asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what steps he is taking to enable Her Majesty's ships to enjoy the full advantages of air mail services.

Her Majesty's ships overseas enjoy most of the advantages of air mail services, although some of the time saved by their use may be offset when a ship is at sea. No regular air parcel service is available for most ships, whose address is "c/o G.P.O., London," owing mainly to the difficulty of assessing the air postage at individual post offices in this country. Extra costs would arise if the parcel had to be redirected en route.The civil air parcel service is, of course, available if correspondents are prepared to risk using a civilian address. I fear that I can see no possibility of any improvement in these arrangements which would not be unduly expensive to administer.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty to make the necessary technical modifications on H.M.S. "Surprise" or other suitable ship to enable television transmission from ship to shore of the Coronation Naval Review.

I understand that the British Broadcasting Corporation is interested in this possibility, but it is too early to say whether arrangements will be made for televising the Coronation Naval Review. If the Review is to be televised, there would be no great difficulty in making the necessary modifications to one of Her Majesty's ships to provide a temporary radio link to the shore.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what further consideration he has now given to the recommendations of the Select Committee on Estimates about the Royal Ordnance fac- tories; and whether he will now initiate, in conjunction with the Minister of Supply, an inter-Departmental inquiry into the size and character of the inspectorate.

My Department have been working on these recommendations since I replied to the hon. Member last week and, as I told him then, are in consultation with the Ministry of Supply on the reply to the Select Committee.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the total number of motor vehicles employed in the Portsmouth Command, excluding those provided expressly for the carriage of goods or of more than 10 persons apiece; and what was the number in 1937.

Three hundred and sixty. I regret that the corresponding figure for 1937 is not available.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General why the new charge for telephone installation is being made to subscribers in whose cases all the work of connection, except final provision of the hand instrument, had been completed by 1st July.

The increased costs, which made it necessary to raise certain telephone charges from 1st July, 1952, were being incurred before as well as after that date. A limiting date was clearly essential, and the Telephone Amendment (No. 2) Regulations, 1952, accordingly provided that the higher charge should apply to all connections actually completed on or after 1st July.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many applications for telephones in East Lothian are outstanding; and of these how many have been waiting for more than a year.

One hundred and eighty-four were outstanding on 30th September, 1952, excluding 34 in course of being met. One hundred and thirty-six had been outstanding for over a year.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many telephone subscribers there are in North Berwick; how many of these are served by shared lines; whether he will in due course provide each subscriber with a separate line; and how soon this will be done.

There are 577 exchange connections on the North Berwick exchange. Seventy-six of these are provided by means of shared lines. Our resources are not sufficient to meet all demands for telephone service, and I regret I cannot say when we shall be able to provide a separate line for every subscriber who wants one.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many applications for telephones in Berwick-shire are outstanding; and of these how many have been waiting for more than a year.

Forty-one applications were outstanding at 30th September, 1952, excluding 16 in course of being met. Thirty had been outstanding for over a year.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General on how many occasions during the past year when planning telephone lines his Department has been able to make use of existing poles carrying electricity mains; and, when new development is under consideration, if he has been able to agree his draft scheme with that of the electricity authorities so that one set of poles has been able to carry both cables and so effect economies.

2,360 occasions, involving 6,683 poles. I can assure my hon. Friend that in planning new pole routes there is full co-operation between the Post Office and the electricity supply authorities.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is yet able to make a statement on whether the British Broadcasting Corporation will provide the Home Service from a third transmitter at the Redruth station.

The B.B.C. proposes to broadcast the West Home Service from Redruth on 206 metres. The Corporation hopes that the additional transmitter will be brought into service in 1953, but cannot yet give a more precise date.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General to allow the wavelength at present used for the Third Programme to be used for the North-East for the time being.

The B.B.C. informs me that the two wavelengths used for the Third Programme are necessary to give a reasonable coverage.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General to give an assurance that the permanent broadcasting station at Fremington, near Barnstaple, will be completed before the Coronation.

The B.B.C. inform me that the final transmitter unit, which will enable the permanent station to work at its full designed power, is not expected to be ready until after the Coronation; the station is, however, already nearly fully effective, and most of the listeners for whom it is intended are already enjoying satisfactory reception.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is aware of the growing complaints in many parts of Wales, particularly in North Wales, about the poor reception of Welsh Home Service programmes; and what steps are being taken to improve the position.

