asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken by his Department for the development of exportable coal from the Colonies to this country.

I cannot hold out any hope of developing for the United Kingdom market coal resources in the Territories for which my right hon. Friend is responsible. The known deposits are of low quality and the cost of transport would be very high.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he proposes to issue an official history of the Colonial Forces during the last war; and why no steps have been taken to prepare this.

The operations of the Colonial Forces in the main theatres of war are being recorded in the Official History of the War. In addition, a number of colonial Governments have published or are preparing official histories of their own forces. I do not think any further steps are necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the museum department of the Government of Cyprus acquired the building now being asked for by the Maronite Church; what was its cost; how much has been spent on it since it was acquired, and for what purpose; and how many buildings are occupied by the museum in Nicosia.

This building was transferred to the Antiquities Department in 1939, having been Government property in other use for a very long time. £5,400 has been spent to preserve the structure, to make it suitable for museum purposes, and to acquire adjoining properties to improve its amenities. The Cyprus Museum also occupies two smaller ancient monuments in Nicosia.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is yet in a position to make a statement as to the Government's policy concerning Malta.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now make a further announcement concerning the Commission of Inquiry into the activities of the Gold Coast Cocoa-Purchasing Commission.

The Government of the Gold Coast has announced the terms of reference of the Committee. They will be:

(i) To inquire into the management and administration of the Cocoa Purchasing Company Limited from its foundation to the present time in relation to disbursements and financial control;

(ii) To inquire into any allegations of irregularities in the conduct of the Cocoa Purchasing Company's affairs brought to the notice of the Committee and to make recommendations to the Minister of Labour and Trade.

The names of the members have not yet been announced, but the inquiry is to begin as soon as possible after the purchasing of the current cocoa crop ends on 16th March.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the progress of the Volta River Scheme.

No. I have nothing that I can acid to the information given in my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. J. Johnson) on 16th November.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what kind of tobacco is being grown under the new cultivation being undertaken by the Jamaica Tobacco Company; and to what extent this will help to diversify Jamaica's agriculture.

The Jamaica Tobacco Leaf Development Company has some 450 acres planted with cigar leaf tobacco and some 140 acres with Virginia tobacco. There have been reports that the Company plans to cultivate up to 20,000 acres of cigarette tobacco. If this can be achieved it would undoubtedly help to diversify Jamaica's economy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, are inapplicable to the circumstances of the present claim of the Government of Bermuda for certain wreck treasure; and if he will instruct the Government to discontinue this claim.

The legal position is not free from doubt and is being investigated. Meanwhile the Bermuda Government have no reason to discontinue their claim.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many trade union leaders have been arrested in Kenya during the last twelve months; and how many of them are still detained.

So far as I am aware, one prominent trade union official was arrested on a criminal charge in the last twelve months. My right hon. Friend is, however, asking the Governor for any further relevant information which he will send to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many members of Mau Mau are still held in detention camps; and at what rate they are being screened and released.

Screening takes place before Detention Orders are made. On 13th February, 43,516 persons were in detention, all on Detention Orders. Up to the end of January, 22,000 detained persons had been released, at an average rate during the last three months of 2,250 a month.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what has been the total cost to Her Majesty's Government, to date, of military and police expenditure arising out of the emergency in Kenya.

Her Majesty's Government have provided £21 million to date and, subject to the approval of Parliament, will be prepared to provide a further £6 million in the next financial year. These funds are devoted to expenditure arising out of the Emergency generally, to supplement the amount provided from Kenya's own resources, and are not allocated to particular items.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Kenya Federation of Labour has been called upon to show cause why its registration should not be cancelled; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes. The Kenya Federation of Labour has been called upon to show cause, by 10th March, why its registration should not be cancelled on the grounds that it pursues objects other than those declared in its application for registration.In his notice to the Federation, the Registrar of Societies stated that it was clear that the Federation had assumed the character of a political association pursuing objects in the general political field and outside the field of labour relations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the present trend in the cost of living in British Guiana.

As measured by the index calculated for working-class families in Georgetown, the cost of living, having risen slightly from 1954 to 1955, has shown little change for about a year. The monthly levels since January, 1954 (1938=100) are as follows:

Month	1954	1955	1956
January	268	279	284
February	268	280
March	277	282
April	278	285
May	280	285
June	277	285
July	277	286
August	275	286
September	277	284
October	278	285
November	274	281
December	277	282

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the increase or decrease in Post Office Savings in British Guiana as between the nearest comparable dates at the end of 1954 and 1955, respectively.

