asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what test is applied to determine the suitability of a naval airman for a particular section of the Royal Naval Air Arm; and why the services of a particular naval airman, who is a skilled joiner and of whose case he has notice, are not being used in the work of his trade.

Selection for a particular category in the naval airman branch depends upon the personal choice of the recruit, his suitability for any particular category—as decided by interview and by a series of selection tests—and prevailing Service requirements. In the case which the hon. and learned Member has brought to notice, the rating wanted, as his first choice, to be an aircraft handler, and he was duly entered in this category. None of the categories of naval airmen requires a knowledge of joinery.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what arrangements have been made during Coronation year for the opening on Sundays in summer of the Painted Hall at Greenwich.

The Painted Hall at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, will be open to the public this year from 2.30 to 5 p.m. on Sundays from Whit-Sunday, 24th May, to 20th September, inclusive.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will consider issuing stamps portraying other eminent human beings in British history in addition to those now portrayed and thus still further circulate evidence of the British democratic way of life under our constitutional monarchy.

No.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General to what extent additional quantities of Scottish home-grown timber can be used by his Department: and whether he will encourage a policy of stockpiling provided prices and specifications are suitable.

The Post Office is always ready to take home-grown timber for telegraph poles, provided prices and specifications are reasonable, and, as I have already stated, we have taken all such timber offered in recent years. Negotiations are in progress with the Forestry Commission and timber merchants about the purchase, for use as poles, of trees blown down in the recent unfortunate gales in Scotland.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many applications for telephones in Tamworth, Staffordshire, were outstanding on 1st February, 1951, 1952 and 1953; and how many telephones were installed during the 12 months prior to these three dates.

The figures of outstanding applications were 143, 159 and 197, the number of telephones provided in the preceding 12 months being 72, 81 and 48. Applications have to be held up at present because of shortage of plant, but I hope that additional plant will be ready about the end of the year.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General why he is making facilities available for foreigners to view Coronation television in preference to British subjects.

There is no question of making facilities available for foreigners in preference to British subjects. As I said in my answer to the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) on 28th January, the equipment used would be quite unsuitable for a television station in this country. In any case, the relay from the Channel will be the responsibility of the countries taking the Coronation programme.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the estimated effect on the estimated commercial account profit of the recent wage awards and increases for Post Office workers.

The net additional charge in the Commercial Income and Expenditure Account for 1953–54 as a result of pay increases granted since 1st April last is estimated to be £3.8 million, of which the recently granted increases for rank and file manipulative grades account for £3.4 million.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many Royal Air Force personnel were engaged in flood relief work; and what action is being taken to show in a practical way the nation's appreciation for the work they performed under most trying conditions.

In all, some 9,000 members of the Royal Air Force were employed on flood relief work in this country and in Holland. They helped in rescuing survivors and in repairing the sea defences. Aircraft were used to photograph the areas of damage and to bring from abroad nearly three million sandbags. Besides the tribute paid by the House, my noble Friend has sent a message of thanks and congratulations to all who took part in this work. In addition, individuals who have shown gallantry or given outstanding service will be considered for recommendation for the appropriate awards.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why civilian employees of United States Forces in the United Kingdom are not allowed, under existing Government regulations, to use United States canteens in spite of the fact that no other refreshment facilities are available to them near the centres at which they work, and that no objections are raised by the United States authorities.

I am not aware of any such prohibition, but I should, of course, be glad to look into any particular case which my hon. Friend may have in mind.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air (1) if he has considered petitions submitted to him by civilian employees of Royal Air Force maintenance units concerning the dilutee problem; how many signatures there were on these petitions; what proportion of the total number of aircraft engineering workers employed by the Department were represented; and what action he proposes to take;(2) in view of signatures on petitions which he has received from civilian employees of Royal Air Force maintenance units, to what extent the fully skilled engineering craftsmen employed by his Department are in favour of deregistration of dilutee craftsmen who have had five years' skilled experience.

