for the benefit of employees which, in the opinion of the Board, provide benefits not less favourable than those given under the Board's Fund.

The employees covered by the scheme are defined as being persons over 16 employed under contract of service in scheduled employment, whose monthly remuneration does not exceed $400 when they become liable to pay contributions. Scheduled employment covers work on any estate over 25 acres; employment in mining, road transport, manufacturing establishments or the loading and unloading of goods, where at least 10 persons are employed; work in offices, shops, restaurants or theatres where at least five persons are employed; work as a registered teacher; and employment with the Federation or a State Government, with a municipality or harbour board or with the Central Electricity Board.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the total cost of importing maize into the Colonial Empire in 1950 and in 1951, so far as figures are available.

The total cost of imports of maize into those Colonial Territories for which figures are available was £164,845 in 1950 and £223,270 in 1951.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many television sets he estimates are in use in Scotland; and how many licences have been taken out.

Nearly 21,000 television licences were current in Scotland on 30th June. I am not able to give a precise estimate of the number of sets in use.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if, in view of the poor reception of the present British Broadcasting Corporation's sound wireless services in the Scottish borders, he will press for the employment of very high frequency wavelengths; and if he will give an indication as to when such wavelengths will come into use

In view of the national economic situation and the consequent restriction of capital investment, I regret that I cannot say when the B.B.C. is likely to be able to introduce very high frequency broadcasting. The technical problems involved in providing this new form of service, including the type of modulation to be adopted, will be considered by the committee which is also to advise on television.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is aware of the poor standard of television reception in the Scottish borders; and if, in view of conflicting reports in the past few months, he will now make an authoritative statement as to when the high-power transmitter at the Kirk o'Shotts television station will be put into operation.

The B.B.C. inform me that, even with a high power transmitter, it would not be possible to guarantee reliable reception of television programmes throughout the Scottish borders. The high power transmitter will, however, give a better service than at present and the Corporation expects shortly to fix a date for bringing it into operation.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will give the cost of building the Wenvoe Television Station showing the cost of buildings, mast and equipment, separately.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will give the estimated cost of building the Wenvoe Television Station, showing cost of buildings, mast and equipment separately.

The B.B.C. informs me that the estimated total cost of the station at Wenvoe is £320,000; it would be contrary to the policy of giving the B.B.C. control of details of capital expenditure for me to ask the B.B.C. to subdivide this figure.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General when he expects that it will be possible to consider applications for first licences to bodies or persons other than the British Broadcasting Corporation to broadcast television programmes for reception in the home, and secondly, wireless licences for the development of television for public showing; and which of these two groups of projects will receive the higher priority.

It is too early to make any statement on these matters.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General why preference is being given to the northern counties in the provision of television facilities; whether he is aware of the widespread dissatisfaction along the south coast at television reception there; and when the Isle of Wight station, designed for the purpose of overcoming this poor reception, will be in operation.

When it is possible to extend the television service, my noble Friend proposes to give priority to Pontop Pike because it will serve more people than any of the other low power stations and will need the least expenditure of men and materials on providing Post Office communicating links. I regret that, at present, I am unable to say when any of the stations can be provided.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is now in a position to give further information about the self-help scheme for providing telephone facilities for farmers.

This self-help scheme for farmers is an experiment to try to enable more farmers, especially in remote areas to go on the telephone at the present time when extensive limitations on our resources would mean that no service at all could be given. Roughly, under the scheme farmers will themselves provide and install wire from the nearest available Post Office pole route. There are, however, limitations. There must be equipment available at the local exchange and spare wires on the pole route nearest to the farm. The details are somewhat complicated and I am sending full particulars to my hon. Friend. Telephone managers are reviewing all outstanding applications from farmers and will be getting in touch with those who come within the scope of the new scheme.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is aware that there are a large number of people and businesses in Huntingdon and the surrounding district who have for several years been waiting to be connected with the telephone; what steps are being taken to provide adequate facilities at the Huntingdon exchange; and when those steps will be completed.