In round figures, depositors' balances at 31st December, 1955, amounted to $18,716,000 (£3,899,166) as compared with $17,184,000 (£3,580,000) at 31st December, 1954—an increase of $1,532,000 (£319,166).

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will announce the plans for production in Wales by the Atomic Energy Authority; and if he will make a statement.

The Atomic Energy Authority has at present no plans for setting up an establishment in Wales. If the hon. Member has in mind the possibility of a nuclear power station in Wales, that is not a matter for the Lord President, but for the Minister of Fuel and Power and the Central Electricity Authority.

asked the Postmaster-General to give an assurance that there will be no further increase in postal or telephone charges during the next twelve months, in view of the present Government policy in relation to stabilisation of prices.

We shall do all we can to avoid further increases in charges. But the Post Office has at present neither profits in prospect nor reserves in existence out of which to meet any rise in costs.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether he is aware of the need for postal and telephone facilities at Leckwith, Cardiff; and whether he will take action to prevent the removal of the post office from its present position;(2) what local organisations were consulted before his decision was taken to remove the Post Office and telephone facilities from Leckwith Road, Cardiff; and whether he will make a statement.

As the hon. Member knows, the post office had to be moved to 26, Leckwith Road on 23rd February following the resignation of the sub-postmistress whose premises are at 66, Leckwith Road. The new office is in a more central position and only about 200 yards from the existing site. It was therefore not thought necessary to trouble local organisations with details of the change. It is not intended to move the pillar box and the telephone kiosk which adjoin the former office.

asked the Postmaster-General what arrangements are being made with the police to avoid the prevention by police officers of the delivery of express parcels, as happened in Mortimer Street, St. Marylebone, on the morning of 20th January, 1956.

There is close collaboration between the police and the Post Office to ensure that, in general, delivery of mail is not impeded by police action. In existing traffic conditions, however, instances may occur when a Post Office van is required to move on: but I can assure my hon. Friend that the Post Office and the police will continue to do everything possible to keep these to a minimum.

asked the Postmaster-General what rearrangements in the Post Office development programme have been made to effect the £5,250,000 reduction required by Her Majesty's Government.

The rearranged programme continues to provide for a full effort in the supply of local telephone service in 1956–57. Longer-term projects will be somewhat delayed, particularly the provision of new trunk cables. As stated in the White Paper on Defence recently published, our defence expenditure in 1956 will be less than in 1955.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that goods sent by parcel post from Wembley to Denmark sometimes take a fortnight to reach their destination, whereas similar goods sent from south Germany to Denmark take only two to three days that this gives advantage to our German competitors and endangers our export trade; and if he will take steps to speed up this service.

One complaint of delay is being investigated; I will write to my hon. Friend when inquiries are complete.

asked the Postmaster-General when he expects the proposed new cable for St. Day telephone exchange, Cornwall, to be laid and ready for use.

In April next. More equipment is also needed at the exchange and we expect to provide this towards the end of the year.

asked the Postmaster-General when he expects the new telephone exchange at Constantine, Cornwall, to be completed and ready for use.

The building has been enlarged, and we expect to complete installation of additional equipment by the end of the year. New cables are also needed and this work will begin in the summer.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he will take to expedite the provision of new equipment in the Rhiwbina, Sully and Penmark areas of the county of Glamorgan, needed to enable him to meet the requirements of applicants for telephones in those areas.

More equipment will be fitted in the Rhiwbina exchange this Summer. New exchanges have recently been opened at Sully and Rhoose, which serves the Penmark area.

asked the Postmaster-General what progress has been made towards providing a public telephone kiosk near Harthope Viaduct on the Carlisle—Glasgow road.

A kiosk just over one mile to the north-west of the Viaduct was brought into service on 23rd February. 1956.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will make a statement upon the meeting between the experts of the British Broadcasting Corporation and the East German wireless system about the continued interference with the Welsh Regional Station of the British Broadcasting Corporation.

No meeting has taken place. The B.B.C. representatives went to Berlin in accordance with the Soviet High Commissioner's suggestion, but found that the East German authorities were only prepared to discuss the matter on the basis of recognition by Her Majesty's Government of the so-called Government of the German Democratic Republic. Since, as the House knows, such recognition is contrary to the policy of Her Majesty's Government, it has unfortunately been impossible to make any progress on the lines suggested by the Soviet High Commissioner.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the extent of interference to television reception in the area of Milton, Stoke-on-Trent; and how long it is estimated that it will take to remedy this.

