asked the Minister of Food how many local food committees are in existence; and what is their annual cost.

There are 1,219 local food control committees, and their estimated cost is about £1,700 annually.

asked the Minister of Food what Christmas fare and special rations will be available this season.

As the House will know the policy of Her Majesty's Government is to maintain the domestic rations at the highest possible level throughout the year instead of holding back supplies for a special bonus at Christmas.I am going to increase the butter ration from 2 oz. to 3 oz. from 30th November and the cheese ration from 1 oz. to 1½ oz. from 25th January.When the butter ration is increased the margarine ration will revert to 4 oz., since we cannot afford the additional supplies, as they would involve extra expenditure of scarce currency.Tea will be freely available off the ration this Christmas for the first time for 12 years, and there will be plenty of unrationed ham at prices well below those recently charged for canned ham.Supplies of dried fruit and canned fruit are the best for several years and I am glad to say that this will be the best year since the war for poultry—especially turkeys—with prices which should be a bit lower than last year.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is now in a position to free bacon from rationing.

No. Indeed, it might even be necessary to reduce the ration for a period early in the New Year if there is a seasonal falling-off in supplies.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give particulars of the take-up of the bacon, meat, butter and cheese ration for the last two months; how this compares with a year ago; and, separately, the total amounts taken up during the last month showing comparisons with a similar period a year ago for these commodities.

Following is the information:

Expressed as a percentage of entitlement, deliveries of bacon, meat, butter and cheese to the trade during the past two ration periods, together with the corresponding figures for a year ago, are as follows:—

The total amounts taken up during the last four weeks, and the comparative figures for a year ago, are as follows:—

asked the Minister of Food what progress has been made in the deliberations to ensure a satisfactory method of egg distribution.

I hope to make a statement shortly.

asked the Minister of Food how many tons of plums are estimated to have been sold in the United Kingdom between 1st January and 30th September, 1952; and what percentage of that total was represented by imported plums.

Total sales of home-grown plums last season are estimated at 140,000 tons. Of this total about 115,000 tons were marketed before the end of September. Imports included 1,700 tons of South African plums in the early months of the year; and 2,728 tons of Continental plums from June onwards. Including the South African imports, and excluding October marketings of the home crop, imports represented just under 4 per cent. of the total.

asked the Minister of Food what terms he has made with the Australian Government for supplies of meat for the next 12 months; by how much the price is increased; and what effect the deal will have on retail prices.

The 15-year Agreement with Australia links price changes to movements in costs of production. Under it we have agreed to pay 16.6 per cent. more for lamb and mutton and 20 per cent. more for most types of beef during the coming year. There will be no immediate effect on retail meat prices and these terms will be only one of the factors to be taken into account in fixing the future retail prices of subsidised foods.

asked the Minister of Food what additional amount of materials would be required to achieve de-rationing of margarine and cooking fat.

Two hundred and twenty-five thousand tons, costing about £22 million, of which £10 million would be in dollars and £12 million in other non-sterling currencies. I would like to take this opportunity of adding that, despite recent statements to the contrary, it is quite wrong to suppose that rationing could be brought to an end without this substantial addition to our imports. Ninety-nine per cent. of the margarine ration is still taken up and there is no sign of a change in public demand.

asked the Minister of Food what changes he proposes to make in the meat rationing scheme.

None at the moment.

asked the Minister of Food if he will amend the terms of reference of the Committee on Horse Slaughtering to enable the Committee to inquire into the sale and resale of old horses before they go to the slaughterhouse.

No, the Committee's terms of reference are sufficiently wide as they stand.

asked the Minister of Food how many Statutory Instruments he has made during the past 12 months abolishing or moderating existing controls.

Thirty-two.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is prepared to pay the increased price for T.T. milk when this is supplied to schools.

I am prepared to pay the maximum retail price for Tuberculin Tested milk where no alternative supply of safe milk is available.

asked the Minister of Food what proportion of the milk supplies were used for cheese production during the first six months of 1952; and how this compares with the proportion so used during the previous year.