I recognise the difficulties and am sorry that we cannot meet all applications. Additional plant will be provided next year at Huntingdon and other places in the district, but so long as the present heavy restrictions on our resources continues I cannot say when the waiting list is likely to be cleared.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many outstanding applications there are for telephones in the county of Anglesey; and how many new telephones were installed during the last 12 months.

Four hundred and fifty-two and 118. The first figure excludes 167 applications in course of provision or under enquiry

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General why the automatic exchange built at Bontddu, Merionethshire, about five years ago has never been operated; and what steps he is taking to have it put into operation.

This small building was put up in 1948 because it was expected that we should have to remove the manual exchange. This, however, did not become necessary, and as our resources were so limited they had to be devoted to more urgent cases. The Bontddu exchange is now due to be converted to automatic working about the middle of next year.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he will include as part of the instructions to users posted in public telephone boxes a notice informing them that the box should not be occupied for a longer period than six minutes when others are waiting to use the box.

The present instructions include a notice requesting callers to be brief as others may be waiting to make a call. I propose to have the notice reprinted in heavier, and more striking, type. I do not favour inclusion of a definite time limit which it would not be possible to enforce.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he has any statement to make on the future Post Office administration of telecommunications.

My noble Friend recently appointed a Working Party under the Chairmanship of Sir Stanley Angwin to review the present organisation of the overseas telecommunications services and, after consideration of its Report, he has decided to set up a Post Office External Telecommunications Executive charged with the direct administrative and operational control of the overseas telegraph and telephone services. The main objective is to provide a clear chain of responsibility and the details are now being worked out.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General (1) if it is proposed to offer to the air corporations the new international airmail rates or their equivalent;(2) the new international airmail rates decided upon by the Universal Postal Union recently held at Brussels; and how the new rates compare with the rates paid by the Post Office to the British air corporations.

The new maximum rates fixed recently at the Brussels Conference for the settlement of accounts between Post Office Administrations for the conveyance of first class airmail are:

3 gold francs per tonne-kilometre over lines where that rate now applies, and

4 gold francs over other lines.

The new rates take effect from the 1st of July, 1953.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what arrangements are being made to bring the cypher of Her Majesty the Queen into use on Post Office mail vans and on letter boxes.

Over 13,000 Post Office vans and motor cycles display the Royal Cypher. Arrangements have been made for the new Cypher to be stencilled on these vehicles as and when they become due for repainting and as soon as the necessary transfers can be manufactured. In the case of letter boxes, the Royal Cypher is cast into the box and replacement would be very costly. It has never been the practice to replace a box simply because it bears the Cypher of a previous reign and it is not proposed to depart from this practice. I hope, however, that the first box to bear the Cypher of Her Majesty the Queen will he ready by the end of this year.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he has considered the statement in the Annual Report of Cable and Wireless Limited, that, after providing for taxation, the company will not be left with any earned surplus for the year 1952–53 and subsequently, unless charges are raised; and to what extent he proposes to make changes in the overseas telegraph rates.

In view of heavy increases in costs and the consequent serious deterioration of the financial position of the overseas telegraph services; my noble Friend regrets that an increase in overseas telegraph rates is unavoidable. He proposes, therefore, to raise the rates to the Commonwealth and foreign countries; the increase will generally be one-third, the main exceptions being in the services to North America and to a few European countries where the increase will be 50 per cent. The new rates will come into force from 1st September, and full details will be published in the London Gazette and the Post Office Guide.I would assure the House that my noble Friend has accepted this necessity with the greatest reluctance, but I would point out that there has been virtually no increase in rates since 1929.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General approximately how many colonial employees are in the postal service; what restriction is placed on their promotion; and to what extent difficulties have occurred in their employment.

