asked the Minister of Food, in view of public concern, what progress has been made in prohibiting the use of agene in the treatment of flour for human consumption to conform with action taken in Canada, the United States of America, France, Belgium, Spain, Turkey, Greece and Switzerland, to protect the health of their people.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Spelthorne (Mr. Beresford Craddock) on 23rd February. It would be premature to take any action until the investigations referred to are completed.

Is it not disgraceful that these investigations should have taken such a long time? Is the Minister not aware that there is great concern that tampering with the bread of the people is believed to be so bad that it is a menace to public health? Surely something more should be done. Does the Minister say that these other countries are wrong in banning it years ago?

They did not ban it years ago. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that investigations into matters of this character are of tremendous importance, and it is idle to pretend that they can be done quickly. With regard to the other countries, it is true that it is prohibited in 10 countries but it is allowed in nine others, and two permit another substance on which we are taking action.

Could the Minister tell us how long the investigations have now been under way? Is it 2½ or 3½ years?

I do not think that the time has been as long as that, but I would remind the hon. Member of something else which occurred. We are examining as well as agene the gaseous substance which is used in America, because we are not yet satisfied about either of them.

Will the Minister state how long he expects it to be before he can make a statement?

I cannot promise the hon. Member a date, but I promise that I shall do so as soon as I can.

asked the Minister of Food (1) if he is aware that on Saturday, 20th June, meat was sold off the ration in Newcastle; and what was the reason for this;

(2) if he is aware that on Saturday, 20th June, in Newcastle public notices were exhibited informing the public that meat was on sale to all; and what action has been taken against those concerned for contravening the rationing orders;

(3) what information has been given to his Department about meat being sold off the ration in Newcastle on Saturday, 20th June; and whether he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Food whether his Department authorised the sale of meat off the ration which took place in Newcastle-upon-Tyne on 20th June; and what action he is taking.

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply given to the hon. Member for Durham, Northwest (Mr. Murray) on 29th June.

I heard that reply and it does not answer the Questions on the Order Paper. I asked what action is to be taken. Is the Minister further aware that yesterday the butchers in London and other places were selling meat off the ration, and as this is a contravention of the rationing order and we are now getting rationing by price instead of through the ration books, will the Minister do something about it?

I think the hon. Member will find that the answer to which I referred him covers the subject.

asked the Minister of Food what steps he is taking to dispose of surplus stocks arising from unsold meat rations.

As I announced on 26th June, I am, from 5th July, making arrangements which will enable retail butchers to sell surplus meat off the ration.

Is the Minister aware that meat rationing has now virtually collapsed in this country and that he cannot hope to sell this uneatable ewe either by increasing the ration or selling it off the ration or by increasing the butchers' profit margin? What is he going to do about it? The whole situation is so impossible that the public would much prefer that the Minister should take this uneatable ewe off the ration and sell it for what it can fetch.

The statements made about this matter are greatly exaggerated. The proportion of what the hon. and gallant Member calls uneatable ewe is very small indeed and will be smaller in the future. Why the hon. and gallant Member should complain when people are getting all the meat they want, I do not know.

Will the Minister consider a reduction in price to enable the poorer people to buy meat?

The hon. Member will appreciate that in this position of rationing meat of various prices has to be distributed as fairly as possible throughout the whole country.

asked the Minister of Food the amount of bacon and meat not taken up on the ration for the latest available four weeks' period.

Six thousand six hundred tons and 830 tons, respectively, during the four weeks ended 13th June.

Would the Minister agree that one of his present immediate difficulties is the exceptional amount of ancient mutton on the market because of the effect of wool prices on supplies from Australia? Would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman further agree that the only way to tackle this matter from a businesslike point of view is to alter the price schedule and allow a subsidy increase to cover that difference? Regarding bacon, the problem is the same; the Minister ought to amend the schedule and increase the subsidy to cover the alteration.

I cannot agree with what the hon. Member says about the "exceptional amount" of imported mutton. The total amount of imported mutton on the ration is 10 per cent., half of which is wethers and is perfectly good meat. With regard to bacon, the fact remains that the C bacon which is bought off the ration is greatly in excess of the amount not taken up.

asked the Minister of Food how many meat rations were not taken up in the county borough of Newcastle-upon-Tyne during the week ending 20th June, 1953.