The B.B.C. is aware that reception of the Welsh Home Service is not satisfactory in all parts of Wales. Where the B.B.C. signal is weak there is severe interference from a foreign broadcasting station. Representations have been made and I understand that steps are being taken to remove the trouble as soon as practicable.A temporary B.B.C. station was brought into service at Towyn on 14th December, and reception should have improved in the central coastal part of Cardigan Bay. A permanent station is to be provided later on the same site and reception should then improve from about Pwlhelli to Cardigan.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General when he intends to introduce increased charges for postages and telegrams and for telephone services.

The hon. Gentleman will not expect me at this period in the financial year to anticipate what charges may be necessary.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many new sub-post offices and telephone kiosks, respectively, were opened in the islands of Lewis and Harris in each of the years 1948, 1949 and 1950; how many in 1951; and how many it is intended to open in the coming year.

Following is the information:

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the volume of letters handled by his Department on a peak day at Christmas as compared with the traffic during a normal day.

On a normal day the number of letters handled by the Post Office is of the order of 25 million: on a peak day at Christmas the figure may approach 100 million.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General why the letter addressed to Mr. A. E. Garland, of Balchladich Culkein, Lairg, Sutherland, was not delivered to him but, after four weeks, was returned to the hon. Member for Caithness and Sutherland, marked "Not called for"; why this citizen is deprived of a postal service; and how many others in Sutherland are similarly treated.

My hon. Friend has been good enough to send me the envelope of the letter to which he refers. I am looking into the matter and will write to him as soon as possible. I may add that no other complaints of this kind have been brought to my notice in this locality.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General to reconsider his Department's policy on the redirection of letters to individuals and firms whose addresses have been changed, in view of the experience of New Process Welders Limited, a communication from whom has been forwarded to him; and if, in particular, he will see to it that letters from overseas to firms engaged in export trade are not returned to their senders marked "Gone Away" without previous notification to such firms that their letters can still be redirected on payment of an annual fee.

I am grateful to the hon. Member for sending me details of the case to which he refers. I am looking into the matter and will write to him as soon as possible.

asked the Prime Minister if it is the responsibility of the Board of Trade, or the Ministry of Labour to deal with the temporary unemployment that may be caused by the recent changes in the defence programme; and to which Minister questions should be directed on this subject.

The Ministry of Labour advise on the probable effects on employment of proposed changes in production and if workers become unemployed assist them through the employment exchanges to find other work. The Board of Trade and other Departments, e.g., Ministry of Supply, which have responsibility for particular industries, are concerned with action that can be taken by trade and industry to provide additional employment. Questions should, therefore, be addressed to the Minister most directly concerned with their subject matter.

asked the Prime Minister why it is necessary to build a temporary annexe to Westminster Abbey for the purpose of marshalling the Coronation procession seeing that Westminster Hall, in which the marshalling of such processions took place for 700 years, is available.

To use Westminster Hall for marshalling the Coronation Procession would, I am advised, be less convenient and no less costly than to build an Annexe at the west end of the Abbey.I am also informed that if the Coronation ceremony is to be carried out under modern conditions with the dignity and precision of execution required the whole process of marshalling the ceremony must be as close to the west door of the Abbey as possible.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation what plans his Department has in mind for the future of the Meir Aerodrome of Stoke-on-Trent.

Meir Aerodrome is owned by the Stoke-on-Trent Corporation and my Department has no plans for its future use.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation when he considers North Staffordshire will have available a passenger helicopter service.

I cannot say; some years of research and development work will be required before an economic helicopter becomes available.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation if he is aware that his Department's letter of 5th November to the Chairman on the Air Transport Advisory Council conflicts with the undertaking given by the Parliamentary Secretary during the debate on 29th October, that, before the Minister will approve any associate agreement or any new service, he must be satisfied that the firm in question maintains terms and conditions in accordance with the National Joint Council's provisions; and if he will give instructions for an amending letter to be sent to reconcile the instructions given with the undertaking.

No. The letter of 5th November explains how this undertaking is to be fulfilled.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation in what form he proposes to publish information about approvals he has given to applications made to the Air Transport Advisory Council.

Notification is sent to the Press from time to time.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation how far civil aircraft built in this country in future will be fitted with rearward facing seats.

The decision whether to fit civil aircraft with rearward facing seats continues to rest with the operators and the manufacturers. The question whether rearward facing seats should be adopted generally, as a safety measure, is still the subject of research both in this country and in the United States and no conclusions, which would justify compulsory fitting of rearward facing seats, have yet been reached.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation to what extent Prestwick Airport was used as a alternative airport during the recent fog in London.

To the extent of one flight.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation the nature of the re-organisation of staff at Redbrae, Prestwick.

