asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence to make a comprehensive statement on the results, to date, of the Coronation amnesty for deserters.

Up to 30th June 2,625 applications for the amnesty had been received and 2,407 protection certificates had been issued. The latter figure includes 520 men who were given the benefit of the amnesty, in accordance with the concession announced by my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary on 1st April.

In view of the fact that the proportion of those who have applied is rather disappointingly small, will the Parliamentary Secretary make it clear that the amnesty offer is still open, that there is no date by which they have got to apply otherwise the amnesty offer comes to an end? Will he also say whether consideration has been given by the Government to extending the amnesty backwards to those who may have deserted before September, 1939?

It is true that the amnesty as announced is still open. It is very difficult to say how many there are eligible because nobody, in the nature of the case, knows how many there are in this country. There can be no question of extending the amnesty.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence what payments have been made to any defence authority in respect of the transport home of the bodies of deceased military, naval or Air Force personnel by the relatives of the deceased during any recent period of 12 months.

Transport charges amounting to £170 have been received by the War Office and Air Ministry in respect of 34 payments by relatives during the past 12 months for the repatriation of bodies of Service men who died in the British Zone of Germany.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in two cases in the Oldham area in the last week demands have been made for the payment of the sum of £100 in each case, and that in each case the money has had to be borrowed by the relatives, and that, therefore, subscriptions are being asked to refund the money to the Ministry?

Of course I am aware of that. The figure I gave in answer to the hon. Gentleman's Question was how much the Service Departments had received, and the only amounts they have received are certain transport charges within the British Zone of Germany which are reimbursable. Other costs are payable to the agency which carries out the transport.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence in what circumstances, and under what code of rules or regulations, arrangements are made for the transportation home, at the public expense, of the bodies of defence personnel killed on service in Western Europe.

The practice in all three Services is as stated by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War yesterday.

Yes, that is a bad practice. Would the hon. Gentleman tell the House why it is that, having taken these men, and being under an obligation to return them and to bring them back free of cost when they are alive, the Department refuses now to bring them back free of cost when they lose their life on service?

This, as the hon. Gentleman knows, has been the practice always in the Services, and I really have nothing to add to the explanations my right hon. Friend gave yesterday, or, indeed, to those the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Easington (Mr. Shinwell) made when he was Secretary of State for War.

Yes, but while that is true, is the hon. Gentleman not aware that efforts were made when we were in office to persuade the agency responsible for transport to reduce their charges? What has resulted from those efforts?

That is a matter to which my right hon. Friend referred yesterday I understand that considerable success has been obtained in reducing charges.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence what new instructions he has given to the Army, Navy and Royal Air Force which will reduce the national expenditure on these Services.

None, Sir. It is my noble Friend's constant endeavour to limit expenditure on defence to the minimum compatible with the needs of the situation.

Is the Minister aware that the United States of America are making drastic cuts in military, air and naval programmes, and that in the papers on Monday President Eisenhower made a statement a headline on which was, "President backs cuts in Air Force budget"? When is the hon. Gentleman going to follow the example of President Eisenhower?

I think it would be premature to draw any conclusion as yet from the events to which the hon. Gentleman has referred.

Is the Government considering the possibility of securing efficiency and economy by a Transfer of Functions Order providing for one Ministry of Defence and three Parliamentary Secretaries?

I will bear the hon. Gentleman's suggestion in mind.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence the total British expenditure that has been incurred on Korea up to the end of May; and what is his estimate of the total number of casualties to British forces.

The additional expenditure, including an allowance for exceptional consumption of military stores, incurred by the United Kingdom up to 30th June, 1953, was, at a very broad estimate, about £50 million. United Kingdom casualties up to the end of May, 1953, were 4,222 officers and men, of whom 702 were killed or died of wounds.

Can the Minister tell us if British Forces are still in the battle line? Has he seen the statement made on Monday by the lieut.-general commanding the 8th Army, that he was confident he would be able to move United Nations troops out of the battle line should the South Koreans decide to fight on alone, and when is this Government going to support that line of argument?

I do not think that has anything to do with the Question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence whether his Department will issue an overall instruction that members of the Forces who can be spared from their duties to assist with the harvest may be granted facilities to do so.

No, Sir. Commanding officers in all three Services already have authority and are encouraged to allow such of their men as can be spared to help farmers with the harvest.