Up-to-date information is not readily available, but the number is believed to be about 500. Colonial employees are considered for promotion on the same basis as members of the staff born in this country. I am not aware of any serious difficulties in connection with the employment of these persons.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will prohibit night flying and low flying at all times from St. Faith's Aerodrome, Norwich, in view of the great inconvenience and danger caused to the public.

No. Low flying is inevitable when aircraft are landing or taking off, and night flying is an essential part of training.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the state of the graves of the eight Royal Air Force airmen who were killed in an air crash in North Africa on 16th February, 1951, and whose bodies were buried in Bizerta cemetery.

These graves are, I regret to say, still unmarked. Royal Air Force headstones should, however, be available in 10 weeks' time, and I trust that the special difficulties attaching to the maintenance of these graves at Bizerta will have been overcome by the time the headstones are ready.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many jet aircraft have crashed in the United Kingdom this year; and how many of the crews and civilians lost their lives from such crashes.

Since 1st January, 65 Royal Air Force jet aircraft have crashed in the United Kingdom. I regret to say that 59 aircrew, one other member of the Royal Air Force and one civilian lost their lives in these accidents.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that Leading Aircraftman K. Verran was promoted to senior aircraftman and employed as such, but that subsequently it was found that he lacked certain educational qualifications; why he is now trying to recover payment from this man for duties which he carried out as senior aircraftman; and if he will refrain from doing so.

I have written to my hon. and gallant Friend about this case.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is aware of the disturbance to the rest of workers on night shift duty caused by low-flying aircraft stationed at Thornaby and Goosepool, and that complaints have for some time been made about such disturbance without redress; and if he will take steps to mitigate the nuisance.

My inquiries are not completed. I will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will increase the mileage allowance to members of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve for travelling in their motor cars or on motor cycles from their homes to the reserve stations, from 1½d. and 1¼d. a mile, respectively.

Revised rates of motor mileage allowance for members of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force and the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve came into force on 9th July.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation what consultations he has had with the British European Airways Corporation on the possibility of divesting the corporation of the Scottish services.

My predecessor and I have discussed this subject with representatives of British European Airways on a number of occasions. I must, however, make it clear that the Chairman of British European Airways has never expressed himself in favour of any such policy.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation if he will now make a statement about the alternative airport for the London area.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation if he is aware of the many local difficulties created by uncertainty as to the future development of Gatwick Airport; and if he will make a statement on the subject.

It has now been decided to develop Gatwick as the southern alternative to London Airport and as a base for some scheduled services and other air transport activities. The detailed plans for the development of the airport will be discussed with the local authorities in the near future. This should be regarded as part of the development of airport facilities in the London area.It leaves unaltered Her Majesty's Government's decision to proceed with the development of Prestwick as the second international airport in the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation what was the altitude, according to the plot and according to the records, of the large aircraft that passed low over Westminster at 6.43 a.m. on Thursday, 24th July; who were the owners; and why it was there.

I have been unable to trace any large aircraft being over Westminster at the time stated in the Question. I shall be glad to investigate further if my hon. Friend can give me any more information.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received any reply from the Government of Iceland to his Note addressed to that Government on 18th June on the subject of British and Icelandic fishing rights and to his later inquiry from the Icelandic authorities as to whether such a reply may soon be expected; and what steps he proposes to take in this matter to afford to British fishermen protection of their rights coordinate with those afforded to Icelandic fishermen by their own Government.

No reply has yet been received from the Icelandic Government to Her Majesty's Government's Note of 18th June.In answer to the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Banff (Mr. Duthie) on 26th May. Her Majesty's Government are examining the question of their future policy with regard to the delimitation of British territorial waters, in the light of The Hague Court judgment in the AngloNorwegian fisheries dispute. There are, however, many conflicting interests to be reconciled.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many ratifications have now been made of the Genocide Convention; and why he has not yet ratified this convention.