At the most, about 6,000, or 2 per cent. of the ration issue.

Does not this figure indicate that in the city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, part of which is represented by the right hon. and gallant Gentleman, while sections of the community are getting as much meat of the best cuts as they want to buy, the poorer people are getting none at all? Is not the new arrangement announced by the Ministry part of the illusion of phoney prosperity being built up by the Government?

The "illusion" has been well supported today. The fact that I said 6,000 has nothing to do with what sections of the community are getting it. The take-up there varies from period to period. In the period before it was nearly 100 per cent.

asked the Minister of Food if he has considered the reports of the rejection by butchers in Peterborough of ewe mutton unsuitable for sale on the ration; and whether he will make arrangements to ensure that the butchers in Peterborough will not be allocated any disproportionate share of the least popular cuts of mutton in future.

A small quantity of mutton was rejected by these traders. It was no different in quality from mutton issued to other traders and no more than a fair share. My hon. Friend can be assured that it is our constant endeavour to distribute the less popular cuts over the country on a fair and equitable basis.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in the grading centres of Peterborough, Oundle and Thrapston the figures show that a large amount of good English meat is produced? Since his reply last week showed that certain other areas were getting a little above the average, we should like to be assured that the areas where we are producing it are not getting below the average.

In the case referred to last week my hon. Friend showed that the area referred to was getting a little more than the average. In the constituency of my hon. Friend the proportion of this ewe mutton is a little less than the average throughout the country.

Is the Minister aware that Scotland produces the finest quality butcher meat, and that we never see it, but what we are seeing is fat and gristle such as Peterborough is also suffering from? If he puts the matter right in Peterborough will the Minister also see that we in Scotland get good butcher meat to eat ourselves?

The hon. Lady will appreciate that because an area happens to be a meat-producing area it does not mean that all the meat goes there. Under a rationed distribution we have to spread the supplies available as fairly as possible. I have a feeling that I can trust Scotland to look after itself.

In view of these complaints about the rationing of meat, will my right hon. and gallant Friend take an early opportunity to do away with rationing altogether?

Of course that is the real solution, and as soon as possible it will be adopted.

asked the Minister of Food (1) what further changes he now proposes to make in the value of the weekly meat ration;

(2) whether he will now state the precise terms upon which butchers can sell carcass meat ration-free; and how he proposes to amend the regulations formerly prohibiting this.

I do not propose to change the meat ration at present, but from 5th July butchers will be offered an extra two pennyworth of meat per ration book and any meat remaining after the ration demands of registered customers have been met may be sold ration free. Such extra sales need not be limited to registered customers. An amendment to the Meat (Rationing) Order, 1953, to give effect to this was laid before the House yesterday.

Can my right hon. and gallant Friend explain how choice cuts of meat will now be available under this new system on an equitable basis and how he can put a stop to these complaints that are becoming ever more numerous from all parts of the country that there is too much ewe mutton, bull beef and fat pork in circulation? Cannot he now announce a firm date for ending meat rationing and thus put a stop to this unsatisfactory state of affairs?

I am sorry that my hon. Friend has joined in the general exaggeration. He talks about fat mutton and pork. The distribution figures are known. The actual proportion of ewe mutton is 5 per cent. and the proportion of pork, now gradually diminishing, does not exceed 7 per cent. in any week.

Will the Minister give an assurance that this extra two pennyworth on the meat ration which will operate in a few day's time will not consist exclusively of ewe mutton or these other unsaleable products in which he is so interested?

Is the Minister aware that we have been told repeatedly over the past month, especially by his Parliamentary Secretary, that the meat ration was being uplifted week by week? If that is so, why is it necessary for him to introduce the new arrangement which he has described?

It is well known that at this time of the year there is a very great coming forward of home-killed meat. The purpose of the new arrangement is to utilise as much as possible. That is why it has been done. It has happened before.

asked the Minister of Food what steps he intends to take to redress the substantial decline in imports of tea this year.

