asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether he is aware that Mr. Odede, a Member of the Kenya Legislative Assembly, has been in prison without charge or trial for nearly three years; and what action he proposes to take;(2) whether he will now take action to ensure the release of the ex-Chief Koinange who, since the Kenya courts dismissed the indictment against him two years ago on the ground that there was no case to answer, has remained in prison though nearly 90 years of age.

As the hon. Member knows these men are detained on grounds of public security. The need for their continued detention is kept under regular review by the Governor and I do not propose to intervene.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proportion of Kenya has been geologically surveyed; and what steps will be taken to expedite the survey of the remainder.

31 per cent. of the whole, which represents 46 per cent. of the more promising non-volcanic ground. The survey is being completed as quickly as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what were the terms of the amnesty offered to the insurgents in Malaya; what methods were adopted to make them known; and how many have so far responded.

The Federation Government have used every means to publicise the declaration: some 30 million leaflets have been dropped over the jungle and a large number of broadcasts have been made over the radio and by aircraft equipped with loudspeakers. Twenty-nine Communist terrorists surrendered during the six weeks between the 9th September when the amnesty was declared and the 21st October.The terms of the declaration of amnesty are as follows:

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many orders were placed for new ships to be built in the United Kingdom in the first nine months of 1955; and how this compares with 1954.

In the first nine months of this year, 252 ships of 1,400,000 gross tons were licensed. The comparable figures for the first nine months of 1954 were 130 ships of 229,000 gross tons.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many orders for new ships were placed with yards in the north-east in the first nine months of 1955; and how this compares with 1954.

In the first nine months of 1955, 89 ships of about 760,000 gross tons were licensed for construction in yards on the north-east coast. The comparable figures for the first nine months of 1954 were seven ships of about 46,000 gross tons.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the cause of the heavy explosions on the Browndown rifle and heavy artillery range between 4.30 and 5 p.m. on 18th October; if he is aware that the concussions affected neighbouring houses and wireless sets; and if he will choose a more remote spot for these nuisances.

No heavy artillery practices take place on the Royal Marines' range at Browndown, where the heaviest weapons used are grenades, 2 inch mortars and rocket launchers. The range diary records no heavy explosion on 18th October, but, at intervals between 4.15 and 5 p.m., a normal firing of 12 grenades took place at the end of the range which is remote from houses. The grenades contain only ½ 1b. of explosive and their detonation is not likely to cause damage to property outside the range. It would not be possible to limit further the noise from practices without serious interference with training.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will take steps for the issue of a special postage stamp to celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of the poet, Robert Burns, in 1959.

No.

asked the Postmaster-General why there have been such long delays in receiving mail in the Forces at Hong Kong; and what action he is taking on the matter.

I have no knowledge of any general delay to Forces mails for Hong Kong. As I explained in my letter of 13th October to the hon. Member, letters sent by surface route take from five to seven weeks in transit, but if he will let me have further details of any cases of delay he has in mind I will gladly look into them.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the decreasing numbers of Post Office messenger boys; what is the reason for the shortage; what action he proposes to take to encourage boys to enter this service; and whether he will consider using the services of older retired men who could undertake some of the duties carried out by the boys.

While there is no general shortage of young postmen for messenger duties, there is difficulty in some towns because the demand for labour greatly exceeds the supply. Publicity measures are being taken to encourage boys to enter the service. Meanwhile there is no age limit for temporary staff recruited to fill the gaps.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will reconsider the question of the reduction in the combined television and radio licence fee for the deaf, in so far as the television fee itself is concerned, so as to make any reduction effective from 1st January, 1955, in view of the hardship involved.

Although I have every sympathy with the deaf, I cannot, I am afraid, agree to the suggested reduction of fee.

asked the Postmaster-General what was the number of television licences current at 1st October, 1951, and the comparable figure for 1st October, 1955; what was the annual revenue derived from television licences in respect of the year 1951; and what was the estimated revenue from such licences during the year 1955.

There were 958,333 television licences on 1st October, 1951, and 4,883,849 on 1st October, 1955. The revenue from T.V. licences was £2,362,252 in 1951, and is estimated at £15,600,000 for 1955.

asked the Postmaster-General what are the grounds for priority in installing telephones in Dagenham; what are the lengths of the waiting lists; and how soon they will be cleared.

Priority is given to public utilities, health and life-saving services, Government Departments, and export businesses. Business applicants are generally given preference over residential applicants, and removing subscribers over new applicants. About 1,300 applications are outstanding in Dagenham. We expect to instal over 400 telephones during the next 12 months, but many applicants will have to wait until more plant is available. The work of providing it is already in hand.

asked the Postmaster-General what priority in the installation of telephones in Dagenham has been given to bookmakers, for business purposes.

