asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if the disused North Atlantic cable has now been repaired and brought into service.

Yes. I understand from Cable and Wireless, Limited, that the cable was brought into service again on 29th September.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what is the average daily delay in the transmission of messages by Cable and Wireless, Limited, to Australia and New Zealand during the months of August and September. 1952.

Full-rate telegrams for both countries during August and September were sent off by the London station in an average of 55 minutes after acceptance in the United Kingdom.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is aware that Mr. R. M. Hutchinson, of 177, Wellsford Avenue, Birmingham, 26, has been on the waiting list for a telephone for 5 years and 11 months; and when he and other residents in this part of Sheldon, Birmingham, can expect to have their telephones installed.

I very much regret the delay in meeting this, and, I am afraid, other applications of long standing in this area. The trouble is that Sheldon is mainly residential and in all parts of the country extension of telephone services in the residential areas have had to give way to development in industrial and commercial areas.As the hon. Gentleman is aware, this is because ever since the war it has never been possible to allot to the Post Office sufficient capital expenditure to meet demands.At the end of this year a small extension of the exchange will be completed, but this will only help to give service to waiting applicants if there are spare wires in the locality or if it is possible to persuade a neighbour to share.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he will make a further statement about the provision of television facilities for people living in North-East England.

I would refer the hon. Member to my statement today on this subject.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General when he intends to issue a postage stamp to the value of 1s. 3d.

1s. 3d. stamps in the permanent series will be introduced in 1953, but it is not yet possible to fix the exact date for their introduction.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is aware that considerable time is wasted in many post offices by people waiting to buy postage stamps having to wait in the same queue as those who are buying National Insurance stamps, etc.; and if he will arrange for postage stamps to be sold at more counters in the large post offices.

At most post offices, when there is a queue at the stamp position, small quantities of stamps of the lower denominations up to 2½d. may be bought at other counter positions. If my hon. and gallant Friend will let me know the name of any office where there has been difficulty of the kind to which he refers, I will gladly see whether it would be possible to make an improvement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the estimated amount of the sum payable to Herr Alfred Krupp in respect of the transfer of his iron, steel and coal interests pursuant to Law No. 27 of the Control Commission for decartelisation of the German iron and steel industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why Alfred Krupp, former head of a German armaments firm and a convicted war criminal, has been granted a sum of £32 million by way of compensation, £1 million annually in royalties, and a large part of his industrial property.

I would refer to the statement made by my right hon. Friend on 15th October. No reliable estimate can yet be formed of the amount the sale of Herr Krupp's securities will realise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what consultations took place with the British High Commissioner in Germany before the decision of the American High Commissioner to cancel the sentence of the Nuremberg Tribunal confiscating the property of Alfred Krupp.

As the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition said on 12th February, 1951, the review of Herr Alfred Krupp's sentence

"was entirely a matter for the American High Commissioner. Our High Commissioner was not consulted about his release or about the revocation of the confiscation of his property. There was no obligation on the United States High Commissioner to consult, any more than there would be on us to consult on cases arising in the British zone.…"—[OFFICIAL, REPORT, 12th February, 1951; Vol. 484, c. 68.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why Helmut Ahlborn, sentenced to death in 1948 for being implicated in the killing of fugitives from a concentration camp, was recently freed from the British prison at Werl.

Helmut Ahlborn was tried in 1948 by the High Court at Celle. The death sentence was not upheld by the confirming authority, and it was commuted to 15 years' imprisonment. This case was reviewed in January, 1951, and the sentence was further reduced to one of 10 years' imprisonment, as an act of clemency.Ahlborn was released on 6th October on expiry of his sentence, remission for good conduct and pre-trial custody having been taken into account.

asked the Minister of Food what tonnage of sugar can be produced by the existing sugar beet factories; what proportion of the country's total requirements this represents; and how the cost of home-produced sugar compares with the cost of imported sugar.

The factories are designed to deal with a crop of 4½ million tons of beet, yielding on average 550,000 tons of sugar, or about a quarter of our current consumption. In exceptional years the output of sugar has been as high as 700,000 tons. Exact comparison with the cost of imported supplies is difficult, but it is estimated that this year the cost of home-grown sugar will be almost the same as the cost of Commonwealth sugar and about £5 a ton more than foreign sugar.

asked the Minister of Food the cost of the present subsidy on each kind of food per lb. or other unit, per ration where applicable, and per year, respectively.

