asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consult with the Government of Northern Rhodesia regarding the desirability of a Commission upon the franchise for Africans in this territory.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Fenner Brockway) on 23rd November. I have still nothing to add to my predecessor's statement of 11th February, 1954.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will take steps to ensure that whenever special statutory commissions or committees of inquiry are appointed to examine conditions of employment in Central Africa, provision will be made for the representation on such bodies of the African workers.

Whenever any such bodies are appointed in Northern Rhodesia or Nyasaland, I have no doubt that the Governor concerned would give this matter very careful and sympathetic consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will repeal existing discriminatory sections of the Railway Act, 1949, in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland so as to enable all trades unions, irrespective of colour, to function as statutory unions.

The Northern Rhodesia Railway Ordinance, 1949, to which I presume the hon. Member refers, provides that in addition to the Amalgamated Engineering Union and the Rhodesia Railway Workers' Union, which are automatically registered, an additional union known as the "statutory union" may be registered to represent African employees who do not belong to either of the other registered unions. No African union has yet applied for statutory recognition; but in Northern Rhodesia the railway management in practice has negotiated with the Northern Rhodesian African Railway Workers' Union through a joint industrial committee. This arrangement has proved satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the trade union and Trade Disputes (Amendment) Ordinance has been introduced in the Legislature of the North Rhodesian Government; how far the African and European trade unions were consulted prior to its introduction; and, in view of the restrictions of the rights of the trades unions and their members which the amended Ordinance would impose, if he will recommend the Governor not to sanction the Measure.

No Bill has been introduced. A draft Bill has been circulated to the unions and is still under discussion. The last part of the Question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the disquiet of Africans in Nyasaland about the standard of secondary education for Africans in the Protectorate, particularly the high percentage of failures in standard VI examinations; and what steps he proposes taking to remedy this.

I am well aware of the great interest which many Africans in Nyasaland show in educational matters. The standard VI examination is taken from the primary schools, not the secondary schools. The percentage of successes in this examination cannot yet be regarded as satisfactory, and therefore the Nyasaland Government is arranging to consolidate existing primary schools and improve the qualifications and numbers of teachers. The percentage of successes in examinations taken at secondary school level is a good deal higher, but secondary education is also being expanded and improved.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why Mr. H. R. Brand was not given permission to land in Trinidad, although he had been offered and had accepted a post as area engineer with an electrical power company operating in Trinidad.

Mr. Brand was refused permission to land in Trinidad because he was deemed by the Governor-in-Council to be an undesirable visitor to the Colony under the provisions of the Local Immigration (Restriction) Ordinance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to make a statement about the constitutional changes envisaged in Trinidad; whether he has yet received the report of the constitutional commission; what evidence has been supplied to him about resistance by the islanders to the proposed changes; and whether he will now give the new date for the general election in Trinidad.

The Constitutional Reform Committee has reported to the Government of Trinidad, and I await the recommendations of that Government.The present Legislative Council must be dissolved on or before 26th May, 1956, and by law a general election held within four months of dissolution on such date as the Governor may appoint.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made with the reformation of the West India Regiment.

The large majority of West Indian Governments have agreed with my proposals for re-forming the West India Regiment and I am awaiting the outstanding replies before proceeding.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what attempts have been made to grow cotton in British Guiana.

Small-scale experiments with cotton have been going on since 1951, and an experienced officer has recently been appointed to investigate fully the economic possibilities of cotton production in the Colony.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the position regarding experiments in jute growing in British Guiana.

The experiments have not yet shown that jute can be grown commercially; the British Guiana Government are awaiting the outcome of the present crop before deciding whether they should be continued.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in restoring the economies of Grenada, Barbados and British Honduras after the hurricane Janet.

The House will be glad to learn that very good progress has already been made.In Grenada (including Carriacou) which has by far the biggest problem, complete restoration of the economy will take a long time, but a beginning has been made.As I said in my statement on 26th October, fertilisers were shipped urgently to Grenada to help restore the soil; these have arrived and are being distributed and applied. Planting material for food and short-term export crops has been obtained and is now being planted out. Under legislation enacted early in November loans are available to enable agriculturists to clear their land, repair their buildings and re-equip themselves in the initial stages of rehabilitation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will take steps to prevent a repetition of the attempts made on 9th November last to segregate into separate hotels, according to their colour, the British Overseas Airways Corporation's passengers who had to spend the night in Nassau in the Bahamas.