Some small adjustments have been made in the staff complements at Redbrae as a result of the transfer of certain radio telephony channels from Redbrae to Birdlip and the closing down of others which are no longer required. The total number of staff affected is about 23.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation by what means he assures himself that all foreign aircraft flying over United Kingdom territory are adequately secured against liability for damage to third parties on the surface, to the limits agreed in the Rome Convention.

The Convention on Damage caused by Foreign Aircraft to Third Parties on the Surface, recently completely at Rome, lays down a detailed procedure whereby contracting States can satisfy themselves that this liability is adequately secured by insurance or other forms of security.I have at the moment, however, nothing to add to the replies given by my predecessor when he answered the Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Heston and Isleworth (Mr. R. Harris) on 12th November.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation the extent of liability, in sterling, for damage caused by foreign aircraft weighing 20,000 kilogrammes and 50,000 kilogrammes, respectively, to third parties on the surface; and how these sums compare with the liability to which aircraft operators were limited in circumstances defined in the Warsaw Convention.

Under the Warsaw Convention liability for damage is limited to approximately £2,937 in respect of each passenger and about £2 15s. per lb. in respect of registered luggage and goods. Liability for damage to third parties on the surface is not limited at present in this country, but in the Surface Damage Convention recently completed at Rome the liability attaching to aircraft of the weights mentioned is limited to about £144,000 and £252,000 respectively, with a maximum liability per individual killed or injured of about £12,000.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many seats on the airways from Egypt to this country are reserved for Royal Air Force personnel going on leave at their own expense.

Sufficient seats are available to meet the demand.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many houses and factories have been de-requisitioned by his Department in the last year; and how many of each still remain requisitioned, together with their covered floor space.

In the past year one house has been de-requisitioned. Forty-two houses are still held on requisition. Details of the floor space of these are not readily available. No factories are now held.In addition, the Air Ministry holds 40 flats, but I hope that 35 of these, at 77, Hallam Street. W.I, will be released early next year.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the total estimated cost of the telephone services of his administrative Departments.

The estimated annual cost of the telephone service furnished to Air Ministry headquarter buildings is £200,000.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when he expects to start replacing the obsolete Harvards, used for training purposes, with Vampire trainers; and when, in consequence, he expects to be able to dispense with the advanced flying training schools.

We hope next year to start the first course on which pilots will be trained on Provosts and Vampire trainers. Eventually, every pilot will be trained by the Provost/Vampire sequence.This will enable us to dispense with all but one advanced flying school which will be equipped with Varsities. Pilots to be employed on piston-engined aircraft will go through this school after completing their Vampire training. All other pilots will go direct to jet O.C.U.s.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the estimated cost of the new bomber base in Cyprus.

It is too early to say.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what rent is paid to his Department by the Dunlop Tyre Company and other companies who use the Perton airfield for testing tyres.

It would be contrary to normal practice to give this information.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the estimated saving in uniformed manpower in the Royal Air Force as a result of the curtailment in the production of aircraft previously ordered for the Royal Air Force.

I must ask the right hon. and learned Member to await the White Paper on Defence, which will be issued in February.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the percentage reduction in the front-line strength of the Royal Air Force as projected under the £4,700 million programme as a result of the curtailment in the production of aircraft previously ordered for the Royal Air Force.

The strength of an air force cannot be measured simply in numbers of front-line aircraft. It would be misleading to give a percentage figure without additional information about quality and striking power at particular dates, which it would not be in the national interest to disclose.I can, however, say that the size and effectiveness of the front-line of the Royal Air Force will still be greatly increased under the programme now contemplated by the Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the curtailment in aircraft production, he will now allow pilots to transfer to the reserve with a view to their employment in civil aviation.

The changes in the aircraft production programme announced in the House by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 4th December will not cause any surplus of trained pilots in the Royal Air Force.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what will be the estimated number of uniformed personnel in the Royal Air Force, excluding those in the Auxiliary and Reserve, as at 31st March, 1953, and as at 31st March, 1954.

I must ask the hon. and gallant Member to await the publication of the Defence White Paper for 1953 and the Air Estimates.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that a National Service recruit whose name is Ellison, of Council Houses, Esh Winning, County Durham, has been informed that if he wants to be in the Royal Air Force he must sign on for three years; and the authority for such a demand.

No, but if the hon. Member will let me have details, I shall be glad to have inquiries made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why applicants for technical commissions in the Royal Air Force are required to pass the same selection board as for non-scientific commissions; and what account is taken of their scientific qualifications.

Candidates for technical and non-technical commissions in the Royal Air Force appear before the same selection board, since much the same personal qualities are required in both cases. It is these qualities alone which the board attempts to assess. Candidates for commissions in the technical branch are not called before the board unless their scientific qualifications are considered adequate.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that, since his Department gave a two-year trooping contract to Eagle Aviation, Limited, this company has within eight months sold all its four-engined aircraft, and has, in consequence, been unable to fulfil the contract; and what steps he took to satisfy himself before engaging in the contract that the company was a bona fide operating company and was both able and willing to complete the contract.