The cost in 1952–53 of the subsidy on each kind of food based on the Ministry's revised estimates were contained in the reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Newbury (Mr. Hurd) on 23rd July. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. Following is a statement of the corresponding unit subsidies in 1952–53:

asked the Minister of Food when was the last occasion on which a 2 oz. butter ration was continued as long as the present 2 oz. ration has so far been continued.

Throughout the period from 30th June, 1941, to 11th November, 1945, but it was at 2 oz. for two substantial periods in 1946–48.

asked the Minister of Food what quantity of tinplate was allocated for the canning of home-grown fruit and vegetables in the three quarters ended 30th September; and what were the allocations for the same periods of 1950 and 1951.

About 71,000 tons of tinplate were available for the canning of all fruit and vegetables in the first three quarters of this year; the quantities used in the same period of 1950 and 1951 were 68,000 tons and 67,500 tons respectively. It is not possible to isolate the tonnage used for home grown fruit and vegetables.

asked the Minister of Food what quantity of tinplate was allocated to the food-canning industry in the three quarters ended 30th September; and what were the allocations for the same period of 1950 and 1951.

About 112,000 tons of tinplate were available for canning thermally processed foods in the first three quarters of this year; the quantity used in the same period of 1950 and 1951 was 104,000 tons in each year.

asked the Minister of Food what progress has been made with the plan to create a world food reserve.

The last session of the Council of the Food and Agriculture Organisation in June recommended that a working party be set up to examine the practical problems involved in an emergency famine reserve. This working party has now reported, and its report will be considered at the next Council session in November.

asked the Minister of Food by how much milk distributors' margins will be increased by the Milk (Control and Maximum Prices) (Great Britain) (Amendment No. 3) Order, 1952.

The effect of the Milk (Control and Maximum Prices) (Great Britain) (Amendment No. 3) Order, 1952, was to increase milk distributors' margins in England and Wales by about £3 million a year to meet ascertained increases in costs.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, if, in view of the fact that the main decision of a possible third world war would probably come in the first month or weeks, he will issue a White Paper stating details of how much of the armaments that have been provided for the Army, Navy and Air Force since 1945 are now obsolete.

No.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence whether the countries of the Commonwealth have now informed Her Majesty's Government what contributions they propose to make to Commonwealth defence.

We are in continuous and close touch with the Commonwealth countries regarding defence matters of mutual concern. But I am not able to reveal information of a confidential nature arising out of these exchanges.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence if he will ensure that every assistance is given to Service personnel, prior to their being sent to Korea, to secure housing accommodation for their families.

Every help in this matter is given to Army personnel posted to Korea by allowing their families to remain in married quarters, or to use hostel accommodation. The families of naval personnel are treated in the same way as those of any other sailors going abroad. Only a very few Royal Air Force personnel are serving in Korea, and each case is treated on its merits.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence when he proposes to make an announcement regarding increased Service pensions.

If my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to the representations made by the Parliamentary deputation to my noble Friend on 21st July last, I regret I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement regarding the request of the Government of Malta for financial help over and above the £35 million already promised or paid.

On 1st August I circulated to the House the terms of an offer of financial aid which I had made to the Maltese Prime Minister.The offer provided

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how the Canadian sugar deal payments to Mauritius is to be distributed among planters.

The money has been paid into the Sugar Industry Rehabilitation Fund. A committee, on which both the sugar manufacturers and the planters were represented, has recommended to the Government of Mauritius that the Rehabilitation Fund should be divided into a Sugar Millers' Rehabilitation Fund and a Sugar Planters' Rehabilitation Fund.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when it is proposed to increase the number of African members of the Northern Rhodesian Legislative Council, as foreshadowed in the Northern Rhodesian Government's statement of 8th April, 1952, on partnership.

As was implied in the statement to which the right hon. Member refers, it is not proposed to make any changes during the life-time of the present Council. I intend, however, to discuss the matter next year with representatives of all the interested parties.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many African members have been appointed to Municipal Councils and Township Boards in Northern Rhodesia during 1952.

