asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what percentage of reduction in charge is allowed to telephone subscribers who consent to share a party line with a new subscriber.

The rental is reduced by £1 10s. a year in all cases. The percentage reduction varies according to the rental tariff for exclusive lines; for residential subscribers it is about 20–25 per cent.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the total amount of the withdrawals by the public from the Post Office Savings Bank for the latest year for which figures are available; the amount per £100 of these withdrawals which were fraudulent; and to what extent these figures show an improvement for recent comparable years.

The total amount withdrawn in 1952 was £454 million, of which fraudulent withdrawals by the public amounted to 1½d. per £100. The latter is a little higher than the corresponding figures for the two preceding years, but it is less than half the average for the years 1945 to 1949.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the number of television licences issued in Wales during 1952.

About 30,600 television licences were in force in Wales on 31st December, 1952; this is about 24,700 more than at the end of the previous year.The corresponding figures for Monmouthshire were 7,500 and 6,100 respectively.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the number of television licences issued in the borough of Romford for each of the years 1946 to 1952.

As the licence records are for head Post Office areas and the counterparts for expired licences are not kept for so long, I regret that the figures desired are not available.The numbers of television licences current in the whole of the Romford and Dagenham head Post Office area on 31st December in the years 1946 to 1952 were:

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of deserters from the Royal Air Force who have been absent for a period of more than five years.

3,780.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation his proposals for bringing F.I.D.O. into operation at Blackbushe Airport.

F.I.D.O. facilities continue to be available, both for civil and military aircraft, at Manston, and it is considered that one such installation is all that can be justified at the present time.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation why Yeadon Aerodrome is being closed; whether he has communicated with the corporations of Bradford and Leeds; what communications he has received from them on the subject; and if he will ensure that the existing facilities are maintained in good repair pending a decision as to the future of the airfield.

The requirements of air transport services do not justify my Ministry maintaining Yeadon as a civil aerodrome. Discussions have been proceeding between the Air Ministry and the Leeds and Bradford Corporations, and the two corporations have been informed that under present plans my Department will withdraw its staff from the aerodrome on 2nd February, 1953.I am afraid that I cannot undertake to ensure that the existing facilities are maintained in good repair because the future use of the aerodrome is a matter for the Air Ministry, as the requisitioning authority, and the two Corporations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what grounds Professor Powell was invited to lecture in Germany when his tour had to be cancelled owing to his personal unsuitability; and what steps have been taken to check the security arrangements of the section of his Department issuing invitations to lecture abroad.

The invitation to Professor Powell to lecture in Germany under the sponsorship of Her Majesty's Government was issued as the result of an administrative oversight. I have taken measures which will, I trust, prevent a repetition.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when it is proposed to publish the history on British diplomacy.

The "History of British Foreign Policy during the Second World War" is still in course of preparation. I cannot at this stage say when it will be published.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make representations to the United States Government as to the desirability of members of the United States Armed Forces stationed in the United Kingdom wearing plain clothes when off duty.

No representations appear to be called for. This matter is one of those dealt with in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Status of Forces Agreement, which provides that visiting Forces shall normally conform, in respect of dress, with the practice of the receiving State.I am advised that, pending the coming into effect of the Agreement, the present practice of the United States Forces here in the matter of dress already corresponds broadly with that of our own Forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of the United States following the application by United States immigration authorities of the provisions of the McCarran Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he is making to the United States Government on the political screening of British immigrants and visitors to the United States of America, including seamen employed in transatlantic liners and cargo vessels.

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Itchen (Mr. Morley).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the position in the Sudan.

I have nothing to add to what I told the House yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give consideration to the desirability of inviting the United Nations to locate one of its departments or agencies in this country.

Her Majesty's Government are prepared wherever appropriate to consider inviting subsidiary bodies of the United Nations or the Specialised Agencies to set up headquarters in the United Kingdom.Her Majesty's Government have, in fact, invited one Specialised Agency, the International Maritime Consultative Organisation, to set up its headquarters in the United Kingdom. The invitation has been accepted.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what instructions have been given to the United Kingdom delegation regarding the nomination of a new Secretary-General for the United Nations Organisation.

The United Kingdom Delegation has been instructed to seek agreement on the appointment of a new Secretary-General in accordance with the terms of the United Nations Charter. This provides that the Secretary-General shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give the figures for the consumption of milk per person, per day. in Stoke-on-Trent and Bournemouth for the years 1938, 1948 and 1952.

asked the Minister of Food what action he is proposing to take in order to implement his policy in respect of abattoirs.

An Inter-Departmental Committee is being

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Food what effect the new Argentine meat agreement will have on the ration; how far the increased cost of the meat will be passed on to the consumer: and how the price will be affected.

asked the Minister of Food if he will make a statement on the Argentine agreement; and to what extent price increases in butcher meat will be consequent on this agreement.