I can assure my hon. Friend that all the usual inquiries were made before the contract in question was let, and that the service provided by the company during the period it held the contract was entirely satisfactory.Arrangements have been made for the contract to be completed without any extra cost to the taxpayer by the firm which took over the four-engined aircraft from Eagle Aviation, Ltd.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what type of aircraft he is entering for the England—New Zealand air race next year.

The Royal Air Force proposes to enter a Valiant and one or more Canberras.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will ensure that part of the viewing facilities in his Department's offices on the Coronation line of route are reserved for serving Royal Air Force personnel and disabled ex-Royal Air Force Service men and women to enable them to view the Coronation procession.

No allocation of these viewing facilities has yet been made, but my noble Friend will certainly watch the interests of those people the hon. Member has in mind.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why officers in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force and the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve who are deputy lieutenants and magistrates are not permitted to place the designations D.L. and J.P. after their names in the Air Force List.

Royal Air Force records do not usually show whether an officer of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force or Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve is a deputy lieutenant or magistrate; but if officers holding these appointments care to notify the Air Ministry the designation D.L. or J.P. will, in future, be inserted after their names in the Air Force List.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will publish as a White Paper, or circulate in HANSARD, a full account of the discussions which have taken place since 7th January, 1950, between the British and American Governments regarding China's admission to the United Nations.

There have been no such discussions recently, and I do not think it necessary to publish details of any earlier discussions which may have taken place. It remains the view of Her Majesty's Government that the present situation in Korea makes it obviously inopportune for the question of Chinese representation to be publicly debated in the United Nations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now received any reply to the representations made to the Chinese Nationalist authorities in Formosa in respect of the attack on the British ship "Rosita."

No. Her Majesty's Consul at Tamsui made representations on 9th December to the Nationalist authorities, who promised an early reply.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now make a statement on the progress of the negotiations with the Federal Government at Bonn on the disposal of Herr Alfred Krupp's assets in the coal and steel industries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is now in a position to inform the House of the results of his conversations with the Federal German Government on the steps to be taken to prevent Herr Krupp from re-acquiring substantial interests in the German coal and steel industries.

I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member for Leyton on 15th December (Mr. Sorensen). Negotiations are still proceeding, and a report will be made to the House as soon as this is possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now announce his decision in the appeal lodged in June, 1951, by Mr. J. R. White from the judgment of a British court in Germany.

Further representations were made on Mr. White's behalf by his solicitor in October last and the case is being re-examined in the light of them. This work is proceeding and until it is completed it will not be possible to announce any decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will initiate discussions with the French Government, with a view to the adoption of a common defence policy for Viet Nam and Malaya against Communist aggression.

Her Majesty's Government are already in close consultation with the French Government on this, as on all matters of mutual concern.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply he has sent to the invitation from the French Government for this country to be represented at a conference to consider arrangements for creating a European Health Community.

Her Majesty's Government accepted this invitation and I represented Her Majesty's Government at the conference held in Paris on 12th and 13th December. The conference considered certain proposals by the French Government for the creation of a European Health Community. These proposals have been referred for study by experts.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government is making or has made to the Governments of Italy and Switzerland, in view of the activities of Italian and Swiss nationals in seeking to make contracts for purchase of Anglo-Iranian oil.

The Governments named, and other Governments as necessary, have been informed of the attitude of Her Majesty's Government to transactions in oil from Persia.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the membership of other Commonwealth nations, and of the important social and political problems with which it deals, it is now the intention of Her Majesty's Government to join the Inter-Governmental Committee for European Migration.

No. Her Majesty's Government are generally in sympathy with the objectives of the Committee. But after careful reconsideration, they have come to the conclusion that in present circumstances the United Kingdom cannot take on the additional financial commitment involved in joining this Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been directed to the allegations made by the Czech public prosecutor against British public officials in the recent Communist trials at Prague; and if he will make a statement as to the action he will take to counter such attacks upon the public officials of this country.

Yes. I welcome this opportunity of stating that there is absolutely no truth in these allegations against British public officials. The two former British Ambasadors at Prague and other British officials mentioned by the Czechoslovak public prosecutor came into contact with some of the defendants, in particular the former Minister and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, in the normal course of their diplomatic duties.It is, of course, deplorable that such charges should be made, but I do not consider that any useful purpose would be served by taking the matter up with the Czechoslovak Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on his most recent negotiations with the Icelandic Government over the current fishing dispute.

