asked the Minister of Food what classes of persons will still require ration books after June, 1954, upon the final ending of food rationing; and whether he will give authority for holders of ration books, which are no longer required, to destroy them.

Until next autumn the present ration books will be the basis of title to welfare milk, and the books must therefore be kept for expectant mothers, children under five and handicapped children. Other ration books may be destroyed when rationing is over.

Can my hon. Friend say whether it will be legal when rationing ends for ration books to form the subject of a demonstration of public joy? For instance, will it be in order for my constituents, or others, to use ration books to roast an ox on the village green?

Apart from the beneficiaries to whom I have referred, I have no suggestions to offer as to what people should do with their ration books.

Will the Minister see that adequate paper money goes to the poorer sections of the community so that they can buy the things of which they have been short on their ration books up-to-date?

asked the Minister of Food whether he is now in a position to say what arrangements he has made for the future operation of Recommissioned Mills Limited.

Not yet, for the arrangements are not yet completed under which Recommissioned Mills will operate next year.

Is my hon. Friend aware that to deal with the modern type of harvesting, it is very important that someone should know who will be in charge of the Recommissioned Mills early next autumn?

My hon. Friend will recall the announcement of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture that the Ministry of Food will operate the Recommissioned Mills in the year 1954–55. Some differences exist as to the detailed methods to be adopted, and they are now the subject of consultation.

asked the Minister of Food whether he can now announce the details of the arrangements for marketing of livestock after decontrol in July.

Some information was given in the Appendix to the White Paper (Cmd. 9104) issued on 19th March. The consultations on the further details are almost, but not quite, complete. When they are there will be issued leaflets on cattle, sheep and pigs, giving the full details for the information of farmers and the trade.

Can my hon. Friend say when these details will be issued?

It is hoped to issue them in the first week of May.

Has the hon. Gentleman any idea how many of the auction marts will be re-opened on 1st July?

It is too early to give a precise estimate.

asked the Minister of Food what arrangements are being made for further negotiations on food matters with the Argentine Government.

With the decontrol of meat in July no new contracts for the Government purchase of this or other foods in Argentina will be undertaken.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the announcement of a further increase in price, he will now reintroduce price controls of tea.

I have nothing to add to the reply which my right hop. and gallant Friend gave on 7th April to the hon. Member for Coatbridge and Airdrie (Mrs. Mann).

In view of the fact that the price was increased by 4d. per lb. only a month ago and a further price increase has just been announced, does the Minister not agree that there is a case for intervention now by his Department?

The hon. Gentleman will realise that in the year up to last month the Calcutta prices were up by Is. l½d. per lb., a price increase which saved the tea gardens from disaster. We cannot escape the consequences of that change.

Is it not a fact that these increased prices are largely the result of a steadily improving standard of living among the workers in the tea gardens of the East? That should be welcomed rather than criticised.

It is a fact that the main factors in the increased cost are freight, storage and labour costs.

While we admit that perhaps from the point of view of the producers of tea there has to be an increase, and has been an increase, will hon. Members opposite now cease from stating that the cost of living is not rising?

The index of the cost of living is the index which was statistically virtuous under the last Administration. The same index is being used today.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will postpone the pro posed decontrol of the prices of butter until after the decontrol of margarine, in order to give an opportunity to study the effect of decontrol of one commodity before proceeding to others.

No. Sir.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary pay closer regard to the views of the grocers about this, because they have made representations to him that this course should be followed? Is it a fact that the Ministry are to continue allocations to grocers in any case and that there will not be freedom; and if that is the case, would it not be proper also to continue price control?

The Ministry will, of course, continue the issue of butter while its stocks last, but, on the general issue, the hon. Member should realise that arrangements are now being made for the private import of butter, and to continue price control would do what, I am sure, he would regard as undesirable—encourage a black market.

asked the Minister of Food what representations he has received from the National Caterers' Federation relating to the Food and Drugs (Amendment) Bill; and what reply he has sent.