Bookmakers are regarded as ordinary business applicants.

asked the Postmaster-General how many applicants for telephone installation are outstanding in the County Borough of Stockport; and how many of these relate to business premises.

One thousand, two hundred and forty-three, excluding those in the course of provision or under inquiry. Three hundred and thirty-three relate to business premises. Nearly one thousand telephones were connected during the past twelve months.

asked the Postmaster-General how many applications for telephones were outstanding in his Department at 1st October, 1951, and the comparable figure at 1st October, 1955; and what increase has taken place annually in respect of new telephone connections during each year since 1951.

At 1st October, 1951, about half a million and at 1st October, 1955, about 380,000 respectively. In the 12 months ended 30th September, 1952, 324,000 new connections were made and the figures for the following years were 346,000, 379,000 and 436,000, making a total for the four years of about 1½ million.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the composition of the selection board for the award of Royal Air Force scholarships.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave him on 16th December, 1953. The composition of the selection board has not been altered since that date.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of awards made last year under the new scheme for Royal Air Force scholarships, and the schools in which such candidates are at present being educated.

Seventy-one awards were made in 1954. I am sending the hon. Member a list of the schools where the successful candidates are being educated.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he has now decided to re-open the airfield at Willingale, Essex; and for what purpose.

We have no further use for this airfield and we intend to dispose of it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of conscripted airmen sent to the Far East during 1954 before they had served two months in the Royal Air Force.

None.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he has yet received the report of the Committee set up to review the organisation and administration of the Air Training Corps.

No, but I understand that the Committee hope to be able to report by the end of the year.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will give an assurance that National Service men who have special athletic qualifications are not given leave from their duties to participate in these activities in excess of their normal leave entitlement.

No. Our view is that we should give a National Service man special leave in these circumstances if we can spare him from his normal duties at the time and if the request for his participation comes from a national or international body of proper standing.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will make a statement on the work up to date of the panel of experts instructed by him to examine and report upon the Forth tube project.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when he expects to receive the report of the panel which is examining the practicability of constructing a tube under the Forth at Queensferry; and if he will publish this report.

I understand that the panel is making good progress in assessing the comparative costs of the two schemes and may be able to submit a report dealing with the cost of the scheme in four or five months' time.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will consider drawing the attention of all the authorities concerned to the desirability of standardising street lighting throughout the urban areas in Great Britain; and if he will make a statement.

My Department advises lighting authorities to adopt the standards of lighting recommended by the Departmental Committee on Street Lighting in their Reports of 1935 and 1937 (where they are providing new equipment). The rate of progress must depend on the financial resources of the responsible authorities.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware of the narrowness and poor surface of long stretches of the Great North Road, A9 and A90, between North Queensferry and Inverness; and if, in view of the heavy volume of traffic using this trunk road, he will take immediate steps to improve its condition.

Much of this road is too narrow and part of it has a bad surface owing to mining subsidence. I am authorising this year four improvement schemes of a total cost of £134,000 on A9 in Perthshire on major improvements. In addition work will be done on surfaces under provision for maintenance and minor improvements.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when he now expects to be in a position to make some announcement regarding the use of winking traffic indicators on motor vehicles.

I have now received a Report from the Road Research Laboratory giving the results of their investigations into the respective merits of semaphore arms and flashing indicators on private cars, and I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my gratitude to the Laboratory and to the Medical Research Council with whom they collaborated for this most useful piece of field research. I am at present considering this Report.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in view of the number of accidents to young motor-cyclists, he will consider taking steps to make the minimum age for the issue of driving licences to them the same as for car drivers.

I have asked my Departmental Committee on Road Safety to reconsider this question and report to me on it.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what advice was given to him by the Council of Industrial Design on the pictures to be used in and the general design of the new road traffic signs.

I have recently circulated new draft traffic signs regulations for the comments of representative bodies, including the Council of Industrial Design.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what steps he is taking to stop the emission of smoke by diesel-engined vehicles with badly adjusted fuel pumps.

The problem is mainly one of enforcing stricter compliance with the law; this is a matter for the police. My Department last year asked for and was promised the cooperation of the principal associations of users of diesel-engined vehicles in urging more complete observance of the law.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is yet in a position to make a statement regarding the result of his consultations with relevant authorities about the car-parking position in Haverfordwest.

