asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can yet make a statement in respect of the proposals for developing the port of Gibraltar.

The Governor, after considering the report of the consulting engineers, has informed me that he wishes to proceed with a port development project and has asked that a number of aspects of the project, including the question of finance, should be considered. These are now under examination.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that the statement he has just made will be received with considerable pleasure in Gibraltar? Will he also state whether he has been able to make any progress with the Admiralty in respect of giving up part of their oil tankerage for commercial purposes?

I am grateful for the hon. Gentleman's words and share the view he has expressed. The Admiralty told me that it has been recently considering, in conjunction with the various interests concerned, whether and in what way it can best help, and I hope that a decision will soon be reached.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what further discussions have taken place or are contemplated with representatives of tourist agencies and shipping companies in this country designed to develop Gibraltar's tourist industry; and what action is contemplated to increase hotel accommodation for visitors.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Colonial Affairs has arranged a meeting next week with representatives of some of the shipping companies and tourist agencies. In reply to the second part of the Question, the Gibraltar Government are doing all they can to encourage people who are or might be interested in the business of providing more hotel accommodation in Gibraltar.

Is the Colonial Secretary aware that that, too, will be received with pleasure in Gibraltar? I should like to add my personal congratulations to the Minister of State for the initiative he has taken in this way.

I thank the hon. Member very much.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now state when he proposes to visit Gibraltar.

The most precise information I can give the hon. Gentleman is that the date will be some time after 26th May.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that he can do a very much better job in Gibraltar in May than he will be able to do defending the Budget in this country?

I hope to go there shortly after 26th May with popular support.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the recent disturbances in Cyprus.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what measures are being taken to combat terrorism in the island of Cyprus.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a further statement on the acts of violence against British troops in Cyprus.

Since my reply to Questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Colchester (Mr. Alport) and other hon. Members on 6th April, there have been four attacks on private residences of British Army officers, causing negligible damage and no injury to persons. There has been no further incidence since 9th April. I referred in my reply on 6th April to counter-measures by the Cyprus Government. These have been intensified. Combined military and police patrols have been increased; the number of special constables now exceeds 460 and steps have been taken to improve the security of vulnerable points.

Would the right hon. Gentleman not agree that it is the unfailing experience of history that people denied the prospect of freedom will turn to violence? Would the right hon. Gentleman not also agree that we cannot treat a nationalist movement as if it were a sort of crime wave?

This is one of those responsibilities from which Her Majesty's Government are not, like other people, in a position to try to opt out.

Does my right hon. Friend not agree that it is of the utmost importance to preserve the present good relations between the British community and the Greek and Turkish Cypriots on the island, and that therefore it is essential that the terrorists should be caught and punished, as their actions react on all the communities?

I am satisfied that the vast majority of the people in Cyprus deplore this recourse to violence.

Does the right hon Gentleman recall that when he made his statement on 6th April he appealed to the Archbishop and other interested parties to deplore and issue statements condemning acts of violence? Has the right hon. Gentleman received information to the effect that they have in fact done so, and, if they have not, is there not really a heavy burden of responsibility on these people who have encouraged this Enosis movement to resort to violence against British troops?

Yes, I think it is a fair comment to make that the Archbishop and others in the Ethnarchy might well express their abhorrence of what has been going on.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in the discussions on constitutional development in Cyprus.

I am not yet in a position to add to my replies to Questions by the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras, South (Mrs. L. Jeger) on 2nd March.

Has the right hon. Gentleman no news whatever to give the House of the progress of these talks, without which it is impossible to look forward to a peaceful future in Cyprus?

Any influence that the hon. Gentleman can bring to bear on the people so that they will take part in these talks will be very greatly welcomed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what port development schemes are planned for the harbours of Cyprus.

In a report to the Governor, Sir Eric Millbourn, Ports Adviser to the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, has recommended the construction of three new deep-water berths at Famagusta and three more at Limasol and minor improvements at Paphos. As he also recommended, a detailed engineering survey will shortly be carried out to confirm the engineering practicability of the proposals and to obtain accurate estimates of their cost. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library, and I am sending one to my hon. and gallant Friend.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, and while welcoming the report, may I ask him also to bear in mind the claims of the port of Larnaca? This port is not selected for modernisation, and the town and district of Larnaca depend very much on modern facilities at that port.