The hon. Member may rest assured that the trade will take any steps necessary without prompting from me.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that so far this year we have imported 36 million 1b. of tea less than last year, and considerably less than 1951, and that the trade is taking steps; it is increasing the price? The price of cheaper teas was increased by 4d. only last Monday. Cannot the right hon. and gallant Gentleman intervene to do something, for he has caused the situation?

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the Dutch wireless programme from Hilversum includes every morning a short programme dealing with the price of vegetables; and if he will consider a similar service in this country.

I understand that the Dutch broadcast daily information about supplies of fruit and vegetables, but that prices are not quoted. This is a matter for the B.B.C. who will no doubt take note of the hon. Lady's suggestion.

Does not the right hon. and gallant. Gentleman feel able to recommend such a suggestion to the B.B.C? [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] If hon. Members opposite are not interested, the housewives are. Is the Minister aware that when prices do go down in the wholesale market the benefit is not passed on to the shopper?

There are many reasons for that, as the hon. Lady knows. She has put down a Question which appears later on the Order Paper.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that bananas are in plentiful supply on the street barrows but short in the shops, and that this is due to the high prices paid by the owners of the barrows; and whether, as the prices charged to the public by the barrow boys far exceed the old controlled price, he will re-impose controls on this commodity.

I have nothing to add to the reply which my hon. Friend gave the hon. Member on 22nd April.

Is the Minister aware that I have pursued this matter because small shopkeepers are saying it is quite impossible for them to compete in the price for selling bananas in view of the large amount of money paid on the side by the owners of barrows to the people selling the bananas in the first place?

The hon. Lady will realise that the average price varies from Is. 4d. to 1s. 4½d. I would also point out that this is the time of the year when the supply available from the British Cameroons is very low. I would also point out that there are plenty of other attractive fruits on the barrows and in the shops.

That is not the point. Is the Minister aware that I am not complaining about the amount of bananas available, but where they go? Does he not think that a system is wrong which allows prices of 2s. 6d. a 1b. on the barrows? I do not know where the right hon. and gallant Gentleman obtains his average price.

Only an hour ago I saw good looking bananas at 1s. 6d.

Where?

In view of the fact that quite recently the right hon. and gallant Gentleman undertook to tell me where I could buy these bananas, and he has failed to do so, I beg to give notice that I shall take an early opportunity to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

As a matter of fact the hon. Gentleman was not available, or I could have shown him some at 1s. 2d.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that many growers of lettuces are at the present time ploughing them back into the ground because market prices do not cover production and transport costs; and if, as prices to the consumer are not similarly reduced, he will now consider an inquiry into the distribution of fruit and vegetables.

My information is that lettuces are now cheap and plentiful in the shops. The inevitability of wide fluctuations in the supply of lettuces is well known and does not, I think, justify any special inquiry.

Is the Minister aware that his stone-walling on this subject seems to improve? Is he not aware that growers are saying that the cost of transport and of picking will not make it worth while to send lettuces to the shops? Under those conditions, does he not think the matter should be inquired into?

It is difficult to inquire into the effect of the seasons on crops. One of the results of this particularly favourable season was a very big crop of lettuces, but it is possible to get a lettuce in London at about 3d.; indeed, to my personal knowledge last week they were selling at Id. or l½d.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that there are cooperative auction markets within 15 miles of Coventry and co-operative retail shops in Coventry? If they cannot get the lettuces to the consumers at a low rate, what good will an inquiry do?

asked the Minister of Food the amounts of calcium available in one pint of milk and 1 lb. of bread to which the statutory amount of chalk has been added; and the annual cost of adding 11,300 tons of chalk to bread.

One pint of milk supplies 680 milligrams calcium; 1 lb. of bread, containing added calcium carbonate, 649 milligrams. The answer to the second part of the Question is about £50,000, which is the cost of treating flour costing £160 million.

In view of the fact that milk appears to contain a very large amount of natural calcium and as this is the best way of getting it into the nation's diet, would not the Minister agree to spend money at present expended on chalk to subsidise the milk so that the present surplus could be used for drinking?