The Department received a letter and memorandum from the Federation on 16th March expressing certain views about the new legislation and suggesting further consultation with trade interests about the form of public food hygiene regulations. They attended a conference on 5th April and made a number of points which will be carefully considered.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary bear in mind that there are still far too many filthy eating places in this country and that it cannot be left to certain elements in the catering industry to put their own houses ox kitchens in order? Is he aware that whatever steps he takes towards improving standards in this regard will meet with widespread support in all quarters of the House and outside?

I am very much alive, as are hon. Members on both sides of the House, to the need for improving the standards of food hygiene. What is happening now is that preliminary consultations are taking place on the first draft of regulations which might subsequently be introduced.

Is my hon. Friend aware that caterers are not complaining about the Bill so much as about the possible effect of the regulations being unrealistic? Will he consult the trade before the regulations are formally adopted?

The first draft regulations were issued as long ago as 26th January. I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that widespread consultation is taking place on the precise point with the body named in the Question. That body expressed itself as dissatisfied with the idea of any legislation to amend the Act of 1938.

Will not the Parliamentary Secretary agree that the health of the public is more important than the susceptibilities of the National Caterers' Federation?

Of course, I do so agree. At the same time, we must see to it that the regulations introduced are reasonable and are capable of application in a reasonable time and at reasonable cost.

asked the Minister of Food what responsibilities and duties will remain with his Department after food rationing ends this summer; and what steps he is taking to divest himself of such responsibilities and duties.

In reply to the first part of the Question, I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the main functions of Government now discharged by the Ministry and which will still have to be carried out after the end of rationing in July. As regards the second part of the Question, I cannot at present add to the reply given on 6th April by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. Hurd).

Would my hon. Friend resist any temptations or blandishments from hon. Members opposite to retain the fabric of administration of his Ministry or even its nomenclature after rationing ends, and will it be his policy to expunge this unwanted Department at the earliest possible moment?

I think that when my hon. Friend has read the list of residual functions which remain to be discharged by the Government he will appreciate that there is a problem to be solved as to their future destination; and, as the Prime Minister has said, that is a matter upon which there cannot yet be a pronouncement.

In the event of derationing of food proving to be too expensive for the lowest income groups, what does the hon. Gentleman propose to do?

I do not propose to engage in forecasting future price levels, and I suggest to the party opposite that they should similarly desist, bearing in mind their forecasts of the cost of eggs.

(i) Implementation with the Agricultural Departments of the farm price guarantees in free market conditions.

(ii) Administration of deficiency payments schemes for the four main cereal crops and for livestock; support prices for eggs and potatoes.

(iii) Administration of subsidies totalling £285 million a year, including subsidies on bread and milk and welfare subsidies.

(iv) Various responsibilities under continuing long-term contracts, e.g. for bacon, meat (with Australia), coffee, copra, orange juice. Continuing purchase of sugar to implement Commonwealth Sugar Agreement.

(v) Oversight of import programmes for balance of payments reasons.

(vi) Questions arising under International Sugar Agreement, Commonwealth Sugar Agreement and the International Wheat Agreement and in connection with such bodies-as F.A.O., O.E.E.C., N.A.T.O., E.P.U.

(vii) Defence plans—Civil Defence organisation—stockpiling.

(viii) Food standards, Food and Drugs legislation, Slaughterhouse legislation.

(ix) Welfare foods and nutritional policy.

(x) Disposal of stocks; winding up of accounts, etc.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total amount of money paid in by civil servants to the Widows and Orphans Pension Fund of Nigeria; and what are the assets and reserves of the fund.

Until the beginning of this month there was no fund. Contributions were credited to general revenue and the benefits, calculated on actuarial tables, were paid from the same source. On 1st April, 1954, a fund was established and the sum of £4,203,700 has been allocated from Government reserves to finance it, this being the estimated present net liability of the Government as calculated by the Government Actuary.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that what he has said will be much appreciated by the Nigerian Civil Service? Could he say whether this fund will be centred in Nigeria or in Great Britain?

The fund will, I think, be centred in Nigeria where it is held as part of the revenue of the Nigerian Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the report on the Niger waters by the Dutch engineers will be available; whether he will consider publishing an interim report; and when such a report will be available.

