asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in developing Gibraltar's tourist industry.

Substantial progress has been made. More ships and aircraft are calling at Gibraltar this year. Various improvements have been made in local facilities for changing money and in the arrangements for sight-seeing. There has been a relaxation of visa requirements for foreigners. More tourist literature has been prepared and other improvements are under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when his proposed visit to Gibraltar is to take place.

I am visiting the Far Eastern territories during the Recess. I cannot yet say when I shall be able to go to Gibraltar, but I hope to do so before the end of the year.

Is the Minister aware that when he made his announcement during the last Government the information was received with considerable satisfaction in Gibraltar and that he will be assured of a great welcome when he goes there? The people are looking forward to it.

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman and to the people of Gibraltar. If the mountain does not come to Mahomet, the Rock certainly does. I have seen the present Governor and his predecessor and have had long talks with them. I very much hope to be able to go there during October.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in the discussions concerning the improvement of the port facilities of Gibraltar.

This project was discussed last month with the Governor when he was in London. Various technical questions arising out of the consulting engineers' report have since been examined in detail with the Service Departments concerned, and I am now asking the Governor for his further views on the financial and technical aspects of the proposals.

While thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask him whether the Admiralty has made up its mind yet about allocating private oil tankerage at the Rock of Gibraltar, which is so badly needed for the economic life of the Rock?

Yes, Sir. The Admiralty has been considering the question of private bunkering or bunker-age for commercial purposes. At a meeting of the Gibraltar Co-Ordinating Committee on 7th of this month it was decided that the Minister of Fuel and Power should be asked to assist in further discussions with the two oil companies concerned.

How long will it now be before the final decision is made so that the provision can be used?

The hon. Gentleman can rest assured that we shall press on with this.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why considerably less delay is experienced in getting shipments into the port of Mombasa when goods are shipped from Continental ports than when shipped from British ports; and what action is being taken to ensure fair treatment to firms exporting from this country.

Shipping quotas for goods for Mombasa from British and Continental ports have been established on the basis of 1951 performance. The comparatively greater delay in shipment from British ports is caused by the fact that the demand for British goods in East Africa has increased more sharply since 1951 than the demand for Continental goods. Attempts to review the quota system would not, in my opinion, result in more advantageous arrangements for British firms.

Would my right hon. Friend look into this matter again? My information is that the delay there in shipping from Continental ports is about half that of shipping from British ports. That means that British exporters exporting on small margins of profit cannot trans-ship from Continental ports and are disadvantaged as a result compared with their Continental competitors. That is a very serious matter in an expanding market.

Of course, we have had conversations with the East African section of the London Chamber of Commerce. Its view is that reconsideration of these quotas would not turn out to our advantage. The real answer is to increase the capacity of Mombasa. I am very glad to see from the observations of the chairman of the Mombasa Port Phasing Committee that there is a strong likelihood of this happening.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Africans are imprisoned at Lokitaung in Northern Kenya; what are their daily rations; whether he is satisfied with their health conditions; whether there is a prison library; and what facilities exist for relatives to visit prisoners.

The six prisoners at Lokitaung are in excellent health and are well housed. There is a prison library and visits from relatives are permitted. Daily rations are laid down in the Kenya Prisons Rules, a copy of which is in the Library.

Are Kenyatta and his colleagues among the six prisoners? Will the right hon. Gentleman allay the rumours which are widespread about their ill-health, so as to reassure Africans in Kenya?

Jomo Kenyatta is among these prisoners. The hon. Gentleman recently wrote to me about a suggestion that he was being employed in breaking stones and was in poor health. He is actually employed as cook for the other prisoners. He is in better health than when admitted to prison, and so far as I know all medical needs are being fully met.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if a decision has yet been reached on a modification of the charges under which persons can be sentenced to death in Kenya.

In the light of the improved situation the Government of Kenya have decided, with my full support, to reduce the number of capital offences. The effect of the amendments, which have come into force today, is to revoke two Emergency Regulations (3A—Acting with intent to further terrorism and 8AA—Trafficking in firearms, ammunition and explosives), and to reduce to life imprisonment the penalty under a third (8F (1)—Extorting supplies for the purposes of terrorism). I will place revised copies of the Regulations in the Library as soon as possible.

Whilst welcoming that statement, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is not aware that some of us have been pressing for this modification for many months? In view of the withdrawal of the surrender terms, will he see that it is applied immediately?