The amount of calcium costs £50,000. The extra milk to get the same amount of calcium would cost £180 million.

Does not the Minister agree that at least there is a principle that it is wiser to have more milk consumed and less chalk added to our flour?

asked the Minister of Food by how much the consumption of liquid milk has fallen in Stoke-on-Trent in 1952–53, as compared with the previous years; and, of the milk consumed, how much was sterilised, pasteurised or untreated.

It is estimated that sales in Stoke-on-Trent increased during the period in question by about 100,000 gallons. As the rest of the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Food whether he has noted the close correlation between the retail price of liquid milk and the volume of consumption; and what his policy is for encouraging increased consumption up to the level noted in Scandinavian countries.

No, Sir. The facts do not support the view that the ordinary retail price is the sole, or even the main, factor influencing consumption. Total liquid milk consumption is 80 per cent. above pre-war, and increased consumption is specially encouraged by the provision of cheap or free milk through the welfare and milk-in-schools schemes.

Does not the Minister remember that as early as 1934 when a Report was presented to this House by Sir John Boyd Orr that fact was stressed—namely, the close correlation in all dairy produce including milk between price and the amount consumed? Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman take care to see that the subsidy is never diminished but that it is increased to make sure that all dairy produce goes where it ought to go, and that is to those who need it most?

That has been our endeavour ever since the scheme was introduced before the war. In the period of the last three or four years it is true that the price of milk has increased by about 30 per cent., but consumption is down by between only 1 per cent. and 2 per cent.

Does not the Minister think that it is unfortunate that the doctor from Stoke-on-Trent lives so much in the past?

asked the Minister of Food his arrangements for the import of frozen rabbits this year, in view of the ample supply of these animals available all over the country.

Rabbits were de-controlled in 1950, since when the trade has been entirely in private hands. I see no reason for making any change in that arrangement.

asked the Minister of Food how many prosecutions he now has pending, as a result of reports from his enforcement officers, for contraventions by butchers and others of the meat rationing regulations; and whether he will now waive such pending prosecutions, in view of his proposed relaxation of the meat rationing arrangements.

Thirty-one cases are now down for court hearings. All of these relate to offences alleged to have been committed some time ago, and I am not prepared to seek the courts' permission to withdraw them.

In view of my right hon. and gallant Friend's earlier allegation about exaggeration, may I invite him to come to the Midland counties and interview a few of the recalcitrant butchers who are fed up with the present arrangement? In consideration of the fact that none of us on this side of the House supports a system that involves the use of enforcement officers, will he disband that gallant corps at an early date?

As long as the rationing system obtains enforcement officers will be needed. I have no intention of disbanding them.

Thoroughly unsatisfactory.

asked the Minister of Food what information he has about the production of a food from fish meal and oil which can be used as a substitute for milk for children in backward countries; and what experiments in its production have yet been carried out in this country.

I understand that at a recent meeting in Hull of a Working Party of the Food and Agriculture Organisation on Fish Products for use in Tropical Countries, the use of fish meal for direct human feeding in protein deficient areas was discussed and samples of high quality fish meals, developed both in this country and in Northern Europe, were submitted for selection for use in feeding trials in Latin America.

While thanking the Minister for his reply, may I ask him if he can say whether it would not be a considerable advantage for the fishing industry if these trials were successful and whether the products would not command a fairly high price? If the experiments prove successful will he ensure that manufacturing processes are encouraged in this country?

I will certainly do everything I can to assist in what, I think, is a very good experiment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence what steps are to be taken to co-ordinate the respective operational responsibilities of the Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy and Anti-Aircraft Command for the ground to air defence of the United Kingdom, following the advent of the ground-to-air guided missile.

These new weapons will be operated within the existing system of air defence.

Does that reply mean that Anti-Aircraft Command will continue to be the responsibility of the War Office but that in time of emergency operational responsibility for ground-to-air defence will continue to vest in the commander-in-chief of Fighter Command?

The system at the moment is that operationally C.-in-C. Fighter Command is responsible both for Fighter Command and for Anti-Aircraft Command guns and for the fire of ships in harbour. The ground-to-air guided missile, being a cross between an antiaircraft shell and a fighter, naturally falls under the same system.

