asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what discussions were held with the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia on air force matters during the latter's recent visit to this country.

During the recent visit of Sir Godfrey Huggins, the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia, to this country my noble Friends the Secretaries of State for Commonwealth Relations and for Air have discussed with him questions of defence policy in which Southern Rhodesia is particularly concerned. The guiding principle in these discussions has been that the Governments of the United Kingdom and Southern Rhodesia wish to co-operate in using their resources in the way which is most effective for Commonwealth defence and the interests of the Empire. In particular, plans were discussed for the re-equipment of the Southern Rhodesian Air Force with modern aircraft, including jet fighters, which will enable Southern Rhodesia to make a contribution of great strategic value and to provide a trained contingent for operations with the Royal Air Force in the event of war.As a result of recent changes in the United Kingdom defence programme, and a measure of reorganisation which necessarily follows, there will be sufficient training facilities for all Royal Air Force pilots and navigators required in the future without the Royal Air Force continuing to use the schools in Southern Rhodesia. The two Governments have examined this changed situation together. The Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia and my noble Friends regret that the new circumstances do not warrant the continuation of the Rhodesian Air Training Group on the long-term basis originally expected, and they have agreed that the training schools should not continue beyond March, 1954, when the existing agreement is due to expire.The United Kingdom Government wish to place on record that the scheme has in the past six years made a valuable contribution to the Royal Air Force training programme, and that excellent results have been obtained with the generous co-operation of the Southern Rhodesian authorities. There will, of course, continue to be close partnership between the Air Forces of the two countries, and in particular it is hoped that some of the short service Southern Rhodesian Air Force officers, who have learnt to fly modern aircraft, will afterwards join the Royal Air Force.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, seeing the great amount of cattle food that was destroyed by the flood, he will do his utmost to bring other cattle food to the affected areas of Kent as quickly as possible, particularly sugar beet pulp which is now held by the Sugar Beet Corporation.

In co-operation with my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Food, I have taken steps to ensure that sufficient rationed feedingstuffs are released to meet the essential requirements of farmers whose supplies have been lost as a result of the floods. I understand that the situation in Kent is satisfactory in this respect. Only very small quantities of sugar beet pulp are now held by the British Sugar Corporation. They would not make any significant contribution to the problem.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the principle of separate racial taxation for social services has been introduced in East African territories; what inquirles were carried out before the principle was accepted; and what recommendations were made to the Governments concerned by the bodies appointed to make the inquiries.

There is separate taxation on non-African communities in some of the East African territories to cover part of the cost of social services for them, where the communities concerned wish to provide such services at a higher standard than can properly he financed from general revenue. In Tanganyika the non-native education tax was imposed as a result of the report of a Select Committee of the Legislative Council in 1948. Elsewhere such taxation was passed by legislation after debate in the Legislative Council.

asked the Minister of Education what grants were made by her Department to bodies in adult education in each of the years 1945 to 1952 inclusive: what grants will be made in the coming year; and what are the reasons for the reduction.

The following table shows the grants made by my Department to responsible bodies (university and other) for liberal adult education classes for each of the financial years 1945–52:

				£
1945–46	…	…	…	140,154
1946–47	…	…	…	176,069
1947–48	…	…	…	226,267
1948–49	…	…	…	268,059
1949–50	…	…	…	300,792
1950–51	…	…	…	326,658
1951–52	…	…	…	338,182
1952–53	…	…	…	340,200

I have told these bodies that I propose to reduce the rate of my grants, from the beginning of the educational year 1953–54, by 10 per cent., as compared with those payable in the current educational year.As can be seen from the above table, my Department's grants for this work have increased very rapidly in the period since the war. In my view it is reasonable to the present situation to propose a small reduction.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made by the Committee on State Immunities in preparing a final report.

The Inter-Departmental Committee on State Immunities duly considered the questions relating to the immunities enjoyed by organs of foreign States which were comprised within its terms of reference but it found such great divergencies in State practice as to make it difficult to establish the exact position under international law. In view of the differing opinions among the members of the Committee as to what principles it would be best to follow the Committee was unable to reach any final conclusions or make any final recommendations. Since it is clear that further study would not achieve any different result, it has been decided not to call upon the Committee for any further or final report and the Committee must now therefore be regarded as functus officio.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give a list of all positions and appointments held in the Government services by Mr. Seymour, Colonel Cordeaux and Colonel Rabagliatti of the Intelligence Service and the date of such appointments.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will publish the report of the conversations that took place between Colonel Cordeaux and Colonel Rabagliatti of the Intelligence Service and representatives of the Netherlands Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry during 3rd October to 10th October. 1949.

No.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when he expects to receive his awaited reply from the Gas Council on the subject of a comprehensive medical service for the gas industry.

I have already written to the hon. Member informing him of the Gas Council's reply to my inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests have been made for looting in flooded areas; and whether he is satisfied that the powers of the courts are adequate to deal with this offence.

The answer to the first part of the Question is 15, and to the second. Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to ensure that where financial aid is to be given to flood victims, at least some proportion of this is made available as quickly as possible.

With this object in view, advances have already been made from the Lord Mayor of London's National Flood and Tempest Distress Fund to the Lords Lieutenant of the counties chiefly concerned.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how long it is estimated it would take to construct on a permanent basis each of the three further low-power television stations from the time Government permission is given.

It is estimated that it would take approximately two years from the time when resources are made fully available.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General, in respect of the special scheme for the provision of telephone service for farmers announced in July, 1952, if he will state the number of farmers who have been approached to provide their own lines; the numbers of those approached who have agreed and refused, respectively; and the number of lines that are working, in each case for the period ended 31st December, 1952.

Of the 673 farmers who have so far been approached 72 have agreed and 502 have refused. Eight lines are at present working.

asked the Minister of Transport which are the three blackest spots in the county of Angus, from the point of view of road accidents; and what steps he is taking to deal with them.

I understand that the three most serious accident spots in Angus are on the Perth-Forfar-Stonehaven Road A.94, (a) at Castleton, (b) at Keithock corner north of Brechin, and (c) at Eassie level crossing. As regards remedial action the initiative rests with the County Council, as responsible highway authority. They have completed an improvement at Castleton, consisting of a road diversion and a new bridge, at a cost of £18,500, with assistance from the Road Fund. My right hon. Friend has not received any request for assistance in connection with the other two spots.