The main provisions of the agreement which has just been concluded, are published in a White Paper, Command No. 8744, issued on 19th January. Under this agreement, Argentina undertakes to supply us with 238,000 tons of carcase meat and offals during the next 12 months. As already announced, the meat ration will be increased from 1 s. 8d. worth a week to 1s. 9d. worth from next Sunday.I am also issuing a large quantity of meat to butchers and manufacturers for sausages and other meat products.I do not propose to make any immediate change in the retail price of meat.

asked the Minister of Food at what prices meat will be bought from the Argentine under the latest agreement; and how these prices compare with those paid under the previous agreement.

The prices for the principal types of meat under the 1951 Protocol and the agreement just concluded are as follow:appointed to prepare a plan for England and Wales for the siting of slaughterhouses under the policy explained in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Hexham (Mr. Speir) on 5th November, 1952.I hope shortly to be able to announce the constitution of the Committee.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that there is great difficulty in distinguishing particular grades of quality in over-the-counter transactions; and when butchers will plainly indicate price and quality by labels.

I am aware of these difficulties. The butchers' organisations are co-operating with me in urging upon their members action to help the housewife and, incidentally, themselves. I trust that butchers will act upon the advice of their own trade associations. I shall continue to watch the position very closely.

asked the Minister of Food the particular qualifications required by those conducting the National Food Survey; by whom they are appointed; and from which section of the community.

The fieldwork of the National Food Survey has been conducted, under the general direction of my Department, by a market research organisation with wide experience of the techniques employed.I do not inquire into the social status of the staff appointed by this organisation, as I am concerned only with their technical competence and the reliability of the results they obtain.I have no doubt, however, that they are drawn from the same sections of the community as they were under the previous Administration.

asked the Minister of Food the total consumption of butter in the United Kingdom for the three years prior to the war and for 1950, 1951 and 1952, respectively

The total consumption of butter during the years 1936–1938 averaged 500,000 tons annually. Consumption during the three years 1950, 1951 and 1952 was: 373,000 tons, 324,000 tons and 241,000 tons respectively.

asked the Minister of Food what has been the fall in the price of tea since it was derationed; and to what extent the supply has been adequate to meet all demands.

No exact comparison is possible. Since freedom was restored the average of the prices of the principal branded and packeted teas has fallen slightly. There is a wider range of cheaper blends and ample supplies are available at all prices.

asked the Minister of Food what arrangements are being made to allow Coronation committees in towns and villages to have an ox or sheep roasted for local feasts on Coronation Day.

I hope to make a statement on Coronation arrangements next week.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will make a statement on the derationing of feedingstuffs and cereals.

Yes. A White Paper setting out the Government's conclusions in the light of consultation with all the interests concerned has been laid and copies will he available in the Vote Office later today.

asked the Minister of Food what quantities of Patagonian mutton have been imported during the past year; what price has been paid; and what complaints have been received about its quality.

About 7,500 tons of Patagonian mutton were imported during 1952 at an average cost of £76 6s. 9d. per ton. Most of this mutton is suitable for the ration, but it is not so attractive as some other ration meat.For that reason we get complaints from the butchers at times. Any which is found to be unsuitable for the ration is used for manufacturing purposes.

asked the Minister of Food what quantity of tomatoes he intends to import from the Far East during the immediate future.

None.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence in what ratio of expenditure the new defence programmes of the three Service Departments compare with the previous programmes.

I would ask the hon. Member to await the Defence White Paper for 1953, which will be published next month.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Timber Mission which recently visited the West Indies to investigate the production and marketing of West Indian timbers has now submitted its report to him; and whether it is proposed to publish this report.

I hope to receive the report within the next month. I shall then consider publication, in consultation with the West Indian Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the party of British industrialists who recently visited the West Indies to look into the possibilities of further industrial development have yet submitted their report to him; and whether it is proposed to publish this report.

I understand that the report, which will be submitted to the Governments of the Colonies visited and to myself jointly, is in the course of preparation and will be submitted in a month or so. The question of publication will then be considered in consultation with the Governments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the hon. Member for Bristol, South-East, may expect a reply to the letter he and certain other hon. Members sent to him on 15th December, enclosing a copy of a cable from Mr. Pritt, sent at the request of the hon. Members referred to, and denying that he had only made one protest at the facilities made available to the defence counsel in the Kapenguria trials: why this information was withheld from the House; and if he will now make a statement upon every aspect of this matter.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 18th December to the hon. Member for Dudley (Mr. Wigg). In view of that reply, and of the debate on 19th December, I did not think that hon. Members would expect any further letter from me.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what discrimination is made in the granting of land in the White Highlands of Kenya whether competent Africans are entitled to the same terms and conditions of tenure as are granted to Europeans; and in how many cases land was so granted to each class during last year.