Thirty-eight States have ratified or acceded to the Convention.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that 18 States have now signed the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees which was sponsored by the United Kingdom delegation; and whether he will now ratify this convention.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. and learned Friend on 26th May.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the numbers of the staff employed in the British Embassies in China and Egypt, respectively, in 1938 and 1952.

The figures are:

• China: 1938, 88; 1952, 55.
• Egypt: 1938, 68; 1952, 284.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how far the claims of the Philippine Government for compensation from Japan include British companies such as the Manila Railways; how far such claims have in any way been met by the United States and how far the British companies have benefited; and whether he will give an assurance that in any negotiations with the Philippine Government-owned railway, the British bondholders will be assured of obtaining their proportionate share of Japanese reparations.

No claims have been made by the Philippine Government either to the United States or Japanese Governments for damage to the assets of British companies in the Philippines. The Philippine reparations claims on Japan include a sum of pesos 44,450,000 for the damage to the Philippine-owned Manila Railroad and its subsidiaries, including the Manila Hotel. No reparations have been paid.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement on the Anglo-Argentine trade negotiations; and how far he has been able to include in these talks the questions outstanding since the last Agreement, notably the compensation for British holders of Anglo-Argentine Tramways and Primitiva Gas.

As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer said yesterday in reply to the hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. F. Willey), negotiations with the Argentine Government are now proceeding and no statement about them can be made at the moment. All relevant matters will be included in the negotiations, and the United Kingdom Delegation have already taken up the question of the claims of the two companies mentioned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now make a statement on the proposal to re-screen the Chinese and North Korean prisoners of war by a neutral body in the presence of Communist observers.

On 13th July, in a secret session of the armistice negotiations, General Harrison, the chief United Nations' representative, made a proposal for a solution of the prisoner-of-war issue, in the course of which he repeated a United Nations offer to permit individual interviews with North Korean and Chinese prisoners-of-war who have refused to be repatriated by representatives of a bilaterally acceptable, impartial agency, or by joint teams with or without military representation; such interviews to take place after the signing of the armistice with both sides agreeing to abide by the result of the free expression of choice by the individual interviewed.After four days' recess, General Nam II, the chief Communist delegate, rejected the whole of General Harrison's proposal and, in particular, repeated the Communists' opposition to the principle of screening and their refusal to take part in screening in any form.On 25th July the United Nations Command agreed to a Communist proposal to revert to open sessions. After one such session had been held on the following day, the negotiators agreed to a week's recess.The United Nations Command will, of course, continue to make every effort to find a solution to the prisoners-of-war problem, which alone stands in the way of an armistice agreement, without prejudice to the principle, on which they have taken their stand, that no prisoner of war shall be forcibly repatriated.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's High Commissioner in Austria has yet given his approval to recent legislation in that country reinstating a considerable number of former Nazis in their previous offices and compensating them for their dismissal and demotion.

No. Certain legislative measures designed not only to relieve penalties imposed upon former Nazis, but also to extend the present restitution and compensation procedures for the benefit of their victims, have been approved by the Austrian Parliament, but these measures have not yet been submitted to the Allied Council for their approval.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many thousands of metres of armoured cable were sold by the British Administration of Eritrea for 4.50 East African shillings per metre and 10 shillings per metre, respectively; and whether he will issue a statement containing a full account of all sales and demolitions of buildings and equipment in Eritrea.

I regret that the information is not yet available but inquiries are being made and I shall write to the lion Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what sums were received by the British Administration of Eritrea for the sale to firms in Jibuti and elsewhere of materials salvaged from buildings demolished in Assab.

No such sales have been made by the British Administration in Eritrea to firms in Jibuti or elsewhere. Nor have any such demolitions been carried out.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence if he will make a further statement on the result of his interview with a Parliamentary delegation on the subject of retired pay for officers of the three Services.

My noble Friend informed the Parliamentary deputation on 21st July that he would consult his colleagues on this matter and he is now doing so.

asked the Minister of Food what alterations he proposes to make in the arrangements made by the previous Government with the Jamaican banana producers for the bulk purchase of their bananas.