Can my hon. Friend give us any idea of the extent to which this authority is being taken advantage of in order to help the harvest wherever possible?

I understand that arrangements have been satisfactory in the past, but we have not yet got to the main part of the harvest.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence how many members of the Government visited the Imperial Defence College during the last 12 months for the purpose of lecturing on the work of their Departments.

Eight, Sir.

In thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him to bear in mind that the Ministers themselves will find these visits very instructive, and will he encourage them wherever possible?

I hope the instruction is mutual.

If the Ministers for the Co-ordination of something or other are numbered among the eight, could we have copies of their addresses, because we all want to know what they do?

Lectures given to I.D.C. are confidential.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now specify the schemes he has prepared to remove the fundamental causes of social and economic discontent in Kenya; and how and when they will be put into operation.

The preparation of schemes is a matter for the Kenya Government. Any major project must await the completion of their study of the wide range of complex problems mentioned in my statement of 29th April. Meanwhile the Kenya Government continues to execute its 10-year plan, and its estimated expenditure on development during the current year has now risen to £7½ million.

Does the Minister remember that some time ago he said that he had in mind certain schemes, and does he agree that in addition to using force he should attempt to destroy the destructive doctrines of Mau Mau by inculcating good citizenship and civilisation? What is he doing along those lines?

The hon. and learned Gentleman has a very hazy idea of my functions. These schemes are the job of the Kenya Government. There are a number of them in advanced preparation, and if the hon. and learned Gentleman exercises a little patience he will find the answers in fact to his Questions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what organisation is now left in existence in Kenya, since the proscription of the Kenya African Union, which will enable Africans in Kenya, collectively and authoritatively, to define, express and present to the Government, in a legitimate way, their political, economic and social aspirations.

African opinion may be expressed to Government through the African members of the Legislative Council and members of the Emergency Council, local associations, African District Councils, trade unions and the African Civil Service Association. There are thus many means by which the aspirations to which the hon. and learned Member refers can be expressed collectively in a constitutional manner.

Is the Minister aware that that answer is couched in very general terms? Will he specify some of the organisations which are open to loyal Africans to enable them to co-operate in pursuing peace?

I must contradict the hon. and learned Gentleman. The answer is in most specific terms and enumerates a number of bodies.

But no names are given.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that if the Kenya African Union had been proscribed some three or four years ago when its activities were first reported to the Opposition, Kenya might not be in the state it is today?

That is a very hypothetical question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to make a report on the case of Njeri, wife of Mbiyu Gitau, Kiambaa.

The wife of Mbiyu Gitau was admitted to the Kiambu Hospital on 27th December, 1952, and discharged on the 31st. I am informed that she made no report to a district officer or police officer at the time, and it has been difficult to trace her since. The District Commissioner, Kiambu, has been instructed to obtain a formal complaint from her which will then be investigated.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, can I ask him whether he will make a report to the House when he has got full information on this matter?

I think I gave the hon. Lady a promise that when these investigations were complete I would inform her so that I could answer a Question on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why no charges were made for nearly five months in connection with the death of Elijah Njeru Gideon who died on 29th January last, as the result of beating; and what charges have been made in connection with the two similar cases.

Delay was due mainly to the difficulty of investigating this case under emergency conditions and to the fact that one African military witness had returned to his home in the West Nile district of Uganda. I am awaiting a report from the Governor on the two cases I mentioned in my reply to the hon. Member's supplementary question on 10th June.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ensure that there will not be a similar delay in connection with any charges which may be made relating to the two other cases?

I am afraid that I cannot give any guarantee but I will use such influence as I can to speed things up.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make with regard to the violent death of 51 of Her Majesty's subjects in Kenya shortly prior to 26th June.

No, Sir.

Has the right hon. Gentleman observed the report in "The Times":

"This has been another good day for the security forces. Fifty-one terrorists have been killed. … The troops discovered many small hide-outs tunnelled into the bracken."

With regard to this 25½ brace, can he tell us what evidence there is that these citizens who were killed were terrorists. Were they escaping arrest, were they resisting and were there any inquests held; and does he take killing on this scale as lightly as this?

Naturally no one takes lightly the killing of these people, even if they are criminals found with arms in their hands in prohibited areas who did not respond to the challenge.

Does the right hon. Gentleman say that these were criminals taken with arms in their hands? Has he investigated that and has he any statement to make with regard to it? Does he know, or is that a pure guess?