I am informed that normally there are satisfactory arrangements in Nassau in first-class hotels for all airways passengers, irrespective of their race. That the arrangements broke down on this occasion is a matter for great regret for B.O.A.C., the Governor of the Bahamas and myself, and I am sorry that persons concerned suffered this incident. The Governor is as anxious as myself to see colour discrimination in hotels disappear. It is, however, a matter for local public opinion, which I have reason to believe and I am glad to learn is slowly changing for the better.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the Arab opposition to the proposed constitutional changes for Zanzibar. culminating in the assassination of the Sheikh Sultan Ahmed el Mughe Ira, an Arab Unofficial Member of the Legislative Council; and if he will make a statement upon the situation.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his Question of 23rd November. I have been greatly distressed by the murder of Sheikh Sultan Ahmed el Mugheiry. Investigations are proceeding vigorously, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement or to confirm that the crime was committed for political motives.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how the plan for constitutional development in Zanzibar has been received.

The constitutional proposals announced by the British Resident on 3rd October have been generally welcomed by the African and Asian communities, and unanimously accepted by the Legislative Council; but Arab leaders in Zanzibar, who had previously acceputed the proposals, are now opposing them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why he refuses any form of election in Zanzibar; and if he is aware that both the present Constitution and Sir John Rankine's proposals, in denying the common roll, are causing the communities to drift farther apart instead of bringing them closer to one another.

If the hon. Member would refer to the exchange of dispatches between myself and the British Resident, copies of which have been placed in the Library, he would see that I look forward in due course to the introduction of elections in Zanzibar, and that my mind is not closed to the idea that they might be based on some form of common roll. The great majority of the people there have supported my view that the matter requires further study and have welcomed the inquiry which is due to start next month into the best method of selecting the unofficial members.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) the costs of the defence at Eldoret, Kenya, of two African boys charged with unlawful entry on enclosed land in criminal case No. 2739/54; whether, at the hearing of their successful appeal, application was made for payment of those costs; and what order was made by the appellate court as to costs.(2) whether he will inquire into the circumstances under which a sentence of twelve strokes with a light cane, passed at Eldoret, Kenya, on an African boy in criminal case No. 2739/54 was carried out before the hearing of his appeal, which was successful; and what are the provisions for payment of compensation in such cases.

The two eldest boys were not legally represented at their trial at Eldoret but their employer engaged counsel to represent them on appeal when compensation was claimed. The judge correctly held that he had no power to award compensation but there may be grounds for a payment to one of the two boys, and the Governor is considering that. Sentence on the youngest boy was carried out because no appeal lies from such a sentence. There are no legal provisions for compensation in such a case but the Governor is considering the question of an ex gratia payment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the age of the successful candidate for the post of Information Officer, East Africa High Commission; and when he took up his duties in East Africa.

No candidate has yet been appointed. The age limits for this post are 30 to 45.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies by whom the members of the Buganda Appointments Board are appointed; the functions of the Board; and if he will make a statement upon the present operations of the Board.

The Chairman is appointed by the Kabaka with the approval of the Governor. The three other members are appointed by the Kabaka on the recommendation of the Buganda Ministers and with the approval of the Governor. The Permanent Secretary to the Katikiro (Buganda Prime Minister) is ex officio Deputy-Chairman.The functions of the Board are to appoint the junior officers of the Kabaka's Government and to recommend the senior officers for appointment by him. The Board is responsible for the disciplinary control of officers in accordance with the provisions of the Buganda Agreement and the Buganda Staff Regulations.The Board has only recently been set up, and I would not wish to make a statement about its operations at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the nature of the duties of the Economic Adviser shortly to be appointed by the Government of Uganda.

The Economic Adviser will advise the Uganda Government on economic matters generally and in particular will be responsible for economic investigations and research.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is satisfied that adequate publicity has been given to the proposals to spend £38 million on development work in Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. Full announcements about the Development Plan have been made both in Cyprus and here. As I informed the House in the debate on Cyprus on 5th December, I will lay the detailed Development Plan in the Library as soon as I receive it from the Governor.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the additional cost of maintaining law and order in Cyprus as a result of civil disturbances during the last month.

I am asking the Governor for this information, and will write to the hon. Member as soon as I have it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why he refused to provide travelling papers to refugees from the French Cameroons having asylum in the British Cameroons who had been promised a hearing by the Fourth Committee of the United Nations.

No person has claimed asylum as a refugee in the British Cameroons. The Governor-General of Nigeria was unable to issue passports to three French Cameroonians who applied as they were not British subjects or British protected persons. No other travel documents have been applied for.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to state Government policy regarding investment by private enterprise in Nigeria.

