asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will consult the Governor of Kenya with a view to reopening discussions with the Mau-Mau leaders with the object of ending the fighting in the Colony and Protectorate.

The terrorist gangs have been broken up into small groups and there is now no effective leadership. Surrenders continue under the "Green Branch" terms, which are still in force.

Did not the negotiations at the beginning of the year fail because the Mau-Mau leaders had lost certain political conditions? Would it now be possible to reach some of the leaders, in spite of the facts that the right hon. Gentleman has given, in order to bring an end to the fighting and to allow reconstruction to begin?

I think an end is coming to the fighting because of the mastery secured by the security forces and the mass of the people in Kenya.

What is the right hon. Gentleman's estimate of the number of people with Mau-Mau? Are any terms of surrender still open to them?

I would hesitate to give an answer to the first part of the question, but I will apply my mind to it and let the right hon. Gentleman know. On the second part of the question, "Green Branch" terms still continue in force, as I said in my reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the import and circulation of the revised edition, particulars of which have been supplied to him, of "The Trial of Jomo Kenyatta," by Montagu Slater, have been prohibited in Kenya.

This book deals with the trial of Jomo Kenyatta in a manner which, in the opinion of the Governor in Council, makes its importation and circulation undesirable in the public interest.

That is a very different answer from what was said in June. Is not the Secretary of State aware that when the Minister of State was asked this question in June, the sole reason he gave for the banning of this book was that it named certain prosecution witnesses whose names had been withheld at the trial? That is on record in HANSARD as the answer he gave. How is it, when the publishers are now taking the trouble to withdraw the prosecution witnesses' names and substitute pseudonyms, that the Governor produces a quite different and political reason?

It was a pity—and I take full responsibility for it—that not all the various blemishes in this book were taken out at the same time. One has undoubtedly been removed, but others remain, and I fully support the Governor's action.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the concern at the behaviour of the police as revealed by the case of Kamau Kichina, he will now publish the recommendations for the reorganisation of the Kenya police which were put forward by Colonel Young in his report to the Governor on his resignation.

I have nothing to add to the statement I made on 2nd February about Colonel Young's resignation, and the remarks I made in the debate on 16th February.

But is it not a fact that Colonel Young resigned because he believed that abuses in Kenya would never be stopped until the police were made independent of the Administration? Was not his point of view fully justified by the case of Kamau Kichina when no fewer than three administrative officers were involved, one of them a regular member of the Service who encouraged the maltreatment of Kamau Kichina by dragging him before a village meeting and inciting the villagers to violence against him? Does this not once again emphasise the need for the reforms which Colonel Young demanded and which have been suppressed?

Colonel Young and I agreed on a statement issued at the time, and I have nothing to add to it. In regard to the most distressing Kamau Kichina case, I made a statement on 26th October which set out the steps taken to prevent a recurrence. To the hon. Lady may I say that, in that visit to Kenya which she so recently paid, she said to one of the senior officers of the Kenya Government that as it was difficult to get information in Parliament from time to time the only thing to do was to hit out wildly and hope that some blows would strike their mark. I suggest that that is not a very proper line.

May I ask the Secretary of State whether he thinks it in accordance with the position of a Minister to repeat an unconfirmed statement made by somebody without inquiry? Did he take the opportunity of putting that statement to my hon. Friend before making it in the House?

No, nor as far as I know did the hon. Lady check up with the Attorney-General, or anybody else in Kenya, the articles she wrote in the Daily Mirror?

Is the Colonial Secretary not aware that he is quoting from private talks which I had with the Attorney-General with whom I spent no less than eight hours going into these facts? I told the Attorney-General that I was satisfied as a result of my inquiries made in Kenya that the trouble with this case did not lie with his Department and I was prepared to say so in Parliament, and I say it now. I also said to him that it was so difficult to get replies from the Colonial Secretary that it was difficult to establish where the trouble lay. I am now satisfied that the trouble lies in the administrative service and its control over the police. Everything that has happened since has justified Colonel Young in his demands.

The hon. Lady used very strong language herself.