If the hon. Gentleman had listened—as I thought he might well have done on a matter of this importance—to what I said, he would have noticed that the amendments have come into force today. I think that a word of gratitude and understanding is needed for the Government of Kenya who, faced with their terrible preoccupations, have kept this under constant review and have been able to make the announcement which I have given the House today.

I understand the right hon. Gentleman's reference to the trafficking in arms, but does that also mean that people will no longer be condemned to death merely for being found in possession of a few rounds of small-arms ammunition?

The right hon. Gentleman knows very well the practical action taken in regard to a few rounds of small-arms ammunition, but the unlawful possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives is not included in the list, nor, in the view of the Kenya Government, could it be so included in the present state of emergency. But the Government of Kenya, which have shown throughout a realisation of the need to keep the regulations under constant review, will, of course, continue to do so until this unhappy business is altogether at an end.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement regarding proposals of the Government to end the fighting in Kenya following the withdrawal of the surrender terms on 10th July.

Following the withdrawal of the surrender offer, military operations have been intensified against the remaining terrorists in the forests with a view to the earliest possible termination of the emergency. It is still open to those who may wish to surrender to take advantage of the "Green Branch" terms of August, 1953.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the only possibility for the 1,000 Mau Mau adherents who are now holding out is either to be killed in the hostilities or to be executed after surrender? Will he not, therefore, try to seek some other way by which an end to the fighting can be secured without this appalling alternative?

As the hon. Gentleman feels that he has considerable influence with people in Africa and elsewhere, I wish that he would be more accurate in his statements. He ought to study the "Green Branch" terms before he makes that sort of observation. They provide very considerable opportunities, other than for those who have committed murder, and they should certainly be pondered on. Many opportunites have been offered to the terrorists in Kenya with my full support, and offered generously by the Government of Kenya.

Will the right hon. Gentleman publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the terms to which he has referred in his reply, and secondly, will he say what efforts will be made to make these terms known to the people in the forest? Will he also say whether there are only 1,000 left in the forest?

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, it is always difficult to estimate the number of terrorists in a forest, either in Kenya or in Malaya, but I will certainly circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT again—for I think it has been done before—the "Green Branch" terms. I am certain that no opportunity has been lost by the Government of Kenya for bringing the details of these terms home to everybody.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the problem of educating the children of those serving overseas, especially those who are stationed in countries which, for reasons of climate, are unsuitable for the education of children from the United Kingdom over the age of eight years, is becoming a matter of increasing concern and often of heavy expense to the parents; and, in view of its effect on recruitment to the Colonial Service, what proposals he has to deal with this problem.

My right hon. Friend is well aware of this problem. Some assistance is already given by a number of Colonial Governments and some of them are at present considering the possibility of increasing the amount of help given. As my hon. Friend is aware, local education authorities have been asked to take special account of the needs of children whose parents are serving overseas.

I welcome my right hon. Friend's statement that facilities are now to be made available, but is he aware that they still do not go far enough? This problem is common to all the three fighting Services. Will my right hon. Friend therefore persuade his right hon. Friend, in co-operating with those Services, to try to find a common solution applying to all the children of those serving overseas?

I can only assure my hon. Friend that Her Majesty's Government are well aware of this problem, and particularly my right hon. Friend, and that we shall certainly do all we can to seek a solution.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all, or nearly all, our public servants overseas send their boys and girls to public fee-paying schools in the United Kingdom? Is not this a subsidy to fee-paying education, which is something we do not consider in this country? Will he look carefully at this aspect of the matter before he goes further into it?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if an agreement has yet been reached with the Government of Sierra Leone on the legalisation of indigenous diamond mining; and if he will make a statement.

I am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Flint, East (Mrs. White) last week.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the value of diamonds mined in Sierra Leone in 1954; and what proportion of this was produced by the Sierra Leone Selection Trust Limited.

The value of diamonds exported in 1954 by the Sierra Leone Selection Trust was £1,699,874. I have seen various estimates of current illicit production ranging from £2 million to £4 million per annum but am in no position to vouch for their accuracy or otherwise.

Is the Secretary of State not aware that people in the Colony are virtually digging up diamonds from their back gardens, which leads to a Colony-wide black market? Could he not see his way to licensing authorised diggers and thus end this monopoly?

It is precisely because I am aware of the comparative ease with which these stones can be extracted that I asked for a delegation to come from Sierra Leone, with whom I am now in the middle of negotiations.

As one who has supplied machinery for digging diamonds, may I ask whether it is true that if all the diamonds which are dug were released to the public they would be completely and utterly worthless?