I am aware of that fact. Of course, the report has been drawn up dealing with development in relation to the likely flow of trade through various ports, and that is the major consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of these proposals for port improvements have been hanging about for a very long time? Will he try to see that some real action is taken in Cyprus without any unnecessary delay?

I am all in favour of concentration in Cyprus on the things that really matter, and I hope the hon. Lady will help in that task.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the development likely to take place in Famagusta may well do considerable damage to the archaeological aspects of that town, which could attract a large number of tourists? Will my right hon. Friend consider that it may well be possible that Larnaka could take the place of Famagusta for much of this development?

In this, as in all things, I shall do my best to reconcile the old world and the new.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now ask for a return of the number of civil servants in Kenya to whom the Governor-in-Council has given permission to own land; and whether he will publish the information.

The Governor has furnished me with a return, which I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

May I thank the right hon. Gentleman very much for his change of mind in this matter, in that he will recall that a month ago he said that he was unable to publish this figure, which will now be seen with very great interest by hon. Members on both sides of the House?

Ministers find frequently that they have to make up their minds on the value of the information if published and the amount of work its preparation would involve a heavily overburdened Government. I was prepared to look into this, and I shall now be interested to hear the comments of hon. Members.

Could my right hon. Friend give the figures and statistics pertaining to African civil servants?

No, Sir, because the majority of African civil servants own land in the native reserve according to tribal law and custom, and formal permission in that case is not necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of Africans sentenced to death in Kenya during each month from the beginning of the emergency, and on what charges; and in how many cases in each category executions have followed or reprieves been declined.

From the beginning of the emergency to 15th April, 1955, 1,297 persons were sentenced to death in Kenya of whom 886 were executed. I am asking the Governor for month-by-month figures of persons sentenced to death and will arrange for them to be sent to the hon. Member.

While we all understand the abhorrence and anger caused by Mau Mau atrocities, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he does not think it desirable to keep our own record clean in this matter? Is it not the case that we have hanged over 500 Africans for crimes less than murder? Will he now bring in a modification which he has frequently indicated in reply to my Questions in the House?

As I told the hon. Gentleman, this question is under constant review. I have answered the Question on the Order Paper, and nothing more at this stage arises from it.

Could my right hon. Friend at the same time publish the number of mutilations as well as murders that have been committed by these Africans and their fellows throughout the same period?

I have from time to time drawn attention to those ghastly facts, but I would hesitate to try to draw any mathematical comparisons in the field of justice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action Her Majesty's Government propose to take arising from the judgment of Mr. Justice Cram in the Supreme Court of Kenya that the Kikuyu Home Guard is illegal and that it is very doubtful whether its members have the right to carry firearms; and if he will place a verbatim report of this judgment in the Library of the House of Commons.

Following the doubts expressed by Mr. Justice Cram, the Kenya Government have examined the legal position of the Kikuyu Guard. Their view still is that its members were appointed as special tribal police and had the powers and rights conferred by the Tribal Police Ordinance and certain Emergency Regulations. The right to carry arms is specifically accorded by Section 8A of the Tribal Police Ordinance.

In any case, the status of the Guard is now beyond doubt since its reorganisation into regular tribal police, a new tribal police reserve and village watch and ward units is now almost complete. Any doubts about the former position of the Guard could, of course, only finally be resolved in the courts. A verbatim copy of the judgment, except that part delivered in camera, is in the Library.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say how it is that a certain part of this judgment was delivered in camera? Are not Members of Parliament entitled to be aware of the whole of the judgment made in the Supreme Court in Kenya?