I know of none who has yet become a member of the Councils and Boards himself, but in 1951 Africans were co-opted as members of the African Affairs Committees of the Boards of the four Copperbelt towns, and in Ndola joint meetings were held between the African Affairs Committee of the Municipal Council and the African Urban Advisory Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government of Trinidad has yet decided to publish the report of the Committee appointed to inquire into the finances of the Port of Spain City Council; and when it will be published.

Yes. The report was published in Trinidad four days ago. As soon as copies reach me I will have one placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement concerning the members and terms of reference of the Royal Commission on Kenya land usage.

I cannot yet make any statement, but will do so at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many persons have declined invitations to serve on the Royal Commission on Kenya owing to the allowances being insufficient to enable them to accept a position involving a prolonged absence from their work in this country.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in recommending the issue of invitations to serve on the Royal Commission on Kenya, he will keep in mind the desirability of including African and Asian members, possibly from other parts of the Commonwealth.

I will certainly bear this in mind, but I cannot at this stage be committed to particular appointments to the Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what consultations he had with the Government of Kenya before approving the introduction of legislation to deal with terrorism in Kenya.

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the statement I made after Questions on Thursday, 16th October.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the terms of reference of the Royal Commission which is to visit Kenya; and what is the membership of the Commission.

I cannot yet make any statement, but will do so at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the plans of the Uganda Government for the use of over £6 million of the African Coffee Price Assistance Fund; and whether it is intended that this balance of the fund shall be used on behalf of the African coffee producers.

The Government of Uganda propose that any part of the fund not required for the reorganisation of the industry should be used for projects of direct benefit to Africans not provided for in the development programme, and for loans to assist Africans in erecting and equipping new curing works.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the purpose of the Coffee Price Assistance Fund in the re-organisation proposals of the Uganda coffee industry, to which all producers will contribute.

The purpose of this fund will be to assure all producers of stable prices throughout a season and to mitigate over a period the effects of any rapid fall in prices.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the intentions of Her Majesty's Government regarding Central African federation, following the visit of the Minister of State for the Colonies to Nyasaland, North Rhodesia and South Rhodesia.

I explained in the House on 24th July that no final decision will be taken until after the conference which is to be held next January.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how much money was voted from the Native Development and Welfare Fund of Nyasaland to finance African Press, Limited; and what consultations took place with African producers of tobacco and cotton whose profits contribute to the Native Development and Welfare Fund.

A loan of £50,000 was approved for this purpose. Consultation took place with the African Provincial Councils, which are fully representative.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now completed his review of deportation powers in Colonial Territories; and whether he is in a position to make a statement.

Yes. The power to deport persons from the territory to which they belong will not be used save in exceptional circumstances. My predecessor issued an Administrative Direction to the Governors of certain territories requiring them to seek the authority of the Secretary of State whenever they proposed to exercise that power.I am issuing a similar direction to all the other territories concerned except the Federation of Malaya and Gibraltar, where, for obvious reasons, it would be unwise to restrict the power to order immediate removals.My predecessor also asked colonial Governments which had not already done so to provide by legislation that judicial process should normally be obligatory before a British subject or British protected person is deported from or rusticated within the territory. Most Governors have agreed and correspondence is proceeding in the outstanding cases.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what bodies are being asked to submit evidence and opinions to the working party which he has set up to inquire into the recruitment of cadets for Dartmouth Royal Naval College.

The committee reviewing cadet entry to the Royal Navy has asked for evidence, oral or written, from naval officers, Admiralty officials, and bodies and individuals in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland representing headmasters and teachers from maintained, assisted and independent schools, local education authorities and their educational committees and officers, nautical training establishments, the merchant shipping industry and the Ministries of Education and Labour.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, whilst withholding information of military value, he will in due course publish the report containing the recommendations of the working party he has appointed to consider recruitment of cadets for Dartmouth Royal Naval College, together with summaries of the evidence submitted to that working party.

As I told the House on 30th July, in answer to a previous Question from the hon. Member, it would be contrary to Admiralty practice to publish a report of this nature. As I then said, I will make a statement to the House when I have received the committee's report; but I cannot promise to publish the evidence on which it is based.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what claims made by the Asian and European workers in the Singapore naval base are still outstanding; how long these have been under consideration; and what are the prospects of an early settlement of these grievances.