Her Majesty's Government welcome such investment and so do all the Governments in the Federation, though the local requirements may vary from region to region. In pursuit of their general policy for the development of the overseas territories, it is one of their principal aims to create conditions favourable for private investment, by promoting good government and by assisting in the development of basic services.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will take action to avoid the nuisance from the use of jet aircraft at weekends by Reserve pilots in the vicinity of Benson airfield, Oxford.

I much regret the inconvenience caused by weekend flying to those living near the airfield at Benson but this flying is essential if the pilots, who are members of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and are only available at weekends, are to be properly trained.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what documents were destroyed in the recent fire at the Admiralty.

None.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty to what extent the work of his Department has been affected by the recent fire at the Admiralty.

Apart from the minor inconvenience of moving a few occupants of waterlogged rooms in the wing of the old building still in use, the work of the Department has not been affected.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the reception of the British Broadcasting Corporation's Home Service in Wales is still poor during the hours of darkness; and what steps are being taken to provide normal service.

Yes. In addition to other measures already taken, a V.H.F. station has recently been opened at Penmon and next week the Welsh programme will also be broadcast from a new V.H.F. station at Wenvoe. The main trouble is interference from an East German station, and this, I hope, will shortly be discussed between experts of the B.B.C. and the East German wireless system.

asked the Postmaster-General when he expects to be able to provide equipment suitable for televising live programmes from the north-east.

This is a matter for the B.B.C. But I may say that they have equipment for televising live programmes and have recently made such a broadcast from north-east England.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the nuisance caused to television users by the failure of motorists and other users of electrical appliances to fit suppressors; and, in view of the steadily increasing number of viewers, what further action he proposes to deal with this problem.

Regulations under the Wireless Telegraphy Act make it compulsory for all cars manufactured since July, 1953, to be fitted with suitable suppressors. A substantial number of older cars are fitted voluntarily. The car problem, therefore, is a diminishing one.Under other Regulations, all new refrigerators made since 1st September, 1955, also have to be suppressed.There are further Regulations dealing with household and industrial appliances which use small electric motors, such as sewing machines, hair dryers, vacuum cleaners and electric drills. By no means all of these cause trouble, but when interference is reported to us and we trace it to such an appliance, we ask the owner to fit a suppressor. In the rare case of refusal, he can be required to do so.There are other sources of interference but we usually find that when the trouble is pointed out to him the offender agrees to have his apparatus put right. We are, however, considering the need for further Regulations to deal with non-co-operative offenders in these other types of interference.

asked the Postmaster-General what Regulations he has made under Section 7 of the Television Act, 1954, for the televising of test-match cricket in this country by the Independent Television Authority.

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply to the right hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Ness Edwards) on 16th November.

asked the Postmaster-General if the Independent Television Authority has yet consulted him, as provided under Section 4 of the Television Act, 1954, as to the classes of goods which must not be advertised; and if he will include quack medical remedies in the list of goods not to be advertised.

The Answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes." The Independent Television Authority has laid down rules for advertising, to which my right hon. Friend gave approval in so far as they relate to matters falling within Section 4 (5) of the Television Act, 1954. Copies of these rules were placed in the Library on 14th June, 1955. The rules are based on the recommendations of the Independent Television Authority's Advertising Advisory Committee, which includes representatives of the medical, pharmaceutical and dental professions, as well as of the Ministry of Health.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the terms of Section 4 (2) and (6) of the Television Act, 1954, were infringed in the case of the advertisement which appeared at 3.28 p.m. on Saturday, 5th November, 1955, in commercial television; and what action he is taking in the matter.

The responsibility for ensuring that the programme contractors comply with the Television Act, 1954, rests on the Independent Television Authority.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider separating radio licences from television licences so that people who do not have a radio set need not pay the full charge of £3.

I doubt very much whether the hon. Member's suggestion would make it possible to reduce the £3 television licence fee in view of the growing needs of the T.V. service. In any case, it would involve separate licensing of sound sets and T.V. sets even in the same household, and this would seriously increase the difficulties of collecting the appropriate fees.

asked the Postmaster-General what progress has been made in the last two years in putting telephone and telegraph wires underground; and whether, in all suitable cases, the electricity authorities are consulted with a view to co-operation for purposes of economy.

It is our policy to put lines underground where this is economic, and on the longer routes, which I assume my hon. Friend has particularly in mind, the mileage of overhead wires is about one-sixth less than two years ago. The Answer to the second part of the Question is "Yes."

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to ensure that when people collect their own post at their own expense in order to save the Post Office time and trouble delivering it, their post is ready for collection.

Normally the mail is ready for private-box holders when they go along to collect it; but at the Western District Post Office, which I believe my hon. Friend may have in mind, acute staff shortages and very heavy mails are causing delays. We shall continue to do all we can to eliminate these delays but as my hon. Friend knows we are faced with great difficulties at the Western District Post Office.

asked the Postmaster-General when work will be started on the Enfield automatic telephone exchange.