It is absolutely scandalous to repeat a private conversation.

It led to the greatest distress—

Absolutely scandalous quoting a private conversation.

—in Kenya.

Absolutely scandalous.

Order. I must remind the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Brockway) that it is very disorderly to interrupt whilst sitting in his seat.

May I rise to a point of order? Is it not contrary to all the custom of this House for a member of the Government to quote a private conversation with a civil servant in the Colony and make an accusation of that kind against my hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn (Mrs. Castle)?

There is nothing in the practice of the House which governs the matter, but I hope this subject will be discussed with moderation on both sides.

The hon. Lady said something which it is essential to answer. The courts and the Administration are independent and if the hon. Lady suggests that they are not, that is just one of those wild statements which I say she is most unwise to make.

May we take it that it is now the policy of the Colonial Office that all conversations which any Members have with officials of the Colonial Office are to be made public? May we know that so that none of us may dare to have such conversations in the future? Is that the policy?

I think the right hon. Gentleman, with his own experience of administration, knows that if a service has been treated to some reflections on it which are deeply resented by large numbers of people, they are entitled to protect their service and to draw attention to wild charges when they are made, particularly as Ministers have not the privilege of being able to write regular articles for the Daily Mirror.

General Franco.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us which of these statements is wild? Is it not a fact that, unlike in this country, the police in Kenya are responsible to the Administration and not to the law?

The hon. and learned Gentleman knows very well that at the end of October, when we dealt with the Kamau case in a calm atmosphere, there was no disagreement about it. It was made quite plain what steps were being taken and there was no disagreement about the general repugnance with which the whole House regretted what had happened. There was agreement also on the steps being taken to prevent its recurrence. I suggest that in the particular problem of Kenya, rather than rake over things which have gone wrong, it would be helpful to concentrate on the brighter future which could lie ahead.

May I ask the Colonial Secretary whether he will again consider the action which he has taken this afternoon—to make in this House, without prior consultation with the hon. Member concerned, a report of a private conversation which she had or is alleged to have had with an officer in the Colonial Service? If that is to become the practice, my view is that in the long run it will be a very grave disadvantage and not an advantage to everybody concerned in the Colony.

If we were able to conduct our discussions solely on the Floor of the House, that might well be true, but unfortunately in this problem a very large public has been brought in and plied with monstrous slanders in Kenya, and I feel it my duty to draw attention to the sort of manner in which some of these slanders are born.

Is it in order for the Minister to say that another Member of the House of Commons has been guilty of monstrous slanders?

I understood the right hon. Gentleman to say that the public had been treated to a number of monstrous slanders. That is a general statement.

On a point of order. The Colonial Secretary has accused me in my articles in the Daily Mirror of spreading slanders against the Attorney-General which justified his reply. [Laughter.] May I claim your protection, Mr. Speaker? I went out of my way in my articles in the Daily Mirror to explain that I had talked to the Attorney-General and that I was satisfied that he was as anxious as I was to see that justice was done. If I liked to quote in the House some of the private conversations and comments which Government servants made to me, it would make the Colonial Secretary's hair stand on end.

I think we cannot carry the matter further at this stage.

May I ask the Colonial Secretary for a reply?

Hear, hear.

Order. I must insist on order in this matter. I regret these disturbances. If the hon. Lady wishes to pursue the matter and gives notice that she will raise it on the Adjournment, we might be able to get on with it, but I do not think we can do so at Question Time when other hon. Members have Questions on the Order Paper.

On a point of order. I have already asked you, Mr. Speaker, for an opportunity on Adjournment day, before the House rises, to raise this matter. I hope you will give me the opportunity.

I will certainly look into the matter, but I never consider these matters until I get the complete list, which will be tomorrow. I will look at it then.

Further to that point of Order.

There is no point of Order before the House.

With great respect, the point of order which I should have thought was before the House was whether an accusation that somebody has made gross slanders is an accusation which is in order. The Minister has been asked what the slanders were and he has dodged the answer. He has been asked, "What do you say the hon. Lady has said which is not true?" He has dodged the answer. In those circumstances, as a matter of order, is he not obliged to withdraw the statement?