I have recently been asked by the Pembrokeshire County Council to make orders restricting car parking on two trunk roads in Haverfordwest. Until the proposals have been advertised and any objections considered I cannot make a statement.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will now abolish the levy imposed on commercial vehicle operators to meet costs involved in the de-nationalisation on road haulage vehicles, having regard to the fact that the British Transport Commission is now to retain vehicles in addition to those specified in the Transport Act, 1953.

I have no statement to make on this subject at present.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many Viscount aircraft have been ordered by the British Overseas Airways Corporation; and on what routes they will be used.

Sixteen, for use by their associated companies on West Atlantic and Middle East routes.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what provisions he is contemplating for the limitation of periods of continuous time on duty by aircrew; what measure of agreement he has reached with the professional bodies concerned; what differences of opinion exist; and what measures he is taking to meet divergencies of opinion.

I am proposing shortly to lay before Parliament regulations enforcing limitations on hours of duty to he undertaken by pilots and certain other aircrew members. The general view of the professional bodies concerned is that while regarding my proposals as a substantial improvement on the present position, they would prefer more detailed regulations and restrictions.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware of the inadequacy of the number of telephone lines serving the London Airport exchange, so that there is congestion at normal times and an almost complete stand-still at times of fog or low visibility or other emergencies; and if he will procure further lines as a matter of urgency.

Yes. There has been some congestion with existing facilities; but my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General will be bringing a new public exchange in that area into operation early next year. This exchange, which will be called SKYport, will serve London Airport and should materially improve telephone connections with it.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what steps are being taken to improve air communications between the United Kingdom and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

At the invitation of the Soviet Government a small delegation from my Department will be visiting Moscow in the second week of November to explore the possibilities of improving air communications between our two countries. The main purpose of these discussions is to prepare the ground for the airlines of the two countries to establish links with Aeroflot at suitable points served by the airlines of both countries.

asked the Minister for Defence in view of Communist treatment of prisoners of war, what variations of existing instructions he will issue to members of the Forces.

Our examination of this complicated problem is still proceeding.

asked the Minister of Defence, in view of the relaxation of international tension and the reduction in the United Kingdom's commitments, what steps he is taking to reduce the call of the Armed Forces on the country's manpower.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Poole (Captain Pilkington) and the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Lewis).

asked the Minister of Defence how many widows of Regular officers have applied for arrears of pensions to be paid prior to 1952 on the grounds of lack of knowledge that they were entitled to a pension; how many have been paid; and what steps are being taken to invite possible beneficiaries to submit their claims.

I am afraid that the information for which my hon. Friend asks in the first two parts of her Question is not available. It could not be obtained without disproportionate expenditure of time and labour in the examination of detailed files. As to the last part of her Question, I explained to my hon. Friend in my letters of 25th and 27th July last that the Service Departments had themselves reviewed rejected claims under the widows "ordinary" pensions scheme in force before 1952, with a view to granting such claims which satisfied the new conditions, and arrears were then paid back to December, 1952. Arrears beyond that date are only paid in exceptional circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what agreements have been concluded between this country and the European Coal and Steel Community as a result of discussions provided for under Articles 6, 7 and 8 of the Agreement concluded between this country and the European Coal and Steel Community; and whether he will make a statement.

The Agreement came into force only on 23rd September on the deposit of the last instrument of ratification. The Council of Association will hold its first meeting on 16th November. No agreements have therefore yet been concluded.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why information concerning the subversive activities and subsequent disappearance from this country of two former Foreign Office officials was communicated to the Press by an anonymous spokesman of his Department rather than by himself in reply to Questions in the House of Commons.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. and gallant Member (Lieut.-Colonel Lipton) for Brixton.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what contribution this country has made to the United Nations Economic and Social Council's Fund for Refugees; and if the target required by the Council has yet been reached.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of State informed the House on 1st July that Her Majesty's Government proposed to contribute £100,000 to the Fund for 1955, of which £80,000 would be made available outright and the remaining £20,000 would be paid if the total of contributions for 1955, including the United Kingdom's own contribution. reached $3·25 million. The sum of £80,000 was paid to the account of the Fund on 6th August. The target for the Fund in 1955 was $4,200,000. The total of contributions for 1955 announced by Governments to date is approximately $2,135,000. I am informed that about $1,260,000, has so far been paid up.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to make a statement about the future of the British Middle East Office.