At his request, the Icelandic Minister of Fisheries, Mr. Thors, saw my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 10th December. My right hon. Friend suggested that the dispute between the Icelandic Government and the British fishing industry should be referred to the Permanent Commission to be set up under the 1946 Over-Fishing Convention; but Mr. Thors was not willing to accept this suggestion. He made it clear that the Icelandic Government were confident of having acted within their legal rights and did not intend to modify their fishery limits.Her Majesty's Government are now considering what further steps are open to them to take.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arrangements he has made for facilities for a Parliamentary delegation to visit the Middle East during the Recess.

No arrangements have been made by Her Majesty's Government for such a tour. I understand, however, that certain hon. Members may be visiting the Middle East as guests of a Deputy of the Lebanese Parliament. In that case they will, of course, be travelling in an entirely private capacity.

asked the Minister of Food why, according to the Monthly Digest of Statistics, the weekly average consumption of fresh and frozen meat was less for September and October, 1952, than for the corresponding months last year.

Mainly because throughout 1952 the meat ration has been kept at a steadier and, on average, a higher level than in 1951.

asked the Minister of Food for how much longer he anticipates maintaining the present level of the bacon ration.

As my hon. Friend the Member for Morecambe and Lonsdale (Sir I. Fraser) was informed on 12th November, it may be necessary to reduce the ration for a period early in the New Year.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that dried peas sold by farmer to merchant at £15 for 38 stone are retailed at 11½d. per half lb. or £50 13s. 8d. for 38 stone; and if he will take steps to control this price difference.

The hon. Lady is comparing growers' prices for unsorted peas with retail prices for sorted and prepacked peas. This is misleading. Loose peas can be bought retail at about half the price quoted by her for packet peas. As

asked the Minister of Food by how much per ton Turkish coarse grain landed in this country would exceed the average c.i.f. price per ton of coarse grains imported from other countries this year.

As no recent purchases of Turkish coarse grains have been made the basis for a comparison does not exist. It would be contrary to practice to disclose details of offers.

asked the Minister of Food to reconsider the arrangements for the distribution of seasonal rations for farm-workers next year, with reference to the difficulties that farmers working on small holdings have experienced this year.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Newbury (Mr. Hurd) on 15th October last.

asked the Minister of Food what quantity of coarse grains were imported from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Turkey, respectively, in each of the last five years, shown separately; and what was the average price per ton c.i.f. at a British port.

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many boys passed the primary school-leaving examination in 1952 in Aden; and, of these, how many were found places in the Government intermediate schools.

The available places are given to those who do best in the examination. In March, 1952, 133 places were available and were so filled.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what were the working hours of teachers at the Government secondary school in Aden in 1951; and how they compare with the hours worked in Great Britain.

Working hours of teachers at Government secondary schools in Aden in 1951 were approximately 30 hours a week, including supervision of sport and other activities. These may be longer than in the United Kingdom, but conditions are not comparable; in particular, owing to the climate, vacations in Aden are longer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what remuneration is being offered to members who agree to serve on the proposed Royal Commission into the situation in Kenya.

It is not customary for members of Royal Commissions to receive any salaries or other financial remuneration for their services. It is intended, however, that those accepting appointment to this Commission should not suffer financially by reason of this service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how long it takes for a reply to reach his Department from Kenya if the information asked for is of a kind that could be reasonably be expected to be available on demand.

If the request is sent by telegram and is urgent, a reply can be obtained within a day; if it is sent by airmail, within eight to 12 days. But when the Kenya Government is so pressed with the present emergency, it would be quite unjustifiable to ask for an immediate reply unless the matter were both important and urgent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the standard rate of Income Tax in Kenya.

In Kenya, Income Tax is assessed on a sliding scale and there is no exact equivalent of the standard personal rate of tax in the United Kingdom. I am, therefore, sending the hon. Lady a copy of the Ordinance governing the present rates of Income Tax and allowances for individuals and companies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the functions and composition of the Kenya Coffee Board; what is its relationship with the Kenya Coffee Marketing Board; and by what means each is financed.