I have heard nothing said which demands a withdrawal. I gather that there is a dispute as to the facts of what was said. I think that sort of question would be much better debated on the Adjournment. We cannot deal with it now.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the medical evidence advanced as to the cause of death of Kamau Kichina which led to the alteration of the charge against the accused from one of murder to that of causing grievous bodily harm.

The reason why the magistrate took the view that committal for trial on a charge of murder or manslaughter could not be justified was that the medical witness before him stated that it was impossible to be explicit as to the exact cause of death and that he could not say absolutely that the deceased did not die from any natural cause.

Is it not a fact that the medical witness, Dr. Brown, also said in court that he had not made as careful an examination of Kamau Kichina's injuries as otherwise he would have made because of a misleading statement made to him by the regular administrative officer, Mr. Richmond, as to the state of Kamau Kichina's health the day before? Could the Colonial Secretary tell us, in view of that serious fact, what action has been taken against that administrative officer?

I have no information whatsoever to support that statement of the hon. Lady. As the hon. Lady knows, whatever she may say in public about me or I may say about her, we have a number of talks about colonial matters. I shall certainly show her the only report I have. I will make sure—I am fairly sure it is—whether it is complete or not.

May I ask the Colonial Secretary if he is not aware—

rose—

Sit down.

Order. Who is rising to a point of order?

I am rising to a point of order, Mr. Speaker. This is a matter which relates very closely to a previous Question which has been referred to as one which is to be raised in an Adjournment Motion before Christmas. [HON.MEMBERS: "No."] I want to ask whether it is in order to continue with questions on this subject?

I do not know when notice was given, or who gave notice.

I understood that it was the hon. Lady asking the Question.

Is not the Colonial Secretary aware that if he would do as I did, go and study the verbatim court records of this case—copies of which I have before me, because I took the trouble to take them down in the Registry of the Supreme Court in Nairobi—

rose—

Order. I did not understand that this matter was to be raised. I understood the hon. Lady to tell me that she was going to ask for an Adjournment debate on the other Question about which there was a dispute.

That is right, Mr. Speaker.

I may be wrong, but that does not seem to be the same Question as the one with which we are dealing now. I think the hon. Lady should finish asking her Question.

In those court records the evidence of Dr. Brown to the effect which I have just given was stated quite clearly and was repeated by the magistrate in his summing-up. Should not the Colonial Secretary take a little more trouble to find the facts before he answers Questions so blithely?

All I would say to the hon. Lady is that she knows full well that I am always ready to listen to anything she has to say. If she brings back documents which she believes are authentic and shows them to me, I think that would be better than to make charges affecting the professional conduct and morality of individuals in a privileged House of Commons where they can take no action.

Since the right hon. Gentleman knows that there is considerable concern about one fact in this case—that the charge was reduced, and was reduced because medical evidence was submitted—would he not consider making available to the whole House the medical evidence upon which a decision was based?

The court records.

The right hon. Member knows perfectly well that this case has distressed us all, I think, equally. I will certainly look into what he has said, without giving an undertaking, because I do not know what precedents or difficulties might be involved.

Is my right hon. Friend aware with what contempt responsible public opinion in Kenya will regard the conduct of the hon. Lady the Member for Blackburn (Mrs. Castle)?

Perhaps it might be seasonable if I were to remind the House that we are approaching Christmas, the season of good will. I hope we shall get through these Questions with fewer of these altercations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that in some parts of Embu and Fort Hall, Kenya, women are forced to give five to six days' communal work per week with the result that their children are suffering neglect; and whether he will make a statement.

Agricultural communal work is limited in Embu to one day a week and in Fort Hall to two days a week, subject to ninety days maximum per annum. In Fort Hall district particular attention is at present being paid to the building of villages, and a considerable amount of time is spent by plot holders on building their own huts. This is an individual responsibility, and is not classed as communal labour, although the people organise the work on a communal basis according to their custom.