Land in the Highlands is granted by the Governor on the recommendation of the Highlands Board (which he is bound to consult). This Board is composed of the Chief Secretary as President, the Commissioner of Lands as Vice-President, four persons, who are not civil servants, appointed by a majority of the European elected members of the Legislative Council present and voting at a meeting specially called for the purpose, and one person nominated by the Governor. The "elected" members do not necessarily have to be elected members of Legislative Council.In practice, land is granted only to Europeans. At present, there is very little land unalienated in the Highlands and that of poor quality. The hon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the estimated additional financial expenditure incurred as a result of the existing emergency in Kenya at the latest convenient date; and what effect the outbreak of violence in Kenya has had upon the flow of capital for development purposes into the Colony.

The Governor estimates that approximately £750,000 will have been expended up to the end of January, 1953.The emergency has not materially affected the industrial areas of Kenya and I am informed by the Kenya Government that it has not had any considerable deterrent effect on either public or private planned investment.There has, however, been some diminution in the number of inquiries and some schemes still in their initial stages have been postponed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what evidence exists that Communist agents have entered territories in British East Africa; and how far their activities have contributed to the unrest existing in Kenya Colony.

Up to now there is no evidence that Communist agents have entered these territories.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many members of the Kenya Administration speak the Kikuyu language.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 10th December: Vol. 509, c. 451] supplied the following information:Two members of the Kenya Administrative Service have passed the Kikuyu vernacular examination and a few others have slight knowledge of the language. All administrative officers are required to know Swahili, which is spoken by the majority of the Kikuyu people.Administrative officers have, in the past, been obliged to pass a higher standard examination in Swahili. In future they will instead have to pass a vernacular examination. Financial incentives are being introduced to encourage officers to take these vernacular examinations early in their service.In addition, with effect from January, 1953, interpreterships in Kikuyu and other vernaculars, carrying allowances of £50 per annum, are open to officers of all' departments .of the Kenya Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many persons in Kenya have been evicted from their land and houses, how many head of cattle, bicycles and other means of personal transport have been forfeited; over what area these evictions have taken place, and where the evicted persons are being accommodated and under what conditions.

pursuant to his reply[OFFICIAL REPORT, 3rd December, Vol. 508; c. 148] supplied the following information:Four thousand four hundred and seventy-one Kikuyu squatters including men, women and children have been evicted from European farms or Crown forests in the Rift Valley Province. Of this total, 4,324 persons were evicted from 20 European farms in the Leshau Ward of Laikipia District and were temporarily accommodated and then resettled in their reserve. Of the remainder, 80 persons have been evicted from one European farm in Nakuru District and 300 from a small village in the Njoro Crown Forest.Of these two parties, 147 persons were accommodated in permanent buildings and were given free rations pending resettlement in their reserve, which has now been effected. The remainder were returned direct to their reserve. A total of 944 cattle, 10,577 sheep and goats, 70 donkeys, 57 pedal cycles, 1 auto-cycle and 1 motor-cycle have been forfeited by persons evicted and, as a result of the murder of Senior Chief of Nderi, by the inhabitants of Thegenege location of the Nyeri District.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many people are now employed by the Crown Agents for the Colonies; and how this compares with the number before the outbreak of war in 1939.

The total staff employed by the Crown Agents for the Colonies is 1,313. The number in 1939 was 725.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the cost of publishing the monthly Information Bulletin of the Caribbean Commission; and why this publication contains no advertisements.

According to the Commission's estimates for 1953, the cost of this publication, including an appropriate proportion of salaries, is $(U.S.A.) 37,917.The inclusion of advertisements in the Bulletin is a matter for the Commission, but I will arrange for this suggestion to be passed on to them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total expenditure of the Caribbean Commission for the latest convenient year; and the contributions made by each Government towards its cost.

The total expenditure of the Caribbean Commission during the year 1st January—31st December, 1951, was £118,713, towards which reserve funds provided £2,014. Of the remainder the French Government contributed £18,672 (16 per cent.); the Netherlands Government £13,187 (11.3 per cent.); the United Kingdom Government £40,028 (34.3 per cent.); and the United States Government £44,812 (38.4 per cent.)

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the names of the four British representatives on the Caribbean Commission; and how often the Commission has met during 1952.

The four British Commissioners are: Sir George Seel, K.C.M.G. (British Co-chairman); Mr. A. Campbell (Colonial Attaché in Washington); Mr. W. A. Bustamante (Jamaica); and Mr. Grantley H. Adams, C.M.G. (Barbadoes).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of staff and students at the co-operative schools of Mbale and Namungalowe, respectively.

The figures are not available in London and I am consulting the Governor of Uganda and will circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what measures have been taken to increase the staff of the Co-operative Department in Uganda: and how far it is proposed to bring the establishment to the level suggested by the committee of inquiry.