The Kenya Coffee Board consists of the Director of Agriculture, two members appointed by the Governor, one of whom is a member of the Department of Agriculture, and eight coffee planters elected by the planters in the Eastern and Western Electoral Districts.The Board controls by licence the growing of coffee outside the African reserves. In native lands the growing of coffee is controlled under the Native Lands Coffee Rules, 1951. Other functions of the Coffee Board include the registration of coffee millers, the advertising of Kenya coffee and, with the approval of the Governor-in-Council, the provision of services designed to promote the coffee industry in general.The operations of the Board are financed from the "coffee levy fund" which consists of the proceeds of a levy imposed on exports of all types of coffee except "buni" (a crop mainly grown by Africans), fees collected in respect of certain licences and such sums as the Legislative Council may from time to time vote.The Kenya Coffee Board appoints one member of the Kenya Coffee Marketing Board which is empowered to buy and sell all mild coffee grown in Kenya. The proceeds of sales by the Marketing Board are paid into a "coffee pool" from which the producers are paid for coffee sold to the Board.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of African growers of sisal and the quantity and value of their output to the latest convenient date; what limitations are placed upon African growers; what price differentiation is observed as between African and European growers; how far African growers are obliged to sell to the Kenya Sisal Board; what representation Africans have on that board; and what assistance they receive from that board.

The information is not available in London. I am asking the Governor for it and will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of African growers of coffee in Kenya and how much they produced in the latest convenient period; what limitations are placed upon African growers; what price differentiation exists as between African and European growers for coffee of comparable quality; how far African growers are obliged to sell to the Kenya Coffee Marketing Board; what representation they have on that board; and what assistance they receive from its funds.

As full details are not available in London I am asking the Governor for them and will circulate a full reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has given his approval to the Townships Ordinance (Amendment No. 2) Rules, 1952. made by the acting Governor of the Somaliland Protectorate.

The rules were made by the Acting Governor, in the Governor's absence, in exercise of the powers vested in the Governor by the Townships Ordinance, and my approval was not required.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made on the Owen Falls Hydro-Electric Scheme, Uganda; and how many turbines will be brought into operation in 1953.

Progress has been good. The concreting of the dam is now well under way and one generator should be working by December next.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proportion of the £2,000,000 allocated from the Uganda Cotton Price Assistance Fund for technical training is available to farmers and farmers' Organisations for training in essential accountancy and the presentation of accounts.

This money is intended primarily to provide for the training of artisans and craftsmen and I do not know of any allocation for the purposes mentioned in the Question.Instruction in book-keeping is provided for secretaries and other employees of registered Co-operative Department and I understand that courses in accounting procedure will be provided at the Muljibhai Madhvani Commercial College for Africans at Kampala.A grant of £8,000 has been allocated to the College from the African Development Fund.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now concluded his consultations with the West Indies Governments on Canadian-West Indian trade, following the conference held in the Colonial Office in September; and what conclusions have been reached.

Consultations on the main issues are now nearly complete and the results will be announced soon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies for what reason the claim of Dr. R. E. G. Armattoe that he has a remedy for swollen shoot disease has not been utilised or examined.

Dr. Armattoe has twice been invited by the Government of the Gold Coast to allow his claim to be tested at the West African Cocoa Research Institute, but so far has declined.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what negotiating machinery exists for the consideration of conditions of service and grievances in respect of senior members of the Colonial Service; whether he will recommend to Governors and colonial Governments the encouragement of existing or a suitable new organisation of senior civil servants who could represent their members on the above matters.

There are Civil Service Associations representing senior as well as junior staffs in nearly all Territories and Whitley Councils are being increasingly used. The need for consulting representative bodies is well understood by Colonial Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider making greater use of the special facilities that exist in this country for the training of officials in the Colonial Service in the languages, religions and customs of the lands in Africa and Asia where they will be serving.

I attach great importance to such training and the greatest possible use is, in fact, already being made of existing facilities. Probationers at Oxford, Cambridge and London Universities spend a large proportion of their time on these subjects, particularly on language.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how the present staff of the Colonial Survey Department in the United Kingdom compares with the estimated staff for 1952–53; and what is the present delay between the receipt of the information and the publication of the maps.

The Directorate of Colonial Surveys now has a staff of 286. The 1952–53 Estimates provide for 294. The time taken to publish maps after getting the information depends mainly on the size of the task. It is usually at least six months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if unofficial members of the Legislative Council of Malaya are prohibited under his regulations from holding office in a political party or a trade union.

No. But officers in certain Government Departments may not hold office in political parties, even if they are also members of Legislative Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if Circular No. 26, 1949, prohibiting employees of the judicial and legal departments of the Malayan Federation from holding office in a political party applied also to the holding of office in a trade union.

The circular refers only to the holding of office in political organisations. If the hon. Member has evidence of some other interpretation, and will let me know, I will consult the High Commissioner.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that, although the declared policy of the Government of Malaya is to encourage the growth of trade unions, petty officials who could do much to encourage a responsible democratic movement show a lack of sympathy and understanding; and if he will take steps to train junior colonial officials with this object in view.