Both agricultural work and the thatching of houses are traditionally regarded as women's work and they are not, therefore, excluded from the regulations. In all districts old people, children, the sick, pregnant women and women in charge of creches, soup kitchens, etc., are exempted from communal labour.

Is the Colonial Secretary aware that the information which he has just given to me conflicts with information given to me by the District Commissioner in Embu, with whom I did a tour, and that individual women in the villages there told me that they were doing three days' manual labour, some on such general work as maintaining roads? is it not time that we made these jobs the responsibility of paid labour and did not put them on the backs of women and make them forced unpaid workers?

I do not know whether the hon. Lady, after three weeks in Africa, has convinced herself that she is now prepared to alter the habits which have gone on for centuries.

I think it time that this question was asked: can the right hon. Gentleman tell us what, in these villages, is regarded as man's work?

I confess to the right hon. Lady that I asked that question myself.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the present policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding the recognition of the independence of the Gold Coast.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the refusal of the National Liberation Movement in the Ashanti to discuss constitutional issues with Sir Frederick Bourne, he will urge on the Gold Coast Government the desirability of holding a general election to ascertain the wishes of the people in this regard.

There has been no change of policy. It is still the intention of Her Majesty's Government that the Gold Coast should achieve full self-government at the earliest practicable date, but, as I said in reply to a question by the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) last week, they must first be satisfied that the form of constitution will be generally acceptable throughout the Gold Coast.

The two principal parties in the Gold Coast appear at present to hold different views on this matter, and, as I said last week, whatever the exact result of a General Election, there would remain a substantial body of opinion behind each of these views. It is the more important, therefore, that the National Liberation Movement should co-operate with Sir Frederick Bourne forthwith to work out a plan that is generally acceptable. Their continued refusal to do so may needlessly delay the achievement of full self-government.

May I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that reply and ask him whether, if a general election takes place and the Government win a decisive and well spread victory, he would be prepared to give an undertaking regarding the date of independence, particularly in view of the plebiscite in British Togo-land in the spring and the meeting of the Commonwealth Ministers in the summer?

If the hon. Gentleman seriously expects me to answer a hypothetical question of that sort he can have no expectation of succeeding me in my present office.

Will my right hon. Friend take into account that the police and the military forces are largely recruited from the northern regions and that it is essential to have the co-operation of those regions in regard to any constitutional development?

I have that point very much in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement, up to the latest convenient date, on the extent and nature of the works under the Volta Scheme, executed and to be executed, in the Gold Coast; what is the amount of money already spent; and what is the amount still available for the completion of the work yet to be undertaken or executed.

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. J. Johnson) of 16th November. The Gold Coast Government have started work on a number of associated projects, including the port of Tema, and others mentioned in Cmd. 8702, which are in any event required to meet the general needs of the territory. I am asking the Governor for details of these works and will write to the hon. and learned Member when I receive his reply.

I am much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman for that answer. Is it not a fact that negotiations were on foot and perhaps are on foot to expedite this work and complete it at a date earlier than the right hon. Gentleman contemplated?

This is an immensely expensive task, and nothing could be worse than starting it without proper preparation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state, to the latest convenient date, the progress made with the schemes for railway construction and development in the Gold Coast.

A line thirty-six miles long connecting the new port of Tema to the existing system was completed last year. Seventeen miles of single track between Takoradi and Tarkwa have been converted to double track. A new link line of fifty-one miles, which will reduce the distance by rail between Takoradi and Accra by 165 miles, will be completely early next year. Twelve diesel-electric locomotives and considerable quantities of new passenger and goods rolling stock have been delivered.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that comprehensive Answer, may I ask him if he can give an estimate as to when the whole work will be completed?

I imagine that in this, as in so many other fields, the task is never really finally done.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this extraordinary development, characteristic of other developments under the Gold Coast Government, does not prove that the people of the Gold Coast are ready for self-government?

I think that they have done a remarkably good job.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to make a statement about the composition of the Committee to inquire into the activities of the Cocoa Purchasing Company; and what are the Committee's terms of reference.