8.8 per cent., as compared with 7.4 per cent. in 1951.

asked the Minister of Food what is the current price of flour for baking and oatmeal, respectively, per sack.

The current subsidised price of National Flour is 86s. 11d. per sack of 280 lb. delivered to the buyers' premises. The price of oatmeal is not controlled, but I understand that it is now about 95s. per sack of 280 lb. exclusive of delivery costs.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence if he has any information as to the number of MIG. 15 fighters in Korea, which are being piloted by Russian airmen.

It is not possible, from available information, to say with certainty whether MIG. 15 fighters in Korea are being piloted by Russian airmen or not.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence what action has been taken by his Department to establish an advisory Commonwealth Defence Council, a combined staff, and the standardisation of equipment, organisation and training within the Commonwealth.

The member countries of the Commonwealth have not set up a Commonwealth defence council or a combined staff. Other effective measures of Commonwealth consultation and co-operation in defence are, however, in existence and are more appropriate to the conditions of today. Organisation and training are in general on common lines, and equipment of British type is largely used, throughout the Commonwealth.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of registered factory workers in Hong Kong; how many of them are wholly unemployed; how many working short time; what is the cause; and what grants are made to tide the workers over their periods of unemployment.

97,014 factory workers were registered as employed at the end of September, 1952. Returns of registered factory workers are required from concerns employing 20 or more persons, but there are many small concerns which submit no returns. Figures for those uneemployed or working short time are not available, and it would be impossible under Hong Kong conditions to assess the total number of employable factory workers.There is, however, known to be consierable unemployment in Hong Kong due to the presence of many thousands of refugees, the closing of the frontiers to China, and current trade restrictions. The latter include the United Nations embargo on strategic exports to China, import restrictions, particularly in the United States, Australia, Indonesia and Pakistan, and the effect of rising Japanese competition.No workable system of Government unemployment relief has yet been devised, but trade unions are encouraged to provide benefits for their members, and the worst effects of unemployment are mitigated by mutual aid within the family and clan.The development of a system of unemployment relief based on contributions by workers, employers and Government is hampered by the unstable nature of the population and the influx of refugees.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that most of the Chinese concerns in Hong Kong still operate a seven-day week of nine hours each; and what action is being taken to bring about a reduction of working hours in factories.

Yes. The Labour Department does its best to secure a reduction.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance has yet been passed in Hong Kong; how far payment of compensation is compulsory for industrial accidents; and when the Ordinance will be fully implemented.

The Hong Kong Workmen's Compensation Bill has not yet been passed, but work on the final draft is nearly finished. It is hoped to launch the scheme with the establishment of district courts, which is proposed for next January. At present, payment of compensation for industrial accidents is voluntary, but very few employers decline to pay.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the amount of land set aside for European settlement in Tanganyika during 1950 and 1951; and how much it is planned to set aside for 1952 and 1953.

Land is not set aside for European settlement in Tanganyika and there is no planned yearly target of unoccupied areas to be released for development. The objective of the Government's policy is that the development of the territory's land and agricultural resources should be carried out by the combined efforts of all races.Total acreages leased to Europeans are as follow: 1950—137,000; 1951—228,000; 1952 up to July—181,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent the Wumeru people in Tanganyika have now moved to the area allotted to them; and what further steps have recently been taken by the Citizens Meru Union to oppose this scheme, undertaken at great expense to the State, to improve the lot of the Arusha and Wumeru peoples.

No Meru have yet moved into the new area except the 21 families mentioned in paragraph 24 of the White Paper issued by the Tanganyika Government. The Meru Citizens Union is continuing its campaign of opposition to the Government's policy and is encouraging the Meru to maintain their intransigent attitude

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of Government schools in British Somaliland; the size of the population; and what proportions of it receive primary and secondary education.