There was, so far as I know, what is virtually an unprecedented situation, in that a copy of the judgment given in camera was obtained by some unknown means and published in the Press without authority, as I think many hon. Members know. I feel that this is a matter affecting the judiciary in Kenya, and I am not prepared by publication to give even tacit approval to such a gross breach of the proprieties.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the Report of the Committee of Inquiry into the Administration of Native Courts in Kenya has yet been presented to the Kenya Government.

Yes, Sir. It is now under consideration by the Kenya Government.

Will the right hon. Gentleman urge the introduction of serious reforms in this matter in view of the very grave charges that were made in the judgment of Mr. Justice Cram? Will he not now reconsider whether it is desirable that there should be an inquiry into the whole administration of justice in Kenya?

No, Sir. I do not think that is necessary at all. The question of the publication of the Report of the inquiry is now under consideration between the Kenya Government and myself, and I hope the hon. Gentleman will wait a little while, when I hope to make a further statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies under what authority 600,000 Kikuyu have been moved from their homes in Kenya; and what compensation was paid for the destruction of their 150,000 huts.

The concentration of Kikuyu into villages has been effected by administrative direction through the authority of tribal chiefs and headmen. Most of the people moved voluntarily and, although powers of compulsory removal exist in Emergency Regulations, these have rarely been used. In most cases only short distances are involved and the people concerned continue to farm the same land. Most of the material used in village construction has been salvaged from the old huts and further materials are provided free of charge by Government. The question of compensation does not therefore arise.

Is the Secretary of State aware that what he says is not quite correct? One cannot salvage from a destroyed home when the home is destroyed by fire. He admitted in reply to a Question last week that many of the huts were being destroyed by fire. Can I have an assurance that when huts are destroyed by fire he will provide a suitable replacement for them, as they often represent the total wealth of the native occupier?

No, Sir. As I have said, most of this work is being carried out with full agreement. If the hon. Gentleman has a chance to visit some of the new villages in Kenya, he will find that not only from the point of view of combating terrorism, but, equally important, from the point of view of a good life in the future and the education and health of the people concerned, the villages provided for the Kikuyu, the Embu and the Meru constitute one of the most hopeful signs for the future.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the revolution which is taking place through the increase in villagisation of the Kikuyu is one of the most important social developments in Africa at the present time? Will he make it clear that no Question such as that asked by the Opposition indicates that we in this House—at least, those who are aware of African conditions—are opposed to the speedy carrying out and prolongation of the revolution?

I am sure that is so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many persons in Kenya have been the subject of orders confiscating the whole or part of their land holdings since the beginning of the emergency; what compensation was given; and what opportunities the owners were given to object to the orders by representation in any court by counsel.

I am asking the Governor of Kenya for the information requested by the hon. Member and will write to him when it is received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if Mr. Hughes still holds the post of District Commissioner of Nyeri in view of the fact that he admitted in evidence that he had directed headmen that they might imprison Africans at discretion, a course described by Mr. Justice Cram in a judgment on 10th December, 1954, as repugnant to British justice and morality.

No, Sir. Having completed a tour of duty in the emergency areas, he was posted as District Commissioner, Mombasa, in January.

Is the Minister satisfied that this District Commissioner is now in a place where any views that he may have will not create the trouble that they might have created in the place where he was recently situated?

If the hon. Gentleman had, as I have had, the pleasure of the friendship of the officer concerned, he would not make a remark of that kind. The work that is done in Kenya must often be judged against the exigencies of the period. I know the outstanding work that Mr. Hughes has done for the Kikuyu people, and I am sure that other hon. Members who have been there also know it.

Nevertheless, will not the Minister agree that District Commissioners, to whose work we generally pay a great tribute, ought to be very careful about the views which they express in these difficult areas?

What about hon. Members?

I think that prudence in speech is desirable both in Kenya and in England.

What about Scotland?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will place in the Library of the House of Commons a copy of the report by Sir Vincent Glenday on the general administration of screening camps and interrogation centres.

Sir Vincent Glenday's report has been received by the Kenya Government and is now being studied. The question of publication is being considered.

In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman approved of the appointment of Sir Vincent. will he use his influence to see that the report is made available in the Library of the House?