The Gold Coast Government have not yet decided the composition and terms of reference of this Committee.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the friends of the Gold Coast were delighted with the news of the appointment of the Committee, but will my right hon. Friend stress to the Gold Coast Government the importance of announcing the terms of reference and the nature of the Committee so that it can get down to taking evidence as quickly as possible?

I am sure that they have that very much in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has considered the petition from Mr. Harry Nkumbula, President of the North Rhodesian African Congress, on behalf of several hundred citizens who are being dispossessed of their land in connection with the Kariba Gorge Hydro-Electric Scheme; and what reply he will make.

I have received the petition and am awaiting the Governor's comments on it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many Africans are already leaving the land in that area in fear of dispossession, as the result of the great disturbance that has taken place? Can the right hon. Gentleman not do something to give an assurance to those people that they will be properly compensated with land if they are dispossessed as the result of this scheme, as it would get rid of the cause of the present disturbance?

I have every confidence in the Governor's scrupulous regard for the interests of those people in the development plan.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the local conditions which require the continuation of penal sanctions in Northern Rhodesia in contravention of the Convention of 1939.

Civil sanctions are still found to be in-effective to protect employees against employers who default in payment of wages, and employers against employees who fail to begin work under a contract or subsequently leave it Retention of penal sanctions by the Northern Rhodesia Government on these grounds does not contravene the Convention which provides for progressive abolition.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what progress has been made with abolition and why it was possible to repeal these regulations in Kenya and Tanganyika but not in Northern Rhodesia?

No one knows better than the hon. Lady that circumstances vary. Last year there were actually 669 prosecutions against employers and only 76 against employees. This position is not quite so simple as it might appear, but I agree that we all hope eventually to see it go.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) what reasons guided him in rejecting the recommendation of the Hong Kong Urban Council that a commission should be appointed for the purpose of deciding on measures for increasing the electorate and, in particular, of enfranchising all British subjects in the Colony;

(2) why only two polling stations, both in outlying residential districts, one on the island and the other on the mainland, have been named for the elections soon to take place in Hong Kong.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if further consideration has now been given to the need of enlarging both the franchise and the number of elected representatives on the Hong Kong Urban Council; and if he will give consideration to the question of determining the basis of a franchise for an elected element in the Legislature.

During my recent visit to Hong Kong I was satisfied that there is no general demand or need for the introduction of an elected element into the Legislative Council. The Governor has under consideration, however, certain proposals for increasing the membership, including elected members, of the Urban Council.

If these proposals are implemented, consideration will also be given to an increase in the number of polling stations. The two polling stations at present used are in the most densely populated areas, one on each side of the harbour and are served by frequent public transport. The Urban Council Ordinance in Hong Kong provides that the electorate shall consist of people who, irrespective of nationality, have certain qualifications or have accepted certain of the obligations of citizenship. The recommendations of the Urban Council for an increased electorate were addressed to the Governor in Council who reached the conclusion that there was no justification for extending the franchise either to include British subjects without these qualifications or, in the special circumstances of Hong Kong, to include people whose only qualification would be a minimum of fifteen years residence in the Colony.

Is the Minister aware that I have had correspondence on this matter with the chairman of the Reform Club in Hong Kong, who is a member of the Urban Council and, I think, also its chairman, and he tells me that there is great dismay at the decision of the Minister to reject this recommendation merely to have a commission to inquire into the matter? May I ask him not to close his mind on the question of a commission but to think over it, and then perhaps, if I put down another Question in the new year, he will be able to give me a better answer?

I also have had the pleasure of correspondence with the same gentleman, and I have added to it by seeing him on one or two occasions. I am always ready to answer any questions, but I can hold out no hope that my decision will change.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say to what extent there will be increased democratic representation on the Urban Council, and can he give some reasons why the principle of some elected representatives on the Central Legislature has been completely rejected, and if this is likely to be for all time?

I think that we must bear in mind the particular circumstances of Hong Kong at this moment in the history of the world. In regard to the Urban Council, if the hon. Gentleman reads my reply he will see that that is under consideration.

On a point of order. We have missed Question No. 30.

I have not. I understand that it was answered with Question No. 5.