The answer to the first part of the Question is 17; to the second, approximately 640,000. There are 1,130 pupils at Government primary and intermediate schools and 50 at secondary schools, of whom 25 are maintained by Government at schools abroad. In addition, approximately 1,300 pupils receive education of a pre-primary standard at 42 Government-aided Koranic schools.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what provision is made for education in the British Somaliland Protectorate; how many elementary, secondary and higher schools, respectively, are in operation there; and how many pupils, Somali and other, attend each class of school.

The financial provision during 1952–53 is for estimated expenditure of £48,511 from Protectorate funds and, in addition, for special expenditure of £17,000 from the Colonial Development and Welfare vote.There are 13 Government elementary schools with 815 pupils (765 Somalis and 50 others), three Government intermediate schools, including one trade training school with 315 pupils (303 Somalis and 12 others) and one junior secondary school with 25 Somali pupils.In addition, there are 42 Koranic schools, grant-aided by Government, providing education of a pre-primary standard for approximately 1,300 pupils; one small Government-aided European primary school (14 pupils) and a small Indian school (37 pupils). Twenty-five Somalis are maintained by Government in technical and secondary education at schools abroad.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give, for 12 months to the latest convenient date, the number of crimes of violence against the person, per 100,000 of population, in Kenya and Uganda, respectively.

The Governors of Kenya and Uganda have been asked for this information, but comparable figures for a recent period are not yet available. I will circulate them, when received, in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether he will make a statement giving details of the expenditure planned from the £6,000,000 now available in the Uganda Coffee Price Assistance Fund, respectively, for the reorganisation of the industry; for projects of direct benefit to the Africans not provided for in the development programme; and loans to assist Africans in erecting and equipping new curing works;

These matters are still under discussion in Uganda and it may be some time before final decisions can be taken.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what provision is made for secondary education for Africans in Nyasaland; and how many boys and girls, respectively, were receiving such education at the latest convenient date.

There are three African secondary schools which provide a four-year course leading to school certificate. Two are financed by Government and controlled by boards of governors. The third is entirely under Government control and provides technical as well as academic courses. There are 222 boys and 8 girls at these schools.There are, in addition, 8 private junior secondary schools providing education up to standard eight; details of enrolment for the present scholastic year are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what official recognition or financial assistance is given to the so-called Kikuyu Independent Schools' Association and to the Kenya Teachers College at Githunguri.

The assent of the Director of Education was given for the establishment of these schools under the Education (Establishment of Private Schools) Regulations. Those considered likely to fit into the Kenya Government's Development Plan for Education were offered financial assistance, but the great majority rejected it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of schools of the Kikuyu Independent Schools' Association to be closed in Kenya; and the number of children involved.

This information will not be available until the Government of Kenya has completed its survey of all the schools of this Association and has decided which of them should be closed for subversive activities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can now announce the names of the chairman and other members of the Royal Commission which he has recommended to investigate the causes of the unrest in Kenya and also its terms of reference.

As stated in the reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetlands (Mr. Grimond) on 29th October, I do not consider that a separate inquiry into the disturbances in Kenya would serve any useful purpose.The name of the chairman and the terms of reference of the proposed Royal Commission on Land and Population in East Africa have already been announced. As regards the members, I would refer the hon. and learned Member to my statement in the House on 7th November.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what discussion he held with the Governor of Kenya on his recent visit as to the advisability of restricting the issue of visitors' permits so long as the present unrest continues.

None. I am confident that the Government of Kenya can be relied upon to exercise wisely their present legal powers in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what money gifts have been made or promised to Kenya during the last decade by Britain; and what is the estimated sum to be expended by Kenya on her post-war 10-year plans of reconstruction.

During the last decade grants totalling £4,745,000 have been made or promised to Kenya. In addition, Kenya shared grants totalling nearly £6 million pounds made to East Africa as a whole. It is estimated that Kenya will spend £41.7 million on the 10-year development plan.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give, for the 12 months ended 30th September, 1951, and 30th September, 1952, respectively, the numbers of crimes of violence against the person in Kenya.

The numbers were 1,721 in the first period and 1,915 in the second.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the minimum monthly wage, with the estimated value of emoluments in kind, paid to workers in the public service in Kenya; and how many workers in the public service and in private industry, respectively, received cash wages of 40s. a month or less at the latest convenient date.