The right hon. Gentleman is perfectly correct, and I am sure that he, like many other capitalists, is interested in the preservation of legal practices.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total cost of the wharf improvements at Freetown; and from what sources the cost of those improvements has been found.

The estimated total cost of the Queen Elizabeth II Quay is £1,469,410. This is being borne by the Sierra Leone Government, principally from loan funds raised for this purpose.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that in these improvements there is a strategic content for the Atlantic Alliance, and that the amount falling on the Sierra Leone Government is very substantial? Is there no possibility of defence aid being granted?

I shall be very glad to look into that point.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what right of appeal is possessed by persons convicted of murder after trial in a Northern Rhodesian provincial court.

Persons convicted of murder in a subordinate court have the right to appeal to the High Court, by which the sentence must in any case be confirmed. If that appeal fails, or if, without an appeal, a capital sentence is confirmed by the High Court, an appeal lies to the Federal Supreme Court.

Will the right hon. Gentleman guarantee that if a European in Northern Rhodesia should beat an African to death he will not be able to appeal and get his sentence reduced to one of culpable homicide with one year's imprisonment, as was done, to the eternal disgrace of the British Commonwealth, in Southern Rhodesia?

I understand that the right hon. Gentleman is discussing some action on the part of the Federal Supreme Court. I am quite unable to go into it here. It is a matter within its competence. I am entirely satisfied of the integrity, efficiency and ability of the members of the Federal Supreme Court.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the Government of Northern Rhodesia have reverted to the earlier practice of referring to Africans as "natives" in their official notices.

There has been no change. "African" is normally used, except when reference to some older law or regulation makes the used of the word "native" necessary.

Is the Minister aware that many Africans believe that this is used as a term of contempt by Europeans, and will he please have the practice stopped?

The position is that the word "African" is always used in official correspondence, documents and modern ordinances. The word "native" is only employed for the sake of clarity in referring to old ordinances in which the word "native" is used.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that sensible people realise that a native of a country is a native of that country and that there is no insult in calling him such, whether it is in Kenya or in Scotland?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what principle zones will be established under the recently amended Section 27A of the Township Ordinance of Northern Rhodesia.

Areas will be set aside for residence, industry, general business, open spaces and other purposes, according to the accepted principles of town planning.

Will there be any distinction between race and colour?

There will be no distinction whatever, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why no African or European representing African interests has been appointed to the Land Board in Northern Rhodesia.

The African interests involved are adequately represented by the three officials on the Board. The Board is in no way concerned with native reserves or trust land.

Does this mean that it is not the intention of the Government to lease Crown land to Africans?

The Land Board deals only with Crown land, which is six per cent. of the total area of the territory. There are, in fact, only three Africans who at present hold leases of Crown agricultural land, and none has applied recently. The fact is that Africans can obtain land in the native reserves or the trust land free of charge and unencumbered on far, far easier terms than they could under the Crown.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give an assurance that the recently enacted Clause 30A of the Northern Rhodesian Police Ordinance, which makes it an offence to loiter in a public place, will not be used to prevent peaceful picketting during an industrial dispute or boycott of business premises or shops which practise the colour bar.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the established Church in Malta and Maltese political parties, not represented in the Legislative Assembly, will be represented at the Round-Table Conference; and what opportunity they will have of presenting their views in full.

I think that it will be best to leave the Conference to make its own arrangements for calling evidence. I have no doubt that it will be anxious to have made available to it all points of view in Malta.

Will the talks take place in London, or in Malta and London?

The talks will take place in London. With regard to the Question which my hon. and gallant Friend asked me, I cannot imagine the scheme being successful unless it takes full account of the special position of the Roman Catholic Church in Malta.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to which Dominions Maltese emigrants have gone since the last war; and how many are involved.

The Commonwealth countries, with the number of Maltese emigrants to each, for the period 1st January, 1946, to 31st December, 1954, are:

In view of these figures, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind when it comes to the Conference in September, August, or whenever it is to be, that if we are to discuss integration there is also the possibility of integrating in some way with Australia, Canada, and other Dominions who are interested in Malta's future?

I think that I can only refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him by the Prime Minister on the 12th of this month.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what changes have taken place in the administrative staff of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands.

The approved establishment of administrative posts has been reduced from 19, in 1946 and in 1950, to 16 in 1955.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a well-known missionary who has just left the Islands has made allegations about the swollen nature of the administration, saying that there is far too much paper work and far too few officials going out into the field to see the indigenous people? Will he make a statement on that?