Is not it true that in spite of the enormous sums spent on the Air Force since the war there is no real defence against these guided missiles, especially rockets?

We are talking about ground-to-air guided missiles, which are a very good defence against aircraft.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence whether the Government's promised efforts to find a fair solution of the question of the retired pay of the 359 officers still surviving who were given in 1919 rates which were to vary with the cost of living but which in spite of the great rise in that cost have not been increased since they were anchored in 1935 at 9½ per cent. below the 1919 rates, have yet been completed, and with what result.

Not yet, Sir.

Considering that on 20th January the Minister of Defence said in another place that the case then put so cogently would be most earnestly considered, is not it treating Parliament with contempt that over five months later no decision has been announced? Can we have an assurance that a decision will be announced before we adjourn for the Summer Recess?

I am sorry. I am not in a position to give my hon. Friend a firm answer.

Will my hon. Friend convey to our right hon. Friend the fact that there is a feeling in all parts of the House that, because there are so few men affected and because they have nobody to represent them and to press their case strongly, the Treasury are ignoring a perfectly humane case which should be dealt with?

I will certainly convey what my hon. and gallant Friend has said to the Treasury, but I have noticed that there are quite a number of people representing these officers—and very successfully.

As there are only 300 of these officers and the Government have already had five months, can the hon. Gentleman say why he cannot give the assurance that the hon. Member asked for? Why does he need a longer time?

As has very often been pointed out in this House and in another place, the satisfaction of such a claim raises certain wider issues.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what further progress he can report in respect of the proposed conference of Nigerian leaders in London.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement regarding the date, composition and agenda of the forthcoming conference in London to consider the Nigerian Constitution.

I have at present nothing to add to the information I gave in reply to Questions on 24th June; but I will make a further statement as soon as there is definite progress to report.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say if the conference is to be held at all?

I should not like to be too optimistic, but it looks hopeful. There are one or two matters which I regard as of great importance which we must clear up before I can give a definite answer.

Without wishing to embarrass the right hon. Gentleman—[HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"]—because I want the discussions to take place—may I ask him whether discussions are taking place with the leaders of the parties in Nigeria, and when he thinks those discussions are likely to come to a conclusion?

I can certainly answer the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question by saying, "Yes, Sir; they are taking place." In the second part of his question, the hon. Gentleman asked me once again to assume the role of prophet, which I feel in my present office I cannot do.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement upon the winding up of the Bamenda-Cross River-Calabar agricultural settlement scheme in Nigeria.

I am asking the Governor for information about the future of the scheme and will write to the hon. Member when I have received it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what instructions he has given to the security forces in Kenya for accepting surrender by suspected Mau-Mau terrorists.

I have given no instructions on the subject to the security forces in Kenya.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of some anxiety in this country about the disparity between the number of those killed in these actions and the number taken prisoner? Is he aware that, in the Fort Hall area, 100 Africans were killed, but only two rifles were captured? Does that not indicate that there is room for inquiry?

There is no information, or any case that I could trace, in which security forces had disregarded an attempt to surrender on the part of Mau Mau gangs. There is no recorded instance, as far as I can find, but I will continue to watch the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the threats to amenity and nature-conservation in the Tsavo Royal National Park inherent in a scheme now before the Government of Kenya for supplying water to Mombasa from the Mzima pools; and if he will ensure that detailed examination is first given to the alternative suggestions put forward by the trustees of the park.

I am assured that everything possible is being done to provide Mombasa with a safe and adequate water supply at a reasonable cost, with the minimum of damage to natural amenities, and I understand that the Kenya Government are to investigate further the plans for the headworks and offtake.

May I ask my right hon. Friend to appreciate that the trustees of the National Park and many others concerned will be grateful for his assurance, and may I ask him if he will bear in mind the fact that the advice on which the trustees are acting comes from the highest engineering levels?