I am consulting the Governor and will circulate a reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that African terrorist suspects have been chained in Nairobi and that photographs showing them chained have been displayed in an English newspaper; and if he will take steps to stop the practice of chaining suspects and protect them from photographs which may prejudice them in subsequent proceedings.

The authorities in Kenya must be trusted to take whatever measures are necessary to prevent prisoners escaping. I do not believe that there could be any question of such photographs prejudicing a prisoner in subsequent proceedings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has now decided what charges are to be brought against the Kenya internees and before what tribunal they will be tried.

I am not yet in a position to make a statement on this matter, but I hope to be able to do so shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the reasons for the dismissal of Mr. Peter Wright from his post as a schoolteacher in Kenya.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what grounds Mr. Peter Wright has been summarily dismissed by the Government of Kenya; and why his request for an interview with the Director of Education was refused.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why Mr. Peter Wright has been dismissed his teaching post in Nairobi.

Mr. Wright's contract has been terminated because he engaged in political activities improper in a Government officer. For example, in June he was present at a secret meeting attended by many leaders of subversive activities in Kenya.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent furnishing fabrics made of nylon which is impervious to damage by insects is now recommended for use in colonial establishments.

I am not aware of any official recommendations for the use of such fabrics in Colonial Territories.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what methods are used by the African provincial councils to consult the growers of tobacco and cotton on the use of the Native Development and Welfare Fund.

I am consulting the Governor and will circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why he is providing £35,000 for the passages, etc., of governors and other colonial officers as compared with £20,000 in 1951–52.

The terms of office of a much greater number of colonial Governors were due to expire during the financial year 1952–3 than in the previous year and sufficient provision had to be made to cover their passages, the passages of their successors and those of any Governors involved in consequential moves.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what salary is being offered for the post of radiologist at Georgetown, British Guiana; how the salary compares with similar positions in this country; and whether, in the light of the inability to attract suitable applicants, he will consider taking steps to increase the salary offered.

The salary offered is £1,150 to £1,350, plus certain consultation fees and allowances. In this country, where taxation is, of course, higher, the salary of a radiologist in the grade of senior house medical officer is £1,250 to £1,750.The Government of British Guiana has under consideration a proposal to increase the pay of specialists.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered the desire expressed by the President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce in June last, details of which have been sent to him, that a Labour Relations Committee should be established in British Guiana; that such a body could assist to maintain industrial peace in the territory; and what steps he proposes to take to bring about this improvement in industrial relations in this colonial territory.

I understand that the proposal is that the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce should set up a Labour Relations Committee to act as an employer's federation in negotiations with labour. The formation of such a Committee is, therefore, a matter for the Chamber of Commerce, which is still considering the suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the apprehension and unrest making itself felt in Dominica and other West Indian islands, in consequence of the increasing poverty of the natives; what steps he is taking to remove the cause of the trouble; and whether he will consider sending out a small fact finding commission.

There is indeed poverty in many West Indian Islands but I do not agree that it is increasing and I see no need for a fact finding commission. Under their development plans the Governments of the various Colonies, with the help of Her Majesty's Government, are increasing production and improving standards of life.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the apprehension felt by all the citizens of St. Lucia in the Windward Islands at the rapid silting up of the harbour of Castries, and the fear that it will soon become unusable for shipping; and what steps he is taking to make available the necessary funds to have this important harbour properly dredged.

The silting is not yet a threat to shipping, but the bed of the harbour has been surveyed. The Governor is now considering what action should be taken.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he expects to appoint the Development Commissioner recommended by the team of experts, who examined the needs of the island of St. Lucia.

Every effort is being made to fill this important appointment. Special experience of agriculture and development work in the tropics is desirable and it is not easy to find a man with the qualifications needed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give a list of the West Indian territories in which a Labour Relations Committee exists similar to the Joint Industrial Council set up in Jamaica in July, 1952, between the employers and the major trade unions catering for persons employed in the shipping industry.