We hope to start the new building at the end of next year.

asked the Postmaster-General to have a new post office built in the Longton area, like the Bridlington new post office.

Not for the present. There are many more urgent cases which must come first.

asked the Postmaster-General how far he intends to modernise the post office and the facilities available in Fenton.

No changes in post office facilities in Fenton are contemplated at present; but if the hon. Member has any particular point in mind and will let me know, I shall be glad to look into the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is satisfied with the post office services available for the Meir, Blurton, Newstead, Trent Vale, and Hanford areas; and what further action he proposes to take.

In general, post office services in these areas conform to national standards. It is intended to provide a sub-post office to serve the Newstead Estate and part of the Blurton Estate when shops have been opened in a suitable location.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will take action to ensure that the food supplied in the Royal Air Force messes in Cyprus is of an adequate standard.

In general, satisfactory standards of messing are being maintained at Royal Air Force units in Cyprus despite the difficulties caused by the temporary overcrowding of messes and the consequential strain on the kitchens. At one mess, where rebuilding adds to the difficulties, messing has deteriorated; the Command is however doing all it can to improve it, and the constructional work is being hurried on as rapidly as possible. Messing standards both here and throughout the island will continue to be watched very closely.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why no staff pay is payable to Royal Air Force officers.

Royal Air Force pay is intended to cover the whole range of officers' duties, apart from flying, in respect of which flying pay was introduced in 1950.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of entrants to Cranwell in 1952, 1953, and 1954; and how many of them were sons of Royal Air Force officers and ex-officers.

In 1952, there were 144 entrants to the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell, of whom 26 were the sons of Royal Air Force officers or ex-officers. For 1953 the figures were 87 and 11, and for 1954, 89 and 13.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many officers were discharged from the Service as a result of a court martial for dishonoured cheques during 1954.

Three.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number and type of redundant aeroplanes sold as surplus Royal Air Force stores to private dealers in the past year.

Three hundred and forty-three, made up of 231 training aircraft, 72 bomber and general reconnaissance aircraft, 18 fighter aircraft and 22 transport aircraft. It is normally a condition of the sale of combat aircraft that they should be used only for the recovery of scrap.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will revoke the decision to post to Cyprus 2764464 Aircraftman H. L. Brock, 26, Crossways Street, Barry, in view of the indifferent health of his mother, Mrs. Frances Brock, and medical opinions stated thereon.

I regret that it is not possible to exempt this airman from overseas service, for the reasons which I have explained to my hon. Friend in correspondence with him.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is yet in a position to let the right hon. Member for Caerphilly have a reply to his inquiry of 9th November last, relative to the penalties imposed on an airman who obtained an early release, details of which were passed to him in a letter of that date.

I have now written to the right hon. Member to explain why the airman was not entitled to the benefits he has in mind.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will consider sympathetically the application of the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society for a disused airfield to be used as the permanent site for their annual show.

Yes. We have noted the Society's request and are now in touch with the Ministry of Agriculture to see what can be done to meet it. I am afraid, however, that the disposal of surplus airfields is inevitably a lengthy process, and it is bound to be some time before it is possible to let the Society have a firm decision.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in view of the worsening traffic congestion on London roads he will consider sanctioning increased capital expenditure for the construction of the ring roads and cross-river tunnels in the London area.

I have already allotted a large share of the road programme to the London area, including the Dartford—Purfleet Tunnel on which work will start next year. So far as any expansion of the programme is concerned, I would refer the hon. Member to what was said by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 26th October.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation why there has been a delay in changing the over-lapping level crossing gates in the High Street, Lincoln, to the type that meet in the centre and introducing automatic light signals for road traffic.

I understand that the city council and the British Transport Commission were unable to agree how the cost of the new gates should be shared. I am glad to say that these difficulties have now been resolved and that the work is expected to begin next month.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to make a statement on the road safety campaign; and what action he now proposes to take to reduce the number of road casualties.

I have no statement to make today on this subject. As the House will be aware from previous statements, a variety of methods of dealing with this grave problem are and will be employed. They are too many to specify within the reasonable length of answer to a Parliamentary Question, but I am writing to the hon. Member on this subject.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is now able to state when a start will be made on the erection of the bridge over the River Avon on road A9 at Linlithgow bridge.

I expect to make a start next spring.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what further progress has been made into the study of dazzle from road-vehicle headlamps.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will now make a statement on the question of universal dipping of headlamps, arising from the consultations he has had with all the interested parties.