I am always anxious to keep hon. Members informed about the progress of events, but the Governor informed me a few days ago that the main report had been received; clearly, before it is studied and I have consultations with him, I cannot give a firm answer about publication.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in order to make adequate provision for assisting lepers, he will arrange for a census to be taken in all our Colonies of people suffering from this disease, of the number of hospitals treating them, and of the present supplies of the latest drugs, as a preliminary to taking further action to assist these sufferers.

Action to combat leprosy as well as other diseases is the responsibility of Colonial Governments, all of which have taken steps to assess the size of the problem in their own territories and to provide facilities for treatment to the limit of the resources at their disposal. I am always ready to afford them such aid and advice as I can, but I do not think that a census of the kind proposed is needed or would help the work forward. Fully adequate supplies of all modern drugs are available for the territories concerned.

While we fully appreciate what has been done in the past for these unfortunate people, is the Minister aware that there is still much more to be done? Thousands of sufferers are walking around in the towns of our Colonies. Is not the first step in getting rid of the disease the taking of a census? Will the right hon. Gentleman refer the matter to the United Nations organisations for them to use their powers in helping not only this country but colonial countries?

No, Sir. This is a matter involving very acute personal feelings. We are very anxious that patients should come forward voluntarily for treatment, and a census at this stage might well have a very adverse effect. There is no reason whatever why people suffering from the disease should be walking about the streets in any of our Colonies not knowing where they can go for treatment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will take steps to expedite the publication of the annual reports of Colonial Territories.

Yes, Sir. I shall continue to take every opportunity to urge on Colonial Governments the importance of the earliest possible publication of these reports.

While I thank my right hon. Friend for that assurance, is it not a fact that some territories have already reported for last year, while there are still some which have not issued their reports for 1953? Can he say whether there is any particular reason why that disparity should exist?

There is a desperate shortage of staff. While it is of great importance to get the reports prepared, in some Colonies other work is given higher priority. However, I am conscious of the need to press on with the work.

Is it not a fact that some Colonies, like Uganda, have first-class public relations officers, but others may not have quite such good ones?

Some Colonies, like Uganda, have first-class natural resources.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent there has been an increase or a decrease in the number of cases of juvenile delinquency in West African and East African Colonies, respectively, during 1954 or 1953 compared with 1950 or 1951; and what is the increase or decrease in the number of instances for the same periods where corporal punishment has been inflicted.

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

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the incidence of juvenile delinquency has gone up or gone down, and if it has gone up, what is the cause?

Not surprisingly it has gone up in some places and down in others. So I hesitate to give an answer.

Would the Minister give us a little more information on the subject and not try to ride off in that fashion?

The answer will be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT, and today week I shall be at the top of the list at Question Time, when the hon. Gentleman can apply whatever chastisement he chooses.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the language expert of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation has urged a better system of teaching the English language in Malaya; and, in view of the fact that this is to be the language of the Legislature, whether he will provide greater facilities for the teaching of English as a second language and appoint men with experience in language work to superintend it.

The proposals of the U.N.E.S.C.O. language expert are at present under consideration in Malaya. If the hon. Member is referring in his question to the Federation of Malaya, he is in error in saying that English is to be the language of the Legislature. The Federation of Malaya Agreement states that Malay and English are the official languages of the Federation Legislative Council. English is the official language of the Singapore Legislative Assembly.

Has it not been decided that English is to be the language used in the Legislature? When a Question was asked the other day as to whether there would be a multi-lingual system, the Minister said that he could not agree to it. Owing to the importance of the fact that English is to be the language used in the Legislature, surely we should press for schools and early training of the children to enable them to learn English?

I think the hon. Member has got Malaya and Singapore mixed up. If he will read my answer, he will learn what the correct position is.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when the Government of the Federation of Malaya are elected in two or three months' time they can themselves determine what language shall be used?

It has already been agreed that English and Malay are the official languages and are to be the official languages of the forthcoming Federation Council.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that Canada is still a bi-lingual country and people seem to get along very well there?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now permit the students of the Chinese Middle School in Singapore to form a students' union.