The report on investigations of the Niger Delta should be ready about the end of this year. The report on the possibility of extending the period of navigability of the rivers Niger and Benue will not be ready for some years. However, a report on a preliminary reconnaissance for the latter will be ready in a few weeks' time. It will be for the Nigerian Government to decide whether any of the reports should be published.

Could my right hon. Friend make arrangements for that report to be made available in the Library of the House?

It will be for the Nigerian Government to decide whether any report is published, but, on the face of it, it looks as if the preliminary report will not contain enough information of public interest to justify publication in full. If it is not published, the Nigerian Government will certainly deal with it in a Press communication.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the Report of the Special Elections Committee set up by the British High Commisioner in the Federation of Malaya.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if a study has yet been made of the Report issued by the Special Elections Committee set up by the British High Commissioner in the Malaya Federation; and if he will now make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is now considering the recommendations in the Report in consultation with the High Commissioner and Their Highnesses the Rulers of the Malay States, and he hopes to be able to make a statement soon.

Is the Minister aware that this report has been published for several months and that the answer which he gave is almost exactly the same as that which I was given by the Secretary of State a month or two ago? Will he bear in mind that a little speed in promoting democratic self-government in Malaya would do a lot more to meet the challenge of Communism in South-East Asia than any of the predominently white military arrangements foreshadowed by the Foreign Secretary yesterday?

These questions of constitutions are very important and have to be examined by everybody concerned including, of course, the rulers of the Malay States, who have a statutory right to that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what new steps are now being taken to re-open the trade in rubber between China and Singapore, which is one of the means of which this industry can be revived.

None, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that the restriction on the export of rubber is having a serious effect, not only on the industry, but on the standard of living of the workers there? Is he also aware that Russia has recently offered to purchase 100,000 tons of low-grade rubber from Indonesia? Could not Malaya be given an opportunity of competing in that market?

The Question deals with the export of rubber to China, not to Russia. As a matter of fact, there has been a modest improvement in the condition of the industry recently, but rubber could not be exported to China without breaking our obligations under United Nations Resolution of May, 1951, and I am sure the hon. Member would not like us to do that.

Is it not a fact that rubber is already being exported from Colombo and they are taking the market from Malaya?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress is being made in dividing up the Federation of Malaya into electoral constituencies in readiness for the federal election; and how many constituencies it is proposed to establish.

A Commission of three, with Lord Merthyr as Chairman, began work earlier this month upon the delineation of constituencies. My right hon. Friend hopes soon to announce how many it is proposed that there should be.

Would the right hon. Gentleman take steps to speed up the division of the Federation into constituencies and also speed up the election?

The Commission meets, I think, in about three months' time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what provision is made for the schooling and teaching of the children in the two leper settlements in Malaya.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the two institutions at Sungei Buloh and Pulau Jerejak. I am asking the High Commissioner for the information sought and will write to the hon. Member when I have a reply.

I am referring particularly to the children; in these leper settlements there are a large number of children, and I want to see that their education is not neglected. I wish to ask the Minister to see that something is done to send teachers to these Colonies to educate those children.

The hon. Member will understand that we are already making inquiries into the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many cases there are in which prosecutions took place in British Guiana, initiated by the factory inspectors, for non-observance of the territory's factory laws.

None, Sir. General inspections have been carried out by labour inspectors who have so far obtained compliance with the law by persuasion. Detailed inspections must await the arrival of the newly appointed factory inspector.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he proposes to restore complete freedom of movement to Dr. Cheddi Jagan and other members of the People's Progressive Party of British Guiana.

The repeal of the orders imposing the restrictions is a matter for the Governor. I take this opportunity to say that my right hon. Friend fully supports the action which the Governor has found it necessary to take.

Is the Minister aware that unless those orders are repealed and normal constitutional methods available for the People's Progressive Party to express its point of view, there is going to be more and more civil disobedience and more and more trouble?

I am afraid that as long as Dr. Jagan and his friends continue their present behaviour, it will not be possible to repeal those orders.