The hon. and learned Member must restrain himself. All that I have said was that I am not prepared to make a statement on the casualties inflicted on these terrorists.

Can the right hon. Gentleman throw a little further light on the statement alleged to have been made by General Erskine recently that people were not to be beaten up in Kenya on racial grounds only?

What reference that has to the Question on the Order Paper, I fail to see.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proportion of the £10,000 loaned to the African farmers in Kenya during 1952 for the purchase of capital equipment was loaned to the coffee co-operatives.

£2,000, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of radio transmitting stations in Kenya and the estimated proportion of the Colony which is effectively covered by these transmissions.

There are four radio transmitters in Kenya, two in Nairobi and two in Mombasa, operated by Messrs. Cables and Wireless, on which the Government rents time, using its own studio. I am inquiring about the exact extent to which these transmitters cover the territory and will write to the hon. Member.

If the right hon. Gentleman finds that Kenya is not fully covered, will he see if something can be done to increase the range of transmission as, with the development of receiving sets, to which the hon. Member for Leominster (Mr. Baldwin) has referred, radio can play a most important part in the dissemination of information in Kenya?

I agree with the hon. Gentleman, and as soon as I know whether the whole territory is covered, I will consider the matter again.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the pronouncement of General Templer made at a recent official interview, describing in offensive terms Mr. Aziz, Kuala Lumpur, representative of "Utusan Melayu," the most important Malay language newspaper, a member of the Legislative Council and an official guest at the Coronation, was made with his approval.

I understand that the remarks referred to were made at a private interview with Mr. Aziz in his capacity as a journalist. An account of this private interview was subsequently published by Mr. Aziz, who was, of course, perfectly free to do so. The matter is one between the High Commissioner and Mr. Aziz: and I am not prepared to comment.

Irrespective of the lack of taste in the article that has been published, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this journalist was seen by the High Commissioner and then described as "a rat whose name stinks in South-East Asia"? Does the right hon. Gentleman consider this abusive and intemperate language fitting for a High Commissioner to use to a journalist in the Legislature, and does he further regard this as being the way to promote a liberal outlook in Malaya?

I cannot expect that, under provocation, the High Commissioner or any Governor will always be able to confine himself to Parliamentary language.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know General Templar?

In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter at the first opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the terms of reference of the Committee set up to consider closer consultation between Singapore and Malaya.

This Committee has been set up to consider the co-ordination of policy and administration between the Federation of Malaya and Singapore. As the terms of reference are long, I will, with permission, circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the increased yields in the dry padi areas of Kelantan and Trengganu, Federation of Malaya, which have resulted from the methods of deep ploughing by tractors, what steps are being taken to extend the use of tractors; and, in particular, if any producer co-operatives are being organised to facilitate the use of tractors.

I am consulting the High Commissioner of the Federation of Malaya and will circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I wonder if at the same time the right hon. Gentleman will suggest that there are probably useful lessons to be learned from Ceylon, where the cooperative use of tractors has been highly developed and good results have been achieved?

Yes, I think that is well known in Malaya. Most of the difficulties in connection with the greatly increased production of rice are concerned with harvesting rather than with ploughing or sowing, but I will certainly bear the suggestion in mind.

But there are cases where the yield is increased by 70 pet cent, following the use of tractors, so it is worth while to look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of Nigerians who are working as labourers in Fernando Po.

The number working under contract in Fernando Po and Rio Muni is believed to be about 12,000.

Is the Minister aware that increasing numbers of landless labourers are leaving the over-populated mainland of Nigeria for this island, and does he think it a good thing in view of the unsatisfactory conditions of work obtaining on this island?

I do not agree with the last part of the hon. Gentleman's remarks. The conditions under which the men work have been praised on the whole by the Spanish authorities, but that which gives the Spanish authorities and the Nigerian Government some disquiet is the increasing number of men who have been smuggled through. They are trying to stop that.

Do the Nigerian Government send officers to investigate the conditions under which these men work and live?

Yes, there is an officer with this responsibility resident in that area.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the numbers of main-line locomotives used on the Nigerian State Railways; how many are over 10 years old; how many awaiting repair; and how many awaiting writing off.

One hundred and ninety, on 27th June, of which 80 were over 10 years old. Twenty-nine were under repair in workshops: 41 were awaiting repairs: nine were awaiting write off.

Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that too many old locomotives are spending a long time in the shops at Ebute-Metta and that the chief cause of this is lack of spare parts? Will he do something about it?

The situation of the Nigerian Railways which we inherited was extremely bad and it was difficult to put it right in a hurry, but we have done everything we can both to speed up the delivery of new locomotives and to increase the stock of spare parts.

Could not the Nigerian Railways temporarily employ more expatriate technicians?

That is another question. There again, particularly in the workshops, there is great room for improvement and we have tried to bring it about on the lines on which my hon. Friend speaks.

Would it not help the state of affairs in Nigeria if the right hon. Gentleman transferred General Templer from Malaya to Nigeria?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has now received the report of the inquiry into the Kano disturbances; and whether the inquiry included investigation of the charges made by the local branch of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons.

The answer to the first part of the question is "No, Sir," and to the second part, "Yes."

Will the right hon. Gentleman say when the report is likely to be published? He will remember that last week he said he expected the report would be published in the very near future, or words to that effect. Can we have some idea when it may be forthcoming?

The hon. Gentleman is always pressing me to assume the role of prophet about things over which I have no control. I am afraid that my answer is the same as it was last week, that it will be in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government of Jamaica have now com- pleted their consideration of the Report of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development entitled, "The Economic Development of Jamaica"; and how far it has been decided to give effect to these recommendations.

The Government of Jamaica have issued a statement accepting the main proposals in the Report. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the statement.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the International Bank has made any offers of financial help in the event of the adoption of the recommendations?

In the scheme there is a schedule of, speaking from memory, about £34 million to spend over a period and suggestions about how it should be used.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer a question which I have put to him several times? Does that include development of inter-island transport services and also direct services between the United Kingdom and the West Indies?

The categories under which the International Bank reported are fairly broad. One of them would, I think, certainly include the subject which the right hon. Gentleman has in mind.

Does this not indicate that arrangements for encouraging pioneer industries are all the more urgent?

In view of the great interest which is taken in this matter, will the right hon. Gentleman consider laying the Report in the Library of the House?

Yes, certainly, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the construction of the airstrip at Grand Cayman has now been completed; and what airlines are planning to provide services to this island.

Yes, Sir. British West Indian Airways are now calling there weekly on their route from Kingston to Belize and also have plans for a service between Kingston, Grand Cayman and Havana.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the Industrial Development Board in Antigua hopes to complete the modernisation of the Government-owned cotton ginnery.

New machinery is on order and should be available by mid-1954. Plans for the buildings to house it are in hand.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement regarding the White Paper officially prepared by Mr. Kwame Nkrumah, Prime Minister of the Gold Coast, proposing that the Colony should be given Dominion status with an all-African Cabinet.

No, Sir. Any statement must await the proposals which the Gold Coast Government will no doubt make to Her Majesty's Government after their White Paper has been debated in the Legislative Assembly.

Are there not certain sections of these proposals, such as paragraphs 47 to 53, dealing with the public service, which demand interim consideration by the Government? Has interim consideration yet been given?

The hon. Member must not pick out details. On the Civil Service generally, there are some matters about which I hope to make an early statement, but I must not be drawn now beyond what I have said.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what consideration has been given to the future constitutional relationship of Togoland to the Gold Coast; and whether it is intended to implement the recommendation of the United Nations Assembly contained in a resolution passed on 21st December, 1952.

Constitutional changes in the Gold Coast might require reconsideration of its relationship with Togo-land under United Kingdom Trusteeship, but that stage has not yet been reached. Any modification of the Trusteeship Agreement would require the consent of the United Nations. On the assumption that the reference in the second part of the Question is to the Togoland resolution of 20th December last, the answer is "Yes, Sir."

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements are being made in Eastern and Central Africa for the sale or distribution of saucepan radios; and how far there is sufficient experience on their use to gauge their utility and effect.

The sale and distribution of "saucepan" radio receivers, which have been in use since 1949, is the responsibility of the British firm which manufactures and exports them. I am informed that 25,000 receivers have been sold and that there is evidence, through increasing sales, that they are useful and effective.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what consideration has been given to raising the necessary capital for the construction of the Kafue Dam in Northern Rhodesia.

Considerable capital will certainly be required for hydroelectric development in Central Africa and consideration is being given to the best way of raising it. But no action can be taken until agreement has been reached in Central Africa on priorities as between the possible projects, of which the Kafue scheme is one.

Would my right hon. Friend consider utilising some of the funds of the Colonial Development Corporation for the development of these schemes, which would be more useful to the territories than some of the primary produce schemes which are losing money?

As soon as the priorities have been settled, the question of finance will come up, and the suggestion of my hon. Friend will certainly not be disregarded.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the Deputy Superintendent (industrial) appointed to Chatham Dockyard commenced his duties.

This officer will take up his duties at Chatham on 15th July; he is at present attached to the headquarters of the Director of Dockyards in order to prepare himself for these duties.

Does the hon. Gentleman remember that on 6th May he informed me that this appointment had been made? Is this not another example of the extraordinary delay in business in the Admiralty?

Surely the hon. Member will be aware that it was necessary for this officer, who had important duties before, to hand over properly to another person and then to prepare himself for his new task?

But the Admiralty has had plenty of time to consider the recommendation made by the Select Committee two years ago, and even their reply has been in the hands of the House now for some months.

It was necessary to hand over these duties and also to find new office accommodation, since this is a new task. I think there has been all reasonable speed with regard to this appointment.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many entrants into Dartmouth during the past six years were from Wales and Monmouthshire; and if he will make a statement.

Twenty-three boys from schools in Wales and Monmouth were entered at Dartmouth in the years 1947 to 1952, inclusive.

In view of the fact that these numbers are so low, will my hon. and gallant Friend ask the First Lord to confer with the Minister of Education so that the advantages of this career may be more widely known to students in Wales?

My hon. Friend will have noticed that in the recent report of the Committee on Cadet Entry these low numbers were commented on and certain recommendations made for further publicity. My right hon. Friend is considering those recommendations.

As Monmouthshire is designated in this Question, is it to be assumed that it is not in Wales and, if it is not in Wales, is it in England, and if not, can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say where it is?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will now make a statement on the payment of compensation to officers and ratings on Coronation day duty whose uniform and equipment were damaged by rain.

Assessment of compensation involves consultation with a number of naval authorities and I am not able to add any details to the reply which my right hon. Friend made to the hon. Member on 1st July.

As it is more than a month since the Coronation, could the hon. and gallant Gentleman say how much longer this process is likely to take? Will he give an assurance that, as a result of it, no man who took part in this parade will be worse off financially for doing so?

I think the hon. Gentleman will realise that what we are trying to do is to find the best method of dealing with this problem which involves a large number of men. I can assure him that we are determined that no officer or man shall suffer hardship.

Could I ask my hon. and gallant Friend whether the same arrangements are being made for the Army and the Air Force?

I do not think that is a question for me.

Would he convey that question to his colleagues?

The hon. Lady had better put that question down.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether, in view of the inadequacy of the existing post office facilities at Wickford, Essex, he will now establish a Crown Post Office.

The building of a Crown Office at Wickford is already planned but, as the Post Office is limited in the amount it can spend on new buildings, I cannot say when it will be possible to make a start. Meantime, possible steps for relieving congestion at the present office are under examination.

Is my hon. Friend aware that serious inconvenience is caused to traders and the public in this growing Essex town because of the lack of postal facilities? Can he say whether any positive steps are being taken to remedy this state of affairs?

Yes, I am aware of that fact, and my hon. Friend will be pleased to hear that a site for the new building has already been obtained.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is aware that John Reginald Christie was enrolled, in 1921, as a temporary postman; that, during his service, he was found guilty of stealing and embezzlement, sentenced to three months' imprisonment and yet, in 1947, was again employed as a clerk in the General Post Office Savings Department; and what steps are taken by his Department to prevent the continued employment of persons with criminal records.

Yes, Sir. John R. Christie succeeded, in May, 1946, in obtaining employment as a temporary clerk in the Post Office Savings Department by making false statements in his application form. In April, 1950, when his true record was revealed, he was dismissed. The practice is to engage temporary staff only through the Ministry of Labour employment exchanges, which, so far as possible, verify the man's past record. In this case the criminal conviction some 25 years earlier did not come to light.

Surely it should not have taken the Post Office three years to have found that out? Surely they do something other than simply accept a form and the statements that it contains. Do they not make some inquiry?

I do not know whether the hon. Member is recommending that we should have a compulsory system of thumb prints. In this case, all steps were taken to find out the man's record from his previous employers.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many new telephone kiosks have been provided in each of the Welsh counties since 1946; and what number are to be erected in each county this year.

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.