Standing joint councils exist in Jamaica and Barbados and are planned in Antigua. There is also Government Whitley machinery in all territories, and, in addition, there is often provision in collective bargaining agreements for central joint conciliation boards to settle disputes, as, for example, in the Trinidad oil industry, and for local consultative committees, as in the British Guiana sugar industry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has been informed of the plans for the development and legalising of the manufacture of gin in the Gold Coast, which were referred to by the Minister of Industry and Commerce for that Colony in a recent speech; and how far steps can or will be taken to discourage or limit this project.

I have seen reports of the speech referred to, but have no definite information about plans for manufacture of gin in the Gold Coast.The second part of the Question appears to be based on premises which I must not necessarily be taken to accept.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what has been the increase in the cost of living in Nigeria since 1949 to the last convenient date; and what comparable rises have taken place in minimum wage rates.

Reliable figures for the rise in the cost of living in Nigeria since 1949 are not available. Nor are statistics of changes in wage rates generally, but Government wages, which have an important influence on the general level of wages, have risen on an average by 30 per cent. since 1946.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is now in a position to make a statement regarding the salary scales award to the teachers of Nigeria.

The recommendations of the Joint Negotiating Committee on Teachers' Salaries, which have been adjusted to take into account the recent revision of Government salaries in Nigeria, have been sent to the Regional Executive Councils for their urgent consideration.When their views are known a decision will be taken by the Council of Ministers and the Legislature will be asked to approve the necessary expenditure, but some further time must necessarily elapse before this can be done.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the number of messengers and cleaners in the Directorate of Colonial Surveys increased from 11 in 1951–52, to 16 in 1952–53, 17 part-time, in his Estimates despite the fact that the rest of the staff has decreased from 286 to 278.

In June. 1951, the Directorate of Colonial Surveys moved from totally inadequate accommodation in Bushy Park to new premises at Tolworth of nearly double the size. This necessitated additional messenger and cleaning staff.The reduction in other staff arose from recruitment difficulties which have now, to some extent, been overcome.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent foreign personnel continue to be stationed on territory in the Falkland Islands dependencies.

According to the latest available information, six Argentine and three Chilean parties are established in the Dependencies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many police are stationed by the British authorities in the reserved area of Ethiopia; what proportion of these are armed; and what proportion are British, Somali and others, respectively.

Eighty-eight. None are British subjects, but about four-fifths are British protected Somalis. All are armed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how far the children residing in the reserved area of Ethiopia, which has been occupied by Her Majesty's Government since the war, have freedom and facilities to attend Ethiopian schools at Jigjiga, Harar, Dire Dawa and Addis Ababa; and to what extent the Ethiopian Government has freedom to establish schools in the reserved area under British occupation and what schools exist there.

The British Administration places no restriction on children who wish to attend school in Ethiopia. As far as is known there are no schools in the reserved area, and no application from the Ethiopian Government to establish such schools has been received.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty to what extent it has been found possible for the Royal Navy to adopt the use of nylon rope made in this country.

The purposes for which nylon rope is at present used in the Royal Navy are few because, as the hon. Member was informed on 14th July, so much of the productive capacity available is taken up in meeting export demands.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how far the opening of the Painted Hall, Royal Naval College, Greenwich, to the public was successful; what was the number of visitors in attendance during the present season; and whether it is his intention to continue the experiment.

The Painted Hall and the Chapel at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, have for some years been open to the public during the week. The experiment which was made this summer of opening them on Sundays in addition has been successful, the number of visitors on the 17 Sundays concerned totalling over 23,000. The average weekday attendance is estimated to be about half the number attending on Sundays.I shall give sympathetic consideration to the question of continuing this experiment next summer.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the "Ark Royal" is expected to be completed; and if she will be armed with Sea Hawks on commissioning.

I regret that it is not possible for me to give the information asked for in the first part of the Question. It is intended to include Sea Hawks in "Ark Royal's" complement of aircraft.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty for what purposes the scientists employed by his Department applied for licences for experiments on animals last year; and what animals were used.