I cannot at this stage add to the reply I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Angus, South (Captain Duncan) on 19th June.

asked the Minister of Food the retail price of all rationed commodities at 24th July, 1952; the amount of subsidy for each commodity; and the price without subsidy, with comparable figures for 24th October, 1951.

I gave the estimated amounts of the subsidies on rationed foods in the financial years 1951–52 and 1952–53 in answer to Ques-

Commodity	Unit	Retail Prices				1951–52		Estimated average unsubsidized prices (see Note (a)) 1952–53
		24th October, 1951		24th July, 1952
Bacon	lb.	2s.	7d.	3s.	5d.	3s.	11d.	4s.	2¾d.
		(average for all cuts)		(average for all cuts)
Butter	lb.	2s.	6d.	2s.	6d.	3s.	3d.	3s.	6d.
Cheese	lb.	1s.	2d.	2s.	0d.	2s.	4d.	2s.	2¾d.
Cooking fat (domestic)	lb.	1s.	4d.	1s.	4d.	1s.	8d.	1s.	8¾d.
Shell eggs	dozen	3s. to 5s.		3s. to 5s.		4s.	10¾d.	5s.	3½d.
		(see note (b))		(see note (b))
Margarine (domestic)	lb.	1s.	2d.	1s.	2d.	1s.	6½d.	1s.	6¼d
Meat	lb	1s.	8d.	2s.	0d.	1s.	11d.	2s.	0¾d.
		(average for all cuts)		(average for all cuts)
Sugar (domestic)	lb.	6d.		6d.			7d.		7½d.
Tea	lb.	3s.	8d.	From about 4s. 0d. upwards, depending on grade.		4s.	4¼d	—
		average						(see note (c))
Notes:
(a) The estimated average unsubsidised prices are the average prices required to eliminate the subsidies during the respective financial years.
(b) Shell eggs: The price range 3s. to 5s. per dozen reflects different grades.
(c) Tea: Price increases of up to 10d. per 1b. operated from 15th June, 1952, to eliminate the subsidy. Tea sold at 3s. 8d. per 1b. on 24th October, 1951, was sold at 4s. 4d. to 4s. 6d. per 1b. at 24th July, 1952, but lower grade tea was available at prices slightly below 4s. per 1b.

asked the Minister of Education how many new schools have been erected and completed in the administrative county of Glamorgan since 1945; and what is the total sum involved.

Ten new primary schools have been built at a total cost of £671,484 in the administrative county of Glamorgan since 1945.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the total number of applications made under the Coal Mining (Subsidence) Act, 1950, in Wales and Monmouthshire, in respect of damage affecting certain dwelling-houses caused by coal mining subsidence; the cost to date; and the number of applications rejected.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the total number of applications made under the Coal Mining (Subsidence) Act, 1950, in the townships of Abram, Ashton-in-Makerfield and Ince-in-Makerfield, in respect of damage affecting dwelling-houses caused by mining subsidence; the amount of compensation paid up to the latest available date and the number of applications rejected; and the number of applications awaiting a decision.

These are matters of day-to-day administration of the National Coal Board and I am asking the Board to write to the hon. Members concerned.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the output per man-shift in coal mines at the latest available date for face-workers and all workers, respectively, as compared with the same date last year.

In the week ended 19th July, 1952, the output of coal per man-shift worked was 3.19 tons for face workers and 1.20 for all workers. A year before, the comparable figures were 3.23 and 1.20 tons respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will arrange for an immediate inquiry to be made by the Departments concerned with the operation of the Catering Wages Act, in view of the importance of providing proper facilities for the heavy tourist traffic anticipated next year and the difficulties being experienced by all sections of the catering industry at the present time.