I understand that the right hon. Gentleman was replying to my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) and myself. Is it not carrying the custom of permission too far if the Minister can comprehend in one reply an answer to two entirely different Questions?

The hon. Member might have raised that matter at the time, but we have passed it now.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how he proposes to enforce the collective fine of £2,000 on the Cypriot village of Lefkoniko, particularly with regard to the aged, infirm and the poor; and what alternative punishments he proposes to inflict upon those unable, because of poverty, to find the money.

The fine has already been collected. This question therefore does not arise, but I can assure the hon. Member that in the assessment account was taken of the varying circumstances of the inhabitants.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take the House into his confidence at long last about this abominable practice? Will he be good enough to tell us how this fine was collected from the poorer sections of the people of this small town? Did he distrain upon their goods, did he sell them up—

The hon. Member has really asked his question: how it was collected. I think that is enough.

On a point of order. I am really asking how this instrument is being used by this Government. Up to now the right hon. Gentleman has evaded any answer?

The hon. Member has asked his question. I do not object to that, but I do not think that he need multiply it.

The individual fines, which ranged from £45 in the case of one rich inhabitant to a few shillings, were based on this year's school assessment register prepared by the municipal council, and I think that the fact that the fines were collected in two hours—and thoroughly deserved—is sufficient proof.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why he has agreed to the imposition of collective punishments on certain Cypriot villages, in view of the failure of the same kind of punishments inflicted on Malayan communities and its consequent repercussion on the native people and the British forces.

His Majesty's Government agreed to the taking of that power as a means of dealing with a recalcitrant village where misdeeds are repeatedly committed which cannot be attributed to individuals, but which may be prevented if they are made matters for collective responsibility. I do not accept the hon. Member's view on the results of collective punishment when it was imposed in the Federation of Malaya.

Has the right hon. Gentleman forgotten the consequences of this penal instrument in Malaya? As it failed absolutely there, and with the most tragic consequences, cannot the right hon. Gentleman and the Government learn a little about the cruelties which they are perpetrating on people in more than one place in the world?

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that what Her Majesty's Government need more than anything else is the good will of the people in Cyprus, and does he not appreciate that to punish the innocent when one cannot find the guilty increases bitterness and hatred, and the more bitterness and hatred increases the more difficult the task will become?

When a hundred school boys from a local school in a comparatively small district like this burn down a public building of great value, no one is going to pretend to me that someone does not know who did it.

Would the Minister not agree that when thugs and enemies of this country are concerned, it is extraordinary the sympathy which seems to go to them from the benches opposite?

asked the Secreretary of State for the Colonies to what extent the history of the British Empire is taught in secondary schools in Cyprus.

The history of the British Empire is taught as a specific subject only in the English School in Nicosia, as preparation for the General Education Certificate of London University. In other secondary schools it forms part of general history teaching.

Could the Minister explain why if the British Empire has been so well taught so many students seem to be causing trouble in Cyprus? Is he aware that there appears to be some misconception that in the history of the British Empire many nations have struggled for independence and that some of them regard George Washington as a terrorist?

I think the hon. Member could not really have heard my Answer, or he made up his supplementary question before he heard my Answer. It may well be that some of the silliness and foolishness now going on among schoolboys is because they have been taught far too little about the history of the British Empire.

Cut the teachers' salaries?

That has nothing to do with me.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of children deprived of education in Cyprus as a result of the closing of schools; and whether teachers are being paid while the schools are closed.

The number of pupils involved in closing of schools is 2,048, but they are free to apply for admission to other schools. The answer to the second part of the Question is, 64 "yes."

May I ask the Colonial Secretary whether he proposes to make a statement on the situation in Cyprus today, or will he undertake to make a statement before the House rises for the Christmas Recess?

I will consult on that. I had not intended to make a statement today.

But will the right hon. Gentleman make one before the House rises?

I will consult on that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why Her Majesty's Government have authorised the whipping of boys under sixteen years of age in Cyprus for attending unauthorised meetings; and for what other offences this punishment can be ordered.