Licences were applied for by Admiralty scientists in 1951 for naval experiments. It would not be in the public interest to give further information.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can make a further statement about recruitment and training of the Royal Naval Minewatching Service.

Applications now amount to 25 per cent. of the peacetime requirement. A nucleus of trained minewatching officers and chief minewatchers has been built up and, with this nucleus of instructors, local training of minewatchers has been started at centres in different parts of the country.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many applications for telephones in Tamworth, Staffordshire, were outstanding on 1st November, 1951, and 1952; and how many telephones were installed during the 12 months prior to these two dates.

146 and 204 applications were outstanding; 88 and 41 exchange connections were provided.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the needlessly complex dialling system operating approximately in the area within a radius of 12 miles of Lichfield, Staffordshire, and to the indifferent service provided; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this matter.

The numerical dialling codes in use in the Lichfield area for subscribers wishing to make calls to exchanges other than their own are similar to those in other parts of the country, and our general experience is that subscribers welcome the facility. I am aware that the telephone service in the Lichfield area is not at present altogether satisfactory, due to shortage of automatic equipment and cables, but I hope it will be remedied in a few months.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is aware that Mr. J. A. Gregory, of 12, Hayesoft Avenue, Birmingham, 8, has been waiting for a telephone for six years and six months; and when he can expect its installation.

I am sorry that Mr. Gregory has been waiting so long. The delay has been unavoidable because there has been no line available in the local cable. Work on a new cable scheme has begun, but I regret that it will probably be the latter part of next year before Mr. Gregory can be put on the telephone.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how far his regulations require that, before telegraph and telephone poles which have become redundant through the lines being placed underground, are handed over to the British Electricity Authority, such transfer of user is referred to the highway authorities for their agreement.

No general instructions have so far been considered necessary. The highway authority should, of course, be consulted on any proposed transfer of user, and if my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind any particular instance where this was not done I shall be glad to make inquiry.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many persons are still awaiting telephones in the area of the Liberty exchange; and what action is being taken to meet this demand.

One thousand, nine hundred and sixty-four applications were outstanding on the 30th September. Additional exchange equipment and new cables are being provided, but I regret that the beginning of 1954 is the earliest time by which they will be ready for use.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what number of telephones have been installed for private subscribers in Cardiff during the past month; and what number he expects to have installed during the next three months.

135 telephones were installed during October; 435 are expected to be installed during the next three months.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many telephones have been installed in the borough of Tunbridge Wells during this year; and how many applicants are on the waiting list.

467 have been installed since the beginning of the year. The outstanding applications number 71, and these include 48 which will shortly be met, or are being examined.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he will have tests made for the siting of a television mast on the high ground in the region of Hensbarrow Beacon, so that mid and West Cornwall, where the bulk of the county's population lives, may get good reception when coverage is to be afforded to Cornwall and South Devon.

The B.B.C. informs me that a station in the region of Hensbarrow would not give a satisfactory television service to large parts of Devon outside the effective range of Wenvoe. A site now being tested in South Devon would enable many more people to be served, including those in East and mid-Cornwall.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is yet able to make a statement on the provision of an additional mast at the Redruth broadcasting station to enable the three British Broadcasting Corporation's programmes to be radiated from that station.

I am informed by the B.B.C. that they are examining detailed plans to provide the West Home Service programme from Redruth in addition to the Light and Third Programmes, and hope to come to a decision shortly.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the impossibility of getting reasonable television reception in Norfolk; and whether he will take steps, including if necessary enlisting the services of commercial firms, to improve the transmission service so that the people of Norfolk may have a fair chance of receiving the broadcasts of the Coronation.

I regret that I cannot yet add to the general statement on television which I made on 22nd October.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he has considered the reports from the engineers who have been inquiring into bad wireless reception in Orkney and Shetland; and what steps are being taken to improve it.