The 11 petitions which I have received bear some 1,500 signatures, representing about 32 per cent. of the total number of aircraft engineering workers employed at maintenance and other units of the Royal Air Force. I cannot say how many of our fully skilled engineering craftsmen are in favour of de-registration of dilutees, but 16 per cent. of them have signed the petitions. Negotiations on the dilutee problem have, of course, been going on for some time, and we are doing all we can to find a solution.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many officers and airmen have been transported by air during the past year, other than those on operational flights.

During 1952, 3,515 officers and 8,251 airmen were carried by air as passengers between the United Kingdom and overseas theatres.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation when the Convention on Damage caused by Foreign Aircraft to Third Parties on the Surface is to be signed.

My right hon. Friend hopes to make a statement in the near future.

asked the Minister of Food the average civilian food consumption in terms of calories; and what was the average amount of animal protein consumed per head per day during 1951.

Three thousand calories and 42.7 grams of animal protein.

asked the Minister of Food the values of the present meat ration expressed in terms of the prices effective in March, 1950.

1s. 3d.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give the prices of Danish eggs to be imported into the United

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence (1) what steps are being taken to ensure that all members of Her Majesty's Forces are made aware of the basic principles and provisions of the North Atlantic Treaty and of the reasons why the Treaty is necessary, together with the period of compulsory military service and rearmament which it involves; and to give them the necessary knowledge and appreciation of their comrades of other nations who are their partners in the North Atlantic Alliance;(2) what literature is provided, and by whom, which has as its object the provision to Her Majesty's Forces of factual information about the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, its State Members and the challenge of Russian policy and action to the principles which it exists to defend.

It would be contrary to practice to disclose the prices paid to individual overseas suppliers.

asked the Minister of Food if he will publish in HANSARD a table showing to what extent rations of meat, bacon, butter and sugar are not taken up in the county borough of West Ham, for the most convenient recent period; and how this compares with one year ago.

Figures are not available for any commodity except meat which are as follows:

New entrants to all three Services receive educational training which lays stress on the need and explains the reasons for both national and collective defence measures. Later on, the Service man attends regular lectures and discussions on current affairs, and in these the constitution and functions of N.A.T.O. are given prominence. Literature emanating from various sources, including the Services educational authorities, the Central Office of Information and the Foreign Office, is distributed either to individuals or to libraries and information rooms in connection with the current affairs discussions.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence if he will give an assurance that no deserter who surrenders under the amnesty will be entitled to any war medals, gratuities or prize money.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the proposed changes in local government in the Western Region of Nigeria have now been sanctioned.

After the deletion of certain provisions which were considered to be ultra vires the Western Regional legislature, the Western Region Local Government Bill became law on 26th February. A Bill now before the Central House of Representatives delegates to Regional legislatures such legislative powers as will enable the deleted provisions, with one exception, to be restored.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many tons of peanuts, lying at Kano, have been damaged by insect pests and are unfit for export; what would have been the prices per ton of these nuts; who will pay the native growers in Nigeria for these; and how far in the final event this loss will devolve upon the United Kingdom taxpayer.

The answers to these four questions are: (a) About 570 tons; (b) This would have depended on the contract price at the time of shipment; (c) The growers have already been paid by the Nigeria Groundnut Marketing Board; (d) The whole loss is borne by the Board.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the arbitration court dealing with the naval base dispute at Singapore, which was the first of its kind to be held in the Colony, was conducted in camera; why it was not held in public in order to create greater confidence in the use of this industrial machinery and give trade unionists an opportunity to learn how arbitration proceedings are conducted; and if he will see that in future courts of this kind are open to the public.

Yes. The proceedings were held in camera with the agreement of both parties. That course would, I understand, have been permissible in proceedings under the relevant local ordinance and when, as was the case here, the arbitration was voluntary, discretion to admit or exclude the public must clearly rest with the parties and the arbitrator. I am not prepared to intervene.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what restrictions are placed in British Somaliland upon the right of persons to meet together for political or other purposes.