I can only say that I have no reason to think there is any truth in those allegations at all. Indeed, as far as concerns the general allegations made by Captain Hughes—to whom I think the hon. Gentleman is referring—the London Missionary Society has informed my Department that two or three of their teachers who are on the teaching staff in New Zealand have written a letter in very strong terms, which I could quote to the House, in which they deny all those allegations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what consultations take place with the All-Nigeria Trade Union Federation when the Government of Nigeria fixes minimum wages for that Colony.

Neither the Federal nor the Regional Governments of Nigeria fix national minimum wages. The hon. Member may have in mind recent increases in the minimum rates of daily paid employees of the Federal Government. These were based on the report of a fact-finding committee which heard evidence from the All-Nigeria Trade Union Federation amongst others.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that union leaders in the Colony feel rather left out of the picture in this matter and in many other matters in the industrial field? Would the right hon. Gentleman kindly convey this suggestion to the Ministers of Enugu, Kaduna and Ibadan and see whether something can be done about it?

I am not at all sure that I can assent to what the hon. Gentleman has said. If the hon. Gentleman will give me particulars of some of the cases to which he refers, I shall be glad to look into them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, despite the great improvement in the operation of the Nigerian railways, he is satisfied that sufficient rolling-stock is available, as congestion at Apapa and Port Harcourt quays continues, with subsequent delay to shipping; and what part is played in such delay by lack of sufficient waggons of the type required.

I have asked the Governor-General for his views and will write to my hon. Friend when I have his reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will transfer to the Maronites in Nicosia, for purposes of worship, a building, of which the hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion, has given him details, now used for storage by the Cyprus Museum.

The Vicar General of the Maronites mentioned this matter to me during my recent visit to Cyprus. There was no time for me to discuss it further, but I understand that there are difficulties, in that the Cyprus Museum has spent money on preserving this ancient building and adapting it for the display of mediaeval antiquities. I will, however, ask the Governor to consider again whether there is any way of meeting the wishes of the Maronite community.

Is my right hon. Friend aware how very poor the Maronite community is, and how very grateful these people will be for any assistance given to them? Does my right hon. Friend realise that the sum of money involved in dealing with this building is not more than about £2,000?

This is not exclusively a matter of money. I am indeed aware of the position of this very loyal and historical community in Cyprus. There is a certain amount of dispute whether this building has a secular or ecclesiastical history. That is one of the matters which is now under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the trouble in the eastern zone of the Aden Protectorate.

As the statement is necessarily long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps were taken to proscribe the five villages bombed by the Royal Air Force in Aden Protectorate; and what prior notice was given to the villagers of the intended operation.

Before the attack the Political Officer gave a specific assurance that the inhabitants had been given 24 hours' warning. This warning was given by leaflets dropped from aircraft 48 and 24 hours before the attack, and the attack itself was preceded by the dropping of half-hour delay-action bombs as further warning. Leaflets were also distributed in the area by hand.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many people were killed or injured when the five villages in Aden Protectorate in which they lived were recently bombed by the Royal Air Force.

None, Sir.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what is the sense in these things? If full notice is given to the natives to clear out and remove all their belongings, and, what is more, according to a recent letter published in "The Times," the Government pay compensation if the R.A.F. over-bomb, what is the sense of the thing?

There is just as much sense as there has been in previous years under other Governments.

That really has nothing whatever to do with my question. What I asked the Minister was this. If, in fact, the natives are given full warning that the bombing is to take place and they clear out with all their goods and chattels, and, according to this letter to which I referred, the Government compensate them if the R.A.F. over-bomb, where is the sense in the whole thing? It seems absolutely nonsensical to an ordinary common-sense person.

Perhaps if the right hon. Gentleman, even if he were able to acquire another home, were driven continually from one home after another for illegal actions, he might think better of his own illegalities.

Could my right hon. Friend say now what were the precedents set by the previous Government in this matter?

There are quite a number of them, but taking only the most recent years, in 1947, 1948 and 1950, the same procedure was indulged in in Arabia under the Government of which the right hon. Gentleman was a member.

Is it not clear that this was the pattern which was carried out over a considerable period and that it was carried out in order to ensure that no loss of life was involved either among the natives or among the troops which might be taking part; that it was a method which ensured that there was no imprisonment for any native; and that natives would much rather have this sort of punishment than any other? Finally, as my right hon. Friend may have given the impression that these Questions were put into my mouth, would he now deny that impression, since these Questions arose because I have experience of this type of operation?