Under the Cyprus Law relating to juvenile offenders, which dates from 1946, a male juvenile between seven and fourteen years of age coming before the court for offences may be punished by whipping. What was done in the present Emergency Regulations was to raise the age up to under eighteen for offences against security under the Regulations. As I said in the House last week, there are cases where it is far more appropriate than fines paid by the parents, or imprisonment. The details of the offences punishable are given in the Emergency Regulations, of which I have had copies placed in the Library.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know of the deep shame which many of us feel towards the application of these methods in Cyprus which are more associated with Hitler and General Franco?

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the speech made by the Prime Minister two days ago in which he said that the difference between British colonialism and Communist colonialism was that in our Colonies people had freedom to fight and freedom to argue? Are we to regard his answer to this Question as an example of that freedom?

I hope that the hon. Gentleman will use his influence in Cyprus or elsewhere—

Answer the question.

—to prevent—

Answer the question.

—abuse of the freedom of which my right hon. Friend spoke.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to make a statement about future constitutional progress in Cyprus.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the results of recent negotiations in Cyprus; and whether he will make a statement on the constitutional future of the island.

I cannot yet add to the statement which I made in the course of the debate on Cyprus on 5th December.

Will the Minister bear in mind, as I am sure is the case, that among hon. Members on this side of the House there is keen anxiety that the House should not rise for the Christmas Recess without a further statement by the Minister?

I am sure that question was heard by others than myself.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the qualifications and experience of the recently appointed assistant Press officer in Cyprus; and what is the salary.

In order to deal quicker with constant Press inquiries being received at all hours by the Cyprus Government Information Office, a day and night news desk was set up from 11th December. To staff this the Governor created two temporary emergency posts of Assistant Press Officers at £85 a month. So that this arrangement could start at once, Lord Lumley, who was in Cyprus, agreed to accept one of these appointments for a limited period. In the Governor's opinion the most important qualifications for these posts are intelligence and knowledge of Cyprus.

Does the latter qualification, a knowledge of Cyprus, mean that the appointee should speak Greek? Is it not a fact that he is only 23 years of age and that there were severe strictures in the Press last week, not only about this appointment but several other appointments in Cyprus? Can the right hon. Gentleman confirm or deny one statement in those strictures, that of the 180 British officials in Cyprus only six speak Greek?

We certainly desire to see more people who speak Greek working in the Cyprus Information Service, but I am satisfied that in this appointment which was made locally the Governor—as in everything else he does—acted wisely and with discretion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Press officers or assistant Press officers below the age of 25 have been appointed by him in the last four years.

None, Sir. These appointments are frequently filled by local recruitment, and normally recruitment from this country is confined to cases in which suitable candidates are not available locally. Particulars of local appointments are not available here, but it is known that Assistant Press Officers under the age of 25 have recently been appointed in two Colonial Territories.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any Government House in Nigeria is air-conditioned, either in whole or in part.

Air-conditioning is being introduced into parts of the Government Houses at Lagos and Ibadan. It is not considered necessary in those at Kaduna or Enugu.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that private enterprise, in order to produce a proper working atmosphere in tropical climates, has in many parts of the Commonwealth introduced air-conditioning, and will he take action to see that these Government offices are so treated?

I am certainly on the side of using modern scientific marvels for the comfort of our own service.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say who decides whether air-conditioning is necessary or not? Are the people on the spot entitled to say so, or is it done arbitrarily at this end?

In one case which I have in mind, but not necessarily there, had the Governor in question not hated it, it would have been put in already.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many tons of groundnuts are waiting clearance by rail from the Northern Region of Nigeria.

Last season's crop of 395,000 tons was cleared by mid-October. Of this season's crop, estimated at 425,000 tons, some 44,000 tons had been cleared by early December. A small amount will be moved by river, and it is planned to clear the remainder by rail over the next eleven months. Movement at present is ahead of schedule.

Will my right hon. Friend congratulate the management of the Nigerian Railways on doing an excellent job?

I shall be delighted to do that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the nationality of the surveyors employed in the Survey Department of Northern Nigeria.