Meetings are not restricted unless they are likely to cause a disturbance of public order or tranquillity or to promote disaffection amongst the inhabitants of the Protectorate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how far he was consulted by the Acting Governor of British Guiana, before he decided to refuse permission to enter the country to four British subjects, three from Trinidad and one from Jamaica; and what advice he tendered to the Colonial Government or Governor concerned.

I was not consulted. The matter is within the discretion of the local Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information about the deadlock which has been reached in Antigua, concerning this year's sugar negotiations; and whether the Government concerned is now prepared to adopt the recommendations of the Malone Report respecting the purchasing of the sugar lands by the Government.

There is no deadlock. Negotiations on the wages of the sugar workers were concluded amicably and reaping started on 30th January. A brief strike occurred in the sugar factory on 2nd February, but was quickly settled and work resumed on 6th February. The acquisition of certain lands belonging to the Antigua Syndicate Estates, Ltd., and leased to peasants, forms part of the Government's land settlement programme about which I wrote to the hon. Member. The financing of this programme is now under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress is being made in increasing sugar production in the Colonies.

At the end of the war Colonial production of sugar was about one million tons a year. It is estimated that the current crop will be about 1.600,000 tons.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that a Kikuyu tribesman suffering from tuberculosis of the spine was recently beaten by the police and subsequently died, and that an inquest followed; what was the cause of death recorded at this inquest; whether tuberculosis of the spine was found at the post mortem examination; and whether this was known to the police before chastisement was administered.

I am told by the Governor of Kenya that he has had a report on a case which appears to be that referred to by the hon. Member and is investigating it. I will circulate a further reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what response has been made to the request by African editors that a Government censor be appointed in Kenya.

As I have not the information here, I am consulting the Governor and will write to the hon. Member when I have his reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government of Fiji will institute elections by secret ballot for Fijian representation on village, district and provincial councils and the chief's council, instead of the present procedure by a show of hands.

Elections to the council of chiefs and to the provincial councils are already carried out by secret ballot. Instructions for elections by secret ballot to district councils were issued in 1951 and some such elections have already taken place. There is no legislative provision for village councils or elections to them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what measures are being taken by the Fijian Government to reduce infant mortality among the Fijians; and how far provision exists for the supply of tinned milk during the process of weaning.

There is a comprehensive infant welfare service available to Fijian mothers throughout the Colony and the advisory services of a fully qualified nutritionist are also provided. Milk substitutes are distributed to supplement indigenous foodstuffs suitable for use during weaning.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what form of celebration is envisaged to mark the 250th anniversary of Gibraltar under the British flag next year.

I will consult the Governor and will inform my hon. Friend when I have received his reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the unemployment in Hong Kong and the shortage of labour for the building of houses in Brunei, if he will ask the respective Governments to devise some scheme whereby the surplus labour in Hong Kong could be used in Brunei.

The Government housing situation in Brunei is not such as to warrant the elaborate arrangements, including security checks, which the importation of Chinese labour would require.

asked the Minister of Labour what percentage of men between the ages of 50 and 65 are unemployed; and what steps he is taking to see that the elderly secure employment.

asked the Minister of Materials if, in view of the vital importance to our Colonial Territories of stable prices for raw materials, he will consult with the United States Government on price policy after United States stock-piling has been completed; and, since 78 per cent. of the total United States requirements have now been secured, if he will take action at once.

The latest information available is for 8th December last, when 2.5 per cent. of men between the ages of 50 and 65 were registered as wholly unemployed. On the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Bristol, Central (Mr. Awbery) on 10th February.

asked the Minister of Labour the unemployment figures for Hastings now, and at similar dates in 1949, 1950, 1951 and 1952, in men, women and in trades.

