asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proportion of entrants into the Colonial Service are persons born in the United Kingdom; and what proportion are nationals of other Commonwealth countries.

The great majority of posts in the public services of the Colonial Territories are filled by local recruitment. Of those recruited for the Colonial Service through the Colonial Office since the war, about 95 per cent. have been persons born in the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic, and about 3 per cent. persons born in other Commonwealth countries. Some Colonial Governments also recruit people direct from other Commonwealth countries.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that from the Commonwealth point of view that is a very disappointing position, and does he not agree that a way of cementing our relationship with the other Commonwealth countries is to increase the number of nationals of those countries entering the Colonial Service?

I quite agree with that general sentiment. The Colonial Governments, as I say, do endeavour to recruit directly from the Commonwealth countries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will advise that a Coronation amnesty be granted to deserters and other ex-Service men in the colonial forces found guilty of offences under military regulations during the war.

Following the Prime Minister's statement on 23 rd February about the Coronation amnesty for deserters, the Governors of Colonial Territories where forces are raised under local ordinances were asked to consider whether any similar announcement should be made locally in respect of those forces. I have not yet been informed whether any action was taken on this and am, therefore, making inquiries. I see no reason, however, for the grant of an amnesty to other than deserters from colonial forces. Such a proposal would go beyond what has been considered appropriate in this country.

While expressing appreciation of that answer, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has been approached by the Ex-Service Men's Association of Nigeria on this matter, and if he can give us any date when he is likely to have these replies, as the Coronation is approaching?

I expect to have a reply shortly. Speaking from memory, I do not think that I have received any representations from the body which the hon. Gentleman mentioned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to make a further statement regarding the official pamphlet entitled, "Healing Thoughts," published by the British Commissioner for South-East Asia.

I have now seen the pamphlet, and copies have been put in the Library. I do not propose to take any action in this matter.

Now that he has read it, will my right hon. Friend say whether he found this publication as soothing as the title would seem to indicate?

Parts I found soothing, parts I found not so soothing, and none of it I found very exciting.

Would the right hon. Gentleman not agree that the High Commissioner has done a very great service in seeking to bring the races together in the Far East?

That is a general question with which I would agree, but the question with which I am trying to deal is the contents of a pamphlet called "Healing Thoughts."

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent progress has been made in respect of the appeal made by the Trusteeship Committee of the United Nations for the abolition of corporal punishment as a penal sentence in the Colonies.

I assume that the reference is to the General Assembly Resolution of 18th January, 1952, relating to Trust Territories. I would refer to my reply to the question by the hon. Member for Newport (Mr. Peter Freeman) on 31st January, 1952. The only development since that date has been the appointment of a committee by the Tanganyika Government to ascertain public opinion on this form of punishment.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a statement similar to that has already been made regarding the opinion of the Tanganyika Government? Has the opinion of the Tanganyika Government yet to be secured? Can progress be expedited in this matter in other colonial areas?

I have not received the report. The policy of Her Majesty's Government in this matter remains the same.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is being done by the Colonial Office and by the Government of Northern Rhodesia to explain the proposed scheme of federation to the peoples of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland who will be affected by it.

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the hon. and learned Member on 4th March.

Would the right hon. Gentleman not agree that it is a condition precedent to the success of this scheme that the Africans should be persuaded that it is wise and expedient, and will he take some steps to explain it to them, instead of forcing it upon them?

I quite agree with the hon. and learned Gentleman about the necessity of doing everything we can to explain the scheme to the Africans. That is what we are doing in many ways. I would draw the hon. and learned Gentleman's attention particularly to broadcasts and newspaper articles in papers in the vernacular in addition to those other measures which I told the hon. and learned Member about before.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what answer he gave to the message which was received by him from the Nyasaland Chiefs' Conference at Lilongwe on 14th and 15th March, 1953, regarding Central African Federation.

None, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that the chiefs of Nyasaland have declared that they will pursue a policy of non-violence and non-co-operation, and that they will also pursue a policy of non-collaboration in district councils and provincial councils alike if Central African Federation is carried out? Does he think that that is a basis on which he can implement federation in the future.

I suggest that the hon. Member has got into his supplementary very much wider issues than could possibly be suggested by the Question on the Paper.

But would the right hon. Gentleman say why he did not return an answer to this message?

The communication does not appear to call for one.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what instructions he has given to district officers of Nyasaland in the matter of presenting the proposed scheme of Central African Federation to the African peoples.

Instructions to district officers are a matter for the Nyasaland Government who, as I informed the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) on 4th March, and reminded him today, are causing the district administrations to make every effort to explain and commend the proposals.

Is the Minister not aware that many of these district officers should not have been asked to handle political matters of this kind, and can he please tell us if the district officers were asked at any time to give their own comments on this action that they were asked to undertake by the Nyasaland Government?

I think it is the duty of district officers to attempt to explain Government policy. It is part of their functions, and this principle has in no way been abrogated by the instructions sent to district officers.