This is a matter for the Singapore Government, and I do not propose to intervene.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what ministerial appointments have been made in Singapore following the recent elections.

As the reply consists of a list of offices and names, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of seats held by each of the parties in the recent elections in Singapore; and what was the percentage of votes polled by each of these parties.

The Labour Front won 10 seats with 26·7 per cent. of the votes polled; the Progressive Party, four seats with 24·5 per cent. of the votes; the Democratic Party two seats with 20·3 per cent. of the votes; Independents three seats with 96 per cent. of the votes; the People's Action Party three seats with 8·6 per cent. of the votes; and the U.M.N.O./M.CA. Alliance three seats with 8·3 per cent. of the votes. The Labour Party polled 0·8 per cent. of the votes but won no seats.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the resultant Government is a minority Government or a coalition Government?

It is a coalition Government, but I would not suggest that hon. Members opposite by changing their name from "party" to "front" are likely to fare any better in a month's time.

Is it not a fact that the term "Labour Party" is something of a euphemism in Singapore and does not compare with the term as understood here?

I think the word "Labour" applied to the Labour Party is also a euphemism in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why collegiate residences have been given priority compared with the need for buildings for the engineering and agricultural faculties in the plans of the University of Malaya at Kuala Lumpur.

This is a question for the authorities of the University, which is in such matters an autonomous institution.

Would the Secretary of State do something to recommend that the expenditure be devoted to more necessary purposes?

We are all the time anxious to encourage self-reliance and independence among the people for whom we have responsibility, and I would hesitate to do work which is properly theirs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the recommendations of a Select Committee of the Federal Legislature on the transport industry in Malaya have been accepted by the Government of the Federation.

These recommendations are to be considered by the Federal Legislative Council next month.

Would my right hon. Friend not agree that the progress of Malaya in these matters and in industry generally should not necessarily be held up while other communities catch up?

Yes, Sir, I am anxious to encourage Malayan participation in industry and I shall await the discussion with the greatest interest.

asked the Postmaster-General how many applicants are awaiting the installation of telephones in the area of the Litherland Urban District Council, Lancashire; what is the comparable figure for a year ago; and what steps are being taken to shorten the waiting time.

Figures for the Litherland Urban District are not available, but in the Waterloo exchange area, which includes nearly all the urban district, there are 248 applications outstanding, of which 72 are in course of being met or are under inquiry. The figure a year ago was 222. We supplied 400 telephones in 1954 and plan to increase this to 500 in the current year.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will reconsider his decision not to allow the Reverend C. C. D. Lewis, Vicar of Burntwood, a private telephone line not only in view of his normal parochial work, but also in view of his confidential responsibilities as Chaplain to St. Matthew's Mental Hospital.

I am afraid that the decision must be maintained. We have avoided asking the Vicar of Burntwood to share for as long as we could, but it is now the only way in which we can give telephone service to an applicant in the neighbourhood.

Is not the decision rather lacking in imagination and does not the right hon. Gentleman's own experience as a doctor tell him that there are cases which arise where it is essential that there should be complete confidence as between the staff, the patients and the incumbent in question?

I have a great deal of sympathy with Mr. Lewis, and I have gone into this matter carefully in the hope of finding another way of dealing with the problem. There is a subscriber in the area, the Burntwood Primary School, which is not compelled to share. I have endeavoured to persuade them to share. If the hon. Gentleman will join me in endeavouring so to persuade them, we may solve the problem without requiring Mr. Lewis to share.

Passing the buck.

asked the Postmaster-General when work will begin on the Enfield automatic telephone exchange; and when completion is anticipated.

The new building is expected to start at the end of 1956 and the automatic telephone exchange should be ready for service towards the end of 1960.

Is not it possible for work to start earlier than that, especially as about two years ago a promise was given by the Department that work would start earlier?

The hon. Gentleman will realise that this year and in the next two years it is proposed to create new and extended exchanges to the number of about 370, in addition to the 60 large exchanges which are being converted to automatic use. This proposal needs to be fitted in with the general plan.