On 11th October the organisation and functions of the British Middle East Office were reconstituted and its name was changed to "Political Office with the Middle East Forces." The head of the new Office, who will be known as the Political Representative, will represent the Foreign Office with the Commanders-in-Chief, Middle East. The present information, social and economic functions of the British Middle East Office will continue to be carried out by the Information and Development Divisions in Beirut. They will not, however, form part of the Political Office with the Middle East Forces, but will be responsible direct to the Foreign Office. Her Majesty's Ambassador at Beirut will become the British Representative on the Advisory Commission of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. These changes are being made in the interests of economy and more efficient organisation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) if, for the convenience of hon. Members, he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's confidential report form, similar to those used in the fighting Services;(2) what arrangements exist in his Department for the submission of confidential reports on personnel in a form similar to the confidential reports required annually by the Royal Navy and the Army.

The heads of Foreign Service missions abroad and of departments in the Foreign Office report regularly on their staffs on printed forms which vary for each branch of the Service. I have arranged for copies of these forms to be placed in the Library. A report on each member of the senior branch of the Service is sent in at least every two years. For new entrants to the branch reports are submitted every six months during the period of probation. Reports on all other branches are sent in at least once a year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received from the French Government their proposal for a conference of European Colony-owning States following the suggestion made officially on behalf of the French Government during the debate on Algeria in the Chamber of Deputies; and what action he proposes to take.

Extensive search of the records of the Chamber of Deputies has been carried out, but no record of any such suggestion, either official or unofficial, has been discovered. No proposal has been received to this effect from the French Government. The second part of the Question does not therefore arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what sales of arms from the United Kingdom to Israel and Egypt were approved by Her Majesty's Government since the present régime in Egypt took power.

It is contrary to Her Majesty's Government's normal practice to disclose details of military equipment supplied to foreign Governments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the Government's estimate that there will be four times the number of vehicles on the roads of this country within the next 25 years, he will state what the estimated increase in revenue will be in each of the next 10 years from motor fuel and licence duties, assuming the growth referred to is spread evenly over the future years in question and that the rate of the duties remains unchanged.

No. It would not be realistic to make forecasts of fuel consumption and other matters so far ahead.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the cost of Civil Service pay and pensions, separately, for the year 1954–55.

For the non-industrial Civil Service, approximately £370 million and £33 million respectively.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what facilities, including grants and scholarships, are available for the university education of students from Basutoland, Bechuanaland Protectorate and Swaziland.

A number of places are available each year in United Kingdom universities for students from dependent territories, including the High Commission Territories. Until December, 1953, students were freely admitted to the South African universities. Since that date new admissions have been limited in number and confined to Fort Hare and Natal University Medical School. On present information this concession is available only until December, 1958. Students are also admitted to Roma University College, Basutoland. In each of the three Territories bursaries are provided from local revenues, from the Colonial Development and Walfare Fund and by the British Council. In Basutoland they are also provided by the National Treasury.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of members of the National Agricultural Advisory Service have practical experience of farming or horticulture.

Without special inquiry, I cannot give precise information, but the number of advisory officers other than science specialists without practical experience is insignificant. Only recruits with this experience are being engaged.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what decisions have been taken in respect to the policy on slaughterhouses.

None. The whole subject is being studied in the light of the recommendations of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Slaughterhouses and of comments on those recommendations by the interests concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the facilities of the Export Credits Guarantee Department will be available for trade with Turkey.

Two years ago a ceiling was placed by the Export Credits Guarantee Department on cover for exports to Turkey. In recent months the facilities of the Export Credits Guarantee Department have been limited to cover for the sale of essential spare parts for United Kingdom machinery and vehicles already imported into Turkey. The extension of cover will depend on the progress made by Turkey in the settlement of arrears due to United Kingdom firms and in payment for current business.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that the underground gasification trials in the parishes of Bayton and Rock, Worcestershire, being conducted by the chief scientist's division of his Department, are causing severe pollution of the district with sulphurous fumes; what steps his staff are taking to alleviate this nuisance; and what instructions the chief scientist of his Department has given to the staff operating the underground gasification plant to conform with a policy of clean air.

Some air pollution has unavoidably resulted from the scientific requirements of these trials, but everything possible has been done to keep it to a minimum.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the cause of the large explosion in the shallow water off Bembridge in the neighbourhood of the coastal batteries at Nodes Point at about noon on Wednesday, 24th August; and what damage or casualties were caused.

Between 10 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. on 24th August the biennial proving of the coast artillery guns was carried out. Four sand filled practice shot were fired, two at long and two at short range. These shells do not explode and the noise to which my hon. Friend refers may have been the echo of gunfire from the water. Firing notices were published and sent to all the local authorities on 2nd August, and no damage or casualties have been reported.