Will my right hon. Friend not agree that if such instructions had been given two years ago the great mass of these difficulties would never have arisen?

My hon. Friend must not ask me to answer for proposals for which I was not responsible.

In order to improve relations with Nyasaland, will the right hon. Gentleman ask the district officers to circulate a copy of the Bishop of Nyasaland's letter which appears in "The Times" this morning?

I shall certainly not make any representations to the district officers on that point unless numerous other letters in contrary terms on the subject are also circulated at the same time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the functions with reference to the administration of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland which will remain vested in the Parliament of the United Kingdom when the present proposals for closer co-operation in Central Africa are fully implemented.

In all matters outside the competence of the federal government the functions of the United Kingdom Parliament remain entirely unchanged. Legally the functions of Parliament will remain unchanged even in matters within the competence of the federal government. I must, however, say that on matters within the competence of the federal government, United Kingdom Ministers will not be able to accept responsibility in Questions and in debate, save where that is laid upon Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom by the federal constitution.

We can discuss this later, but did I gather aright from the Secretary of State that even when the scheme is implemented and federation comes into existence, no question can be asked in this House about the federal government, the federal parliament or their actions?

I think the right hon. Gentleman slightly misunderstands me. I think the principle on which we act is that United Kingdom Ministers, although Parliament remains legally responsible, cannot be asked to answer questions about administrative matters and other things for which they do not hold direct responsibility.

But since it is understood and agreed that the protectorate status of the two northern territories will be preserved although they are part of Central African Federation, surely that brings it within competence of Ministers to answer Questions in this House.

Yes, that is covered by the first part of my answer in regard to matters outside the competence of the federal government, that is to say, that on all matters concerning the territorial Governments, in the functioning of which an obligation on the United Kingdom Parliament is implied, Ministers will answer Questions, and the position remains entirely unchanged. It is only on other matters that there is a difference.

This seems to be of importance. Do I understand that Questions about the territorial Governments will still be answerable here, but am I right in gathering that my first impression was right and that Questions in regard to the federal government and the federal Parliament will not be the responsibility of Ministers here, and that, therefore, we will have no opportunity of asking Questions in this House?

The right hon. Gentleman goes far too fast because there are matters concerning the federal government, in fact the most important ones, about which this House will still be able to put Questions to the Ministers responsible, but there are matters of day-to-day administration which I think the Table will rule are not the responsibility of Ministers here to answer.

But will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind what the White Paper specifically said that Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland will continue to be Protectorates under the Crown, while at the same time it goes on to allocate the specific subjects for the federal government, such as foreign affairs, defence, taxation, administration of law and order and so on, leaving no function whatever in the hands of the Imperial Parliament? Will the right hon. Gentleman consider following the normal Government practice of introducing an Amendment in the House of Lords to make this thing clear?

This is getting really wide of ordinary matters dealt with by Questions. The hon. Member is entirely wrong in supposing that the functions left to the territorial Governments are very small. They are extremely large, and in regard to these the present practice will continue.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that if a matter is referred by the African Affairs Board to the Governor and finally to the Colonial Secretary, Questions could be asked on the matter in the House of Commons?

I should imagine so, but the right hon. Gentleman will hardly expect me to anticipate the decisions of Mr. Speaker on such a matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received the report of the Commission set up in connection with the establishment of a Central African College for the higher education of Africans; and whether he will make a statement.

The Report, which is addressed to the Central African Council, has been received and will be published early in June. I cannot yet make a statement on the Report, but I hope to touch on the subject of higher education in Central Africa in the debate we are to have later this afternoon.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to tell us when the Report was received?

Speaking from memory, I believe it was about two or three weeks ago, but I will send the hon. Member the date.

If the Report has been in the right hon. Gentleman's hands for three weeks, surely it would have been possible, in view of the importance of this subject, for the Government to have made an announcement long before this?

It seems to me a great pity that the hon. Gentleman is not in closer touch with the handling of public affairs. I can only say that I will make a statement, which I think will give him satisfaction, on many of these points this afternoon.

Will my right hon. Friend hasten the building of the college so that the hon. Member for Dudley (Mr. Wigg) can quickly become a student of it?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what appeal is open to a person who has been refused permission by a district commissioner to collect money under Section 3 of the Penal Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 1953, of Nyasaland.

There is no legislative right of appeal against the decision of the district commissioner, but, of course, any person has the right to make representations to the Governor and to myself. There is of course a right of appeal against conviction for holding of collections without permission.

As it appears from the Ordinance in question that, while the police can give general permission to charitable or religious bodies, it is only the district commissioners who can give permission to political or trade union bodies to make such collections, will he see that as far as possible there are no discrepancies in the decisions made by the different district commissioners?