Would my right hon. Friend agree that law and order regulations are made to be obeyed, and that it would bring Government into contempt if a man who has already brought his country to the edge of disaster should be allowed to flout these orders and regulations with impunity?

Is it not the case that Dr. Jagan has been sentenced to six months' imprisonment only because he disobeyed the order which does not permit him to go outside the capital town, and does the Minister really think that that is the way in which to limit Communism in that country?

I think that arises on the next Question.

Does my right hon. Friend not think that that is another example of the grave disservice done to the Colonial Territories in encouraging civil disobedience tactics, which can do nothing but harm to the interests of the great majority of the colonial people.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what grounds Dr. Cheddi Jagan and Mrs. Jagan have been arrested in British Guiana.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the events which led to the arrest of Dr. Jagan and other members of the People's Popular Party in British Guiana.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what charges Dr. Jagan and other members of the People's Popular Party have been arrested; and what arrangements are being made for their speedy trial.

Dr. Jagan was arrested on 3rd April for violating the order restricting his movements to Georgetown. Mrs. Jagan and eight other members of the party were arrested on 4th April for holding an unlawful procession.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that this repetition of the whole story of the Colonies, of India and everywhere else, does not have the effect of increasing democracy there but has the effect of increasing the very forces of Communism against which it is directed?

There can be no doubt about it that we have to carry on as we have been doing to restore law and order in that territory. This is the first occasion, as far as I know, where any movement for any Colony's independence has taken the form of attempting to set up a Communist State.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is satisfied that Dr. Jagan and other mem- bers of the People's Popular Party who have been arrested are financially able to provide for their adequate defence; and if he will make arrangements to provide them with legal advice and aid.

To judge from previous experience, there seems to be little doubt that the persons concerned are quite capable of looking after themselves in this respect.

Is the Minister aware that Dr. Jagan and Mr. Burnham were only able to return to British Guiana from this country as a result of the generosity of people in this country and that Mr. Sidney King and other defendants who were acquitted the other day were only able to be defended by equal generosity in this country? Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that justice should not be denied to people because they have no means in British Guiana, any more than it is denied to people in the same position in this country?

The fact remains that Dr. Jagan and Mr. Burnham were able to take a six months' tour of the British Commonwealth, somehow or other, and were able to brief Mr. Pritt to defend two members of the P.P.P. in proceedings in British Guiana quite recently, and in the summary complaints against Dr. Jagan and seven others for holding an illegal procession only a day or so ago the defendants were represented by five counsel.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the situation in British Guiana.

Since the statement made by my right hon. Friend last Wednesday, there have been further demonstrations in Georgetown and the County of Berbice following the re-arrest of Dr. Jagan on 5th April. During these disturbances two members of the police force were injured and some arrests were made. Some waterfront workers went on strike on the 9th April, but the situation on the sugar estates has returned to normal, except for one estate where a few men remain on strike, and another where cane cutters went on strike on 12th April. The situation in the Colony generally is quiet.

Can the Minister explain why, if Her Majesty's Government are so certain of the justice and wisdom of their behaviour, they should under cowardly conditions refuse to permit a small local party to hold its meetings and state its point of view?

I do not think there is any need again to go into all the arguments on this matter. It has been made perfectly clear by Her Majesty's Government that as long as the present attempt is made by the P.P.P. to overthrow the constitution the present system has got to persist. It is useless to say that there are only a few people hoping to hold party meetings. What they are trying to do is to overthrow law and order by subverting the Government of this small territory.

Will my right hon. Friend accept that most of us in this House are more interested in safeguarding peace and security in British Guiana than making things easier for Communist intrigues there?

Does the Minister not realise that if the slightly swollen-headed and dangerous young man that Dr. Jagan is had been planning the policy that suits him and his friends they would have done exactly what the Minister and the Government have, in fact, done, namely, tried to enforce laws which they cannot enforce and produce a martyr where they ought to have been producing something else?

I think that remains to be seen.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will lay before the House the evidence in regard to preparing to sabotage British Guiana's dyke system on which Dr. Cheddi Jagan and other leading members of his party are held.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make available to the House the evidence in his possession supporting the charge made of the existence of a plot to damage or destroy the sea-walls in British Guiana.