I am aware of this trouble and experiments are being made with suppressors in an endeavour to cure it. As soon as the results are known I will communicate with the hon. Lady.

asked the Postmaster-General what consideration has been given to the introduction of alternative methods to the fitting of special suppressors at the factory responsible for interference to television reception in the Milton area, in order to give some cessation of the interference.

There is no practicable alternative to the fitting of suppressors.

asked the Postmaster-General what contribution has been made by the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Independent Television Authority, respectively, towards the £1,500,000 cut in their development programmes required by the Government.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) the revised total capital development programme of the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Independent Television Authority, respectively;

The B.B.C. has reduced its estimate of capital expenditure in 1956–57 from £6¼ million to £5 million, in round figures. The corresponding figures for the I.T.A. are £1¼ million and £1 million. The general effect of these cuts in both cases will be a slowing down of the process of extending and improving existing services. I am not at present in a position to say what further allocation of channels will be made to the I.T.A.

asked the Postmaster-General to what extent the proposed new Independent Television Authority station at Bristol will serve Wales; and if he will withhold the granting of a licence for this transmitter until he is satisfied that it will serve substantial areas in Wales not at present covered by the Wenvoe station.

asked the Postmaster-General where the proposed commercial television transmitter for covering South Wales is to be located.

The Authority tells me that it does not contemplate having a station at Bristol. To serve South Wales it is considering a number of sites, but has not yet reached any decision.

asked the Postmaster-General to what extent the revised expenditure programme of the Independent Television Authority includes provision for the extension of commercial television to Wales.

The revised programme includes provision for a station to serve South Wales, but the opening will be delayed by up to six months.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will now announce the names of the persons who have been appointed to conduct the inquiry into the allegations relating to broadcasting in Wales; and what terms of reference it is proposed to give them.

With the concurrence of my right hon. and gallant Friend the Home Secretary and Minister for Welsh Affairs I have appointed the following Committee of three:

Chairman, Sir Godfrey Ince, G.C.B., K.B.E. Members, Mr. H. V. Lloyd-Jones, Q.C., and Mr. John Beavan.

The terms of reference, which have been agreed to by the B.B.C. and the Broadcasting Council for Wales are:

" To inquire into and report on the allegations made in the House of Commons on 30th January, 1956, of bias in the preparation, content, or presentation of the news, talks and discussion programmes in the Welsh service of the B.B.C."

asked the Postmaster-General what discussions he is having with the Independent Television Authority regarding special Treasury subsidy for its news service; and what conclusion has been reached.

The Independent Television Authority wrote to me about the possibility of its receiving a grant under Section 11 of the Television Act, and I discussed the matter with the Authority on the 31st January. In the light of that discussion, the Independent Television Authority is reconsidering the matter and will approach me again.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will use his powers to compel the Independent Television Authority to provide complete national coverage before allowing them to develop a second programme for any area.

As I stated on 22nd February, the Government have decided to defer consideration of any additional television programme for either the B.B.C. or the Independent Television Authority for two years.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what decision he has made with regard to the installation of F.I.D.O. at London Airport.

Further action at London Airport must await results from trials of the joint experiment with a high-pressure system now being installed at an R.A.F. aerodrome.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will publish details of the scheme of assistance towards the cost of insurance for aircrew and others who fly regularly.

Under a scheme introduced last May aircrew and other members of the Services who fly regularly can recover three-quarters of the extra premiums payable on their life assurance policies for cover against Service flying risks. The maximum sum assured in respect of which refund can be claimed has been £2,000: it is now being raised to £4,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Air on what date it is anticipated that the Britannia aircraft will become available to the Royal Air Force Transport Command, so that the more rapid and extensive air reinforcement of Army units and formations, described in paragraph 31 of the Memorandum of the Secretary of State for War relating to the Army Estimates for 1956–57, can be carried out.

Within the next two or three years.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what deliveries of the twinengined version of the Prestwick Pioneer aircraft have been made to the Royal Air Force; and what numbers of this aircraft which will be made available to the Army before 31st March, 1957, to enable the 24th Independent Infantry Brigade to carry out the rôle described in paragraph 51 of the Memorandum of the Secretary of State for War relating to the Army Estimates for 1956–57.

None. The Independent Infantry Brigade will be supported by the single-engined Pioneer, which is already in service.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many civilians are now employed by the Royal Air Force; and how this number compares with that of a year ago.

Excluding, in each case, staff recruited in Germany, the figures are 102,443 for 1st January, 1955, and 101,191 for 1st January, 1956.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation why he authorised the transport by road during February from Newcastle-on-Tyne to Shellhaven on the Thames Estuary of a load 150 feet long and weighing 50 tons, which took nine days on its journey.