There is an investigation taking place on whether one of the pools will be raised by eight feet or not. I think that both my hon. and gallant Friend and I are concerned about its being necessary for hippopotami, but, after all, the water supply of Mombasa will have to take first place.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a further statement regarding the case of Elijah Njeru Gideon who died on 29th January as the result of beating and, in particular, why the two Askaris who carried out the beating under orders were not called as witnesses at the inquiry; how many persons, white or black, have been charged in connection with the death of this man; and what charges have been made against them.

Two Europeans, an officer of the Kenya Police Reserve and a warrant officer of the Kenya Regiment, have been charged with manslaughter in this case. The African askaris involved have now given full statements, and it is proposed to call them as Crown witnesses.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in view of the report published by the International Labour Organisation on 23rd June, in which it is stated that the Voluntarily Unemployed Persons Ordinance in Kenya could be applied, although it appears that it is at present not being applied, in such a way as to result in a system of forced labour, if he will now abolish that ordinance.

No, Sir. It is a temporary law renewable annually and I have no doubt the observations of the committee will receive consideration from the Kenya Legislation when the ordinance is again due for renewal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether detainees in Kenya are permitted legal defence when appealing before the Advisory Committee against their detention.

Counsel are not allowed in these appeals.

Is it not the case that detainees are permitted the help of lawyers to prepare their case but are not given any information as to the character of the charge against them, and that lawyers are not permitted to represent them when they go to the Advisory Committee? Would the right hon. Gentleman look at this matter again?

Certainly, we will look at it again. As I understand the hon. Gentleman, he has said, as I believe to be the case, that detainees get the advice of lawyers but at the present moment lawyers are not allowed to appear for them. The reason for that is the number of cases. If lawyers were allowed to appear before the Advisory Committee we might get very long and protracted hearings.

Would it be possible for detainees and lawyers to be informed of the charges so that they can effectively prepare their defence?

I am not accepting the hon. Gentleman's premise that they are not so informed, but I will look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what compensation is paid to relatives on the death, on active service, of Africans serving with the military forces in Kenya; and when these amounts were last revised.

The following rates of gratuity are payable to the heir of a deceased African soldier: warrant officers and staff sergeants, £40; sergeants and below, £30. These rates were reviewed in 1948, and are being considered again.

Would the right hon. Gentleman ask the Government of Kenya to expedite this matter, which has been under discussion since 1951? It is not a very good way to encourage loyal Kenya Service men, to give such a very low rate of gratuity.

I agree with the hon. Lady's desire that a conclusion should be reached.

What are we doing about it?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the Vickers plan for improving Kandang Kerban Hospital, Singapore, makes no provision for a teaching department; and if he will take steps to include one.

No, Sir. The development scheme for the hospital already includes full provision for teaching.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the scheme propounded by Messrs. Vickers is not satisfactory in regard to the number of beds to be provided and the needs of the area, which are for approximately 350? Will he consult medical opinion in Singapore in this matter?

That is a quite different question to the one on the Order Paper. The hon. Member asked me if I was aware that the scheme makes no provision for a teaching department, to which I answered "No, Sir."

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the percentage of persons suffering from tuberculosis in Singapore; what hospital accommodation there is for dealing with these cases; how many specialists there are, trained in thoracic surgery in the Colony for dealing with this disease; and what steps are being taken to prevent it spreading.

I am consulting the Governor, and will circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the Minister aware that tuberculosis is the No. 1 killer in Singapore, and will he do all he possibly can to provide the necessary hospital accommodation for people suffering from this terrible disease in the Colonies, and, particularly, in the Peninsula of Malaya?

I quite agree with the hon. Member about the importance of this matter, and we are doing all we can to increase the treatment of this disease.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why he requested the British Broadcasting Corporation to cancel a light-hearted talk by a Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve rating about his training experiences.

This is a matter between the Admiralty and the rating, and not between the Admiralty and the British Broadcasting Corporation. In accordance with the Regulations, a draft script of the talk was submitted by the author for Admiralty approval. This was withheld because of the contents of certain passages, but the Admiralty are prepared to reconsider the script after amendment by the author.

Is the First Lord really going to set himself up as a censor of taste? Is it not the case that no security Regulations are involved here at all?