I have no information beyond that which my right hon. Friend gave to the House last Wednesday, namely, that the British Guiana Govern- ment received reports that P.P.P. Agents had been instructed to open the sluice gates at high tide in Georgetown. So far as I am aware, no charge had been made against any member of the P.P.P. in connection with these reports.

Is the Minister aware that a serious aspect of affairs in Guiana is that first a charge was made about plans to burn the whole of Bridgetown, that now there are these rumours, and that none of these charges is supported in a court of law? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is not good enough for a Minister of the Crown to act on rumours about threats to overthrow the constitution by force, and does he not realise that little British Guiana will not knuckle under to this kind of treatment any more than India did?

Is it not a fact that the people of Guiana will not knuckle under to Communism in any respect whatever?

May I ask the Minister whether he appreciates that even those who may be critical of Dr. Jagan and the P.P.P. nevertheless feel that evidence should be produced to support such allegations, and under those circumstances will he not do what he can to provide the House with the evidence upon which this charge is made, otherwise suspicion will be felt that the charge is false?

As I have said, so far as I know, no charges are being made.

May I ask the Minister whether he will reconsider this matter and will realise that to make charges and then not to substantiate them will not help the interests of the good government of the country? And since there seems likely to be a recurrence of this trouble, does he not think it better to make the period of interim government as short as possible, and when does he expect the report of the Commission that his right hon. Friend sent out to inquire into British Guiana?

As regards the last part of the question, the Commission is now back in this country. The Commission is working on its report, and it will be some months probably before it can be made public.

Why months?

The Minister has used a very expansive term, does he really intend to convey that it will be some months before the Commission presents its report?

A new constitution for British Guiana is a highly complicated question, and it is necessary that the Commission should take its full time to ensure that the report is a good one. I understand it will take some time, and I would not encourage the House to think that the report will come out sooner.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what provision exists for the defence of British Dependencies from external attacks; how far local military forces would be used to defend each dependency attacked or in danger of attack; and how far a system of collective defence is in existence.

While arrangements naturally vary from territory to territory, British Dependencies are normally defended from external attack by their own local forces, reinforced in case of need by those of the United Kingdom. Troops from one territory are of course sometimes used in the defence of another. A present example is the presence in Malaya of the Fiji Battalion and a battalion of the King's African Rifles.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the policy of Her Majesty's Government in regard to the cost of the military forces required for the internal security of Colonies, and the extent to which these forces should be controlled by the Colonial Governments; and if he will publish a list of Colonies and other Dependencies showing how much each proposes to spend on military forces in 1954–55 and what cash subventions Her Majesty's Government proposes to make to each in 1954–55 and the total sum so pledged.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to colonial forces only. Our general aim is that Colonial Governments should pay for and control such local military forces as are needed for internal security. The application of this principle varies from Colony to Colony and takes into account such factors as the Colony's capacity to pay, the provision of up-to-date training and the local military organisation. The detailed information asked for in the latter part of the Question is not immediately available; when it is, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is it not a fact that considerable sums have had to be paid over the year to many of these Colonies to enable them to provide even for local security?

As I say, it varies very much from one territory to another. In some of them they over-contribute towards their own forces; in other cases they are in receipt of assistance from this country.

Can the Minister tell us something which the Secretary of State for War consistently and persistently evades—how many military battalions were raised in the Colonies last year?

I am afraid I cannot answer that question without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in which Colonies African students leaving to take a university course are required to leave a deposit of £100 with their Government before they are allowed to proceed.

Private students from Nigeria are required, under an arrangement with the Association of Principals of Technical Institutions in the United Kingdom, to deposit the fees for the session with the local authorities as a prior condition to the student's acceptance by a college. The amount varies from college to college but would not normally exceed £100.

Would the Minister consider taking this matter up with the authorities concerned? Is he not aware that it is already extremely difficult for an African student to get this form of higher education and that this additional charge of £100 is a very serious financial obstacle?