No special authorisation was required for the movement of this load. It came within the limits laid down in the Motor Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) General Order, 1955, and could legally be moved in compliance with the conditions prescribed in that Order.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what action has been taken on the Report of the Committee of Inquiry into London Transport.

1. This valuable Report has been under careful consideration by both my predecessor and myself as well as by the British Transport Commission and the London Transport Executive.2. The principal conclusion of the Committee was that the London Transport Executive is conducted efficiently and with due regard to economy, but that if certain steps are not taken to improve the conditions in which London Transport operates and if some internal reforms are not made, efficiency is likely to decline and costs to rise, with an inevitable reaction on fares. The Committee stresses two operating difficulties; first, the increasing tendency of the travelling public to concentrate its movement into two peak periods, and secondly increasing road congestion.3. I am considering by what means "staggered" working hours can be further encouraged to spread the peak load. A special sub-committee of the Transport Users' Consultative Committee for the London Area with the fullest support and assistance from the London Transport Executive, is at work on this problem and has made most valuable progress. It is not, I think, even yet generally realised that, if working hours were staggered by as little as fifteen minutes on each side of their present starting and finishing times, there would be an immediate and noticeable improvement in the convenience and comfort of travelling, especially in the evening.4. My roads programme provides for many important improvements in London which will reduce congestion. Good progress is being made with the Cromwell Road extension and the Notting Hill Gate widening scheme will be formally authorised before the end of March. The programmes for 1956–57 and for each of the two following years will include, in addition to smaller schemes, further important improvements in Central London which were announced by my predecessor in his statement on 2nd February, 1955. I hope that these schemes, together with the various other steps (including the introduction of parking meters) which are constantly under consideration for the relief of traffic congestion, will improve conditions for all road users. Much, however, will depend on the ability of London Transport to attract, through the improved efficiency of their service, a substantial number of persons who at present use private cars for their daily journey to and from work.5. In order to encourage motorists to leave their cars on the outskirts the London Transport Executive has in hand a programme of providing additional parking space at outlying Underground stations where suitable land is available. The initial programme provides for an increase from some 1,250 car spaces at present to 2,500. A further programme, bringing the total provision up to 4,200 car spaces, is under examination.6. The Government have not overlooked the Committee's conclusion about the contribution which a new tube railway from Victoria to Walthamstow (the Victoria Line) might make to the relief of traffic congestion, but because of the very high cost of this scheme, it is not yet possible to say when it will be started.7. The Committee's principal recommendation for the internal improvement of the London Transport Executive concerns the higher administration of the Executive. The House will already be aware that in October last my predecessor re-appointed the full-time members of the Executive for five years notwithstanding the Committee's views on the need to alter the present arrangement under which the members of the Executive, although owing their allegiance to the Commission, are appointed by the Minister. Before making these appointments my predecessor considered very carefully, in consultation with the Chairman of the Commission, the alternatives suggested by the Committee, but concluded that, although the present arrangement might be open to some objection in theory, it had worked well in practice and it would be unwise to disturb it. The Committee also recommended that there should be not fewer than two part-time members of the Executive with experience in fields other than transport. An additional part-time member with long experience of industrial relations and the organisation of workers joined the Board on 1st January last. I hope to announce the appointment of a third part-time member shortly.8. The Committee considered that the costs to the Executive of maintaining their omnibuses were too high. Since the Committee reported, the Executive has come to an agreement with the trade unions providing for the introduction of a new incentive bonus scheme for maintenance work in garages and depots, and this scheme when fully effective will bring about economies in maintenance of the kind indicated by the Committee.9. The Committee pointed out that there did not appear to be very close or continuous co-ordination of policy on the higher levels between the Commission and the Executive. I am satisfied that the chief officers of the two bodies do in fact keep in close personal touch and that there are regular meetings. The Commission have however now set up a small group under their Chairman, with special responsibility for the affairs of London Transport.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what was the number of A, B and C licences, respectively, revoked during 1955 for infringement of the Road Traffic Acts.

Two C licences, involving eight vehicles were revoked and three A licences and one B licence, involving eleven and four vehicles respectively, were suspended.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when the question of flashing lights on cars was first referred to the Road Research Laboratory; when his predecessor received the Report; when the question was again referred to the Laboratory for further advice; and when he expects to receive the second report and come to a decision.

The Laboratory was asked in December, 1954, to accelerate certain inquiries which it was making into the value of the different types of direction indicators in use on private cars in this country, and a Report was received in October last. This Report indicated that some further questions remained for investigation, and I am expecting a supplementary Report shortly.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many examiners are employed on driving tests in the Tees-side area; what is the average monthly number of applicants for test; and the waiting period from date of application until the date of test.