I should certainly like to deny any suggestion that these Questions were put into my hon. Friend's mouth. The considerations which he advanced in his supplementary question are absolutely true. This form of collective punishment has proved exceedingly successful over a great many years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many African pupils from African-owned and established schools in Nyasaland have been refused admission to Government or mission schools.

No statistics are kept showing refusals of admission to Government or assisted mission schools, but pupils from African-owned schools are treated no differently from others seeking admission to Government or assisted mission schools.

Will the Minister show a very friendly attitude towards these independent schools, which perform a very necessary function in educating the very young children? Will he note that the Report of the East African Commission is against the suppression of these schools, although it recommends their control.

We are well aware of the good work done by the African-owned schools. Twenty of them are, of course, already assisted by the Government and have a high standard. It is the case that in the remaining 84 which are run by African-controlled missions or by the Muslims the standard of education is low, but we shall certainly do everything we can to encourage and improve them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why grants are paid in Nyasaland to mission schools which limit their pupils to the children of parents associated with a particular church.

The Education Rules in Nyasaland preclude the payment of Government grants to mission schools which exclude pupils on denominational grounds.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Africans from Nyasaland are receiving education, other than higher education within the meaning of the Federal Constitution, with the help of bursaries provided by the Government; what the type of education is; and where it is given.

Five Africans are receiving Government assistance while taking two-year courses at Higher Certificate level, four of them at Goromonzi Secondary School, Southern Rhodesia and one at Munali Secondary School, Northern Rhodesia. About 20 per cent. of pupils at secondary schools receive assistance from Native Treasuries.

Is the Minister aware that the general level of education in Nyasaland is extremely poor? Although extra revenue can be raised by a territorial surtax for furthering the education of the children, would it not be a good idea if subsidies were granted by Southern and Northern Rhodesia to assist education in Nyasaland, in view of the help migrating labour from Nyasaland gives to both those countries?

The hon. Member will recall that during the course of the discussions and conferences leading to Federation, one of the things on which the Africans, and the Governments of Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia insisted was that primary and secondary African education should be kept in the hands of the territories. Apart from that, I would point out that the Nyasaland Government's five-year plan for the development of African primary and post-primary education now provides for an increase in the annual enrolment from 86,000 in 1953 to no less than 130,000 by the end of the plan, so a great deal is to be done.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that under the Federal Constitution there is still power to levy a territorial surtax, but that Nyasaland cannot take advantage of it as Southern and Northern Rhodesia can? Therefore, should not Southern and Northern Rhodesia help?

I will bear that point in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total amount received by the Tanganyika Government from the Custodian of Enemy Property; and in what proportions this sum has been distributed for the benefit of European, African and Asian members of the community.

Just over £3 million. The Tanganyika Government have decided to divide the bulk of this money into four equal sums, one to start a Higher Education Fund, and three for grants to develop European, Asian and African education respectively. Any balance would be devoted to township development to the benefit of the whole community.

While there is parity among the three communities in Tanganyika for political purposes at the moment, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that in a matter of this kind more attention should be paid to the numerical composition of these communities and therefore a much larger proportion of this amount given to African education?

I do not think that is altogether fair. This money is incidentally of European origin. I believe it is being applied in a perfectly fair way which commends itself to responsible people in Tanganyika.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Africans in Tanganyika are members of the East Africa Industrial Council.

None, Sir. Nevertheless the Tanganyika Government in making their nominations to the Industrial Council always seek to draw on local industrial experience without regard to race.

While it may be possible that not many Africans in Tanganyika are in a position to contribute much to this Council, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are some who, I believe, could learn a good deal if they were made members of the Council and who would be of value in the future? Will they be considered in making further nominations to the Council?

The object is to decide who are the best persons to represent each territory on this Council. Certainly the appointment of Africans, if it proved to be suitable, would not be excluded.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the assets and surplus of the West African Currency Board; and what proposals he has as to participation in these assets on the grant of independence to any particular West African territory.

At 30th June, 1955, the estimated figures were: assets £99,902,000, excess of assets over liabilities £7,064,000. These figures are subject to audit.

Of these assets owned by the West African Council, how much has been invested in local loans, which I think my right hon. Friend will agree is one of the best ways of forwarding the object of this question?

That is a different matter. If my hon. and gallant Friend will put down a Question, I shall be glad to give an answer.