The arrangement was made as a result of embarrassment caused by certain Nigerian students in seeking and obtaining places and then failing to take them up on enrolment in the United Kingdom or taking up some different course of study. The deposit is released on enrolment to meet the fees for the first session.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements are being made for the provision of essential body-building foods for Kikuyu children in the reserves when their fathers have been removed to concentration camps for security reasons.

In general, dependants of men detained under Emergency Regulations still get subsistence from the family or clan farms, or are cared for by the clans in accordance with tribal law and custom. In cases of distress, provincial Commissioners are authorised to give relief.

Is it not essential to see that these children have milk, milk products, meat or some other body-building substances and that they are not entirely dependent on grains because, as he will know, children cannot grow up healthily under those conditions? Will he look into the matter again?

I can only say that all our reports show that there is no evidence whatever that these children are in any way worse off than other African children for body-building foods or other such nutrition, and are no worse off in that respect because their fathers have been removed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that Her Majesty's Government will take as much interest in these children and the conditions under which they live as they presumably take in the case of the prisoners at Spandau?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what percentage of Kikuyu prisoners are suffering from tuberculosis; and what precautions are being taken to prevent the spread of this disease among the prisoners.

I will send the hon. Member the figure for which he has asked as soon as I receive it from Kenya. The following precautions are taken against the spread of the disease: Regular inspection by medical officers of hygiene conditions in all prisons; medical examination of all convicts on admission to prison; special diets and medicine for all convicts in low physical condition; isolation of all tuberculosis suspects; evacuation of all infected cases to tuberculosis wards in the prison hospital in Nairobi.

Is it not a fact that there is a great deal of tuberculosis in these camps? What action is taken to X-ray suspects and others exposed to infection so as to deal with them by isolation and every other means?

I have said that a medical examination takes place on ad mission of a prisoner—

By X-ray?

I could not say in exactly what way, but it may interest the hon. Member to know that, during the year 1953, of the 160 deaths from all causes in the prisons 23 were from tuberculosis.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of officers of the Kenya Police Reserve below the ages of 18 to 21, respectively.

Four and 85. Of the first group three are employed on office duties and the fourth operates a telephone exchange.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his reply will give great satisfaction in dissipating a large number of irresponsible rumours?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a further statement regarding the situation in Kenya, including the surrender negotiations with Mau Mau leaders, the deportation of all Kikuyus from Nairobi, and the progress of constitutional reform.

There has been no major change in the situation in Kenya since my right hon. Friend's statement on 22nd March. Copies of a statement issued by the Government of Kenya on 11th April, giving a brief account of the surrender negotiations, are being placed in the Library. There can be no question of deporting all Kikuyu from Nairobi, though action will be taken against anyone who directly or indirectly support Mau Mau.

Is the right hop. Gentleman aware that many of us will welcome the second thoughts regarding the deportation of Kikuyus from Nairobi? Regarding the surrender negotiations, can he say whether it is a fact that there were large numbers of Kikuyus prepared to surrender but they did not do so only because of an unfortunate clash which occurred? In the case of the constitutional reform, when does the right hon. Gentleman expect that he will be able to make an announcement of the members of the new Council of Ministers?

Dealing first with the second part of the question, the following "unofficial" have already expressed their willingness to serve in the following posts in the Government: Mr. Blundell, Minister without Portfolio; Mr. Have-lock, Minister for Local Government, Health and Housing; Mr. Maconochie Welwood, Minister with an Agricultural Portfolio; Mr. Nathoo, Minister of Works; Mr. Patel, Minister without Portfolio; Mr. O'Hanga, Minister for Community Development.

With regard to the statement which the Minister has promised to put in the Library, may I ask whether it covers the point referred to in the Press that over 1,000 Mau Mau had come to surrender but that, unfortunately, shooting began somewhere on the edge, and that the Mau Mau then retired into the forest because they thought this was a trap? It is a pity this happened because otherwise this period in Kenya might have been shortened considerably. Does the statement make that clear? Will the right hon. Gentleman also convey to his right hon. Friend and to the Government in Kenya that they should not be deterred by this unfortunate failure from seizing any opportunity of surrenders by the Mau Mau so as to bring this affair to an end more quickly?