In the Estimates for 1953 the establishment of co-operative officers is increased from 14 to 20, of assistant co-operative officers from 6 to 12 and of co-operative assistants from 40 to 100. The long-term aim is to give effect to the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry by providing one co-operative officer in each district and one co-operative assistant in each county, but limited facilities for training prevent this from being done immediately.The increase of staff will have to be considered in the light of the general financial position.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will give an assurance that, subject to the necessity of maintaining the essential services, all officers and other ranks in the Royal Navy will be allowed leave to enable these Service men and women to celebrate the Coronation of Her Majesty during Coronation week.

It is intended that officers and men should be given every opportunity in the way of leave to participate in observances and festivities on Coronation Day. Those who have to remain on board for duty or who are required for duty in connection with local civic Coronation observances will be compensated by the grant of a day's leave on the following or subsequent days.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has now replied to the Select Committee on Estimates on the subject of the inspectorate of naval ordnance; and what was the nature of his reply.

The recommendation to which the hon. Member refers concerns my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Supply, as well as myself. Our consideration of this recommendation is practically complete and an answer will be given to the Select Committee very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will allow the free postage by air mail of one newspaper or periodical per week to officers and men serving in Korea; and what the cost of this concession would be.

No. The concession suggested would cost some £200,000 a year and this addition to the existing postal concessions for the Services overseas, which are at present costing about £1,600,000 a year. cannot be contemplated. These already include a subsidy for newspapers sent privately to the Forces in Korea by air mail.I would add that the War Office sends out each week by air a wide range of national Sunday newspapers which are supplied free on the basis of one newspaper for every five men and that periodicals and magazines are similarly sent out by sea.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what quantities of chocolate and sugar confec- tionery, fondant and sugar fat, respectively, it is proposed to import from Czechoslovakia under the terms of the agreement recently concluded; at what price these commodities will be available on the British market; and what arrangements were made for traders to apply for import licences;(2) how the price of sugar fat and fondant imported from Czechoslovakia compares with the price of similar commodities available, respectively, from Australia, South Africa and the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation countries.

As regards the quotas and licensing arrangements, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon. North (Mr. C. I. Orr-Ewing) yesterday. Since imports are being made on private account the prices paid are a matter for the traders concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the date of the appointment of the Royal Commission on Capital Punishment; how many public sittings it has held; what was the date of the last sitting at which evidence was given; and when he expects to receive the report.

The Royal Corn-mission was appointed on 6th May, 1949. The Commission has held public sittings on 27 days. The last sitting at which evidence was given was on 6th December, 1951. I understand that the Commission expects to present their Report in the course of the next few months.

asked the Minister of Supply how many teleprinter lines there are in his Department; where they go; how many teleprinter operators are employed; and what is the extent of the traffic passing over the teleprinter service.

There are 89 teleprinter lines in the Ministry of Supply network. They radiate from one of our headquarter buildings in London, either direct or through one of seven provincial switching centres (which also serve as receiving and transmitting stations) to 47 stations throughout the country in regional offices, Ordnance factories and research and development establishments. In addition, there are five stations in other Government Departments.Under three supervisory staff, there are 28 full-time operators and 36 part-time operators in the Ministry's stations, the latter being employed also on normal typing duties.Approximately 21,000 messages passed over the network during a recent check period of four weeks.

asked the Minister of Supply what percentage of the telephone calls passing through the switchboard of his Department are for internal calls and external calls; what is the size of the switchboard and how many telephone operators, exchange lines and exclusive lines are employed

There are eight telephone switchboards serving the 10 headquarters buildings of the Ministry. A recent test taken by the General Post Office showed that, on an average, about 23 per cent. of the total traffic handled by these switchboards was in respect of internal calls. There are 142 operating positions and 110 operators are employed. There are 465 exchange lines and 49 exclusive lines

asked the Minister of Health how the number of deaths and admissions to hospitals during December, 1952, compare with those in the corresponding period of 1951 in Greater London and the country as a whole. respectively; and to what degree the increases can be attributed to fog.

There were 15.114 deaths registered in Greater London in the five weeks ended 3rd January, 1953. compared with 9.125 in the corresponding period a year earlier. Figures for the country as a whole are not yet available. but there were 34.764 deaths registered in the 124 great towns in the five weeks ended 3rd January, 1953, compared with 25,821 in the corresponding period a year earlier. The only relevant figures of hospital admissions available are of those arranged by the Emergency Bed Service in Greater London: these were 6.852 in December, 1952. and 4.300 in December, 1951.While a large part of the increases in Greater London can be attributed to fog, the trend of the figures for deaths does not suggest that the fog caused any substantial increase in the rest of the country.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of applications made to local authorities in Scotland in 1952 for licences to build private houses; the number of licences granted; and the number of licences which have been returned or not proceeded with.

I regret that I am unable to add to the information given in the published quarterly Housing Returns.