I propose to reserve any decision on a standard specification for headlamp performance until I receive the recommendations of the Economic Commission for Europe.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to inaugurate a campaign against badly-adjusted headlamps on road vehicles and against road users who abuse them.

In the Road Traffic Bill now before Parliament I am seeking powers to carry out spot checks on the roads of the lighting and other equipment of motor vehicles. In conjunction with the Royal Society far the Prevention of Accidents and other bodies concerned, I am organising a vehicle maintenance campaign next autumn which will, of course, include headlamps. In the meantime, valuable experience is being gained from the voluntary tests being carried out at the Ministry's testing station at Hendon.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to consider using the old tramway subway from the Embankment to the top of Kingsway as a motor road, so as to ease the flow of north-south traffic in this area and at the same time prevent it from holding up the east-west traffic flow along the Strand.

No. This matter has recently been examined by the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee and its advice, with which I agree, is that there is no traffic use of the tunnel at the present time without prohibitive expenditure of funds which could be better used elsewhere on our roads. It is to consider the matter again in 1957.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation on which road schemes work has been started since 20th July and for which authorisation has been given but work has not started since the same date.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 3rd November, 1955; Vol. 545, c. 142], supplied the

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to state the number of accidents which have taken place in 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953 and 1954 on the Otley-Wetherby road between Pool-in-Wharfedale and Harewood Bridge; and how many fatalities there were each year.

The numbers of accidents reported to the police in the years 1950 to 1954 were respectively: 8, 14, 9, 12 and 14. There were no fatalities.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if, in view of the dangerous condition of the bus station at Pwllheli, Caernarvonshire, which is used extensively by vehicles and travellers, including some hundreds of school children, every day, he will expedite approval of loan sanction for the borough council's plans for resurfacing the station and providing shelters.

I have explained the details of this matter in my reply to the hon. Member's letter of 2nd December. If the council will furnish an itemised estimate of the cost of the works proposed at the bus station, I will give the terms of the loan sanction my immediate consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when he proposes to introduce legislation to enable the British Transport Commission to retain additional vehicles to those authorised by the Transport Act, 1953.

I propose to give notice today of introduction tomorrow.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware of an accident on the District Railway in East London on 1st December; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. At about 8.38 p.m. on the 1st December after a power failure had occurred, the 5.4 p.m. District Line train from Acton Town to Upminster, carrying about 800 passengers, collided at slow speed with an empty train which was standing in Bromley-by-Bow Station. There was no derailment and damage to the coaches was slight. Thirty-six passengers were taken to hospital for minor injuries and shock; two only were detained and have since been discharged. I appointed Colonel W. P. Reed, an Inspecting Officer of Railways, to hold an Inquiry into this accident. His Inquiry took place on the 9th December, and I am sure the House will understand that I cannot make any further statement until I receive his report.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if in the national interest, in view of the threat of dislocation in railway workshops caused by the decision of the British Transport Commission to order the locomotives required for the modernisation programme from outside firms, he will give a general direction to the Commission that railway workshops should always be used to capacity for work which they are capable of doing.

No. The British Transport Commission made it clear in its announcement on 22nd November that its present orders for diesel locomotives refer to pilot models for trial purposes and these orders should not be taken as an indication of permanent policy. Such policy will be discussed with the unions concerned through the joint consultative machinery.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what reply he gave to the most recent representations from the Liverpool Corporation on the subject of the future of the Liverpool Overhead Railway.

I recently saw a deputation which included, among others, some representatives of the Liverpool City Council. I informed the deputation that as this matter was shortly to come before Parliament as the result of the promotion of a Private Bill by the proprietors of the railway, I did not feel that it would be appropriate for me to take any action at this stage.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to give details of the trials and demonstrations, at Fraserburgh and Arbroath, of the new inexpensive radar apparatus for guiding small fishing vessels into harbour when visibility is bad; if he is yet in a position to state where it can be obtained for general use; and what is the price charged by his Department.

These trials were made under operational conditions between a prototype transmitter on shore and fishing vessels fitted with prototype receivers at sea. They were attended by representatives of four fishermen's associations and nine radio manufacturers. The apparatus is not yet on the market, but I understand that manufacturers are actively studying the question of going into commercial production. Details of the design are made available by my Department without charge.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware of the menace to British shipping caused by the registration of British ships under foreign flags and wearing flags of convenience; if he has considered the problems and dangers arising from this practice; and what steps he is now taking to deal with these problems.

British ships are registered under the British flag, and I am not aware of any such practice on the part of British owners. But I am much concerned about the growth of this practice on the part of foreign owners who are outside our jurisdiction.