Eight examiners, and an average of 1,200 applicants a month over the past six months. The waiting period is now about nine weeks.

asked the Minister of Defence if, for the convenience of hon. Members, he will include in future White Papers on defence an analysis of the Regular strengths of the Services according to types of engagement, so as to show to what extent the Services are manned on a long-term basis.

No. I do not think that it would be appropriate to give detailed information of this kind in the Statement on Defence. I am, of course, always willing to supply any material which may be available in answer to a Question.

asked the Minister of Defence if, for the convenience of hon. Members, he will include in future White Papers on defence a comparison between the actual number of Regular recruits enlisting during the year and the estimated number expected to join, as given in the previous year's Statement on Defence.

The number of recruits actually enlisting during the financial year cannot be given when the Statement on Defence is presented. The comparison can, however, be made by means of the return of Armed Forces Recruiting made available quarterly in the Vote Office.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will now make a statement about the new bounty scheme for the auxiliary forces.

I am not yet able to make a comprehensive statement on the subject.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what reductions will be made in capital expenditure on the road programme in the coming year as a result of the general restrictions imposed by Her Majesty's Government; and if he will give details.

I have nothing to add to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Enfield, East (Mr. Ernest Davies) on 22nd February.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will give details of the £22 million reduction in capital expenditure which will fall on the British Transport Commission in the coming year.

I have nothing to add to the Answer I gave the hon. Member for Enfield, East (Mr. Ernest Davies) on 22nd February.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in view of the number of accidents which have occurred, he will consider bringing forward the date on which major improvements to the section of the main London—Ipswich road, A.12, comprising Gun Hill, will be started.

A scheme for the widening and realignment of this road at Gun Hill has been prepared. Negotiations for the acquisition of land are in progress and I hope that work will start in the spring.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will circulate with the OFFICIAL REPORT an estimate of the effect of de-rating on each local authority, together with the final effect if the appropriate equalisation grants were withdrawn.

There are in England and Wales no current figures of rateable values of agricultural properties to show the effect on individual local authorities of agricultural derating. As regards industrial and freight-transport derating, I would refer my hon. Friend to the annual publication "Rates and Rateable Values," of which I am sending her a copy. I am also sending her a list of the equalisation grants currently payable to all counties and county boroughs.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to send a circular giving guidance to local authorities on differential rent schemes.

Yes. A circular on these lines is in course of preparation.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the annual cost of over £1,000,000 for bottles used in the National Health Service, he will introduce a regulation requiring a returnable deposit to be made when medicines are supplied; and what saving he estimates could be obtained by this procedure.

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the reply given to

Projects for building or rebuilding barracks begun since 1st April, 1955.	Building or rebuilding started before and in progress during financial year 1955–56
(a) New barracks:	(a) New barracks:
Warcop, Westmorland; Sudbury, Staffordshire; Belfast.	Colburn Sidings, Catterick; Jaffa Lines, Catterick; Garets Hey, Loughborough;
(b) Modernisation of barracks:	Solway Barracks, Longtown; Bestwood
Kandahar and Jellalabad Barracks, Tidworth.	Lodge, Nottingham; "U" and "Z" Barracks, Bicester; Boreham Camp, Warminster; Vauxhall Barracks, Didcot; Army Medical Equipment Centre, Ludgershall; Fugglestone Camp, Salisbury; Westmoors Camp, near Wimborne; Byams Camp, Marchwood; Rowcroft, Ashford; Lichards Cross, Bridgend; Deysbrook Camp, Liverpool; Court-Y-Gollen Camp, Marlborough Barracks, Kineton; Parsons Lines, Donnington; Long Marston Camp, Craigie Hall, Edinburgh.
	(b) Modernisation of barracks:
	Combermere Barracks, Windsor; Stoughton Barracks, Guildford; Fulwood Barracks, Preston; Maryhill Barracks, Glasgow; Topsham Barracks, Exeter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether his attention has been drawn to the fatal attacks that are being made by buzzard hawks on lambs, sheep, and poultry which affects food production; and whether he will inquire into the losses thus sustained during the last twelve months in the counties of Brecon and Radnor.

I have received reports to this effect and have arranged for inquiries to be made in the Counties of Brecon and Radnor.

asked the Secretary of State for War to publish a list of the places at home where the building of new barracks has been commenced and where existing barracks have been renovated since he presented the Army Estimates for 1955–56.

Following is the list: