Written Answers To Questions
Friday, 22nd January, 1954
Ceylon Government (European Pensioners)
asked the Undersecretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he is aware that the Ceylon Government pays cost-of-living allowance to its pensioners, based upon British and Ceylon index figures; that, since October, 1950, additional allowances have been paid to pensioners resident in Ceylon and neighbouring countries, which have been refused to pensioners resident in Britain; and, in view of the fact that this refusal constitutes discrimination against residents in the United Kingdom, if he will make representations to the Ceylon Government, with a view to securing like treatment for all pensioners, in view of the increase in the cost of living in Britain.
Yes. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Dodds-Parker) on 21st May last. Representations have been made to the Ceylon Government which has considered this matter on more than one occasion and has as I stated previously based the distinction on the abnormal rise in the cost of living in Ceylon. I can see no grounds for further representations.
Admission To Universities (European Convention)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to ask for the ratification of the European Convention on the Equivalence of Diplomas leading to Admission to Universities.
Her Majesty's Government propose to ratify the Convention in due course.
West Indies (Banned Publications)
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what books, newspapers and periodicals are banned by the Government of the British West Indies and British Guiana; and what instruc- tions have been given to the customs and excise in such territories in regard to the seizure of such items.
I am making inquiries of the Governments concerned and will communicate with the hon. Member when I have their replies.
Ministry Of Health
Lewisham Hospital (Bomb Damage)
asked the Minister of Health (1) why he has refused permission for a start to be made on the reconstruction of Lewisham Hospital after bomb damage;(2) what considerations have led him to reduce the degree of priority given to the reconstruction of Lewisham Hospital by the London County Council before the coming into force of the National Health Service Act.
This project is still regarded as of high priority, but it has had to be deferred for the time being because of limitations on the amount of money available for capital works in the hospital service.
National Health Service (Report)
asked the Minister of Health when he expects Professor Guillebaud's committee of inquiry to report.
I understand that the committee are still engaged in the hearing of evidence and that it is too early to forecast when they may be ready to report.
Hm Stationery Office (Christmas Cards)
asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many Christmas cards were printed and sold by Her Majesty's Stationery Office last Christmas; and what was the profit or loss.
The Stationery Office has for many years printed and sold Christmas cards to enclose reproductions of works of art in our museums. Last Christmas the Stationery Office printed 90,000 of these cards for the National Maritime Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum of which 50,000 were sold at a net profit of about £300. In addition, the Stationery Office purchased 32,000 similar cards from the National Gallery and the Tate Gallery and resold them at a profit of about £100.
Colonial Empire (Capital Development Schemes)
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give particulars of the schemes of capital development financed by private enterprise, under the Colonial Development and/or Welfare Act, by the Colonial Development Corporation, and internationally financed under the auspices of any of the international or United Nations agencies which have been initiated and approved, or were under consideration at the time of the suspension of the Constitution of British Guiana.
pursuant to his right hon. Friend's reply [Official Report, 25th November, 1953; Vol. 521, c. 47] supplied the following further information:—Schemes of capital development in British Guiana which were initiated or approved during the period the P.P.P. Ministers were in office are set out below:—I.
Government Schemes Initialed During the Period
(a) Colonial Development and Welfare Schemes
(i) Approved by Ministers
Expansion of the Ebini Livestock Station, £46,729.
(ii) Still under consideration on 9th October, 1953, Basic investigational work on the rice plant and its cultivation, £92,500.
Field investigations of agronomic problems relating to mechanical rice cultivation, £12,300.
Machine Trials, £10,000.
Continuation of Colonial Development and Welfare Assistance to Geological Survey Department, £83,230.
(b) Other Schemes
(i) Approved by Ministers
Separate accommodation for young offenders in Georgetown Prison, £625.
Equipping new wing at Public Hospital, New Amsterdam, £4,200.
Experiments for controlling Culex Fatigans, Vector of Filariasis with Dieldrin insecticide, £1,500.
Mobile Dispensary Unit for Upper Demerara River, £830.
Dispensary. Fort Island, Cost unknown.
(ii) Still under consideration on 9th October, 1953
Construction of Road to New Dam Settlement to replace existing dam, £7,750.
Mass Radiography Unit for Anti-T.B. Campaign, £4,800.
Lay-out of housing settlement at Hague Backlands (estimate), £31,250.
II. List of Government Schemes Initiated Prior to the Period, but under Consideration, Approved or Rejected during the Period
(a) Colonial Development and Welfare Schemes
(i) Approved by Ministers
Diamond Driller for Geological Survey Department, £810.
(ii) Still under consideration on 9th October, 1953
Sea Defence and further soil surveys for Tapacuma Drainage and Irrigation scheme, £20,000.
Preliminary Surveys, Mahaicony and Berbice Rivers, £30,000.
Rice Experimental Station, £61,000.
Parboiling rice investigation, £20,400.
St. Ingnatius Agricultural Station, £81,750.
Plant Pathologist for Leaf Scald Disease, £8,054.
Proving of tantalite/columbite deposits and other minerals in the interior, £32,800.
Central Agricultural Station, £117,560.
(iii) Rejected by Her Majesty's Government in form submitted
Training of mechanics in farm implements, £156,400.
(b) Other Schemes
(i) Approved by Ministers
Reconstruction of East Bank Canje Road (estimate), £95,800. Fish Ponds, £2,100.
III. Private Enterprise Schemes Approved by Ministers during the Period
Fruit Canning and Preserves industry, Esse-quibo, estimated capital cost, £64,000.
Annual recurrent expenditure, £90,000.
Ellis Associated Companies, Building Project, estimated capital cost, £60,000.
Tumaturmari Hydro-electricity (C.D.C.) (estimate), £300,000