I am not sure exactly what matters my hon. Friend feels should be the subject of inquiry. If he would care to communicate his suggestion to me in more detail I should be glad to consider it.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) how many workers per month have recently come into the area of the Corby employment exchange from other parts of Great Britain for work at Stewarts and Lloyds; and how many per month of such workers have left after staying there less than six months;(2) how many subsistence allowances have been paid within the last six months or other convenient period to workers coming into the area of the Corby employment exchange from other parts of Great Britain for work at Stewarts and Lloyds; and if he will classify the lengths of the periods over which such subsistence allowances have been paid.

The information desired is not immediately available but I will write to the hon. and learned Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour how many employees of Remploy, Limited, have been dismissed while absent through illness in each of the years from 1947; how many applied for reinstatement; and how many of such applications have been successful.

I regret that the information asked for is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are taken to ensure that simultaneous notice is given to the local authorities concerned when a vacancy occurs in Hemel Hempstead new town for a particular category of employment, carrying with it the allocation of a house; how long notice is given for names to be sent in; and what procedure is used to select the successful applicant.

The arrangements for bringing to the notice of those interested the opportunities of obtaining a house and employment in the new towns, including Hemel Hempstead, are at present being revised in consultation with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what information he has received in respect of the proposed removal of 22,500 African families from Crown land and European areas in Southern Rhodesia within the next few years; whether, when assent was given to the Land Apportionment Act, 1950, his Department was then informed that removal on this scale was contemplated; and how many Africans are now being removed from those lands.

The measures to which the hon. Member refers deal with the resettlement of Africans who are occupying Crown Land and Alienated Land in contravention of the Land Apportionment (Amendment) Act, 1950. When assent was given in 1950 to this Act—which was designed to give to those Africans a security of tenure which they do not at present enjoy—the Commonwealth Relations Office was informed that the provision which was made therein for the re-assignment of 3¾ million acres of land was for the re-settlement of these and other Africans. A further 367,500 acres have since been set aside and the assignment of a further 118,300 acres is under consideration.The pace at which the resettlement can proceed is a matter for the Government of Southern Rhodesia, and is regulated by the speed with which water supplies, health services, schools, roads and bridges, etc., can be provided on the new land. I understand that the total number of families mentioned by the hon. Member is correct, that about 6,000 will have been moved by the end of 1952, and that the remainder will be moved on an orderly plan at Government expense by the end of 1955.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now give further information about the proposals of the Hospital Endowments Commission for making hospital endowments more readily available to finance medical research.

A memorandum from the Commission is published today as a White Paper and copies are now available in the Vote Office. The Commission consider that, without prejudicing other requirements, it would be possible to set aside a proportion of these endowments to finance medical research. They recommend that an independent body of trustees should be appointed, under statutory powers, to receive and administer this money as a central Scottish fund.I am arranging to consult the various interests concerned, and I will carefully consider the Commission's recommendation in the light of any views that may he put to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive the report of the Committee on Scottish Leases; when the report is likely to be available to hon. Members; and whether it is his intention to introduce legislation on the subject to become effective prior to the expiration of the Long Leases (Temporary Provisions) (Scotland) Act, 1951.

I expect to receive the Report of the Scottish Leases Committee on 30th July; and I hope it will be available by the middle of September.As regards the third part of the Question, I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the aggregate capital expenditure of the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board in respect of each calendar year, or nearest related chargeable accounting period since 1945, or commencement of operations, whichever is the earlier, and what is the anticipated capital expenditure for 1952, to the nearest £1 million.

information:

Calendar Year			£
1943–44	…	…	136,846
1945	…	…	195,954
1946	…	…	1,796,204
1947	…	…	5,040,666
1948	…	…	12,401,739
1949	…	…	13,410,673
1950	…	…	12,213,551
1951	…	…	11,409,786
1952 (estimate)	…	…	14,000,000

In addition a sum of £8,772,346 is charged in the Board's accounts for 1950 representing the net values of the assets of company and municipal undertakings which vested in the Board as at 1st April, 1948.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the capital expenditure in respect of all completed and installed hydro-electric works under the control of the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board at 30th June, 1952, and the separate figures for total capital expenditure in respect of transmission and distribution and all ancillary services at that date; what additional sums are represented by work in hand at 30th June, 1952; and what further expenditure has been authorised by him for works of a capital nature not yet started.