No, and I cannot think that such an attitude would long be tolerated by the Federation Government. The training of their junior officials is entirely a matter for that Government and the hon. Member's suggestion will be brought to their notice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give details of the method by which prices are placed on the heads of Communist leaders in Malaya, so that rewards are paid to those who are successful in killing such Communists; by whom such rewards are paid; and whether they are paid to both military personnel and civilians alike.

The scale of rewards is graded according to the status of the terrorist killed or caught, and is higher for information leading to a capture than for a killing.

asked the Minister of Transport how many stretches of one-way street in the London area bear no indication of the fact at the entrances to the stretches.

This information could not be procured without disproportionate investigation, but I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave him on the 15th December.

asked the Minister of Transport the objections to the use of the Bennie railplane for transport of passengers and luggage between aerodromes and air stations.

In general, the physical nature of the routes which a mono-rail system would have to follow between the airports of this country and the densely populated centres which they serve are such as to offer no obvious advantage to a mono-rail as compared with more orthodox systems of transport.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) what regulations he has made relating to the cost of a Road Fund licence for a Land Rover when it is used solely for the carrying of passengers, and when it is owned and used by a farmer occasionally for carrying agricultural produce, respectively; and how many of these regulations are made for such licences under the Finance Act, 1952:(2) what regulations he has made relating to the cost of a Road Fund licence for a Land Rover with trailer attached when it is used solely for the carrying of passengers, and when it is owned and used by a farmer occasionally for carrying agricultural produce, respectively; and how many of these regulations are made for such licences under the Finance Act. 1952.

No regulations have been made relating to the cost of an excise licence for a Land Rover: this is governed by statute. The effect of Section 7 (2) of the Finance Act, 1952, is that from 1st January, 1953, a Land Rover will be licensed as a goods vehicle if it, or a trailer which it draws, is used to convey goods for hire or reward or for or in connection with a trade or business. Otherwise, it will be licensed as a private car, in which case the amount of tax will be £12 10s. and no trailer duty will be payable.If a Land Rover is owned and used by a farmer for carrying agricultural produce in connection with his business of farming, it will be taxed as a goods vehicle and the amount of tax will be £17 10s. per annum or, if it comes within the category of "farmer's goods vehicle," £11 10s. per annum, plus in either case £10 if a trailer is drawn. The "farmer's goods vehicle" category would be appropriate only if the Land Rover and/or trailer owned by the farmer were used solely by him for carrying the produce of, or articles required for the purposes of, the agricultural land which he occupies and for no other purpose.

asked the Minister of Supply (1) to publish a list, in engineering terminology, of the processes which are covered by the word "rolling" in item 5 of the Third Schedule to the Iron and Steel Bill;(2) to publish a list, in engineering terminology, of the processes which are covered by the word "forging" in item 5 of the Third Schedule to the Iron and Steel Bill.

As my right hon. Friend informed my hon. Friend last Monday, he is at present engaged in technical consultations as to whether item 5 of the Third Schedule, as at present drawn, may not go somewhat wider than is intended and, if so, how this can best be rectified.

asked the Minister of Supply to what extent de-tuners are used in connection with noise suppression of jet engines in this country.

De-tuners and other British-designed methods of silencing engine test beds are widely used by aero engine manufacturers in this country.

asked the Minister of Supply what improvements have been made in the sequence of steel supplies for shipbuilding.

Following a seasonal decline in the third quarter of this year, due mainly to holidays, deliveries in October showed a marked improvement and it is expected that this improvement will continue.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, to set up an inter-Departmental committee to inquire into the causes and cure of London fog.

No. A Committee, the Atmospheric Pollution Research Committee, already exists under the Fuel Research Board and includes representatives of all the interested Departments. It guides the research work which the Fuel Research Station of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research is doing on the problem.

asked the Minister of Works the present position with regard to the Government science centre; and whether it is intended that the necessary buildings should be erected on the South Bank site.

I regret that the planning of the science centre has had to be deferred in view of the need for economy. When the economic situation improves it is hoped to lease a site on the South Bank immediately below Waterloo Bridge.

asked the Minister of Works what changes are contemplated in the registration of apprentices in the building industry.