The Civil Lord met representatives of the Asian and European workers in the naval base during his recent visit to Singapore, and dealt with matters relating to their conditions of employment. The only claim which can now be regarded as outstanding is a renewed one by the Asian employees for paid sick leave which will be considered as expeditiously as possible in relation to the current practice of local good employers generally.The constitution of joint consultation machinery on a broader basis than exists at present is also being considered, but the question is not without difficulty and it may be some time yet before a decision can be reached.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware of the discontent which exists at the Singapore naval base owing to the absence of a definite code of working regulations; and if he will introduce either the Home Dockyard Regulations or the Government of the Colony Labour Laws in order to remove many of the outstanding grievances.

I am aware that a request was made recently by the Singapore Naval Base Labour Union that conditions of employment in the naval base should be determined by reference either to Home Dockyard Regulations or to the local Government Regulations.The Union, in reply, were reminded of the statement issued by the Admiralty last year, which fully explained the policy on conditions of employment at all overseas naval bases. This policy is to keep broadly in line with the level of conditions accorded by the generality of local good employers, both private and public, and not to follow any one particular employer.It would, therefore, be inappropriate to apply regulations based solely on either the practice of the United Kingdom dockyards or of the local Government.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if H.M.S. "Formidable" is able to operate the Gannet anti-submarine aircraft without modification.

No.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the reasons which prompted him to decide that H.M.S. "Formidable" shall be scrapped.

Her Majesty's ship "Formidable" is to be scrapped because the considerable expense of modernising her to operate up-to-date aircraft would not be justified now that Her Majesty's ship "Eagle" has joined the Fleet and Her Majesty's ship "Ark Royal" has reached the fitting-out stage.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what are the regulations governing the wearing of naval uniform by officers and ratings attending public entertainments while on shore leave in foreign countries.

When a ship is in a foreign port, ratings wear uniform. Officers may, subject to local orders on the matter, wear plain clothes except at entertainments arranged for them by the local authorities, when they would wear uniform.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that some shipyards have still received steel deliveries considerably short of their third quarter allocation; and if he will take steps to ensure that these yards receive immediate additional supplies.

Yes. Certain shipbuilders have recently reported that in the third quarter their orders for steel have not been fully delivered. I understand that the shortfall has been largely caused by the interruption to steel production during holidays at the steel works.The iron and steel distribution scheme provides that, where for any reason delivery of steel ordered against an authorisation for a particular quarter is unavoidably delayed beyond the end of that quarter, delivery may be made in the ensuing quarter. Shipbuilders are aware of this and no special action on my part is, therefore, necessary.

asked the Minister of Health how many deaths occurred through eating duck eggs during the year 1952; and if it is still the advice of his experts that these eggs should be boiled hard before being eaten.

No deaths attributed to the eating of duck eggs have been reported to me during 1952. The boiling of duck eggs for 15 minutes before eating is recommended by my Department.

asked the Minister of Health what proportion of children leaving school are tuberculin negative; and how far the figure has shown significant change in the past few years.

I regret that information is not available in this form; but a survey conducted by a committee of the Medical Research Council in 1949–50 in 22 selected areas on a sample basis showed that 56.1 per cent., over all, of children aged 14 and 48.5 per cent. of those aged 15–16 were tuberculin negative, and there is some evidence that these percentages are increasing.

asked the Minister of Health whether arrangements can now be made for the supply of cortisone in the treatment of persons suffering from rheumatic complaints.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Anglesey (Mr. C. Hughes) on 29th May. Controlled trials of cortisone in the treatment of rheumatic conditions are continuing, but I am advised that a considered opinion as to its efficacy is not yet possible. I hope, nevertheless, gradually to increase the quantities made available to the special hospital centres at which this drug is used.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the communication sent him by the Scottish Federation of Merchant Tailors asking for a review of the D scheme particularly with regard to kilts; and whether he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has received the Federation's letter of 15th October, but has not yet had the opportunity of considering it in detail. I will send my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of his reply in due course.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the average number of acres of land under requisition for opencast coal mining operations during the nine months ended 30th September, 1952; and the estimated yield of opencast mining for the year 1952.

About 28,000 acres. A further 20,000 acres, from which the coal had been won, were being farmed under the supervision of the agricultural Departments.Opencast mining is likely to yield at least 11½ million tons of coal this year.