I am informed by the Board that the capital expenditure to 30th June, 1952, on completed hydroelectric schemes (including a sum equivalent to the cost of the pre-war Rannoch and Tummel schemes) was £35,852,000: that uncompleted hydro-electric schemes on which work has begun are estimated to cost £39,500,000: and that hydroelectric schemes authorised but not yet begun are estimated to cost £800,000.As regards transmission and distribution, the expenditure in the whole of the Board's area—which is not, of course, entirely supplied from hydro-electric sources—amounted at 30th June to £5,902,000 and £18,188,000 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the installed capacity, kilowatts installed, of hydro-electric works under the control of the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board at 30th June, 1952; and the average overall load-factor of such installations.

I am informed by the Board that the total installed capacity of their hydra-electric works at 30th June, 1952, was 391,000 kilowatts, with an average annual load factor of 27.4 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he proposes to take to implement the recommendation by the Wheare Committee that scientific investigation should be undertaken as soon as possible into some of the effects on children of film shows, having regard to the value which established facts would have for parents, educationists, and the cinema industry itself.

I regret that the Government are unable in present economic circumstances to initiate such research, but I understand that some research work is being carried on by other agencies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he proposes to adopt the recommendations of the Select Committee on Estimates in their report on child care and set up a committee to review the progress of child care and to consider future problems.

I am giving careful consideration to the Committee's recommendations, but am not yet in a position to state my conclusions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he proposes to set up a committee to review the progress of child care and to consider future problems in accordance with the recommendations of the Select Committee on Estimates in their report on the subject.

The report of the Select Committee is being carefully studied, but I have not yet reached any conclusions.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many civilians will be admitted to study at the Military College of Science, Shrivenham; how they will be selected; what pay, allowances, or grants they will receive during their courses, and how these will compare with the awards payable to undergraduates in other colleges or universities; and to what extent such students will be under obligation to enter Government service on completion of their courses.

The Army does not send civilians on these courses, but 10 vacancies have been made available on the Young Officers' Degree Course starting in October, 1952, for civilian students sponsored by other Departments for training for the Scientific Civil Service. Selection has been by interview. Tuition fees will be waived by the War Office and the sponsoring Departments will pay the examination fees of their students and, in addition, a basic maintenance grant equivalent to the highest rate paid to students who go to Oxford or Cambridge.A student who continues his studies at the College during vacations may qualify for an additional maintenance allowance. If he has a wife, children or other dependants, he may also obtain a maintenance allowance on their account. A student will be expected before selection to state that it is his intention to enter the Scientific Civil Service open competition on completing the course and to accept any suitable offer of appointment made to him; and, during training, to inform the authorities if his intentions change.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider taking appropriate steps to initiate varying the terms of the Royal Warrant governing the award of the Territorial Decoration so as to ensure that a break in service does not debar the award of this decoration where the qualifying period of service in total has been served.

The requirement of continuous service, together with that of attendance at a specified number of parades and camps, was introduced in 1949 as a corollary of the reduction in the qualifying period for the Territorial Efficiency Decoration from 20 years to 12 years. I think that to relax these provisions would detract from the value of this decoration and no change is contemplated.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many acres of land within the boundaries of the City of Plymouth are owned or held by his Department: and whether he will conduct a survey to discover whether this land is being fully used.

Approximately 754 acres, of which 4 acres are held on requisition and some 160 acres are occupied by other Government Departments. I see no reason to undertake a special survey of all this land, but I will look into the use of any particular areas the hon. Member may have in mind.