If I may take up the time of the House I would like to enlarge on what was said before. There were about 1,000 terrorists assembling in the forest as a result of these negotiations, but under the arrangements made at the previous meeting on 30th March, it was agreed that there would be no land operations in the forest area until a certain date, 10th April. Therefore, no patrols had gone into the forest and no one was aware that the terrorists were actually assembled.

May I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that further information and say that we shall study the statement? I am sure that the House will join with me in paying tribute to the officers who did so much in establishing contacts. May I express the hope that the authorities on the spot will not hesitate to take every advantage of any opportunities that may come in the future to learn from the mistakes that occurred this time?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Jack Howell, the Assistant District Commandant, and Lieutenant Barry Harvey Hayward of the Kenya Police Reserve, who were present when Guchu Gaithongo set fire to oil poured on the head of a suspect under interrogation and were censured by Judge MacDuff for attempting to suppress their part in the incident, are still retained in the service.

Barry Harvey Hay-ward's services have been terminated. Assistant District Commandant Howell has been suspended from duty and is being prosecuted for assault on evidence arising out of the Hayward trial.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what terms of employment and under what conditions a 500-strong Masai warrior army of volunteers are being used to patrol the border of Kenya and the Northern Province of Tanganyika.

These Masai warriors are unpaid volunteers who offered to assist the Tanganyika police in patrolling the Kenya border in the Loliondo area and preventing persons of mixed Masai-Kikuyu race from supplying Mau Mau gangs in Kenya and harbouring fugitives.

In view of the fact that the Masai are the traditional enemies of the Kikuyu, is it advisable that they should be patrolling this particular border at this particular time?

As I said, they are trying to deal with people of mixed Masai-Kikuyu race. But, as a matter of fact, not more than 30 or 40 have turned up at any one time and lack of interest has led to most of them dropping out altogether.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reply he has made to the memorandum upon land matters which was addressed to him in January last by the Nyasaland African Protectorate Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how much more land it is the intention of the Government of Nyasaland to alienate in the Southern Province for European estate development; and whether he will consider making available unused land for African farming under the Supervision of the agricultural department

As hon. Members will be aware, my right hon. Friend intends to visit Nyasaland next month. While he is there he will take the opportunity of looking into land problems on the spot. He has, therefore, not yet answered the memorandum addressed to him by the African Protectorate Council; and I would ask hon. Members not to press for statements of policy on questions connected with land in Nyasaland for the time being.

Will the Minister convey to his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies that Africans are distinctly perturbed in Nyasaland because a habit is developing whereby the plantations are selling portions of their holdings to individual European settlers? This, to my mind, is a pernicious practice, so can the Minister convey to his right hon. Friend that something should be done about it?

I will certainly draw that to the attention of my right hon. Friend, but the hon. Gentleman can be assured that he will review all aspects of the land problem in Nyasaland.

May I ask the Minister whether there could be a standstill order so that no further land is alienated on the one hand and, equally, that land which is not used, but which is available for African fanning, shall be so used?

Those are all different questions into which my right hon. Friend is looking.

Can the right hon. Gentleman not give a guarantee that there will be a standstill order in this important matter? Four months have already gone by since the memorandum came, and it is natural that the African people should be very anxious.

I cannot commit myself to that. As far as I know, there are no great changes going on at present, and my right hon. Friend will be out there within 10 days or a fortnight and will be looking into the whole question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how far the Government of Nyasaland is considering the abolition of rent paid by African tenants on European estates in the Southern Province; in what circumstances crops are sold by African tenants to their landlords; and if he can give an assurance that Africans receive the same price for their crops, according to quality, as Europeans receive for similar crops.

The position of African tenants on European estates is bound up with other questions of land policy which my right hon. Friend intends to study during his forthcoming visit to Nyasaland. I should, therefore, prefer not to answer the first part of this Question at present. With regard to the second part, there are no restrictions on the sale of tenants' crops to landlords, nor is there any legal obligation on tenants to sell. For this reason, it is not possible to give a categorical answer to the third part of the Question.