The following table gives the information desired:

The importance of securing reasonably stable prices for sterling area raw materials is recognised, and it remains our policy to explore fully the practicable possibilities of inter-governmental action through the established international channels for particular commodities which are subject to a marked instability of prices. We are keeping in close contact with the United States Administration on these matters.

asked the Secretary of State for War the numbers of soldiers of the United Kingdom killed, wounded and missing in Korea during the year 1952; how many were National Service men; and the number under 20 years of age.

During the year 87 Regular officers and other ranks were killed or died of wounds, 263 were wounded, 76 were reported to be prisoners of war and 31 were reported missing: 110 National Service officers and other ranks were killed or died of wounds, 413 were wounded, 29 were reported to be prisoners of war and 52 were reported missing. Some of those reported prisoners of war or missing would, however, later be reclassified in the light of further information. Separate casualty figures for those under 20 are not readily available. While many of these men would be under this age, the hon. Member will be aware that no man serves in Korea before he is 19 years old.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the high divorce rate among Regular soldiers in the Middle East who have been separated from their wives and families, due to lack of married quarters and other factors; and what steps he is taking to remedy the situation.

Although comprehensive statistics of divorce rates are not readily available, the figures that we have indicate that the proportion of divorces among those serving in the Middle East is no higher than elsewhere. My right hon. Friend is indeed aware of the serious domestic problems which arise from prolonged separation. He has just provided for married unaccompanied rates of Local Overseas Allowance and he is examining other possible ways of improving the position.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many soldiers have been transported by air to overseas stations within the past 12 months.

27,928 all ranks were moved by air from this country to overseas stations in the year ending 28th February, 1953.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many schemes have been approved for grant in Caernarvonshire and Wales, respectively, under the Hill Farming Act, 1946; how many have been refused grant; and how many are under consideration.

The figures at 28th February, 1953, are:

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) if he will make a statement on the results to Britain of the meeting, held last week in London, of the delegates of the signatory countries of the Overfishing Convention, 1946;(2) what agreement or decision the countries who signed the Overfishing Convention, 1946, have reached on the minimum sizes of mesh of nets which may be used in the waters covered by that Convention, and on the minimum sizes of different species of fish which may be landed and sold.

I am glad to be able to inform the House of the successful outcome of last week's meeting of signatory countries of the Overfishing Convention of 1946. Representatives attended the meeting from Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, Irish Republic, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Poland, also a signatory, was invited but did not attend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the resumed inquiry, recommended by the Privy Council, for the re-division of the ward boundaries of the city of Peterborough, has not been held; and what are the reasons for the delay.

The resumed inquiry has been deferred pending consideration of a petition by the Peterborough City Council for leave to withdraw their petition for an alteration of wards with the view of substituting another in different terms.

asked the Attorney-General, having regard to the fact that desertion from the Armed Forces of the Crown is an offence under the Army and Air Force Annual Act, under what authority it is proposed to stay proceedings in respect of which there is prima facie evidence having regard to the explicit terms of the Bill of Rights that such a course is illegal without the consent of Parliament.

The Army and Air Councils have absolute discretion under the Annual Act in respect of the institution and conduct of proceedings for military offences. The exercise of that discretion could not in my opinion, in any circumstances involve a contravention of the Bill of Rights.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent the payment of teachers' pensions in Scotland monthly, instead of quarterly, would result in a net increase in payments to pensions; how the increased charge of £360,000 in the financial year of the change would be incurred; and why this increased charge would not be offset by a reduction in the charge at a subsequent date.

The total amount of the pension payable to any pensioner during his lifetime together with any balance payable to his representatives after his death would not be affected by the change. An increased charge of £360,000 would be incurred in the year in which a change to monthly payment was made because in that year pensioners would cash their quarterly drafts for the quarter immediately preceding the change and 11 monthly drafts for the current year, making 14 monthly payments in all. In subsequent years pensioners would cash 12 monthly drafts and there would therefore, so long as the pensions scheme continued, be no saving to offset the additional payments in the year of change.