Of twenty-five qualified surveyors nineteen are British (including one naturalised Pole), one is Nigerian, two are Dutch and three are Danish. There are, in addition, a number of locally trained Nigerians who are not fully qualified professionally.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the recruitment of surveyors from non-British sources is giving rise to serious difficulties which are hampering the work of the Department, and can he use his influence to encourage the engagement of surveyors of British nationality?

We are all anxious that we should do so, and also that we should train Africans to do these jobs. The important thing is to get the surveying done rather than be too nationalist in our approach.

How many of these surveyors are women?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will provide an annual subsidy for shipping serving the West African Colonies, particularly Nigeria and the Gold Coast.

No, Sir.

In view of the very great importance of shipping to the solidarity and development of the Commonwealth and Empire, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that such a subsidy would be a very good investment for all concerned?

As a former Minister of Transport, I know the almost pathological dislike of the shipping industry to the introduction of subsidies, and I am not prepared to start the game.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plans have been made in West African Colonies to train Africans as auditors.

In Nigeria and the Gold Coast facilities available include intensive departmental training schemes, courses at the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology and the Kumasi College of Technology, and special courses overseas, one Gambia officer is being trained in this country. I have asked the Governor of Sierra Leone for information about that territory and will write to my hon. Friend when I receive it.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him whether he is aware that there is a serious shortage of auditors in Northern Nigeria which is causing a loss of public funds, and would he deal with that in his reply?

I know that there is a shortage, but I believe that 112 West Africans are sitting for this year's examination, and I wish them luck.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been, or are being, taken to protect Baganda Chiefs who loyally accepted previous decisions of the Governor and Her Majesty's Government regarding the exile of the Kabaka.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what further information has reached him regarding a campaign of intimidation in Buganda against persons who have given loyal service to the Buganda Government.

For the measures taken to protect Baganda Chiefs, I would refer my hon. Friends to the reply I gave on 30th November to my hon. Friend the Member for Colchester (Mr. Alport), and to the hon. Member for Accrington (Mr. H. Hynd). According to my information, there have been no further material incidents involving violence since 17th November, but, in addition to the Saza Chief of Bulemezi, to whom I referred in my reply to the hon. Member for Colchester two weeks ago, three other Saza Chiefs have resigned.

Will my right hon. Friend agree that it is absolutely vital that people who have stood by Her Majesty's Government in this matter should be protected? Will he further agree that reports in The Times and Manchester Guardian are far more disquieting than his answer would seem to suggest? Will he further consider, if these Chiefs have to resign, the question of compensation being paid to them?

I am watching this matter with the very greatest care. I think that I can claim to be a friend of Buganda and the Baganda people. On their conduct on matters of this kind, my attitude and that of a large number of other people will largely turn in future years. There may not have been a technical breach of the regulations, but I am satisfied that certain things have happened which are inconsistent with the spirit and understanding which I understood prevailed when we held the London talks, which led to the return to Buganda of the Kabaka some little time ago.

Will the right hon. Gentleman convey to the people of Buganda that all of us—and I speak for my right hon. and hon. Friends—who did our best to influence a settlement in this matter, will be very glad indeed to know that they have settled down to work together in co-operation to make a success of the new Constitution?

I am very glad to hear the right hon. Gentleman endorse that.

Has any indication been given by the three Saza Chiefs who have resigned from their important positions of their reason for so doing?

No, Sir—as far as I know. I can assure my hon. Friend that I am watching this situation with the greatest possible care.

Altogether apart from Buganda, is it not absolutely vital for the whole Colonial Empire that we should establish the principle that if people are victimised for having co-operated with us we will compensate them and look after them?

I certainly share with the hon. and learned Gentleman the recognition that we, too, have a duty in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will hold an inquiry into the intimidation of persons in responsible positions in the administration and other branches of public life in Buganda.

I am watching the situation very carefully, but I do not think that an inquiry would serve a useful purpose at the present time.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether any initiative was taken by the Great Lukiko to suggest that an inquiry should be held?

I think that if there ever was such a suggestion it was a rather different form of inquiry which was in mind.