That is quite true. As the hon. Gentleman says, this is not a security question but only a question of taste. There were certain paragraphs in the proposed talk, certainly about elderly ladies who were guests on board Her Majesty's ships, which were hardly up to the Admiralty's standard as hosts.

Does the First Lord really think that it is his duty, in the case of a civilian who is doing training with the Navy as a R.N.V.R. rating, to come between him and the B.B.C. in regard to the text of this talk, which was acceptable to them in terms of taste and humour, and forbid its publication?

Under the Regulations in regard to ratings of the R.N.V.R., which have been in existence a very long time, the B.B.C. are not in a position to accept a talk of this kind. It was at the request of the author himself that the B.B.C. sent the text of this talk to the Admiralty for their comment and approval.

Could not this sort of difficulty be avoided if there were an alternative form of television?

As the right hon. Gentleman has said that it was the Admiralty that censored these words, will he state exactly what the words were to which the Admiralty took exception?

I do not propose to read the actual words to the House. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"] Because if the words had been broadcast they would have made people mentioned in this talk definitely identifiable, and I repeat that it would not have been in keeping with the Admiralty's reputation as hosts.

This is more a matter for a debate on the adjournment.

Is it in order for me to ask the Minister to put the censored passages in the Library of the House?

I have nothing to do with that. My control of the Library does not extend to that.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what facilities were provided by his Department for ships operated by British Railways undertaking a cruise to witness the Naval Review.

Berths in the Review area were allocated to all British Railways' steamers for which applications were received. Steamers were at liberty to cruise through the lines of the Fleet before taking up their berths and again between 6 and 8 p.m. on the evening of the Review Day.

Is the Minister aware that British Railways charged £2 for a cruise which could not take place, except in words and not in the spirit? Will he not convey to the British Railways authorities that a suitable refund should be made?

It is not a question for the Admiralty or for the Minister of Transport. It is one for British Railways with whom my hon. Friend can take up the question direct.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how far officers and men of the Royal Navy, on duty in London on Coronation day have been required to replace, at their own expense, uniform and equipment damaged by rain; and if, in view of the special nature of the occasion and the severity of the weather, he will consider making good such damage at the public expense.

Inquiries were put in hand at once about the damage done to the uniform and equipment of the Coronation naval contingent. The payment of compensation to officers and ratings in the processional and street-lining units who are not insured or otherwise covered in respect of such damage, is under sympathetic consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what plans he has for Her Majesty's ships making greater use of the Welsh ports, particularly the ports of the Bristol Channel; and if he will make a statement.

The hon. Member no doubt has in mind facilities for ship repairing. The Admiralty will continue to give full consideration, when allocating contracts for warship refits and repairs, to the capacity and labour available, including the facilities in the Welsh ports, but I am unable at present to offer any hope of any considerable increase in the future volume of such work. Ships of the Reserve Fleet are, however, to be berthed at Cardiff, Penarth and Llanelly and this arrangement will provide a new and continuing source of employment on the maintenance of these vessels. As regards ship construction, inshore minesweepers and coastal craft are under construction in North Wales.

While I thank the Minister for that reply, may I ask if he will keep the matter constantly under review in view of the fact that the civil use of the ports has declined since the war?

Yes, certainly.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is yet in a position to state when the new television station for Aberdeen will be available for use; where it will be situated; and how far it will be effective to transmit pictures to the whole North of Scotland.

A general statement about the development of the television service will be made tomorrow. The B.B.C. station for Aberdeen is to be at Core Hill in Aberdeenshire and the Corporation expects that it will give a satisfactory service over most of the counties of Moray, Banff, Aberdeen and Kincardine, and over part of Angus.

While thanking the Minister for that answer, which will be much appreciated by the whole of the North-East of Scotland, may I ask him whether it is not a striking fact that this announcement was made possible by public opinion and the churches having killed sponsored television?

I think that the hon. and learned Member had better wait and hear what the television statement is tomorrow.

Can my hon. Friend tell us when the service will be in full operation?

I think that must wait until tomorrow, too.

Will the Minister assure the House that no broadcast wavelength allocation is given for this or any other television station until such time as there is a separate wavelength given for Northern Ireland and North-East England?

I think that must wait until tomorrow, too.