The B.B.C. inform me that the investigation by their engineers into broadcast reception in Orkney and Shetland showed that, provided efficient receivers and outdoor aerials were used, reception of the Scottish Home Service was generally satisfactory but subject to occasional fading and some slight interference after dark. Fair reception of the Light Programme was possible on the long wave, which is less subject to fading at night than the medium wave transmission of that programme.No material improvement can be made with the existing transmitters which are working at their maximum power and in accordance with the Copenhagen Plan for broadcasting in Europe. It is regretted that no early hope can be held out of providing stations in Orkney and Shetland.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General why letters postmarked 7.15 p.m. in the West Central district of London are not delivered in the S.W.1 district by first post next morning.

Fully paid letters postmarked 7.15 p.m. in the Western Central district of London are due to be delivered in the S.W.1 district by the first post next weekday morning. If my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of any letters which have been delayed in delivery, if possible with the relative envelopes. I will gladly have inquiry made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will make a statement on exercise "Ardent."

Exercise "Ardent," the largest air exercise ever held, was most successful. It lasted from 3rd to 12th October and consisted of two week-end phases with a short mid-week phase of night operations. The weather was good and altogether some 7,500 sorties were flown, virtually without accident.The exercise was designed to give the air defence system an intensive and realistic test, and an exceptionally strong offensive force was mustered. All commands of the Royal Air Force in this country and on the Continent took part, and were admirably assisted by aircraft of the Royal Navy, the Royal Canadian Air Force, the United States Air Force, and the Air Forces of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Continental Powers.The jet fighter squadrons and other units of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, members of the Royal Air Force Reserves and the Royal Observer Corps, and some 15,000 Territorials of Anti-Aircraft Command gained valuable operational experience and contributed greatly to the strength and success of the exercise, in which in all some 200,000 men and women were engaged.Every effort was made to ensure that the exercise was as realistic as possible. To this end the Air Defence Commander was kept in ignorance of the programme of attacks, and his task was complicated by imposing on his defences a number of problems at the same time, including the use of Airborne Forces.The detailed analysis of the exercise will not be available for some time, but preliminary reports indicate that the air defences acquitted themselves well against the attackers. Our fighters had the task of intercepting bombers of varying types. The defences claim that many attacking forces of medium pistonengined bombers of much the same performance as any existing aircraft of a potential enemy were attacked with very encouraging results.The Canberras, which are superior in performance to any aircraft of similar type which might be used against us, were used in only small formations and, while in present circumstances, fast light bombers of this type stand a good chance of penetrating the defences, a number of interceptions were, in fact, claimed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air to what extent it has been found possible for the Royal Air Force to adopt the use of nylon rope made in this country.

Nylon rope made in the United Kingdom is used by the Royal Air Force for such things as parachute cord and target towing cable. It would be used more widely if it were not for the demands of the export drive.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air for what purposes the scientists employed by his Department applied for licences for experiments on animals last year; and what animals were used.

No applications for licences of this kind were made last year by scientists employed by the Air Ministry.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that 2545476 C. K. Reed, a National Service man, is no longer being given instruction in military duties but has been employed since 4th July last as a farm labourer at Boscombe Down Royal Air Force Station Farm, near Amesbury, Wiltshire; and if he will, therefore, release him immediately so that he can return to his place of employment at Lower Stoneham Farm, near Lewes, where he is urgently required.

As I explained to my hon. and gallant Friend in my letter of 4th November, 1952, Aircraftman Reed is carrying out his statutory obligation for two years' full-time service under the National Service Act, and it is not possible to agree to his release.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that many people send small sums of sterling abroad regularly through the post, and so accumulate balances with establishments abroad which enable them to avoid the currency regulations; and what steps is he taking to stop this practice.

I have no information at present that there is regular and extensive evasion by this means, but I will be glad to look into any cases if the hon. Member will give me particulars.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the cost per mile for the use of Ministerial cars for private purposes.

The use of official cars for private purposes is confined to the Ministers who are assigned police protection. These Ministers pay a mileage rate of 1s. 6d. for private journeys, and this more than covers the additional cost of the private journeys.