The hon. Lady is asking me to guarantee the human race against all errors and in all circumstances, and that is a thing I cannot do. The object of these regulations is to try to prevent unauthorised people getting up subscriptions for odd bodies, which may have no legal existence; and very often these funds are routed to undesirable pockets

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is yet in a position to make a statement on the results of the recent conference in London on West Indies federation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now make a statement on the conference now meeting in London to consider West Indian federation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the recent conference on West Indies federation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a further statement with regard to the conference on West Indian federation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the recent British Caribbean conference.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the question of the proposals for federation in the West Indies.

I am happy to say that the conference reached agreement on a plan for federation, which will now be submitted to the West Indian Legislatures concerned. A summary of the report of the conference, which was issued to the Press when it ended on 30th April, has been placed in the Library of the House. The full report will be published shortly as a White Paper which will be issued simultaneously here and in the Caribbean Colonies.

I thank the Secretary of State for sending me a detailed report of the conference, and would ask him what steps he proposes to take immediately to implement the result of that conference.

It is not in my competence or power to implement the results of that conference. It lies now in the hands of the separate Legislatures of the 10 countries involved.

I offer congratulations and good wishes to all those who took part in the conference, including the Secretary of State. Does it not show the advantage of patience and negotiations that, after 10 years of a movement begun by the late Mr. Oliver Stanley, we are able to get federation by agreement and consent?

I thank the right hon. Gentleman, and I hope he is not using this particular occasion, which, I think, is a happy one, to introduce by a side door an argument about Central African federation.

Does my right hon. Friend think that the proposed plan leaves ample opportunity for British Guiana and British Honduras to join the federation if they so desire?

Yes, that is so. The door, if it is not open, is at least ajar.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action he proposes to take in connection with the incident at Kingston, Jamaica, when a Canadian and a United States official of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, were, upon landing, requested to sign undertakings that they would not address or speak to any groups of trade unionists in the island; and whether he is aware that the National Workers Union of Jamaica is affiliated to the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, and that the two officials concerned were on routine business of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions.

This matter is within the competence of the Government of Jamaica and I do not propose to take any action. As far as I am aware, these gentlemen were not travelling officially on the business of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that both of these gentlemen are officials of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, and how does he expect trade union organisation to grow up in Jamaica in a free and open manner if he refuses the Jamaicans the assistance of international trade union officials from other countries, one of them a British subject?

It is not I who refuse them, it is the Government of Jamaica which has done so. There was a strike in one of the bauxite undertakings, and one of these gentlemen by name Mr. Zonarich came to Jamaica earlier in the year with the expressed object of creating havoc in the newly-developed bauxite industry. These are the reasons put forward by the Jamaican Government why he was asked on this occasion to refrain from addressing the workers during the progress of this particular strike.

rose—

The hon. Member must allow me to answer. He must not take it that this particular form of undertaking asked for is either of general application or is to be applied to everybody who comes in.

Will my right hon. Friend be assured that the majority of the House will support the action of the Jamaican Government, with whom this sort of decision seems properly to rest?

On a point of order. Is not the rebuke that the Secretary of State for the Colonies addressed to my hon. Friend for rising before the question was answered, partly due to the fact that so far very few supplementary questions have been called from this side of the House?

With reference to the supplementary question addressed to the right hon. Gentleman, will he make it abundantly clear that, generally speaking, he would not condone the refusal of any of the Colonial Governments, so far as he has any responsibility, in refusing to permit the workers anywhere to be addressed by officials of a trade union?

I am very glad that the right hon. Member addressed that supplementary question to me because I can give the assurance for which he asked. It also enables me to say what I want to make very clear in this connection, and that is that there is no criticism, either implied or specific, about the actions of the I.C.F.T.U.

Surely the right hon. Gentleman recognises that unless he takes some action to acquaint the Jamaican Government with the fact that its action does not meet with his approval, this may lead to further incidents so far as the trade union movement is concerned in Jamaica, which may inevitably drive it underground and into the hands of undesirable people?

The hon. Member is quite off base on this matter. Neither of these two gentlemen who were asked to sign these undertakings was there on the official trade union business. One of them was responsible for making highly-inflamatory speeches on a previous occasion, and it was for that reason he was asked to give these undertakings which, as I have said, have no general application and are not applied to all persons.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that there are still hundreds of acres of land lying uncultivated on the island of Antigua, West Indies; that large tracts of this land are arable, and suitable for growing sugar cane; and what steps he is taking to see that this land is brought back into cultivation with a view to increasing the production of sugar in the sterling area, and improving the earning capacity of the natives of this island.

I cannot answer this Question in detail at this time but if the hon. Member will put it down again shortly I shall be able to give him the figures and information for which he asks.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the recent elections in British Guiana; and what Government will take office under the new Constitution.

Of the 24 members elected to the House of Assembly, 18 belong to the Peoples' Progressive Party, two to the National Democratic Party and four are Independents. The elections were carried out in a smooth and orderly manner.

Can my right hon. Friend say when the new Government will take office?

My hon. Friend is pressing me a little further than he should. I cannot really say.