Since the National Joint Council for the Building Industry put into operation a National Apprenticeship Scheme in November, 1945, indentured apprentices have been registered with the Building Apprenticeship and Training Council. The time has now arrived when the industry is able to undertake this work, and from 1st January, 1953, all new apprentices will be registered with the National Joint Apprenticeship Board. Apprentices now registered with the Building Apprenticeship and Training Council will, under the new arrangements, be given the option of transferring to the Industry's Registration Scheme.The Building Apprenticeship and Training Council will continue its advisory work, and I take this opportunity of thanking the Council and its Chairman, Sir George Gater, G.C.M.G., K.C.B., D.S.O., for their valuable work over a number of years. An adequate intake of apprentices and the furtherance of the opportunities for higher education, particularly by the award of scholarships, are two of the most important matters which the Council will still keep under review. I am confident that the National Joint Apprenticeship Board, on which both sides of the industry are represented, will continue their valuable work with vigour and enthusiasm.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power to exercise his statutory powers under Section 5 of the Electricity Act, 1947, to obtain information from the British Electricity Authority regarding the circumstances attending the dismissal by the Yorkshire Electricity Board of its Public Relations Officer, in view of the fact that this man was principal witness for the Crown in the proceedings last year which were taken after Questions had been asked in this House.

No. I would add that the Public Relations Officer of the Yorkshire Electricity Board was not, in fact, called as a witness in the proceedings taken in November, 1951, against the Board and others for offences contrary to Regulation 56A of the Defence (General) Regulations, 1939.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if, now that he has reduced the paper returns for farmers, he will do the same for woodland owners both in regard to tracings as well as forms.

Woodland owners are not required to make any returns similar to the agricultural returns made by farmers. Owners who have voluntarily entered into a Forestry Dedication Covenant or Agreement with the Forestry Commissioners, and receive grants accordingly, accept the obligation to prepare once a year simple records of planting, thinning, and clear felling done in accordance with the Plan of Operations, and to send a copy of each of the three forms and of the Plan of Operations to the Commission.Owners requiring felling licences, small woods planting grants, or thinning grants are required to apply, normally in duplicate, on forms printed for the purpose, and to support their application with a map or tracing. These arrangements are the simplest possible consistent with efficient administration, and I have no reason to suppose that woodland owners find them onerous.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence what percentage, approximately, of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force are engaged upon the discharge of defence commitments outside the United Kingdom.

At 30th September some 24 per cent. of the Armed Forces were serving in areas, or based on stations, outside the limits of the United Kingdom and North-West Europe. I regret that it would not be in the public interest to particularise further.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps his Department are taking to alleviate the growth of unemployment in the Lleyn, Caernarvonshire, area.

There is a seasonal unemployment problem in the area, and we shall take any opportunity which presents itself to steer suitable new industries to the area. It would, however, be wrong to exaggerate the contribution which my Department can make to this end.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of factories opened in Wales and Monmouthshire each year since 1946.

The number of new factories and extensions of 5,000 sq. ft. and over completed in Wales and Monmouthshire each year since 1946 is as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has yet received the Third Report of the National Research Development Corporation; and if he has any statement to make on it.

My right hon. Friend received this Report on 12th November and, as required by the Development of Inventions Act, 1948, has arranged for it to be laid before the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total area of factory space which industrial enterprises have arranged to lease at each of the new towns in Scotland, and the number of persons these firms expect to be able to employ in each town, respectively.

At East Kilbride, 425,000 square feet of new factory building providing employment for about 4,000 workers is under construction, and a further 66,000 square feet, with an employment capacity of 350 workers, has been approved in principle. At Glenrothes no new factory buildings have so far been approved, but existing undertakings in the area, one of which has extensions in hand and further extensions in prospect, at present employ about 3,000 workers.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he intends to take to arrest the decline in the number of dairy cattle in Scotland.

While there has been a fall of about 2½ per cent. in the numbers of dairy cattle shown in the returns for June and September this year as compared with the numbers shown in the corresponding returns in 1951, I am glad to say that this has been accompanied by an increase of approximately the same percentage in the gallonage of milk produced for sale. While I shall keep the position under review, I do not think that any special steps are necessary at this time.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the decrease in the number of fowls six months old and over in Scotland; and what steps he is taking to arrest this fall.

While the number of fowls six months old and over shows a decrease of approximately 2 per cent. in September this year as compared with the corresponding figure last year, it also shows an increase of 3 per cent. on the June figure of this year. The numbers of birds under six months also, in both June and September this year, are higher than the corresponding figures for last year. In the circumstances I do not think that any special steps need to be taken. The decrease in the total number of fowls is less than 1 per cent.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will ensure that part of the viewing facilities in his Department's offices on the Coronation line of route are reserved for Service men and disabled ex-Service men of the Commonwealth Forces to enable them to view the Coronation procession.

The general position as regards seating accommodation is that large numbers of seats have been allotted to the several Members of the Commonwealth and it is for each Government to decide how these should be allocated to persons from its country.As regards disabled ex-Service men, however, such facilities as can be made available, for disabled persons for viewing the procession on some part of the route, will be open to those from other Commonwealth countries as well as the United Kingdom.